Business Connexions March 24

Patron Focus

Pieter Strömbeck, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre, explains Southside’s exciting £5m refresh programme. Page 12

The Big Interview

Chesterfield Gordon Directors Tom Meilak and Rumz Habib talk about their new estate agency. Page 18

Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing within the workplace. Page 31

Connecting London and Surrey properties with their perfect match. We ensure every door leads to a home. We are Chesterfield Gordon.

Find your next home with us.

Who is Chester eld Gordon?

Chesterfield Gordon was founded in 2023 by 3 friends who are passionate about people and about property. Our key ethos is being open and transparent, whilst building long lasting relationships, with our clients and customers. Not only do we highly value our ethos but it has been crucial for our business since inception.

Chesterfield Gordon is a multi discipline property company that is reliable and conscientious ensuring high client satisfaction and high customer service. Let us open the door for you!

Sale property of the weekUlswater Crescent SW15

Guide

Price:

PROPERTY TYPE: Town House

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 3

Key features

SIZE: 2,820 sq ft

262 sq m

TENURE: Freehold

• Off Street Parking • Generous rear garden

• Fantastic 5 bedroom detached family home • Double reception room

• Modern kitchen • Over 2,500 square feet of accommodation

Description

Presented in immaculate condition, Chesterfield Gordon bring this amazing 5 bedroom Detached Family Home. Arranged over 3 floors and boasts Over 2500 Square Feet of living space the ground floor comprises of Double Reception Room or entertaining space, Modern Kitchen with access to the large & Private Rear Garden.

The first floor is comprised of the Master Suite 2 further bedrooms served by Family Bathroom. The top floor has 2 bedrooms again served by a family bathroom.

Sandwiched between the vast greenery of Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common, Ullswater Crescent is situated on a quiet residential road but within close proximity to the amenities of Putney and Kingston.

Both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are under 45 minute drive, perfect for holiday seasons.

We believe this house makes an incredible family home as it offers plenty of living space, with a generous garden but remaining in a quiet road yet within reach of everything one would expect to find.

We look forward to welcoming you to your new home.

The Hope, Studio 1, 7 Heather Close SW8 3BS www.chesterfieldgordon.com

Why Chester eld Gordon?

• We are relationship led

• Dynamic forward thinking agency

• Commercially minded people

• Reliable and dependable

• Passionate about property

• Conscientious

Rental property of the weekWalsingham Place SW4

Letting details

Let available date: 08/03/2024 Deposit: £6,923

Min. Tenancy: 12 months

Let type: Long term Furnish type: Unfurnished Council Tax: Ask agent

PROPERTY TYPE: Town House BEDROOMS: 6

Key features

BATHROOMS: 2

• Large Kitchen / Breakfast Room • Good Size Reception With Balcony • Dining Room

• Master Double With Ensuite • Off-Street Parking Plus Garage • A Short Walk From Clapham South Tube

• Private Road • Large Patio / Private Lawned Garden • Available From 8th January 2024, Unfurnished

• On The Door Step to Clapham Common

Description

Set on a Private Road, this magnificent 6-Bedroom Semi-Detached House offers spacious and comfortable living in the highly sought-after area of Clapham, making it the ideal Family Home.

As you enter, you are greeted by A Large Kitchen/Breakfast Room, perfect for hosting family gatherings. The kitchen is well-equipped with Modern Appliances, ample storage space, and a stylish Breakfast Bar.

The house boasts a Generous Reception Room with large windows, allowing natural light to flood in, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Step out onto the balcony and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding area, perfect for those aperitifs. A Separate Dining Room provides the perfect space for formal dining, providing an intimate setting for hosting dinner parties or enjoying family meals.

The Master Bedroom is a luxurious retreat, featuring a spacious layout, a beautifully appointed Ensuite Bathroom, and ample storage space. The remaining 5 bedrooms are all very Well-Proportioned and boast Natural Light, offering comfortable and private spaces for family members or guests. Practicality is not compromised with this property, as it benefits from Off-Street Parking And A Garage, providing secure storage and convenience for vehicles.

Situated only a short walk away from Clapham South Tube Station, commuting is a breeze, offering access to various parts of the city. For those who enjoy the outdoors, clapham common is just on the doorstep, providing a tranquil haven for leisurely walks and recreational activities.

Additionally, a large patio area and private lawned garden provide the perfect spaces for outdoor entertainment, relaxing, or hosting summer barbeques.

This is a Rare Opportunity to acquire a stunning family home in the vibrant and popular area of Clapham. With its spacious rooms, convenient location, and private garden, this property is truly an exceptional find.

Don’t miss out on the chance to call this house your home. Contact us today to arrange a viewing.

***ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SHORT LET***

Dear Business Connexions Community,

As we bid farewell to the chilly days of winter and embrace the vibrant spirit of spring, I am thrilled to welcome you to the March edition of our Business Connexions magazine. The season of renewal is upon us, and with it comes a wave of excitement for the upcoming Wandsworth Business Awards 2024.

Our campaign to celebrate and recognise local businesses has been a tremendous success, with 6 Mix & Mingle events across the Borough all achieving capacity number of registrants, and a record number of businesses putting themselves forward for an award.

We are now in the exciting phase of narrowing down applicants to form the prestigious shortlist, before inviting them to meet the judges.

The anticipation is building for the grand awards ceremony scheduled for June 12th at the Clapham Grand, where we promise a night to remember.

We are committed to making this event accessible to businesses of all sizes, and I’m delighted to announce that the ticket prices have been kept as low as possible to ensure that even our smaller enterprises can join in the celebration. As with our event in 2023 we hope to attract businesspeople in the Borough to attend whether they are going for an award or not.

Our esteemed host for the evening will be the renowned TV celebrity, Gemma Oaten, whose presence and eloquence promise to elevate the event to new heights. Gemma, known for her roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Holby City, and her recent return to Doctors, brings a wealth of experience as an accomplished public speaker.

Adding a musical touch to the evening will be Handful of Soul, an amazing dynamic 6-piece band featuring two talented singers and four skilled instrumentalists. Their soulful performances will set the perfect tone for an evening filled with glitz, glamour, and, most importantly, fun.

Join us on June 12th as we come together to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and unveil the deserving winners. It’s an evening where business meets pleasure, and we can’t wait to share this memorable experience with you all. Information about the event and ticket sales will be available soon so keep your eye out.

Wishing you a vibrant and successful spring season.

The regeneration of Wandsworth

Wandsworth is undergoing a season of regeneration from major investments, new developments and plans to become a more sustainable borough. Sarah Dale finds out more.

Wandsworth has had a wealth of major investments and transformations in recent years to regenerate the London borough.

With an estimated population of just under 330,000 inhabitants, the London borough includes Battersea, Balham, Putney, Tooting and Wandsworth Town.

Wandsworth was part of the county of Surrey until 1889. The London borough of Wandsworth was formed in 1965.

The borough’s regeneration projects in recent years include Nine Elms, a multibillion-pound investment programme which has transformed the largely industrial district into a new residential and business quarter. It has also seen the spectacular regeneration of Battersea Power Station and the surrounding area, the United States Embassy and New Covent Garden Market.

Making the borough more sustainable

Wandsworth Borough Council has recently announced its ambitious climate action plan and reaffirmed its pledge to make Wandsworth carbon neutral by 2030 and to become a net zero borough by 2043.

In 2023, Wandsworth was one of the few local authorities to achieve a place on the CDP Cities A list for the second year running. The award recognises ambition, leadership and transparency in taking climate action.

Other significant progress during the year included the setting up of the Citizen’s Assembly on Air Quality, an independent group comprising randomly selected local people which led to 53 recommendations forming the basis of a new Air Quality Action Plan.

They also planted 705 trees with plans to plant many more in the years ahead; greening up council buildings including schools, children’s centres, libraries and sheltered housing blocks (decarbonising buildings has seen a reduction in emissions by more than 12 per cent since 2021); installing 525 electric vehicle charging points; improving recycling rates on council estates; better air quality monitoring and

more anti-idling events; installing bike infrastructure including a further 110 bike hangars and dedicated cycle lanes, including one on Wandsworth Bridge; creating more School Streets to cut traffic outside schools; setting up schemes to encourage e-cargo bikes; helping people improve the energy efficiency of their homes; and events such as the Reuse and Repair Fair.

This year, the council’s plans include further decarbonisation of buildings; developing a plan to switch to electric council vehicles; sustainable procurement; increased tree planting and habitat creation; further decarbonisation of the pension fund; creating School Streets at half of the borough’s primary schools; support to help people retrofit their homes to reduce emissions; and more support for council tenants faced with rising fuel costs.

A new waste fleet running on hydrogenated vegetable oil and food waste will be rolled out borough wide.

An Air Quality Ambassadors programme will also be set up and air quality data will be collected and shared with schools, businesses and communities. Work will be done to reduce emissions from construction sites and commercial kitchens.

1,000 homes for Wandsworth programme

The final bricks have been laid on Battersea’s Patmore estate, part of the next wave of homes under the council’s pioneering Homes for Wandsworth initiative, which is delivering 1,000 new council homes for rent to address the housing shortage.

The development – which was built on a brownfield site previously occupied by a vacant and semi-derelict non-residential building – includes 57 new council rent homes along with a community room, bicycle parking and enhanced outdoor amenity space including a children’s play area and multi-use games space. The new homes comprise 21 one-bed flats, 24 twobed flats, eight with three bedrooms and four that have four bedrooms; six of the homes will be fully adapted for wheelchair access.

Battersea – regeneration is the key to sustainable development

As the amount of undeveloped land in London grows ever smaller, and the need to find sustainable development solutions becomes ever more pertinent, the repurposing of historic buildings and the regeneration of the brownfield sites that surround these becomes the most appropriate means to build new town centres.

In 2023, Wandsworth was one of the few local authorities to achieve a place on the CDP Cities A list for the second year running. The award recognises ambition, leadership and transparency in taking climate action.

Sarah Banham, Head of Communities and Sustainability at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said:

“At Battersea Power Station, we are proud to have saved one of the most important buildings on the London skyline, and to have created a vibrant, new riverside neighbourhood for Wandsworth.

“For over three decades, the Power Station lay derelict as countless developers purchased the site with grand plans that failed to come to fruition. In 2012, the landmark’s fate changed, when a consortium of Malaysian companies bought the site with the vision to create a new town centre.”

Now 12 years later, Battersea Power Station is a must-visit destination in London, welcoming more than 11.2 million visitors in 2023. Visitors from Wandsworth are coming from all corners of the borough with each local resident visiting an equivalent of five times in the first 12 months after the Power Station opened its doors in October 2022, demonstrating how quickly it has been embraced by the local community.

The mixed-use development brings facilities and services to the neighbourhood that have never existed before including more than 140 shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues. Local people who once had to travel several miles to get to their nearest high street, now have these facilities on their doorstep.

Importantly, Battersea Power Station is creating 20,000 jobs across the entire masterplan, with more than 6,500 jobs created so far, and 200 construction apprenticeships recruited from the local area to date. Further supporting local business, £4.9 million was spent across Wandsworth and Lambeth in the construction of the Power Station, of which £1.9 million went to small and medium-sized local businesses.

The saving of Battersea Power Station is also a landmark example of the green benefits of adaptive re-use.

Credit: Daab Design Architects

Through reusing the Power Station’s existing structure, 40,000 tonnes of embodied carbon were saved compared to building a new structure.

The regeneration project also delivered the Northern Line Extension, with the Zone 1 Battersea Power Station Underground Station opening in September 2021, bringing the area within 15 minutes of the West End.

“Battersea Power Station is a unique example of how regeneration projects can have huge positive reverberations throughout a community, creating a new neighbourhood for all to enjoy in a sustainable and respectful way,” added Sarah.

Luxury living in Nine Elms

Thornes House is an elegant Manhattan loft-style development of individually interior designed one, two and three-bedroom contemporary apartments to rent. All with far-reaching views from private balconies or winter gardens and luxurious amenities, situated in the heart of Nine Elms, London’s newest riverside district.

Residents enjoy the use of an on-site gym, media room, board room, secure underground parking as well as Thornes House private landscaped podium gardens to unwind and relax.

Located in the heart of Nine Elms, one of London’s most vibrant and growing neighbourhoods, it is a short walk from the regenerated iconic Battersea Power Station.

The area is becoming a green and walkable district with plenty of public space and outdoor areas. A new section of Thames River Path will open up new opportunities to walk along the riverfront with riverside shops, cafés, restaurants, art spaces, parks and public squares. It will complement the new linear Nine Elms Park that is opening in stages through the centre of the district, creating a beautiful green walking route between Battersea Power Station and Vauxhall Cross.

Nine Elms Station, only a five-minute walk away, on the Northern Line extension means that commuting into the West End, the City and Leicester Square, is within a 15-minute journey.

To arrange a viewing of the Residential Land rental properties, email: thorneshouse@residentialland.com

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Located in the heart of Nine Elms, one of London’s most vibrant and growing neighbourhoods, it is a short walk from the regenerated iconic Battersea Power Station.

Industrial regeneration in Wandsworth

As London sets its sights on post Covid economic recovery, regeneration in terms of high streets, town centres, and housing is on the top of the list. Given Wandsworth’s rich industrial history, there are ample opportunities to create sustainable economic development by well-considered regeneration of industrial sites within the borough.

Dennis Austin, Director of Battersea based Daab Design Architects and Co-Founder of Battersea Untangled, said: “Industrial regeneration should not simply create more off the beaten track zones to service the needs of Londoners. Properly integrated industrial regeneration looks at everything from enhancing existing transport routes (rail, road, and cycle) to creating vibrant live/ work modes of living.

“Wandsworth has historically been a ‘work horse’ borough for London replete with hundreds of factories woven together by an extensive rail network moving goods and people. It can be argued that today is no different and that the remaining industrial sites have greater value than they had 50 years ago.

“A carefully considered approach to industrial regeneration cannot be de-coupled from understanding the interface with housing and workspace development.”

Wandsworth, perhaps more so than other boroughs, is ideally positioned to offer this sort of mix. Co-location – a planning term that permits both industrial and residential uses within the same site – historically exists throughout a majority of Wandsworth and has traditionally formed the “pulse” of the borough. Applying co-location to industrial sites can be the right direction to pursue as it acknowledges that the two uses are forever linked, says Dennis.

“In this context, Wandsworth’s regeneration future is incredibly diverse as it does not rely on the boom and bust of corporate office, or high-end residential development as our neighbours north of the Thames do,” he adds.

“Wandsworth’s industrial sites are an underutilised force that we as Architects, planners, and developers are not harnessing to their full potential.

“We need to collectively gather our talents to explore the benefits of industrial regeneration to link communities, provide long lasting jobs, and enable the construction of affordable housing.”

Credit: Daab Design Architects

Every apartment at Thornes House come with a balcony or winter garden and all residents have the added benefit of the landscaped communal gardens

Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Women in Business and Leadership

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, it is essential to shine a spotlight on the remarkable strides that women have made in the realm of business and leadership. Over the years, women have shattered glass ceilings, challenged stereotypes, and proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in the corporate world. This article celebrates the resilience, innovation, and determination of women in business who continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations.

Corporate social responsibility has become a focal point for many women leaders who recognize the importance of using their positions to address social issues, promote sustainability, and contribute to the well-being of communities.

Rising in the Ranks:

The landscape of business and leadership has undergone a transformative shift, with more women assuming pivotal roles in both traditional and emerging industries. From boardrooms to executive suites, women are no longer confined to supporting roles but are increasingly becoming architects of change. Organizations are recognizing the immense value that diversity, particularly gender diversity, brings to the table. Studies consistently show that companies with more diverse leadership teams outperform their peers, highlighting the business case for gender inclusivity.

Innovation and Adaptability:

One of the standout qualities that women bring to the business world is their innate ability to innovate and adapt. Whether in technology, finance, or entrepreneurship, women are breaking ground with fresh perspectives and groundbreaking ideas. Recognizing the importance of diverse voices in decision-making, companies are fostering environments that encourage creativity and collaboration, ultimately driving innovation and propelling businesses forward.

Empowering Future Leaders:

As we celebrate the accomplishments of women in business, it is crucial to acknowledge the role of mentorship and empowerment in nurturing future leaders. Female executives are taking on mentorship roles, guiding aspiring professionals and imparting invaluable lessons learned from their own journeys. Creating a supportive network for women in business not only enhances individual success but contributes to the overall growth and strength of the global business community.

Overcoming Challenges:

While progress has been made, it’s essential to acknowledge the challenges that women still face in the business world. Gender bias, unequal pay, and limited representation in leadership positions persist in many industries. However, the resilience of women in overcoming these obstacles is a testament to their unwavering determination. Advocacy for gender equality and continued efforts to dismantle barriers will pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

Beyond individual achievements, women in business are increasingly using their influence to drive positive social change. Corporate social responsibility has become a focal point for many women leaders who recognize the importance of using their positions to address social issues, promote sustainability, and contribute to the well-being of communities. This holistic approach to business leadership showcases the transformative power of women in shaping a more conscientious and responsible corporate world.

Conclusion:

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us reflect on the progress made and the work that still lies ahead. Women in business and leadership roles are not only making history but also shaping the future. Their contributions, resilience, and commitment to breaking barriers serve as an inspiration for generations to come. By championing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and advocating for equality, we can collectively create a world where the potential of every individual, regardless of gender, is recognized and celebrated.

EmpowerHer Business Network

As a proud female leader of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, our local business membership organisation, I am thrilled to announce the launch of our “EmpowerHer Business Network” –a dynamic initiative designed to empower and connect women in business or leadership positions across Wandsworth and its surrounding boroughs. In creating this network, our goal is to provide a supportive and friendly environment where local women can thrive both professionally and personally.

EmpowerHer Business Network is not just about networking; it’s about building genuine connections and friendships within our community. We understand the importance of support, and our network aims to offer a platform for women to share experiences, challenges, and triumphs.

Our network isn’t just about business; it’s about inspiration, recognition, and continuous learning. We believe in the power of collaboration, and our platform will serve as a space to discuss pertinent issues, share opportunities, and foster collaborations that benefit everyone involved.

We plan to add a touch of glamour to our events, creating an environment where women can connect in style. As well as supporting the opportunity for referrals and business growth, EmpowerHer Business Network will provide a space for personal development, offering expert advice on financial matters, investment, self-presentation, confidence, and health and wellbeing.

Passionate advocate of women in business ❛❛

Dr Holly Whelan has lived in Wandsworth for over 20 years. After gaining her Neuroscience PhD, she joined Unilever and had the privilege to work all over the world.

In 2014, she set up her own business, Younger Lives Limited (www.youngerlivesgroup.com) which specialises in evidence-based health and wellbeing behaviour change and REAL impact strategy and evaluation. She has worked with some of the biggest names across the private and public sector, including Movember, Bupa, Weight Watchers, Axa, Race Equality Foundation and the NHS – and teaches at the School for Social Entrepreneurs.

I’m happy receiving the support of Dr Holly Whelan, Founder of Younger Lives, to collaborate on the launch of this network. I’ll leave Holly to introduce herself.

We are still in the planning phase so look out for further details. I hope you will join us at our EmpowerHer Business Network events – where business meets friendship, and empowerment knows no bounds. Together, we’ll build a community that inspires, uplifts, and propels each woman towards greater success.

By Beverley Corson. CEO Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce

When Beverley talked to me about setting up a new Women in leadership & business network in Wandsworth I was excited. I’m a passionate advocate of women in business and have personal experience of how uniquely supportive and precious all-women networks can be. I’ve also spent most of my career working with big business, charities and SMEs to support people to change their behaviour to be at their best – and therefore have seen the professional and scientific evidence of just how important social support and networking is. It’s wonderful that the Wandsworth Chamber is now looking to support the many fantastic business women who live in Wandsworth – whether they run their own business or work in leadership positions in large multinationals. I’m excited to be involved and looking forward to meeting some incredible people.

Wandsworth is a creative, diverse borough and the 2024 Business Awards are a fantastic way to recognise and celebrate the hard work, resilience and success the businesses achieve.

The Wandsworth Business Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 12th June at The Clapham Grand and will be a fabulous evening including award giving, food, music and networking.

Since the beginning of the year, Wandsworth Chamber has hosted a roadshow of 6 Mix & Mingle Networking events around the borough, connecting with an array of local businesses and encouraging entries for the awards.

The deadline to enter the awards is 15th March so if you are a Wandsworth based business and have not yet entered then we would encourage you to get your entry in here www.wandsworthchamber.org/business-awards-How-To-Enter

The award categories are:

• Business Owner/Entrepreneur of the Year

• Health and Wellbeing Award

• Best SME Business of the Year

• Retailer of the Year

• Environmental/Sustainability Champion

• Diversity and Inclusivity Champion

• Best Large Business

• Innovation Award

• Best Charity Award

• Hospitality Business of the Year

• Best Customer Service Award

• Best Start Up Business

The countdown is officially on for the 2024 Wandsworth Business Awards - the most prestigious event in the Wandsworth Chamber calendar!

Wandsworth Chamber are pleased to announce the host for this year will be actress Gemma Oaten. Gemma Oaten’s career includes BBC Doctors, BBC Casualty and Holby City, and the most recognizable, the role of Rachel Breckle in Emmerdale from 2011 – 2015 for which she received best newcomer nominations for the TV Choice Awards, British Soap Awards and Inside Soap Awards. To the present, 2024 got off to a great start with Gemma working again with BBC Doctors playing Danni Stubbs as well as filming with BBC Morning Live for her first presenting role with the show.

The entertainment will be provided by one of the UK’s most in demand bands Hand Fulla Soul. Hand Fulla Soul specialise in Award Ceremonies and after parties. They bring Award Ceremonies to life with high energy live walk-up music - perfect for celebrating the winners, and after that, the dance floor will be packed as they kick off the after party.

Get ready to dance the night away to timeless classics and contemporary hits, all performed with their signature soulful twist.

The Wandsworth Business Awards are a great opportunity not just for the winners in each category but for those who have been named finalists. With so many companies competing, being shortlisted is a great achievement and is certainly something to promote.

Whether you are going for an award or not, we would encourage you to attend the event as we all come together to celebrate and showcase the diverse Wandsworth Business Community where there will be a great chance to network whilst enjoying the night’s entertainment.

Tickets for the Wandsworth Business Awards will be on sale soon so do keep an eye out for announcements.

We hope you will join us for what will be a night to remember!

WHAT AGREEMENTS should I think about putting in place for my business?

It might sound obvious but a successful business needs the right elements in place at the right time, with diverse people bringing the right skills and resources to support the business’s strategy and growth. The type of support your business requires can all depend on where you are in terms of both the legal and commercial lifecycle. These phases are not, of course, set in stone and every business is different, but considering where you’re at it might (as broadly outlined below) indicate some areas where ‘checking in’ and reviewing your legals might be timely.

Startup

Businesses within this stage will have developed an understanding of their ‘mission’, but may not yet be commercially viable. During this phase, many of the individuals supporting the business are often enthusiastic founders, who are supporting the business without formal compensation or employment contracts (this is often the case with software developers who support their families or friends without a salary).

Typically, at this stage, your company will be incorporated and registered on Companies House (it may have unamended Articles of Association, or perhaps something more bespoke is required). Operational agreements, such as a Shareholder’s Agreement (SHA) can be helpful to set out individual roles, and the rights and obligations attaching to shares and to positions within the company. A SHA often acts as a key legal foundation stone for start-ups, and you should also consider early on whether you will be utilising the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) or Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and factor this in. As the brand identity is cultivated and unique products or services

are developed, Trademarking and other forms of IP protection are likely to be necessary to protect your brand concept being replicated by potential competitors. Patent applications can be a lengthy process, and as such should be initiated as soon as reasonably possible. Domain names and if applicable, design rights should be registered as soon as possible.

If your brand is a shop, office or otherwise requires a physical location, tenancy or commercial property leases may need to be negotiated and agreed (these might look standard but we would advise that these are reviewed before signing).

For most businesses terms and conditions for customers or suppliers (for either goods / services) will be required (and you’ll need to comply with consumer rights law). A number of informal commercial agreements may also be in place. Its important to consider whether customers and suppliers need to enter into Non-Disclosure Agreements or Introducer Agreements, both of which are crucial legal tools for businesses to protect their intellectual property, confidential information, and business relationships.

Early-stage company

At this point, the business may be operating in its riskiest phase. Cash-flow is essential at this stage, and businesses may be starting to consider whether pitching for a private equity injection could be beneficial to boost growth. Employment Agreements should be put in place for staff, as the team may be growing a little. One question we often get asked is about the use of unpaid interns – and the short answer is that everyone providing value or contributing to the company should be paid the minimum or living wage (as applicable).

This is a really good time to consider whether any informal commercial agreements or other arrangements need to be formalised. Company websites will need to include terms and conditions, and customers’ data protection rights need to be considered. This means that privacy policies and cookie policies need to be put in place and you need to make sure you’re registered with the ICO.

Funding and Growth

By now your company has begun to establish its name within certain market places. As the business has grown, perhaps the profit margin has been eroded by certain operational challenges which come with scaling up a business. There may be changes in staff, and less profitable revenue streams are hived off. Contract Reviews may be due, and other distribution / franchise / outsourcing or Service Agreements may be entered into. People’s roles within the business might have evolved, and salaries and benefits increased, and these changes also need to be documented.

The company may be seriously considering private equity/venture capital injections, perhaps across multiple funding rounds. More space may be required for the business, so commercial lease negotiations may come back into play on a larger scale for an expansion to the current space or entering into new lease agreements.

The final phase of ‘Maturity and Exit’ will be dealt with in a separate article. If you wish to read this update, or would like to discuss any of the above further, please follow Guy Wilmot, Rachael Taylor and Naomi Redman of Russell-Cooke on Linkedin, or alternatively email us directly.

Southside Shopping Centre’s £5m ‘refresh’

It is important for us to constantly evolve and create places where people want to spend their time.

Pieter Strömbeck, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre, talks to Sarah Dale about the perks of being a Chamber Patron and Southside’s exciting plans.

Southside Shopping Centre is investing £5 million into a “refresh programme” which includes new entrances, lighting and a new community space on the upper floor.

A host of new brands have also joined the shopping centre including Brewdog, Black Sheep Coffee, Miniso, Sostrene Grene, The Works, Soletrader, Gootopia and Parthian Climbing – and they have more brands lined up with Lidl opening a store in June, Poundland relocating to a larger unit within the centre and Padel Social Club looking to occupy the top deck of the centre’s car park.

“There are more announcements in the pipeline, and we will continue to strive to create a great retail and leisure destination for our visitors,” said Pieter Strömbeck, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre.

Community has always played an integral part in all the centre does and as part of their Landsec Futures programme, they have partnered with Direct Leaders Network, a London based education charity, on a three-month mentoring programme for local young people.

They are also starting a three-year employability partnership with XLP to support young people across five types of programmes: community engagement (youth clubs and bus projects), sports and arts, mentoring, online tutoring, and employability.

“We are excited to deliver these changes and build on our existing relationships in the community to cement our place at the heart of Wandsworth,” added Pieter.

“The biggest challenge affecting the retail sector is the way people live, work and play is always changing, which presents both a challenge as well as an opportunity.

“It is important for us to constantly evolve and create places where people want to spend their time, which involves providing an exceptional level of service to our guests whilst offering an unrivalled experience in our centre – from great restaurants and retail stores to unique leisure concepts, ensuring guests return time and time again.

“We must consider the needs and expectations of our guests throughout their journey and build partnerships locally to improve the vitality of our wider town centre.”

Southside Shopping Centre has been a Chamber Patron for more than six years.

“We have always had an excellent relationship with Beverley who is welcoming and supportive to our business needs,” said Pieter.

“The Chamber hosts several networking events, including breakfast meetings and evening Mix & Mingle events. It is great to be able to be part of a community of likeminded businesses. The annual business awards is also a great initiative for local businesses to promote themselves and get the recognition they deserve.”

His advice to new members is to “put yourself out there, attend the various events on offer and get to know other businesses”.

“It is a great way to promote your business to the wider business community and build partnerships,” he added.

“We have established several community partnerships off the back of attending networking events and have built valuable relationships with our local community.

I would also advise members to consider entering the business awards to have an opportunity to showcase your business successes and what your business is achieving within the wider community.”

Supply Wandsworth Watch

Business mentoring

Green Mark Accreditation

Buyers’ Toolkit

Supply Wandsworth have got some interesting opportunities to look out for in the coming months.

Business Mentoring – Supply Wandsworth are working with business support provider Branduin Ltd to deliver a dedicated mentoring programme for SMEs within Wandsworth. If you’re an SME, you could get mentoring and targeted advice and support to help you bid for contract tenders. You could take advantage of up to 4 hours of individual of support and advice on the best way to effectively bid and navigate the approved supplier process.

Green Mark Accreditation – Wandsworth Council is delivering a new free programme called Making Business Greener - to support local companies to become more sustainable and achieve carbon reductions as well as lead to a Level 1 accreditation of the Green Mark for businesses in Wandsworth. Run in partnership with

Green Mark, the programme gives businesses the opportunity to understand and improve their environmental impact and develop a structured framework for fostering sustainable business growth.

Buyers’ Toolkit – Available from Spring 2024, the Supply Wandsworth Buyers Toolkit will be a step-by-step guide for buyers within the borough. It will help potential buyers understand how to implement a progressive localised procurement plan, how to monitor the social value return on investment created from sourcing local suppliers and ways you can work in partnership with Wandsworth Council to achieve social value and increase local supply chains.

We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with us at Supplywandsworth@wandsworth.gov.uk �

A special thank you to our partners for their ongoing support.

Image by TheOtherKev from Pixabay

The 350-year-old New Covent Garden Market with its sights on the future

Cassandra Glavin, Head of Finance at Covent Garden Market Authority, talks to Sarah Dale about a market that remains integral to the south-east of London.

Based in Nine Elms, on the south bank of the River Thames, less than two miles from the centre of London, New Covent Garden is proud to be at the heart of the supply chain of healthy food and drink and beautiful flowers to millions of Britons.

Be open-minded about the potential relationships, as you may not know how a relationship may benefit you in the future; commercially, financially or socially.

From premium quality fresh fruit and vegetables to free range eggs, from beautiful cut flowers to a variety of specially sourced ingredients such as meat, fish, baked goods and dairy, the market provides produce to a range of businesses including Michelin-starred restaurants, family-run cafés, independent greengrocers and florists, market stall traders, secondary wholesalers, schools, prisons, hospitals, hospitality and corporate clients across the south-east.

Cassandra is one of the team at CGMA that acts as landlord and management company at the market. She says New Covent Garden is a vital hub that connects retail and catering businesses across the south-east of England with growers of first class, seasonal produce around the globe.

CGMA leases space on the market and provides the community with the facilities they need to run their businesses, for example, cleaning, recycling and waste disposal, security, traffic control and the maintenance of buildings and equipment. They also support and promote their tenant businesses through social media, a market website and PR and marketing campaigns and provide business support and development.

“The key challenge for the market is the ongoing viability of our tenants,” said Cassandra.

“They are operating in a location that is undergoing a major redevelopment, as well as looking to successfully compete against often larger regional and national organisations. The redevelopment programme will be completed in 2027, when we will have the country’s most modern wholesale facilities.”

CGMA joined the Chamber in 2008, becoming a lead sponsor in 2013 and a Patron member in 2015. “We believe that the Chamber can assist in building mutually beneficial relationships for our tenants with other local businesses,” she said. “It enables us to better support our tenants’ businesses, promote collaborations with other member businesses and support our local communities.”

Cassandra advises new Chamber members to be open-minded about the relationships that can be built and strengthened through Chamber events.

“Be open-minded about the potential relationships, as you may not know how a relationship may benefit you in the future; commercially, financially or socially,” she said.

“Attending the events run by the Chamber has the benefit of hearing first-hand, with all their passion and commitment, what a member’s business does. Conversations at these networking events could result in a chance remark that may be hugely beneficial in a way you may not have foreseen.”

The CGMA’s focus is the continued success of the market.

“The Authority is looking to optimise the estate to ensure a successful thriving market,” she added.

“We are continuing to invest in its future and we want to be a value-add neighbour to the communities of Wandsworth and Lambeth.”

Image: Nick Glasgow of London Herbs inspects heritage home-grown tomatoes

Royal visit to mark Battersea charity’s centenary

The Duchess of Edinburgh visited the Katherine Low Settlement (KLS) to help the Battersea charity celebrate its anniversary.

The Mayor of Wandsworth, Cllr Juliana Annan, and Deputy Council Leader Kemi Akinola were among those welcoming the Duchess, who saw some of the support KLS provides to the local community and thanked volunteers for their hard work.

The Katherine Low Settlement was opened in 1924 by the late Queen Mother, who returned in 1940 to mark its 40th anniversary. Since then it has helped thousands of local people, and currently supports more than 500 vulnerable residents each week including the elderly, children, young people and their families and refugees.

The council commissions services from KLS, including English for Speakers of Other Languages lessons and two services for older people: Age Well Battersea to increase physical fitness and reduce isolation and Tech Up to teach digital skills to help independence.

Other support includes funding from the Wandsworth Grant Fund last year for the spectacular new House of Love mural painted throughout the KLS entrance hall with the help of 47 volunteers, which tells the story of the settlement and the people it has helped.

During the visit, the Duchess took part in some chair-based exercises held to keep older people active and joined a sewing class for women newly arrived in the UK.

She also saw a Love to Learn session for children from a refugee background and their families. In November, the Love to Learn

educational and wellbeing programme won a Wandsworth Civic Award.

Other classes at KLS include a weekly LGBTQ Club and maths, IT and English classes for speakers of other languages.

Kemi Akinola said: “KLS is at the heart of the Battersea community, and a voluntary sector key partner for us, lending a hand to so many people across the borough. On our journey to become a Borough of Sanctuary we especially welcome the crucial work they do to support refugees and help integrate them into the local community.

“They are truly inspirational and I’m delighted that the Duchess of Edinburgh has taken the time to see their work and help them celebrate their 100th birthday.”

Sarah Gibb, Chief Executive of KLS, said: “It was an absolute honour for us to welcome Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh to Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea today. This year marks the charity’s 100th anniversary of bringing the Battersea community together and we are thrilled to start our centenary year with a Royal visit.”

The Duchess unveiled a plaque celebrating the centenary. Other events this year will include a street party in May and a gala fundraising party.

The KLS building is also 100 years old and a £200,000 appeal has been launched to make it more accessible, sustainable and welcoming. Find out more at klsettlement.org.uk/kls100/

Wandsworth Town Library is officially open

The new Wandsworth Town Library has been officially opened by Lord Alf Dubs and Wandsworth Mayor Juliana Annan.

Wandsworth Town Library is one of two new libraries recently completed alongside Northcote Library; while others have had upgrades in recent times, with York Gardens, Tooting and Putney libraries all getting new investment.

Simon Hogg, Leader of the Council, said: “Our libraries right across the borough are fantastic places for our local community to not only borrow books, but to also access many other services that are crucial to our people to continue to thrive.

“They really are the beating heart of our communities and offer something for absolutely everyone, no matter who you are.

“Our libraries enrich the lives of those who use them and I’m proud that this council will continue to support that with further investment and commitment to maintaining and improving them.”

While there are tens of thousands of physical books and audiobooks held in Wandsworth Town Library, the library service also offers eBooks, magazines, newspapers, and other reading materials for all ages. There are also acoustic pods for people who want a quiet place to study, printing and photocopiers, computers and tablets for people who may need a device to access the internet, free Wi-Fi, and meeting spaces that can be hired out. There is also a programme of regular activities for all ages.

Wandsworth Town Hall makes guest TV appearance

Eagle-eyed residents will have spotted Wandsworth Town Hall being used as a key location in the critically acclaimed television drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

The town hall’s marble hall and staircase – often used as a backdrop for happy couples’ wedding days – was chosen by the programme makers as the setting of the drama’s court scenes in episode four.

It is not the first time Wandsworth has graced screens with Battersea Park a popular location choice for filmmakers including in the soon-to-be released film, ‘Bob Marley One Love’, in recognition of the fact that the legendary reggae singer used to regularly play football in the park with his band The Wailers and also go running there.

Later this year ‘Back to Black’ – the new Amy Winehouse biopic – will include scenes shot inside the Clapham Grand in St John’s Hill, while series five of popular crime drama ‘Unforgotten’ captured a number of scenes at the Town Hall, including the rear of the building which appeared

as a police station. ‘Unforgotten’ will be returning to Wandsworth Town Hall in April 2024 to film several scenes for series six.

The borough has also been chosen as the location for several dramas including 24, New Tricks, Silent Witness, Above Suspicion, Killing Eve, The Bodyguard, Not Going Out and The Crown.

The income received from filming helps fund town hall services and keep council tax bills low – and for every pound received by the council, it is estimated that another two pounds is generated for the wider economy with local shops, restaurants and hospitality businesses the main beneficiaries.

Council leader Simon Hogg said: “All the money we generate from granting film licences is ploughed back into frontline services to help ease the burden on local taxpayers and provide a welcome boost to the wider local economy.”

The newest property business on the block

Directors Tom Meilak and Rumz Habib talk to Sarah Dale

about their new estate agency Chesterfield Gordon.

Chesterfield Gordon is the brainchild of three partners who had each always wanted to run their own business and together they shared the same vision for a modern day estate agency.

Tom Meilak, Rumz Habib and Sebastian Gordon founded Chesterfield Gordon –named after Sebastian’s family names –and began operating last June.

The three Company Directors are determined to run their independent sales and lettings agency, in both residential and commercial sectors, which covers London, Surrey and international markets, so high quality customer service is at the heart of all they do. Their collective wealth of experience in the property industry means that they understand the importance of marketing properties to the highest level and working transparently to achieve the best outcome for clients.

“Building relationships is key to our business and important to all of us,” said Tom, Director of Sales and Lettings. “It’s not about being the biggest and the best or the most ruthless; it is about being the most consistent with an ethical working culture.”

“We all believe in that, in fact, it’s one of our founding principles.”

The agency is based in Battersea at present, together with the support of a freelance Mortgage Broker, contractors for property management services and additional financial Advisors. Within the year, they plan to open an office so they have a “high street presence” and expand their team.

Their client base covers all of London and Surrey, as well as overseas so long- term they will open branches in their key locations and employ an international team.

Tom and Rumz met ten years ago through work and quickly realised they each shared the same passion and ambition to run their own business.

Rumz Habib, Director of New Business and Acquisitions, said: “After I graduated from university, I started my career in retail as a buyer for designer mens wear and then went into the banking industry before a friend encouraged me to become an Estate Agent. I thought why not, so I joined as a trainee, became a negotiator, then a Lettings Manager and built up my own team. That is where I met Tom who became a part of my team I built.

I took the branch turnover from £250,000 to £1 million in two years. Which is really good, but it was really hard work.”

“I have built up good connections over the years. And during those years clients have been asking me why haven’t I gone on my own? But at the time my concerns were I have three boys, a partner and a mortgage so it was a big risk to do my own thing. Tom came to me and said, ‘Let’s do it together’, and I thought to myself it is either now or never and introduced me to Sebastian, who brought investment with his partnership. His investment has given us a bit of time to build the business and make sure we do it right and that we don’t run before we can walk.”

The Director of Marketing and Finance, Sebastian Gordon’s background is highend hospitality, his parents own one of the top resorts in the world, and knows the importance of managing expectations from high-end customers who expect nothing but top service!

Tom’s parents are both self-employed and started their own businesses in North Africa. “I’ve always wanted to work for myself,” said Tom.

“As a young boy growing up, I thought having your own business is the way forward, but I wanted to get experience working for others first. After university, I went into consultancy but didn’t enjoy it. I always wanted to work in property and applied to become an estate agent.

Sebastian and I met about 12 years ago in a central London agency and I met Rumz in a Battersea agency about 10 years ago. I knew I wanted to work close to home, in Battersea, and I prefer the south-west London market; I think it’s the best property market in London.

Chesterfield Gordon have reported a “good start” to 2024 with consistently selling and renting properties, including some Commercial.

“It is still a good time to buy property despite what the media will tell you,” said Tom.

They joined Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce at the start of 2024 following a recommendation from a member, Yellow Signs.

“We were looking at shop signs, getting ideas together and we were introduced to Joel from Yellow Signs and he suggested we attend the Chamber breakfast event in November,” explained Tom.

“Rumz and I went along to the event in Battersea and met lovely, likeminded businesspeople. We were there for a couple of hours and we got a very good impression very quickly and knew we wanted to be members.

“We hope to be more involved in Wandsworth Chamber and the Wandsworth borough. It’s also important to give back to your local community; that is important to all three of us directors.”

As property professionals, they work in a people-oriented industry so networking is a good marketing and business development tool for them.

“The Chamber matches people to their needs,” said Tom.

“If a member is looking for property, great, come to us but that’s not the only reason we’re there. It’s about being surrounded by likeminded people.”

The pair’s top tips to new members are: “Network, network, network!”

“Attend as many events as you can,” said Rumz.

“Recommendations happen by word of mouth. If you’re not in the room, you could be missing out. Go as much as possible.”

Tom added: “It’s a powerful marketing strategy. It builds brand awareness and people learn what your services are. People want to know you; they want to put faces to names.”

We went along to the event in Battersea and met lovely, likeminded businesspeople. We were there for a couple of hours and we got a very good impression very quickly and knew we wanted to be members.

CYBER PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FOR FREE

When it comes to cyber security, prevention is better than a cure. The Met’s

Cyber Protect

Team are experts in deterring cyber criminals and can show you how to protect your business for free!

The team deliver cyber security awareness training to members of the Chambers of Commerce and businesses across London.

We are taxpayer funded to train any of the following:

• Businesses with fewer than 250 employees,

• Charities,

• Schools, medical practices and other public bodies

If that’s you, you can receive our free training and we’ll even come to you, so you can make the most out of your working day.

OUR FREE SERVICES INCLUDE:

• CYBER AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS

One of our engaging experts will provide a presentation on the fundamentals of cyber security for general users, or business leaders in person or remotely.

• CYBER ESCAPE ROOM

Our fun, interactive learning experience will raise staff awareness about how to support your security.

• INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE

Our cyber leadership exercise will help you learn the foundations about how to protect your business from cyber incidents.

• NCSC EXERCISE IN A BOX

Our team is well versed in moderating the National Cyber Security Centre’s discussion based exercise. This is perfect for you and your leadership team to prepare your business for specific types of cyber-attack.

We also have a range of videos, booklets and leaflets providing elementary advice the cyber fundamentals, which you can find at:

https://www.met.police.uk/littlemedia

Don’t miss out on this brilliant opportunity. Sign up here!

https://www.met.police.uk/cyberprotect

Be sure to include Chambers of Commerce in your email.

OUR PARTNERS

Cyber Resilience Centre for London

The Cyber Resilience Centre for London are an impartial not-forprofit organisation focused on empowering people to take simple actions that can help make their businesses safer.

Learn more at:

https://www.londoncrc.co.uk/

Police Cyber Alarm

Police Cyber Alarm (PCA) is like a burglar alarm for your company IT. A data collector connects to your firewalls allowing the PCA team to see which suspicious IP addresses are trying to connect to your systems.

No matter what time of day or night PCA will be monitoring your networks, and if you are attacked police will contact you so you can deal with the incident.

You will also receive a monthly report about any scanning attempts made against your network, and any vulnerabilities they have found in systems.

Learn more at:

https://www.cyberalarm.police.uk/

Free NHS health check at local pharmacies

Wandsworth residents can now get a quick, free health MOT at one of five borough pharmacies, as well as GP surgeries.

Free NHS Health Checks are available every five years to people aged between 40 and 74. Previously you had to visit the doctor, but now the council has made them available at some pharmacies to make the process even quicker and easier.

Health checks can help spot the early signs of problems that could raise your risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia and other serious health conditions.

Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, said: “Even if you feel fine, just being over 40 raises the risk of being unwell. It’s best to get regular checks so you can find out about any small problems before they become big.

Free parking for shoppers to be introduced in Earlsfield to support businesses

Wandsworth Council’s highways engineers have unveiled plans to introduce some free parking spaces for shoppers in Earlsfield to support local businesses.

The proposals are to replace some existing controlled zone ‘pay only’ parking bays with spaces that will allow customers of local shops and businesses up to two hours of free parking.

The changes are proposed for existing spaces in Atheldene Road and Vanderbilt Road – close to the junctions with Garratt Lane and its many local businesses.

These bays will allow free parking for two hours – with no return permitted for two hours - between 10am and 6pm Monday to Saturday and are set to be introduced following positive feedback from businesses in the area.

The changes are subject to statutory consultation.

“If you don’t want to visit your GP, we’ve now made health checks available at some pharmacies. They only take about 20 minutes so it’s quick and easy to keep an eye on your health.”

Health checks involve a series of easy checks such as blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol levels and lifestyle questions, to help determine your risk of common but preventable heart-related conditions like heart disease, dementia, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

You will get a risk score and have this explained to you by your local pharmacist or GP. If you are at a higher risk, your pharmacist or GP can help point you in the direction of local services and lifestyle tips to lower that risk.

To be eligible for an NHS Health Check, you must not have been previously diagnosed with diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease or stroke.

Wandsworth pharmacies that offer

NHS Health Checks:

• C Bradbury Chemist - SW16 6SQ

• East Chemist - SW15 4HJ

• Husbands Pharmacy - SW15 2SP

• Lords Pharmacy - SW17 0RR

• R. Walji Chemist - SW15 5RW

Wandsworth is officially a cleaner borough

Official Government figures show that flytipping continues to pose a major challenge for some councils and local communities across London – but Wandsworth remains one of the capital’s cleanest.

The Government data for 2022/23 shows that Wandsworth has the third lowest number of recorded flytips in inner London at 6,094. Only Lambeth and Islington recorded fewer incidents. Across London’s 32 boroughs just over 422,000 flytips were recorded. This means that Wandsworth had only 1.4 per cent of the capital’s flytips.

Part of this success is being attributed to the introduction of the council’s monthly Mega Skips initiative, which gives residents the opportunity to deposit unwanted household items that might otherwise end up dumped on the streets. This free scheme is judged to be behind an 11 per cent reduction in flytips across Wandsworth.

Another factor behind the fall is the robust level of enforcement in the borough which has led to on-the-spot fines being issued to people caught dumping rubbish or litter on the highway.

The council has also stepped up its inspection efforts to make sure that businesses fulfil their legal obligation to have proper arrangements in place for the collection and disposal of their waste. Those that don’t, face an instant fineand this has led to a big reduction in flytips.

The town hall has also raised public awareness of the perils of employing unlicensed operators who drive around looking for waste to collect - often builders’ waste - and having pocketed

the cash to dispose of it properly, drive around the corner and dump it. In these cases the householder may face prosecution for failing to ensure their waste was lawfully disposed of.

The council offers a cheap and competitive rate to remove large unwanted items like old mattresses and furniture, which has also played a role in reducing the number of these items that are dumped on the streets.

Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “These official Government figures confirm that fly-tipping is a serious problem across the country – and that London in particular suffers badly from this environmental crime.

“But the data shows quite clearly that here in Wandsworth we have many fewer cases than most other parts of the capital.

“While this is welcome news we fully recognise that a single flytip is one too many so we will not be complacent about the challenges we face in keeping our streets and parks clean and free of flytips.

“We know for sure that some local neighbourhoods are more badly affected than others and residents in these areas can rest assured we are putting in extra resources to tackle this problem.”

Residents who spot a flytip are urged to report them so they can be swiftly removed. For details of how to book a bulky waste collection and information on refuse and recycling collections, visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/waste.

Be One Step Ahead

Unlock your workforce potential

Our free Business Partnership service is here to help support you and your business with:

• ACCESSING FUNDING and making the most of new government initiatives

• APPRENTICESHIPS from Level 2 to Level 6 (GCSE to Degree Level)

• EMPLOYEE TRAINING – upskilling and retraining of your employees using our extensive online and training packages

• LEVY SUPPORT and guidance.

You can place your trust in our exceptionally talented team, to build a bespoke plan that meets the specific needs of your business.

business@stcg.ac.uk

stcg.ac.uk/employers

Develop and expand your business with an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships ensure that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs now and in the future.

Through the training process you are able to develop and expand your business in the direction most suited to you. A mixture of on and off the job learning. You can also increase productivity, improve competitiveness, and grow a committed and competent workforce.

From engineering and manufacturing to business and finance, the UK national skills shortage has been impacting just about every sector over the past few years. 90% of employers are currently struggling to recruit and retain staff with the skills and experiences needed to make their business run smoothly, and it is estimated that 20% of the workforce will be significantly underkilled by 2030. Apprenticeships can help businesses across all sectors by offering a route to harness fresh new talent - more than a quarter of businesses rate this form of vocational training higher than any other qualification as work-based learning becomes increasingly higher on the government’s agenda.

At South Thames Colleges Group, we support organisations in obtaining the best apprentices for their individual business requirements through our Apprenticeship Recruitment Service. We advertise and promote vacancies online and facilitate the screening of applications. We will also liaise with employers throughout the process and work with you to shortlist and arrange interviews.

Email business@stcg.ac.uk today to find out more on how we can support your organisation’s growth.

Professional Skills Apprenticeships

• Accounts or Finance Assistant Apprenticeship – Level 2

South Thames College

• Customer Service Practitioner Apprenticeship – Level 2

South Thames College

Construction Sector Apprenticeship

• Civil Engineering Technician Apprenticeship – Level 3

South Thames College

Healthcare Sector Apprenticeship

• Mammography Associate Apprenticeship – Level 4

South Thames College

Teaching Apprenticeship

• Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship – Level 5

South Thames College

Choose from the wide selection of Apprenticeships above on offer at your local College in Wandsworth n or check our website https://stcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships for Apprenticeships available across the group.

Businesses call on Chancellor to ditch tourist tax

Representatives of British business gathered at Terminal

5, Heathrow to join forces in calling for a new internationally competitive tax-free shopping scheme.

A new internationally competitive tax-free shopping scheme would help turbocharge the UK’s retail and hospitality sectors, bringing benefit to all corners of the UK through economic growth and tax revenue.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Heathrow have launched a new campaign urging the Chancellor to provide a £1.5 billion boost to the economy with tax-free shopping for tourists.

Business leaders gathered at Heathrow on 5th February to unite in calling for a return to tax-free shopping for international visitors. Attendees included representatives of businesses across the UK, including Shevaun Haviland, Director-General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), and Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs, FSB. The meeting was chaired by Dale Reeson, Director of Operations, Heathrow.

Attendees heard the damaging effect of the policy change with estimates putting the loss to the British retail sector at over £1.5 billion a year. Attendees also heard retail spend at Heathrow declined by 37 per cent during the first nine months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2019.

Those present argued that the Treasury could no longer dispute forecasts on the policy change but that there was now existing data which showed the hugely detrimental impact this was having on the UK’s tourism and hospitality sector.

A new internationally competitive tax-free shopping scheme would help turbocharge the UK’s retail and hospitality sectors, bringing benefit to all corners of the UK through economic growth and tax revenue.

The roundtable followed news that the OBR intends to re-examine the figures on taxation

around tourist shopping in advance of the Spring Budget.

Shevaun Haviland, Director-General of the BCC, said: ‘It was great to be at Heathrow to hear how a new internationally competitive tax free shopping scheme would turbocharge Britain’s economy, helping retailers and hospitality venues across the country.

“The Chancellor in his Spring Budget has the chance to firmly show that Britain is open for business, he must seize it.’

Dale Reeson, Director of Operations, Heathrow, said: “We were delighted to be joined by the BCC and FSB at Heathrow, coming together on the campaign to scrap the tourist tax, to level the playing field for British businesses.

“The UK’s international competitiveness is at stake as tourist spend in the UK is being overshadowed by other European countries, where goods are up to 20 per cent cheaper. We must see policy change at the Spring Budget, which would benefit every town and city across Britain.”

Craig Beaumont, Chief of External Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Introducing tax-free shopping would be like switching on a huge, neon ‘welcome’ sign for British business. After years of turmoil, small firms across the UK are looking for reasons to be positive, and a £10 billion benefit to the economy from a new tax-free shopping scheme, expanded to include the EU, would be a game-changer.”

Discover 50 Electric Boulevard, a new 200,000 sq ft sustainable workplace at Battersea Power Station by Foster+Partners.

Designed with smart-tech and sustainability at its heart, this new stateof-the-art office provides a flexible way of working to put the spark back into the workplace, part of the re-energised Battersea Power Station.

The entrance to 50 Electric Boulevard on Battersea Power Station’s new high street

The contemporary concierge-style reception

The state-of-the-art 240 capacity amenity space, The Light Box

CHAMBER EVENTS

• Wednesday 6th March

Wandsworth Chamber Business Forum, 9.30 am, Online

Wednesday 13th March

Business Networking in Clapham Junction at The Hannah, 6 – 9 pm

Wednesday 27th March

Chamber Big Breakfast at The Pestana Hotel, 8 – 10.30 am

Wednesday 10th April

Business Networking at the Earlsfield , 6 – 9 pm

Wednesday 1st May

Wandsworth Chamber Business Forum, 8 – 9.30 am, Online *

Wednesday 8th May

Business Networking in Clapham Junction at The Hannah, 6 – 9 pm

* For regular attendees please note revised time

Please visit the events page of our website regularly to see what’s on and why not join us as we network through 2024. For further details go to www.wandsworthchamber.org/events

SCAN THE QR CODE

(Caltrics.com) with your phone camera to see our events and get them in your calendar app.

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Reeta Minas-Judd RMJ Wellbeing

Wellbeing within the Workplace

When an organisation is starting up their business the area which tends to be at the bottom of the to do list and least prioritised is Wellbeing.

The appointment of a Mental Health First Aider may be beneficial for your organisation so that staff are aware there is somebody they can be signposted to, should they feel they are in need.

The appointment of a Mental Health First Aider may be beneficial for your organisation so that staff are aware there is somebody they can be signposted to, should they feel they are in need.

This is sometimes because sole traders and SMEs are more focused on making their business a success rather than be concerned about their own mental health and those they are working with. This is not a criticism, simply a trend I have noticed with clients that I have been supporting. So, we ask ourselves what should be addressed regarding mental health and wellbeing when setting up a business and why is it important to ensure ourselves and our work team are in a good and positive mindset?

As a Wellbeing Therapist who runs her own multi award winning business, I always focus on the wellbeing of any colleagues who are in my employ. Yes, you may argue that because that is my business of course I am going to focus on health and wellbeing, but it’s such a simple thing to address. The following are just some simple suggestions which can help to ensure that your work colleagues are aware that you are mindful of their mental health concerns.

Checking in with staff members… It takes literally minutes to check in with work colleagues and ask them how they are? This may seem a trivial question to ask, but for some individuals you could be the only person that has asked them the question in a long time, and it will give your staff the understanding that you are genuinely interested in their welfare and that ultimately you care.

Social gatherings are a good way not only to motivate staff, but to also recognise if there is any issue with members of your team. If it becomes evident that certain members of staff are not participating and are seen to be “busy” and unable to attend these events on a regular basis, perhaps speak with them on a one-to-one level to ascertain if there is a genuine reason for their absence or perhaps if there are other reasons which are more deep rooted, for example bullying within the workplace?

Regular meetings with staff members….. This is a positive way to gauge how your staff behave with the interaction they display during these meetings.

Regular appraisals are also another way to monitor not only your staff members ability of working, but also how they are feeling on a personal level. This will also incentivise the member of staff that you are interested in their whole being.

Even with all these measures being implemented, staff may still be mindful not to rock the boat about how they are feeling for fear that they may put their job in jeopardy and that by speaking out they may cause uncertainty within their job role and may therefore continue to remain silent, however at least they have the option should they choose to approach a senior member of staff.

to

u Floss Gibbs Design

Floss Gibbs

14 Oakfield Gardens

Beckenham London BR3 3AZ 07887 727939

u New Dawn HR

Dawn Pike

136 Upper Tulse Hill London SW2 2RR 07850 151222

u Pim & Partners - Property Consultants

Pim Assen

Riverside Cottage Wisley Lane London GU23 6QJ 020 3633 6575

u Prima Cura Training

Damon Birch

30 Glenburnie Rd London SW17 7PY 0333 188 7020

u Rendall and Rittner Ltd

Gill Dunsford

13B St George Wharf London SW8 2LE 07775 683777

Whether

So,

u Roots to Change CIC

Polly Newall

26 Morgan Court Battersea High Street London SW11 3HU 07904 036201

u Signs Express Battersea

James Coetzer

The Engine Room

18 The Power Station London SW11 8BZ 020 8031 9646

u Sylva Financial Planning

David Henry

Flat 39 328 Kingston Road London SW20 8BU 07739 0047285

u The Candlemaker - SMOK’D

Leigh White

136 Battersea High Street London SW11 3JR 07858 667961

u Younger Lives

Holly Whelan

32 Welham Road London SW16 6QJ 07788 648814

Starting UP

JAMES COETZER

Centre Manager Twickenham & Battersea SIGNS EXPRESS BATTERSEA

www.signsexpress.co.uk/battersea

Q1 In a few words tell us a bit about your business?

At Signs Express Battersea, we provide an extensive range of signage and graphics solutions for businesses of all sizes and sectors. Our most popular solutions including interior signage, wall graphics, exterior signage, illuminated signs, directional and wayfinding signs, health & safety signage, window graphics, digital signs and much more.

Q2 What gives your business ‘the X-Factor’?

We provide friendly, accommodating, and efficient service – from consultation and design, to manufacture and installation. Every one of our solutions is bespoke; tailor-made to our customers’ needs and specifications. We are also experienced at fulfilling multi-site solutions..

Q3 What motivated you to set up in business?

Our motivation for establishing Sign Express Battersea in the vibrant heart of London stems from a desire to directly engage with the bustling community and businesses of Battersea. Recognizing the area’s dynamic growth and its burgeoning need for professional, high-quality signage solutions, we saw an opportunity to contribute to local businesses’ visibility and success.

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

Working in a startup environment is dynamic and offers a unique set of rewarding experiences.

Q5 What has been your greatest business success to date ?

Collaborating with big brands early in our journey has been a remarkable milestone for our startup. This experience not only validates our commitment to delivering exceptional value but also significantly bolsters our credibility in the industry.

Q6 What has been your lowest moment?

In the early days, securing the right office space and making our name known were particularly formidable challenges. These moments truly tested our resolve, pushing us to critically evaluate our strategies and ambitions.

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

Become the go-to provider for signage and visual communications in Battersea and expand our influence to neighbouring districts. Diversify service offerings to include the latest trends and technologies in signage, such as digital displays, eco-friendly materials, and interactive signage solutions.

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

My advice to anyone embarking on the journey of starting their own business would be to invest significant effort into conducting thorough market research to deeply understand the landscape of your sector. Additionally, setting realistic and concrete targets is crucial. This approach ensures that you have a solid foundation of knowledge about your industry and a clear direction for your business’s growth.

Collaborating with big brands early in our journey has been a remarkable milestone for our startup. This experience not only validates our commitment to delivering exceptional value but also significantly bolsters our credibility in the industry.

minutes with ...

DARREL ROSE

Commercial Branch Manager

HOWDEN TOOTING

Q1 Who are you?

My name is Darrel Rose, I am the commercial branch manager for Howden Tooting.

Q2 What’s your business all about?

We are not about cookie-cutter, off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all insurance. We do people-first insurance, understanding the specifics of your insurance needs and match them with the insurer that is best placed to provide that cover, at the right price. Personal, tailored, great value cover.

And no matter how complex the challenge or unique the situation, whatever cover you are looking for, our marketleading experts are here to help.

With more than 100 insurance products available, at over 100 branches across the country, our friendly branch teams are dedicated to finding you the right policy at the right price. From home insurance to horsebox, commercial cover to kit cars; we have access to a range of mainstream and niche insurers, who offer the full breadth of policies to cover your every specialist requirement.

Q3 Three words to describe yourself?

Honest, kind and determined.

Q4 Ideal Customer?

Anyone looking for an advice led insurance broker.

Q5 Biggest achievement?

Working with the Tooting branch for over 15 years and now running a commercial team of 28.

Q6 Biggest gripe?

People not treating others as they would like to be treated.

Q7 Your inspiration?

My two children Amelia and Jack.

Q8 Philosophy in Business?

Do not run to the wrong solution, walk to the correct one.

Q9 Sporting Hero?

No one in particular – they all work hard to achieve their goals.

Q10 Biggest tip for success?

Work hard, learn from mistakes and always treat people how you would like to be treated.

With more than 100 insurance products available, at over 100 branches across the country, our friendly branch teams are dedicated to finding you the right policy at the right price.