Southwark
BUSINESS TODAY
Issue 27: February - March 2020
Value driven tech specialist is a force for good David Henderson-Begg, Labyrinth IT Page 18
• LSBU Supporting the local community. Page 16
• Remembering the Great Depression. Page 28
• Full speed ahead with 1Gb Broadband. Page 15
Join an international, award-winning university business school with a reputation for a holistic approach to your personal development and career ambitions. Applied, professional, accredited programmes in: • Accounting • Finance • Business • Economics • Marketing Full-time and part-time courses including apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees starting in January and September. Visit your local university of choice at an Open Event: • Saturday 7 March (Open day for undergraduate and postgraduate study) • Wednesday 6 May (Open evening 5pm–7pm for postgraduate study)
University of the Year for Graduate Employment*
lsbu.ac.uk/SouthwarkBusiness *The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018/19.
Welcome
Welcome to Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
Contents
The Southwark Chamber of Commerce magazine for all businesses in Southwark Not long for our Government to negotiate our new relations with the EU. Businesses at least know the direction we are heading but still await the detail and how business needs to prepare and adapt. We continue to watch this space and are planning an event on 18th June to explore this further and do read Neil Coyle’s article inside.
Welcome to this new packed edition, the first in 2020 and it’s hard to believe we are already hurtling through February! We are proud to be in our 96th year of the Chamber supporting business in Southwark. We had a wonderful 95th Celebration last December, hosted by LSBU and sponsored by British Land. It never fails to impress me the wide ranging and diverse nature of business we have in Southwark. Sir Simon Hughes spoke with passion about how Southwark can and should be the ‘place to be’ a hub renowned for its excellence in commerce. 2020 will be another year of change. We left the European Union on 31st January and have embarked on a transition period ending in December this year.
We have two flagship events not only to look forward to but for you to get involved with. They are: Our now well-established annual Southwark Business Awards. In its 4th year and open now for entries and with 14 categories available I encourage you to be one of the many that have benefited from the whole experience and the winners who have seen a boost to their business. The winners also get a complimentary membership of the Chamber up to December 2021. A win, win situation so please go for it. Entries must be in by 13th March and more details inside. The annual river cruise along the Thames with an historic flavour. In 1620, a group of separatists, set sail from Rotherhithe seeking a new life in America in the Mayflower. To recognise this very significant event in American History and the continued ties we have with those seeking out their ancestry here. Keep the evening of the 16th July free and look out the fashion of the time!
we heard of Southwark Councils Initiate in reducing pollution and the carbon emissions in the borough. So important with the drastic effect the air pollution is having on our population and the Council’s Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan should make a difference and improve the health and wellbeing of all of us. Andrew Moffat introduced the Mayor of London new London Enterprise Advisor Network created to help link colleges and schools to employer engagement for young people. Something we will explore in a later edition. Businesses need apprenticeship scheme to support their business to growth and provide the skills and labour resources required. It is great to see the commitment of London Southbank University, Southwark College and others with their schemes to help make this happen. Re-assuring for Southwark Employers. See the great line up of networking events going forward on page 32. I encourage you to attend to benefit your business, meet likeminded people and network. I look forward to welcoming you and do let us know of anything you wish your Chamber to explore or consider improving our support to Southwark Business.
At my first meeting with London’s Local Chambers hosted at London Councils offices in Southwark
Les Johnson
Chairman Southwark Chamber of Commerce
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4-5 Up Front 6 Legal 8-9 News 10 Southwark Business Awards 12 News 14 British Land 16-17 Skills 18-19 Big Interview 24-25 Arts & Culture 27 Voice from Westminster 28-29 Remembering When… 30-31 Health & Wellbeing 32 Chamber Events 33 Finance 33 Last Word
Enquiries
Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel: 07477 581977 Email: admin@southwarkcommerce.com Web: www.SouthwarkCommerce.com
Editor
Jez Davison Email: jez@benhampublishing.com
Contributing Editor Susan Isaacs
Publisher
Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com
Published
Feb 2020 © Benham Publishing
Advertising and Features
Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com
Studio
Mark Etherington Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No.1757
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Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 3
Up Front
London takes on data challenge Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for a new vision for using data to help to tackle some of the most urgent challenges facing the capital. A report by the Open Data Institute looks at how the city’s data collection and sharing should evolve over the next decade, building on the success of the London Datastore, City Hall’s free and open data-sharing platform. The London Datastore was one of the first of its kind developed by a major city anywhere in the world, making freely available huge amounts of data about the capital which has been used to tackle some of London’s most important challenges, such as easing road congestion and improving air quality. To modernise the city’s approach to data, City Hall has worked with the Open Data Institute – an organisation which works with the public and private sectors to help build an open, trustworthy data system – to publish a report outlining how the Datastore can evolve over the next decade. The report recommends that the platform should sit at the heart of a new approach to the safe and secure sharing of data. It also recommends developing a new approach to sharing civic data from City Hall; this will be led by London’s chief digital officer, Theo Blackwell, and will bring together councils, universities, the public sector, businesses and Londoners. Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of business organisation London First, said: “Open data has led to some incredible initiatives over the last decade. However, looking towards the next ten years and beyond, it is vital that London becomes a digitally-powered capital. “Fully realising data’s potential will revolutionise how London goes about its daily business, with the London Data Commission playing a critical role in unlocking data-led solutions to our capital’s key challenges.”
Chamber celebrates 95 years in business Southwark Chamber of Commerce toasted its 95th anniversary with an event that recognised the past, present and future support of the borough’s businesses. The milestone was celebrated at London South Bank University’s (LSBU) School of Business to mark the strong relationship between the university and the borough’s businesses. Sir Simon Hughes, LSBU Chancellor and former MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, was keynote speaker and guests included representatives from Southwark’s twin town, Langenhagen in Germany. Chamber chair Les Johnson said: “It is wonderful to be part of an organisation that has served the borough’s business community for 95 years. The Chamber prides itself on being a support mechanism for business and our community is stronger than ever thanks to our work with partners including LSBU, who have great business facilities and are nurturing apprentices and entrepreneurs. “Our Chamber has an international outlook too, and we were honoured to host our partners from Langenhagen at our celebration.” In his speech, Sir Simon Hughes looked to the borough’s past and how it could propel its economic future.
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He said: “I don’t think that if you asked people around the country what product, industry or business you would associate with Southwark that they would know, and that’s not the case with other places. I think saying ‘we’re the most cultural, the most historical’ is great but it’s not going to sell you much, you need to think ahead.” His suggestions included: • linking LSBU’s School of Applied Sciences with Borough Market and Southwark’s historic food production, such as riverside breweries and Peek Freans biscuit factory, to create “a food centre with science and nutrition at the heart of it” • the School of Arts and Creative Industries could support a Charlie Chaplin festival or promote Southwark’s links to the three giants of “written art” – Chaucer, Shakespeare and Dickens • The School of the Built Environment and Architecture with its great skills could “work out a way to build prefabs and house the homeless”
Up Front
Feel Great about Giving with Community Southwark
Council pledges support for shopping centre traders
Southwark is a diverse borough, open to all sorts of businesses from well-known brands Shard, to local businesses and social entrepreneurs. At Community Southwark, we are often asked how these businesses can get involved in giving in their community. Afterall, giving back to the community is not only good for business but investing in your community provides exciting opportunities for staff and big impacts for charities. There are so many ways to invest in Southwark including: practical
team challenges (great team building away days); team or individual skills challenges (fantastic for developing skills and having a real impact on charitable organisations), providing spare rooms to the organisations to use for meetings or events, hosting information sessions, workshops and seminars; and investing in the infrastructure and/or fund of our place-based giving scheme.
If you would like to find out more contact Community Southwark info@communitysouthwark.org so that we can help you to feel great about giving.
Pubs to benefit from business rates discount Pub owners across Southwark will be pulling a celebratory pint after the government announced it would be slashing their bills by £1,000. Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid confirmed the new Pubs Relief would be introduced in April, with £1,000 being taken off the business rates bills of small pubs that qualify. As many as 18,000 pubs are expected to benefit from the discount. It comes on top of an extended retail discount, which smaller pubs are also eligible for. Those eligible for both reliefs will get up to £13,500 off their annual bills.
The Pubs Relief is part of a package of measures that is being introduced by the government to support local high streets. Sajid Javid said: “We all love our great British pubs. They are part and parcel of the British way of life and the beating heart of villages, towns and cities across the UK. “Our beloved locals are the place where people from all walks of life come together and I, like many people, love nothing better than sipping on a cold beer at the end of a busy week. That’s why this government is backing pubs in any way it can.
“We are going even further to help the high street by cutting rates in half for small shops, restaurants, cafes, music venues and cinemas. Bars will benefit from this too,meaning that along with the Pubs Relief they could be saving up to £13,500 next year on their taxes. So, if you are out this weekend toasting the end of another working week you can be assured that the government has the backs of your local pubs and high streets. Cheers!”
Mayor accelerates action to remove dirty vehicles from London The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a series of measures that will accelerate the move to cleaner vehicles across the capital. The measures include doubling payments to scrap older vans to £7,000, with £9,500 also now available to those switching to electric vans. The increased funding will enable more van owners to switch to cleaner vehicles, while helping businesses prepare for the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) up to the north and south circular next year, and the tightening of the Londonwide Low Emission Zone standards this October. The Mayor also announced he is broadening the eligibility for the van scrappage scheme so that small firms (those with 50 or fewer
employees) can benefit as well as micro businesses (those with fewer than 10 employees). Alongside helping van owners, the Mayor has pledged to support small businesses that operate heavy vehicles, which include HGVs, coaches and buses. Heavy vehicles that are not part of the Transport for London (TfL) network make up more than a third of the harmful pollution from transport. To help clean up the heavy vehicle fleet, the van scrappage scheme will open to small businesses operating heavy vehicles later this year. TfL is finalising the details of the scheme, but it is expected that it will be
in the form of a grant of around £15,000 for each polluting heavy vehicle, up to a maximum of three vehicles. Rowena Howie, London policy lead for The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Support to incentivise small businesses to invest in the Diesel Scrappage Scheme is extremely welcome and something FSB has long argued for. The extension from micro businesses to small businesses will benefit a greater percentage of our members. “It is now of critical importance that the scheme is well advertised to small businesses in the capital.”
Southwark Council has responded to news that traders in the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre have been given notice that the centre will close later this year. Traders were officially given notice to leave by centre owner Delancey, triggering the release of thousands of pounds of relocation funding and business support. Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for growth, development and planning, said: “We know this is an anxious time for traders and the council will be offering whatever support it can to help them find and move into new premises in and around the Elephant and Castle area. “Sites include the council’s new Perronet Arcade, opposite the entrance to the Bakerloo Line station, and the Castle Square shopping area that is being constructed by Delancey. Some businesses have also been looking at the affordable space offered by Lendlease in the Elephant Park development, and our business support teams and Tree Shepherd have also been showing traders premises along the Walworth Road and surrounding area. “The centre itself is due to close in the summer and this will mean work can begin to deliver the new town centre, which will bring benefits to the wider area.” The redesigned town centre will include 979 new homes at the heart of the Elephant and Castle, including 116 homes at social rents, 53 at London Living Rent and 161 at a discount market rent. Clauses in the Section 106 agreement mean that a greater level of affordability will be provided if the scheme is more profitable than currently predicted. The new development will also include a new ticket hall for the Northern Line station, a new home for the London College of Communication, a multi-screen cinema and a new cultural venue with capacity for 500 people. Cllr Johnson Situ said: “We are committed to ensuring the new development will enhance and complement the vibrant and diverse culture of Elephant and Castle, not diminish it. “We will continue to work with and support the current traders, and the rest of the local community, to make sure everyone can benefit from these changes and no one is left behind.”
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 5
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Economy
UK employers report cautious hiring plans UK employers have reported their weakest hiring confidence in seven years, according to research from ManpowerGroup. Intentions to recruit staff in the first quarter of 2020 were down three percentage points to +2%, the lowest they have been since 2012. Declining confidence in nearly every sector and region painted a sluggish picture in the first three months of this year, Manpower said, with only a few bright spots standing out. Chris Gray, director of ManpowerGroup UK, says: “Signs of a slowing global economy and a lack of clarity about Brexit are all weighing heavily on the minds of employers, leading to many hiring plans being put on ice. Employers want certainty before they can make investment decisions and firm up hiring plans. “Employers are hitting the pause button after many years of strong hiring. The challenge is how employers ramp up their hiring plans in the future – the labour market continues to be very tight with employers continuing to report a shortage of skills such as engineers, IT staff, trades people, customer service representatives and medical professionals – irrespective of sector or location. We see little sign of skills shortages easing in the foreseeable future. Our advice is that employers must keep planning – thinking about their strategies for attraction, retention, training and succession planning to best prepare for the future.”
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The survey highlighted some interesting regional variations, with employers in five of the 12 UK regions expecting to increase payrolls during the first three months of 2020. The strongest hiring prospects were reported in the West Midlands, where the net employment outlook of +13% reflected hopeful hiring plans. Elsewhere, modest workforce gains were forecast for Scotland and the North West, where outlooks stood at +6% and +5% respectively. However, employers in five regions expected to trim payrolls, most notably in the North East where the net outlook was -4%. When compared with this time one year ago, hiring intentions weakened in eight of the 12 regions. Considerable decreases of 12 and 11 percentage points were reported in the East Midlands and the East respectively. However, employers in three regions reported stronger outlooks, most notably with improvements of four percentage points in both Scotland and the West Midlands.
The survey also analysed hiring intentions across nine key industry sectors in Q1 2020 and found that payroll gains were forecast in seven of these sectors. The strongest hiring prospects were reported in the mining sector where the net employment outlook was +5%, and in the manufacturing sector with an outlook of +4%. However, employers expected staffing levels to decline in two sectors, including the transport and communications sector where the outlook was -4%. Hiring sentiment also weakened in seven of the nine industry sectors when compared with this time one year ago. Hiring prospects were seven percentage points weaker in four sectors – agriculture, construction, utilities and hotels and retail. Meanwhile, slight improvements of two percentage points were reported for the manufacturing and mining sectors.
“Our advice is that employers must keep planning – thinking about their strategies for attraction, retention, training and succession planning to best prepare for the future.”
Funding boost for Bakerloo line extension Southwark Council has pledged to set aside £7.5 million for a new entrance and ticket hall to the Northern Line underground station. The scheme will be delivered as part of a major shopping centre redevelopment at Elephant and Castle. This additional funding will allow for a fully integrated step free interchange at Elephant and Castle between the Northern Line and Bakerloo Lines, once the extension and upgrade of the Bakerloo Line has been delivered. This would include escalator access – a long-term aspiration of the council and residents who currently have to navigate a warren of underground passageways to change underground lines. As well as ensuring improved access to the Northern line, this
is the first piece of infrastructure for the Bakerloo line extension and is designed to reduce the impact of its construction on local residents and remove the threat of further direct demolition and redevelopment at Elephant and Castle. The Bakerloo Line Extension is fundamental to plans for growth and development in the borough, as well as bringing wider benefits to London. The council’s £7.5m investment would be match-funded by Transport for London (TfL).
exchange has been at the heart of the council’s vision for the regeneration of Elephant and Castle since it adopted the original planning documents in 2004. “The decision to provide half the costs for this early infrastructure will help support the case for the overall Bakerloo line extension project, strengthening TfL’s case for capital funding. It will also help strengthen the Elephant and Castle and
Old Kent Road areas as office and work place locations to generate further investment in the area.” The council has been campaigning for the Bakerloo line extension for several years. Its joint Back the Bakerloo Campaign with Lewisham Council is supported by more than 20,000 people. For more information or to sign up to the campaign, visit www.backthebakerloo.org.uk
Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for growth, development and planning, said: “The delivery of an integrated public transport
Ethnic minority entrepreneurs benefit from funding Almost one half of businesses that have received start-up funding from a government-backed scheme are led by people from black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. Latest data from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme shows that it has issued 7,366 loans to start-up owners in London from BAME backgrounds, amounting to more than £50 million in funding. With two in five (40%) Londoners identified as being from Asian, black, mixed or other ethnic groups in the last census, 48% of all of the 15,423 Start Up Loans issued in the capital since 2012 went to people from BAME backgrounds. Piers Linney, non-executive director of the British Business Bank and recognised as one of the top BAME business leaders in the UK, said: “Businesses led by people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds make a huge contribution to London’s economy, so it’s great to see the Start Up Loans programme is making a real difference in supporting them to access the finance they need. “When you look at the current makeup of UK business ownership, it’s clear there’s more that can be done to reflect the diversity of
our society. We’d like to see more businesses being started by BAME entrepreneurs across the country but are proud that Start Up Loans is playing its part in supporting BAME businesses at a national level and giving them the support they need to start and grow.” Richard Bearman, managing director of Start Up Loans, said: “Start Up Loans enable people from all walks of life to realise their ambitions and start their own business. It’s encouraging to reach this £50 million milestone and we hope the success of the programme in London resonates throughout the country to help address the imbalance in BAME business leaders in the UK.” The Start Up Loans programme provides fixed-interest loans of £500 to £25,000 to aspiring business owners from across the UK, many of whom might be struggling to access other forms of finance. Since 2012, it has lent more than £542 million through 67,862 loans, of which 13,832 went to people from BAME backgrounds.
Does your business want to up its CSR Game? Looking for opportunities to give back to the community?
At Community Southwark we know the importance of community giving. We provide practical team challenges and skills-based volunteering for individuals and teams and see firsthand the impact on those who benefit.
Skills-based volunteering can include a variety of areas such as: strategic planning, governance and fundraising. Skills are chosen on a needs-led basis and we’re told by groups that having this expertise can make an invaluable difference.
So, you can be a Southwark resident, employer and/or employee, it doesn’t matter as we can match you, all in the name of community giving.
Through high-quality relationship brokering we match volunteers with effective organisations to ensure maximum long-term social impact.
Our role is to source, plan, facilitate and evaluate so that groups who don’t have the time or resources to do so don’t have to. We also assess risk, project manage and facilitate the relationship and activities, carefully manage expectations and provide support to everyone involved throughout.
If you would like to know more then please do get in touch with the team at involve@communitysouthwark.org or call 020 7358 7020
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 9
Awards
Southwark Business Excellence Awards in association with LSBU The borough’s flagship business awards are now open for entries following a spectacular launch at Sea Containers’ luxury 12th Knot bar. Now in their third year, the Southwark Business Excellence Awards in association with London South Bank University (LSBU) recognise the successes of the borough’s 18,000 businesses. More than 200 guests attended the launch on January 21, to listen to inspirational speeches and live music from Soulful Sounds. They enjoyed refreshments and drinks from Hiver Beers, last year’s Independent Retailer of the Year winner. Hiver’s Sophie Napleton told guests: “We were thrilled to win the award. Southwark Business Excellence Awards were so supportive and we were really well looked after. The Award win was the icing on the cake. It led to new business and created amazing new relationships within the community. I would urge you all to apply.” The Awards programme is organised by White Label on behalf of Southwark Chamber of Commerce and Southwark Council. Speaking at the launch Les Johnson, Chairman, Southwark Chamber, said: “The Awards have grown and grown and what has amazed me is the wealth of businesses in Southwark which we wouldn’t be aware of if it wasn’t for this. It brings people together. It’s an anchor in the community.”
Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Business and Innovation, added: “Southwark has always been a borough that helps businesses flourish, and I’m really proud of their success and how they help our communities thrive. The council supports the Southwark Business Excellence Awards in showing the wealth of talent, capacity and willingness of businesses to work with and employ residents and to show the wonderful things business do.” Floris Kouijzer, manager of Sea Containers and the eclectic rooftop bar, 12th Knot, which offers panoramic views of London, told guests: “We are privileged to host this amazing initiative. We came to the borough a few years ago and have seen first-hand how its grown. As a business we benefit from Southwark becoming a destination and we realise it’s our duty to give back. From our business to yours, we will always open the doors for you, to ensure we give back to the borough that hosted us in the first place.” Alison May, LSBU’s Apprenticeships Manager, said the university became the awards’ headline sponsor because of its ethos of “passion and enthusiasm” for supporting local business and enterprise. She added: “We’re also supporting these awards because of our commitment to providing Southwark sand South London
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with the skilled workforce they need. To date we are working with 500 employers and 1600 apprentices are on our programme making us one of the largest higher and degree apprenticeship providers in the England.” Rt Hon Sir Simon Hughes, Chancellor of London South Bank University, added: “I believe this [the awards] is a serious recognition in terms of what businesses in Southwark are doing, what we were doing and what we will be doing.” Encouraging business to enter, he added: “We need to think laterally, ‘who are the good businesses’, ‘does my business deserve the recognition’ and ‘who can we suggest who might not be comfortable with putting themselves forward and can we do it for them’.” There are 14 categories to enter. British Land, Great Portland Estates, Landsec and Lendlease are sponsoring ‘Women in Business’, ‘Contribution to the Community’, ‘Best Employer’ and ‘Independent Retailer’, respectively. The finale is a glittering, black-tie Gala Dinner & Charity Ball awards’ presentation on June 25 at Hilton London Bankside. For more information visit: www.southwarkawards.co.uk
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News
Confidence on the rise Southwark firms are among the most confident in the country about doing business, a new survey has revealed. The latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer showed that business confidence in London leapt 22 points during January to 38% – the highest of any UK region. In addition, a net balance of 23% of firms in the region expect to hire more staff during the next year, up four points on the previous month. Across the UK, overall confidence rose 13 points to 23%, a 14-month high and rising back towards the long-term average of 25%. The most recent increase was driven largely by firms’ rising optimism in prospects for the economy. Nationally, concerns about the UK leaving the EU eased significantly, with the barometer showing an eight-point increase to -7% – the least negative since November 2018. There was a marked increase in confidence in the construction and services sectors, although confidence in manufacturing declined. Confidence in the retail sector remained muted. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. Paul Gordon, managing director for SME and mid corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see a significant increase in business confidence for firms up and down the UK. London had a particularly strong start to the year, which could be businesses’ positive reaction to greater political and economic certainty. “It is also encouraging to see both the South West and East of England posting significant strides. However, Scotland saw a sharp decline, moving the region into negative sentiment. The overall buoyed results are also reflected by improvements in three of the four sectors and we hope that more businesses plan for growth as we continue into 2020.”
Double expansion at The Shard
Two businesses have expanded their footprint in one of the world’s most recognisable buildings. Digital marketing specialist Jellyfish and an undisclosed FTSE 100-listed company have taken a combined additional space of 13,929 sq ft in The Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building. Jellyfish first took office space at The Shard, which houses its London headquarters, in 2016. It originally secured 9,017 sq ft on level 22, before taking a further 10,000 sq ft on level 28 just two years later. Now the agency has signed for another 9,313 sq ft on a six-and-a-half-year lease and will occupy the whole of level 22.
the attraction of The Shard and the wider London Bridge area to a wide range of businesses. Michael Baker, CEO of Real Estate Management (UK) Limited (REM), which manages The Shard on behalf of the building’s owners, said: “It is excellent to see both companies expanding their London headquarters within The Shard offices yet again. Shard Quarter has become a hub for digital and media businesses, with other major tenants including News Corporation and Sapphire Systems.
In a separate deal, a FTSE 100 company has secured an additional 4,616 sq ft on a six-year lease.
“These occupiers bring a special creative dynamic that help support the diversity of the community here. The ‘Shard Effect’ remains a powerful one that has no doubt contributed to the growth of many of our occupiers.”
Both Jellyfish and the FTSE 100 company join a significant number of office occupiers that have opted to take more space at The Shard after seeing their business grow. Others include Duff & Phelps, MATCHESFASHION.COM, Warwick Business School and Foresight, demonstrating
REM provides property development and asset management services to real estate investors in London. The company manages an investment portfolio comprising 2.5 million sq ft of premium lettable space in multi-use assets, as well as a £400 million development pipeline.
TfL outlines plans to reduce Peckham road danger Transport for London (TfL) has set out a blueprint to improve road safety on Peckham High Street and make the area more accessible for shoppers and businesses. TfL is ploughing funding into six high streets across London to improve their look and feel, encourage more walking and cycling, and provide better access to the small businesses located there. Plans for Peckham High Street, between Basing Court and Mission Place, include new and improved pedestrian and cycle crossings, wider pavements and the lowering of the speed limit to 20mph. The de-cluttering of pavements in the area and the addition of new cycle parking stands are also part of the plans. The announcement comes after three pedestrians lost their lives walking on the same stretch of road. TfL said a safer road layout is needed to reduce road danger and make the area more welcoming and accessible for people on foot. The organisation has invited feedback on the proposed changes before 12 March. Construction work could begin by the end of the year depending on feedback received during the consultation.
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Penny Rees, TfL’s head of healthy streets investment and delivery, said: “Our proposals for Peckham High Street would make a real difference to Peckham town centre, not only making roads safer but also making it easier to get around on foot.” Cllr Richard Livingstone, Southwark Council’s cabinet member for environment, transport and the climate emergency, said: “We are happy to see road danger on Peckham High Street being addressed. TfL’s new public consultation offers a number of measures that will help keep people safe and we are keen to hear what local people make of their suggestions. “I would encourage residents to ensure that their voice is heard by responding to the consultation and I look forward to seeing solutions agreed upon and implemented as quickly as possible.” To give feedback on the proposed changes, visit tfl.gov.uk/Peckham-town-centre
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British Land
An update from the Canada Water Masterplan team entertainment and community space, and it will be home to c.2,000 jobs. We’re working on a number of projects to ensure that local businesses and residents can access these opportunities.
Supporting Canada Water’s small businesses and local entrepreneurs The Canada Water Masterplan is a partnership between British Land, Southwark Council and the local community to create an outstanding new town centre in Canada Water that makes a positive long-term contribution to local life. In September 2019, Southwark Council’s planning committee approved British Land’s planning application for the Masterplan, following five years of extensive consultation and input from the local community, including targeted local business engagement. We continue to work with the council to achieve an implementable planning permission, with the aim of then starting construction of the first phase this year. Our aim is for Canada Water to become a place where both businesses that are already established and those that wish to move into the area can thrive alongside each other. Over the next 15 years, the Masterplan will provide up to 100,000 square metres of retail, leisure,
To help lay the foundations for local residents to benefit from the new town centre, we’ve partnered with Tree Shepherd since 2017 to run programmes aimed at supporting local residents with a small business or just an idea to start-up and grow. The key to these start-ups and small businesses progressing to the next stage in their development has been access to ongoing support and space to work, so in February last year we launched Thrive in partnership with Tree Shepherd. Thrive, which is located in Surrey Quays Leisure Park, combines a new low-cost workspace with a business hub providing local residents and businesses with meeting rooms, makerspace and super-fast Wi-Fi, as well as access to free professional business advice and mentoring, networking events and start-up training workshops. Within 6 months of being open, Thrive already had 30 new members from the local area and four businesses operating within its walls, from counsellors to makers and seamstresses – all of whom are taking advantage of the flexibility and affordability of the space to start or develop their business idea. The space is currently open three days a
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week Monday to Wednesday but seeking to expand. If you would like to express your interest in becoming a member, attending events, or want to find out more about how Thrive could support you, please email the team at Thrive@treeshepherd.org.uk
Supporting local residents to access jobs in the construction industry It’s vitally important that local residents can benefit directly from the changes to their area, and it’s also well publicised that construction-based professions are facing skills shortages. That’s why we helped to launch the Shaping Southwark’s Future programme across north Southwark together with Construction Youth Trust, United St Saviour’s Charity and Southwark Construction Skills Centre. An important aim of this education and employment partnership is to make young people aware of the numerous employment, skills and career development opportunities that construction works will generate over the next decade in their local area, in order to tackle head-on some of the employment issues we are facing. Over the past year, Shaping Southwark’s Future has seen construction and built environment
professionals volunteer a total of 371 hours across seven schools to help inspire young people into careers in the sector, with 13 of these beginning their career journey by embarking on construction related apprenticeships. In total, over 4,400 young people in Southwark have now found careers through this programme.
Recognising the achievements of local businesses The Southwark Business Awards are back again in 2020 to celebrate Southwark’s thriving business community, and we’re delighted to be sponsoring the Women in Business Award this year. The awards are free to enter, and there’s a vast array of categories to suit businesses of all sizes in every sector across the Borough. Businesses can enter up to three categories for free, with the exception of Business of the Year which is chosen by the judges. Award submissions must be entered by Friday 13 March. For full details about entering the 2020 awards, visit www.southwarkawards.co.uk There are many hard-working and successful local businesses and we look forward to seeing them recognised and celebrated through the awards.
To find out more about our work locally and the Masterplan, visit our website - www.canadawatermasterplan.com If you have any questions or would like to be added to the mailing list to receive direct updates about the project, please get in touch by emailing team@canadawatermasterplan.com
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Skills
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Skills
LSBU: supporting our local business community At our campus in Southwark we not only teach business courses - we also help local businesses too. Through initiatives like the Business Solutions Centre who provide advice to businesses and our involvement with local community projects, we aim to help businesses achieve their potential. Sponsor of Southwark Business Awards It’s with this commitment to local businesses in mind that we’re partnering with Southwark Business Awards for the second year running to deliver these popular awards. Back for its third year, the Southwark Business Excellence Awards celebrates the achievements of the borough’s vibrant business community. From start-ups to SMEs and corporates, these awards give businesses the opportunity for recognition. The 14 free-to-enter award categories include Entrepreneur of the Year, Women in Business and Contribution to the Community – all key issues in our local business community. With applications open until Friday 31 March 2020, these awards recognise the successes and achievements of the borough’s 18,000 local businesses.
Building skills and qualifications At LSBU Business School, we make sure you have the skills needed in the workplace both now and in the future. We offer a range of courses, including higher and degree-level apprenticeships – all developed with employer input to make sure these meet business needs. Our undergraduate degrees include BA Marketing, BSc Accounting and Finance, BSc Economics and a range of combination Business courses, such as BA (Hons) Business Management with Finance or BA (Hons) Business Management with Marketing. Live case studies are often used, ensuring that the focus is on application as much as theory.
With the commitments many of our students have, some choose to study part-time, giving them the opportunity to gain a qualification at a better-suited pace.
Specific higher qualifications For those looking to develop their skills further, or change career path, postgraduate courses equip you with the skills and qualifications to help you succeed. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD), the PgDip/ MSc in Human Resource Management develops the skills and knowledge of Human Resource professionals. Across our courses, students bring examples of their work in to the classroom, enabling them to apply theory to their workplace. A growing profession, Project Management contributes to the overall success of any business. Underpinned by the core competencies of the Association of Project Managers (APM), our MSc Business Project Management course is designed for students who aim to run complex projects with a range of stakeholders, managing all phases to time and to budget. Student Swati Sumale enjoys the application, as she explains: “my lecturer highlights the strategies used in real projects, we discuss them and we complete a few hands-on exercises. He then checks and conveys how it should be done. This gives us an idea of how things work”.
Apprenticeships at degree level Through our apprenticeships, we train nearly 1,000 students and are one of only 2 London HE providers to work with
non-levy employers (small SMEs). With minimum time out of the workplace (this can be as little as 1 day per week), some of our apprenticeships give students the opportunity to gain a degree on completion. In our Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, students develop knowledge and skills across several business areas, focusing on the study of organisations, management and the changing environment in which they operate. Upon completion, students qualify with a BA (Hons) Business Management with Business Practice. Real-world application of theory is key across all our courses – including the higher and degree level apprenticeships. Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice Lisa Brown says “linking these theories with my role is helping me better understand how other departments [in my workplace] work.” Our Digital Marketer Degree Apprenticeship provides core marketing skills including research, consumer behaviour, branding, creative strategy, media channel management, innovation and new product development. Students qualify with a BA (Hons) Digital Marketing on completion.
Events We host a range of events open to the public throughout the year. This includes our annual Accounting conference, guest speakers and research updates from our academics via our Research Today seminar series. We warmly welcome you to join us. To see what’s coming up, visit lsbu.ac.uk/whats-on
Visit us Open Days give you the opportunity to speak to our academic team to find out more about your options. Our next is Saturday 7 March (11am-3pm), or Wednesday 6 May (postgraduate options only, 5pm – 7pm).
To find out more about LSBU Business School, please visit www.lsbu.ac.uk/SouthwarkBusiness
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Big Interview
David Henderson-Begg, managing director, Labyrinth IT
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Big Interview
VALUE-DRIVEN TECH SPECIALIST IS A FORCE FOR GOOD David Henderson-Begg’s career in the police force taught him the values of punctuality, respect and good communication. Now those same values have helped him launch and grow a highly regarded IT services firm… Providing an excellent service is top of the business agenda for David Henderson-Begg. The IT specialist set up Labyrinth Technology in 2001 after despairing over the quality of service on offer from a national supplier. “I’ve been involved in IT for many years and I’ve seen situations where people are, to put it bluntly just getting ripped off,” he says. “One woman was charged £15,000 for a new server – a classic case of vast overselling. It’s fundamentally dishonest and that’s not the way I was brought up.” David has been dabbling with technology since the 1990s, when he was a student manager of his school’s first computer suite. He went to university, briefly, to study computer science but quit after discovering that academic life was not for him. “It was too theoretical for me,” he recalls. “I’m more practical; I don’t learn from reading books or being frontloaded with information in a lecture.” After a brief period selling pensions, David joined the special constabulary – the parttime volunteer section of the police force – before becoming a fully-fledged police officer in 1995. “Joining the police force was excellent for my personal development,” he says. “It taught me the value of teamwork, punctuality and being able to solve practical problems.”
The knack of hiring capable staff – Labyrinth has around ten on its books – also explains why the company has been able to adapt to the fast change of pace in the IT industry.
Inside track
David says: “One person can only know so much and only a team can address all of the needs of a growing business today. This is something that has fundamentally changed. When I started in the industry, a lone IT enthusiast could easily manage to provide a good service to small business customers. Now I question whether that’s possible.
u Favourite food? I generally eat everything and love trying new things as I’m a bit of a foodie! Comfort food would be a good steak.
“Take security, for example. When Labyrinth started, the internet was still in its infancy. Now, if you connect a computer to the internet it will be sought and attacked by automated threats within days, if not hours. That means that every company, no matter the size, should have a professional IT security assessment in place and informed decisions should be made about what security measures are required. We now recommend that every client has a dedicated hardware firewall, not something built into an internet router, and two-factor authentication enabled on all key, cloud tools as a minimum. Five years ago, those recommendations would seem unreasonable for a small business; now I think it’s essential.”
u Favourite holiday? I discovered a love of cruising nearly ten years ago and have been on at least one cruise every year since. Being able to dip in and out of different cultures at the ports allows you to pick destinations that you would like to explore in more depth in the future.
His decade-long service in the force included a three-year stint as a special branch detective, where he worked on counter terrorism projects, before he moved into operational planning and devised strategic policing responses to known events. As part of this work he created IT solutions – a good grounding for his current career – and in 2001 he took the plunge and launched Labyrinth.
David is confident that he can continue to make Labyrinth stand out in a crowded IT marketplace. He believes that good communication, a mutual respect between company and client, and staff who carry out work to exceptional standards will keep his company ahead of the competition. Whilst the tech industry seems far removed from a career in the police force, he credits his experience of the long arm of the law for helping him realise the importance of good, honest values in business.
It’s a decision he hasn’t regretted. With a keen focus on providing value-for-money IT services, the company has seen growth of 80% over the last two years in its core business and has a portfolio of business clients ranging from solicitors working at home to a City of London livery firm and a West End tourist attraction. David’s insistence that the principles of honesty and transparency are upheld by every employee at all stages of client contact is a key reason why Labyrinth’s growth has been so swift.
“Back then, the police force was still a disciplined service and sadly it is anything but now,” he says. “We had punctuality, pride in appearance and respect for the chain of command drilled into us. I strongly believe that some of those values are very lacking in the modern world but, equally, I understand that they are an anathema to many young people. At Labyrinth we put those values into practice and that’s one of the main reasons why we’ve done so well.”
David Henderson-Begg:
u Favourite tipple? Red wine is my kryptonite! I also enjoy a good French Bordeaux (with the aforementioned steak!)
u How do you spend your downtime? I own two businesses and two houses which doesn’t leave an awful lot of spare time! My ideal night out is a quiet evening in a good restaurant with good conversation. I have a love of all things tech so like to keep up and play with the latest gadgets. u Key strengths as a manager? I listen to all opinions and viewpoints before making a decision. It’s so important to give staff a voice. u And your limitations? My management style can be a bit military – perhaps influenced by my time in the police force. u Best thing about doing business in the borough? Walking along the Thames Path in the summer, being a part of the events taking place around City Hall, and sampling the great places to eat and drink in Borough Market and London Bridge. u Famous person you’d most like to spend dinner with? The Queen. Her experiences throughout her life and her dedication to her country are breath-taking. u Most interesting fact about yourself? I was a professional treble soloist when I was a child.
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Photo shoots for teams and individual businesses at company premises or studios in South East London Contact Warren: 07779 337765 / warren@wkphotography.co.uk www.wkphotography.co.uk
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Based in the former police station and Magistrate’s court in SE1, the concept of Shakedown Coffee comes from the old tradition of police officers conducting random searches of cells and prisoners to find contraband. Now we use the old prison cells to roast our very own coffee beans. Shakedown Café is open every day from 7am to 10pm, for a take away coffee, a quick bite to eat or a leisurely brunch. A unique and stylish space to meet up with colleagues or to catch up with friends while switching records on our vintage vinyl player. And it gets even better in the evenings – pop in for an after work Espresso Martini or a glass of wine or book the space for your networking event! Shakedown Café, 4 Queen Elizabeth Street, SE1 2LL Monday-Sunday 7am to 10pm
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Design by
14/01/2020 16:21
Elephant Park
Fresh opportunities for F&B operators in Elephant & Castle Work continues at Elephant Park - the joint £2.3 billion regeneration project between Lendlease and Southwark Council. And as the development takes shape, new opportunities present themselves for a range of local food & beverage providers looking for presence in Elephant & Castle. The development will create new residential homes and an abundance of retail and dining spaces on which Lendlease is taking a fresh approach to leasing. A diverse community deserves an eclectic mix of retail and F&B providers, so Elephant Park will bring a bit of everything to Southwark; startups, popular independents, and high street staples.
The location As well as retail focused areas which are already coming to life with independent brands and food operators, Elephant Park will bring the newest food destination to
South London. One which becomes a social, bustling thoroughfare running alongside a tree-lined park. Ash Avenue at Elephant Park is set to be Southwark’s new food destination; a park-side haven filled with delicious dining options, cafes and innovative foodie concepts. With the first operators opening in 2020, each unit will feature a unique “kitchen to kerb” proposition for al fresco dining. The Avenue itself runs alongside a park, so diners and coffee seekers can look out onto open, green space. As part of the new network of connected streets and pedestrian friendly pathways, a direct route from the train station will make the location highly accessible to visitors from outside Southwark.
Who’s already open A range of food operators, bars and cafes have already opened. In 2019 The Tap In began offering up a huge selection of craft
beer and Cuban sandwiches, accompanied by another branch of the popular HEJ coffee. Beza Vegan Food, KOI Ramen Bar, Tasty Jerk, and Pot & Rice brought a bit of world flavour to mealtimes with their casual dining units. And 2020 will see Mercato Metropolitano’s “MM Factory” concept open, a supportive social hub centred on a love of food, along with Bobo Social, Miko’s and Bayroot on Sayer Street.
The opportunity Lendlease is interested in talking to local food & beverage businesses from across Elephant & Castle about the affordable retail opportunities on offer. Whether based in the shopping centre, Walworth Road, East Street or another retail location in Elephant & Castle, Lendlease want to hear from you. The affordable retail offer can provide support packages that include incentives and discounted structured terms on rents.
If you’d like to be part of Southwark’s new food destination, visit www.elephantpark.co.uk/retail-ash-avenue and get in touch with the team.
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Tel: 07961 155860 info@tessaparikian.com | www.tessaparikian.com
Creating a unity of ideas and style outdoors In late winter the summer feels a long way away. Sunny days relaxing with friends enjoying a cool drink and a bbq, children playing in the sandpit or treehouse, these are dreams as a cold snap is in progress, the sky grey and leaden, and a biting wind blows the remaining leaves into gutters.
But, in fact, this is the time to think about your garden or outdoor space and decide whether it fulfils all you want from it? Do you have somewhere to sit outside that is handy for the kitchen or catches the afternoon sun? Do you have an unsightly shed that is all you can see even though you need it for all the garden clobber? Does your path take you on a journey through your garden? Even a small garden can be made more interesting if the path doesn’t go straight from the back door to the seating area. Do you have enough plants? Deciding what you want can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. That’s where a professional garden designer can help. Listening to your needs and wants, they can pull your bucket list into a coherent whole. Tessa Parikian Garden Design, based in South London, has experience in re-designing flower borders to full garden design. ‘Designing a border or garden starts with listening’ says Parikian. ‘The client needs to be able to tell you what they have in mind, what the current garden is lacking and how they would like to change it.’ Parikian adds ‘A garden designer is able to look at your outdoor space and re-design it to create a Unity of ideas and Style - whether the client wants a formal, asymmetrical or informal
design. Simplicity and Balance bring calm and harmony and making sure Scale and Proportion are achieved by, for example, creating a generous patio that provides a visual base for the house. Rhythm and Repetition in the garden can bring a design to life and creating Focal Points: anything that stands out and maybe draws attention away from features in the garden that are not so valued’. ‘In this time of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, hot and dry and then torrential rain for example, it is imperative for our gardens to be resilient’ says Parikian. ‘Urban landscapes are on the frontline in helping to combat biodiversity loss, creating wildlife corridors for birds and bees and many other invertebrates. Our gardens can be beautiful as well as fulfilling an important function’. Parikian champions the use of layered planting. Having the soil covered with plants
all year round not only protects the soil but helps to stop weeds taking over and as a result means less maintenance. If you want to spruce up your borders or a complete garden re-design and have a garden that benefits wildlife and wider environment Tessa Parikian Garden Design can help you. Now is the time to start creating the garden you have always wanted.
“In this time of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, hot and dry and then torrential rain for example, it is imperative for our gardens to be resilient”
Paladar Founding team
Paladar - Southwark’s electrifying Latin American restaurant Were we in a restaurant somewhere in the middle of Latin America?
By Susan Isaacs Arts and restaurant critic It started with an ant. A Colombian ant to be precise. The hors d’oeuvre lay beautifully on the table before us, purple crisps, beige chickpea humus and a small black ant. And as soon as we dipped the delicious purple crisps into the humus, we knew we were in for a treat.
No. Just slip off the rather bleak London Road leading from Elephant and Castle tube, into a world of colour and a blaze of tastes. The venue is Paladar, and as we enter, a red bull on the wall confronts us, surrounded by vibrant blues, while next to it a cock with a red crest flaunts its multicoloured feathers. There is a wonderful ever changing art gallery on the walls to showcase the best of everything from Latin America, and as Charles Tyler, head honcho, and restauranteur extraordinaire explains, once the word got around, a sensational assortment of artists started coming out of the woodwork.
There is a Latin American community who live in the area, but the punters are often City slickers, or food gourmets looking for a special, and unusual treat. The restaurant has featured in the rankings as one of the most highly rated in London, and that is facing competition from more than 19,000 competitors. The nibbles were incredible. Delicious empanadas were filled with slow cooked beef brisket, and a criander -chilli sauce for dipping. As for the green plantain crisps, with a side of tquero guacamole, it took a real effort of will to put them down, they were so more-ish. The cassava fritters were golden and crispy on the outside, with a wonderful mora compote and tamarind sauce. There was a tartare and quinoa tian, with taro crisp, and chipotle mayonnaise, where the tuna was superb, and the colours were vibrant. Another excellent dish was the palm heart tiradito with aguachile, sweetcorn and jalapeño pickle.
The head chef is Colombian, the sommelier is Ecuadorian, the front of house manager is Cuban, and the paintings on the walls come from Mexico and Argentina. But Charles has the diction and bearing of an aristocratic Englishman, and a photograph on the website shows him alert and adventurous on a horse somewhere on the Latin American continent. He decided to set up the restaurant, inspired by the tastes and colours after a trip there in 2013. He chose Elephant and Castle as he lives just ten minutes away, a crucial factor when you regularly finish work in the small hours.
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We finished the meal with a delicious liqueur called Black Fire, a combination of Tequila, coffee and chilli. The restaurant does what it says, for Paladar means palate in Spanish. Your palate will be tickled, shocked, and delighted, as you sample electrifying dishes from across Latin America.
Sixteen Thousand Coins and a Chef called Ollie Prosecco Days at the Oxbo Bankside. By Susan Isaacs Arts and restaurant critic
“Christmas is a bit carnage,” says Ollie Couillaud, new head chef at the Oxbo, a Frenchman to the core, “we have such big parties.” We are here at the Oxbo for a Prosecco day. The punters can sink their teeth into a three-course set menu with unlimited bubbles for just £35. The wonderful black and white tiled floor spreads out like a chessboard before us, and animal heads, a bison, a giraffe and a stag, look down on us loftily from on high. Their expressions are so snooty that it is a shock to realise they are made from re-cycled newspapers.
Forty-nine foxes are dotted around the hotel. The area is a former industrial one, a distillery district, and it is appropriate that the bar next door boasts over hundred types of gin. One wall is studded with over sixteen thousand coins, some dating from the eighteenth century. We sample Cornish bream tartare with beetroot, and duck liver parfait with toasted brioche. The brioche is a work of art, sitting plumply in the centre of the plate. For mains we try the delicious cornfed chicken and the grilled sea bass. The olive oil mash, and the red pepper relish, has a lovely zing to it. Pudding is the creme brulee, melt in the mouth good, and the vanilla cheesecake with fruits finishes the meal nicely. And then of course there is the Prosecco, lots of it....
He also lived in Alberta in Canada. “I did lots of Djing and rockclimbing.” And what are the new fashions in food that he wants to bring to the Oxbo? He laughs again, “Fashion, I dont do fashion. I love classics from my childhood, but the trick is to use and re-use and then everytime we come up with something new. The nicest things come from that.” As we settle back contentedly in the comfortable chairs after the meal, I have to heartily agree.
“Where do you get your ideas from” I ask Ollie. Ollie’s brown eyes eyes twinkle behind classy brown famed glasses, and he giggles infectiously. “When I wake, when I have a shower” he laughs “I cook at home, all the time, it’s therapy.” Home for Ollie is Tooting Broadway where he can always find something exotic in the food markets, and he has lived in London for the last twenty-seven years. But he grew up in Poiters, where he did his first appenticeship. studying at the Maison de la Formation in Poitiers before taking his Baccalaureate de Cuisine in 1988.
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Voice from Westminster
VOICE FROM WESTMINSTER Neil Coyle MP
Navigating the path ahead for business We are living through a very turbulent period in the UK. The December general election was the third in just four years. I did not support holding the premature election and it has resulted in a massive majority for Boris Johnson and every likelihood of a more damaging Brexit. This was avoidable and I remain furious with the absolute shower who led Labour and our country to this disastrous position. I hope Labour moves forward very quickly under new, credible leadership able to attract business leaders as we navigate the path ahead amid the uncertainty of Brexit. I am, however, enormously grateful to have been returned as the MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark with a further increased majority. The idea I would have a 16,000 majority when I was campaigning for my first win in 2015 would have raised laughs from my strongest supporters! I am proud to represent our community and will keep speaking up for local people, organisations and businesses in Westminster.
In Parliament we will still be debating Brexit for some time. Johnson won an election with the vacuous slogan ‘Get Brexit Done’. The end of January provides a symbolic event but as every business will know, the issues involved are unlikely to be settled by the artificial end of 2020 deadline set by Johnson against EU advice.
The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, promised to be the most pro-business leader for London and has been helping fund settlement advice for nervous employees from other EU member states. Southwark council also provides advice so please drop me a line if you would like contact information. A new budget and funding settlement approaches. The Government has promised to now address issues it has ignored for so long, including knife crime which has blighted lives across our borough. Ministers also promise greater investment in infrastructure and
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has already called on Ministers to ‘agree a realistic transition period in order to negotiate a future trading arrangement with Europe’ and fear the threat of No Deal still exists. I am very apprehensive as we go forward but will do my utmost to protect businesses and jobs. I will scrutinise all plans brought forward in the coming months regarding our trade relationship and recruitment issues and will continue to highlight the inevitable pitfalls. If here are specific issues affecting your company or employees, please get in touch.
I hope we finally see details on bringing forward the Bakerloo Line extension. This investment is set to increase homes and jobs in Southwark – an estimated 20,000 homes and 10,000 jobs along the Old Kent Road. The Government must act now to bring forward this scheme.
neil.coyle.mp@parliament.uk
“I am very apprehensive as we go forward but will do my utmost to protect businesses and jobs. I will scrutinise all plans brought forward in the coming months regarding our trade relationship and recruitment issues and will continue to highlight the inevitable pitfalls.”
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Remembering when...
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Remembering when...
Remembering when... in 1929 the Great Depression began five years after Southwark Chamber of Commerce was founded By Ken Hayes - Honorary Membership Secretary
Having recently celebrated the 95th anniversary of Southwark Chamber of Commerce which began supporting business in Southwark in 1924 four years after the slump in the UK economy in the aftermath of WWI. On 29th October 1929 the Wall Street stock market crash led to a chain of events which caused the greatest financial crash in the developed world before or since. This recession lasted until 1939. The cause of the Stock Market crash was when the investors began selling overpriced stock in an over expanded stock market caused by investors small and large trying to make their quick gains in a lively over expanded market. When a downturn came on Tuesday 24th October in there was a rush to sell overpriced stocks and shares. A record 12.9 million shares were traded, which became known as Black Thursday. Five days later 29th October 16 million were shares were traded after another wave of panic swept through the market. Millions of shares ended up worthless and investors who had bought shares on borrowed money lost everything. This was called Black Tuesday.
This led to a domino effect as factories and other businesses reduced production and laid off employees. Many people in America were forced to buy on credit in order to survive. By 1930 4 million Americans were unemployed which rose to 6 million by 1931 and industrial production had dropped by 50%. In the autumn of 1930, the first of four ‘bank runs’ happened when confidence in the banks was lost and account holders demanded their money in cash. This happened again in the spring and autumn of 1931 and the autumn of 1932. President Edgar
Hoover’s Government failed to react quickly enough. By contrast the Prohibition of the production of alcoholic drinks, which had been brought in in 1917 during WWI was repealed on 5th December 1933. The Great Depression had a worldwide economic effect especially in the Industrial area of England Scotland and Wales leading to high unemployment of men and being unable to feed their families. Southwark where manufacturing was the main source of employment was one of those areas. A slow recovery in Britain began in late 1931 when Britain had withdrawn from the Gold Standard and devalued the pound.
“The Great Depression had a worldwide economic effect especially in the Industrial area of England Scotland and Wales leading to high unemployment of men and being unable to feed their families.”
The recovery came sooner in the south of England and in the worst affected areas were a lot slower to recover several years later.
The Jarrow Crusade In October 1936, 200 unemployed men marched from Jarrow in N.E. England to London, led by their MP Ellen Wilkinson, to petition Parliament with a petition signed by 12,000 residents of Jarrow asking for a steel mill to be built in Jarrow. A Shipyard ad closed due to the recession which was the main source of employment locally. Although we have had many economic recessions since the Great Depression, none have been as catastrophic as that. One hopes we have learned lessons from it. Southwark Chamber of Commerce survived throughout this period and through WWII and we are still here today in our 96th year promoting and supporting Business in Southwark.
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Health & Wellbeing
Holistic approach is best To get the most out of their workforce, employers should think about employee welfare holistically, a recent study has shown… Creating a workplace culture that recognises and supports employees holistically can bring out the best in them. That’s the stand-out conclusion of a recent study by life insurance specialist MetLife, which said employees are increasingly favouring health and wellness benefits that fit around their needs both in and outside of the workplace.
and 82% more successful. By taking a holistic approach, employers can do several things to make employees feel valued and appreciated, such as offering a comprehensive benefits programme, recognising achievements and providing training opportunities and incentives that fit around their lifestyles.
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The report revealed several key insights:
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When employees are supported as individuals, they are more engaged. Staff now expect their employer to recognise their ‘whole selves’ - from their unique values, backgrounds and talents to their perspectives on the workplace. Finding purpose at work is multifaceted. Employees’ definition of what purpose means to them is broad and varied: 72% said creating value for their employer contributes to the sense of purpose they felt at work; 71% said doing work they were passionate about was the key motivator, while regularly accomplishing work tasks gave 79% a sense of purpose. The study found that 88% of employees who feel a strong sense of purpose when working are significantly more satisfied with their job. Eight-three per cent felt more engaged, 89% more productive
Technology is driving a new mandate for training. From social media to artificial intelligence (AI), new and evolving technologies are revolutionising job roles and industries. To adapt, employers must prepare and equip their workforce with new skillsets - often in short supply - and reskill employees who will be most affected.
Offering structured programs such as paid sabbaticals can not only help employees take the time to follow passions or recharge, but also give them a sense of purpose and pride.
Sixty-eight per cent of employees surveyed in the study said they would be interested in a paid sabbatical program.
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The gig economy can be a challenge and an opportunity for employers. The same technologies and evolving expectations that have driven flexibility and the need for new skills have also blurred the distinction between work and life.
The evolution of mobile infrastructure, for example, has made part-time work accessible at the tap of a finger. These technologies are fast-tracking the revolution of the gig economy, an increasingly popular way of working often based on a fixed-term contract or projects paid via a third party or online marketplace.
Through the right planning and training, employers will not only get more appropriately skilled employees, but also happier, more engaged employees. Indeed, 68% of staff said work skills made them a better person in their personal life.
The study said training helps reinforce companies’ commitment to their staff, building a holistic culture of caring that drives employees’ trust in their employers.
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Flexible careers are reshaping
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the workplace. Not only do employees expect employers to offer flexible work policies, they also want more longer-term flexibility that can help them achieve a better work-life balance.
This poses a challenge for employers; 47% of IT workers surveyed said they were planning on leaving employment for contract or freelance work in the next five years. To counter this, employers could create benefits packages that gig opportunities can’t compete with or introduce policies and experiences within the workplace that replicate the flexibility offered by gig working.
Health & Wellbeing
Sciatica
Get moving & get strong By Bethany Elliott Do you suffer from low back pain? Don’t worry, you are not alone, in fact it is estimated that 60% to 80% of the general population will experience an episode of low back pain at least once in their lifetime (Thiese et al., 2014). Low back pain is one of the top most common conditions an osteopath or physical therapist will treat. When your lower back pain is accompanied with tingling, numbness or weakness in the thigh leg and or foot then it is usually an indication that there is compression of the sciatic nerve. As the longest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back and buttocks. It continues down the back of the thigh and leg and finally ends in the foot. The term sciatica is used to describe pain in the buttocks, thighs, legs or feet due to compression of the sciatic nerve. The symptoms of sciatica may increase when you laugh, sneeze or cough. Other activities such as prolonged walking or sitting may also make the symptoms feel worse. There are many causes of sciatica, one of the main causes is damage to the spinal discs. A slipped disc, medically known as a disc prolapse, is when part of the intervertebral disc herniates out of its normal positioning and as a result may compress on to the sciatic nerve. This is very common in 30 to 50 year olds and
things such as lifting heavy objects, accidents/ traumas and pregnancy are common causes for a disc prolapse. You don’t always have to see your GP to diagnose sciatica. Physical therapists such as osteopaths are qualified to diagnose sciatica. In some cases, imaging such as an X-ray or MRI may need to be taken to determine the exact cause of the nerve compression. Not all causes of sciatica can be prevented. However, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk and protect your lower back from further injury. So here are 2 top tips to look out for when it comes to looking after your lower back. • Get Moving: Many hours of the working day are spent sat down in front of the computer. Next time you are in the office consider; taking the long route around to the cafeteria, speak to a colleague face to face instead of sending an email, take the stairs instead of the lift. Maintaining movement is great for aiding blood flow around the body, strengthening muscles and preventing joints and ligaments from stiffening up.
● Get Strong: Having good strength in your spinal and stomach muscles are key in providing stability to your spine. Exercises such as Pilates are a great way of improving your spinal and abdominal strength and stability. Below are a few exercises you can do if you are experiencing sciatic pain*.
Pelvic Tilt – Lie with you back on the floor and your knees bent. Take a deep breath in. As you exhale slowly push your lower back into the floor. As you do this you will find that your pelvis tilts. Relax and repeat.
Gluteus Muscle Stretch – Lie with your back on the floor and your knees bent. Take the ankle of the leg you want to stretch and place it over the opposite knee. Gently pull the knee with your opposite hand towards the shoulder.
Semi Cobra – Lie on your stomach with your hands placed underneath your shoulders. Take a deep breath in. As you exhale gently push up with your arms, maintaining a forward gaze. Gradually lift your chest off the floor. Take a deep breath in. As you exhale gently lower your chest and forehead to the floor.
* It is recommended to get the OK from your osteopath/physical therapist or GP before trying out any of these exercises.
Want more information about sciatica? Read our “Ultimate Guide” here bodytonicclinic.co.uk/sciatica-sciatic-pain or book in for a free 15 minute consultation with one of our osteopaths to find out how we can help you.
10-11 Dock Offices, Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 2XU. 0203 6060 490 bodytonicclinic.co.uk Canada Water, Stratford and Wapping
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Upcoming Events
UPCOMING EVENTS Join our informative and engaging range of events. A perfect opportunity to make new business contacts.
Our events are designed to help you broaden your network, learn something new or get involved with key topical issues for businesses in Southwark. Our networking events are great for regular members to make and maintain useful contacts, and we always welcome first-timers. Event: Bermondsey Beer Mile Date: 21 March from 12pm Event: How to Finance and Grow your SME Business Date: 16 April from 12pm to 2pm Venue: TBC Cost: ÂŁ10 for members and ÂŁ15 non members Event: AGM Date: 30 April 6pm to 8pm Venue: TBC Event: Date: Meeting Cost:
Mayflower History Walk 14 May from 6pm to 8pm point: Mayflower Pub TBC
Event: Post Brexit view on the economy Date: 18 June from 12.30pm to 2pm Venue: TBC Event: Southwark Business Excellence Awards Date: 25 June PM Venue: Hilton Bankside Cost: For more information visit: www.southwarkawards.co.uk Event: Mayflower 400 re-enactment of the Mayflower setting sail on board the Morning Sunrise Date: 16 July from 6pm to 10pm Venue: Aboard MV Golden Sunrise vessel Dress code: Mayflower era
All events to be booked via Eventbrite
Southwark Chamber of Commerce welcomes its latest member company 32 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
AMDAS Ltd 124 Cornwall Road, Lambeth, London. SE1 8TQ. Telephone: 02034882022 Email: DANIEL@MALKOUN
Finance
Last Word
The Last Word Simon Barlow
Reasons to be cheerful
Marketing Manager Queen Mary Venues Queen Mary University of London
Will Hobbs, Chief Investment Officer of Barclays Investment Solutions, says there are still plenty of opportunities for savvy investors despite uncertainty surrounding Brexit and weak growth in the UK economy… Last year was a volatile twelve months for financial markets as geopolitical uncertainties skewed opinions on prospects for economies around the world. In the UK, concerns over Brexit saw many commentators talk down chances of growth and, in some quarters, the dreaded “R” word was mentioned. With the new decade underway, are these negative sentiments clouding the reality of the situation? A closer look at the evidence suggests they might be. The UK has not tipped into recession, as some predicted, the economy is still growing (albeit weakly) and unemployment remains relatively low. Manufacturing is slowly finding its feet again after a challenging period and the service sector, which makes up the bulk of the UK economy, is weathering the storm well. Further afield, consumption of goods and services in the US is strong and is generally healthy in other countries across the globe. Much has been made of the Coronavirus outbreak and while this will have an impact on some economies, the hit will be sharp but temporary. So, where do the best investment opportunities lie? For UK-based investors, stocks and equities look to be a more favourable bet than gold, gilts and the wider bond market. These perceived safe havens have become more popular and, as a result, more expensive in recent times as cautious investors have shunned risker options that potentially generate higher returns. However, the lower risk posed by gilts, for example, leads to paltry rewards; lending money to the UK government for ten years to get a return of less than one percent is hardly an attractive proposition.
Far better, then, to look at emerging equity markets, particularly in Asia. Whilst growth has slowed in China, which has also suffered from the ongoing trade war with the US, it is still one of the world’s most vibrant economies and the burgeoning tech supply chain in countries such as Taiwan and Korea make them ripe for investment. In contrast, overseas investors remain lukewarm about UK equities, which are generally under-represented in many international portfolios. However, some analysts believe that the UK market is undervalued and could hold opportunities for investors looking to buy equities on the cheap.
I have worked in hospitality and marketing roles; from front of house reception to head of service for the past 20 years. I’m passionate about people and ensuring they have the ability to grow and develop in their roles. Outside of the day job, I love to spend time out and about in London and also volunteer. I am currently a volunteer Board Member at Phoenix Community Housing in Lewisham and often spend weekends supporting other events in London. Q1. What was your first job and what was the pay packet? My first job was working in Tower Hamlets organising work experience places for Year 10 and 12 students. It was a challenging role because of pre-conceptions about those from the borough. I was on around 13,500 GBP a year in 2000, so believe my pay first pay packet was around £950. Q2. If you were prime minister, what would be your first decision?
Whether they do or not may depend, to an extent, on how much they are swayed by negative rhetoric surrounding Britain’s exit from the European Union. The impact of politics on markets and on the economy in general is routinely overplayed in the media and ignores key fundamentals, such as corporate earnings potential, financial performance, productivity, unemployment, inflation and levels of international trade. It also creates a culture of fear that can erode confidence and stunt investment. One thing that the UK needs to do this year is to up its productivity, which has been disappointing for the last decade at least. Andy Haldane, chief economist at the Bank of England, remarked that Britain is great at innovation but less good at disseminating it – and he has a point. UK catapult centres, which bring together businesses, scientists, tech specialists and engineers to commercialise new innovations, are a good starting point but more must be done in this area to help the UK narrow that problematic productivity gap.
I’d look to build more genuinely affordable homes to sustain the workforce needed in close proximity to where they work. This would also reduce pressure on transport needs. Q3. What is the biggest challenge in your business? The competitive venues environment in London where any space seems to pop up as an event venue from one day to the next – in addition to keeping on top of changing food trends. Q4. If you could do another job, what would it be? I would love to have an impact on the lives of people, I’m not sure exactly how, but I would like to work in some form of social assistance. Q5. What’s your favourite London building? Amongst the plethora of iconic buildings in London, my favourite is 20 Fenchurch Street – aka the ‘Walkie Talkie’ – I love its strange shape and the fact that the Sky Garden is totally free and an amazing opportunity to watch over London from the outside balcony or a place to have a memorable drink with friends.
Southwark BUSINESS TODAY 33
Join Us
Join Us The Chamber is made up of active and successful business people from a wide range of sectors, who are based in Southwark, believe in Southwark and wish Southwark to prosper.
Making the most of your SCC membership Successfully helping Southwark Businesses for 95 Years
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Southwark Chamber of Commerce 169 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RW Tel : 07477 581977 Email : admin@southwarkcommerce.com www.SouthwarkCommerce.com Twitter : @southwarkcomm Facebook : southwarkcommerce
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