Inspire July 25

inspire.69

Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards 2025

Winners unmasked at night of celebration

Inspirational Leader

Emily Aklan, CEO and Founder of Serenity Welfare, talks about her passion, drive and a hands-on approach to leadership.

Spotlight Focus

Three Rivers – A great place to live, work and visit and Watford: A thriving centre for business, culture and community

Patron Focus

Elliot Howard-Jones, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, tells why he loves leading a community NHS trust and its successful ‘hospital at home’ programme.

The business magazine of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

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At the Chamber, we remain focused on creating opportunities for connection, championing the voice of business, and ensuring our region remains a dynamic place to live and work.

Welcome to the latest edition of Inspire, our quarterly magazine that celebrates the businesses, people and partnerships that drive Hertfordshire forward.

This issue is particularly special as we look back on one of the most anticipated events in our calendar – the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards. It was a true celebration of innovation, resilience and excellence across our business community. You’ll find a full report and photo highlights from the evening inside, capturing the energy, pride and camaraderie that filled the room. Congratulations again to all our finalists, winners and sponsors who made the event so memorable.

As ever, Inspire is filled with updates and stories from our diverse network of members. From local success stories to community initiatives, it’s encouraging to see so many of you continuing to grow, collaborate and give back.

We also bring you an important update on the Local Skills Improvement Plan, a vital initiative helping to bridge the gap between business needs and workforce readiness across Hertfordshire. Your insights and engagement continue to shape this work, and we’re grateful for the ongoing support of our members and stakeholders.

At the Chamber, we remain focused on creating opportunities for connection, championing the voice of business, and ensuring our region remains a dynamic place to live and work. Whether it’s through events, training or strategic partnerships, we’re here to support you.

Thank you for being part of our network. I hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.

Donna Schultz

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Published July 2025 © Benham Publishing and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

CEO

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Winners unmasked at night of celebration

It was a glittering night to remember as more than 300 guests gathered at the stunning Tewinbury Farm Hotel for the Chamber’s annual business awards – an event fondly known as the Hertfordshire Oscars.

Amidst the glamour of a masquerade-themed gala, the spotlight fell on the county’s most exceptional enterprises, with Waltham Abbey-based Bamboo Connect stealing the show as one of only two double winners. The global mobile phone distributor impressed the judges with its bold vision and commercial prowess, earning accolades for Inspiring Business of the Year and Excellence in International Trade.

Equally commanding applause was One YMCA, the Hatfield charity that has been transforming lives across Hertfordshire for more than 135 years. Their work in supporting individuals was recognised with awards for both Excellence in People Development and Property and Construction Project of the Year. Another standout moment came when FB Chain, one of the world’s oldest chain manufacturing companies, received the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Business award. Based in Letchworth, the firm was also highly commended in the international trade category – further testament to its enduring influence and forward-thinking ethos.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Steve Folland, was more than just a celebration – it was a vibrant showcase of Hertfordshire’s entrepreneurial spirit. Guests enjoyed live music, close-up magic, and inspiring words from Chamber CEO Donna Schultz, Chairman Jeremy Bishop, Lord-Lieutenant Robert Voss CBE CStJ and Paul Robin, CEO of Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Reflecting on the evening, Donna Schultz said: “Another spectacular evening presented the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable organisations we have in our county. Judges told me that this year was particularly difficult, with so many incredible entries.

“The awards are, without doubt, one of the highlights of the Chamber year and I feel privileged that we have the chance to honour the hard work, innovation and dedication shown by businesses across Hertfordshire.

“It’s truly inspiring to see the breadth of talent and ambition in our local economy, and I want to congratulate all the finalists and winners for their outstanding achievements.”

This year’s awards were once again generously sponsored by Viatris and SA Law.

The evening may have ended with the clinking of glasses and celebratory smiles, but the legacy of these awards will continue throughout the year, shining a light on those who are not only excelling in business but also shaping a brighter future for Hertfordshire.

The full list of winners:

• Inspiring Business of the Year

Bamboo Connect Ltd

• Outstanding Contribution to Business

FB Chain

• Excellence in International Trade Bamboo Connect Ltd

Highly commended: FB Chain

• Community Champion

DENS

Highly commended: Small Acts of Kindness

• Excellence in People Development One YMCA

Highly commended: Harper Ashley Bowles Law (HAB Law)

• Diversity and Inclusion Award

HSP

Highly commended: ADD Vance

• Family Business of the Year

Tewinbury Farm Hotel

Highly commended: Hertfordshire Zoo

• Most Promising New Business Carbonology

Highly commended: Reneural

• Business of the Year Small to Medium IBC Simply

Highly commended: Union Business Finance

• Entrepreneur of the Year

Lydia Berman – Creative Stripes Highly commended: Paul Davis –Paul Davis Fencing Academy

• Property and Construction Project of the Year One YMCA

Highly commended: Hertfordshire Zoo

• Best use of Technology Cloud 7 Marketing

Highly commended: Pebble IT

• Apprentice of the Year

Dean Vaughan – SEC Group

Highly commended: Mohsina Shams –Watford Community Housing

• Business of the Year Medium to Large Sika

Highly commended: QCS Staffing

• Green Award

CHEXS

Highly commended: No Floor No More

• Workplace Wellbeing Award

QCS Staffing

North Hertfordshire College

IHA Winners

Apprentice of the Year: Dean Vaughan – SEC Group

Best Use of Technology: Cloud 7 Marketing

Business of Year Medium to Large: Sika

Business of Year Small to Medium: IBC Simply

Excellence in International Trade: Bamboo Connect Ltd

Excellence in People Development: One YMCA

Family Business of the Year: Tewinbury Farm Hotel

Inspiring Business of the Year: Bamboo Connect Ltd

Entrepreneur of the Year: Lydia Berman – Creative Stripes

Green Award: CHEXS

IHA Winners

Property and Construction Project of the Year: One YMCA

Workplace Wellbeing: QCS Staffing

Outstanding Contribution to Business: FB Chain

Most Promising New Business: Carbonolgy

Evening of gratitude for awards sponsors

In the lead-up to the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards gala dinner, the Hertfordshire Chamber hosted an elegant drinks reception to express heartfelt appreciation to the sponsors who make the prestigious awards possible.

Held at the picturesque Tewinbury Farm Hotel, the evening brought together representatives from across Hertfordshire’s business community for an informal yet meaningful gathering. Attendees enjoyed a glass of fizz, shared stories and reflected on the significance of the awards and the network that supports them.

A highlight of the evening came from Simon Walsh of SA Law, one of the event’s headline sponsors, who spoke passionately about the strength of Hertfordshire’s business ecosystem and the value of recognising excellence through the Inspiring Herts Awards.

Guests were invited to introduce themselves and their organisations, offering a valuable opportunity to connect, collaborate and celebrate shared successes ahead of the main awards ceremony.

The Chamber extends its deepest thanks to all sponsors for their generous support and commitment to championing innovation, resilience and achievement across the region:

• SA Law

• Viatris

• Allica Bank

• Ashbourne Insurance

• Barclays

• Broxbourne Council

• CAE Technology Services

• Chapman Ventilation

• Croft

• Deluxe Driven

• East Herts District Council

• Green Building Design Consultants

• Hatfield Park

• Hertsmere Borough Council

• KGK Genix

• Longmores Solicitors

• Menzies LLP

• NFU Mutual Hertford and North Herts

• Oventrop UK

• Pearldrop Video Production

• Sika

• Stevenage Borough Council

• Yasmine Moller

Their invaluable support ensures the Inspiring Herts Awards continues to shine a spotlight on the people and organisations driving growth and excellence in the county.

What HR Professionals & Employers need to know about Data Subject Access Requests (Sar) Miranda Mulligan, Senior Employment Solicitor, at Longmores Solicitors explains what employers and senior HR professionals need to know if they receive a subject access request from an employee.

Q Can an employee raise a subject access request at any time?

A

Yes. Any individual, including an employee can make a request to an organisation that holds their personal data. Personal data means any information relating to an identifiable or identified (living) individual. This can include an individual’s name, telephone number or an address. It could also include an employee’s employment reference number if they are identifiable from that information.

Q How long does an employer have to respond to a SAR?

A

A SAR must be dealt with within one month of receipt but this period can, if the matter is complex, be extended by a further two months. Matters which might make the request complex can include technical difficulties in retrieving information, for example where data has been electronically archived.

Q If the documents requested identifies another individual, can I just refuse to provide that information?

AIf another individual is identified or identifiable from the request, you may not need to provide that data. However, you would need to consider whether the other individual has consented and if not, whether it is reasonable to disclose that information without their consent. It may also be possible to redact the other named individuals so that the documents can be provided without identifying others.

In employment matters, if the other individual identified is a line manager and the request is in relation to performance of that individual’s role, then it may be reasonable to disclose the line manager’s name even in the absence of consent. This is a balancing act and each request will need to be reviewed individually.

Q Are there any exemptions to providing personal data?

AWhilst there are exemptions which may apply, these are limited in application. The most common exemption within the employment context is in relation to any reference given in confidence which would fall outside the scope of the request.

Q Can an employee submit a SAR when they are threatening or have started legal action?

A

Yes, the fact that litigation is pending or threatened does not prevent an employee from bringing a request or the employer from responding. However, any information which is subject to legal privilege can be excluded from the SAR response.

Q Should an employee have any documents or policies in place?

AYes, an employer shall have a privacy notice setting out the details of data collected on behalf of staff as well as the grounds relied upon for processing such data. Additionally, it is helpful to put procedures in place setting out the process to be followed when responding to a SAR.

Leading with heart and determination to change children’s lives

Emily Aklan, CEO and Founder of Serenity Welfare, tells Karen McLauchlan why passion, drive and a hands-on approach to leadership ensure she and her team are changing young people’s lives for the better

Making a difference – that’s Emily Aklan to the core.

As well as building better futures for young people through her business Serenity Welfare, she believes in nurturing the wellbeing of every member of staff she has around her.

Treating people as you would like to be treated is an ethos that’s now earned her national recognition, with Serenity recently crowned a winner in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025 list in the health and social care category for small businesses.

“It’s an exceptional achievement,” said Emily, who is CEO and Founder of Serenity Welfare, which is also a Patron member of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

“Health and social care isn’t an easy industry. But without staff you don’t have a business – you can’t run a ship by yourself. This is a job where we’re serving society’s most vulnerable children, it can be challenging and emotionally draining for everyone.”

With a wellbeing centre at its head office, access to sporting facilities, social events and team building, Serenity’s team –which stands at 82 – also benefit from essential emotional support to prevent burn-out in this gruelling sector.

Emily swapped a career in construction for the world of social care nine years ago when she founded Serenity Welfare – a 24/7 welfare service for children and young people.

It was born out of her despair in discovering vulnerable children are often picked up from care homes or police stations in handcuffs and treated as criminals rather than young people desperate for help.

A desire to do things differently and give at-risk youngsters the dignity, compassion and care they deserve, created Serenity.

Based in a 17th-century manor house in Broxbourne that was once a children’s home, it provides comprehensive welfare services for children and young people, including those in care, working with local authorities across the UK, charities, schools and other professionals.

Its services include secure transport, 24-hour crisis support, children’s residential homes, respite care, creative therapies and wellbeing interventions.

It also has a small residential children’s home – with two more sites due to open this year. Plus, it has now registered a cottage on its site as a respite centre.

Emily says being a Chamber Patron member has helped boost Serenity’s profile and champion its work, including Hope Instead of Handcuffs – its campaign to end the use of handcuffs and physical restraints on children in care by private transport providers.

“Hertfordshire Chamber is so well run and supportive, it has been wonderful in its backing for the campaign and helping raise awareness with me,” said Emily.

“Plus, having those connections through the Chamber has given us access to so much help and advice.”

Serenity has worked with hundreds of young people and firmly believes in rehabilitation.

“We must ensure children’s voices are heard and they’re treated with the upmost respect. Sadly, the narrative is often these are ‘naughty children’ or are in care as it’s ‘their fault’.

I’m hoping that changes.”

Like so many businesses, Emily says finding the right team remains a challenge for Serenity.

“Ask any CEO what their biggest challenge is and they’re likely to say staffing,” she said. “I’m very blessed to have longevity of staff. But it’s hard to find more people of the same calibre and anyone new must share the same passion to nurture young people.

“It’s not a joke what we do, we’re protecting and safeguarding society’s most vulnerable children, so we have to be even more picky choosing who to work with.”

Putting time and energy into her staff is a key focus of Emily’s leadership style.

“People here talk about the Serenity Family – and we do feel like a family,” she said, “I’m often seen as the Mother Hen!

“I’m a CEO but also a counsellor, a mother, a friend. People aren’t just staff; they’re people with their own challenges and experiences in life. We nurture them and look after them while I’m steering the ship.

“Communication is so important, from me all the way to the front line. And we all have determination and passion for what we do. Happy staff makes for a happy business, and ultimately happy children that we work with.”

But she admits it takes hard work and resilience to run a business, particularly Serenity.

“You have to truly believe in what you’re doing, and you’ll sacrifice your time, energy and possibly even your friends and family for a while.

“Many times I’ve wanted to give up, but all of a sudden a letter will arrive from a young person we have helped – it’s like a sign from above to keep on going.

“I never forget why I’m doing what I do. It is hard, and not everyone can do it. But it’s a calling for me and equally the team is on the same page as me.”

She added: “We’re on this quest together and we’ve got to make a difference. Whether a child is in our care for 10 minutes or 10 months, you leave a positive imprint behind.

“If you nurture and care for children and they genuinely feel you are working in their best interests, that leaves a positive impact which can be life changing.”

Principal represents local education sector at Palace garden party

The Principal and Chief Executive Officer of North Hertfordshire College (NHC), Kit Davies, attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace, celebrating the invaluable contribution of educators and skills professionals across the UK.

Accompanied by NHC’s Company Secretary, Robert Dale, and College Governor, Dr Kate Barclay MBE, Kit was invited as part of a select group of representatives from the education and skills sector that were honoured at the event.

The garden party, the second of the season, was hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who both took time to

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meet and speak with guests. Organised in collaboration with the Department for Education, the event served as a tribute to those who work tirelessly to inspire and support students at every level.

Held against the stunning backdrop of the Buckingham Palace gardens, guests were treated to afternoon tea and entertainment, including a breathtaking performance by students at the Royal Ballet School. Music was provided by the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, creating a truly memorable atmosphere.

Speaking after the event, Kit shared his thoughts on the day: “I’m incredibly proud to have represented North Hertfordshire College and the Skills and Education sector at the Buckingham Palace garden party. It was an honour to be among so many inspiring individuals who are making a real difference in education and skills training across the UK. Events like this highlight the vital role our work plays in shaping futures – not just through qualifications, but by building confidence, opening doors to new opportunities and helping learners discover their true potential.”

The garden party also recognised the vital contributions of countless education and skills professionals up and down the country. In addition to the King and Queen, royal guests in attendance included the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was also present, highlighting the significance of the occasion and the importance of the partnership between government and the nation’s educators.

Business group marks 150th anniversary with sports pledge

The Neville Trust Group of Companies, one of Luton’s most established and respected businesses, is celebrating its 150th anniversary by giving back to the local community.

The family-run company has kicked off its milestone year by providing vital sponsorships to three grassroots football teams in an initiative that reflects its long-standing commitment to nurturing future talent.

Grassroots sport plays a crucial role in bringing communities together and helping young people build the skills and confidence they need to thrive. However, a recent report in the Somerset Gazette revealed that up to 70 per cent of grassroots football clubs across England and Wales lack adequate funding to cover basic running costs. This despite a significant rise in youth participation for sports in recent years. In response to this ongoing issue, the Neville Trust Group of Companies – comprising Neville Funerals, Neville Special Projects and Neville Joinery – has pledged its support to the initiative.

As part of this commitment, the company is now the primary home kit sponsor for the Luton Celtic Youth girls’ team and training kit sponsor for the Stotfold Ambers boys’ team. The Group also provided a one-off £200 donation to Shefford Saints Football Club, an organisation boasting 46 teams across 12 different age categories.

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Vicky Trumper, a fifth-generation member of the Neville family and Director of the Trust, believes this support is an investment in the next generation of athletes. “Sponsoring local teams is important to us because they represent the building blocks for all British athletes. We have been in business in Luton for 150 years and have been lucky enough to have seen some of the region’s greatest sporting achievements.

“As a business with a prominent footprint across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire (and Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and beyond for our construction businesses), we’ve always been committed to sponsoring youth teams where possible, contributing to their growth and longevity.”

The sponsorships also reflect the company’s strong personal connections to the teams. Kate Roberts, a funeral arranger at Neville Funerals’ Shefford branch, has close ties to Shefford Saints, the club where her children first discovered their love of football. Her husband is also a coach for Stotfold Ambers.

“As a parent, I was so grateful that my employer could offer a donation to the club that is providing a future for our sport and a future for our athletes,” she explained.

In addition to its sponsorships and donations, the Neville Trust Group of Companies has also shared its Luton Town Football Club home game tickets – which it receives as part of its business partnership with The Hatters – with the grassroots teams, providing further encouragement and enjoyment for the young players and their supporters.

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Spotlight Focus

Three Rivers – A great place to live, work and visit

How Three Rivers is proving itself as one of Hertfordshire’s most ambitious and liveable districts

Three Rivers is a small but extremely ambitious district located in south-west Hertfordshire. It’s a place where picturesque countryside, vibrant communities and a rich tapestry of history come together. Named after the rivers Chess, Colne and Gade, which gracefully weave through the landscape, this unique area offers a perfect balance of rural beauty and business opportunity.

Whether you’re exploring the miles of scenic walking trails, enjoying the waterways or discovering local arts and heritage, there’s a sense of calm and connection here that’s hard to find elsewhere.

A lot can change in a year, and that’s certainly true at Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

Over the past year, the Aquadrome project has attracted more than £1.6m in external funding to enhance, nurture and protect this much-loved nature reserve.

Funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Community Infrastructure Levy, HS2 Additional Mitigation Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund has made major improvements possible. The fishing platforms have been rebuilt, a bird viewing platform created and a new entrance area welcomes visitors with improved accessibility. A new logo and branding have also been introduced.

The council has confirmed the presence of 13 nationally significant invertebrate species at the Aquadrome, alongside habitats of principal importance such as wet woodland, chalk streams and hedgerows.

Of particular note is the striking new pedestrian bridge, providing easier access for both walkers and cyclists and significantly improving the entrance from Riverside Drive. Visitors can now walk seamlessly from the bridge to the main pathway. A new raised decking area, offering stunning views over Batchworth Lake, is soon to be completed for all to enjoy.

The journey to protect and enhance the Aquadrome continues. Further collaboration with the Environment Agency aims to better understand water flow across the floodplain and support future funding bids for continued improvements.

The proposed Langleybury Film Hub represents an exciting initiative blending heritage preservation with modern film production needs. Subject to the completion of a legal agreement to enable final approval, it could become a cornerstone of the UK’s film industry, providing state-of-theart facilities within a historic setting.

The 63-hectare estate, anchored by the Grade II* listed Langleybury Mansion, has already been used for over 100 productions, including The Crown, Mission: Impossible –Rogue Nation and Kingsman.

Key features of the development include craft workshop buildings, sound stages, support workshops, production offices, backlots and parking. A dedicated film and television training facility is also planned, in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and Screen Herts.

Newly released government figures show that Three Rivers District Council continues to improve its recycling rate, maintaining its reputation as one of the best-performing councils in all of England.

Recognised by Defra as a leading authority in household recycling for over a decade, the district is now ranked secondbest in the country, with a recycling rate of 61.9 per cent in 2023/24, just behind South Oxfordshire’s 62.9 per cent.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, the Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “We are incredibly proud to continue to be one of the best recyclers in England, featuring in the top five for a decade. This, of course, wouldn’t be possible without our residents’ commitment to recycling and their understanding of its importance.

“I also thank our dedicated and professional staff – from our refuse collection, street cleaning and grounds operatives to back-office administrative, engagement and customer service officers – for their hard work in making recycling easier and ensuring our excellent collection services run smoothly.”

The successful completion of Phase 3 of the South Oxhey regeneration marks a significant milestone in the transformation of the area. Representing over a decade of dedicated planning, partnership and delivery, the project has revitalised South Oxhey with a vibrant mix of new homes, commercial opportunities and community infrastructure.

Key achievements include:

• 659 new homes delivered, including 426 market and 233 affordable properties – exceeding the target with over 35 per cent affordable housing

• 253 new jobs created, including 8 apprenticeships to support local employment

• 4,998m² of new commercial floorspace, including South Oxhey’s first supermarket, Lidl

• A strong partnership between Three Rivers District Council, Countryside/Vistry and Home Group, ensuring social and financial sustainability

This regeneration has enhanced quality of life, modernised infrastructure and laid the foundations for a thriving, inclusive South Oxhey. It stands as a strong example of how publicprivate partnerships can deliver long-term value and community benefit.

Music, film and dancing are at the heart of Watersmeet Theatre’s golden anniversary celebrations.

This 515-seat venue situated in the heart of Rickmansworth opened in May 1975. To mark its 50th anniversary, Watersmeet is paying tribute to the iconic 1970s with a packed year-long programme of exciting events.

So far, highlights have included behind-the-scenes venue tours, a ’70s Film Festival, and a Community Fun Day over the May Bank Holiday. Fans of funk and disco took to the dance floor at the electrifying ’70s Disco, while a sold-out Tea Dance hosted by Mr Wonderful brought a bit of old-school charm to the celebration.

The festivities culminate with this year’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, starring the nation’s favourite ski jumper, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards.

The journey to protect and enhance the Aquadrome continues. Further collaboration with the Environment Agency aims to better understand water flow across the floodplain and support future funding bids for continued improvements.

Spotlight Focus

Spotlight Focus

Watford: A thriving centre for business, culture and community

Watford continues to stand out as one of

Hertfordshire’s

most

dynamic and progressive towns

With a well-connected location, a vibrant business scene and an expanding cultural offering, Watford is a place where enterprise, creativity and community come together to create a diverse and inclusive town.

At the heart of Watford’s retail offer is The Harlequin, a major shopping and leisure destination boasting over 140 shops and restaurants. It has reverted to its much-loved original name from the more recently used Atria Watford, a decision welcomed by the local community. The move reflects a strong sense of identity and pride among residents and it’s something that has generated genuine excitement around the town.

The Harlequin is home to a diverse mixture of retailers, both established chains and independents alike, as well as familyfriendly dining, a cinema and bowling, as well as a wide range of leisure activities. Just a short walk away, Watford Market offers everything from fresh food and fashion to crafts and gifts. The market is open Tuesday to Saturday, with new Market Lates events running through the summer, providing an opportunity to bring the community together and support small local businesses. These themed evenings feature music, street food and craft beer in a vibrant, social setting and are always popular.

Playing a key role in showcasing the town’s energy and evolution is Watford Actually – the official destination brand for Watford. Created as a community platform, the objective

of Watford Actually is to bring together everything that makes the town special: from cultural events and unique local businesses to hidden gems and major developments.

Watford Actually aims to promote the town to residents, visitors and investors alike, with the goal of supporting growth, fostering pride and attracting new opportunities to the region. As Watford continues to evolve as a hub of commerce and creativity, the platform seeks to act as a connector, helping businesses and the wider community engage, collaborate and celebrate all things Watford.

Watford has become a magnet for major employers. Companies including Warner Bros, KPMG, Ralph Lauren, Hilton Worldwide, TJX Europe and PWC are all represented in the area. Many are based on Clarendon Road, which has seen over £100m in private investment in recent years which has helped transform the area into a thriving commercial quarter.

This investment has helped Watford become the only local authority area in South West Hertfordshire with net incommuting; evidence of economic strength and growing job opportunities. The result is an extremely healthy business ecosystem, where multinational corporations can call start-ups and scale-ups their neighbours, all of which is supported by a forward-thinking local infrastructure.

The town is also undergoing ambitious regeneration that blends its historic roots with modern innovation. The Town Hall Quarter is a major development that will revitalise two of the town’s heritage buildings while creating a vibrant new cultural and business hub.

This includes the relocation of Watford Museum to the Town Hall, enhancing access to local history and connecting with venues like Watford Central Library and the soon-to-reopen Watford Colosseum. Scheduled to welcome back visitors from August, the Colosseum has undergone a full transformation that includes a new stage, refurbished bars, improved accessibility and modern mechanical systems. Kicking off the relaunch later this year will be Ocean Colour Scene, soon followed by a stacked schedule of events.

Elsewhere, the Watford Riverwell regeneration scheme continues to play an important role in reshaping the town’s landscape, creating new homes, open spaces and opportunities. The recent work done on St Mary’s Churchyard has already added a peaceful, family-friendly green space to the town centre, with wildflowers, bee hotels and children’s play areas.

Watford is increasingly attractive to both professionals and families. Residential developments in and around the town centre offer modern living within walking distance of shops, restaurants, schools and green space. The town’s excellent connectivity – including the West Coast Mainline from Watford Junction, the Metropolitan Line and proximity to the M1 and M25 – makes it an ideal location for commuters working in London and beyond.

Families benefit from highly regarded local schools, extensive leisure options and access to nature, including the highest number of Green Flag parks of any district in Hertfordshire. Projects like the Rediscovering the River Colne initiative continue to improve and protect green spaces across the borough.

Watford’s cultural and leisure offering is increasingly diverse. Alongside traditional favourites such as the Watford Palace Theatre, the town has adapted to modern entertainment demands, now offering a wide mix of experiences including escape rooms, indoor climbing, bowling, mini golf and a lot more to keep visitors busy.

The town’s calendar is packed with community and cultural events. Summer highlights include the Watford Fringe Festival, Big Screen, Big Beach and later in the year the always popular Cassiobury Park fireworks display. With activities suitable for all ages and interests, Watford is more than just a place to live and work, it’s a place to belong.

Cleaning company is local champion

Based in Watford, ABN Contract Cleaners Ltd has earned a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable cleaning services to businesses across the region. With a commitment to professionalism and consistency, the company has become a trusted partner for clients seeking expert cleaning solutions.

ABN’s specialist high-level division is equipped to tackle complex window cleaning projects, prioritising both safety and precision. This capability allows the team to meet the demands of even the most challenging environments.

ABN is committed to supporting the local economy and community. The company works closely with Watfordbased suppliers for payroll, uniforms and cleaning products, reinforcing its dedication to local sourcing. ABN is also an active member of the Corporate Connect Club at One YMCA and is a proud sponsor of Bushey Rangers, a local youth football team.

With a service model built on recommendations, ABN has developed its client base through word-of-mouth and a reputation for friendly, professional delivery. Their goal is to take the pressure of cleaning off their clients’ shoulders, so businesses can focus on what matters most.

Holding top industry accreditations including ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001, as well as SafeContractor and CHAS, ABN Contract Cleaners Ltd demonstrates excellence, safety and quality across all aspects of its operations.

Why Watford works for business

With enviable connectivity, a future-ready workforce and a buzzing business ecosystem - Watford is fast becoming one of the most dynamic commercial hubs in the South-East.

This vibrant town offers direct transport links, next-generation workspaces and a balanced lifestyle that helps businesses thrive and talent stay. A highly skilled, diverse workforce and a strong culture of innovation create the ideal ground for growth — whatever the size of your business.

A wave of fresh commercial developments is redefining what modern office space can be: light-filled, flexible and designed for today’s evolving needs. This blend of place and potential is helping organisations not only attract top talent — but keep it.

Watford is powered by an active, collaborative business community and supported by a local authority that’s deeply committed to enterprise and sustainable development. Together, they make doing business here not just productive, but personal.

Frustrated with inconsistent cleaning?

ABN Contract Cleaners offer a range of services tailored to your business needs. Our expert team ensures a spotless, hygienic environment, helping you maintain a professional and welcoming space. If you want reliability and excellence, choose ABN.

We are committed to providing a range of high quality commercial and window cleaning services to clients across London and the surrounding counties.

We help film and tv production companies, offices, schools, retail spaces, healthcare facilities and more maintain safe and clean environments.

Our reliable commercial cleaning services ensure spotless, hygienic spaces, helping you present a professional image and create a healthy atmosphere for everyone.

THE COMMERCIAL CLEANING COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST

Services

Commercial Cleaning

Struggling with workplace hygiene?

ABN Contract Cleaners deliver spotless, professional spaces.

High-level Cleaning

Struggling with hard-to-reach areas?

ABN Contract Cleaners provide expert high-level cleaning.

Waste Management

Overwhelmed by waste? We offer efficient waste management solutions for your business.

Construction Cleaning

Struggling with post-construction mess? We ensure your site is spotless and safe.

Film Production Cleaning

Worried about on-set cleanliness?

ABN Contract Cleaners deliver spotless, film-ready environments.

Washroom Services

Fed up with unclean washrooms? We maintain spotless, hygienic washrooms for you.

Carpet Cleaning

Dirty carpets affecting your business? We deliver expert commercial carpet cleaning for you.

Floor Scrubbing

Struggling with dirty floors?

ABN Contract Cleaners provide expert floor scrubbing for pristine results.

Create Growth, Capture Opportunity

The business of film is booming in Hertfordshire, and behind every binge-worthy streaming series and cinematic blockbuster is an army of small businesses powering the production from behind the scenes.

After all, shoot days require logistics, film crews need catering, and sets don’t build themselves.

For a vast array of businesses in Hertfordshirefrom sound designers to security, animators to accountants - the Film & TV industry represents a previously untapped market with serious growth and expansion potential.

But how can businesses get themselves noticed?

The answer lies in the Create Growth Programme – a national initiative led locally by Hertfordshire Futures, aimed at SMEs with big ideas but limited access to the right networks, funding or commercial know-how.

Whether you’re already supplying the industry or looking to tap in, this programme offers tools, insights and high-value connections to help your business grow.

Four Steps To Unleashing Growth

The programme takes a four-pronged approach, with two core components and two optional extensions for deeper support.

• Business Growth Assessment: A one-toone diagnostic, delivered by Hertfordshire Growth Hub, assesses ambition, opportunity and capacity across 12 key areas to lay the groundwork for strategic scaling.

• Supply Chain Innovation Programme: Learn to innovate, increase sales and secure new commercial opportunities with this intensive 8-week course delivered by Estu and the Royal College of Art, in association with industry influencers and major film studios.

• New Product/Service Development Support (optional extension): Accelerate the creation and launch of high-value products/services that can help scale your business, with bespoke support from the University of Hertfordshire.

• Investment Readiness Support (optional extension): Get ready to grow with finance masterclasses and one-on-one mentoring from Innovate UK Business Growth and Hertfordshire Growth Hub.

“The Create Growth Programme has so many different touchpoints—from tools, advice, grants, support and networks. I’d recommend that any Hertfordshire business applies.”

Martyn Niman, Founder, King Bee Animation.

Innovate to Accelerate

At the heart of the offer is the Supply Chain Innovation Programme—an expert-led course that has already helped dozens of businesses sharpen their offer, win new contracts, and build long-term resilience.

It’s designed to help business leaders understand what decision-makers within the sector are looking for, and how to position their business to meet that demand.

Participants benefit from:

• Weekly workshops and tutorials led by world-class faculty and industry insiders

• Behind-the-scenes insight into procurement and supply chain trends

• Practical tools to refine your value proposition and business model

• One-to-one advisory support and mentoring

• A grand finale pitch event held at Sky Studios Elstree

“The course was fantastic and covered a great deal in a very short time. It helped me understand the theory and how to apply the learning in my organisation.”

Richard Cooksey, COO, JPA Workspaces

“Rarely does a course surpass all expectations—this one did. Brilliant.”

Linda Hausmanis, CEO, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

“I loved this course from beginning to end. It gave me a new perspective on the route to market, new ways to work with my clients and new ways to think about my own business.”

Anna Peck, Creative Director, Midnight Blue Marketing

“Really helpful to understand the processes underpinning successful innovation, I would recommend this programme to any business leader interested in transformation.”

Chris Tredget, MD, Willmott Dixon

Who’s It For?

• Ambitious businesses based in Hertfordshire

• SMEs with high growth potential

• Suppliers or service providers looking to work with the film and TV sector

• Entrepreneurs ready to innovate, collaborate and scale

08/07

Upcoming Events Events programme

MANAGING CHANGE IN A FAMILY BUSINESS

TUESDAY 8TH JULY

FANHAMS HALL HOTEL, WARE

08:45 – 11:00 FREE TO ATTEND

Join us for the Managing Change in a Family Business breakfast event, sponsored by Longmores Solicitors.

A hallmark of many family businesses is the informality of relationships within the organisation, based on the assumption that family ties can overcome any business challenge. Unfortunately, experience shows that this is not always the case. Managing change within a family business can test these ties, sometimes to breaking point.

Change comes in many forms within businesses and family businesses are no different, be it a change in leadership or taking the business in a new direction to handing it over to the next generation or deciding to sell.

During this seminar we will hear from guest speaker Lynn Whitnall about how they have managed change within their family business at Hertfordshire Zoo.

Longmores Solicitors will talk about the legal tools and governance practices you can put in place to help manage change and avoid disruption and disputes. They will cover:

• Good governance and the responsibilities of change makers to ensure the ongoing success of a business.

• Succession planning so you can implement decisions with as little stress as possible.

• Preparing a business for sale so you can maximise the opportunity when the time comes.

• Employment issues for family business.

After the presentation, delegates will be invited to ask questions to the panel of speakers.

This event is free to attend.

09/07

TWILIGHT SUMMER BBQ

WEDNESDAY 9TH JULY

KNEBWORTH BARNS, KNEBWORTH

18:00 – 21:00

Join us for an unforgettable summer evening at the stunning Knebworth Barns, Knebworth.

Enjoy an impressive arrival experience with sweeping views of the grounds and the iconic Knebworth House. Guests will have exclusive use of the beautiful Cobbold Barn and its private garden – the perfect setting to unwind and network.

Savour a welcome glass of Pimm’s, followed by a delicious twocourse BBQ, and relax with access to a private bar. Complimentary parking is included for all guests. Don’t miss this charming summer celebration in a truly unique setting, with exclusive networking opportunities at our Twilight Summer BBQ!

Sponsored by GM Pharma

17/07

JULY CHAMBER LUNCH

THURSDAY 17TH JULY

HERTFORDSHIRE ZOO, BROXBOURNE

11:45 – 14:15

MEMBER RATE - £55.00 + VAT

NON-MEMBER RATE - £75.00 + VAT

We are hosting our July Chamber Lunch at Hertfordshire Zoo, Broxbourne. This event is sponsored by Pharmaron UK Ltd, Hertford Regional College and Broxbourne Borough Council.

Our guest speaker is Lynn Whitnall, CEO of Hertfordshire Zoo and a Trustee of The Big Cat Sanctuary, which she runs alongside her family. With a passion for wildlife spanning over 35 years, Lynn has devoted her life to animal conservation, education and protecting endangered species.

18/07

EXPORT DOCUMENTATION –A PRACTICAL GUIDE

FRIDAY 18TH JULY 2025

ONLINE ZOOM WEBINAR

09:30 – 12:30

MEMBER RATE - £350 + VAT

A committed fundraiser and adventurer, Lynn has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for global conservation charities through an array of physical challenges. Remarkably, she ran her very first marathon while undergoing treatment for breast cancer – an experience that exemplifies her resilience and determination. Since then, she has completed 22 consecutive London Marathons, all six of the world’s major marathons, climbed to Everest Base Camp and Mount Kilimanjaro, swam a two-mile Serpentine course, swam the English Channel as part of a relay team, and taken on numerous triathlons and half-marathons. She even spent a week deep in the jungle supporting a tiger protection unit.

Lynn’s extraordinary drive and unwavering dedication continue to inspire others and fuel meaningful impact in wildlife conservation around the world.

Come along to this event for a delicious two-course buffet, a chance to catch up with existing business contacts and use the opportunity to meet and network with potential new clients.

Tickets to this event also includes access to the Hertfordshire Zoo after the event.

22/07

NON-MEMBER RATE - £400 + VAT

This online, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) accredited course looks at export documents and explains why documents are needed and the key content that should be used with each specific one.

The content includes:

• Why are documents required to export goods?

• Export documents for trade with the EU

• Standard export documents

o Invoices

o Packing list

o Transport documents

• Essential pieces of information required on a commercial invoice.

• What are preference documents?

• What is the function of preference documents?

• Origin statements explained for export documents

• Why would you be asked to provide a health certificate?

• What is a certificate of free sale used for?

• The difference between a non-preference origin and a preference origin

• The importance of keeping a full audit trail of documents for each export

THE KING’S AWARDS FOR ENTERPRISE: A WORKSHOP

TUESDAY 22ND JULY

SIKA UK, WELWYN GARDEN CITY

10:00 – 12:00 FREE TO ATTEND

The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 were launched in May this year.

These highly prestigious awards for outstanding achievement by UK businesses are given in recognition for:

• Innovation

• International Trade

• Sustainable Development

• Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce is working with HM LordLieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ, to promote the importance of these awards and encourage businesses within Hertfordshire to submit entries.

If you are considering entering your business, and would like some help with how to enter, or perhaps have started your entry but are finding it difficult to complete, join this free to attend workshop, to find out what makes a winning entry and receive advice & guidance.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

25/07

CHAMBER MEMBERS NETWORKING & BREAKFAST

FRIDAY 25TH JULY

HERTFORDSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HATFIELD OFFICE

08:30 – 10:30 FREE TO ATTEND

Join us at our Hatfield Office and experience exclusive networking at our Chamber Networking Breakfast, sponsored by Costco.

Our complimentary, members-only breakfasts are meticulously designed to provide a conducive environment for strategic connections. Immerse yourself in two hours of valuable networking, where like-minded professionals converge to forge meaningful relationships and amplify business opportunities. This event is now FULLY BOOKED. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email bookings@hertschamber.com.

27/08

YOUNG BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING BREAKFAST

WEDNESDAY 27TH AUGUST

HERTFORDSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HATFIELD

08:30 – 10:30

Join us for our Young Business Professionals Networking Breakfast event at the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce Office, Hatfield. Want to meet like-minded professionals who are starting or growing their careers in Hertfordshire businesses?

Please join us in our office to celebrate young professionals in business, with excellent networking and collaboration opportunities. You are invited to come and develop your interpersonal skills, elevator pitches and presentation skills in a supportive environment with business associates on the same journey. You will also gain valuable insights into a variety of industries, broadening your perspective and enriching your professional development.

Speaking at this new 2025 event is Jack Smits, Business Development Manager at Ashbourne Insurance, and Jordan Thomas, High Performance Manager at Oaklands College.

RISE,

SHINE, CONNECT

(MEET YOUR TRING NEIGHBOURS)

WEDNESDAY 20TH AUGUST

CHAMPNEYS SPA RESORT, TRING

07:30 – 09:30

MEMBER RATE - £25 + VAT

NON-MEMBER RATE - £40 + VAT

Introducing a brand-new series of early-morning networking breakfast events to help you start your day with purpose.

Join us for the very first Rise, Shine, Connect – an energising speed networking breakfast designed to spark meaningful connections and create fresh business opportunities before your workday begins.

Hosted at the luxurious Champneys Spa Resort, Tring, this refreshed event format is designed with busy professionals in mind, helping you make meaningful connections and maximise your morning. Set in the stunning surroundings of this world-renowned spa, you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast, a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to explore the venue with guided tours available.

Whether you’re looking to raise your profile, expand your network or simply start your morning with purpose, Rise, Shine, Connect offers the perfect setting to energise your day and set you up for success. Champneys has been pioneering your wellness since 1925. Known for creating robed and relaxed moments of Champneys calm, they combine ancient practices with ultra-modern methods. From city spa sanctuaries, iconic resorts and luxury hotels, every Champneys is home to world-class treatments, beauty innovations and wellbeing breakthroughs. Not to mention, an amazing venue for a special occasion, business meeting or other event, offering unique and magical settings with that extra special touch.

Jack has over five years of insurance industry experience and is an active business networker, with a passion for helping young professionals get into networking.

Jack is graduate of the University of Portsmouth and has a strong interest in sports and business. Ashbourne Insurance is a third-generation, award-winning, independent family business supporting local businesses and residents with a full range of insurances, based in Hoddesdon.

Jordan is a former professional athlete, World and European Karate Champion, and Team GB competitor in both karate and taekwondo, representing Great Britain at the highest level, including two Olympic cycles, Tokyo and Paris.

With 13 years of experience in high-performance sport, Jordan has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to achieve sustained excellence.

Beyond competition, Jordan is passionate about developing talent and inspiring the next generation. As an athlete mentor for the Youth Sport Trust and an ambassador for the Make Life Kind Charity, Jordan champions personal development, resilience and leadership.

HERTFORDSHIRE LIMITED: GROWTH CAPITAL BREAKFAST WITH GRANT THORNTON

WEDNESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

ROTHAMSTED ENTERPRISES, HARPENDEN

08:30 – 10:30

MEMBER RATE - £25 + VAT

NON-MEMBER RATE - £40 + VAT

RISE, SHINE, CONNECT (MEET YOUR LETCHWORTH NEIGHBOURS)

TUESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER

LETCHWORTH HALL HOTEL, LETCHWORTH

07:30 – 09:30

MEMBER RATE - £25 + VAT

NON-MEMBER RATE - £40 + VAT

Join us at Rothamsted Enterprises in Harpenden for the Hertfordshire Limited: Growth Capital Breakfast with Grant Thornton.

This year’s event marks the official launch of Grant Thornton’s Hertfordshire Limited 2025 report, where the Top 100 privately owned businesses in Hertfordshire will be revealed. For several years, Grant Thornton has championed Hertfordshire’s most successful and fastest-growing privately owned businesses through this flagship report.

For the first time, the Herts Top 100 list will also include private equity-backed businesses. Recognising the growing role of PE in driving the growth and success of the county’s privately owned companies, we’re excited to bring the business community together to explore how external growth capital can help take your business to the next level, whether through organic growth, acquisition or succession planning.

The morning will feature a breakfast reception, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A chaired by senior members of Grant Thornton’s M&A team. You’ll hear from leading UK investment groups offering insights into grant funding, angel investment, private equity, private debt and venture capital options for SMEs and mid-market businesses.

Join us for the second instalment of our brand-new early-morning networking series – Rise, Shine, Connect – designed to help you start your day with purpose.

Hosted at the soon-to-be-refurbished Letchworth Hall Hotel, this dynamic new format is tailored for busy professionals who want to make valuable connections and maximise their day. Enjoy a warm and welcoming atmosphere, a delicious breakfast and an inspiring way to kick-start your morning.

Whether you’re looking to raise your profile, grow your network or simply make the most of your morning, Rise, Shine, Connect is the perfect way to elevate your day and set the tone for success.

Business leaders encouraged to apply for top honours

The Chamber proudly launched this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise with a virtual event designed to raise awareness, encourage participation and spotlight the benefits of entering one of the UK’s most prestigious business honours.

The event, held via Zoom and free to attend, brought together business leaders, past winners and representatives from The King’s Awards Office to share insights into the awards and their impact.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s highest official recognition for British businesses. These awards celebrate outstanding achievement and innovation, with winners granted the right to use the prestigious King’s Awards emblem for five years. Honours are given across four key categories:

• Innovation – for organisations demonstrating innovation in products or services that deliver measurable impact.

• International Trade – recognising sustained growth in overseas earnings and commercial success in international markets.

• Sustainable Development – for businesses with strong environmental, social and governance credentials making a positive impact on society.

• Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility – for organisations advancing social mobility through inclusive employment practices and community engagement.

Attendees heard from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ, who spoke on the prestige and opportunity the awards represent, and from Cate Hilton of The King’s Awards Office, Department for Business and Trade, who offered guidance on the application process and how to craft a strong submission.

The session also featured compelling insights from a panel of previous award winners, each offering first-hand reflections on how the King’s Awards have supported their organisations’ growth and reputation:

• Peter Livesey, CEO of Esprit Digital, winners of both the Queen’s Award (2016) and King’s Award (2024) for International Trade

• Richard Cooksey, CEO of JPA Workspaces, winners of the 2023 King’s Award for Sustainable Development

• Juney Mistiki, Managing Director of Bamboo Connect, recipients of the 2018 Queen’s Award and the 2025 King’s Award for International Trade

All speakers highlighted the awards’ credibility, networking potential and the pride it instils among teams and stakeholders.

The launch event was very well attended and warmly received, sparking enthusiasm across the Hertfordshire business community.

To support interested applicants further, a King’s Awards for Enterprise Workshop will be held on 22 July, from 10am to noon at the offices of Sika UK in Welwyn Garden City. This in-person session will offer practical guidance on the application process and a chance to ask questions directly.

Bookings are now open via the Chamber’s website: www.hertschamber.com/events

From boots on the ground to boardroom decisions, our Health & Safety support delivers confidence, clarity, and compliance

At C2C Group, we do not believe in ticking boxes We believe Health & Safety should drive better business

C2C Groups - Health & Safety Support

Including Site Visits, RAMS, Competent Person & Strategic Advice.

We help construction and infrastructure businesses protect their people, meet client expectations, and confidently manage compliance by acting as an extension of their team

What we offer:

Meet the Experts Behind the Advice

From construction sites to care homes, warehouses to corporate HQs, our services are built not just to protect lives, but to strengthen businesses

Whether you are managing high-risk environments or seeking peace of mind, we deliver the real-world advice and support that makes a difference

What makes us different?

Competent advice that’s personal, practical, and always on point.

Health & Safety encompasses more than just paperwork; it involves behaviours, leadership, and culture

We provide tailored systems that genuinely support your business and ensure compliance

When seeking advice, you communicate directly with qualified professionals who are experienced in your field, avoiding scripted responses and long wait times

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must access competent Health & Safety advice Our team simplifies this, offering legal peace of mind and tangible business benefits

Practical site support – including inspections, informal walk-arounds, and safety tours

Real-world insights – based on what is actually happening, not just what is in the documents

Clear, usable documentation – from RAMS and COSHH to full system reviews

Ongoing support – via our retained Health & Safety Advice Service, 24/7 advice line, and proactive reviews

Real people Real experience Real answers

What’s Included in Our Core Advice Service?

24/7 Competent Person Advice Line

Annual Health & Safety Audit

Incident Management & Root Cause Analysis

Knowledge & Safety Alerts

Legal Updates in Plain English

Editable H&S Document Library

Quarterly Newsletter with Industry Insight

No scripts. No handoffs. Just straighttalking advice from people who know your business

Small Price.

Jo Brooker

“With the right culture, safety becomes second nature I focus on setting standards, mentoring others, and always staying one step ahead ”

Luke Strahan

“It’s about making it work for your business I listen first, then help teams build solutions that stick ”

Vilius Gudirgis

“I’ve worked the tools, I know what makes sense on site Safety advice has to be clear, doable, and honest ”

Terence Wilkinson

“I bring structure When processes are well managed, the risks reduce and the results speak for themselves ”

Speak to our team today and meet your legal duties while building a safer, stronger business

Phone

Email Luke Strahan

Turning insight into action for Hertfordshire’s workforce

LSIP is driving change across priority sectors with targeted investment and deepening employer engagement…

Hertfordshire’s economy is evolving – and so are its skills needs. With more than 2,500 employers participating in the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) process since 2023, the county is building a clearer picture than ever of what businesses need to grow, innovate and thrive.

The LSIP initiative, driven by the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce as the designated Employer Representative Body, has not only gathered data, it’s catalysed action.

As Donna Schultz, Chief Executive of the Chamber, puts it: “The LSIP has allowed us to put employers front and centre of the skills conversation. It’s about building a system that works for them – fast, responsive and grounded in real economic needs.”

A more strategic labour market

The 2024/25 LSIP survey, based on 1,138 responses, reveals a local labour market in transition. While 66 per cent of businesses still plan to recruit in the next 12 months – down slightly from 71 per cent in 2022/23 – the drop masks significant sector-specific variations. Sectors like transport and logistics (+39 points), charity and community (+8) and hospitality and tourism (+6) have seen renewed confidence and recruitment drive. Others, like digital/tech and sustainability, are experiencing recalibration as automation and AI reshape their workforce needs.

The shift isn’t about scaling back; it’s about hiring smarter. Employers are targeting specific skills rather than simply adding headcount. This points to a labour market where success depends less on job availability and more on job suitability.

Recruitment challenges: suitability over quantity

The top recruitment issue isn’t finding applicants; it’s finding the right applicants. “Not enough suitable candidates” is now the most cited barrier, up to 41 per cent of employers from 21 per cent two years ago. This reflects broader national patterns, but Hertfordshire remains ahead of the curve, with fewer total skill-shortage vacancies than the national average.

Encouragingly, 32 per cent of local employers reported no recruitment issues at all, up from 24 per cent in 2022/23. This suggests that while some firms are struggling with highly specialised talent needs, others are benefiting from clearer role definitions, better internal training or improved talent pipelines.

What employers want: digital fluency meets human skills

Across every major sector, two skillsets stand out: digital capability and interpersonal effectiveness. Demand for IT and digital skills rose from 46 per cent to 51 per cent between 2022/23 and 2024/25. Meanwhile, core employment skills like communication, adaptability and teamwork were cited by 49 per cent of employers, up from 45 per cent.

Traditional academic requirements like English and maths saw a sharp decline, suggesting that businesses are moving away from qualifications in favour of real-world capabilities. The future workforce needs to be tech-savvy and teamoriented – equally comfortable with digital tools and human collaboration.

Time vs. cost: a new training challenge

In 2022/23, lack of time was the top barrier to training. In 2024/25, cost has taken the lead. With 34 per cent of employers now citing cost as a major obstacle (vs. 26 per cent citing time), financial concerns are eclipsing logistical ones. This reflects tighter operating margins, economic uncertainty and rising expectations for return on training investment.

But access and awareness are improving. Only 14 per cent of businesses now struggle to find training providers (down

from 19 per cent), and modular, online and sector-specific options are gaining traction.

What’s clear is that the skills system must now demonstrate value, not just availability.

Employer preferences: flexible, sector-specific training

Hertfordshire employers are asking for training that is:

• Short and modular

• Online or delivered locally

• Shaped with input from their sector

The appetite for long, generic training courses is waning. In contrast, professional apprenticeships, in-role coaching and CPD that ties directly to business needs are in high demand. For example, the NHS-backed Career Gateway programme developed with West Herts College is already being seen as a national model.

Investment willingness: rising financial support, falling capacity

More employers than ever – 52 per cent – say they’re willing to invest financially in training (up from 43 per cent). Support for staff involvement in delivery has also jumped to 43 per cent. However, willingness to help develop training content has declined, from 40 per cent to 32 per cent. This suggests that while businesses are ready to pay for and deliver training, they’re increasingly stretched for time to co-design it.

“The data tells a clear story,” Schultz adds. “Employers want to engage, but they need training that’s relevant, fast and doesn’t demand time they simply don’t have.”

LSIP impact: awareness equals engagement

Only 27-28 per cent of employers in Hertfordshire are currently aware of the LSIP, but those who are engaged show markedly stronger outcomes:

• More likely to recruit (70 per cent vs. 64 per cent)

• More likely to invest in training (55 per cent vs. 51 per cent)

• More likely to engage with colleges and universities

LSIP-aware businesses also report a more nuanced understanding of skills gaps, not just looking for qualifications, but real readiness for the workplace.

These employers aren’t just more involved; they’re better prepared.

FE colleges: innovating to meet demand

Thanks to funding through the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), Hertfordshire’s four FE colleges have launched major new projects:

• Digital and AI training with meta-college and VR learning environments

• Green construction with retrofit-focused CPD and sustainable technology

• Health and social care with a salaried route-into-work course co-designed with the NHS

• Creative industries with updated studio facilities and employer-led design briefs

As of spring 2025, 100 per cent of IT students secured external placements and 37 new film/media learners have benefitted from upgraded curricula. Engagement with employers like Willmott Dixon, Knorr-Bremse and the NHS has validated the curriculum updates.

What’s next? from summits to sector strategies

Hertfordshire Chamber has held multiple sector summits, including in life sciences, property and construction, creative industries and AI, gathering insight and aligning partners across the region.

Future plans include:

• Promoting co-designed training across emerging sectors like defence and sustainability

• Sharing employer case studies via Inspire magazine and social channels

• Expanding awareness among smaller businesses, who remain underrepresented in engagement

The LSIP programme has already exceeded many of its original objectives. The next phase is about sustaining momentum, widening participation, deepening alignment and making the skills system not just responsive, but predictive.

Final word: partnership is the path forward

The key message from employers is consistent: they don’t need more consultation, they need action. They want relevant training, credible delivery and sector-aligned support. And they want it now.

Hertfordshire’s LSIP isn’t just a plan; it’s a platform. One that connects employers, educators and policymakers with the clarity and confidence to act. And, as Donna concludes: “We’ve moved from insight to impact, but this is just the beginning. With continued collaboration, we can build a workforce ready for the challenges of tomorrow – and the opportunities that come with them.”

More employers than ever – 52 per cent – say they’re willing to invest financially in training (up from 43 per cent). Support for staff involvement in delivery has also jumped to 43 per cent. However, willingness to help develop training content has declined, from 40 per cent to 32 per cent. This suggests that while businesses are ready to pay for and deliver training, they’re increasingly stretched for time to co-design it.

Small Business, Big Dreams

Want to take your business to the next level, but don’t know where to start?

Struggling with funding or recruitment hurdles that stop you short?

Perhaps your product or service could be a complete sellout – if only you could get it in front of the right customer.

Introducing Hertfordshire Growth Hub

For the past 10 years, the Growth Hub has been a pillar of support for small businesses across the county – setting them on a growth trajectory, providing a sounding board for ideas, and offering that all-important helping hand when decision overwhelm sets in.

One-to-one, expert and impartial advice might sound like it should cost the earth but the Growth Hub’s service is free at the point

of access, offering you a dedicated Growth Account Manager to help your business take on the world.

Since its launch in 2015, Hertfordshire Growth Hub has played a key role in helping drive small business growth across the county. Whether you’re a fresh-faced founder or a seasoned SME tackling your next stage of expansion, the Growth Hub will meet you where you are—and take you where you want to go.

Delivered on behalf of Hertfordshire Futures—part of the Growth and Environment directorate of Hertfordshire County Council—the service offers oneto-one advice, workshops, investmentreadiness support, and the challenge and encouragement that keeps businesses moving.

“Hertfordshire Growth Hub has been there whenever we needed them... it makes such a difference when you talk to someone who isn’t trying to sell you something and simply has your best interests at heart.”

Pavlina Chauhan, Founder, AKN Engineering

It’s delivered by a consortium of highly experienced local partners led by Exemplas, together with the University of Hertfordshire, Visit Herts, and Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

A Decade of Impact

In the 10 years since it was founded, Hertfordshire Growth Hub has:

• Supported 14,000+ businesses

• Helped create and safeguard over 2,800 jobs

• Delivered 150+ workshops and webinars

• Worked with 150+ support partners

• Generated £64.2 million in economic value through its Get Growing and Building Back Better programmes

But this isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about staying with businesses for the long haul. Take the Stickleback Fish Company, which first reached out to the Growth Hub in 2017. An initial in-depth assessment led to it diversifying its markets, however like many others, the business faced dire straits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the Growth Hub, it was able to access a £100k grant, enabling it to modernise its operations, open a new factory, recruit 40 new staff, and achieve 20% yearon-year growth.

“Access to business advice and grants like this allows small businesses like mine to take risks, invest in their future and become more sustainable.”

Rob Finlay, Owner, Written Records Ltd

Support, When and Where You Need It

The Growth Hub’s agility during the pandemic speaks volumes. It swiftly deployed over £290k in grants, launched a wellbeing and resilience programme, and helped customer-facing businesses to keep going.

Initiatives like the Create Growth Programme, ‘Herts, Camera, Action!’, and Building Back Better have helped businesses tap into Hertfordshire’s booming film and TV sector, explore sustainable practices, and access finance for innovation.

Why You Should Get Involved

The Growth Hub isn’t just a support service—it’s a strategic sounding board and gateway to partnerships, funding, and growth opportunities. It offers:

• Dedicated Growth Account Managers

• Investment-readiness support

• Targeted events and workshops

• Signposting to grants and funding

• Direct connections to trusted partners

• Sector-specific expertise

“You don’t know what you don’t know—and they’ll give you access to a whole world of support, grants and organisations you probably didn’t even realise existed.”

Cheryl Luzet, CEO, Wagada Digital

Embroidery specialist invests in cutting-edge machinery

Cheshunt-based embroidery and workwear specialist My Elements has recently expanded its capabilities by investing in two new state-of-the-art embroidery machines, named Arya and Aurora. These machines join the company’s original embroidery machine, Agatha, which celebrated its ninth anniversary in June this year.

The move to grow its embroidery team of machines comes as demand for high-quality embroidered workwear and uniforms continues to rise in the UK. With the additional capacity provided by Arya and Aurora, My Elements is now able to produce more orders, at greater speed, while maintaining the precision and craftsmanship that customers have come to expect.

The investment also gives My Elements greater flexibility. Should one machine require routine maintenance, the other two machines can seamlessly pick up the workload. This enables the team to keep projects on track and to meet deadlines reliably, ensuring that customers receive their embroidered garments on time.

The company also revealed that it has expanded its use of sustainable thread options at no extra cost. This environmentally conscious decision supports customers with sustainability goals by providing eco-friendly embroidery choices across My Elements’ full range of workwear and uniform products. This is part of the company’s commitment to responsible production without compromising the quality of its stitching.

From embroidered polo shirts to hi-vis gear and branded uniforms, My Elements continues to focus on delivering durable, high-quality embroidery solutions that help businesses present a polished and professional image.

As the company looks to the future, the new machines will play a central role in meeting increasing demand across a broad range of sectors, from local businesses and sports teams to schools and national companies. The team is proud to offer customers greater capacity while preserving the attention to detail that has built My Elements’ reputation over the past nine years.

The company’s emphasis on sustainability and capacity reflects its ongoing commitment to its customers and to the wider business community in Hertfordshire.

Looking ahead, My Elements plans to continue investing in its production and will share updates as Arya and Aurora settle into their new home.

Agency’s neurodiverse-friendly innovation receives praise

Creative Stripes, a marketing agency based in Hemel Hempstead, has been honoured with a Judge’s Commendation and grant as part of Heathrow Airport’s World of Opportunity programme. The award recognises Creative Stripes’ innovative Mapper Cards – affordable, visual planning aids designed to support neurodiverse thinkers.

The Mapper Cards, created by company founder Lydia Berman, are inspired by her personal experience with dyslexia. Berman recognised that many people, especially those with dyslexia or other forms of neurodiversity, process information more easily when it is visual and hands-on. Designed to help business owners plan everything from marketing strategies to social media campaigns, the cards offer a tangible alternative to purely digital tools.

Creative Stripes was one of 12 small businesses selected from across the UK to receive a £2,000 cash grant as part of Heathrow’s World of Opportunity programme. Alongside the funding, each winner will benefit from expert guidance on selling their products and services overseas. The programme, supported by the Department for Business and Trade, also provides coaching and trade missions to help businesses access new international markets.

Nigel Milton, Heathrow’s Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, congratulated all the winners. “We have so much ambition and quality among small businesses in the UK,” Milton said.

“There is a world of opportunity for SMEs to tap into through Heathrow’s unrivalled network and we’re proud to play our part in helping UK businesses grow through trade.”

Business and Trade Minister Gareth Thomas also highlighted the significance of the initiative. “Helping more small businesses across the UK to export is a key priority,” Thomas noted. “Heathrow’s World of Opportunity programme aligns perfectly with our commitment to removing barriers to international trade for SMEs. These grants will help promising companies access global markets and showcase British innovation worldwide.”

Jake Uko, East of England Regional Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), praised Creative Stripes and the other winners. “Exporting means growth. We know that trading overseas opens the door to new customers and new opportunities, and those who export are more resilient during tough times. With the right backing, more small businesses can take that leap into global trade – and it’s fantastic to see companies like Creative Stripes leading the way.”

Reflecting on the award, Berman expressed her gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. “It’s incredible to have our Mapper Cards recognised by such a prestigious programme,” she said. “When working with small businesses and start-ups through my mentoring and workshops, I noticed many people struggled with traditional learning tools. That inspired me to create affordable, hands-on marketing solutions. Mapper Cards fit seamlessly into Creative Stripes’ workshops and mentoring sessions – they offer a different, more inclusive way of learning that really resonates with people.”

No more tax on business, urges Director General

If the Government is serious about growth, then it cannot tax business any further, Director General of the BCC, Shevaun Haviland, warned.

At the BCC’s Global Annual Conference 2025, she unveiled new research showing the impact of the increase in National Insurance Contributions on firms.

The survey of more than 570 businesses – mostly SMEs – by the BCC Insights Unit, found that:

• One third of firms (32 per cent) said they have either made staff redundant or are planning to as a direct result of the NICs increase

• Breaking the data out, 13 per cent say they have already made staff redundant and 19 per cent say they are actively considering redundancies

In her keynote address, Shevaun urged the Government to use the BCC’s Blueprint for Growth to create a long-term platform to expand the economy.

On trade and investment

Shevaun welcomed the new Trade Strategy, saying: “It sets out a clear, evidence-based approach to raising the UK’s export game.

“It rightly targets our strengths in services, and vital high-growth goods sectors, while identifying key markets in the Indo-Pacific, Americas and Europe.

“A focus on sectoral and digital trade deals is also welcome, alongside a commitment to a functioning rules-based global trading system. This must mark the start of our ambition to promote our country around the world.

“Brand Britain is an incredibly powerful tool, and our politicians, diplomats and business leaders must all speak as one on selling our great country and driving inward investment.

“Let’s use our new Industrial and Trade Strategies as our Manifesto for Brand Britain all over the world.”

On reducing costs

Emphasising the importance of easing the cost burden to help business, Shevaun said: “The size and scale of the rise in National Insurance Contributions took businesses by surprise.

“We were unprepared for the huge burden placed upon us, and it led many of us to rethink our growth plans. As a result, our business confidence measures have fallen to their lowest levels since 2022.

“For the Government to achieve its Growth Mission, people need to stay in work and businesses need to invest. As always, businesses soak it up and move forward, but they feel like they are wading through treacle.”

On skills

Addressing the need to close the UK’s yawning skills gap, she said: “In 1997, Tony Blair said ‘education, education, education’. The rallying cry for 2025 must be ‘skills, skills, skills’.

“Two thirds of businesses tell us they are facing skills shortages, and this is stopping their growth.

“They tell us too many young people turn up at their doors without many of the core skills they need for the world of work.

“We need to bring the workplace into education and our young people into our workplaces before they drop out of the classroom. It is vital we link up the worlds of education and business like never before.”

On supporting SMEs

Urging the Government to buy British, she said: “Government must use the power of its purse. It must buy British. We need government to keep its promise to boost British businesses through its infrastructure strategy, and to apply these rules to all areas of government procurement.

“Get this right and we can inject billions into the economy. Taxpayers’ money going back to taxpayers’ pockets.”

People are at the heart of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust

Elliot Howard-Jones, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, talks to Sarah Dale about why he

loves leading a community NHS trust and its successful ‘hospital at home’ programme

‘You are the heart of everything we do’ is the ethos of Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT), which provides community-based healthcare services to more than 1.2 million people living in Hertfordshire, West Essex and beyond.

From school nursing to specialist dental or speech services, from community nursing rehabilitation to palliative care, HCT, which has 2,800 employees, is an integral part of the health and care system in Herts.

Elliot Howard-Jones, who joined the Trust as CEO in November 2020, says: “There are 53 different services that we run across the Trust. Some parts of the health service are about seeing numbers; I like working for the Trust because we have a much longer-term relationship with the patients and a deeper connection. We fundamentally change people’s lives and improve the life chances of children. I feel really privileged to be able to do that.”

Prior to working at HCT, Elliot had an integral role during the COVID-19 pandemic as Strategic Incident Director for COVID-19 for the East of England under his role as Director of Performance and Improvement in the NHS England East of England regional team. He led the operational response and strategic planning for the pandemic across the region.

“I wanted to join HCT because working with the community is key to supporting people’s health needs in the future,” he says.

“Fifty years ago people would need the health service for accidents or occasional incidents of ill health and they didn’t live as long, but the whole population is changing. There are more people with more long-term conditions. So we have to find a way to provide a service to support those people with long-term conditions.”

One of the key services the Trust has introduced under Elliot’s leadership is a ‘hospital at home’ service. He had the idea of introducing the service on New Year’s Eve 2020 and just over a fortnight later, the new service was up and running on 15 January 2021.

It started small but now can support up to 250 patients at a time, carrying out around 34,000 home visits a month. It has also attracted attention from across the UK and globally in Singapore and Germany.

“They have all come to see what we do,” he adds. “We have set up a world-leading service out of Stevenage!

“We look at what support they need to be able to remain at home rather than going into hospital to be treated. Increasingly, people have multiple conditions and require a needs-led approach.”

Elliot explains that there are three key challenges for HCT: more children and young people seeking neurodiversity and mental health support; an ageing population and people living with long-term conditions; and the general economy which the NHS relies on to grow services.

To tackle the rise in patients seeking diagnosis and support for neurodiversity, Elliot says there needs to be a wider coalition with other agencies to ensure children and young people are “seen within a reasonable time”.

“You are only as happy as your unhappiest child and early diagnosis and support are vital to ensure children don’t fall behind their peer group at school,” he says.

“That’s also a really important thing for other services such as hearing and sight issues – early diagnosis to smooth children’s pathways.

“With the elderly, it’s about supporting people in their last three to five years of life. That is when people access the healthcare service the most in their lifetimes. For example, an 85-year-old patient with an UTI resulting in confusion would likely deteriorate quickly in hospital where they might not move much, consequently suffering a rapid loss of muscle mass. Whereas if we can see them at home, we can pick up that rising temperature and provide oral antibiotics early, so there is no need for a hospital stay. We want to be able to identify and address issues for people before they become unwell and start to need the Hospital at Home service.

“We are looking at a broader coalition – GPs, voluntary sector and hospices across Hertfordshire. We are also looking for Chamber members with expertise in analytics.”

HCT joined Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce in November 2017.

“The benefit of being a Patron member of the Chamber and being part of the network is the connection to the business community,” says Elliot.

“It is important that the NHS does not become disconnected from the communities which it serves. It is vital we link with businesses in the local area and the Chamber has connected us to other members who are always a source of inspiration.

“My advice to new members is go to everything. Sign up and go to as many events as you can. The more you go, the more people will recognise you and talk to you and remember you. Also, speak to the Chamber team for connections to business products or services you need or are looking to work with. They know the members well and can put you in touch with the right people.”

It is important that the NHS does not become disconnected from the communities which it serves. It is vital we link with businesses in the local area and the Chamber has connected us to other members who are always a source of inspiration.

Why crisis comms should be part of your BCP

By Laura Pearce, MD and Founder of Strand PR

Every business needs a plan for how to keep going when things go wrong. It isn’t enough to focus only on systems, logistics and operations. You also need to know what you’re going to say – and who you’re going to say it to.

Crisis communications is often viewed as a bolt-on, or something for the PR team to worry about later. That’s a mistake. If you don’t have a clear, practical plan for communication built into your Business Continuity Plan (BCP), you’re leaving your business exposed.

Why it matters

When a business has a crisis, whether that’s a data breach, supply chain issue, serious accident or just bad press –people will ask questions. And they want answers. Your staff, customers, partners and the media will all be looking to you. If your messages are slow, unclear or inconsistent, you can damage trust, confuse your teams and lose control of the situation.

Handled badly, a crisis can do lasting harm to your reputation. But with clear, timely communication, you can reduce uncertainty, protect relationships and show leadership when it matters most.

How to build it in

Crisis comms shouldn’t sit in a separate document gathering dust. It needs to be part of your BCP from the start. That means:

• Clear roles and responsibilities –know who signs off messages, who speaks to the media and who updates staff.

• Message templates – prepare holding statements for common scenarios so you’re not starting from scratch.

• Up-to-date contact lists – for media, staff, customers, suppliers and regulators.

• Regular testing – crisis exercises should include a comms element, not just operational response.

Plan when it’s quiet

It’s much easier to plan calmly than to react under pressure. Building crisis comms into your BCP now means you’re ready to act fast if something goes wrong.

It doesn’t need to be complex. But it does need to be clear, agreed and tested.

Your BCP keeps the wheels turning. Crisis comms make sure everyone knows what’s going on. One without the other won’t cut it.

If the plans do go out the window and things get messy, Strand PR is good in a crisis.

Share your story in the next issue of inspire!

Do you have exciting news to share with the Hertfordshire business community?

Whether it’s a new product launch, a recent award, a company milestone or a community initiative, we want to hear from you.

We’d love to include your stories in the next issue of Inspire. It’s a great opportunity to spotlight your achievements, raise your profile and connect with fellow Chamber members.

Submit your news item today and let’s celebrate your success together.

Deadline for submissions: 14 August

Email your news to: editorial@hertschamber.com

Membership Benefits

AA Business Breakdown Cover

Whatever the size of a business, it is important to keep company vehicles on the road. The slightest delay could have far-reaching consequences for the business. Chamber Fleet Assist gives members access to a range of breakdown and recovery packages for their company vehicles, at preferential rates.

Preferential rates for Chamber members (Bronze and Silver memberships are not included)

• Fleetwide One £70.92

Roadside Assistance, Relay, Relay Plus, Home Start and Accident Management

• Fleetwide Two £60.96

Roadside Assistance, Relay, Home Start and Accident Management

• Fleetwide Three £49.20

Roadside Assistance, Relay, Relay Plus and Home Start.

• Fleetwide Four £41.40

Roadside Assistance, Relay and Home Start

• Fleetwide Five £33.72

Roadside Assistance and Home Start

All the above prices are per vehicle per year, inclusive of IPT (Insurance Premium Tax). All prices are subject to change. Fleetwide does not apply to: specialist vehicles, ie taxi, mini cabs, hire vehicles, ambulance, DPVs (disabled passenger vehicles), police vehicles, vehicles on trade plates, minibuses, privately owned vehicles, motorcycles and courier vehicles, or any vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gvw.

This offer is available to Gold members and above and does not apply to existing members. European Cover £13.08 with operations centre, experienced English speaking operators, roadside assistance, spare parts delivery, vehicle recovery to UK or vehicle collection costs, additional travel expenses, additional accommodation alternative driver, legal expenses.

New Skills Academy

CPD-certified

Courses

New Skills Academy – Part of the Be-a Education Family

In November of 2013, a single question was asked: ‘What do you want to learn?’ From there, a vision was born of comprehensive, high quality, and affordable online course availability. The name behind that vision was New Skills Academy.

When it comes to online schools, there are plenty, but at New Skills Academy we distinguish ourselves among the competition with our dedication to your long-term goals.

Members:

Our expertly designed CPD-certified courses, detailed lesson plans and student testimonials all attest to the fact that we take great pride in our course offerings and provide only the best for our students.

All of our courses have been certified by organisations such as CPD, RoSPA and CME and our library covers everything from personal and professional development to IT skills and lifestyle.

New Skills Academy offers all Herts Chamber members 70 per cent discount on all 1400+ courses. To claim/find out more about this benefit, please visit your profile in the Members Area.

Ashridge House completes extensive bedroom transformation

Award-winning Ashridge House, home to one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, has significantly upgraded its amenities for residential corporate and private events.

Following a phased two-year project, the venue’s full complement of 189 on-site accommodations – including superior, executive and deluxe double or king rooms and a luxurious suite – has been refurbished. Ninety-four bedrooms have been completely renovated and all other rooms refreshed with new paintwork, carpeting and soft furnishings.

Drawing on the inherently unique characteristics of Ashridge House’s tranquil woodland setting and fascinating 700-year history, the rooms have been designed holistically to elevate the guest experience on every level.

The aesthetic concept centres on serenity and bringing a connection to the stunning grounds into each space. In keeping with this, every interior element has been carefully considered for maximum comfort, relaxation and convenience, while meeting the ergonomic and technical needs of business travellers.

Key features include:

Venues

• Large, central windows in each room allowing plenty of natural light and framing a breathtaking view of the Grade II* landscaped gardens and surrounding forest.

• Contemporary English oak and walnut furniture, discreetly placed or built-in to maximise the room’s proportions, including headboards and open wardrobes with integrated desks. All built-in joinery was designed by the EF Architecture & Design team, together with Very Good & Proper, who skilfully manufactured each bespoke item to fit the space.

• Full length solid walnut and oak wood panelling to create a focal point and lead sight lines to the woodlands.

• Custom crafted fixtures, fittings and accessories, all carefully selected to combine traditional and modern aesthetics and textures. These include one-of-a-kind pieces of restored furniture and soft furnishings made from natural materials such as linens and wools.

• Fine artworks, individually curated for each room to enhance its design and considerately positioned to complement the green spaces beyond.

• A colour palette associated with the different elements of nature, combining vibrant greens with calming, soft hues of blues, creams and rich taupes.

• Functional and flexible decorative lighting, as well as feature lighting fixtures made from natural materials, using solid construction methods, to create a compact and comfortable environment for remote work and relaxation.

• Bathrooms with a combination of fresh, modern and traditional characteristics, including soft blue tiles, spacious showers, chrome console sinks and wood details.

• Occupancy sensors in every bedroom and throughout common leisure areas to conserve energy when areas are not in use.

All communal areas within the accommodation buildings have also been renovated in keeping with the conceptual design of the bedrooms. These include lounges and shared working spaces, offering guests an alternative yet equally comfortable and atmospheric environment to spend time relaxing or working remotely.

Lucy Le Gassicke, Ashridge House’s Sales and Marketing Director, says: “We’re thrilled to have completed this transformation of our on-site accommodations and to see how this has elevated the guest experience at Ashridge House.

“Under the careful management of our architecture and design team and working closely with our trusted and pre-dominantly UK-based suppliers, we’ve made a bold vision come to life.

“The tranquility of our sprawling estate can be enjoyed in every room, providing a comfortable, peaceful and luxurious haven for guests to retreat to while attending residential events here. Alongside our multi-purpose event spaces, in-house catering, AV and technical facilities, green spaces, team building activities and dedicated wellness centre, we offer a one-stop destination for retreats and multi-day events.”

Ground-breaking cancer care innovation earns top honour

VasoDynamics Ltd, a Stevenage-based biopharmaceutical company, has been awarded the Innovation Award at the 2025 PING Conference. The award, recognising innovation in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences sectors, celebrates individuals and companies making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Presented by national law firm and pharmaceuticals specialists VWV, the award was handed to VasoDynamics’ Founder and CEO, Dr Ninfeng Fiona Li, by Paul Gershlick, VWV Partner and Chair of PING, and Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair of Hertfordshire Futures.

VasoDynamics was honoured for its transformative work in developing costeffective, patient-friendly treatments that reduce some of the most harmful side

effects of cancer therapies, including oral mucositis, radiodermatitis and chemotherapy-induced hair loss. Early clinical trials show promising results.

Accepting the award, Dr Li explained that her motivation is rooted in personal experience as well as professional expertise. “We are deeply honoured to have received this recognition from our local community,” she said. “We innovate not just as doctors, scientists or professionals, but as children, friends and family of those whose lives have been impacted by cancer. Our focus is on preventing the side effects of cancer treatments because we believe that dealing with difficult diseases is like fighting on a battlefield – we must be equipped with protective shields as well as sharp swords.”

Reflecting on the team and partnerships that have supported VasoDynamics’ success, she added: “This award reflects the collective effort of our incredible team, supportive mentors and partners such as Pharmidex and the extremely supportive local community. Without you all, we could not have come this far. Thank you also to the PING award committee for acknowledging our work – this recognition motivates us to keep moving forward towards the next breakthrough.”

The PING Conference, held at the historic Old Palace at Hatfield House, focused on the theme of sustainability, a topic rapidly becoming a core requirement for the pharmaceuticals sector. The event gathered more than 120 industry leaders to discuss practical steps for reducing environmental impact across the life sciences landscape.

Andrew Lewin MP, representing Welwyn Hatfield, opened the conference and reinforced the critical role of the life sciences sector in both local and national economies. Paul Gershlick highlighted the growing imperative for sustainability across the sector, stating, “Sustainability is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s a defining challenge that must be met by every part of the industry.”

Presentations ranged from Peter Morgan (NHS England) on the NHS’s sustainability expectations to Emily Slupek (Savills) on greener building strategies and Cassandra Brown (Manufacture 2030) on tackling Scope 3 emissions. Other contributors – including Richard Charter (CHLOE Healthcare Advisory Group), Helene Wilson (Nordic Pharma), Prof Dr Funke Abimbola MBE and Dr Matthew Konneh – covered topics from AI’s role in sustainability to the impact of sustainability on talent attraction. The conference also heard practical strategies on sustainable supply chains, the business case for sustainability strategies and circular product life cycles, with Andrew Griffiths of Planet Mark concluding: “The pharmaceuticals sector has a massive role to play in sustainability and Net Zero –both by supporting society’s adaptation to climate-driven health challenges and by reducing its own emissions.”

Adrian Hawkins summarised the day, saying: “This conference has been filled with insightful discussion and inspiring presentations. Sustainability is central to our region’s future – Hertfordshire has a bright future, and the life sciences sector will play a pivotal role in shaping it.”

Inclusive Recruitment: Capturing the elusive competitive edge

In today’s highly competitive landscape, attracting diverse talent isn’t simply about fulfilling a moral obligation; it’s a powerful business strategy that fuels innovation, improves decision-making and enhances an organisation’s bottom line.

That’s why on 8 October, Redway HR is hosting an unmissable webinar – Inclusive Recruitment: Capturing the Elusive Competitive Edge. Designed to help business owners, HR professionals, managers and team leaders reframe their recruitment strategies, this session aims to explore why embracing inclusive hiring practices can unlock an organisation’s competitive advantage.

When companies prioritise diversity and inclusion at the recruitment stage, they tap into a far broader talent pool, reaching fantastic candidates who often go overlooked using the more traditional methods. But this just about attracting diverse applicants – it’s about creating fair and transparent selection processes that allow diverse candidates to truly shine and contribute their unique talents.

In the session, attendees will learn practical strategies for crafting creative and inclusive recruitment campaigns that resonate with underrepresented groups. You’ll also gain valuable insights into the topic of unconscious bias and ensuring every stage of the selection process, from CV screening to interview, is conducted fairly and equitably. Inclusive recruitment practices

empower every employee to feel seen, heard and valued, creating a welcoming culture that drives loyalty and helps provide the best environment for long-term performance.

Why does this matter for your bottom line? The evidence is clear: diverse teams are more adaptable, more innovative and better able to respond to the changing needs of customers. Companies with a strong commitment to diversity consistently see measurable improvements in revenue, market resilience and long-term growth. By cultivating an inclusive, diverse workforce, organisations also enhance their reputation as a great place to work, helping them attract top talent and connect with customers more authentically.

This interactive webinar will unpack the business case for diverse and inclusive recruitment and help you put theory into practice. Expect practical takeaways including:

• Techniques for crafting recruitment campaigns that appeal to underrepresented candidates

• Proven methods for building transparent, bias-free selection processes

• Tools to identify and challenge unconscious bias

• Insights into why diversity and inclusion are critical for sustainable growth and innovation

The session will be recorded and available on-demand afterwards.

Favour makes history as first African chairman

The first African chairman has been announced at Watford Borough Council with Councillor Favour Ezeifedi taking on the role.

Councillor Sohail Bashir was named Vice-Chairman at the annual council meeting. Representing the Holywell ward in West Watford, Favour has lived in the town for over a decade and was first elected as a councillor in 2015. This role has enabled her to participate in an array of volunteering opportunities, events and council-related activities.

Favour brings a wealth of experience to her new role, with a professional background as a social worker and psychotherapist. Her current position is Joint Service Lead for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) with East London NHS Foundation Trust covering Tower Hamlets.

Her work has given her deep insight into the needs of vulnerable individuals and families. She is also the author of The First Citizen, a powerful story reflecting themes of resilience and leadership inspired by her own journey.

The new Chairman has chosen Eternity Community CIC, One Vision’s Cancer Champions Project and the Watford African Caribbean Association as her charities, and she will spend her year in office fundraising for them. Favour has been deeply involved with these organisations for many years, dedicating a lot of time to volunteering, and her hard work has impacted many people’s lives in meaningful ways.

• Eternity Community CIC – empowers families and individuals through health awareness, business support and community events like sports and arts.

• One Vision and Macmillan Cancer Support – tackle cancer inequalities through the Cancer Champions Project, supporting ethnic minority communities in Watford and Three Rivers.

• Watford African Caribbean Association – Thrive Youth Project supports young people with mentoring, creative arts, sports and family services to build confidence and opportunity.

She said: “I am honoured to serve as the Chairman of Watford Borough Council, and to be the first African woman to hold this position. As I take on this role, I am proud to represent the voices and aspirations of all residents, regardless of background.

“Through my volunteering and work with the community, I have witnessed firsthand the power of unity and compassion in bringing about positive change. I am therefore committed to using my platform to continue supporting my chosen charities and so many more organisation in Watford, whose invaluable work strengthens the fabric of our town.”

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “I’m really pleased that Favour and Sohail are stepping into these significant roles as the council’s representatives. Their appointments reflect the broad range of backgrounds of our elected council members, and the inclusive nature of our town. They will become important representatives of our town and will visit many of the vibrant community organisations that make Watford so special.”

Favour will be carrying out fundraising events throughout the year and wants any local businesses or groups that could help with sponsorship, venue support and fundraising to contact her at chairman@watford.gov.uk.

Legal Property Experts

COMMERCIAL LEASES: UNDERSTANDING A TENANCY AT WILL

When entering into a commercial lease arrangement, clarity and security are essential for both landlords and tenants. However, not all occupancy arrangements are based on long-term, formal leases. One flexible option is a tenancy at will. This type of agreement offers short-term convenience but also carries specific risks.

A tenancy at will is an agreement that allows a tenant to occupy a commercial property without a fixed term. Either the landlord or the tenant can terminate the arrangement at any time, with no notice (i.e. ‘at will’). While the agreement can be made in writing, it may also arise informally through the conduct of the parties. Tenancies at will are commonly used to allow early access to premises while lease negotiations are ongoing or when a temporary, flexible arrangement is needed.

The defining feature of a tenancy at will is its lack of a fixed duration. This means the arrangement continues only for as long as both parties are willing to maintain it. Once either party decides to end it, the tenancy comes to an end immediately.

There are several advantages for commercial tenants in using a tenancy at will. It allows immediate access to a property, which can be particularly useful during periods of business transition or while waiting for a formal lease to be completed. It is also ideal for temporary or seasonal use, such as pop-up shops or short-term projects. The absence of a long-term commitment offers tenants flexibility, especially when future space needs are uncertain.

However, a tenancy at will also involves significant risks - in particular the lack of security. The landlord can terminate the agreement at any time, so the tenant may be asked to vacate the premises with no warning. In addition, a tenancy at will does not offer the statutory protections provided by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, which means tenants have no right to remain in the property once notice is given. From a landlord’s perspective, care needs to be taken when drawing up a tenancy at will so that it does not unintentionally take effect as a periodic tenancy – which may then come within the protections afforded by the 1954 Act.

Legal advice should be sought before entering into such an arrangement, particularly to ensure that it suits the parties’ business objectives.

If you need

Agata Marosz – Solicitor – Commercial Property

Rothamsted Manor

A corporate events venue with a difference

A private event held at Rothamsted Manor will delight your guests and support the pioneering agricultural research that takes place on the Rothamsted estate in Harpenden. Sir John Bennett Lawes, the founder of what is now Rothamsted Research, was born here in 1814 and our profits help support his vision. This historic estate offers a peaceful retreat, surrounded by lush greenery and breathtaking countryside views.

So why not impress your team and elevate your next business event with the historic charm of Rothamsted Manor. Whether you’re planning a corporate meeting, training session, conference, private dinner, or awards ceremony, our stunning Grade I Listed venue provides a truly memorable setting.

Rothamsted Manor offers various rooms for groups of up to 100 delegates. All rooms offer extensive natural light, sweeping country views and historically elegant style. Our in-house chefs prepare fresh, sustainable and local food with a range of menus and a licensed bar. We also have free parking and dry hire is available.

Day Delegate rates start from £42.50 +VAT pp

The Power of Team Building

Boost performance and promote unity

Team building creates a culture where collaboration, trust, and communication thrive.

If you’re looking for something different to motivate your team, we partner with team building company Eventurous, who host both indoor and outdoor fun team building activities, designed to motivate and reinvigorate your team.

Contact our team today on 01582 938500, email us at info@rothamstedmanor.com or visit our website www.rothamstedmanor.com and discuss your next corporate event at Rothamsted Manor.

Rothamsted Manor, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2BG

Business leaders connect at County Show

The Chamber’s May Lunch proved to be a truly inspiring afternoon as members and guests gathered at the Hertfordshire County Show for a standout event brimming with valuable connections, compelling speakers and excellent hospitality.

Guests were welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ, who shared a compelling insight into his civic duties and formally introduced the Lord-Lieutenant’s Entrepreneurs Challenge, designed to encourage and spotlight entrepreneurial talent across the county.

Colonel Andre Clark followed with an informative presentation on the Army Cadet Force, highlighting the benefits of employer engagement and pointing attendees toward the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, both of which offer meaningful ways for businesses to support the armed forces community.

Representing the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society, Will Dickson offered an exciting preview of the Hertfordshire County Show, setting expectations high for the landmark event’s weekend programme.

A standout moment of the afternoon was the keynote speech by former RAF fighter pilot Mandy Hickson, whose inspirational talk, Choose Your Flightpath, left a lasting impression with its themes of leadership, courage and personal resilience.

The Chamber extended its thanks to main sponsors East Anglia RFCA – Ministry of Defence, car sponsors Deluxe Driven, and to Abigail Parkins, Events Manager at the Chamber, who served as host for the occasion. Appreciation was also given to the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society for their support in helping bring the event to life.

With engaging speakers, dynamic networking opportunities and a strong sense of regional pride, the May Chamber Lunch was another memorable milestone in the Chamber’s events calendar.

Hertfordshire brand shaking up the period product market

It’s been an incredible season for Hertfordshire entrepreneur Sara Llewellyn. After winning the 2025 Lord-Lieutenant’s Entrepreneurs Challenge in May, her brand, Mighty Eve, is capturing attention for all the right reasons, offering a bold, sustainable and science-led alternative in the period product market.

Mighty Eve’s core mission is clear: to empower people with comfortable, non-toxic, high-performing periodwear, without compromising the planet. As Sara explains: “We’re not just giving people a sustainable option, we’re giving them a better one. One that meets the demands of modern life and allows users to feel confident, comfortable and in control.”

The brand’s win comes at a timely moment. With recent studies highlighting the environmental and health impacts of traditional disposable products, estimated to be responsible for over 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually in the UK alone, consumers are seeking alternatives that don’t break the bank or the planet.

Mighty Eve’s product line has been rigorously tested to deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable periodwear that genuinely works. The business has already won three awards in 2025; in addition to its victory in the Lord-Lieutenant’s Entrepreneurs Challenge, the brand has won Women’s Health Retailer of the

Year and Sustainable Female Health CEO of the Year. But Mighty Eve is more than a product; it’s a movement. The company is building a stronger culture around period care. From low-cost membership plans to community outreach tackling stigma and body awareness, Mighty Eve is working to make sustainable care more accessible and inclusive. Workshops in schools and partnerships with local organisations aim to start conversations and support young people in understanding their bodies and their choices.

With growing demand, a loyal early customer base and an ethos rooted in innovation and integrity, Mighty Eve is one of Hertfordshire’s most exciting new businesses. As Sara puts it: “This isn’t just about sustainability, it’s about better solutions for people and planet.”

Strengthening ties in Watford

The Chamber brought together business leaders and local stakeholders for a vibrant Meet Your Watford Neighbours breakfast networking event, hosted by Brasier Freeth at the stylish Eleven Station Road in Watford.

The event, proudly sponsored by Tellon Capital LLP, provided a platform for meaningful connections and valuable insights. The Chamber extended thanks to James Burchell, Co-Founder and Partner, and Lachlan Ezzy, Asset Manager, for their continued support of the local business community.

Attendees heard from a dynamic speaker line-up, including:

• Simon Brown, Head of UK Office Research at CBRE, who delivered a compelling presentation on the national economic outlook and its impact on commercial property trends.

• Cherie Norris, Economic Development Lead at Watford Borough Council, who shared exciting updates on ongoing and upcoming developments across the borough.

The event was expertly hosted by Mary Sykes, who guided the morning’s conversations with her trademark warmth and professionalism.

Special thanks were extended to StarEvents for their support and to DELICIOUSDISHES for providing the breakfast catering.

The Chamber also recognised the generous backing of its event patrons:

• Tate Recruitment

• Oaklands College

• Ness M Care Services

Celebrating women at stunning afternoon gathering

The Chamber hosted an uplifting and elegant Women in Leadership Afternoon Tea at the stunning Micklefield Hall, a venue steeped in history and charm. Attendees gathered in the beautifully restored barn and orangery, creating the perfect setting for an afternoon dedicated to connection, collaboration and the celebration of women in leadership.

Guests were warmly welcomed by venue owner Anna Rankin, who shared the rich heritage of Micklefield Hall. The exceptional afternoon tea, provided by the talented team at Saffron Catering, delighted all with its quality and presentation.

A highlight of the afternoon was the Fireside Chat titled Is Marketing a Cost or an Investment?, led by Laura Pearce, Managing Director and Founder of Strand PR. Laura offered compelling insights into long-term brand-building, reframing marketing as a strategic investment and talking about how businesses can leverage it for sustainable growth. The conversation was skilfully chaired by Mary Sykes, whose thoughtful questions brought out valuable reflections and actionable takeaways.

The Chamber extended special thanks to:

• Its Patrons and attendees, whose presence and engagement made the event so impactful

• Donna Schultz, CEO of the Chamber, for her continued leadership and support

• The dedicated teams at Micklefield Hall and Saffron Catering for their exceptional service

• And to guest speaker Laura, for generously sharing her time, expertise and insight

The event was a true celebration of leadership, learning and the strength of the Chamber’s business community.

Welcome to our new members

ABN Contract Cleaners

Commercial cleaning business

w: www.abn.cleaning

t: 01923 911325

a: 91 Jacketts Field

Watford WD5 0EN

BOOM Construction Ltd

Boom construction is a trusted main contractor delivering high-quality construction projects across London and the Home Counties.  Specialists in social housing, education, sports, health and commercial sectors, it partners with private and public sector clients to build with purpose and precision.

w: https://www.boomconstruction.co.uk/

t: 01442 767800

a: Rose Farm

New Members

Chiswell Green Lane

St. Albans

AL2 3NS

CX People Ltd

Thousands of successful business leaders and teams have transformed their results with CX People’s engaging training workshops and captivating keynote talks.

CXPeople has been working with businesses since 2008 and we’ve trained or given talks to well over 25,000 managers, leaders and front line staff. Our results speak for themselves - 96% of our clients would recommend us to others and 88% have reported an increase in customer acquisition, retention and advocacy as a direct result of our work together. And that’s helped their businesses be more successful and outgrow their competition!

Now it’s your chance to achieve similar results...

We specialise in ethical Influence and Persuasion techniques that sharpen your communication skills, strengthen your working relationships, accelerate smarter decision-making and help you hear ‘yes’ more often from customers, clients and colleagues.

• Led by certified experts in Influence and Persuasion

• Trusted by business leaders, managers, and customer-facing teams across industries

• Limited workshop spots available to ensure a tailored, high-impact experience

Take the first step toward stronger, faster and more persuasive communication today.

It’s your choice of course, but remember, those who act decisively will see more success, quicker.

w: https://www.cxpeople.co.uk/

t: 07970 524514

a: 7 Nightingale Road

Bushey WD23 3NJ

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers.

w: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

t: 0800 1690190

a: Beauver House 6 Bricket Road

St Albans AL1 3JU

Eatlunch

Providing high quality and competitively priced catering for corporate customers.

w: https://www.eatlunch.co.uk/

t: 01707 331751

a: Unit 5 Sutherland Court

Brownfields Ind. Est.

Welwyn Garden City

AL7 1BJ

Medinox (London) Ltd

Branded and private label to wholesale and pharmacy, offering orthopaedic support, medical essentials etc.

w: www.medinox.co.uk

t: 07803 927204

Mind and Matter UK Ltd

Founded in 2017, MindMatter’s core business is the creation of next-generation strategy software and services. Working with organisations of all shapes and sizes to define, design and execute strategy for business model reinvention, MindMatter’s consulting practice informs its software experience design.

w: www.mindnmatter.co.uk

t: 07502 318898

a: Office 1, Hatherton Court, 21 Hatherton Street Walsall WS42LA

PATRON MEMBER

Ness M Care Services Ltd

Over the past 10 years, Ness M Care Services has been providing specialised home care services designed to give people the option to be cared for in the comfort of their homes. Our services are commissioned by the local NHS and Social Services.

w: https://nessmcareservices.co.uk/

t: 01923 987 442

a: 2 Yard Studios

Slade Court

Watling Street

Radlett

WD7 7BT

PIA Properties (UK) Ltd

t: 07855 460541

a: 22 Reddings

Welwyn Garden City AL8 7LA

Propstore

Propstore is the premier auction house for entertainment memorabilia, showcasing iconic film props and costumes, music collectables and timeless posters.

w: http://propstore.com/ t: 01494 766485

a: Great House Farm Chenies Rickmansworth WD3 6EP

Quinn BC Ltd

Quinn BC redefines debt negotiation with innovation and integrity. As a debt negotiation and collection agency, it understands the complexities of the financial landscape and is dedicated to providing effective solutions for creditors and debtors.

w: htpp://www.quinnbeforecourt.co.uk

t: 07891 517987

a: 309a High Road

Loughton

IG10 1AL

ST Accountancy Services Ltd

A local accountancy practice that specialises in tax advice and accounting services for SMEs.

w: https://staccountancy.co.uk/ t: 01442 954030

a: 6 The Square

Martlesham Heath Ipswich IP5 3SL

StormX Recruitment Ltd

A Herts recruitment business focusing on genuine partnerships, consultancy and talent management - specialising primarily in HR, accountancy and office placements.

w: https://stormx.co.uk/ t: 07989 994130

a: Manufactory House Bell Lane

Ware Priory Hertford SG14 1BP

Unique Training Solutions

Unique Training Solutions (UTS) is a leading provider of leadership and management training across multiple sectors, including health, housing and commercial business.

w: https://uniquetrainingsolutions.co.uk/ t: 01727 733999

a: 10 Sandridge Park Porters Wood St Albans AL3 6PH

We Optimise Agency Limited

Effective Recruitment Marketing, using data and the all-important human touch, all optimised for your employer brand.

w: https://weoptimise.agency/ t: 01992 536272

a: Wilton House 3-5 Cowbridge Hertford SG14 1PG

West & Sons Funerals

Funeral services; probate services; wealth management; legal services; financial services.

w: https://westsfunerals.com/ t: 01992 260800

a: 110 Fore Street

Hertford

SG14 1AB

Take back control

Summer dates announced for preloved clothing pop-up

Children’s preloved clothing pop-up

Herts loves will be at The Galleria over the summer as new dates have been announced.

Herts loves will be trading every Tuesday and Thursday, 10am-2pm, until the end of August.

The scheme offers invaluable support to families. They sell preloved items to support families as they navigate the journey of parenthood. Products include ‘starter’ kits for new parents, giving them all the items they need as they welcome their little bundle into the world, plus clothes, bedding and toys that have been donated and are looking for a new home in which they can be loved once again.

Herts loves is well-established within the local community, having run similar popups in the past year alone. The partnership with The Galleria further supports the local community and giving back to families that may still be feeling the pinch of the costof-living crisis, as well as those who want to support such a fantastic initiative and give a new lease of life to preloved items once again, with all funds raised going

back into the organisation to be used towards their future endeavours.

The Galleria is getting behind the initiative as supporting the local community, upcycling and sustainability are all key themes that are hugely important to them.

Anthony Greener, Retail Manager at The Galleria, says: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Herts love back to The Galleria. The work that Shelli Saunders and her team do is incredible, as it’s such an invaluable service that they provide to the local community, and especially those entering or simply navigating the world of parenthood. They make accessibility to these products easy, and we hope everyone will get behind this initiative to support The Galleria Herts loves pop-up store.”

Shelli Saunders, Founder of Herts loves says: “I am thrilled to be partnering with The Galleria for my upcoming popup store. The Galleria is a pillar of the community and a hub for bringing people together, so the perfect location to provide easy access to preloved children’s products.

“We know there are so many still needing the support of organisations like ours, and it’s fantastic to see how much people do support our ongoing endeavours. We hope the local community will get behind our upcoming pop-up by either donating to our cause or purchasing preloved items from our pop-up, with all funds going back into the work we are trying to do to support families in the future.”

Strategic acquisition aims to deliver expanded expertise

Green Building Design, a Hertford-based consultancy, has officially joined the CHPK Group in a strategic move backed by the Celnor Group. The partnership marks an exciting new chapter for the business and its clients under the CHPK Group banner, a move which aims to enhance service capability while retaining the key core values that Green Building Design is known for.

This development brings Green Building Design into collaboration with CHPK’s services engineering team, creating a broader and more complete offering for clients across the built environment. Both firms share a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, bespoke consultancy, and the agreement will allow them to combine their expertise while continuing to maintain the same client-focused approach that they’ve been operating under for more than 20 years now.

Importantly for existing clients, Green Building Design will maintain its current team structure, key contacts and established client relationships, ensuring that ongoing projects and partnerships remain uninterrupted during this period. The integration brings together complementary skillsets and specialist services, including building control, fire engineering, CDM and Building Safety Act (BSA) compliance, all of which are now available in-house under the CHPK Group umbrella.

Simon Green, Managing Director and Founder of Green Building Design, welcomed the move, saying: “I am very excited to be joining the CHPK Group and offering our clients additional services and support. I have known and worked with Tom and Gavin for a number of years and look forward to a great future together.”

Tom Moriarty, CEO of CHPK Group, echoed this statement, commenting: “Having worked with Simon for many years, I am delighted that Green Building Design is joining us, representing a significant strengthening of our MEP Services nationwide. Shared values and expertise are at the heart of the move and enhance our continued journey to national multidisciplinary excellence.”

The acquisition is further supported by the Celnor Group, whose backing enables CHPK to pursue ambitious growth and capability-building across the UK. Celnor are a group of companies dedicated to the provision of critical data for compliance, safety and sustainability purposes.

With this deal now complete, clients can expect enhanced collaboration, deeper technical knowledge and a broader range of support, all delivered with the same care and attention that has underpinned Green Building Design’s reputation over the past 20 years.

Marathon fundraising walk across Hertfordshire raises £45k

Helping Herts co-founders complete fourth challenge by walking 156 miles to raise vital funds for children’s charities

The co-founders of Helping Herts have successfully completed their fourth Founders 6-Marathon Challenge, walking the equivalent of six marathons across the county in 12 days.

The 156-mile route for Gordon Morrison and Jim Tatchell began in Bishop’s Stortford on 12 May, bringing together nearly 100 participants over the course of the walk. Families, experienced hikers, local business teams, volunteers and even a few four-legged friends joined the determined duo on their epic journey.

This year’s challenge raised £45,000 for Hertfordshire-based charities including Herts Young Homeless, Grove Cottage and Growing Resilience in Teens (GRIT). The money will help fund vital services for children and young people facing mental health struggles, learning disabilities and homelessness. The Founders 6-Marathon Challenge is part of Helping Herts’ ongoing mission to support 12 partner charities across the county.

Reflecting on the impact of this year’s event, Gordon said that completing the challenge for a fourth time had been demanding and immensely rewarding. “The support we have received has been overwhelming,” he commented.

“Every step we take, alongside the amazing walkers, means more help and hope for local families.”

Jim also spoke about the connections made along the way, explaining that one of the most powerful aspects of the challenge was engaging directly with the charities supported by Helping Herts during the course of the hike. “It has been a delight to meet each of the fabulous charities that we are working with this year and to make real connections with each of them,” he said.

He also highlighted the recurring themes raised during these conversations, including the need for early diagnosis and intervention to address the mental health and developmental challenges faced by many children and young people. Jim added that involving the challenge’s corporate supporters in these discussions was invaluable in demonstrating the social impact of their contributions.

“It has also been very valuable to include a number of our key corporate supporters in these conversations, so that their social impact can be very clearly defined and understood. That alone makes the effort of walking what sometimes feels like a relentless challenge worthwhile!”

The Founders 6-Marathon Challenge forms part of Helping Herts’ wider mission to support a diverse range of children’s charities across Hertfordshire. Gordon and Jim remain committed to championing these causes and encouraging businesses and communities to work together for the benefit of vulnerable young people.

Helping Herts continues to welcome support from companies and individuals who want to make a difference in their local area. If you’d like to get involved with supporting the Founders 6-Marathon Challenge and Helping Herts’ work, they’d love to hear from you by visiting https://thegreatbigwalkforherts2024.heroes.help/campaigns/Helping-Herts5

Purpose-built health clinic opens for students

Oaklands College is proud to unveil a brand-new health clinic designed to provide healthcare students with hands-on experience in real-world healthcare environments.

The purpose-built centre, at its Welwyn Garden City Campus, includes an industry-standard hospital ward, a fully equipped maternity suite and modern consulting rooms, all tailored to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

This new development enhances the learning experience for students studying health and social care from Level 1 through to Level 3, including the Level 3 access for those interested in studying midwifery at university, and a T Level qualification. It also supports the delivery of the newly introduced Higher Technical Qualification – HNC in healthcare professions, expanding the pathways available for learners aiming to enter or upskill in this fast-growing sector.

The opening of this new cutting-edge facility comes just weeks after the Hertfordshire further education college announced an exceptional improvement in the 2023-24 National Achievement Rates Tables (NARTs) compared to previous years, moving up a staggering

59 places, from 107th to 48th place nationally.

Andrew Slade, Principal and CEO of Oaklands College, said: “Health and Social Care remains one of the UK’s most critical and rapidly expanding industries. But with over 1.59 million

people working in adult social care and a vacancy rate currently at 8.3 per cent (equivalent to more than 131,000 open roles), the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. Projections also suggest an additional 540,000 care roles will be needed by 2040 to meet growing demand.

“The UK needs to ensure that it provides our young students with the skills to meet the demand in this sector: there’s a clear need for a trained, competent, and compassionate workforce ready to meet the complex health needs of communities, and Oaklands College intends to be at the forefront of this training.”

The new Oaklands Health Clinic will give students a unique opportunity to learn in environments that reflect real clinical settings. From simulating ward-based care to understanding the dynamics of maternity and outpatient services, students will gain invaluable practical experience that builds confidence.

“Investing in this facility means investing in our students and their futures,” said Ana Guimaraes, Vice Principal at Oaklands College. “We are committed to providing high-quality, careerfocused education that responds to the needs of the industry.”

Applications are open for September, and prospective students are encouraged to apply early. To find out more, go to: https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/oaklands-college/health-social-care/

UK growth upgraded but economy remains sluggish, says BCC

Despite signs of resilience in manufacturing and exports, the economic outlook reveals mounting concern over inflation, labour costs and stalled hiring…

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish.

Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to increase further in the coming months, before slowing to 2 per cent by the end of 2027. Unemployment is expected to be 4.6 per cent throughout the forecast period, with the increase in National Insurance likely to slow hiring intentions.

UK economic outlook

The QEF, winner of the 2024 FocusEconomics award for best GDP forecast, expects the UK economy to grow by 1.1 per cent, revised up from the previous forecast of 0.9 per cent. This year’s growth is expected to be driven by better-than-expected GDP figures in Q1 before the National Insurance hike and the US tariff war. Increased government spending is another contributor to growth. GDP is expected to rise in 2026 to 1.2 per cent, but that is slightly down from the last forecast (1.4 per cent). Growth in 2027 is forecast to be 1.5 per cent.

The picture on growth varies significantly across sectors. The service sector is expected to perform best this year, growing by 1.2 per cent. Meanwhile, the forecast suggests growth of 0.8 per cent in the construction industry in 2025, while the manufacturing sector is expected to grow by 0.5 per cent, revised up from -0.2 per cent in the previous forecast.

With businesses facing increased cost pressures, CPI inflation is forecast to be higher this year, reaching 3.2 per cent by Q4 2025 (up from 2.8 per cent in the Q1 forecast). It is then expected to fall to 2.2 per cent by the end of 2026 and 2 per cent in Q4 2027.

With hiring subdued and the firms yet to see the full impact of the NI hike, the unemployment rate is expected to remain static over the forecast period, sitting at 4.6 per cent until Q4 2027. Business investment improves

Business investment across 2025 is projected to be 4.8 per cent – a significant upgrade from 0.6 per cent in the last forecast. However, investment is expected to be focused in a smaller number of sectors, such as ICT, manufacturing and financial

services. BCC survey data consistently finds that the majority of SMEs are not increasing their investment, with tax increases acting as a major barrier.

Exports to grow after trade deals

After some recent positive trade developments, with the US, EU and India, UK exports are projected to grow by 2 per cent in 2025, (an upward revision from -0.5 per cent in the last forecast), 2.1 per cent in 2026 and 2.4 per cent in 2027.

However, imports are expected to grow by 3 per cent this year (compared with 0 per cent in the previous forecast), before falling to 1.2 per cent in 2026, and then 2.6 per cent in 2027. This means net trade continues to contract, with figures of1.2 per cent in 2025, -1.1 per cent in 2026, and -1.2 per cent in 2027.

However, major uncertainties remain on the global trade outlook due to the potential for short-term changes in policy leading to behavioural shifts among importers and exporters to manage the changes.

Cautionary approach to interest rates continues

With inflation remaining above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target until the end of 2027, it is likely to continue along a cautionary path on interest rate cuts. There is one more cut expected in 2025, bringing the base rate to 4 per cent by the end of 2025. The interest rate is expected to be cut to 3.75 per cent by the end of 2026 and 3.5 per cent by the end of 2027.

Average earnings will remain high this year

Average earnings are expected to remain significantly above inflation this year, reaching 4.2 per cent by the end of Q4, putting further cost pressures on businesses. The forecast suggests annual wage growth will remain elevated in the coming years, falling only very gradually to 4.1 per cent in 2026 and 4 per cent in 2027.

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “A stronger-than-expected performance in Q1 has led us to revise up our UK GDP forecast for 2025.

“Large-scale investment in sectors such as ICT, manufacturing and transport is promising, but this has not necessarily translated into a broader uplift across the wider economy. Our research consistently shows that most SMEs are not experiencing investment growth, as they continue to grapple with a range of cost pressures – most notably the rise in National Insurance contributions, cited as the top concern by firms.

“Persistent inflation, driven by rising household bills and tax increases, could dampen the prospect of further interest rate cuts in the near term, further weighing on business confidence and borrowing appetite.

“More positively, recent trade talks aimed at averting some US tariffs and easing EU trade frictions could support exports and imports this year. However, the scale and timing of any economic gains remain uncertain as negotiations continue.

“Against this backdrop, businesses need clarity and stability. A long-term tax roadmap –particularly addressing employer costs such as National Insurance – is vital. Firms must also be supported to capitalise on the AI revolution, which could transform productivity and profitability.

“Without action, the UK risks becoming a two-speed economy, where high-margin sectors surge ahead while low-margin businesses fall further behind, unable to absorb mounting cost pressures.”

Commenting on the forecast, Vicky Pryce, Chair of the BCC Economic Advisory Council, said: “A small growth upgrade for 2025, largely fuelled by a bumper first quarter, is masking some persistent challenges under the bonnet of the UK economy.

“Inflation is in danger of remaining stubborn for the foreseeable future, casting fresh doubt on the likelihood of further interest rate cuts any time soon. SMEs are crying out for an easing of cost-pressures to allow investment to increase across all sectors.

“Businesses have welcomed recent UK trade deals – but they are holding their breath as they await the next twists and turns in the uncertain US tariff story.”

Looking for fresh talent? The University of Hertfordshire’s Careers and Employment team can help

At the University of Hertfordshire, our focus is on producing careerready graduates who can adapt and thrive in the workplace, across all industry sectors.

We offer more than 700 career-focused degrees, strong industry connections, industry standard facilities and opportunities to study at more than 170 universities worldwide, to prepare our students to succeed in a competitive global market.

With 11,000 new graduates every year, it’s no wonder employers work with us to solve their recruitment challenges. Our Careers and Employment team is available to support every step of the way, from helping to identify which students and graduates are most suitable for business needs, to helping promote vacancies.

Vicki Pinch, Graduate Success Manager at the University of Hertfordshire, explains: “We understand recruitment challenges and aim to solve them with our specially tailored, free services, events and programmes designed to support successful employment matches.”

As well as promoting vacancies via our Career and Employment jobs portal, employers from all industries can network with our talented students and graduates by attending our engaging career events, hosted throughout the year. This includes a variety of career fairs to promote graduate placement and parttime opportunities, as well as more targeted industry specific networking events. These events provide an excellent opportunity for employers to engage with our students in a recruitment setting and discover new talent.

Over the past year, we’ve been proud to support market-leading tech consultancy Netcel in building their future talent pipeline through the launch of their new graduate programme, Netcel - The Next Generation. Based in St Albans, Netcel was founded nearly 30 years ago by Herts graduate and current CEO, Tim Parfitt. We’re excited to continue working with Netcel as they prepare to welcome a new cohort of graduates who are eager to learn, grow, and contribute to the company’s continued success.

Employers found value working alongside our academics to develop assessed projects and competitions designed to provoke fresh thinking and spot future talent. Others signed up for an employer presentation, delivering a short presentation to a group of students studying a relevant subject, raising their profile to potential candidates and promoting job opportunities.

Employer Instagram takeovers are also popular. These involve dedicating the channel to one of our partnered employers, allowing them to post stories throughout the day or host a live Q&A session for an audience of up to 6,000 students. This approach delivers

For more details on any of our recruitment services, talk to our Careers and Employment Team today on https://go.herts.ac.uk/recruit-our-students

targeted careers content while putting a friendly face to the employer’s brand, offering a fresh and engaging way to reach potential candidates. The goal is to help employers connect with the brightest talent that aligns with their business needs.

We’d love for you to meet our Careers and Employment team and explore how we can work together. Get in touch with us at recruit@herts.ac.uk to sign up to our next on-campus Part-Time Jobs Fair on 26 September, and our next Graduate Jobs and Placement Fair on 9 October. The fairs will connect hundreds of students and graduates with employers on-campus.

Katrina Maltman, Human Resources at Flexible & Specialist Cables says: “We have attended several University of Hertfordshire job fairs which we have found to be extremely well organised and very beneficial for us in our recruitment drives. The team has been helpful and professional in their approach and their service has been excellent. We will continue to work closely with the University for all our graduate recruitment requirements.”

Council gets to grips with sticky problem

Broxbourne Borough Council is putting plans in place to remove the chewing gum that stains the borough’s highprofile pedestrian areas after receiving a £24,200 grant to tackle the issue.

The Council is one of 52 across the UK that have successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force for funds to clean gum off pavements and to erect specifically designed signage proven to reduce gum littering.

Established by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who wish to clean up gum in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum from being dropped in the first place.

The Task Force is funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, with an investment of up to £10 million spread over five years.

Monitoring and evaluation carried out by Behaviour Change – a not-for-profit social enterprise – has shown that in

areas that benefitted from the first and second year of funding, a reduced rate of gum littering of up to 80 per cent was seen in the first two months. Reductions were still being observed six months after targeted street cleansing and the installation of specially designed signage to encourage people to bin their gum.

Councillor Jim Clune, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to help make our local environment cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone. Our borough benefits from a great wealth of history and beautiful sites which are accessible via the very paths we aim to restore and maintain with support from our local community and by raising awareness about the impact gum pollution has on our much-loved environment.”

Estimates suggest the annual clean-up cost of chewing gum for councils in the UK is around £7 million and, according to Keep Britain Tidy, around 77 per cent of England’s streets and 99 per cent of retail sites are stained with gum.

In its third year the Task Force awarded 54 councils grants worth a total of

£1.585 million, helping clean an estimated 500,000 square metres of pavements.

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, said: “Chewing gum continues to be an unsightly form of litter in our public spaces – though thankfully the scheme is leading to significant reductions. People need to remember that disposing irresponsibly of their gum causes harm to our environment as it takes years to decompose naturally – and, ultimately, costs the public purse to clean it up.”

Breaking records for a cause

Machins Solicitors is celebrating a remarkable achievement by family law partner Paul Owen.

Alongside nine friends from his local running club Happy Feet, he set a new Guinness World Record at this year’s London Marathon in support of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

In April, Paul joined teammates Graham Surge, Chris and Fran Setterfield, Richard Yeeles, Jodie Simpson, Marcela Bell, Julie Pritchett and Claire and Simon Short to take on the worldfamous 26.2-mile challenge in a truly creative and meaningful way. Their goal was simple if a little out there: to break the record for the fastest marathon in a 10-person costume, dressed as 10 test tubes in a giant test-tube rack.

The team, affectionately dubbed the Happy Test Tubes, trained tirelessly in the months leading up to the event, forced to combine endurance with becoming accustomed to the practicality of running while tethered together in a heavy costume that was guaranteed to turn some heads in the capital on race day. The group were supported by multiple sponsors, including Machins Solicitors, who backed the initiative from the outset with a donation of £1,000.

Driven by a deep personal connection, the group ran in memory of John Sturge, the father of team organiser Graham, who sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer. Their mission was not only to raise awareness but also to contribute vital funds towards early detection research for what is the UK’s deadliest common cancer.

The team produced a phenomenal performance, completing the marathon in five hours, 41 minutes and 47 seconds – an incredible 51 minutes faster than the previous record. Their record-breaking effort drew widespread admiration, not only for the physical challenge but for the effort the team clearly put in to completing the race.

Thanks to generous public support, the team were able to raise over £109,000, far surpassing their original target and contributing a substantial sum that will go towards Pancreatic Cancer UK’s £2 million fundraising campaign.

For Paul, a passionate runner and founder of the Hospice of St Francis Running Club in Berkhamsted, the event might have been a challenging one, but it was also a personal and professional high point that will live long in the memory of each member of the team. Having completed more than 100 marathons, including a staggering nine London Marathons, he described this year’s race as his most memorable.

He said: “There was such a tide of positive joy around the course. We were cheered on throughout the entire race. This was my ninth London Marathon but definitely the most special. We’re grateful to everyone who supported us and helped us to raise much-needed funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK.”

We went from shutting down the business to making £1-2 million a month. We went from zero revenue to £20 million a year overnight. We had a big pool of casual workers for events, so we deployed them to help with the pandemic.

Arsalan Khan, K4 Group CEO

Using hurdles as opportunities for growth has secured K4 Group’s success

From providing security for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral to providing medical training for thousands of people, K4 Group has grown exponentially over the past seven years. Group CEO Arsalan Khan talks to Sarah Dale about pivoting challenges into opportunities as he plans to grow the business further.

Being able to pivot in business is crucial to surviving when challenges arise – and K4 Group has this flexibility and foresight in bucketloads.

Founded in 2018 by Arsalan and Tamaryn Khan, the company started out as an events management and planning company providing security services to the public and private sectors.

When Covid hit the UK and the first lockdown occurred in March 2020, all events stopped overnight, and K4 Group CEO Arsalan Khan admits they were considering closing the business.

“All our work had finished, so we were looking at shutting down,” he explains.

“But we ended up providing covid marshalls –a job that never occurred before Covid or since! That came into play because we had a lot of manpower. We quickly did some upskilling and provided covid marshalls for the NHS, retail stores and local businesses to maintain social distancing.

“We went from shutting down the business to making £1-2 million a month. We went from zero revenue to £20 million a year overnight. We had a big pool of casual workers for events, so we deployed them to help with the pandemic.”

At the time, they had an office management team of five people and 300 casual workers registered with the company. “We rejigged a few parts of the business, changed our approach and remortgaged our family home,” adds Arsalan.

Events began to start up again and the security aspect of the business grew to cover a range of services, including manned/static guarding, front of house and concierge, canine security services, gatemen and traffic marshalls, key holding, mobile security patrols, and alarm response, as well as providing events consultancy and planning. They now provide alarm response to 700 properties.

Next, they realised that it would be more beneficial for the company and clients if they

brought the medical provision for events in-house and so K4 Medical was formed. They added a doctor and medic to the team, acquired Primary Ambulance Services, and started providing a range of courses from door supervisors to first response emergency training. On the events side, they have worked on some of the biggest events in the UK, including the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (where they deployed 700 members of staff), the Queen’s funeral and manning the queue to visit the late monarch when she was lying in state at Westminster Hall (providing 400 staff members a day), and tours for big names in the music industry.

“Every time we have hit a problem or a hurdle, we have been very flexible,” he says.

“None of our team is afraid to get their hands dirty and they can adapt to anything.”

K4 Group, which is the parent company of K4 Security, K4 Medical, K4 Training and K4 Global, has its head office in Hounslow with regional offices in Leeds, Peterborough and Cardiff and overseas offices in Pakistan and Turkey.

They are a SIA-approved contractor which now employs 71 managers and 60 administrative staff members and a freelance team of between 4,500 and 5,000 people. Out of 7,000 security firms in the UK, about 700 are part of the approved contractors list for the Home Office

including K4, a fact Arsalan is extremely proud of.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” says Arsalan.

“Our core senior management team is very dedicated, very driven and very flexible and we have great staff.”

Arsalan’s wife, Tamaryn, rejoined the business at the start of the year after being a stay-at-home mum for a couple of years to look after their three daughters aged between nine and five.

“Having my wife in the business definitely helps with our work-life balance,” he says.

“We have amazing family support and amazing team support. A lot of the management team have kids, and we understand the work-life balance. We all support each other; we are like a family unit within the business.

“I’m one of those people that doesn’t mind change; I really enjoy challenges. My goal is to do whatever I can to help our customers. We are driven by solving challenges rather than money, which makes us competitive and resilient. If there is a problem from our senior leadership team to staff working on the ground, no-one walks away until a job is complete. Everyone is willing to change and adapt – and that’s always been the key to our success to our resilience and growth.”

Looking towards the future, Arsalan says they are excited to commence work on a whole range of projects secured during last year’s boost on raising brand awareness, attending exhibitions and networking to meet more clients.

“This year will all be about growth and working on new projects but remaining as committed as ever to our existing customers,” he adds.

“We are small enough that everything and everyone matters within the business, and we have grown together. Every customer matters to us. We have a big team behind us, so we are also large enough for our customers to trust us with the bigger projects.”

www.k4group.co.uk

Carlsberg Britvic marks six-month anniversary

Carlsberg Britvic is celebrating six months since its official launch following the completion of the deal for Carlsberg Group to acquire Britvic plc.

The landmark moment in the history of Carlsberg Group and the British drinks industry in January marked the official launch of Carlsberg Britvic – the new company uniting Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) and Britvic’s UK business.

Carlsberg Britvic’s strong national footprint brought together CMBC’s breweries and leading in-house

secondary logistics operation – with 15 depots servicing customers across the UK – with the dynamic packaging and production capabilities of Britvic.

The business is now the largest multibeverage supplier in the UK, making the UK Carlsberg Group’s largest market by revenue in the world.

Across soft drinks, beer and cider, Carlsberg Britvic is home to many iconic and popular brands. Its compelling soft drinks range includes well-known names such as Pepsi MAX, 7UP, Tango, Robinsons, J2O and Fruit Shoot, through to fast-growing breakthrough brands including the plant-powered Plenish range and Jimmy’s Iced Coffee. These leading soft drinks brands now sit alongside the Group’s flagship Carlsberg Danish Pilsner, as well as 1664, Birrificio Angelo Poretti and Brooklyn Brewery beers, as well as leading British ales such as Hobgoblin, Pedigree and Wainwright.

Paul Davies, formerly CEO of Carlsberg Marston Brewing Company, is CEO of Carlsberg Britvic in the United Kingdom. He began his Carlsberg career in marketing with Carlsberg UK in 2007 and has subsequently held the positions of VP Marketing and VP Sales for Carlsberg Sweden, and VP Craft & Speciality for Carlsberg Group in Copenhagen. In January 2019 he was appointed Managing Director

of Carlsberg Poland, where he was also Chairman of the Polish Brewers Association.

The new company combines the strong shared values of CMBC and Britvic, maintaining ambitious targets in areas such as sustainability and equity, diversity and inclusion, while also delivering the highest standards of customer service and quality.

In January, Paul said: “This is a historic moment for everyone across our unique combined multi beverage business, I am immensely proud to have the opportunity to lead this new company, featuring so many iconic brands and so many dedicated and talented people. As we look to the future together, Carlsberg Britvic will demonstrate the important values that underpin our dedication to our customers, our consumers, our people and our planet.

“Carlsberg Britvic combines the fantastic qualities of both businesses and our shared ambition to grow the UK beverage category through our unique proposition across soft drinks, beer and cider. We are all eager to build a successful future together as we create new opportunities, integrate our operations and continue to deliver excellent choice, product quality and service to our customers.”

Sopwell House unveils elegant refurbishments

Sopwell House, the elegant Georgian country house hotel in St Albans, has completed an extensive refurbishment programme, upgrading key guest and business areas to enhance its luxury offering.

Over the past year, the family-owned venue has invested significantly in modernising more than 40 bedrooms and suites, reimagining its reception area and refreshing popular public spaces including the Octagon Bar, The Brasserie and vibrant lounge areas.

The transformation also extends to its conference and events spaces, with a revamped reception, foyer and bar areas now offering a more seamless and stylish experience for delegates and event organisers.

Set within 12 acres of picturesque countryside and just 20 minutes from London, Sopwell House now combines contemporary comfort with traditional charm more than ever before. The hotel features 126 rooms and suites, including 16 luxurious Mews Suites accessed via private gates – ideal for guests seeking privacy and exclusivity.

For business guests, Sopwell House offers 15 versatile function rooms, four executive boardrooms and event space for up to 300 seated delegates, complete with vehicle access. Modern AV facilities, digital signage, dedicated event reception and beautifully landscaped gardens support a wide range of corporate events, from strategy sessions to product launches.

To mark the completion of its upgrades, Sopwell House is offering exclusive rates for Chamber members this summer. The 24-hour delegate rate in July and August is £349 per person (minimum 10 delegates), including meeting room hire, three refreshment breaks, working lunch, three-course dinner, overnight stay, breakfast and access to spa and leisure facilities. A Day Delegate Rate (DDR) of £70 per person (minimum 10) includes room hire, AV, refreshments, lunch, and wi-fi.

With stylish interiors, award-winning dining at Omboo and The Brasserie, and a luxurious spa experience at Cottonmill, Sopwell House is reaffirming its position as one of Hertfordshire’s most sought-after destinations for business and leisure.

A specialist business bank has announced the appointment of Stuart Davidson as its new Chief Commercial Officer, to further bolster the Bank’s savings and lending proposition for future growth.

Stuart, who joined Redwood in early 2018, just months after its launch, has more than 35 years of financial services experience. He spent two decades in senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group before holding roles across a number of challenger banks. At Redwood, he has held a series of key positions, most recently Directorof Products and Strategy.

His promotion to CCO reflects his pivotal role in shaping the Bank’s strategy and leading the customer and broker experience that supports the growth of the Bank’s SME customers. As CCO, Stuart will lead efforts to expand the Bank’s lending book and evolve its overall product proposition. Stuart assumes the role at a time when professional landlords are seeking surety from lenders to expand and diversify portfolios and business savers are navigating changes in interest rates.

Redwood Bank strengthens leadership with new CCO Accountants launches innovative work experience programme

He said: “The past few years have been marked by changes in regulation, economic instability and frequent base rate changes.

“These factors have made planning more difficult across the sector, particularly for business banks. But they’ve also reinforced the importance of agility, strong partnerships and staying close to the needs of our brokers and customers.”

He added that Redwood’s, caseby-case approach to lending is a key differentiator in an increasingly competitive market. “We’ve built a reputation for personal service and pragmatic decision-making –we’re committed to retaining that as we grow.”

Gary Wilkinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Redwood Bank, said: “Stuart has been integral to our success since joining the Bank in its infancy.

He understands the strategic and operational levers needed to drive growth. His promotion reflects his vision, experience and deep commitment to our customers and brokers.

“I have every confidence he will thrive in this new role and continue to demonstrate the required strategic insight and leadership that have been instrumental in Redwood’s success.”

For further information, visit www.redwoodbank.co.uk

HB Accountants is proud to announce the official launch of its impactful work experience programme aimed at offering local students a unique, immersive introduction to the working world.

The programme, now live, brings together a collaborative network of businesses across Hertfordshire to provide students with a week-long rotational experience, working on five different real-world projects across five different organisations. This initiative is designed to bridge the growing skills gap and equip students with tangible workplace skills and insights across a range of sectors, from accounting and marketing to HR, operations and beyond.

“Our goal is simple: to inspire and prepare local students for the future of work. By exposing them to a variety of industries and business functions, we give them the confidence, experience and clarity they need to take their next steps,” said Karen Chase, Director at HB Accountants.

HB Accountants would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the following participating businesses for their support and collaboration in making this programme possible:

• Hoddesdon Enterprise Centre – Oxford Innovation Space: Zoe Galea and Louise Hickman

• Broxbourne Council: Ben Torreggiani

• The Payroll Lady: Joyce O’Leary

• Mole Valley Asset Management: Annemarie Otchere and Elena Berrino

• North House Dental Practice: Poonam Ramanandi

• Insight MCL: Abigayle Fisher

• Cannon Travel: Vivien Townsend and Kevin Brooks

• Nicholas James Mortgages: Sharon White

• Duffield Harrison Solicitors: Krupali Saujani and David White

• Sage Software: Jack Ryan and Tim O’Reilly

• Herts Futures

HB Accountants is already planning for 2026 and is calling on more local businesses to get involved in next year’s programme.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to give back, invest in future talent, and promote skills development in our community. Whether you’re a start-up or an established business, your involvement could make a lasting impact.”

To learn more or to register your interest in becoming a participating employer for 2026, please contact vickif@hbaccountants.co.uk

Debbie Chadwick

Station Director at Heart Hertfordshire Communicorp UK

What do you do?

As Station Director, I lead the commercial and content strategy for Heart Hertfordshire. My focus is on building real connections: growing audience engagement and helping local businesses cut through the noise with creative and trusted advertising solutions. Radio is all about being present in people’s lives, and that’s what we deliver every day for our listeners and clients.

Who do you work for?

I work for Communicorp UK, home to some of the most exciting brands in UK radio. We operate some of the country’s biggest commercial radio brands, but what we’re most passionate about is local impact. We help local businesses grow through smart, high-impact campaigns that connect in a way that feels authentic, familiar and relevant.

Why did you join the Chamber?

Joining the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce was a natural step. It is a brilliant way to build closer ties with the business community and to celebrate the role local media can play in helping businesses thrive. It gives us a platform to support, collaborate and learn from organisations right across the region.

How has it helped your business network?

The Chamber has opened doors to valuable new partnerships and helped us connect with a wider network of ambitious, like-minded organisations. It has been a fantastic way to further strengthen our local presence and understand the needs and ambitions of the businesses around us.

What advice would you give someone starting out?

Surround yourself with people who support you but also challenge you. Be clear on what you stand for, listen more than you speak, and stay curious. The best relationships – whether with customers, clients, or teams – are built on trust, consistency and being genuinely interested in learning and improving.

What do you think is the biggest challenge affecting running and growing a business?

The biggest challenge is often visibility: how to stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace. There are so many messages competing for attention and businesses need trusted ways to connect that actually cut through.

Radio is incredibly effective. It is not only more affordable than many assume, but it also delivers strong returns. On average, for every £1 spent on radio advertising, brands see £7 in return. That kind of impact makes a real difference. Helping businesses understand the true value and reach of radio is key to helping them grow.

The Chamber has opened doors to valuable new partnerships and helped us connect with a wider network of ambitious, like-minded organisations.

What support do you want from government?

We’d like to see more targeted support for SMEs in key areas like digital innovation, marketing and skills development. These are vital for sustainable business growth and staying competitive.

More broadly, a stable and supportive environment for the media industry is essential. Government investment in broadcasting infrastructure helps ensure we can continue reaching listeners effectively. Support for local journalism is equally important, keeping communities informed and engaged strengthens the value of local media and enhances the impact of platforms like Heart in our communities.

How confident are you your business will grow in the next year?

Very confident. We’re seeing strong momentum both from our work with local businesses and through the strength of the Heart brand. With our standout national shows like Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden and our Drive show with JK and Kelly Brook, we offer local businesses the opportunity to shine on a national brand delivered with a local voice.

This year’s Heart Hertfordshire Hero Awards was our best yet - a true celebration of local people and charities, giving them a platform and a voice. On the back of this success, I’m excited to launch a new campaign called One Hertfordshire - so watch this space! We’re here to support our people and be a positive force in our community.