Business News Extra September 2014

Video games pioneer spills the beans 3 Surrey firms exploit export market 4 Student film-makers are all action 5 School of rock invites people to play 7

Sep 2014

getsurrey.co.uk/business in association with

Location, location... visitor attraction?

Stars of the silver screen are increasingly heading to Surrey to film the latest blockbuster movie or television series, but are the county’s businesses getting their cut from setting the scene for so many global productions?

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com Film stars regularly pop up in Surrey to film in its idyllic stately homes and chocolate box villages, but how much the county’s businesses benefit from an increase in footfall is up for debate.

The Surrey Advertiser reported last week that a scene for a Hollywood adaptation of Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass, starring Johnny Depp, was shot overnight at Horsley Park.

A spokesman for De Vere Venues said filming is not common at the East Horsley complex, but some locations in the county are inundated with requests for filming.

Bourne Wood, near Farnham, has seen cast and crews for blockbusters including The Avengers, Robin Hood and Captain America, as well as television shows Doctor Who and Band of Brothers.

Hankley Common, in Elstead, was famously used for the filming of the 2012 Bond film Skyfall, starring Daniel Craig, and was recently transformed into a set for a new film version of Macbeth.

It is not just Surrey’s landscapes that are immortalised on the big screen either.

Loseley Park, in Guildford, has hosted filming for scenes from television programmes Midsomer Murders and Emma, and even the Spice Girls shot some footage for the making of Spice World the Movie at the venue.

Denbies vineyard, in Dorking, and Dunsfold Park are also popular locations.

While most organisations in Surrey that interact with the film and television industries maintain ‘it is a good thing’, the tangible long-term economic benefits for these locations is not as easy to confirm.

A spokesman for Guildford Borough Council said: “We don’t have figures available on any increase in visitor numbers after Surrey locations are used in film or television series. Many of the lo-

“Our visitors love to know if we are filming and who’s in it...”

Michael MoreMolyneux Loseley Park cations used are not open to the public or not easily recognisable from the film.”

Michael More-Molyneux, owner of Loseley Park, said it recently hosted filming for a new film, The Man Who Knew Infinity, starring Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons.

“Our visitors love to know if we are filming and who’s in it and that sort of thing,” said Mr More-Molyneux.

“Midsomer Murders has a huge following and we certainly had visitors to Loseley as a result of that. Whether visitors generally increase because of filming, I personally wouldn’t say so.

“Places like Alnwick Castle in Northumberland would – it was used for the Harry Potter franchise. We think carefully about whether to do it because it is a big upheaval.”

Bourne Wood has earned the Forestry Commission more than £650,000 through its use for filming over the past 14 years. Despite the disruption caused to locals, whose access to the woods is regularly hindered, the fees gathered are not used for the exclusive maintenance of the wood but go into a general fund for managing woodland in the South.

Tony Patterson, of the Bourne Wood Residents’ Association, said: “The longterm economic benefit of filming for surrounding businesses is marginal, and I don’t think it increases footfall. The film crews tend to turn up, get what they want and go back to London, and they don’t generally get supplies from the area as they bring it in from the big studios.”

Bucking the trend, however is Shere – used for the filming of The Holiday and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.

Owner of the Dabbling Duck café in the village, Cathy Garthwaite, said: “Having The Holiday filmed here has certainly helped put Shere on the map. We have people in here at least once a week from all over the world asking about it.

Sometimes they don’t realise though – the famous cottage in the film was dismantled after they finished.”

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September 2014

My first job Dorking Chamber of Commerce will host a seminar for employers on pensions auto enrolment next week.

The Government has decided that every business needs to be able to offer a pension package to employees earning more than £6,000 per year.

Businesses of all sizes will have to do this – and will have to communicate the fact to their employees in a certain way.

Introduction to the Pensions Auto Enrolment Minefield will run from 7.45am to 10am on Wednesday (September 10) in the Garden Room.

Entrance costs £13 and includes a light breakfast.

The speaker is auto enrolment consultant Simon Jones. Call 01306 743403 to book a place and not miss out.

SHOWBIZ students at the Pauline Quirke Academy, in Guildford, will be heading to their own film festival in London’s West End after making it on to the shortlist of a nationwide competition.

Earlier this year, 61 Pauline Quirke Academies submitted films to be in with a chance to have their work screened as part of this year’s PQA & Empire Cinemas Film Festival, in Leicester Square.

More than 150 films were submitted and the top 16 have been selected.

One of the chosen films, Candyman, was created by PQA Guildford and the cast, crew and fans will all be invited to join the event, where the students will get to walk down the red carpet.

A BAND consisting of members from a Guildford residential property solicitors’ firm proved triumphant at a musical charity event held in the capital.

GCL band F-Lawless clinched the top spot at Law Rocks, a series of live rock-style battle of the bands concerts designed to raise money for good causes.

The event, which also takes place in other cities around the world, features groups formed by law firms and barrister’s chambers.

Each of the competing bands nominate a chosen charity or charities and the net proceeds of the event are shared between them, with the winning band’s charity receiving the lion’s share. The annual event at the 100 Club has raised more than £215,000 since it launched in 2009.

The total amount raised by F-Lawless for their chosen charities will be announced in November.

Editorial Director Marnie Wilson Group Deputy Editor Mark Miseldine Business News Tony Green Commercial Manager Amanda Ducas Regional Sales Manager Ian Bresman

Ian Miller, managing director of Frederick Miller What was your first job?

At 14 I worked weekday evenings at Bellfields Service Station as a petrol pump attendant, when petrol cost 25 pence per gallon.

I also had a Saturday job at Collectyres, working in the yard loading, unloading and stacking tyres in preparation for recycling.

At both workplaces I learned the benefits of keenness, a smile when you served and the importance of being a reliable employee.

How did you get from there to where you are today?

When I was 16 I became a management apprentice at Wadham Stringer Commercials, a Leyland truck dealer on Slyfield Industrial Estate.

It was invaluable training, with 18 months in vehicle mechanics followed by parts control and finance.

Four years later I moved on to join the family business, Frederick Miller, and have been there ever since, which is more than 35 years.

At Frederick Miller I started off as a mechanic in the workshop repairing a range

of vehicles and trailers. At the age of 21 I gained my HGV licence and began driving Frederick Miller trucks, but also continued with mechanics.

After some time I began helping with the PAYE entries for the wages, moved on to invoicing and bookkeeping and gradually gained experience in a range of managerial positions within the business. When my father retired 16 years ago, I took over his role as managing director.

I’ve evolved the business and expanded into new areas – probably the most significant is forming a partnership with Palletways, one of the UK’s fastest growing pallet delivery networks, which has helped us considerably with widening our distribution services in the UK and overseas.

What lessons has your career so far taught you?

I learned a cautious approach to expansion from my father, but with a more open-minded view on trialling new areas.

Ian Miller, managing director of Frederick Miller.

I’ve also learned to treat employees well and with respect, giving opportunities for them to be promoted into different areas and learn new skills.

This is one of the reasons why we have such a loyal workforce, with a number of employees staying with the organisation for over 25 years, including one who is retiring after 36 years.

I think it has really helped that I worked my way up in the business and didn’t go straight into a managerial position. It’s given me a greater insight into what’s involved with each role.

I also think it’s helped me to gain respect from employees because they know that I have probably done their job at some stage. I can drive a truck, change tyres, analyse accounts and plan the company’s future strategy. It

makes me a more rounded and approachable leader.

What does the future hold?

We’re in the process of expanding our storage and fulfilment business and have taken on more warehousing space at our Shackleford site in order to cope with client demand. Our warehouses extend over 40,000 square feet and we envisage particular growth from Chinese and Indian companies seeking suitable UK partners, as well as further growth from our delivery services.

Overall, I’m aiming for steady growth. I want to run a profitable, sustainable business and continue to build on our reputation for being reliable, offering excellent customer service and helping clients with their wide range of requirements in the UK and overseas.

Bakery savours gold award for its great tasting stollen

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publication Published by Surrey & Berkshire Media at Stoke Mill, Woking Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1QA. Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper. Printed by Trinity Mirror Printing Reading at 8 Tessa Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 8NS

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A BAKERY has stollen the show with its specialist Christmas loaf.

Loseley Bakery won a gold star at this year’s Great Taste Awards for its luxury stollen, which is packed with rumsoaked fruits and marzipan.

Stephen Cheeseman, Loseley Bakery’s owner said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award.

“Loseley Bakery has been baking homemade cakes, scones, quiches and seasonal

products for the retail and catering sector in our area for the past 20 years, and this is the very first time we have entered a product for judging in the Great Taste Awards.

“To be awarded a gold star for our Loseley Luxury Stollen is fantastic for all of our hard working staff and especially for Gavin Portsmouth, our bakery manager, who developed its unique recipe.”

Mr Cheeseman added he will be thrilled to share the

good news with customers in the run-up to Christmas.

The stollen was one of 10,000 products entered into the Great Taste Awards this year, and it received excellent reviews from the judges, who said: “Easy to get wrong, not this time, lovely fruit balanced with a rich almond heavy marzipan, the base soaked with rum and the red fruits shining like baubles”.

The awards are judged by 400 people, from food critics

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Proud bakers, from left: Jimmy Parker (baker), June Bridges (confectioner), Stephen Cheeseman (owner) and Gavin Portsmouth (bakery manager) celebrate Loseley Bakery’s gold award for its Loseley Luxury Stollen.

to chefs and farmers to members of the Women’s Institute.

The entries are blind-tested by the judges several times before they are chosen to be worthy of a gold star.

The Loseley Bakery is a family business, established in 1986. The team supplies handmade and hand-finished cakes and scones, such as Victoria sponges, coffee and walnut and lemon drizzle cakes, to farm shops, cafés and coffee shops in Surrey.

September 2014

Beans means designs for video games pioneer

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Why has Surrey’s county town become a nucleus for electronic games companies?

André Langlois meets Guildford’s godfather of gaming, Peter Molyneux Guildford’s flourishing video games design industry began more than 25 years ago in an office exporting baked beans to the Middle East – and its originator returned last month with a new game.

22Cans, based in Surrey Research Park, released Godus on iPad and iPhone. It was designed by Peter Molyneux and is a descendent of his breakthrough game – Populous.

In 1989, Mr Molyneux was based in an office above PJ Hi-fi in Bridge street with his business partner Les Edgar.

“It was a tiny office and when I first moved in there, on the floor below, was an old-aged pensioner called Cath, house-bound with illness. Then there was the three of us with a company called Taurus, importing and exporting beans to the Middle East,” said the 65-year-old.

“People in the Middle East don’t eat a lot of baked beans so it wasn’t a great success.”

Peter Molyneux, of video games design company 22Cans, has been at the forefront of the electronic games industry in Guildford since its conception.

The 22Cans office, in Occam Road, Surrey Research Park, where designers have created the company’s latest release, Godus (pictures left and below).

What Taurus did have going for it though was its name. Confusing the firm for the software company TORUS, Commodore provided the Guildford office with a number of new Amiga computers to design a database – a contract the pair fulfilled.

“The pub that really founded the Guildford games industry was the Prince Albert,” added Mr Molyneux.

“That’s where I used to go and that’s where we used to go as a clique. That’s where we

decided at one point: ‘Hang on a second – why export beans when we can make games’. We closed down Taurus and set up Bullfrog in the Prince Albert.

“Of all of the pubs it’s the one that’s still exactly the same as it was.”

Bullfrog Productions is credited by many with creating the ‘God game’ genre with Populous – in which the player shapes the land and shepherds the population.

The company was taken

over by Electronic Arts (EA) in 1997 and the industry sprung up around it, but in 1989 games design firms were far from commonplace.

“I don’t think there was a gaming industry in Guildford at that time,” said Mr Molyneux. “In fact, the first people we employed were on a youth training scheme.

“It’s not like now when you can walk into Tesco and you see half a dozen developers.”

In Populous and Godus, the player sculpts the land to make way for human settlement – but Guildford itself has

shaped the landscape of several of Mr Molyneux’s games.

In Syndicate, industrial chimneys were modelled on those at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, and there are several familiar scenes in the Fable series, including a ruin on a hill, which is modelled on St Catherine’s Chapel.

Mr Molyneux said with a few small changes, Guildford could host an industry worth billions of pounds.

Many of the start-ups are offshoots of the larger developers in the town, such as EA’s Criterion subsidiary and Lionhead, which was founded

by Mr Molyneux and sold to Microsoft in 2006.

“We never really talk to each other, which is surprising,” said Mr Molyneux.

“There are a couple of social events but we don’t really talk at a senior level. It is very difficult to go to the pub and not bump into somebody – which is something I’ve got to be careful about.”

Town was ideal for next generation

The staff at Fireproof, which has created best-selling games in the last two years.

One of the off-shoots of the town’s bigger players in the games design industry found great success with a paranormal puzzler.

Fireproof studios was created by former lead artists on the Burnout series for Criterion – the Guildford subsidiary of Electronic Arts.

Fireproof’s debut release under its games label was The Room, which was released in September 2012. It went to number one in the app charts all around the world and won many awards. The Room 2, released in 2013, enjoyed similar success.

The team has also worked on the art design for franchises including Killzone, Little Big Planet, Forza and Ridge Racer.

Director and co-founder, Barry Meade said that when they left Criterion, the amount of office space available on the market made it practical to set up in the town.

“Guildford just has a genuine, dyed-in-the-wool gaming culture which is hard to find anywhere else in the world, let alone in Britain or Europe,” he said.

“The history is long, stretching back to the 1980s, which is centuries in geek-years. Also it is venerable – some of the best games made by man were dreamed up here.

“And living here almost 20 years myself, it seems to me one of a very few gaming hubs in the country that seems to be bustling irrespective of how the industry or economy is doing. Guildford is a meeting place for worldclass expertise and you can’t wish these kinds of places into existence.”

Mr Meade added the origins of the town’s industry can be traced back to Bullfrog Productions, founded by Peter Molyneux and Les Edgar in the late-1980s.

He moved from Dublin himself to work for Bullfrog on games including Syndicate and Dungeon Keeper, and he was not alone – programmers, designers and animators came from all over the world.

Electronic Arts bought out Bullfrog in 1997 and expanded the offices, making the town a hub for the industry.

“But long-term I think the culture of great games that

Bullfrog encouraged was equally important,” said Mr Meade. “Everyone I knew there was serious about making great work that would appeal to a global audience, and that kind of confidence was rare in 1990s Britain.

“So when the original staff left, many didn’t get another job at a random studio, they hung around and set up companies instead.

“After that was a cascade of large and small studios which is still going on today, and a lot of us who were at Bullfrog 20 years ago still live here.”

There has been so much cross-pollination between companies that many designers get together for a drink and to ‘swap war stories’.

Mr Meade said: “There’s some business too but it’s more a community of support here. We all wish the best for each other and are happy when a local company sees success, but it’s not like we’re all in bed together either.

“I’d say we’ve yet to achieve the spirit of Silicon Valley in Surrey.”

Fireproof has a number of projects on the go, including

Screenshots from The Room 2 by Fireproof Games (above), highlighting the excellent detail in the games’s graphics.

a new Room game, but Mr Meade said there are factors which will affect the industry in the borough.

“Housing and the general cost-of-living are big issues for Guildford, in some ways its like working in London without the benefits,” he said.

“Many are forced to live

outside the town and commuting is no fun for anybody.

“As for growth, I couldn’t say its growing for sure but I do know its in rude health.

“Great things are being made here – it’s possible the town could become even higher profile in the next few years.”

4

September 2014

Open Sesame! – firms exploit export market Trade minister enjoys tour of county’s companies that are proving a big hit abroad

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com A YOUTUBE video profiling the work of a Surrey lift manufacturer went viral after an American radio station drew listeners’ attention to it, leading to more than one million views around the world.

The global attention that the film by Sesame Access attracted eventually led to a visit by government trade minister Lord Livingston last week, who was touring businesses in the area.

The Minister for Trade and Investment visited the Byfleet company as part of a day touring the county’s companies that are leading the way in international growth.

Before his visit to Byfleet, Lord Livingston stopped off at bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis and Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) in Guildford.

Alexander Dennis, in Dennis Way, is the UK’s largest bus and coach manufacturer, employing around 2,000 people at facilities across the country, in continental Asia and in North America. It is the fastest growing bus and coach builder in Western Europe, encompassing three marques – Alexander, Dennis and Plaxton.

Lord Livingston was given a tour of the factory and even had a chance to get behind the wheel of one of the coaches.

The minister was then taken to meet representatives from SSTL, based in Surrey Research Park.

The firm exports satellites to 50 countries, recently securing contracts in Algeria, Kazakhstan and Taiwan.

It has been able to expand beyond the domestic market, increasing its turnover by more than 50% to £127.3

million in 2013, securing jobs in the Guildford factory.

The final stop on the tour was at Sesame Access, which has been making and installing wheelchair-accessible lifts for buildings from the Barbican to Tate Britain, since 1997. During the visit, the company announced that with help from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the power of social media, it is on the cusp of signing new deals in Qatar, New York and across Scandinavia, which could boost turnover by 50%.

It only begun exporting in the last three years, providing architecturally admired building access lifts to Sothebys and Ascot Hotel, in Paris.

Overseas interest in Sesame Access peaked when its video about the lifts went viral after being mentioned by an online American radio station, resulting in queries from around the world.

Alison Lyons runs the company with her brother Steven. It was created by their father, Charlie, in 1997 after he heard about a friend’s wife

Lord Livingston (fourth from the right) with with members of Sesame Access, including its founder Charlie Lyons (left), Steven Lyons (second left) and Alison Lyons (third from right).

struggling to gain access to buildings in her wheelchair.

Mrs Lyons said: “We only began working abroad three years ago when we were approached by Apple to install the lifts in their stores in France and Germany.

“Our focus continued in

France and we have our official launch taking place at the embassy, in Paris this November.

“We were unsure about exporting – and felt afraid of the barriers and how we would ensure we could comply with the standards

overseas. With help from UKTI we have developed the confidence we need to explore different markets.

“This year alone we have increased exports by 20%.

“We were delighted to welcome Lord Livingston to our workshop to see the work

we are doing and to tell him how exporting is helping our company to grow.”

The company is now making arrangements to meet an agent in South Africa, and is setting up an agreement with an agent in Australia.

right on the doorstep and we are in the middle of all the time zones that we have to deal with.

“Being in the UK is a really good option.”

In the early days, the Imagineer team benefitted by being mentored by the business community, but admit they do not have as much to do with the networks now.

Their proximity to the University of Surrey is also a bonus for the company, providing students from a worldleading computer research

department to work on commercialising their projects.

Over the years the company has produced several types of software, but they streamlined these to prevent confusion in the industry and now sell several different versions of mocha, including one in the Adobe package.

Though their head office is in the Surrey Research Park, Imagineer currently have more staff based in their New York sales office and are also looking to expand their base in Russia.

Old pals act adds a finishing touch to Hollywood movies A UNIVERSITY of Surrey friendship provided the impetus for the beginning of a cutting-edge tech company founded in Guildford.

Imagineer Systems was launched by friends who were working on a project to automatically make mosaics from a series of images.

With key industry figures agreeing that the colleagues’ work was worthwhile, they

ploughed on and developed mocha, which is now an Academy Award-winning solution for film and television. mocha has been used in many Hollywood movies, including American Hustle, The Hobbit, Black Swan and the Harry Potter series, and in January 2013, it won the Academy Award for science and technology.

Ross Shain, chief market-

ing and creative officer, said: “Our software ‘sees’ for visual effects, tracking pixels as they move across the screen and understanding the motion so characters can be added or removed, or make-up added.

“In the old days, this would have been more time consuming. This gives visual effects artists more control.

“The software has been widely adopted through The Imagineer team pick up an Academy Award for their software, Mocha, which has become instrumental for many in the film industry.

The Mocha software at work.

Hollywood. It was used to add the figures to the paintings in Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.

“Clint Eastwood used it in Invictus when he decided after filming that the rugby players should look more bloody and bruised.

“It was also used in X-Men to add the effects to Mystique’s eyes.”

Imagineer Systems’ biggest customer is Legends 3D, a company which uses mocha to take films shot in 2D and transform them into 3D

for the big screen. They produced The Amazing Spiderman, Superman and the Lego Movie.

Chief executive John-Paul Smith has been with the company in Guildford since 2001 and says it is a natural choice for their business to be based here.

He added: “We have been based in Guildford since the start and have gone up and down in size through the years.

“It’s a pretty good location because we have London

September 2014

Film-makers’ rate of production sets company on a roll

By James Watkins

james.watkins@trinitymirror.com A GROUP of student filmmakers from Surrey are taking their fledgling company to the next level.

Borne out of a joint passion for movies and film production, students Connor O’Hara and Jamie Gamache, both from Horsley, and Alex Lincoln, from Leatherhead, set up LowKey Films a year ago. Working on a limited budget, they produced their first major short film, a horror movie set in the Welsh countryside called Maengwyn, earlier this year.

They have now stepped up their game, working on a more professional scale with their latest venture, which is a drama that deals with the theme of mental health, called Sun in the Night.

The film was released on August 25 and Connor, 20,

Behind the scenes during filming of Sun in the Night, by independent film-makers at LowKey Films.

said with the new production they were able to use money from making music videos to buy new equipment, but that changing the genre was a challenge.

“We wanted to go a step up from the last film,” Connor said. “We invested in equip-

ment such as sliders and cranes, using money earned from making music videos.

“In the previous film, we only used friends as actors, and this time we wanted to completely hire and support other actors.

“We wanted to make it a

bit more professional and I think we achieved that.”

The young film-maker added with the new film, the group took themselves out of their comfort zone.

It follows the story of Mark, who suffers brain damage following a car accident and

5

Young film-makers Jamie Gamache and Connor O’Hara, of the University of Surrey, were joined by Alex Lincoln in forming LowKey Films a year ago.

shows the repercussions felt by his family as a result.

“It was a lot more difficult,” Connor said. “With horror you go for suspense and shock. For this I didn’t want to offend anyone.”

He said they had crammed what could be a feature length story into 20 minutes, and if he had a choice and the budget, he would have made it longer.

“The truth is we tried to test ourselves,” Connor said.

“We tried to reduce our budget to basically nothing.

“Last time we paid for a cottage, petrol, a few props.

This time no one asked for money, they were really grateful doing it for free.

“We spent £30 on this, other than the equipment bought before.”

The company’s plan is to build as much of a catalogue of work as possible and a fan base, so in the future they are

ready to take on the right script that they can spend more money on.

The film-makers are currently working on an action film called White Rabbit and are hoping to make a film that fits in to the middle ground of horror and drama for their next project, in a

similar vein to Donnie Darko.

The team is also looking for people with aspirations to get into the industry to help with their films. No prior experience is needed and anybody wanting to get in touch and work with them should send an email to lowkeyfilmsuk@ gmail.com.

Sun in the Night took the film-makers out of their comfort zones.

Television’s Grease Junkie welcomes classic expansion Documentary film-maker Martin Bamford during the editing of his film, Boom.

Crowdfund finances Boom documentary A financial planner turned film-maker from Cranleigh has successfully won funding for his latest documentary, which looks at the coming of age of the baby boom generation.

Martin Bamford, of Informed Choice, raised more than £3,500 from 61 backers through the crowdfunding website Kickstarter.

His documentary charts the financial decisions made by the baby boom generation as they hit retirement age.

He said: “We were seeing a demographic shift in the industry, and looking at the statistics behind it we saw that those members of the baby boom were hitting retirement age. They are known as the lucky generation as they have been able to retire early, benefitted from good pension schemes and are living longer. By comparison, the next generation will be retiring later and funding themselves.”

The baby boom generation includes around 20% of the UK population, and its members control 80% of wealth.

Mr Bamford believes in the next two decades, as they approach retirement, they have the capacity to affect the whole financial world.

The film-maker chose to crowdfund his documentary through Kickstarter after funding a few projects himself through the website.

He said: “It was a nervewracking experience to see if we were going to get funded, but then the support and the take-up was overwhelming.

“I would absolutely use it again as it’s not just a financial benefit but it builds a community behind a project that will be able to promote it and make sure it is a success.”

The documentary features experts in the field and will be presented by Paul Lewis, presenter of MoneyBox on Radio 4.

Mr Bamford interviewed Simon Ferrer, the founder of a natural burial site, and Professor Jennifer Rusted from the University of West Sussex, who discusses the prospects for dementia research.

He said the documentary provides a well-rounded experience, both for himself and the viewer.

“I hope the documentary will get people talking about their retirement and what they have to consider, including their health and their death,” he said.

“I hope it will be a conversation starter.”

Boom will preview at the Institute of Financial Planning’s annual conference in October before having an official premiere during financial planning week at the Cranleigh Arts Centre, on November 27.

Tickets are available to buy now from the arts centre, priced £7.50.

THE Surrey star of television show Wheeler Dealers, which began on the Discovery Channel this week, is looking to expand his car servicing business to his home county.

Edd China, from Godalming, went to King Edward’s School in Witley before he found his forte as an ‘eccentric’ mechanic.

In 2009 he launched his business Grease Junkie MOT & Servicing, in Bracknell, with plans to expand the business to Surrey.

Mr China co-presents Wheeler Dealers with Mike Brewer, from London.

The programme sees the pair hunt for rundown classic cars before transforming them into sleek, gleaming vehicles, ready to sell on.

In the latest series, which began on Monday at 9pm, the duo celebrate discovering and working on their 100th car – by restoring a classic Darracq. Once renovated, their aim was to drive the car from London to Brighton.

The finish time was whenever they made it – if they made it – having tackled some sharp ascents.

Mr China describes himself as a quintessential English eccentric with a passion for cars.

He has created a number of extraordinary vehicles, including a ‘sofa car’ that can

Mike Brewer (right) and Edd China took part in the Veteran Car Rally from London to Brighton in November last year (above), while the duo mess about on the water in an amphicar (top).

travel at 92mph. He has also appeared on Top Gear, which is filmed in Dunsfold, showcasing a Rover 800 – bought for £200 – which he modified with an ejector seat.

He also showed off a double-decker car.

Mr China says his main skills lie in innovation and ‘connecting things that wouldn’t normally be connected’, always pushing the boundaries of what can

and cannot be done.

Following his graduation from South Bank University, in London with a degree in Engineering Product Design, car re-design became a prominent pastime for the Old Wit. The success of his personal projects is what led to his television appearances.

“I feel like Grease Junkie is a unique offering,” said Mr China.

“It is about cherishing and caring for people’s cars.

“I basically identified a gap in the market for a garage that is in-between the gin palaces you get, and the backstreet locations.

“We try and work with the cars as we would for the show.

“It is everyone friendly, like the show is.

“Wheeler Dealers transcends all boundaries.

“Even people who thought they had no interest in cars end up loving it.

“The business is franchisable and the hope is that it will expand.

“Perhaps there would be space in Guildford or Godalming. I think it is the kind of area where quite a lot of people may have a classic car they would like to give some attention to.”

There is also an online Grease Junkie shop.

“I personally select the best products from the extra long nitrile gloves, which I use, to an extra large mug for tea,” continued Mr China.

The skilled engineer is certainly the mechanicallyminded of the Wheeler Dealers duo, whereas Mr Brewer is a ‘canny’ car trader.

The programme involves the pair being given £20,000 to make their vision for the vehicles come to fruition.

6

September 2014

Airports Commission decision is the best outcome for Surrey businesses Surrey Chambers of Commerce strongly supports the decision made by the Airports Commission this week to reject plans for a new airport in the Thames Estuary.

With Heathrow and Gatwick Airports bordering

the north and south of the county, Surrey businesses are ideally positioned to take full advantage of whichever option is finally chosen.

Businesses have long said they want more aviation capacity, and nearly all tell us they want this delivered by

expanding existing airports, rather than building entirely new ones.

For most firms, the idea of starting from scratch – and fundamentally shifting the economic geography of the UK – was filled with risk.

Most companies will

Saving pounds (and lbs) to help the environment will make you feel good Surrey Chambers of Commerce is delighted to offer Eco Rewards – a new cashback scheme designed to reward ‘green’ travel choices by employees in Surrey.

The objective is to encourage people to switch from using the car and reward them for using alternative means of transport.

While regular and continual choices will obviously benefit the most, the scheme

is also designed to encourage those who can only infrequently travel sustainably.

Leave the car at home for one day a week, a fortnight or a month – and you will still benefit.

Eco Rewards are worth up to £2.50 per day per employee and can be exchanged for free offers, discounted products and cashback financial rewards from thousands of big-name online retailers.

The scheme is, we believe, the first of its kind in the UK and offers numerous benefits to both the community, businesses and employees, including a financial benefit to staff, better health, less absenteeism and a reduction in congestion and pollution.

To find out how you and your employees can benefit from this scheme, contact Gary Hayes by emailing eco@ surrey-chambers.co.uk.

support the Airports Commission’s decision to focus its attention on the expansion plans put forward by existing airports, rather than the Thames Estuary.

We believe the interests of UK business would be best served if every airport with

Members Networking at Loseley Park, Loseley Park, Guildford. Members Free, non-members £30

it is absolutely crucial that Britain’s politicians then ensure it is delivered.

This autumn the Surrey Chambers will be hosting round two of The Great Aviation Debate, with representatives from Gatwick and Heathrow battling it

out once again for the backing of businesses across the county.

The Chamber supports both organisations in their bid for expansion but urges the Government to be brave enough to make its decision as quickly as possible.

South East charity sector faces challenging times

By Catherine Beringer

Charity Lawyer, Charles Russell It would be a mistake to let the common perception of the Home Counties as a particularly affluent region mask the reality for charities and not-for-profit organisations that face the same challenges

September

16 Tue

commercially viable expansion plans received permission to grow.

Unfortunately, politics makes that possibility remote. So if the Airports Commission only gives the green light to one new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick,

6pm

8pm

17 Wed

Business Women in Surrey at Pennyhill Park, Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa, Bagshot. Members £22, non-members £44

3.30pm

5.30pm

18 Thu

ExportSurrey Surgery, The Digital Work Hub, Walton-On-Thames. Free

11am

1pm

24 Wed

Chamber Connections – Betchworth Breakfast, Hartsfield Manor, Betchworth. Members £10, non-members £20

8am

9.30am

24 Wed

The Alternative Board Meeting, Kingston Smith, Redhill. FREE taster session. Sponsored by Kingston Smith

8am

9.30am

25 Thu

The Most Effective Marketing Mix, Export House, Woking. Members £20 non-members £35

7.30am

10am

25 Thu

Kempton Park, Jockey Club Host Evening, Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury-On-Thames. Members £50 non-members £65

4.30pm

9pm

30 Tue

Business Networking at Foxhills BBQ & Golf, Foxhills Resort & Spa, Ottershaw. FREE.

5.30pm

8pm

To book, visit www.surrey-chambers.co.uk or call 01483 735540 (All prices are exclusive of VAT)

as elsewhere in the country.

Many charities are operating on a shoestring and even those with more sophisticated set-ups are facing constant challenges about ongoing funding, so they must make bold choices in order to secure their future.

Matthew Smerdon, chief executive officer of The Legal Education Foundation, based in Guildford, understands the challenges presented by a huge change of environment in the voluntary sector.

He said: “We know that in times of austerity, public sector funding comes under intense pressure. This time of austerity also coincides with a rapid rise in the demand for services provided by charities.

While charities are well placed to respond to this challenge, those that relied on public funding will need to find new ways of working, new sources of income and smarter ways of delivering services”.

Increasingly we find that charities are considering various forms of collaboration or mergers to maximise funding opportunities, but these are not without challenges such as integration of staff, values,

Catherine Beringer, a charity lawyer at Charles Russell.

governance issues, assets and ambitions while sustaining income. Keeping up-to-date in terms of knowledge and understanding of their obligations under charity law is essential these days.

Many of our lawyers at Charles Russell also serve as charitable trustees, myself included, giving us a valuable insight into the needs of our charity clients.

We know that trustees are mindful about incurring costs, such as professional fees, but often pursuing this approach until there are very

limited options left can be far more costly.

Adopting a ‘one step sooner’ mentality is an essential challenge for all those involved in trying to meet needs – identifying challenges, planning ahead and seeking professional support early on can make a big difference.

Charles Russell has a long history working with charities and also advising clients on philanthropic concerns. For more information on our services, or information about our charity workshops, visit www.charlesrussell.co.uk.

Be part of the network - find out how Surrey Chambers of Commerce membership can help your business at www.surrey-chambers.co.uk

September 2014

Investment watch

7

Keeping an eye on the markets

Transatlantic chatter could be a precursor to looming rates rise

By Phillip Scott

Head of Advisory Stockbroking at SI Capital

Philip Scott of SI Capital.

This report was written by Philip Scott, Director and Head of Advisory Stockbroking at SI Capital on 2/9/14 when the FTSE 100 was trading at 6845.

Current Overview Low levels of share dealing volume have predictably characterised ultimately flat market activity over the past month, but a growing list of factors look set to potentially impact in September (historically an eventful time for equities).

While the cost of money is poised to rise on both sides of the Atlantic next year (it is just a case of when), Middle East and Ukrainian/Russian tensions continue to rise and Continental European economic conditions worsen.

London and New York bourses (as measured by indices) currently reside at near all-time highs as investors seemingly absorb any challenging news by buying into (higher yielding) equities, which still rate attractive when compared to alternatives such as bonds, property and savings accounts.

A word of caution: over five years have now passed in the absence of a marked correction (10% fall) for the stock market, and this scenario may just be creeping into investors’ minds. Some comment suggests the longer the period

without a significant retrace, the more severe it will be when it comes.

Prospective tightening policy and a lengthy bull market run could logically coincide to precipitate such a fall (as could any of the factors above), but perhaps not.

Paradoxically, the fact that many are starting to expect it could mean it doesn’t actually materialise at all (markets tend to perform when worry is in the air) and maybe history will not necessarily repeat itself. No market analyst knows for sure where the market will be over a six- to nine-month period.

Turning to rates, significantly two members of the nine-strong Bank of England MPC voted for an immediate base rate increase last month.

Coupled with increasing prorate rise talk from US Fed chairman Janet Yellen, the stage is becoming set for what could be Transatlantic, almost co-ordinated tightening next year. While there remains some comment relating to ongoing slack in the UK economy, still below target inflation and the need for more evidence of wage growth, the risks from not increasing rates soon are rising.

The argument goes that not acting soon will lead to the need for rapid rises going

forward, which would be aggressively destabilising. Mark Carney has said rises will be incremental and gradual when the time is right, and that rates will ultimately settle well below historic lows at around 3%.

Some economists have already questioned whether the settling rate will be that low and worry about the credibility of his forward guidance.

While the spectre of rising rates causes a natural anxiety (as the repercussions are unclear), it is perfectly possible that – assuming economic conditions are robust enough to weather managed increases – there is no reason to necessarily expect any economic contraction, a possible crash in markets or the onset of a bear market. I recall the midto late-1990s where the market and interest rates moved up happily in tandem in what might be described as a ‘normalisation’ growth phase for an economy.

Market specific comment Supermarkets: Tesco has initiated what might be a revolution in the structural operation of UK supermarkets by slashing its dividend by a staggering 75% on another profit warning.

With a radical plan to conserve over £1bn in the

business, it is arming itself to allow for further price cuts in a direct threat to its competitors. We are to now expect similar dividend cuts from both Sainsbury and Morrisons in the near future.

Tesco has set the game rules and has strategic strength because of its scale and level of resources. Newly appointed CEO David Lewis will be looking to leverage the company’s position having arrived for work a month earlier than planned. Many brokers (and I include myself) have underestimated how quickly this sector has fallen apart mainly on the back of the rising market share taken by the discounters, Aldi and Lidl.

While significant property assets remain for the group as a whole, margins and earnings are falling across the board. It could be that we are seeing the nadir of the sector right now, but most will probably wait for further updates before taking the plunge with further investment.

With little now by way of forecasted yield from these stocks (dividends are being cut), a major reason for owning them has possibly disappeared. Furthermore, we have just learned that one of Tesco’s largest US shareholders has just cut its stake by two-thirds citing too much

“People are really different, their voices are different, their performance techniques are different and they need to pick a song that will suit them,” said Mr Keyes.

“When we used to audition for new talent, all we used to hear was Eva Cassidy.

“Everyone who came in thought they were the first to sing it. And Whitney was another favourite, and now there’s a lot from Frozen as well. Just don’t do it. You’ll never do it as well as the original version.

“People so often go for

well-known songs because they think that’s what’s going to get them noticed, but it’s better to go for something not so well known that really suits you. Come along and practise on us for free.

“We won’t be as harsh on you as the X Factor lot

risk. Only a brave and contrarian person would buy at these levels (currently 230p).

Herald Investment Trust, managed by City veteran Katie Potts, has caught my eye now on a wide 16% discount to Net Asset Value.

With low levels of borrowing, I see it as a diversified way of playing upside potential for small cap technology companies. Top holdings include Diploma, Imagination Technologies and Idox.

As evidenced by the levels of the US Nasdaq, the growth potential of this sector of the market should not be ignored albeit with an appreciation of increased risk. The shares trade at 675p versus a NAV per share over 800p.

RAC is set for a £2bn float in the autumn in what will be seen as a re-test of market appetite, which was suffering from new issue fatigue earlier in the summer.

Rival AA had a weak listing debut in June although the stock has been trading better of recent. Steadily increasing levels of sales and profits at RAC augers well for the company, to be chaired by CBI president Sir Mike Rake.

Existing RAC members will likely be offered preferential investment terms.

School of rock invites people to come and play

By Jennifer Morris

jennifer.morris@trinitymirror.com A NEW music academy has opened in Godalming to cater for budding performers who want to perfect their audition songs for free.

DK Music Academy, in Godalming High Street, is run by 37-year-old Damian Keyes, who is one of the original founders of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) and a former teacher at The Academy of Contemporary Music, in Guildford.

Mr Keyes has appointed a range of tutors – drummers, guitarists and vocalists who have performed alongside the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Jessie J, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.

Formerly Fleetcroft Guitars, the venue now accommodates one-to-one singing lessons as well as bass, electric and acoustic guitar, and drum

lessons. Ukulele lessons are also on offer at the school.

Mr Keyes said: “Everyone likes music but people get put off the idea of learning an instrument because they think it will be all scales and classical tunes.

“We want children to fall in love with an instrument by showing them from the start how cool they are to play – and how easy it is to master their favourite songs.

“You don’t have to be on the verge of joining the Arctic Monkeys to join us.

“Even if you have never picked up an instrument but love the idea of playing one, you should come to see us.”

Anyone interested in taking up the electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums or vocals can sign up for a free half-hour taster session at the specially designed school, as well as free sessions for talent

show trainees.

Mr Keyes has renovated and transformed the old shop to make it fit for purpose.

He added: “Half an hour will be all it will take to make you fall in love with the idea of being in a band – then you’ve just got to decide which instrument is your favourite.

“I’m really excited to be in Godalming with this new business. Our tutors are all classically trained musicians who are obsessed with their craft and making music that is fun and accessible.

“We’ve also opened a sister school in Hove, so people in Sussex can get hooked too.

“Come and have a go if you think you’re rock enough – I guarantee you’ll love it.”

The school is offering quite a niche concept at the moment – training people for X-Factor auditions, which begin in April next year.

Damian Keyes (third from right) with tutors at DK Music Academy, in Godalming.

are bound to be, but we’ll help you be the best you can be – and it won’t cost you a penny.”

For more information or to book your free session, call 07932 054445 or email godalming@dkmusicacademy. co.uk.

8

September 2014

Charity hopes for OctoBeardFest donations growth

By James Watkins

james.watkins@trinitymirror.com CAMPAIGNERS raising money to help cure and treat prostate cancer are calling on Surrey’s businesses to back their cause.

Last year the Prostate Project’s OctoBeardFest was a runaway success, raising £64,000 and far surpassing any of the organisers’ expectations. Team members are bringing the incentive back this year, which asks men to let their facial hair grow for the month of October in return for donations, and have their sights on a fundraising goal of £200,000.

The charity, which is based in Guildford and funds research carried out at the University of Surrey, has the backing of two of its biggest supporters for this year’s

campaign, Bounce Foods and the Hogs Back Brewery.

Prostate Project trustee, Tim Sharp, whose idea sparked OctoBeardFest, said: “We are blown away by the generous support these two companies are giving us.

“The only chance we have of reaching our massive £200,000 target this year is if Surrey business rally round and runs the appeal with their staff and customers.

“We just don’t have the resources within the charity to make contact with everyone who might help us.”

Bounce Foods staff will be acting as the OctoBeardFest Call Centre throughout September to encourage local companies to get involved, while Hogs Back Brewery is aiming to get at least 30 pubs who stock their beers to actively run the appeal with

their staff and customers.

David Paterson, sales manager at Hogs Back, said: “We have personal experience of prostate cancer here as one of our recently retired executives was diagnosed with the disease while he was still working.

“Pubs are the ideal environment for men to talk about the dangers of prostate cancer and the need to get regularly checked.

“We are very pleased to be able to help the Prostate Project and wish them all success with this brilliant appeal.

“It really caught everyone’s imagination last year and we will certainly be doing our bit to make it bigger and better in 2014.

Mark Tanous, founder and chief executive officer of Bounce Foods, said: “I learned about OctoBeardFest

last year from a poster in the Withies pub, in Compton.

“We raised £1,700 for OBF13 and are hoping to beat that this year.

“This is such a worthwhile local charity – despite raising more than £6 million in the last 15 years they are still volunteer led with no paid staff, and have administration costs below 4%.

“That is almost unheard of for a charity raising this sort of money.”

Mr Sharp stressed the simplicity of the beard-growing appeal, which suggests that each person who grows a beard asks at least five people to donate a minimum of £5 each.

Those who want to be involved with the campaign should contact Mr Sharp at tim@timothysharp.co.uk, or call him on 07989 865702.

Prostate Charity members join with Bounce Food staff at the launch of the OctoBeardFest campaign, at Bounce Foods’ offices in Walnut Tree Close, Guildford.

Sponsor named for new small business awards in Surrey

Sue Pressey QEF corporate and community fundraising manager, with Jonathan Powell, QEF chief executive, and Irwin Lee, managing director P&G, UK & Ireland.

Company’s donation to help charity’s community café refit PROCTOR & Gamble has raised £33,411 for the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF).

The fundraising efforts of the company’s staff at their Weybridge headquarters over the past year has collected enough money to refurbish the café at the charity’s Neuro Rehabilitation Services centre, in Banstead.

The new café will support people with speech and language and other difficulties caused by brain injuries, usually coming as a result of a

stroke or road traffic accident.

The café area will provide a positive and relaxing therapeutic ‘home from home’ setting for therapists to work with people who are relearning vital skills.

Jonathan Powell, QEF’s chief executive, on receiving a cheque for £33,411 at P&G’s Surrey offices, said: “A lot of hard work and fun went into raising this money and it will make a real difference to the lives of people with brain injuries who receive specialist treatment and support at QEF.

“My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all at P&G who have contributed so much to make this new café a reality.

“There are at least one million people in the UK living with the long-term effects of brain injury, which makes specialist centres like ours in Banstead crucial.

“That is why we have invested significantly in this service in 2014, and the funds raised by P&G will help this work enormously in creating a wonderful community room.”

Irwin Lee, managing director of P&G, UK & Ireland, said: “It is an honour to provide this funding to QEF on behalf of all our employees here in Weybridge.

“QEF is a truly impressive organisation doing amazing work here in Surrey, and is thoroughly deserving of these donations.

“We’re all very proud to support their work and want to thank them for everything they’re doing to make a difference to those who need it most.”

SMITH & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group, has been announced as sponsor of the Enterprising Business category for the 2014 Federation of Small Business (FSB) Awards in Surrey.

The group is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices and mid-to-large corporates.

Jeff Selden, head of assurance and business services at the Guildford office, said: “We are proud to be associated with these awards in their inaugural year in Surrey.

“The awards offer businesses the chance to stand out above the competition and endorse the way in which your business operates.”

Entering the FSB Surrey Business Awards is free and open to all businesses employing up to 250 people.

Antonio Falco, chairman of Surrey & West Sussex region of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Having Smith & Williamson on board as sponsors of the FSB Surrey Business Awards is something to really celebrate.

“As sponsors of national business awards they have clearly appreciated the

Jeff Selden, head of assurance and business services for Smith & Williamson.

importance of what companies do on a local level.”

Businesses have until

Monday September 22 to enter via www.surreyawards. co.uk.