Borough Business January 2017

BOROUGH

BUSINESS The voice of Kingston’s business community

Issue 3: Winter 2017

Apprenticeships The new Apprenticeship Levy - how it works - p17 The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce Spotlight on Surbiton - p 8

Inspirational Leader - p 24

Ask the Expert - p 27

WELCOME TO

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The Kingston Chamber of Commerce magazine for all Businesses in Kingston And so, following our President’s recommendation last Summer, a great deal of thought, effort and expertise was invested in making sure we did get it right and to read the story of the Chamber’s brand transition go to P.5. The positive feedback I and the directors have received to the change has been overwhelming and my thanks, and of course the President’s go, in particular, to Forbes Design Associates for providing their creativity, expertise and most of all patience throughout the process.

New Year, New Look.

Firstly, let me offer you my best wishes for 2017 and, as we look back at several of the events of last year I believe, in some ways, many of us will be rather pleased to have closed the book on 2016. However, as we progress into the New Year, although feelings of uncertainty about our economic and financial prospects remain as the Brexit issue unravels and, at a more local level, further austerity measures affect the way some public services are provided, the overall attitude of the business community is positive towards growth. The Royal Borough of Kingston is regarded, very much, as the place to do business and we must continue to encourage new entrepreneurs to the area and continue to nurture the ones we have by offering them accessible, affordable and sustainable high quality business support services.

Re-branding your business is never a decision that can be made lightly. Get it right and the new brand is perceived to be stronger and the business more attractive, which ultimately leads to increased sales and more success; get it wrong and almost immediately that market you have worked so hard to attract and develop will begin to look elsewhere.

The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

Recently we surveyed some of our members to find out which of our services they thought were of most value to them and the three most regular responses were: help with marketing, practical business advice and friendly and unpressured networking opportunities. Last year we re-styled our website so that members could make better use of our Promotional Packages and we also re-invested in our online Business Resource Centre. Our programme of networking events were, once again, highly successful and average attendances steadily increased throughout the year.

Our programme for 2017 is even more ambitious with new venues from all over the borough being added and a new major charity fund-raising Golf Day event at the prestigious Hampton Court Palace Golf Club is booked for the 29th March. So whether you are “scratch” or just fancy trying golf out for the first time, do please join us for this inaugural, fun day (details and how to book on P.6).

Finally, I would like to thank our publishers, Benham Publishing for their excellent work in producing our two pilot issues last year.

Borough Business has quickly become established as the voice of the Kingston Business Community and I am confident that its readership will continue to expand in 2017. If you would like to contribute to the next issue, whether it be advertising or editorial, please do contact Benham Publishing or us here at the Chamber.

Jerry Irving CEO Kingston Chamber of Commerce

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Welcome to New Members Chamber News Chamber Events Spotlight on Surbiton Skills Update Members News Cover Feature Apprenticeship Focus Members News Inspirational Leaders Health & Wellbeing Ask the Expert Members News Focus on Finance A day in the life of ......

Starting Up

4 5 6 -7 8-10 12-14 15 17-19 22 24-25 26 27 29 30-31 33 34

Editorial and General Enquiries Guildhall, High Street Kingston upon Thames. KT1 1EU. 020 8541 4441 Email: office@kingstonchamber.co.uk Web: www.kingstonchamber.co.uk Chief Executive: Jerry Irving Publisher: Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing 3tc House, 16 Crosby Road North, Crosby, Liverpool L22 0NY Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com Published January 2017 © Benham Publishing and Kingston Chamber of Commerce Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com Production Manager Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No.1532 Disclaimer Borough Business is published for Kingston Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members. All correspondence should be addressed to Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in Borough Business are not necessarily those of Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2017. Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content.

Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

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Welcome to our new members Number Ninety Seven LTD Sam Berry www.no-97.co.uk

Paragon Cleaning Management Ltd Michelle Peters www.paragongreencleaning.co.uk

Home of Compassion (Part of the Caring Homes Group)

Caroline Heath www.caringhomes.org

Lidl UK GmbH

Robin Leahy www.lidl.co.uk/en/index.htm

Lilies Morris Ltd Alison Sanderson

D S Burge & Co Ltd Kieran Burge www.dsburge.co.uk

Staxoweb

Robert Finnegan www.staxoweb.com

Ross Insurance Group Limited Sarah Dunster www.riguk.com

Yulia Ee Yulia Ee

Focused Photo

Paul John www.focusedphoto.co.uk

Browns

Christopher Urien www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

A-Plan Insurance

Jon Hibbert www.aplan.co.uk/kingston-uponthames/index/5317

AdJuice SEO Services Ewan Kennedy www.adjuice.co.uk

Halsa Care Group Conor Ward www.halsagroup.co.uk

Cythare Photography Cythare Cooper www.cythare.com

The Wharf Restaurant Teddington Barbara Spain www.thewharfteddington.com

Globe IFA Ltd

Andrew Connolly www.globeifa.co.uk

BPM-Discipline UK Ltd Peter Franz www.bpm-d.com

Newsquest South London Wendy Croft www.surreycomet.co.uk

Reed

Mary Knock www.reedglobal.com/en_GB/web/reedgb

Santander UK plc John Tunnicliffe www.santander.co.uk

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BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

chamber news The thinking behind the new Chamber logo In the summer of 2016, the new President of Kingston Chamber of Commerce (KCoC) recommended that the Chamber should revitalise its logo identity.

Stage 1

The existing KCoC logo had been in existence for more than 14 years, and had changed in composition over that time. With a number of other Kingston organisations updating their identities, the timing seemed right to freshen up the KCoC logo.

A number of options were initially proposed, from more conservative designs to more typographical approaches.

By showing a wider approach at the beginning, it allowed the executive panel to find the level they felt represented the ambition and professional tone of the Chamber. After a couple of rounds of adjustments, the identity came down to two designs, from which the new design was chosen.

One of the key features to keep were the three fishes. These originated from the Royal Coat of Arms. The shield shows three salmon on a blue background and this ancient coat of arms for the former Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is recorded in 1572 and 1623. The three salmon represent three fisheries which are mentioned in the Domesday Book.

For the new logo, we created an abstract illustration of the fish, overlapping them to create a ripple effect to symbolise the

The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

river, the Borough’s position on the Thames. The top fish is the darkest, the shape of which we wanted to echo the main bridge in Kingston. We kept the traditional blue palette of the original logo and incorporated lighter tints to add some warmer tones as the dark blue can appear cold when used in lighter tints.

as the KCoC title is long, so a visual shorthand is necessary to make a quick connection.

The brand of KCoC is not the logo, though; the brand is not a slogan or a series of statements. The new logo represents the outward looking and fresh initiatives within the Chamber, to drive membership growth and to be the voice of companies and organisations within the Borough.

The exercise of updating the new logo design has given KCoC the opportunity to review and improve its overall package to the community.

If the package had remained the same, the new visual appearance would have been a superficial exercise.

Logo designs can get personal, with many different opinions and strongly held thoughts but this was a constructive and focused project. We hope the strength of the new design invigorates and reflects the work within the Chamber and becomes a recognised and successful brand within the borough.

Forbes Low is the owner of Forbes Design Associates, design and branding specialists.

The new identity was designed to work in a landscape format (the long title made the horizontal format the logical outcome).

However, when it is applied for social media sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, it can be converted into a block.

This is where a brand guardian is so important, keeping the identity consistent as the block format would be kept purely for social media usage, apart from the website header.

Ultimately, we designed a logo whereby the fish icon would be so recognisable that they can exist independently from the Chamber name; this is important

Stage 2

The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Final logo

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chamber events Chamber Golf Day Hampton Court Palace Golf Club Wednesday 29th March 2017

Upcoming Chamber Events Networking Breakfast

Networking Breakfast

Thursday 12th January 8.00am – 9.30am Carluccio's, Charter Quay, Kingston KT1 1HT

Thursday 9th February 8.00am – 9.30am Join us for a business breakfast hosted by the Mayor of Kingston upon Thames, Cllr Geoff Austin and Deputy Mayor Cllr Rowena Bass Guildhall, High Street, Kingston KT1 1EU

Business Start Up Workshop Tuesday 24th January 9.30am – 12.30pm If you have just started a business or thinking of launching one in 2017, why not join our half day workshop.

Workshops run on a regular basis throughout the year so if you can’t make this one but with to attend a future date, get in touch by emailing office@kingstonchamber.co.uk Guildhall, High Street, Kingston KT1 1EU

Networking Lunch Friday 27th January 12.30pm – 2.30pm Brown's Restaurant, 3 Jerome Place, Charter Quay, Kingston KT1 1HT

Networking Lunch Friday 24th February 12.30pm – 2.30pm Warren House, Warren Road, Kingston, KT2 7HY

Networking Breakfast Thursday 9th March 8.00am – 9.30am We will be joined by a local Young Enterprise Team The Canbury Arms, 49 Canbury Park Rd, Kingston KT2 6LQ

Women in Business Lunch Friday 17th March 12.30pm – 2.30pm Venue TBC

Set within the royal grounds of Home Park, Hampton Court Palace Golf Club’s beautiful 18-Hole Golf Course is steeped in History and offers a truly unique experience.

Featured in Golf Monthly’s Must-Play Courses, the Par-71, 6,514 yard Golf Course has a contrast of inland-links style and parkland. Originally reserved for the King’s sport, the fallow deer that roam amongst the flowering grasses bordering the fairways are now part of its treasured heritage.

Tee off from 10.30am with a prize-giving dinner served from approx 4.30pm. The competition format is best 2 net scores on each hole.

• Teams of 4 players • Bacon Rolls and coffee on arrival • 18 holes of golf • Goody Bag • 2 course dinner with wine and prize giving presentations

Putting & Driving practice available before tee off.

£65 per person / £260 per team Download an entry form from the Chamber website Dinner only tickets will also be available nearer the time should you wish to bring partners or colleagues along for the prize giving.

Sponsorship opportunities available, email for details: office@kingstonchamber.co.uk Supporting the President’s Chosen Charity for 2016/17

The Mayor's charity events Throughout the year the Mayor will be hosting events in order to raise money for his chosen charity, Momentum. Upcoming events: Friday 3 February A Folk Night at the Arthur Cotterell Theatre, Kingston College Wednesday 22 February A Ladies Luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Kingston with inspirational guest speaker - Jan Meek

Monday 13 March A Curry Night at Monty's, Fife Road, Kingston Friday 5 May The Mayor's Charity Ball on Raven's Ait Island For more details of any of the above events, please contact mayors.office@kingston.gov.uk

To find out more or to book for events visit www.kingstonchamber.co.uk/events

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BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Presidents Ball 2017

Fill our Borough with LOVE on Love Kingston Day

Following the success of last year’s event, we are pleased to announce that this year’s President Robert O’Dowd will be hosting a Presidents Ball on Friday 12th May 2017 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Kingston.

Local business owner and Chamber Director Karen Powell, alongside fellow directors Linda from Databac and Katerina from IQinIT and chamber member Mike from Great Video, are all proud to be Ambassadors for local charity Love Kingston.

President Robert O’Dowd and Chair of Global Arts Kingston Mike Thakar

The Ball will be a fundraising event to supporting his chosen charity, Global Arts Kingston.

Tickets will be £40 per person to include a welcome drink, 3 course dinner and entertainment.

For more information visit the Chamber website.

Karen, Director of local design company The Creative People said “We are all passionate about helping to support thousands of Kingston’s residents who, due to frailty, language barriers and mental health issues, are left on the margins of our society. Together we are planning lots of fundraising and awareness events to make 2017 Love Kingston Day a great success.”

Businesses are urged to get involved with this year’s Love Kingston Day on 14th February 2017.

Get creative with your fundraising ideas • Offices could hold a ‘red’ mufti day or a coffee morning • Eateries could make heart shaped pizzas, biscuits or cakes and donate part of the sale • Bars could concoct a ‘Love Kingston’ cocktail and make a donation for each one sold • Shops could sell heart shaped soaps

Help us to fill our borough with LOVE on 14th February contact one of our Ambassadors or Sorrel at Love Kingston and let us know your plans.

From 1st January 2017, local currency The Kingston Pound also begins a new charity partnership with Love Kingston. This year Love Kingston will receive 1% from every K£ transaction.

This perfect pairing will help local independent businesses to flourish at the same time as building a pot of money available to local causes that often go under the radar of mass public attention.

We urge more independents to join K£ and help build a thriving local economy that cares for everyone who lives, works and learns in Kingston.

For more information about Love Kingston Day contact Sorrel.parsons@londoncf.org.uk www.love-kingston.org.uk

Sopwith Suite at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

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spotlight on...

Surbiton

a good place to do business Surbiton is a highly sought after residential area located on the River Thames which supports a thriving economy including retail, tourism and a busy leisure scene.

View from the River Hut, Surbiton

The town has a vibrant shopping centre, providing a real mix of individually owned shops co-existing alongside smaller chain store outlets.

Also supporting its economy is a bar and café culture scene which is a growing feature of the town centre, with newer venues working hand in hand with older and more traditional pubs and restaurants.

Tourism is another important factor in the local economy and Surbiton has a number of attractive open spaces including ‘Fishponds’, formerly the grounds of an 18th Century Georgian house, and the

magnificent Hampton Court Palace and its surrounds are only a short distance further along the Thames.

Helping businesses in the area is the fact that the neighbourhood has excellent transport connections, with fast trains to London Waterloo taking about 20 minutes from Surbiton station and good road links.

The range of Surbiton companies is wide. The largest ones include American-owned

James Berry MP Surbiton

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multinationals like TGS (geophysics), DST Process Solutions/SS&C (data and computing) and EMCOR (civil engineering and facilities).

The smaller ones include a fascinating range of experts such as lawn mower repairer Braggs, specialist coffee roasters Traders Coffee Bay and commercial blind and awning makers Radiant Blinds.

Then there are leisure and hospitality venues such as Surbiton Golf Club and Glenmore House and the riverside venues Holiday Inn, Ravens Ait and Harts Boatyard.

Familiar retail businesses like Waitrose, Boots and Marks and Spencer can be found, too.

Bobi Robson, who runs Bobi Robson Digital, is one of the business people who appreciate the sense of community.

She said: “I have always been involved in the incredible community events and the business network that thrives in our lovely town, for example, the Surbiton Food Festival, which has taken over the town across three weeks in May since 2012.

The food festival is just one of the wonderful business-focused community enterprises that we have in our town.

“For many, Surbiton is merely a commuter town but, from my experience there are a multitude of exciting enterprises starting up and thriving in the area.”

"James Berry MP for Kingston & Surbiton said: living with my wife in Surbiton I’m a big supporter of our local shops in Kingston and Surbiton - especially at Christmas! In 2016 our high streets and independent shops have been vibrant and shop owners and residents alike have given me really positive feedback on my successful campaign for 30 Minutes Free Parking bays across the Borough. There is much to look forward to in the future with the new retail and workspace opportunities at Eden Walk and major coup of Lidl bringing their head office to Tolworth. In 2017 I will continue to work with the Council to find a site and funding for a business incubator and flexible office space in the Borough and to encourage people to support Kingston’s excellent local businesses, shops and charities."

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

The French Table restaurant WINNER Surrey Chef of the Year 2016 Listed #3 Top 100 Best restaurants UK 2016, OpenTable AA Notable Wine List Award 2016

SBC Meetup

Cllr Roy Arora, Mayor of Kingston 2015-16 Also helping local entrepreneurs is the Surbiton Business Community (SBC), an organisation whose principal aim is to promote a united business community for all Surbiton businesses, from offices and retailers to those working at home.

Volunteer-run, SBC’s big strength is that it provides the structure for enabling businesses to work together to help make Surbiton a better place for all who live, work, shop and run businesses in the town.

SBC Chair David Randall, who runs Maple Works, said: “Although barely 100 years old, Surbiton is a large town in its own right with a population similar to Folkestone or Canterbury and a large business community to match.

“Surbiton had a remarkable part in the history of world motor racing with Cooper racing and rally cars being built here from 1947-1965. It is still a technology hub with industrial design and 3D printer and hundreds of software, creative and marketing businesses across the whole of the digital economy.

“Surbiton Business Community was set up by local businesses for local businesses and the wider community and we run 38 events per year as well as showcasing some of the talent that we have in our midst.

The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

“We work very closely with Kingston Chamber of Commerce and we promote each other.

What makes SBC different is that all our events are in Surbiton and we take the opportunity to promote peer-to-peer training and support between Surbiton businesses and represent Surbiton’s perspective in the wider consultations on Kingston’s’ future.

“Our plan for 2017 is to encourage Surbiton businesses to invest in the community and themselves with more training and career opportunities for young people.”

For more information about SBC visit www.surbitonbusiness.com or join our meetup www.meetup.com/SurbitonBusiness-Community-HomeBusiness-Network/

Maple Works is one of these and the hub has a membership of 70 with space for 30 people to work and meeting space for another 20-30 people.

Much more workspace is required locally to meet the needs of local professionals and David Randall, who manages Maple Works, is working with Sam Walmsley to open a new space in Canbury Business Park to be called, appropriately enough, Canbury Works. Another workspace, Exchange at Kingston, is due to open in central Kingston in 2018. The workspace is being supported by Kingston Council with an investment of over £800,000 from the New Homes Bonus - a grant paid by central government to local councils to reflect and incentivise housing growth in their areas.

‘You can go to many expensive restaurants in London and other countries but you still come back to The French Table as one of the best at delivering exciting, tasty and frankly fantastic food. Each course leaves you dwelling on what makes each morsel so delicious-is it the herb used, or is there cream added? It’s simply heaven for any foodie.’

‘There is no pretence with this restaurant, a relaxed yet special feel. Nothing is too much trouble for these guys’ 'Just had a gorgeous time at the French Table. Perfect place to eat beautiful food, elegantly served with 5 good friends. Many thanks for a lovely lunchtime experiencewe'll be back!'

'Absolutely love this restaurant.

I continue to be impressed every time we go. Food is excellent and service is always spot on.’

Flexible working at Maple Works The trend of flexible working is established. More and more people are looking for co-working workplaces to use as professionals join the ranks of the self-employed and employers turn away from costly office space.

Most of these co-working spaces are to be found in city centres but more and more of them are opening up in the so-called ‘doughnut’ around central London.

Now celebrating their fifteenth year in Surbiton, Eric & Sarah Guignard of The French Table have a large and loyal following – and looking at their customers reviews you can see why…

Open Tuesday – Saturday for both lunch and dinner.

Lunch, £19.50 for 2 courses, £24.50 for 3 courses.

Dinner, £42 for 3 courses.

Maple Works

Chef’s Tasting Menu available at both lunch and dinner.

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spotlight on...

Bringing people together Seething is a State dedicated to using creativity to bring people together.

It is open to everyone to join in whenever and wherever they like. By creating things and bringing people together it can release talents and energies in the community in a positive, engaging and sharing way.

The journey began with the retelling of the legend ‘Lefi Ganderson - the Goat Boy of Mount Seething’ in 2009.

Last heard in 1921 this heartwarming tale shows the triumph of good over evil and the ability of one individual to change the lives of many.

It asks the question - ‘what can we do to make life better for everyone?

Since then the people of Seething, Surbiton have been working to develop a stronger sense of community by creating events and happenings that everyone can join in with.

The recently opened Museum of Futures and The Community Kitchen was recognised when it won the national Britain has Spirit competition.

Follow us: Twitter @StateofSeething Facebook State of Seething

Events and happenings in Surbiton during 2017 The purpose behind all this activity and the Museum of Futures and Community Kitchen is to develop a sense of place and pride making Surbiton a destination for fun and opportunity.

The Seething Festival Sunday 26th Feb

2pm to 5pm

The annual event and procession that celebrates the local legend of Lefi Ganderson ‘The Goat Boy of Mount Seething’ (Procession at 3.30pm).

St Andrew’s Square, Maple Road

View Cythare Cooper's Photography Exhibition 5th March - 2nd April 2017 The cornerHOUSE, 116 Douglas Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7SB To find out more visit www.cythare.com

The British Bread Golf Open 2017 Sunday 9th April

1pm to 3pm

Come along and hit three dough golf balls towards a floating hole on the Thames and compete for the chance to be world champion.

Eagle Brewery Wharf,

by Woodys Bar, KT1 1HH

The Surbiton Food Festival 7th to 21st May A celebration of our local food - throughout Surbiton. www.surbitonfoodfestival.org

The Seething Freshwater Sardine Festival Sunday 7th May 1pm to 6pm After the successful fishing for freshwater sardines in 2016 there is great hope for a bumper catch in 2017 for this unique fish.

Enjoy the parade, BBQ and entertainment on the beautiful Claremont Gardens.

Claremont Gardens, by the Crescent, Surbiton.

The Surbiton Village Fete Saturday & Sunday 13th & 14th May 12noon to 6pm A traditional village fete with food and drink to eat there or take away. Entertainment, bands, cookery displays and competitions.

St Andrew’s Square, Maple Road.

The Seething Trycyclingathon Sunday 10th September 10am - 4pm Three great cycle rides for all levels and experience plus a fun celebration in Claremont Gardens with music, food and charity bar.

Claremont Gardens, by the Crescent, Surbiton.

Surbiton Ski Sunday & The Seething Luge Sunday 15th October 11am to 1pm The ninth year for this internationally renowned event where people strap blocks of ice to their feet to ski down St Mark’s Hill or take to the Seething Luge.

St Marks Hill, by Surbiton Station.

The Seething Community Sports Day & Fun Dog Show

The Kings’ Soup

Saturday 20th May 12 noon to 4pm A traditional school sports day for all the family featuring egg & spoon, sack, sardine relay and the King’s Soup Race. Bring a picnic and join in the fun or just watch.

Victoria Recreation Ground, Balaclava Road.

Come along and help cook and share the King’s Soup. Bring a leek or a potato if you can or just come along and enjoy the entertainment, stalls and charity bar.

Claremont Gardens, The Crescent, Surbiton.

Sunday 15th October 1.30pm to 4pm

To find out a little more about each event visit www.seethingwells.org 10

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

spotlight on...

A treat for golf fans Surbiton Golf Studio is the exciting indoor golf venue in the heart of Surbiton.

With more than one hundred of the world’s greatest courses and the latest technology, you can relax and play your favorite course with friends, family or colleagues.

When you visit Golf Studios Surbition you will find a truly unique golf experience with indoor putting, two Golf Studios and PGA professionals on hand for Golf lessons.

Special Offer Chamber members can qualify for the centre’s annual pass.

Members get thirty minutes every day to practice or play golf for a one off cost of

£99.00

Visit www.golfstudiosuk.com for more information.

The Boardroom at Hotel Bosco Located within a few minutes’ walk of Surbiton Station, the Boardroom offers a variety of advantages for your next company meeting.

Offering natural daylight, and a comfortable and creative environment.

• £99 per full day for up to 10 delegates • 10% discount on first boardroom booking • Unlimited tea/coffee and complimentary breakfast pastries • Free high-speed wireless Internet access • Flipchart, large television with computer connections • Secure car parking

The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

Once you conclude your meeting, join us for cocktails in the lounge.

Hotel Bosco also offers discounted bedroom rates for delegates and for regular corporate business.

••• For more information please call 020 8339 5720 or e-mail meetings@hotelbosco.co.uk

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Kingston Business School These are exciting times at Kingston Business School. Our degree courses must meet the demands of business, and prepare students to enter the world of work.

Employers are demanding more and more from recruits, and need graduates to be a good fit with their business across their skills, abilities and attitudes.

Communication and people skills, positive work and commercial attitudes are essential, and employers are looking for graduates who are flexible and resilient in the face of change.

To meet these needs, we have changed how we educate and train our business students.

We are now delivering an innovative portfolio of degrees with a professional pathway, integrated business readiness training, and work placements.

Our academic programmes extend across Business Management, International Business, Marketing & Advertising, and Accounting & Finance, as well as Law for business in the Kingston Law School. The professional pathways include the Chartered Management Institute, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Our Business Readiness programme is a unique practical addition to the curriculum, that gives students an edge in the workplace, and ensures that they hit the ground running from day one. The programme includes planning and organising, project management, business etiquette, workplace communication, and much more. We can also incorporate specific skills customised for particular professions, employers or placement providers.

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BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Every student that successfully completes our Business Readiness programme will take a six to nine month placement with a business or professional organisation, or take an entrepreneurship placement in our business incubator.

With this combination, our graduates will bring creative and critical thinking, professionalism, and practical skills and experience to the workplace.

The first cohort of students started this new innovative programme this year, and they are already making a strong impression.

We are now sourcing the placement opportunities for January 2018, and we would be delighted to work with businesses across Kingston in delivering our placement programme. If you would like to be involved, please either email us at B&LPlacements@kingston.ac.uk or call on 020 8417 5666.

We are confident that the new degrees will not only benefit our students, but will further strengthen the links between Kingston Business School and the Kingston business community.

Professor Ronald Tuninga Dean of Kingston Business School and Kingston Law School

skills Celebrating the importance of Apprenticeships The 10th National Apprenticeship week, which will take place from 6th to 10th March 2017, will celebrate the positive impact Apprenticeships and Traineeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy.

Just six weeks later, from 1 May 2017 the Government’s changes to Apprenticeship Training will come into force.

David Hillier, Kingston College’s Curriculum Director for Apprenticeships sees the potential for an upsurge in employer and apprentice interest. He explains, “Kingston College has a long and successful history in teaching apprentices and working with prestigious employers in the traditional areas of engineering and hairdressing.

In more recent years employers are becoming very interested in additional vocational areas including business administration, legal services, retail, customer service, ICT and in the sciences,

just a few on offer at the College.”

From 1 May 2017 the Apprenticeship Levy will come into force and large employers with a payroll bill of more than £3 million will be required to pay a levy, or tax, of 0.5% of that payroll. This will be reclaimable for Apprenticeship training of employees (new and existing).* For small businesses the changes provide incentives - subsidies of up to 90% of the cost of Apprenticeship training and additional incentives including an extra 20% of funding to assist with training of 16 to 18-year-olds.

Skills for life Local Grey Court School have partnered with recruitment strategy specialists, Mechanised Talent Ltd, to develop a program to enhance student’s life skills and self-belief to compete and flourish in an ever changing educational, social and work environment.

At Kingston College’s recent Employer Breakfast David explained that “there was a varied level of knowledge amongst employers, small and large, about the Apprenticeship Levy and incentives for small employers.

He hoped that another similar event to be held on 1 February 2017 will help employers recognise the opportunities. David also described a growing anxiety amongst parents and young people at the level of student debt

Head Teacher Maggie Bailey and Head of Careers and Vocational Education, Ian Poole, are proud of their record in creating an outstanding learning community at Grey Court School, creating a high achievement culture.

Part of that culture includes continuing to invent thought leading enrichment programs to allow their students to dare to dream.

In conjunction with James Manthel, of Mechanised Talent, they have created a program that Mr Manthel is delivering to year 10 students. Called ‘Unlocking your potential’ it’s designed to train key business and life skills early – providing students core skills for success as they go on their journey through education and into the workforce.

The course is broken down into 6 sessions as detailed below. These sessions are delivered to small groups of students over 6 months.

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

* The Government are introducing the Apprenticeship Levy on 6 April 2017. The levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3 million each year, to invest in Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship funding will operate from 1 May 2017, whether you pay the levy or not. See P17 for full detail of how the new

“From 1 May 2017 the Apprenticeship Levy will come into force and large employers with a payroll bill of more than £3 million will be required to pay a levy, or tax, of 0.5% of that payroll.” *

The course is designed around skills James Manthel has recognised as lacking in years of managing young teams in 20+ countries. Skills that no matter what language you speak are critical to being a valued member of any team.

The Royal Borough of

associated with undergraduate study. He reflected that “there seemed to be a growing appreciation of apprenticeships as a route to a successful career.”

• Identifying/developing employability skills.

• Understanding/applying influencing and negotiating skills.

• Taking ownership and creating opportunities.

• Initiative challenge - Local enterprise exercise.

• Emotional intelligence, personal wellbeing and self-belief.

• Networking techniques and course review.

The response from the students has been very positive as they begin to understand key skills that empower them to effect outcomes and take control of situations.

The course is reaching an exciting stage as students look to design and create a real local enterprise/initiative that will both enrich the local community and cement key skills learnt thus far.

Maggie Bailey says ‘We recognise by developing these key life skills early we provide our students a real competitive advantage, increasing their likelihood of success by giving them an edge.

Importantly installing the confidence and desire to create, recognise and take opportunities’.

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skills Business Administration Apprenticeships an asset to companies Every business needs administrators, whether it is to help keep track of finances, deal with customers, take telephone calls or maintain database.

Administration tasks can seem endless, but with a strong administrator or admin team, lots of the pressures of running a business can be reduced.

A Business Administration Apprenticeship allows young people to develop administration skills, learn IT systems and enhance communication skills which are vital for successful local businesses.

The qualification covers many areas of administration such as reception services, finance, HR, travel, information systems, supplies, storing data and administering meetings to name a few! A Business Administration Apprentice can help reduce the workload on an already overstretched administration team, or provide an enthusiastic employee in a specific role taking responsibilities for a project or task.

Young people are not fazed by IT and relish the opportunity to learn new systems or use their already good existing IT skills in the workplace. Young people provide the fresh new talent that many businesses need and their enthusiasm means they can be moulded into the ways of the business and trained to meet business needs.

Case Study 1 Adam Thorn Kingston Adult Education provides many business administration apprentices to local businesses. For example, Adam Thorn, aged 19 from Chessington, works in a company in Chessington.

He started his Business Administration Intermediate Apprenticeship in September 2015. Working in a busy finance department, Adam had to quickly learn the rules and regulations relating to this sector. Adam rose to the challenge and met all of his responsibilities ably and maturely.

One key element of his role is to deal with some challenging customers on the phone.

He has developed admirable skills in remaining calm and professional even in difficult situations. Adam has recently completed his Intermediate Apprenticeship and has progressed onto an Advanced Apprenticeship within the same company.

Adam is a real asset and his skills are so strong that he is now helping to train new members of staff as they join.

Case Study 2 Michael Mason Another Kingston Adult Education apprentice making a real impact in local business is Michael Mason, 17, who joined a company based in Surbiton also as a Business Administration Intermediate Apprentice.

Michael’s employers commented, “Michael has taken on the role with enthusiasm, showing a professional attitude and a maturity beyond his years. His attendance and punctuality has particularly impressed us.

Michael’s approach to his work is very thoughtful, he has learnt to take responsibility for his actions and to manage his time efficiently. His hard-working and trustworthy attitude has meant that he has been able to progress beyond the basic admin tasks to work of a much higher level of complexity.”

To find out more about Kingston Adult Education’s apprenticeship service, please call Mani Bahra on 02028 547 6836.

“Young people provide the fresh new talent that many business need and their enthusiasm means they can be moulded into the ways of the business and trained to meet business needs.”

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BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

members news Anstee Bridge

Your Face is Your Brand

Anstee Bridge is an alternative education provision which has been running for eight years, using Confidence Through Creativity as a way of providing a fulfilling, confidence boosting, attitude challenging and life changing experience for Year 11 students.

Do you realise that your face is probably the most powerful part of your branding?

to colleges, apprenticeships, traineeships and training providers. We also gather professionals from the local community to engage with our young people and offer advice and inspiration to them about a particular career choice.

Our young people are referred from local schools as they are disengaging and at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).

We explore destinations with all our young people, ensuring that they have been given an informed choice about what future post-16 destinations they will pursue. This is through visits

We aim to ensure that all our young people are given the best possible support in having a successful life ahead. We also engage many more professional teams in the community to engage creatively with our young people so that they keep safe, happy and healthy. These range from community police, circus and magic performers, school nurse, actors, dancers, nutritionists, personal trainers, therapists, hair and beauty, construction to name a few.

We look at each young person who joins Anstee and explore

ways that we can support and encourage them through their Year 11 journey so that they continue in education, sit their exams and go on to a successful and positive life.

Anstee Bridge is looking for people to run artistic workshops (art, drama, music, magic, photography etc) and volunteers to support workshops – just an hour of your time would be wonderful – and if all you do is sit and chat with a student then that’s such a good way of helping them with their selfesteem. More than anything our young people respond to positive role models!

And we are also keen to hear from anyone with fundraising ideas to help Anstee fund the projects that help our students change their lives for the better.

Please visit our website – www.ansteebridge.co.uk – to find out more or contact Katherine Greening, the Anstee coordinator, if you want to help us. katherine.greening@achievingforchildren.org.uk

Providing peace of mind TW & WA Chadwick Ltd is a local Dyno-Rod franchise established in 1988 to help people with blocked drains in Surrey. Their franchise is a family run business, with over 13 vans and 21 staff.

With a broad range of clients, spanning both commercial and domestic markets their engineers can work on anything from local council work to rescuing a chinchilla from behind a wall in Twickenham! One of their most unusual jobs was floating one of their vans on a barge across the Thames to clear out the drains of Ravens Ait – an island in the middle of the river. The job required the drains jetting so they had no option but to send the whole van over to get the job done!

It’s this ‘can do’ attitude that’s given TW & WA Chadwick such a great reputation locally. They also always try to send the same staff to regular clients so they understand the history behind each job.

The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

For peace of mind, especially with vulnerable customers, they always ensure each of their staff has a CRB check carried out and they provide the names of the engineers when they book, so they know exactly who is coming to help them out.

They believe, that the personal touch has been key to solving customers’ problems quickly, efficiently and at a good price.

In addition to customer service another key area of focus is health and safety, they hold many accreditations including, CHAS, Safe Contractor & Exor and they are extremely proud to have recently been awarded the Gold Award from ROSPA.

By Cythare Cooper

Your face represents your business and the one people identify with when they think of your services. It is often the first impression prospects encounter, especially in networking, online platforms and publications. Your face welcomes your prospects through the virtual and real doors into your business.

Preparing for any business meeting or conference you will always take the time to present well to look and feel good.

This creates a positive and confident impression about your abilities to your prospects and clients.

Why then do so many neglect to commission a photographer to get a flattering portrait done of themselves?

Next time you are looking through magazines, LinkedIn, Facebook etc recognise how you respond to the different photos of people. Regardless of who they are or what they do you will likely feel a positive connection to a good clear image of someone as opposed to a dark, blurry and difficult to see one.

A considered and well-lit portrait shows you have a professional and considerate approach towards yourself and in turn towards others, thus encouraging confidence in who you are and the services you provide.

Imagery effects us deeply and we tend to base most of our decisions on our emotions and through how these images make us feel. It makes sense to get a good portrait done of yourself. I also recommend redoing your portraits at least once every 18 months to keep your online profiles refreshed and noticeable.

As a freelance portrait and lifestyle photographer, what I do is bring my lights, camera to wherever you are, fit in with your schedule and create unique and flattering portraits. You can see examples of my work on ww.cythare.com For Kingston Darling Magazine I create the front cover portraits and article photographs for the corresponding interviews.

For all you lovely Kingston Chamber members, I offer a 2017 New Year’s Special of £195 for a portrait session inclusive of 2 images.

To book your portrait you can email Cythare on cythare@cythare.com

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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apprenticeship focus

The new Apprenticeship Levy - how it works In Spring 2017, the way the Government funds apprenticeships in England is changing. Some employers will be required to contribute to a new apprenticeship levy and there will be changes to the funding for apprenticeship training for all employers.

The apprenticeship levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill of more than £3 million each year, to make an investment in apprenticeships, with the new system coming in from April 6.

You will pay the levy on your entire pay bill at a rate of 0.5%.

However, you will have a levy allowance to offset against this.

The levy allowance is worth The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

£15,000 for each tax year.

This means the levy is only payable on pay bills over £3 million (because 0.5% x £3 million = £15,000).

The levy allowance will operate on a monthly basis and will accumulate throughout the year.

This means you will have an allowance of £1,250 a month.

Any unused allowance will be carried from one month to the next. For example, if your levy liability in month 1 is £1,000 you will not pay the levy and your allowance in month 2 will be £1,500.

If you have some unused allowance in a month, but paid

the levy previously in the tax year, you can receive a credit which you can use to offset against your other PAYE liabilities.

The credit will also reduce the amount of levy paid.

If you have multiple PAYE schemes and do not use the full £15,000 allowance, you will be able to offset the unused amount against another one of your schemes once the tax year has ended.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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apprenticeship focus Who pays the levy?

Employers with a payroll in excess

How is the ‘paybill’ calculated?

How do the top-ups work?

The government will apply a 10% top-up to the funds you have for spending on apprenticeship training in England.

The levy will be at a rate of 0.5% of the wage bill. The wage bill is defined as the ‘total employee earnings’ of every employee.

Will the funds expire if I don’t use them?

How will employers reclaim the funds?

Funds will expire 18 months after they enter your digital account if you don’t spend them on apprenticeships.

Employers paying the levy will need to hire apprentices to claim back their tax in a form of digital vouchers.

What can I spend levy funds on?

How do I access the levy fund?

The levy can only be spent on apprenticeship training and assessment with approved training providers at an agreed price.

Payments to the provider will be made monthly for the first year of the levy.

Funds will be accessed through a new digital apprenticeship service account and will appear in your account monthly, which will be available for registration in January 2017.

Can I use the allowance to offer Apprenticeships to both new and existing staff?

Yes, you can recruit new staff or train existing staff for an Apprenticeship, as long as it is relevant to their role and is the most appropriate way of developing their skills.

Examples of what you will pay An employer who would pay the levy An employer with an annual pay bill of £5,000,000: • levy sum: 0.5% x £5,000,000 = £25,000 • subtracting levy allowance: £25,000 - £15,000 = £10,000 annual levy payment

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An employer who would not have to pay the levy An employer with an annual pay bill of £2,000,000: • levy sum: 0.5% x £2,000,000 = £10,000 • subtracting levy allowance: £10,000 - £15,000 = £0 annual levy payment You will calculate, report and pay your levy to HMRC, through the PAYE process alongside tax and NICs.

Any apprenticeship levy payment to HMRC will be allowable for Corporation Tax. Where a group of employers are connected they will only be able to use one £15,000 levy allowance.

Some industries already operate levy systems, or other collective training arrangements. If you already contribute to one of these, you will still be required to pay the apprenticeship levy.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Once you have declared the levy to HMRC you will be able to access funding for apprenticeships through a new digital apprenticeship service account.

The service will also help you find training providers to help you develop and deliver your apprenticeship programme.

The apprenticeship levy will be introduced on 6 April 2017.

The first time eligible employers will have to declare their liability to HMRC will be in May 2017 for levy due on their April payroll.

Apprentices who have been accepted on to an apprenticeship programme before 1 May 2017 will be funded for the full duration of the apprenticeship under the terms and conditions that were in place at the time the apprenticeship started.

Whether you pay the levy or not, the digital apprenticeship service will help you to: • select an apprenticeship framework or standard • choose the training provider or providers you want to deliver the training • choose an assessment organisation • post apprenticeship vacancies From May 2017, if you pay the levy you will also be able to: • see the funds you have available to spend in England • set the price you’ve agreed with your training provider • pay for apprenticeship training and assessment through the digital apprenticeship service

By 2020, all employers will be able to use the digital apprenticeship service to pay for training and assessment for apprenticeships.

If you do not pay the levy, you won’t need to use the digital apprenticeship service to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment until at least 2018.

Apprenticeship training can either be on a new apprenticeship standard, or on an existing apprenticeship framework.

Apprenticeship standards are the new type of apprenticeship developed by employers. Each standard covers a specific job role and sets out the core skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to be fully competent in their job role and meet the needs of employers in the sector. Standards are developed by employer groups known as ‘trailblazers’.

The Government will phase out frameworks between now and 2020, as they move over to the employer-led apprenticeship standards.

The government have agreed to provide: • an extra 20% of funding to train 16 to 18 year olds • more money for employers to train apprentices in the poorest parts of England • more money for employers who take on apprentices under 24 years old who are in care or who have special educational needs • 24 months for businesses to spend the vouchers.

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

David Hillier, Curriculum Director – Apprenticeships, Kingston College

An apprenticeship framework ordinarily involves a series of work-related vocational and professional qualifications, with workplace and classroom based training.

Funding

The Royal Borough of

“The government‘s Apprenticeship changes, including the Apprenticeship Levy, are going to spark new interest from employment sectors which have had little past experience of Apprenticeships.

Providers such as Kingston College are ready to help employers to make the most of these opportunities and fully utilise their Apprenticeship Levy pot.”

“Recruiting apprentices enables local employers to fill the skills gaps that exist within their current workforce as apprentices begin to learn sector specific skills from day one. By developing specialist knowledge they will rapidly begin to have a positive effect on their employer’s bottom line”.

Jerry Irving, CEO, Kingston Chamber of Commerce

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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Claire Maugham, director of policy and communications at Smart Energy GB, explains what the rollout of smart meters means for small businesses in Great Britain and why you should be asking your supplier for one.

Getting a grip on your energy If I asked what your business’s monthly energy bill was the chances are you’d reply, “I have no idea.”

Most small businesses could tell you how much the lease costs for the shop or store they operate from, and how much they spend on employees’ salaries.

When it comes to energy however, many do not have the accurate information they need to understand exactly how much it is costing them to keep the lights on and stay trading, despite the fact that energy bills form such a significant chunk of the average small firm’s total expenses.

Indeed for small retailers and suppliers, the cost of energy is one of the biggest concerns when operating a business, with Citizens Advice reporting that nearly half (46%) of small business owners cite mains electricity as their most significant worry.

But while energy costs are seen as an issue, engagement among small businesses remains low. The CMA’s landmark investigation into the energy industry found that nearly half (45%) of microbusinesses were still on the default electricity tariff that their provider had set them up on.

Energy bills are daunting for small businesses. Searching around for the best deal armed with estimated bills can prove complex and confusing. But there is now a significant development that means small businesses can finally take control of their energy use.

The government has said that energy suppliers must offer small businesses, (with fewer than ten full time employees) along with every household in Great Britain, a smart meter by 2020. Smart meters will mean an end to this system of estimated billing, which is a symptom of an analogue energy network.

Instead of relying on estimates or manual meter readings, smart meters will communicate usage data to your energy supplier directly and digitally.

This means your supplier will have more accurate, up to date information and therefore you will get more accurate bills. There will no longer be any need to worry about meter readings (which will be consigned to history) and no need to worry that you’re paying too much. And the fear of a bill will be greatly reduced as you can see how much you are spending in pounds and pence.

The result for small businesses will be less confusion and fewer questions when the bill comes through the letterbox.

The overall benefits small businesses can expect to realise as a result of the rollout of smart meters are about £1.44bn.

Smart Energy GB is the national campaign for the smart meter rollout.

It is our job to communicate with small businesses and householders, across the country about smart meters, helping them to understand how smart meters can benefit them.

If you would like more information about smart meters go to smartenergygb.org.

Energy Doctor prescribes smart meters for small businesses Small businesses can get their energy health in check with the help of a smart meter.

This is the message from Dr. Paul Swift, an energy consultant from the Carbon Trust.

Many small businesses struggle to keep track of how much they spend on energy, and which equipment or activities are causing unnecessary waste.

Dr. Paul has created an energy health checklist to help microbusinesses get on the road to energy health. (See below) Dr. Paul Swift has helped businesses around the world save energy. He said: “When you have the right information and you pay attention to it, it’s simple to find ways to take control of your energy use. Many microbusinesses feel they can’t make energy efficiencies, because they think they have to invest lots of money into new equipment to make a dent.

“But with the help of a smart meter, it’s easy to identify what is using the most energy, at what times, and take action - big or small - to cut down. Every penny saved on energy is a penny saved on the bottom line.”

The Energy Doctor’s energy health checklist for microbusinesses

1. How much are you spending?

• Speak to your supplier about getting a smart meter 2. What’s using the most energy?

• Identify the energy hogs – a smart meter and plug-in watt meters will help 3. Have you got your timings right?

• Switch high wattage items on later, or turn them off earlier. Use plug in timers so you don’t forget 4. Do you need new equipment?

• Decide how long you’re prepared to wait for new kit to pay for itself. Check the Carbon Trust’s Green Business Directory of accredited suppliers and look into specialist energy efficiency financing 5. Are your staff on board?

• Focus on the changes that save the most. And don’t preach 6. Can you stop heat (and money) from escaping?

• Check for drafts. Insulate lofts and walls and add foam strips and brush fixings to doors and windows

Why switching to a smart meter makes sense

Smart meters are going to transform the way that businesses buy and use their gas and electricity – and anyone in any doubt should ask the team at London law firm SW19Lawyers LLP about the benefits they have seen since making the move to the new technology.

SW19Lawyers LLP provides advice on employment and commercial law issues to both individuals and a wide range of businesses. The firm became part of the national rollout of smart meters when they had theirs installed, and the decision has proved itself a great success.

Belinda Eriksson, a founding partner of SW19Lawyers LLP, said the move was simple to make. She said: “Changing over was very easy. Our energy supplier arranged an appointment to replace their previous meter with a smart meter. We can log into our account to access accurate consumption data to aid in cutting usage where possible.”

There are many advantages to having smart meters, not least the way they provide domestic consumers and business owners with accurate bills.

No nasty surprises!

The accuracy of smart meters helps you see what you are spending on gas and electricity in pounds and pence, in near real time, allowing greater control over usage. You can work out which appliances are guzzling the most energy. With accurate readings and bills, there is no longer the confusion of estimated bills which make it difficult to work out usage properly.

Belinda said: “SW19Lawyers LLP receives accurate bills without estimations or having to provide readings. The firm has saved 18% to date on our bills in 2016 compared to the previous year.”

Such savings are easy to make with a smart meter. Many small businesses across the country who have made the switch to smart meters are also finding the potential cost savings an added bonus to claiming their meters. By being able to monitor how, where and when

their energy usage is at its most, they are able to adjust their working methods and save money.

As users are better informed, there is also a huge knock-on benefit for the environment because a greater awareness of energy usage tends to encourage more efficient energy use.

As smart meters mean no more estimated bills, you only pay for the gas and electricity that you actually use. Through better understanding of accurate usage, savings are easy to make while also benefiting the environment.

Between now and 2020, many small businesses across England, Scotland and Wales will be able to claim their smart meter from their energy supplier.

Indeed, more than 4 million smart meters have already been installed in GB homes and businesses.

Increasing numbers of people are agreeing that the move makes sense and smart meters are rapidly replacing the traditional meters that most of us still have in our homes and businesses in an upgrade that is unprecedented in its scale as it rolls out nationwide.

To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier, please visit smartenergyGB.org/smallbusinesses

“Between now and 2020, many small businesses across England, Scotland and Wales will be able to claim their smart meter from their energy supplier.”

members news Mani Bahra appointed as Business Development Manager at Kingston Adult Education Kingston Adult Education (KAE) is delighted that Mani Bahra has joined their thriving apprenticeship team as Business Development Manager.

Kingston Adult Education is part of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and work extensively in the Kingston borough with small and medium business as well as larger employers, providing apprentices and bespoke training to local businesses.

KAE take great pride in the amount of support they provide to employers using their free apprenticeship service. Staff work closely with employers by carrying out a training needs analysis to make sure that the apprenticeship role meets the needs of the business. KAE advertise the apprenticeship

vacancy and shortlist suitable candidates, after carrying out careful initial assessment to match the young person with the job role. Once the employer has interviewed the candidates and decided who they would like to appoint, a start date is agreed.

KAE supports the employer throughout the apprenticeship

and provides training to fit, as far as possible, around the needs of the business. Assessors visit the apprentice monthly to check on progress and to liaise with the employer to make sure that all is going well. Employers appreciate the amount of support available, with one employer commenting this month - ‘Great all round service – we will be recruiting more apprentices in the future’.

Kingston Adult Education is very much based in the local community and its aim is to offer high quality learning and training opportunities which meet the needs of individuals and

employers in Kingston and work with the local community to achieve this. Since joining KAE, Mani has commented ‘I am a firm believer that apprenticeships can only be beneficial for the businesses in the borough. Young people are able to make a real positive impact in local businesses as well as learning the skills to maintain the local economy of tomorrow. It is a really exciting time to join the organisation.’

Further details of Kingston Adult Education’s apprenticeship scheme are available from Mani Bahra on 0208 547 6836.

MeetingPoint crowned Kingston’s business of the year Telemarketing company MeetingPoint has triumphed at the 2016 Kingston Business Excellence Awards. Winners were announced on 13th October 2016 at the glitzy black-tie Gala dinner & ceremony held at the Holiday Inn Kingston The awards saw MeetingPoint scoop three awards including the title of business of the year.

The evening opened with the awards host, comedian and TV presenter Kevin Day, describing the event as “a fitting celebration of why Kingston is a great place to do business.”

Other winners included Food For Thought, for Best Independent Retailer, children’s cancer charity Momentum and Holiday Inn

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Kingston South. For the full list of winners and to watch a video of the exciting evening visit www.kingstonawards.co.uk The evening ended with Jerry Irving, Chief Executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, thanking all of the winners and finalists for “all the great work you do in the Royal Borough of Kingston”, before MeetingPoint were announced as this year’s big winners.

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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inspirational leaders Seafood company looks ahead to a successful 2017 Chessington company New England Seafood International is marking its third decade with a remarkable period of growth which is seeing sales expand rapidly.

MD James Robinson says the success of the business can be traced back to the vision of founder Fred Stroyan.

Having started his working life in the seafood industry at the age of seventeen, Fred established New England in 1991 based not just on commercial principles but also a respect for the environment and fish stocks.

He said: “It is clichéd, but I was looking to get into a smaller business, one that I could put my arms around and see the impact of my efforts and that is massively true at New England.

Responsible for overseeing the company’s growth while ensuring that the adherence to environmental standards and a belief in quality are maintained is current managing director James Robinson.

“It is a 24 hours a day 364 ½ days a year fresh food business that never sleeps and has 600 people comprising 35 nationalities handling 35 species of fish sourced from 35 countries. We are totally multi-cultural.

James trained as an accountant and initially worked in finance before moving into sales and marketing roles in industry.

He worked in multi-national blue chip, Procter & Gamble, and in the bakery industry.

He has been at privately owned New England for nearly ten years, five years as Commercial Director and the past five years as MD.

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“The business is built on sourcing and sustainability.

We have invested in an industry leading team who travel the world sourcing the highest quality raw materials and connecting with fishermen, environmental NGOs and governments around the world to demand change in the way our oceans are managed.

“At the end of the day we are here to enhance and protect the brands of our customers, who have the most exacting standards, such as M&S, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Yo! Sushi, Itsu and Michelin star restaurants.”

The approach has allowed the company to grow rapidly and James believes that, following a successful 2016, 2017 will see the company continue its record-breaking growth.

£150m for 2017. We are certainly on a roll.”

Despite the growth, James has no desire to see the business grow too large but he does want to see it compete with the very best around in what is a very competitive market.

Nevertheless, the company has exciting expansion plans, achieved through development of its Chessington food processing site and acquisitions.

James said: “We don’t want to be the biggest, we just want to be the best and we believe the growth will come.

He said: “2016 was a record ever year for New England which saw us top £100m of sales but we expect to surpass that in 2017.

“Our spiritual home is in Chessington and we are engaged in planning permission with Kingston Council to expand our site in 2017.

“It took us 17 years to achieve the first £50m of sales, another eight years for the next £50m, but we predict it will take just one year to add the next £50m of sales, as we are budgeting

“We have also just completed our first ever acquisition, buying an established fish business in Grimsby. This takes us into new arenas such as cod, haddock and smoked haddock.”

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

“At the end of the day we are here to enhance and protect the brands of our customers, who have the most exacting standards, such as M&S, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Yo! Sushi, Itsu and Michelin star restaurants.”

He attributes the company’s success to the way its team has bought into the vision, which includes a strong sense of responsibility to communities, not just in UK areas where it operates but also around the world.

James said: “The seafood industry may not be thought of as the most dynamic industry to join by some, but at New England Seafood we have built an incredibly talented and dedicated team.

“Our purpose is to enhance lives through fish;

lives in the Third World countries we source from, the lives of the people we employ, the communities of which we are a part and the people who eat our healthy fish.

“The business is built on sourcing and sustainability. We have invested in an industry leading team who travel the world sourcing the highest quality raw materials and connecting with fishermen, environmental NGOs and governments around the world to demand change in the way our oceans are managed.”

“It might seem ambitious but we are on a mission to change the way the whole nation thinks about fish.

“We want to go way beyond fish twice per week. Our vision is to show people how to enjoy fish every day and, if we can convey half of our passion to the nation, we’ll make progress in the coming years.”

“New England created the Joii business 3 years ago to serve the likes of Yo! sushi and Itsu. NES and Joii go from strength to strength.”

The Royal Borough of

Kingston Chamber of Commerce

BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

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health & wellbeing Companies back healthy workplace campaign The next twelve months will see more and more companies urged to increase the effort that they put into creating healthy workplaces.

One of the organisations driving the initiative is The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) which has recruited major companies to join its campaign Healthy Workplaces for All Ages.

The network, which is made up of European and international companies and organisations representing a variety of sectors, seeks to raise awareness of the need for businesses to take into account the wellbeing of their staff.

The Healthy Workplaces for All Ages campaign focuses on improving working lives to help reduce accidents and illness and has a strong emphasis on rehabilitation, return to work and life-long learning.

Dr Christa Sedlatschek, Director of EUOSHA, said: “Twenty seven per cent of EU workers think that they would not be able to do the same job until the age of 60.

“We need to improve the working lives of all generations of workers, promoting sustainable work and healthy ageing.

Risk prevention will be the core of this.”

The first wave of supporters was largely made up of organisations that renewed their commitment following successful participation in the 2014-15 Healthy Workplaces Manage Stress campaign.

Luca Visentini, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, one of the organisations taking part, said: “We expect the campaign to raise awareness on the necessity of involving workers and

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safety committees to improve prevention across ages and workplaces and of the need for actions on the legislative level to improve working conditions in Europe.”

And Markus J Beyrer, Director General of business support organisation Business Europe, said: “We need to look at how workers can remain in employment longer, in good health, and productive over the course of their working lives.

“At the same time, we should avoid generalising and stereotyping people according to age. We hope that the campaign will assist employers by providing them with useful information and tools in this respect.”

The initiative illustrates the fact that health in the workplace has never been afforded a higher priority than today with more managers than ever before recognising that a healthy workplace means a healthy workforce that is happier and more productive.

According to organisations like the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the workplace has a significant impact on people’s health and well-being and poor management can lead to work-related ill health and high levels of sickness absence.

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According to the HSE, managers must strive to: • create workplaces where health, safety and well-being is protected and promoted • ensure that staff have access to competent occupational health advice and support • improve access to preventative care and treatment for common health problems • enable people to remain in work while health problems are investigated and treated; and support staff on return-to-work issues.

According to health experts, prevention is better than cure and it is far better if the problem is prevented from occurring in the first place.

Work-related ill health accounts for 28 million working days lost a year in Great Britain. By far the biggest cause of this – up to half of all work-related absence in the education sector – is stress and related mental health issues.

Health experts say that stress has to be tackled if significant improvements in attendance and productivity are to be made.

You can find out more about the attempts of The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work to combat the problem at at https://osha.europa.eu

ask the expert Ask the Expert Extending Leases on Flats

By Roshan Sivapalan BSc (Hons) MRICS MARLA Director, Blakes

We are regularly contacted by leaseholders in the borough who face problems when trying to sell or re-mortgage their leasehold flat.

Unaware of their statutory rights under the Leasehold Reform Act 1993, many leaseholders simply contact the freeholder of their property to obtain a price for extending the lease term. Whilst the freeholder is under no obligation to offer terms for an extension, the majority use an ‘informal’ approach made by the lessee as an opportunity to exploit the most favourable terms to themselves and obtain the highest possible premium.

We come across many landlords proposing unjustifiable premiums, extortionate ground rents with onerous review provisions and/or offering short lease renewals perhaps up to 99 or 125 years. The acceptance of high ground rents with aggressive review provisions can

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often lead to saleability issues particularly when the market is less buoyant than it has been over the past few years.

Leaseholders should be aware that they have a statutory right to extend their lease under the Act by serving a formal notice on their landlord.

The main qualifying criteria is that the original lease was granted for a term of 21 years or more and they have owned, not necessarily occupied, the property for at least two years allowing buy to let owners to qualify as well. Providing this criteria is met, the leaseholder is guaranteed a 90 year extension in addition to the existing unexpired term at a NIL ground rent. By extending the lease under the statutory

method, the issue of diminishing lease length and onerous ground rents can be eliminated, thereby protecting the value of the property and increasing its saleability and overall desirability.

We would urge all leaseholders with an unexpired term of 80 to 90 years remaining to act without delay in order to avoid additional compensation to the freeholder once the lease falls below the critical 80 year threshold which can dramatically increase the premium payable.

Collective Enfranchisement – Purchasing the Freehold The Act provides further rights for groups of leaseholders to get together and compulsorily purchase the freehold interest of their building (known as collective enfranchisement) where at least 50% of the leaseholders participate, although in the case of just 2 flats then both must take part in the acquisition.

Exercising the right to enfranchise can be beneficial in a number of ways including to allow an extension of the individual lease terms, taking control of the management / insurance of the building and also carrying out extensions and alterations which may otherwise prove to be costly and time consuming. Unlike individual lease extensions, there is no need to have owned the property for 2 years and therefore leaseholders who have just acquired their property can take part immediately.

Blakes Chartered Surveyors are specialists in leasehold enfranchisement matters and are able to offer a complete representation service from initial consultation to valuation and negotiation of the premium payable as well as completion of all legal matters through our specialist legal practitioners.

Covering Central & Greater London. Call us on 020 8296 1234 for a FREE consultation or visit www.blakessurveyors.com

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members news Launch of ‘Green’ Cleaning Company Paragon, The Green Cleaning Company, are new to Kingston Chamber.

Modern approach with traditional values …that sounds like A-Plan Established in 1963 A-Plan’s ethos remains the same today as it did back then where the client comes first.

With over 85 branches, A-Plan is forward thinking but has traditional values.

A-Plan’s newly opened branch in Kingston is situated at 8-10 High Street opposite the Guildhall and gives people the reassurance of having real people to deal with.

In an increasingly dominated online environment A-Plan offers a refreshing alternative to ‘click here for this’ or ‘press 1 for that’. A-Plan want people and businesses to talk to them and they want to talk to you.

We would like to share our experience of recently launching our company with the help of Chamber members.

Firstly we approached Karen at The Creative People to help us to define and develop our brand.

Karen was fully committed to understanding the ethos of Paragon, The Green Cleaning Company, and worked closely with us to design a logo, business cards, stationery, a contract document and website.

We can highly recommend The Creative People who provided a professional and enjoyable journey developing our branding.

Karen introduced us to Paul Milsom from Lightening Photography who took a lovely profile photograph of Michelle Peters, our founder; and

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Elaine Swift did a great job editing the copy for the website.

We also employed Rose & Rose Solicitors to help and advise with the legal Michelle Peters side of setting up the new business.

If you are looking for a cleaning company offering …

• Friendly, trustworthy, reliable |and fully trained staff • Environmentally responsible, cost-effective cleaning • Health and safety compliancy … please contact us via our website for a no obligation quote: www.paragongreencleaning.co.uk

Sitting in a branch you notice that staff members are addressed on first name terms by clients coming through the door and some phone conversations diversify to other topics beyond insurance giving a professional familiarity that is rare in business today.

A-Plan offer a complete range of insurance cover options including motor, home, business and travel. They work with a select panel of insurers and can cover most circumstances finding you appropriate cover at the right price.

The claims service Your policy – whatever it’s for – should cover you in the event the worst happens. Talking to A-Plan you’ll realise that an insurer is only as good as the claims service it offers. A-Plan’s is superb.

If you’ve ever had to make an insurance claim, you’ll know it’s no picnic. It can take ages and be frustrating.

The chances are you’ll be on-hold to call centres, engaged in seemingly endless correspondence by letter and email, and answering numerous questions.

At A-Plan Kingston, there is a better way. Clients making a claim at A-Plan know that usually, a single phone call or quick visit to the branch is all it will take. Your personal claims advisor will progress the claim on your behalf.

It’s quick. It’s smooth.

Jon Hibbert, Branch Manager, told us, “When purchasing insurance, it’s worth establishing exactly what claims process is in place and whether or not you would receive a personal service in the event of a claim. Research the company in question and speak to friends and family to see if they have received a positive experience.”

So remember: the value you place on the claims service you get when you’re looking for insurance now could prove invaluable in the future.

A-Plan Insurance can be contacted on 020 3874 8640.

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focus on finance

Opportunities a-plenty amid turbulent times These promise to be turbulent times in the wake of the Chancellor’s Autumn statement in November but with challenges come opportunities to fund new ventures.

The UK economy is forecast to have been the fastest growing major economy in 2016 but the Office for Budget Responsibility has forecast that growth will slow and inflation will rise over the next two years.

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BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community

Nevertheless, the Government insists that growth will remain positive and that employment will continue to rise in each of the next five years.

Seeking to support that growth, key points announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond included: • Fuel duty will remain frozen for a seventh year, saving drivers £130 a year on average • The National Living Wage for those aged 25 and over will increase from £7.20 per hour to £7.50 per hour.

That means more than £1,400 a year more for a full-time worker previously on the National Minimum Wage. The National Minimum Wage will also increase.

• A new National Productivity Investment Fund will provide £23 billion of additional spending, in areas that are key to boosting productivity: transport, digital communications, research and development and housing.

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• £2.3 billion for a new Housing Infrastructure Fund, be used for projects such as roads and water connections that will support the construction of up to 100,000 new homes in the areas where they are needed most. On top of that, £1.4 billion will be used to provide 40,000 new affordable homes.

• £390 million wil be invested in future transport technology, including driverless cars, renewable fuels and energy efficient transport.

• A major new investment was announced in transport infrastructure, including £1.1 billion to reduce congestion and upgrade local roads and public transport, £220 million to tackle road safety and congestion on Highways England roads and £27 million to develop an expressway connecting Oxford and Cambridge.

There will also be a two-year 100% first year allowance for companies who install electric charge-points,

allowing them to deduct the cost of the charge-point from their pre-tax profits in that year. And £450 million will also be spent on trialling railway digital signalling technology.

• £1 billion will be invested in full-fibre broadband and trialling 5G networks and from April 2017, the Government will also provide a new 100% business rates relief for new full-fibre infrastructure for a 5 year period.

• £2 billion more per year will be spent on research and development funding by 2020-21 for universities and businesses with R&D projects to help the UK remain an attractive place for businesses to invest in innovative research.This will back scientific research and development of technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and industrial biotechnology.

• The Chancellor committed to cutting corporation tax to 17% by 2020 - the main rate of corporation tax had

already been cut from 28% in 2010 to 20%, and will be cut again to 17% by 2020, by far the lowest in the G20 and benefitting over 1 million businesses.

• £400 million through the British Business Bank will be invested in growing innovative firms - the funds will be invested in innovative small businesses with potential for growth, to provide the finance that they need to expand. This will support up to £1 billion of new investment.

Prime Minister Theresa May said of the Government’s economic strategy: “It is not about propping up failing industries or picking winners but creating the conditions where winners can emerge and grow.It is about backing those winners all the way, to encourage them to invest in the long-term future of Britain and about delivering jobs and economic growth to every community and corner of the country.”

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a day in the life...

A truly busy life There is an old saying that if you want something doing ask a busy person and that is certainly true of Rowena Bass, who is one of those people with the ability to juggle a hectic life.

Not only is she the office manager for Kingston and Surbiton MP James Berry and a director of the Chamber of Commerce but she is also a borough councillor and, since May 2016, has fulfilled the role of Deputy Mayor.

However busy her days may be, though, she always finds time for family and starts the day with her seventeen-year-old daughter, the only one of her children still living at home.

Rowena said: “I do have a busy life but having breakfast with my daughter Lizzy is a good way to start the day.

“Then I will check my emails before cycling to work as James’ office manager. I fit my duties as deputy mayor round my job but I try to make sure that I am in the office on Mondays and Fridays which tends to be when James is around and we can catch up with local matters.

“The job of Deputy Mayor means that I have to be pretty

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flexible with my time and no two days are ever the same.

“One lunchtime a week, I meet the Mayor and the Mayor’s Officer to go through the diary for the week ahead.

“Many of the visits have been in the diary for several months there are some that do not change much from year to year but some do come in later than that and we go through the diary to decide who attends what.

“Because of my background and my interest in business I am an accountant - I tend to attend a lot of the businessrelated events which I enjoy but I do other visits as well.

“It is very varied. It could be anything from visiting a day

centre to opening Kingston’s Business Expo! I also enjoy supporting local musical events and the Rose Theatre.

“It is time-consuming but I took the decision when I became Deputy Mayor that, although it would be busy and involve a lot of hours, I would just roll with it.

“It is a fantastic opportunity that allows me to get out and meet people. Being Deputy Mayor you get to go to all corners of the borough and meet all sorts of people.

“My day can be a long one.

As Deputy Mayor I could be attending a function in the evening or there may be a council meeting so often I do not get back home until late.

“However, I am fortunate in that I have a husband who likes cooking so I can catch up with him and my daughter and see what kind of days they have had over a late supper.”

••• The Mayor’s chosen Charity for 2016-17 is Momentum.

Momentum is an independent charity based in Kingston, which supports children undergoing treatment for cancer and lifelimiting conditions.

See page 6 for the Mayor’s upcoming charity events.

I am always impressed by the number of charitable and voluntary groups in Kingston.

It is a real pleasure to help recognise volunteers efforts through an official Mayoral visit.

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starting up Social media is becoming an integral part of life online “My demystification of professional social media, email marketing and other online communication methods, hopes to signal a new trend in the industry – one which informs and puts the needs of the client and their business first.”

Bobi Robson Bobi Robson Digital www.bobirobson.net Q1: Tell us a bit about your business?

Bobi Robson Digital is an online communications consultancy that currently works with small and emerging businesses as well as charities and community groups.

As a consultant, I inform and support my clients to better communicate with their customers and stakeholders through a range of online mediums including email, websites, search and social media. I work alongside clients to build digital strategies enabling them to embed and optimise digital communications within their business.

I currently offer three flexible service options – workshops, training and consultancy – but in 2017 I will be expanding my services to include a series of new online courses.These courses will help recipients construct their own digital communications strategy and understand how online content can be shared and utilised.

Q2: What gives your business ‘the x-factor’?

Many (though not all) agencies and companies who deliver some form of digital communication service (website development, pay-per-click campaigns, AdWords, social media managements, etc.) often take advantage of the lack of understanding outside the industry.

This has resulted in weak online

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presences produced at expensive rates which, in turn, has generated an unnecessary ‘fear’ held by business owners of the services we provide.

My business aim – and my x-factor – is to empower my clients to not shy away from enhancing their understanding of online presence and optimise its capacity to communicate with existing customers as well as reach new ones. My demystification of professional social media, email marketing and other online communication methods, hopes to signal a new trend in the industry – one which informs and puts the needs of the client and their business first.

Q3: What motivated you to set up the business?

I have lived in Surbiton since 2010 and worked in central London as well as locally for a range of PR agencies and charities. Since my arrival, and alongside my career, I have been heavily engaged with the local community and various new projects: perhaps most notably with Kingston Pound (K£) – of which I am a Director – and Surbiton Food Festival.

Through volunteering with these organisations, I noticed a real need within the borough to elevate the understanding of digital communication tools, how they work and how to optimise them.

Q4: What do you like most about working for a start-up?

Every day is different and brings with it a new and exciting challenge.

I’m busier in my work than I’ve ever been and I never have the time to get bored! But it’s much more than that. It is the pride that comes with

building something up from the very beginning, developing connections and becoming more of an expert in my field. In addition, it’s the sense of achievement I get when solving a problem, reaching a target or signing up a new client. Start-ups are all about the mini-victories!

Q5: What has been your greatest business success to date?

Proving to myself, and perhaps most importantly to others, that there is a real and necessary need for what I do and that I can also generate an income through sharing my expertise with clients.

Q6: What has been your lowest moment?

My first proposal being rejected.

I worked tirelessly, incorporating all the elements that I felt were needed for their business to really succeed in online communications delivery.

What I failed to include in my plans, and when thinking about my offer, was not only their budget but their understanding of the return that they would see following my work.

I now ensure that I first identify their budget and then what they hope to achieve before beginning my proposal. I believe it is crucial to learn continuously.

Q7: In terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

As previously mentioned, In 2017 I am looking to focus more on my training offering and to build a series of online courses. I hope that in the next 5 years I have established and

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maintained a reputation in training excellence and for democratising digital communications, reducing ‘the fear’ held by many of the medium and its proper uses.

Bobi Robson Digital will be running a range of online courses to reach a wider audience and will be delivering workshop-based training sessions across the country.

Q8: What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business?

Be prepared for the sleepless nights; to put in the time and effort; learn more about your field each day; and prepare to be flexible – for instance, the service or product that you think will ‘fly off the shelves’ isn’t necessarily the one that your customers will select. For me, one vital top-tip has been my willingness to receive feedback from my first and subsequent clients – those secured and those who decided not to work with me – and understand what led to their decision. When you’re running your own business, you need to allow for constructive criticism and be open to taking these lessons on board. Reflection helps businesses move forward.

In that regard, I would like to take this opportunity to invite readers of Borough Business to help shape my new range of online courses by completing an online survey: bobirobson.net/sign-up The first 20 respondents will be invited to take the course for free as I move forward into the testing phases.