Well Connected Liverpool Chamber Magazine October 2020

Well

Connected October 2020

Official Magazine for Liverpool Chamber

A New Dawn What next for businesses in the Liverpool City Region?

INSIDE...

• • •

Trading for the future – what challenges ahead in 2021?

Liverpool City Plan providing a roadmap for a post-Covid recovery Building Back Better through the Good Business Festival

Liverpool Chamber

Connect Support Thrive.

CONTENTS

Find Inside

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4-5 Economy 7 Message from CEO 8 New Members 9 Post Brexit Recruitment 11 Patron News 16-17 Patron News 18-19 Liverpool City Plan 20 Ask the Experts 21-22 Restart-Recovery 25-30 Cover Feature - International 32 International Business Festival 35 Transport 41 Skills & Employment 42-43 Infrastructure and Regeneration 44-45 Finance for Business 46-48 Members News 49 Staff Directory 50 5 Minutes with...

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Enquiries Liverpool Chamber Number One Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9HG t: 0151 227 1234 e: membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk w: www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk Publisher Benham Publishing Limited, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ t: 0151 236 4141 e: admin@benhampublishing.com w: www.benhampublishing.com

Liverpool Chamber

Published October 2020 Š Benham Publishing Media No. 1769 Editorial Content Manager Michelle Cameron Michelle.Cameron@liverpoolchamber.org.uk Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 e: karen@benhampublishing.com Advertising Sales Catherine McCarthy e: catherine@benhampublishing.com Studio Peter Wilkinson e: peter@benhampublishing.com

@LpoolChamber

@LiverpoolChamber

Disclaimer Well Connected is mailed without charge to all Chamber members and distributed at all Chamber events. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editorat Liverpool Chamber.

Views expressed in publication are not necessarily those of Liverpool Chamber. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. Š 2020. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

Liverpool Chamber

3

BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

LOOKING AHEAD

The survey of over 6,400 firms, employing more than 800,000 people, points to continued stagnation amid rising business costs and a slowing global economy. The balance of firms reporting improved cash flow – a key indicator of the health of businesses – remains very weak across both manufacturing and service sectors. Indicators for improvements across investment and business confidence also show continuing downward trends.

+25%

-25%

Firms facing pressures to raise prices due to the following factors:

0%

0%

Manufacturing Sector

+25%

-25%

Service Sector

72% -50%

+50%

+35%

Prices

-75%

+75%

-50%

+50%

+29%

-75%

59% 46%

+75%

33%

28% 29%

28% 19%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers expect their prices to increase, unchanged from Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of service firms expect their prices to increase, up from +28% in Q3 2019

+25%

Raw materials Financial costs

Other overheads

Balance of firms increasing investment in training

0%

0% -25%

Pay settlements

40% +25%

-25%

Investment

30% -50%

+50%

+11%

-75%

+75%

-50%

+50%

10%

+11%

-75%

20%

+75%

0% -10%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers increased investment in training in Q4 2019, up from +8% in Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of service firms increased investment in training in Q4 2019, down from +13% in Q3 2019

+25%

QES % 2015 2017 2019 Service Sector QES

Balance of firms reporting improved cash flow

0%

0% -25%

-20%

-30% Balance 2007 2009 2011 2013 Manufacturing Sector QES

30% +25%

-25%

20%

Cash Flow

-50%

+50%

+1%

-75%

+75%

-50%

+50%

+75%

-10% -20%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers reported improved cash flow in Q4 2019, up from -7% in Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of service firms reported improved cash flow in Q4 2019, down from +5% in Q3 2019

+25%

-50%

QES % -40% Balance 2007 2009 2011 2013 Manufacturing Sector QES

+50%

+75%

-50%

-75%

80%

+25%

-25%

+27%

-75%

-30%

0%

0% -25%

Confidence

0%

+2%

-75%

10%

+50%

+32%

+75%

2015 2017 2019 Service Sector QES

UK GDP growth and QES balance of firms confident 2.0% their turnover will increase

60%

1.5%

40%

1.0%

20%

0.5%

0%

0.0%

-20%

-0.5% -1.0%

-40% -100%

+100%

...of manufacturers are confident turnover will increase in the next 12 months, up from +25% in Q3 2019

-100%

+100%

...of service firms are confident turnover will increase in the next 12 months, up from +30% in Q3 2019

-60% QES % Balance -80% 2007 2009 GDP Growth

GDP % Growth (ONS) 2011

2013

2015

Service Sector QES

2017

2019

-1.5% -2.0%

Manufacturing QES

4 www.britishchambers.org.uk | @britishchambers

ECONOMY

BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

LOOKING AHEAD

The survey of over 6,400 firms, employing more than 800,000 people, points to continued stagnation amid rising business costs and a slowing global economy. The balance of firms reporting improved cash flow – a key indicator of the health of businesses – remains very weak across both manufacturing and service sectors. Indicators for improvements across investment and business confidence also show continuing downward trends.

+25%

-25%

Firms facing pressures to raise prices due to the following factors:

0%

0%

Manufacturing Sector

+25%

-25%

Service Sector

72% -50%

+50%

+35%

Prices

-75%

+75%

-50%

+50%

+29%

-75%

59% 46%

+75%

33%

28% 29%

28% 19%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers expect their prices to increase, unchanged from Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of service firms expect their prices to increase, up from +28% in Q3 2019

+25%

Raw materials Financial costs

Other overheads

Balance of firms increasing investment in training

0%

0% -25%

Pay settlements

40% +25%

-25%

Investment

30% -50%

+50%

+11%

-75%

+75%

-50%

+50%

10%

+11%

-75%

20%

+75%

0% -10%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers increased investment in training in Q4 2019, up from +8% in Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of service firms increased investment in training in Q4 2019, down from +13% in Q3 2019

+25%

QES % 2015 2017 2019 Service Sector QES

Balance of firms reporting improved cash flow

0%

0% -25%

-20%

-30% Balance 2007 2009 2011 2013 Manufacturing Sector QES

30% +25%

-25%

20%

Cash Flow

-50%

+50%

+1%

-75%

+75%

-50%

+50%

+75%

-10% -20%

+100%

-100%

...of manufacturers reported improved cash flow in Q4 2019, up from -7% in Q3 2019

+100%

-100%

...of service firms reported improved cash flow in Q4 2019, down from +5% in Q3 2019

+25%

-50%

QES % -40% Balance 2007 2009 2011 2013 Manufacturing Sector QES

+50%

+75%

-50%

-75%

80%

+25%

-25%

+27%

-75%

-30%

0%

0% -25%

Confidence

0%

+2%

-75%

10%

+50%

+32%

+75%

2015 2017 2019 Service Sector QES

UK GDP growth and QES balance of firms confident 2.0% their turnover will increase

60%

1.5%

40%

1.0%

20%

0.5%

0%

0.0%

-20%

-0.5% -1.0%

-40% -100%

+100%

...of manufacturers are confident turnover will increase in the next 12 months, up from +25% in Q3 2019

-100%

+100%

...of service firms are confident turnover will increase in the next 12 months, up from +30% in Q3 2019

-60% QES % Balance -80% 2007 2009 GDP Growth

GDP % Growth (ONS) 2011

2013

2015

Service Sector QES

2017

2019

-1.5% -2.0%

Manufacturing QES

5 www.britishchambers.org.uk | @britishchambers

n n n n

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6

If we have learnt anything it is to take nothing for granted.

It is probably an understatement to say that 2020 has been an extraordinary year.

The coronavirus has consumed our lives in so many ways – even the simplest of things that we once took for granted now require having a protocol in place. Despite the brief respite in August when the virus dangled a carrot and we emerged into what was left of summer hopeful of a “return to normal”, it is now clear that it is we who need to adapt to live with a virus which isn’t going anywhere soon.

It seems an age since we were having a debate on the impact of Brexit. Will we/ won’t we leave? Will we/won’t we agree a trade deal? Brexit and the impact on the economy of a no deal scenario was pushed off the front pages pretty quickly

by Covid-19 but the issues haven’t gone away and businesses have been quietly getting on with preparations for a new trading environment despite not having all the pieces of the jigsaw. This edition of Well Connected looks at how our members are preparing for what could still be a step into the unknown, and how the Chamber, working with the Department for International Trade and other members, can support them.

Liverpool Chamber

This is a perfect example of how businesses need to adapt to survive and I am constantly impressed with the flexibility and pragmatism shown by our members. Businesses generally don’t expect a great deal from anyone including the government. With a focus on survival they do what needs to be done and this attitude has been widely demonstrated across the sector throughout this pandemic.

What they do ask for however is clarity and the ability to get on and do what they do best – create jobs and support the local economy. They don’t want confusion, constant policy changes, unnecessary bureaucracy and above all the “unknowns”.

As part of the British Chambers of Commerce we will continue to lobby government on these issues and one of the few positives to have emerged from this crisis is the increased awareness across Whitehall of the need to engage the business sector as evidenced by some of the recent policy decisions, particularly from the Treasury.

I have also been privileged to be part of the partnership developing the Liverpool City Plan (pages 18 and 19). Like businesses, cities need to adapt and be flexible to survive and Liverpool has been through its fair share of disruptors which have required a new way of thinking. The Plan can only be

successful if businesses are involved and we will continue to work with City Plan partners to maintain a collaborative and constructive relationship as well as engaging members.

As always the Magazine has some excellent examples of how our members are continuing to adapt and thrive despite the pandemic. These articles also serve as a useful reminder that not everything is about Covid-19. All those issues which were important to us before remain just as important – in some cases even more so.

Whether it is the increasing threat of climate change, the ongoing challenge of unemployment and skills gaps or the need for more investment in local and regional transport connections, the Chamber will continue to work with you to enable solutions which help your business be more resilient and thrive.

Paul Cherpeau CEO, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce

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NEW MEMBERS

Welcome

to our new Chamber Members SOKA Studio New to Liverpool, and led by the awardwinning graphic designer Sophie Karaer, SOKA provides the full package of creative services to businesses and individuals across the UK. Whether you’re looking to increase awareness or drive product sales, you can have ultimate confidence in us.

SOKA have the proven ability to craft the types of content sure to make the desired impression on prospective and established customers. Working for clients in such varied industries as legal services, alternative energy, cosmetics and marketing; we’re always open to fresh challenges.

Having initially set up 5 years ago in rural Lincoln, SOKA have gone on to achieve success in the promotion of nationallyrecognised brands and businesses. Fuelled by this success, the SOKA team has been expanded; drawing the talents of creatives from around the UK. With a completely agile and responsive team; SOKA offers the complete creative package, from branding, through to e-commerce websites and everything in between. Our collective mission is to assist in effective articulation of business messages;

building coherent, smart brands that connect and resonate with target audiences.

Having recently made the move to Liverpool, we are excited about the prospect of working with clients in the Liverpool city region.

Trust us to create the types of promotional assets that will give customers a true flavour of your brilliance; before they even meet you. Visit our website https:/ /sokastudio.co.uk/

East Link International Trading Ltd East Link International Trading Ltd specialises in sourcing high quality – Made in China – products across all industry sectors; achieved through a highly experienced sourcing team and established business relationships in China. With their industry leading buying power, they are able to guarantee the lowest product prices within the highly competitive trading market.

Connect Support Thrive.

Find out more on page 30 where Managing Director, Liang Zhang, features in our Ask the Expert feature.

Apoc IT Solutions Limited Apoc IT Solutions Limited help companies get the best out of their IT solutions, disaster recovery specialists dealing with cyber-attacks, losing datacentres and email server solutions. Offering a free review on your current setup, please contact to discuss your requirements and create a 5 year plan so you can sleep easy and not worry about your IT Infrastructure.

Visit our website www.apocit.com

Membership of the Chamber gives your business access to the largest and most diverse network of businesses in the Liverpool City Region. Find out more about how you can be part of the network by visiting www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk or by contacting our membership team on 0151 227 1234 or membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk 8

POST BREXIT RECRUITMENT

Post Brexit Recruitment The new system: Sponsor Licences Brexit is the biggest change to immigration law in a generation.

Post-Brexit, the new Skilled Worker visa will be the main route of entry for skilled workers who have a job from an approved sponsor.

This will apply to EU and non-EU nationals alike (aside from EU nationals who have obtained settled/ pre-settled status, or Irish nationals who are exempt). The Government has announced that this new visa will be based on Tier 2 of the current Points Based System. Although full details have yet to be published, it is clear that in order to access the scheme, employers will need to register with UK Visas and Immigration to become licensed sponsors.

Without a licence, your business may not be able to recruit non-UK nationals after 31 December 2020.

How to apply for a licence Getting a sponsor licence before 1 January 2021, and getting the application right first time, is business critical.

The application process involves completing an online form and submitting detailed supporting documents that meet the prescriptive requirements under the Immigration Rules. This can prove tricky, given the detailed and complicated requirements under the rules. However, it is more than simply a form filling exercise – becoming a sponsor involves accepting a high degree of responsibility for immigration compliance.

When applying for a licence, employers need to be able to demonstrate they can meet their compliance obligations and understand what is expected of them going forwards. The guidance is clear that if a business applies for a licence and gets the application wrong, they will not only lose their application fee, but will also be prevented from reapplying for a licence

Liverpool Chamber

for at least six months, possibly longer. This will have significant implications on your recruitment strategy and business planning.

• Detailed training on the current Points Based system, including employee sponsorship and sponsor duties;

The Government is encouraging all employers who do not currently hold a sponsor licence who will (or may) want to employ non-UK nationals from 1 January 2021 to apply for their sponsor licenses now: “If you are not currently approved to be a sponsor but think that you are likely to need to sponsor skilled migrant workers from 1 January 2021, you can apply for approval (a “sponsor licence” now) ... You are encouraged to apply early, even if you are not sure if you will need to sponsor migrants under the new system from January 2021”. (Tier 2 and 5: Guidance for Sponsors, UKVI, 6 April 2020)

• The implications of Brexit on your people;

Training As the UK leaves the EU, more and more businesses will need to get to grips with the UK’s immigration system than ever before, if they want to be able to recruit and employ non-UK nationals. When free movement ends on 31 December 2020, all businesses will need to adapt to a new compliance regime.

We have the knowledge and experience to help your business confidently and successfully navigate these changes.

We have a proven track record in providing training to HR, recruitment and operational teams on all aspects of the UK’s immigration system. We also train senior managers and Board level directors on the specific compliance obligations associated with holding licensed sponsor status.

• The EU Settlement Scheme; • The new Skilled Worker visa route; • Balancing immigration and employment law compliance.

Our approach is to make training as interactive and engaging as possible using practical and fun techniques including case studies, quizzes and games.

Training can be delivered in person at your offices, or ours, or remotely via Webinar – whichever works best for you. Our trainers are fully qualified employment lawyers who also specialize in business immigration.

They have many years of experience of dealing with these in practice for a wide range of clients, from SMEs to Plcs.

How we can support you Our Business Immigration team has a wealth of experience supporting clients with sponsor licence applications and providing employers with the tools and knowledge they need. Please contact laura.darnley@brabners.com to discuss how we can support you

We help provide your people with the skills and knowledge they need to understand the immigration system and reduce the likelihood of costly and damaging compliance failures.

We provide our clients with courses that are tailored to meet their specific needs and budgets, but common themes in recent training include: • The legal obligations and requirements for establishing right to work during the recruitment/ onboarding process;

9

Richard Corbett

GM UK and Ireland, Voi Technology

Voi e-scooters just launched in Liverpool and we had a chance to chat with Richard Corbett, Voi’s UK General Manager, about this launch and why e-scooters have an important role to play in getting people moving safely around town.

Most of our readers are probably not familiar with Voi, can you tell us more about the business and the trial you’re currently doing?

Voi launched back in 2018 and we are a Swedish micro-mobility company that offers scooter sharing services in partnership with cities and local communities. We currently operate in over 50 cities and across eleven countries and we have more than six million active users riding our scooters regularly.

Liverpool is well known for its music history and Voi is making transportation history by bringing e-scooters to Liverpool. So far, the service has been well received with many users moving around town using the Voi e-scooters. Supported by the Department for Transport, the Liverpool e-scooter trial is one of more than a dozen taking place across the U.K., including in the West Midlands and Northamptonshire, where we launched in September.

What are the benefits of e-scooters?

E-scooters are a new way to travel, providing the city’s residents and visitors with a new low-carbon mode of transport at a time when increased adherence to social

distancing rules is required. E-scooters are very practical and useful for journeys of one to three miles, which makes up 60% of all road trips in the UK. They take the pressure off Liverpool’s public transport and enable people to be able to access work, shops or just experience the city, without having to resort to their car or worry about overcrowded trains or buses, particularly now with the COVID restrictions. They are also easier for some people, with restricted fitness or stamina, to access than a bicycle.

What do our readers need to do if they want to ride a Voi e-scooter?

According to the current legislation, e-scooters are considered a motor vehicle so Voi riders must have a provisional driving license and have completed Voi’s digital e-scooter traffic school - #RideLikeVoila.

We also advise our users to wear a helmet when riding around to protect themselves and we had the pleasure to give away many helmets so riders are ready to go.

How much does it cost to use a Voi e-scooter, are they affordable for all?

Voi e-scooters are available to unlock for £1 and will cost £0.20 per minute. However, a variety of passes and discounts are available, to ensure that the e-scooters are accessible by all, including discounts for key workers who need to access hospitals, schools, and the city centre in their roles.

Are e-scooters? What are you doing to guarantee the safety of riders and pedestrians going around town?

Introducing e-scooters as safely as possible is our number one priority and Voi’s operations exceed the safety requirements required by

the Government, with in-person and online rider education, rider identity verification, and #RideLikeVoila - our online traffic school.

On top of our existing geofencing technology which we are constantly updating, we have been increasing significantly the number of ambassadors on the street and we are working closely with the local police to help people ride safely and monitor scooter activity. We have started introducing number plates on our e-scooters to help report misuse and increase rider responsibility.

We are also making our e-scooters COVID safe, the scooters are cleaned and disinfected every 24 hours, to ensure that they can not become sources of infection. Voi has added copper-tape to the handlebars of its e-scooters, which kill 99.98% of coronavirus on contact.

Overall, we want to help create greener cities where people enjoy living. We are aware that vulnerability comes in many forms and we are in contact with many vulnerable groups so we can swiftly tackle any issues affecting them. For instance, to prevent clutter, we are liaising with RNIB (Royal National Institute For Blind People) to introduce physical parking racks and incentivising cities to invest in more dedicated parking infrastructure for micromobility in public spaces.

For more information please visit: www.voiscooters.com or get in touch with us via press@voiapp.io

PATRON NEWS

Second wave of Covid-19 should not force us to compromise on vital cancer services As the UK gears up to face a second wave of Covid-19 in what will be a very difficult winter for our healthcare services, many leading experts and healthcare providers are warning of the dangers further restrictions could pose to vital cancer services.

Mike Moran, CEO of Rutherford health which operates the network of Rutherford Cancer Centers across the UK including one in Liverpool, warned that cancer care can end up becoming the biggest casualty of the second wave: “We are in a very precarious situation. Further restrictions will disproportionately harm cancer services and the NHS has only just started to properly restart cancer services

Liverpool Chamber

since the first lockdown. We need to be creative and ensure that vital healthcare services such as cancer care are not in any way disrupted by the second wave.”

Mike Moran spoke after it was revealed in an NHS Confederation report that the NHS faces a ‘triple whammy’ this winter due to a second wave, treatment backlogs, and reduced capacity due to infection control measures in hospitals.

“We are already grappling with an enormous backlog, some three million people missed cancer screenings since March according to Cancer Research UK. Any disruption to services because of a second wave could cause enormous damage to patient outcomes for many years to come.

“We need to be proactive in finding solutions that allows us to tackle both challenges without having to make terrible choices yet again. For a start, diagnosis and testing must be ramped up with urgency so that cancer patients can get on a clear treatment pathway as soon as possible.

We must also utilise the capacity of the independent sector more effectively.”

Rutherford Health’s network of four cancer centres remained fully operational throughout the first lockdown and provided its services to NHS Trusts who needed additional capacity for their cancer patients at the height of the first wave.

Mike Moran believes a similar approach is needed but on a much larger scale: “There has been a lot of terrific collaboration between the public and independent sectors to ensure cancer patients receive the treatments they need in a timely manner. This needs to be expanded and utilised more effectively or we risk the backlog getting completely out of control.”

The centre in Liverpool, the Rutherford Cancer Centre North West, is based in the Knowledge Quarter in Paddington Village and launched earlier this year.

All Rutherford Cancer Centres provide chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and high energy proton beam therapy as well as an advanced suite of diagnostic services. The Liverpool centre will be additionally equipped with Elekta’s latest technology in precision radiotherapy, the Unity MR Linac machine.

11

Woolton Golf Club are delighted to announce THAT THE MAJOR REFURBISHMENT OF THE CLUBHOUSE IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 2020 The modernised clubhouse will include a new function suite, new bars, dining room and separate lounge. All these facilities will be available to members, visitors and guests attending events hosted at the club.

Woolton Golf Club is an exclusive members club with a rich history, situated in the heart of South Liverpool. The club’s vision is to further develop both the course and the clubhouse to ensure visitors enjoy a fantastic experience, whether out on the course or in the modernised clubhouse facility.

Established in 1901, Woolton Golf Club is a mature tree lined course in Woolton, an affluent, leafy suburb in South Liverpool. It is ideally located for functions, family gatherings and weddings, with free parking available.

We look forward to welcoming old and new members For further information, contact the office on 0151 486 2298 (option 4), or take a look at our website www.wooltongolfclub.com

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ENT MILLIO G U

As we head to our 140th year we are reviving our founder’s rallying cry with our ‘Million Pennies Appeal – children supporting children!’

As one of Liverpool’s major charities, we support children and young people through schools, care homes, family, community and social work services, helping the most vulnerable in our communities.

Your support can make a difference to a young persons future!

Call or email now to request a collection tub and ask you staff, customers, colleagues and friends to help you fill it!

0151 261 4498 fundraising@wearenugent.org wearenugent.org N427 | Corporate Trustee: Nugent Care 2019 Ltd (Company No: 12227571), Registered Charity 1187072.

Nugent Care Registered Charity: 1187072-1. Visual concept by Rose (8) and Theo (5).

Could you help us raise a million pennies by 1 December?

Bauer Media, Chasing the Stigma and stars pledge to make the UK kinder as research finds that 2 in 3 Brits agree it is now more important than ever to be kind to others The campaign, supported by Little Mix, Olly Murs, James Bay and Laura Whitmore, aims to encourage people to be kinder this World Mental Health Day Liverpool-based national mental health charity Chasing the Stigma has partnered with Bauer Media and Where’s Your Head At? to support the launch of the media brand’s #PledgeKindness campaign.

The campaign asks Brits to do something kind for someone else by ‘pinning’ their pledges to an interactive digital map, aiming to collect 10,000 pledges by World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October.

The partnership comes following research revealing two thirds of Brits agreed that it is now more important than ever to be kind to others, with almost half (48%) stating they are more open to helping to people than they were before, new research from Bauer Media finds. According to the study, more than half of people had received a small act of kindness from a family member or a friend during the pandemic, with more than 1 in 5 receiving one from a complete stranger.

These gestures of kindness have led to an improved sense of community; 74% stated they now have a better community with their neighbours compared to before.

link between kindness and mental health was recognised; over 75% agreed that both performing and receiving acts of kindness helps boost a positive mindset.

To reach its 10,000 pledge goal, star supporters of the campaign Little Mix, Olly Murs, James Bay and Laura Whitmore will be sharing their stories of kindness and inspiring fans to get involved. Absolute Radio will also be replacing ad breaks with an instrumental song for the first time ever, encouraging listeners to take time to think about the power of words, their mental health and how they can help the people around them.

The interactive digital map has been built in partnership with Chasing the Stigma’s Hub of Hope app; which brings together all the mental health support available to someone in any given area. The Hub of Hope is the only service of its kind that brings together NHS, voluntary, grassroots, private and third sector mental health support details nationally and locally, with over 1,800 services registered and its database growing daily.

Jake Mills, Founder of Chasing the Stigma, added: “It’s great to be a part of this campaign which highlights mental health and we hope people get involved and #PledgeKindness. Year after year, we are faced with the same reality that thousands of lives are being lost to suicide. There were 5,691 suicides registered in England and Wales in 2019, many of which weren’t known to the system, and COVID-19 is having a catastrophic effect on people across the UK. Every day, not just on

national awareness days, we should be opening dialogue, making sure people know what support resources are available and giving them a space to find help.”

Lucie Cave, Creative Editorial Director, Bauer Media said: “We’ve been proactively campaigning for mental health awareness with Where’s Your Head At? since 2018 and know mental health is even more of an issue this year with coronavirus and lockdown impacting our livelihoods. Please join us and Chasing the Stigma and help us reach 10,000 pledges – they can be as small as checking in with a friend or saying hello to a neighbour – it’s about the commitment of writing it down and spreading kindness and happiness with someone else!”

Natasha Devon MBE, Mental Health Campaigner and Co-Founder of Where’s Your Head At? said: “Doing an act of kindness releases endorphins which, long term, help combat the mental and physical effects of stress and anxiety.

Being on the receiving end of an act of kindness fosters connection, which has been shown in numerous studies to improve brain chemistry. With experts describing the mental health impact of COVID as ‘a pandemic within a pandemic’, it’s never been more important for us to #PledgeKindness to one another.”

For more information on the campaign and to pledge a small act of kindness now, please visit https:/ /www. wheresyourheadat.org/

66% also noted that they appreciate the little things more, stating that small acts that were previously dismissed – such as smiling more or picking up the phone – now seem more extravagant. Plus, a strong

Liverpool Chamber

15

3. Ensure employees have the tools to function reliably, effectively and keep in touch through use of the most suitable communication equipment.

The goal should be to communicate virtually as closely to a normal office environment as possible. If you have daily or regular team meetings, these should continue to keep the focus and the remote employee feel part of the office-based team.

4. Clearly communicate and involve the remote employees in the company vision, key targets and appropriate developments within the business.

ARE YOU IN OR ARE YOU OUT? THE REMOTE WORKING HOKEY COKEY!!

16

Managing Remote Working: The New Normal

in their work life balance and often, savings in time and travel costs. Many organisations, including tech, banking and SME’s, continue to encourage their employees to work remotely.

Covid 19 has changed everything.

Sometimes we are in and sometimes we are out of the workplace. At the time of writing, the government has stated they we should work from home where we can, less than one month after advising us to return to the office. Things will never be the same again as people become customed to remote working and flexibility is essential. From the start of lockdown in the UK, businesses had to adapt and find a way to function efficiently with employees, many of whom had no experience of remote working.

From box rooms to dining tables being made into offices, recent studies have shown that employees have embraced the change, finding improvements

If increased remote working is the new normal, businesses and managers must focus on supporting their employees, both remotely and office based, and ensure the goals of the business are achieved.

Tips for managing remote teams include the following.

1. Trust your employees. Flexibility and understanding are necessary to support their new working environment.

Manage by results and output rather than the watchful eye.

2. Be clear with expectations and how the remote working will function.

5. Take the time to review your systems.

Look and see if your system can work remotely or look at swapping out old systems to cloud based telephony which can work at home, on the move or in the office.

6. Utilise webinars rather than email to keep employees feeling connected, involved and minimising potential for feelings of isolation.

The key component for success is communication and continuity. Reliable, secure and efficient IT and telecom systems can support the required communication. This can include internet connection with built in failover onto the mobile network, ability to take calls remotely and VPN access to servers or data centres. You should ensure the business functions to the same level whether the employee is working remotely or in the office, while also enhancing the experience for the remote employee through the feeling of connectivity and having the same level of technical support and equipment, regardless of location.

At BT Local Business Liverpool, Chester and North Wales, we have a team of experts with extensive knowledge of successful remote working. If you would like a free demonstration on how cloud telephony works and how this would benefit your business, we would be happy to help all Liverpool Chamber members and associated businesses. Please call us on 01704 898210 Andy MacGregor Managing Director. BT Local Business Liverpool, Chester & North Wales

PATRON NEWS

Challenging times require strong leaders and a great response.

It is safe to say 2020 has not gone the way we all had planned it would. We are living in a new world that brings more uncertainty and questions every day that no one expects or has answers for. Every news article and professional opinion varies from the next and all this has had a profound and lasting impact on businesses across the UK. We have weathered storms and uncertainty in the past, notably the 2008 crash, however, this is different. Many businesses are questioning their next step or frantically striving to keep things going, but when all is said and done, we will get through this crisis. Those of us that call Merseyside our home are a plucky bunch that won’t give up without a fight.

1. Communicate with your employees Your employees need to know what is going on. You will find they are understanding and share the same emotional stress and uncertainty that is keeping you awake at night. Share with your employees what is happening, when and how. Regardless of the uncertainty, anxiety and risk, you will get a better and more meaningful outcome by sharing your business strategy with your employees.

You will not have all the answers to their questions but by sharing regular updates you will find it emboldens them to commit and drive forward with change. After all, we are all in this together.

2. Adapt to market trends Look at current market trends and understand what your customers value.

This is especially difficult in the current climate, however, getting it right will pay off. Understanding your customers’ values and pains will help you adapt your service and product offering. Get it right, and by the time this crisis passes, you may find your business has a new revenue stream.

3. Focus on your honeypots Every business has their honeypot customers that regularly buy your services or products. During times like these it is essential that you go above and beyond for these customers. Understanding their

Liverpool Chamber

values and circumstances will help you identify more like them.

4. Don’t blame Covid for poor service and response times.

Everyone reading this will undoubtably have heard of, or experienced, slower response times during this crisis. Phones ringing out, emails unanswered for days, live chat sessions disconnected or being sat in a queue on hold to get through to

the right person. How do you feel when it happens to you? How do you feel about the company you are engaging with?

It is tough to provide a good response in times of crisis. Your resources are stretched, and time is precious, so why not consider a back-up plan? Many companies outsource some of the above challenges either in part, as an overflow arrangement, or fully outsourced. You need to decide what is best for your customers and business.

Outsourcing will achieve a better response time, higher levels of customer service and enable you and your employees to save much needed time.

James Massey, Head of Sales and Marketing at Face For Business, works with businesses to help them work smarter and more efficiently. Face For Business specialises in telephone answering, virtual receptionists and website live chat.

Face For Business - We are always here for your business.

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Liverpool sets out bold roadmap for post-COVID 19 recovery A bold ‘Team Liverpool’ roadmap to drive the city forward beyond the COVID-19 pandemic was launched on Monday 5 October.

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LIVERPOOL CITY PLAN The City Plan is a commitment from key public, private and voluntary sector partners to tackle inequalities to give everyone a better quality of life – regardless of background, identity or postcode.

It aims to give people a voice to shape the way we deliver public services across communities by focusing on six priority areas and using shared resources to transform the agenda for health, education, neighbourhoods, economy, culture and climate.

Half of Liverpool’s neighbourhoods are amongst the 10 per cent most deprived in England, which creates a unique pressure upon, and demand for, local services at a time when public spending is becoming scarcer.

The city is proposing a fundamentally different approach which shifts power to people and communities, to collaborate rather than compete across organisations at all levels, and to work more effectively with central government and national agencies.

The most exciting city in the UK – culture, sport and creativity is Liverpool’s USP and makes the city attractive for residents, workers, visitors and investors.

Key ambitions include: • Halving the projected life expectancy gap with the England average from 2.8 to 1.4 years.

• Reducing infant deaths by a third • Increasing school attendance and outcomes • Improving the quality and choice of homes • Increasing the employment rate and reducing the wage gap • Accelerating the move to become a zero net carbon city

The City Plan is focused around six themes:

• Rebooting the visitor economy

A healthier, happier, fairer Liverpool for all - working together to tackle health inequalities and respond to what matters most to people in terms of improving their health and wellbeing across all stages of life – Starting Well, Living Well and Ageing Well.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “2020 has delivered the greatest challenge of our times and Liverpool’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has again shown the resilience and community spirit which makes this such a great city.

People are educated to succeed throughout life - children are ready for school and everyone has access to an inclusive, high quality education that enables them to live fulfilled, happy and productive lives. Employment prospects improve through lifelong learning and access to technical and professional skills.

Safe and thriving neighbourhoods - all residents live in safe, inclusive and welcoming neighbourhoods, where people choose and aspire to live, raise their families and grow old. Public services are aligned with local need to reduce inequalities within the city.

A strong and inclusive economy - A productive, innovative, sustainable and fair economy, where businesses thrive through nurturing talent from all communities and provide good jobs with fair pay, conditions and progression.

Liverpool Chamber

A low carbon, connected and accessible city - A city with smart, clean, accessible and integrated infrastructure, where organisations, businesses and residents are all playing their part in responding to the climate emergency and speeding the city’s transition to zero carbon.

“We need to challenge systemic racial and indeed, all aspects of inequality, we must change and do better. The City Plan will focus upon creating greater equality and opportunity for everybody in everything from health to wealth, education and employment.

“Now more than ever, we need a partnership between local stakeholders and citizens as we drive our city forward in this new landscape. It will require radically rethinking the way we deliver public services. The focus will be on how we work collectively to build upon the strengths of all our employers, residents and communities.

“The City Plan will help unify public services in Liverpool and will focus on the strengths and needs of individuals and neighbourhoods.

Early help and prevention will be central, and communities will be increasingly empowered to make decisions and influence things which matter and are of value to them.”

You can view the Liverpool City Plan at https:/ /cityplanliverpool.co.uk/

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Find out more about the Chamber’s Business Restart & Recovery Affinity Services Members of Liverpool Chamber can access excellent assistance through our Business Restart & Recovery affinity schemes. These cover a range of professional services as well as access to practical support relating specifically to Covid-19. Make sure you make the most of your Chamber membership.

Chamber Four Services Chamber Four Services provides access to five business advice lines and over 750 free business documents through an online portal, including Chamber HR, Chamber Health & Safety, Chamber Legal and Chamber Tax Chamber Finance Finder In partnership with Swoop Finance and the British Chambers of Commerce, the Chamber Finance Finder platform simplifies and speeds up the funding process, matching member businesses with the right funding solutions across loans, equity and grants.

Chamber Mediation Chamber Members have access to a low cost mediation service designed to help local businesses reduce the cost of disputes during these difficult times. Provided in partnership with Mediate Legal, members businesses can access dispute mediation support to settle employment or commercial litigation at discounted or pro bono rates.

COVID Testing Solutions Members of the Chamber have exclusive access to a businessfocussed Coronavirus testing service delivered by Randox Health and the Ghosh Medical Group. The service provides local and

reliable PCR testing supported by rapid antibody testing for staff at a location of the business’s choosing.

Deep Clean Solutions Parthenon’s deep clean solutions provide access to a deep clean solution and consultancy at a discounted rate to meet government standards of cleanliness and provide peace of mind to staff, customers and suppliers alike. Upon confirmation of your membership you will be given your welcome pack with your unique log in details.

Chamber Roadside Assistance Chamber members can save 64% on Business Breakdown cover from the AA through this British Chambers of Commerce affinity programme.

Chamber Business Insurance Coeus Insurance Management Ltd offers a diverse range of insurance services and risk management options, fully tailored to you and your business. As a Chamber member you will have access to a range of exclusive member insurance benefits, designed to contribute towards the success of your business Member - Entrepreneur Package AJ Barnes Financial Planning are pleased to offer a range of support and advice to Liverpool Chamber members as part of your membership. The level of support varies on the level of your membership but includes telephone advice service/secure Zoom, access to a qualified Financial Adviser and ability to ask questions on a range of issues from retirement planning, protection planning, specialist banking & lending and investment & tax planning.

Professional Services As Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have started to ease, companies will need to act fast and implement plans to minimise the impact on their business. Begbies Traynor Group has provided guidance below that companies can follow to survive the challenges over the coming months.

For more details on all the schemes visit:

https:/ /www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/services/membership/partnership-business-services.aspx or contact membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk 20

RESTART RECOVERY

Doing business in a postcoronavirus world For many businesses, 2020 has been a year to forget. Unprecedented business disruption as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, has affected companies across the globe, decimating trade and seeing business activity grind to a halt.

In Liverpool, 3,884 companies are classed as being in ‘significant’ financial distress, according to latest figures from Begbies Traynor’s Red Flag Alert report, up 3% on the same period last year. With government support schemes being wound down and costs returning to businesses, it is unsurprising that many are contemplating what the future holds.

Liverpool Chamber

As lockdown restrictions ease in many areas, and businesses begin to tentatively look ahead to 2021, many will be concerned what the impact of both Brexit and the hangover from Covid-19 will have on their activities and opportunities. In a time of unparalleled uncertainty, planning for a future and seeing where their business fits amidst the spectre of Covid-19, is an extremely challenging task.

Seeking expert business support and advice at an early stage could be the difference between your company fighting for survival, or actively thriving, as the country adapts to the ‘new normal’. If your business is struggling to service its outgoings - whether as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis, or due to existing issues - or if you are concerned as to how viable your business is going forward, we can help you understand your current position, and the options open to you.

This may involve entering into formal negotiations with creditors, including HMRC; restructuring the company to free up both money and resources; seeking emergency funding; or, if the company is beyond the point of rescue, we can also explain what your options are when it comes to placing the company into liquidation.

Jason Greenhalgh and Keith Tully are Partners at Begbies Traynor’s Liverpool office and they are on hand to provide sound and actionable advice to sole traders and owners of SMEs as they navigate these uncertain times. For immediate help and advice, contact our Liverpool office today on 0151 227 4010.

Keith Tully 07969 905 654 keith.tully@btguk.com Jason Greenhalgh 07810 751 788 jason.greenhalgh@btguk.com

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RESTART RECOVERY

Corporate & Commercial Insurance: Supporting Businesses in a post Covid-19 World

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As businesses, we are living through unprecedented times and even as the economy starts to open up, we are all wrestling with significant challenges.

We must however keep one eye on the future – to understand how recovery might look, what we can do to protect profit margins and prepare for a bounce back into growth.

In addition, the Insurance Market had already begun shifting towards a ‘HardMarket Cycle’ over the previous 12 months.

Impact on Insurers

• Insurance Review and Appraisal (free of charge)

It is, of course, very difficult to predict how an economic recovery might take shape, however we do know that the impact of Covid-19 on Insurers financial outlooks will be severe. Insurers will likely need to adjust their budgets and implementation plans, cash flow expectations, and investment portfolios in light of recent developments.

• Risk Analysis

What does this mean for my Business?

Rate/Premium Increases when my profit margins are already under pressure.

How can Coeus Insurance Management Ltd help my Business?

Savings! Coeus Insurance are well placed to deliver cost efficiencies and reductions for Businesses through their proven expertise and relationships in the UK Insurance Market.

Holding agencies with a large number of financially secure insurers, this allows Coeus Insurance to place business with whichever insurer best suits their Client’s requirements.

This is delivered by:

• Insurance Programme Design This is the perfect opportunity to be proactive by putting your insurance placement at the top of your agenda rather than the bottom and benefit from Premium Savings today!!

About Us Coeus Insurance Management Ltd offers a diverse range of insurance services and risk management options, fully tailored to you and your business. Here’s why Coeus Insurance Management Ltd is the right Insurance Broker for you: • Our dedicated team of experts have the vast industry knowledge and their experience, in excess of 50 years is extensive, that’s how we know you’re in the right hands.

• It’s completely hassle-free – our team will remain dedicated to your business, taking ownership of the entire process.

Once you’re partnered with Coeus Insurance, we will remove all of your insurance worries and concerns.

• Cost-effective – we will source and implement the correct policy you require for the most reasonable financial cost available.

• Communication is key – you can rely on our team to be a constant support network to you, providing information, advice and guidance thoroughly and consistently as and when it is required.

• We are independently owned – this grants us the freedom to place business with an insurer that is the most suitable match for our clients’ unique requirements.

Organisational Risk and Survival – Take a Holistic Approach As we navigate through these uncertain times, many organisations are making the agonising decision to let go of staff or shut down altogether.

company’s property or assets), loss of raw material, digital property, harm to staff, customers, or general public -

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Resilience – A key failure point for businesses is the lack of resilience internally but also their supply chain and or that of their customers.

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Risk Management – Is it effective and is a true picture of the business risks or the perception of similar business or experiences?

‘How can we survive?’

As Nick Holden, MD of NexusProtect, reflects, “We need to take a considered approach and make the most of the resources available to us. We need to be truly innovative when looking a how we deliver services which can mean a whole new business direction”.

“Without a doubt, the coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on UK businesses. At NexusProtect, we specialise in business continuity in the face of a crisis.

What is important right now is to take stock of the situation, reallocate human resources, redistribute funds and adapt your working methods to maintain cash flow.”

So, how exactly can we adapt to ensure our organisations weather the storm?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to managing risk for organisations. That is why the NexusProtect team take a different approach: a truly holistic, 360° view looking at all areas of the business, how they fit together and produce the most operationally efficient delivery.

To add to the Covid crisis today’s organisations face threats from multiple directions both internal and external.

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Cyber - The digital threat – cyber criminals but also disgruntled staff and or poor staff training and awareness (accidental). This could lead to data breaches under GDPR, loss of commercial sensitive information and intellectual property.

Physical threat -Theft, fraud, industrial espionage (selling or damaging a

Liverpool Chamber

People (Insider risk) – lack of appropriate vetting, training & awareness, poor staff and management culture, disgruntled staff (especially in key areas), illegal workers, journalists etc. All can create vulnerabilities and therefore lead to reputational and financial loss.

All the above also need to be taken into account whilst finding a new direction through Covid 19.

It can be said that in some cases, the crisis has accelerated businesses need to change but this must be planned and not knee jerk!

Examples: IT and remote working Nick reiterates, the point of changing priorities when it comes to company spending. One area that should not be underfunded, he stresses, is IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. “Never has investment in IT been so timely – particularly with so many of us working from home,” says Nick. “You need to ask yourself – does your business have resilient IT infrastructure? What is the cost of the additional bandwidth needed to support homeworking?”

In reality, the danger is too great not to invest in cyber defences – particularly with the new wave of coronavirus-themed spam we’re seeing.”

for updating their staff on the situation.

Additionally, they should encourage an open dialogue wherever possible, whether that’s video calls through Zoom or similar tools. At times you should give people the opportunity to have individual calls so concerns can be raised in a safe environment for them,” says Nick.

Nick finishes “Ultimately, your people are your strongest asset. We all need to help one another through these times – whether that is doing our bit in the community, reallocation of resource, change of business delivery to negotiating payments or fostering a mental health scheme. We can only get through this if we work together.”

NexusProtect has had an extremely busy 6 months through Covid 19 with teams supporting national guarding mobilisations, 100 plus schools with data protection advice during there changes to more online learning and messaging. Nick’s team have also been supporting several organisations with crisis management, business continuity, Covid 19 H&S advice and security advice with vacant properties as well as unsecured assets.

NexusProtect provides individual or multi layered services from advice, review & assurance, training & awareness, operational delivery to strategic direction. In all cases our holistic view and approach means that a businesses can make the right decisions as well as save money due to appropriate spending, loss prevention and a USP’s – ‘Safe Pair of Hands’, ‘ Back to Work – Stay at Work’ For more information about how NexusProtect can help you and your organisation please visit the website at www.nexus-protect.com or send us an email at protect@nexus-global.co.uk

Mental Health As up to 8 million of us prepare to continue to work from home, many workers could struggle with adjusting to the continued isolation.

“A strong organisation has a robust internal communications policy and approach

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Has your financial adviser publicly pledged to put your interests first?

There’san aneasy easyway waytoto tell.

There’s tell.

The badge says it all.

The badge says it all.

Looking for a financial planner? Choose Chartered.

Chartered status, explained Since 1912 the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has been raising standards and highlighting distinction in the finance sector. It awards Chartered status to individuals and firms for achieving eminence in their field.

To become a Chartered firm means making a public pledge to maintaining the highest professional standards.

Chartered firms must achieve and sustain a level of expertise, integrity and client-centricity, underpinned by excellence in qualifications, commitment to ethics, good business practices and professional development. When you Choose Chartered, you choose a firm that has reached an objective standard of knowledge and conduct.

The CII sets the bar, a firm meets it.

Chartered financial planners and their service Financial planners enable us to realise our financial goals. Whether advising on pension solutions, investment portfolios or financial protection, financial planning firms are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure standards of advice are met.

Chartered Insurance Institute Standards. Professionalism. Trust.

Chartered financial planners strive to ensure these standards are not just met, but exceeded. A Chartered professional is a benchmark of competency, integrity and professionalism in an everchanging financial sector.

Chartered financial planners represent the highest professional standards.

Thanks to expertise maintained through continuous professional development, membership of the Personal Finance Society and application of the latest market practices, they are able to advise on matters as diverse and complex as the implications of bereavement, divorce and tax efficient investments. They fulfil an important role in society.

In order to receive their status, Chartered financial planning firms must meet similar criteria. They commit to a full financial planning service and make a Chartered financial planner available to every client, or, if they are a specialist firm, they offer a referral process. At least 50% of advisers at Chartered firms must be Chartered, together with at least one board member. Meanwhile, the entire board, along with 90% of a firm’s customer-facing staff, must be members of the CII, or the Personal Finance Society – the professional body for the personal finance sector.

Governing all this are core values, practices and diversity and inclusion policies that align with the CII’s Code of Ethics.

Your professional standards, upheld by Chartered planners

Recommending a Chartered expert to your clients

Financial sector professionals are duty-bound to deliver standards of professionalism and expertise that result in positive outcomes, therefore clients expect the same from anyone they may be referred to for related services.

Find the details of every qualified financial adviser and firm by using the Personal Finance Society’s free and impartial directory www.thepfs.org/ yourmoney/find-an-adviser/. Search and filter practitioners by specialism, location and professional status.

Refine searches to specifically show members with Chartered status.

To be referred to a Chartered financial planner is to be in safe hands. They have made a commitment to delivering high standards, then placed a public badge on that commitment.

They have put their practice up for independent, objective assessment, and been accredited for doing so.

The Chartered badge proudly tells you when a professional has made a public commitment to upholding the highest standards and putting you first.

The badge says it all.

cii.co.uk/charteredfinancialplanners

Beyond Brexit: What next for businesses in the Liverpool City Region?

With less than 3 months to go, and trade talks ongoing, UK businesses are doing what they can to prepare for a post Brexit trading environment. In this edition of Well Connected, we speak to Members about their plans for 2021. We also feature support from the Department for International Trade and spend 5 minutes with Denis Sowler, Chairman of our International Trade Club (page 50).

For more information on the Chamber’s international support including events, please contact export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Liverpool Chamber

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COVER FEATURE - INTERNATIONAL

Redefining International Trade: What’s Next?

By, Fred Tumas Boomerang carnets UK recently celebrated a 6-year partnership with the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. The partnership provides technology facilitating issuance of ATA Carnets at a better price and quickerin-hand than ever before.

Though the challenges of this Covid-19 pause brought a near halt to everything, optimism persevered especially given Liverpool’s unique position to become one of the U.K.’s most strategic import-export cities. With the ultramodern infrastructures of 5-Star John Lennon Airport and water ports like Liverpool2, the north Atlantic trade route will be busy. Add to that, the ease of obtaining an ATA Carnet from the Liverpool Chamber’s office. Trade negotiations between the U.K. and U.S. are important to the future economies of both countries and the U.K.’s most economical and convenient Carnet Distribution Center is ready in Liverpool, servicing all of the U.K. Boomerang saw some ingenious adaptations in ATA Carnet use by companies successful at keeping business moving forward. Noteworthy was by a U.K. film production company, (an industry severely hit by travel restrictions and

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mandatory quarantines), who adapted by shipping their cameras and equipment with a carnet by cargo and hiring a crew on the other end of the destination.

Boomerang’s 4-month webinar series “Leading Through Crisis” ended, initiated originally to help people plan a way out of the Covid-19 crisis. A complimentary 30-minute business consultation was offered to participants and because traders are responding to our offer to help, they continue. In the last installment of the series, a roundtable discussion was conducted with a group of international trade experts who left participants with a few takeaways relative to emerging out of what has occurred.

Ken Roberts, a Trade Statistics and Data Analyst who frequently publishes in Forbes said: “Find out where the opportunities are. Prepare and take advantage of them. Read a lot. Pay attention. Look at your life. What kind of decisions are you making to change your own life

and what does that mean for exports? It’s a question of seeing things half empty or half full, and this is the time for the half full people to take charge.”

Darie Achstein-Conway, Trade and Compliance Expert advised: “Flexibility is key. Go back to basics and reach out and speak to people you haven’t spoken to in years—network.”

Jeremy Page, a Trade Attorney speculated: “You have to be nimble. Opportunity appears when you do not expect it.

Companies must be retooled. You have to look at how you can fit in. You have to forecast different scenarios, so you are ready to jump on them when the right time comes. Those who think about the different paths for themselves will be best positioned to figure out what is going to happen next.”

Curt E.H. Wilson, Managing Director of boomerang carnets UK, concluded by citing a favorite quote: “We are continually faced with opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems.”

COVER FEATURE - INTERNATIONAL

Hungary – an ideal location to do business in the EU

Hungary has a strategically important central position in Europe, with welldeveloped infrastructure and excellent transport links to neighbouring countries.

Lying at the cross-roads of three TEN-T corridors allows an easy access to both Western and Eastern European countries and thus to the single market of the EU. and from an advanced business infrastructure.

Investors do not simply regard Hungary as an ideal production location, but also as a remarkable “advanced manufacturing & innovation centre” of Europe.

Growth in export over the last years shows that Hungarian products are competitive at a global level and after Brexit the UK will be Hungary’s no.2 trading partner outside the EU. Companies from Hungary offer high quality and innovative products in several industries. Electronics, automotive industry, machinery and metal industry are considered the main sectors for trade with high potential in health-, agro-and food industry and with unexploited potential in medical equipment, digital solutions and creative industry.

Hungary continuously improves its taxation system to foster growth and to improve the business climate. The emphasis has been shifted from income-type taxes to consumption-type taxes. The flat personal income tax system (15%) was introduced as a low-rate family-friendly system, where the costs of raising children are taken into account. The corporate income tax rate is the lowest in the EU with 9%. Hungary is committed to the gradual reduction of the tax burden related to employment and as a result the social contribution tax rate is only 15.5%.

The country is well-known for its highly educated, skilled and relatively cheap

Liverpool Chamber

labour force (the minimum wage is only 487 EUR), with high levels of English language knowledge. Motivated, committed and well educated Hungarian employees ingeniously work for achieving excellent results on all levels in all fields – from skilled craftsmen to engineers, from business managers to software developers.

Forty-five of the world’s 80 largest multi nationals, and many of their SME suppliers, have established a long-term presence in Hungary, benefiting from the highly skilled workforce, access to world-class universities, an advantageous location, qualified suppliers,

To facilitate foreign direct investments and reinvestments by local enterprises and to increase competitiveness there are also wide-ranging incentives – both refundable and non-refundable – available. The main types of incentives are cash subsidies (either from the Hungarian Government or from EU Funds), tax incentives, low-interest loans, and training subsidies.

The political and economic stability, the foreign trade focused foreign policy, the commitment on improving the business climate, the clear agenda on economic development and FDI strategy and a clear legal and regulatory framework make Hungary an ideal environment for sustainable growth.

If you would like more information about the business, trade and investment opportunities please contact the Consulate General of Hungary in Manchester at trade.man@mfa.gov.hu

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COVER FEATURE - INTERNATIONAL

Trader Support Service: Unfettered access between the UK and Northern Ireland Trevor Charsley, Senior Market Advisor at AFEX, October 2020 Brexit has produced a very particular anomaly for trade between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The latter is the only part of the UK that, at the end of the transition period, will stay in the EU single market for goods.

This unique situation means that Northern Ireland will have to continue to enforce the EU’s customs code at its border posts. So, from January 1st 2021, all goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK will need customs declarations.

As part of the agreed withdrawal agreement, the UK government has made much of Northern Irish business continuing to enjoy unfettered access to the rest of the UK. To provide for this, it has stepped in to effectively

act as a customs agent on behalf of businesses.

The idea is to automate, as much as possible, all paperwork and customs clearance documents. A portal has been built that will guide all exporters, hauliers and importers through the customs clearance process.

A call centre has been set up specifically for the service and a roadshow will be conducted to ensure that businesses are registered for the start of next year. In total, the government is set to spend up to 355 million pounds on the service to help goods move smoothly from the rest of the UK into Northern Ireland.

If you wish to find out more about the trader support service, please visit the government website at: https:/ /www.gov. uk/guidance/trader-support-service.

Negotiations on a trade deal between the UK and EU continue. It seems like there are three probable outcomes:

1. A ‘skinny’ trade deal, comprising a basic agreement on some goods and services sectors. We would still expect trade disruption in some areas.

2. A ‘skinny’ trade deal with the promise of further negotiations, implying similar effects to the first scenario, with some possible agreement in years to come.

3. No-deal, representing a hard Brexit with tariffs imposed by both the UK and EU, as the UK trades on WTO rules.

Whatever is agreed, there is potential for huge swings in the value of the pound. If you trade with overseas counterparts it would be a shame to negotiate the new trading rules and the Covid-19 pandemic only to be bitten by the Brexit currency dog.

To find out more, please visit www.afex.com or contact Trevor Charsley on +44 (0)207 004 3866 tcharsley@afex.com

© 2020 Associated Foreign Exchange, Inc. All rights reserved. This article has been prepared solely for informational purposes and does not in any way create any binding obligations on any party. The information provided here should not be construed as providing advice or recommendations of any kind. You should use your independent judgment and consult with your own independent advisors in evaluating whether to enter into a transaction. No representations, warranties or conditions of any kind, express or implied, are made in this document. Associated Foreign Exchange Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register Reference: 502593) for the provision of payment services and registered as an MSB with HM Revenue & Customs (Registered No: 12159000). AFEX Markets Plc is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 526034) to advise and execute trades in foreign exchange options. Currency options and other derivative products are not suitable for everyone. You should ensure the risks involved are fully understood before purchasing these products.

Are you making the most of our advice and support?

The Department for International Trade North West supports companies of any size and at all stages of their export journey to trade internationally. Here’s a refresher of our services: International Trade Adviser (ITA) account management and consultancy Professional export advisory service by ITAs with Institute of Export CPD accreditation.

Diagnostic, regularly reviewed action plans, mentoring and contact.

Fully funded training in export-specific skills and knowledge Masterclasses/workshops, including: Introduction to Export; Exhibition Skills; Intellectual Property; Researching Markets; Digital Marketing; Language & Culture etc.

Sector-specific advice and support One-to-one advice from specialist ITAs or sector staff from DIT centrally; sector events including virtual webinars, briefings and round tables; virtual and physical tradeshows.

Market-specific events and briefings Designed to explain how to enter and grow in specific markets; led by market experts from the commercial and public sectors.

Export Champions - peer support facilitation Introduction to suitable mentors (SME leaders) who share experience of their own export journeys and can inspire and encourage; delivered via the Northern Powerhouse Export Champions scheme.

Export growth programmes Formal diagnostic process followed by creation of a detailed report and action plan. Criterias vary according to the programme but are typically geared to high growth or small to medium-sized businesses.

Assistance with applying for grants For new business development, virtual and physical conferences, overseas market visits or export-related consultancy (research, translation, legal). Grants are subject to criteria and vary from programme to programme.

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This is not an exhaustive list and may be subject to change.

Louise Di Blasi, your local International Trade Adviser says “If you haven’t been in touch with your International Trade adviser for a while then please reach out and make contact. If you are not working with us and are interested in having a chat then please contact me and I will be more than happy to talk you through our support and services.”

About your local ITA:Louise Di Blasi is an International Trade Adviser for the Cheshire & Merseyside area and works closely with businesses throughout the region. She has many years’ experience in exporting and working with businesses to expand their international trade worldwide in various sectors.

For more information please contact her on louise.diblasi@ tradenw.org or call 07741381067. See www.great.gov.uk for more details.

Challenging times Finn machines chocolate coat and polish peanuts, raisins and a variety of other centres, research into the development of equipment, processing methods and products utilised in different areas of the globe due to climate, taste and dietary preferences, all challenges which we constantly meet to ensure the equipment stays as the number one choice.

a sale or supporting an installation. The future of air travel and the possibility of increased visa requirements are something of a concern but all of us cannot wait to back out working in chocolate factories again! Fortunately, the function of our equipment is to make production automated with less human operation so we are seeing an increase in enquiries.

Recent contracts have been to USA, Europe, Japan and Australian chocolatiers.

Currently we are seeing a confidence in market demand for chocolate coated products, especially milk chocolate in ASEAN.

International Exhibitions are very important to us, we are hoping that the culture for companies to view and purchase at the events we attend in Germany, Chicago and Mumbai will continue, they are so important for networking, staying in contact with existing clients and meeting new.

Covid 19 has been a big challenge to maintain relationships with our clients and give the service and support we are renowned for.

Traveling to sites is part of the job for everyone at DT &G Ltd, wherever it is for

assumed. We value our clients and we really need to have easy access to these markets where economic growth is strong.

“I have enjoyed travelling to many different parts of the world, confectionery is a great sector to be part of, our clients are many thousand of miles away but to us they are “just round the corner”. By the time we have completed the design, the build, the installation and training we are all part of the same project. International trade is at the heart of our success.

Lyn.pitt@dtg-ltd.co.uk

The development of trade deals and shipping arrangements need to be carefully monitored as we enter a post Brexit year, nothing can be taken for granted or

Alex Stewart International is a Global Organization based in Aintree which provides Inspection and Testing Services to the Metals & Mining, Agricultural and Food sectors.

Monday 23rd of March seems such a long time ago now, and the day after Boris Johnson’s somewhat confusing lock down announcement was possibly the most critical point for the Company in our recent history.

We immediately held an emergency meeting to check whether we were safe to carry on working, we called the Government’s hotline to confirm our status. Our agriculture and food testing operations eventually received a Government letter to show to customers that we could continue with our inspection and analysis services, much of that is based at Peel Port’s Royal Seaforth Grain and Feed Terminal for shipments which were still arriving from all around Europe and the Americas.

I would never have imagined a scenario of closing the Company down for 4 months then having to start all over again, pretending to compete as if it were the morning after lockdown. Initially there was a lot of confusion amongst staff as to “what happens next?” so myself and senior management tried to reassure everyone that their health and wellbeing was our primary concern. For insurance purposes, we carried out an in-depth risk assessment on all aspects of our work, and, by staying open, we continued to provide our worldwide client base with vital quality and quantity verification services. Approximately

Liverpool Chamber

75% of our administration worked from home, the rest remained on site for two separate sixhour shifts, from 6am to 6pm. This operated well, more importantly it allowed the Company to became COVID-19 compliant, and, as time moved on, this was significant - we were living in real time, coexisting with COVID-19, following daily protocols such as temperature taking, social distancing, mask wearing and working with due caution. Daily updates on how our Global offices were coping were circulated to the ASi Group and 3 open letters to the industry sector were circulated and posted to Linked In. Overall, business has been reasonably stable despite global metals markets experiencing shrinkage firstly due to Asian metal refiners temporarily closing in February and later on supply from mines and loading ports in the Americas, and then precious metal refiners in Europe reducing output, with some even temporarily shutting down. Steel scrap inspections coordinated from our office in Turkey, which also includes quality control at the Port of Liverpool, have thrived; in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, we have inspected, sampled and tested a record number of Panamax vessels loaded with soya bean for China. The UK food and pet

food testing part of our services have also been kept busy - as Rishi Sunak’s “Eat Out” scheme recently proved, people and animals need to be fed. Our hygiene inspection and swabbing services at some UK Airports were unfortunately suspended until the end of September, however UK Airport Authorities now want us to increase our swabbing services to further ensure public hygiene at retail outlets during COVID-19 times.

In June, our Chief Chemist noticed a Liverpool Chamber of Commerce news letter informing that Randox Health could provide on-site antibodies testing for local businesses; we tested over 80 staff for antibodies and in the light of Boris Johnson’s further announcement on 22nd September we have ratified our protocols and continue to monitor the crisis we face.

I really do hope we have no further business interruption, no matter whether it’s COVID-19 or Brexit issues, everybody at Alex Stewart Internationals’ workplaces have shown an incredible spirit to just get on with things in the face of adversity, which is the kind of spirit and attitude I appreciate and identify with in these difficult times.

COVER FEATURE -INTERNATIONAL

Ask the Expert?

Liang Zhang,

Managing Director of East Link International Trading Agency

Practical advice According to the HMRC overseas trade statistics, the value of UK imported goods in June 2020 was £38.8 billion, providing considerable trading opportunities for products sourced from abroad. At the same time, China remains the world’s No. 1 exporter and with Brexit ongoing and Covid-19 changing the world, it is more important than ever for UK businesses to control their procurement costs, and shifting their sourcing destination to China could be a solution.

Why source from China?

China, the world’s largest exporter, has the world’s only Complete Industry Chain, ensuring manufacturers for nearly everything a standard business requires.

producing the requested quantity and put it in your contract. Also specify when the delivery to the Chinese Custom and cargo handover are expected; insert a safety clause (as compensation) for when they can’t deliver.

Recently, some industries (especially highpollution and labour-intensive ones) have shifted from China to Vietnam, India, and Malaysia. However, China remains the leading manufacturer, producing 20% of the world’s products whilst at the same time, we believe, maintaining a balance of quality and cost.

Logistics Suppliers handle delivery within China and deliver the cargo to the Chinese Customs (a port or an airport) where you can conduct a quality check before handover.

Use a Chinese freighting agency to handle customs clearance documents and freighting issues; many of them perform quality checks. Once the cargo passes the Chinese Customs, your UK customs clearance agency can take over and handle the clearance and delivery.

Quality Control We advise importers to prioritise quality when sourcing from China due to the industry’s complexity, choosing manufacturers who hold leading market positions. Whilst this might impact on final cost, it is the safest way to approach a Chinese manufacturer.

When approaching suppliers, importers should request their company registration certificate, export certificate, QMS certificates, and photos/videos of factories. Check for ISO approval, when their last audit was, and who did it. If necessary, follow up with the auditor. Ask if they can comply with BSI or EU standards and provide certificates or test reports.

Lead Time Decent Chinese suppliers manufacture quickly. However, verify their lead time for

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Communicating Differences in language, culture, and time-zone encumber communication with suppliers. Importers need someone who is bilingual and knows the cultural issues to initiate the contact. UK and China have 7 hours’ difference in summer; 8 in winter.

During regular UK working hours (9 am—5 pm), it will be 4 pm – 12 am (summer) or 5 pm – 1 am (winter) in China – almost impossible for a proper working-hour meeting.

Importers may have to employ an agency or work at midnight to reach their Chinese suppliers. WeChat app is recommended as all Chinese suppliers use it.

Payment For new buyers, Chinese suppliers usually demand 100% upfront payment and won’t entertain negotiation. Draft and sign a contract that secures your funds and products. Know the currency exchange rate; agree with the supplier on the trading currency and payment date to minimise loss.

Some suppliers accept a Letter of Credit (LC), which further secures your funds.

Loyalty Sticking with one supplier saves the time and hassle of finding another. Occasionally seek alternatives for better products or lower procurement costs — regular suppliers might only update you on manufacturing cost when it increases, not when it decreases. Be updated about market trends and switch suppliers, if necessary.

About East Link International Trading Agency East Link International Trading Agency is a global sourcing specialist, offering a one-stop solution for companies sourcing commodities at the lowest possible price from the Chinese market.

CONTACT US East Link International Trading Ltd, The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9QJ info@east-link.co.uk Tel: 0151 372 1688

Are you making the most of our advice and support?

The Department for International Trade North West supports companies of any size and at all stages of their export journey to trade internationally. Here’s a refresher of our services: International Trade Adviser (ITA) account management and consultancy Professional export advisory service by ITAs with Institute of Export CPD accreditation.

Diagnostic, regularly reviewed action plans, mentoring and contact.

Market-specific events and briefings

Assistance with applying for grants

Designed to explain how to enter and grow in specific markets; led by market experts from the commercial and public sectors.

For new business development, virtual and physical conferences, overseas market visits or export-related consultancy (research, translation, legal). Grants are subject to criteria and vary from programme to programme.

Export growth programmes Formal diagnostic process followed by creation of a detailed report and action plan. Criterias vary according to the programme but are typically geared to high growth or small to medium-sized businesses.

Fully funded training in export-specific skills and knowledge Masterclasses/workshops, including: Introduction to Export; Exhibition Skills; Intellectual Property; Researching Markets; Digital Marketing; Language & Culture etc.

Sector-specific advice and support

This is not an exhaustive list and may be subject to change.

Sara Pomfret, your local International Trade Adviser says “If you haven’t been in touch with your International Trade adviser for a while then please reach out and make contact. If you are not working with us and are interested in having a chat then please contact me and I will be more than happy to talk you through our support and services.”

One-to-one advice from specialist ITAs or sector staff from DIT centrally; sector events including virtual webinars, briefings and round tables; virtual and physical tradeshows.

About your local ITA:-

Export Champions - peer support facilitation

She has over 25 years’ experience in exporting and working with businesses to expand their international trade worldwide in various sectors.

Introduction to suitable mentors (SME leaders) who share experience of their own export journeys and can inspire and encourage; delivered via the Northern Powerhouse Export Champions scheme.

Sara Pomfret is an International Trade Adviser for the Cheshire area and works closely with businesses throughout the region.

For more information please contact Sara on sara.pomfret@tradenw.org or 07922 581333.

See www.great.gov.uk for more details.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FESTIVAL

The Good Business Festival: Steve Rotheram tells us why this ongoing event will be so special

Why is Liverpool City Region the right place to be delivering such an event?

Our region is a leader in doing things differently. Creative, compassionate, resilient and resourceful, we are region that prides itself on being pro good business rather than business as usual.

From raising millions to support our communities through Coronavirus with LCR cares, to our burgeoning social and solidarity economy, ours is a region with a conscience.

As we build a new normal, it will be Liverpool City Region hands that lay the foundations.

What is “building back better” and how does it link to the Good Business Festival?

Building Back Better is an idea that Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and myself began speaking about at the onset of this crisis. It quickly became clear that after this crisis there could be no return to business as usual – and we didn’t feel that we wanted one either.

Instead, we felt that we should be looking to build an economy and a society that is stronger, fairer and kinder – both to the planet and each other than what went before.

The Good Business Festival will be a place for us to come together in partnership with business, to find radical, deliverable solutions to help make that a reality.

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Why did you decide to commission the Good Business Festival?

How has the Good Business Festival changed due to Coronavirus?

In our region, we’ve never been one to follow the crowd. Instead we like to do things differently. Since I was elected, I’ve been working to build the fairest, most inclusive local economy possible.

Like everyone else these past few months, we have been forced to learn and adapt.

The Good Business Festival is a big part of that – showcasing us as a radical leader in ethical, values-driven business; a region where nobody is left behind.

The festival now takes place in two ‘acts’ with the first – as with everything since March – taking place online. The Second Act will take place in March next year, when we’ll be hoping to welcome delegates from around the world to our region.

Bringing together thought leaders and businesses of all sizes from all over, it’ll be a fantastic chance the show the world the great things we’re doing as well as learning a thing or two ourselves!

It will be the perfect platform for us to discuss the challenges and lessons from the Coronavirus crisis and help us come up with radical new solutions for Building Back Better.

How can people can get involved with the Good Business Festival?

The Festival is as much about small and social as it is about global business. We want your energy and ideas. All that we ask is that you are committed to helping us do things better.

You can find out more about the event and the programme, and register to watch all our content from Act 1, with much more still to come over the coming months – thegoodbusinessfestival.com It’s free but we’re asking people to contribute what they can to LCR Cares, our community support fund, when they sign up.

THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING

GOOD

FOR LIVERPOOL CITY REGION THE GOOD BUSINESS FESTIVAL

Register for free & watch online:

TGBF.CO.UK

ticketquarter.co.uk

COMMITTED TO KEEPING YOU SAFE

TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE

Wear a face covering onboard trains and in stations

Travel at quieter times.

Trains have limited capacity due to social distancing

Please be considerate of others. Hidden disabilities or medical conditions may mean not everyone can wear a face covering.

TPEXPRESS.CO.UK

Buy tickets online before you reach the station

TRANSPORT

“We’re

Good to Go” In conversation with Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express on the current challenges facing the sector and how they are adapting to provide a safe and reliable service for passengers What have been the challenges you’ve faced as a business over the last six months?

These are unprecedented times for our industry and the whole economy. Back in spring, our passenger numbers dropped initially by 95% and we are currently carrying 37% of our customer journeys compared to the same time last year.

Through the government’s support and the implementation of the Emergency Measures Agreement, we were able to run a number of services for key workers

Liverpool Chamber

over the last six months. We’ve gradually increased the timetable to 90% whilst still delivering our new trains’ programme to provide well needed extra capacity and more seats on our services. We’ve introduced enhanced cleaning measures to reassure and keep customers and our colleagues safe in stations and onboard.

We’re keeping customers informed every step of the way by adding more signage for social distancing and reminding customers to wear face coverings unless they are exempt and continually reevaluating how to adapt to the current government guidelines. We’ve recently received “We’re Good to Go” accreditation from Visit Britain that reassures customers they can travel with us safely and confidently.

With the current reduction in passenger numbers, do you see this being reflected in the cost of fares?

We continue to offer value fares across our network but in the current climate will ensure these are even more competitive.

We currently offer a number of advance fares which provide discounts of up to 50% compared to our anytime single journey prices. As more people return to the railway, we know that fewer will be doing the standard nine to five, Monday to Friday

and that they will want more flexibility from their ticket. We’re working with government to find solutions in the short term, but we also want to work with them to deliver the fares reform and ticketing, so customers don’t need a crystal ball when planning how they travel.

How does the recent announcement about Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement affect TransPennine Express (TPE) and Chamber members?

All franchised rail operators were put on the Emergency Measures Agreement for six months up to the 20th September. TPE has now entered into an Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement running to 1st April 2021. This gives us the contractual certainty to continue to run our train services for our customers and communities who rely on them. As well as a continued focus on being a good and efficient operator and providing great operational performance and customer experience, the ERMA introduces new obligations to work collaboratively with the industry and stakeholders with the aim of achieving demonstrable outcomes which benefit customers, stations and the wider rail environment.

To find out more information visit www.tpexpress.co.uk

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It’s important to acknowledge that what we once knew as ‘normal’ is changing.

I have too much time on my hands which has increased my anxiety over the future, my finances and employment

What if I pass the virus onto a vulnerable family member?

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I’m struggling keeping up with the guidelines as they change so often!

During these unprecedented times it’s important not to judge yourself too harshly, everyone is facing uncertainty and their own challenges. If you feel you need additional help with your mental health contact Talk Liverpool.

We are your local NHS service offering free psychological therapies to help you challenge common mental health problems such as depression, stress and anxiety.

If you are aged 16+ and are registered with a Liverpool GP visit our website talkliverpool.nhs.uk or call us on 0151 228 2300 to find out more and make a self referral.

World-class experts when you need them At Spire Liverpool Hospital you’ll see a leading specialist in as little as 24 hours. We also have a Spire GP service, making it simple for you and your family to see one of our private GP’s.

Fast access to diagnosis and treatment You don’t have to wait to see one of our specialists, because less waiting means less worrying.

Over 300 treatments Get access to hundreds of tests and treatments, some of which you can only have privately.

Advanced technology We use the latest, most advanced technology and techniques to get the best outcome for you.

Book to see an expert today Search ‘Spire Liverpool Hospital’ Call 0151 522 1881 Interest free finance – 0% representative APR available See our website for the exact treatments at each hospital.

Timings given are indicative, actual timings may vary based on consultant and tests required.

ASK THE EXPERT

Randox Health facilitating safe travel to the UAE and beyond Global diagnostics company Randox has been selected to provide a service for safe travel to airline passengers travelling from the UK and Ireland to the United Arab Emirates.

In accordance with UAE requirement for travellers to prove they are not infected with coronavirus, Randox, a partner in the UK Government’s national Covid-19 testing programme, has been chosen to test travellers to the UAE for Covid-19 before they fly.

The diagnostics company was selected

by Pure Health, the largest laboratory network in the UAE, which has been appointed by the UAE’s government to manage this pioneering scheme for Covidsafe travel.

“We are delighted to support Pure Health in their efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic and facilitate safe travels for passengers flying into the UAE,” said David Adamson, Randox Laboratories, Business Development Manager.

“As one of the largest diagnostic facilities in UK, we are ideally placed to successfully

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deliver this ambitious initiative, and we are grateful for the trust placed in us.”

Randox, which has a health clinic in Exchange Station, Liverpool, adds its safe travel service to an already extensive offering which includes male and female health checks, genetic testing, workplace wellbeing programmes, and of course Covid-19 diagnostic and antibody tests.

The new travel safe programme is already up and running across six collection centres in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast, Antrim and Dublin.

“The UAE has trusted Pure Health with safeguarding it against any incoming covid-19 threats, worldwide, this responsibility requires us to ensure we only partner with verified and accredited Facilities around the world, thus why we have partnered with Randox Laboratories,

to ensure that the screening process is of the highest quality and to ensure an excellent customer service for the travellers.” said Maria El Houari, International Passenger Screening Project Manager at Pure Health.

And it’s not just the UAE for which Randox is offering its safe travel service. The company offers Covid-19 testing for travellers to an ever-increasing list of countries that require certification of a negative Covid test result before they fly.

Passengers availing of Randox’s safe travel service, for both business and leisure travel requirements, have included but are not limited to The Maldives, Cyprus, Bahamas, Africa, Turkey, Spain, and Portugal.

For further information visit www.randoxhealth.com

RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS

Putting customers first during the pandemic is paramount for Medicash Medicash, one of the UK’s leading health cash plan providers, has continued to build on its strong 2019 results to deliver value to its policyholders despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the last seven years Medicash has seen a resurgence, doubling its policyholder base to just short of 300,000 at the end of June 2020. It puts this success down to its customer focused approach, continued product development and investment in technology.

The investment in customer service has been recognised by Medicash’s 5* Trustpilot rating of 4.8/5.0 and retention of the top Gold Award with Investor in Customers.

2019 saw over 90,000 new policies sold, a 14% increase compared to the previous year, and premium income receipts increasing by £2.3m to reach £29.8m. Claims also increased to nearly 500,000, with the majority submitted directly via the Medicash app.

This trend has continued into the first half of 2020. Quarter 1 saw Medicash deliver its strongest ever quarterly sales, followed by further significant sales in the second quarter.

With the issues caused by lockdown, many employers are recognising the need to invest in the health and mental wellbeing of their employees with 70% of all new business written between April and June coming from companies who previously had no cash plan in place.

In November, Medicash enhanced its Employee Assistance Programme by introducing Woebot, an AI Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based app.

Liverpool Chamber

Through this app users can track their mood, identify patterns, and gain insight into issues or concerns that they may not have realised were causing them emotional distress.

Woebot can also instantly connect the user to a trained human counsellor when it is identified that additional support is required.

Paul Gambon, Sales & Marketing Director at Medicash said: “We have seen more employers actively seeking out cost effective ways to support both the physical and mental wellbeing of their workforce. The impact of the pandemic has highlighted the importance of investing in the wellbeing of employees more than ever.

“Our updated Employee Assistance Programme has been particularly important in helping to support workers mental and emotional wellbeing during these unprecedented times, whilst our launch of new benefits such as the SkinVision and mProve YOURSELF apps have added value to our customers at a time when it is harder to access some of the more traditional cash plan benefits.”

In June Medicash brought forward the launch of SkinVision, a skin cancer screening app that allows users to assess their skin spots and moles for the most common causes of skin cancer via their smartphone and receive a risk indication within 30 seconds. Medicash are the first UK health insurer to include this benefit in its corporate health plans.

Medicash also launched its mProve YOURSELF app containing a wide range of wellbeing tools and advice to help users improve their body and mind. The app allows users to access a 30-day beginners guide to a mindful life course; a range of guided meditations and breathing exercises; over 70 fitness and resistance training videos; and a range of mental wellbeing courses. Both new services have been introduced at no additional cost to policyholders.

Andy Roberts, Finance & IT Director at Medicash said: “Medicash delivered a strong performance in 2019 which we have carried over into 2020. Medicash understands the struggles and pressures that most employers and employees have been feeling over the last six months and have actively worked to launch new benefits to market earlier than originally planned.”

Moving to a fully cloud based IT operating environment meant that Medicash was able to continue delivering exceptional service with minimal disruption when the full lockdown came into effect in March. The investment in systems enabled Medicash’s workforce to work from home without impacting the customer service it prides itself on.

Andy Roberts continues: “As an organisation with a strong financial base, we took the decision not to furlough any employees, but rather to focus on improving our service still further by implementing new customer centric projects.”

In addition to its health plans and excellent customer service, Medicash also prides itself on the role it plays in supporting the community through The Medicash Foundation. In 2019 over £660,000 was donated to help support charities and health and wellbeing related projects across the North West and further afield.

In the first six months of 2020 the Medicash Foundation has donated a further £370,000, including £100,000 of vital PPE for the NHS, North West Ambulance Service and local care homes and £165,000 to help charities suffering from lost income due to the lockdown and those launching specialist initiatives to help their communities during the pandemic.

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R E L I E F F O R I N N O VAT I O N

PRISONER APP RECEIVES OVER £19K BOOST Founder of Inside Connections John Burton was released from prison in 2017 and began working on the mobile application for iOS and Android that he had been planning on paper during the last 14 months of his sentence.

Resettled and reformed, with his son Ben, John set out his vision to create a platform of services, assisting those with convictions and their families. The groundbreaking digital platform is a one stop contact point for family members of prisoners and the wider community.

In addition, Liverpool based Inside Connections specialises in prison aftercare, offering vital support services for vulnerable people exiting prison, care home or military systems and young offenders. It aims to prevent of offending and reoffending, with a close focus on training and finding work.

Not knowing anything about the Research and Development Tax initiative from HMRC, John met with Access2Funding and was surprised to learn they would be eligible to claim.

In return for a 2-hour meeting with our team, Inside Connections successfully received £ 19,277.12 for one year.

The technical claim which was written by Access2Funding discussed all of the development time and associated costs in creating the new mobile application.

Could your business be owed thousands of pounds due in R&D tax relief due to testing bespoke software or digital platforms?

Simply call 0333 990 0125 Visit Access2Funding.co.uk

John Burton

Founder of Inside Connections

“Big thank you to Access2Funding for successfully submitting an R&D claim for our company. Kath and Megan were extremely helpful and clear throughout, the process was well explained and responses to queries were swift. If it wasn’t for Access2 Access2Funding, we may never of discovered this fantastic opportunity. Thank you!”

SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT

Liverpool Football Club has launched a new levy initiative and is helping two local Anfield organisations to train their staff and plan for the future.

The Reds will donate nearly £50,000 of their Apprenticeship Levy to fund training programmes for staff and volunteers at Homebaked bakery and Anfield Sports and Community Centre.

transfer some of our Apprenticeship Levy is enabling us to help some local organisations we already work closely with to train their workers through apprenticeship schemes and continue the great work they are doing.

The initial donation, which is 14 per cent of the club’s available levy transfer funds, will fund six employees to enrol in training programmes across a number of different areas from advanced bakery to digital marketing and sports coaching.

“Many organisations only use around 14 per cent of the funding pot they pay into and so transferring some of it is a great way to help local organisations in our area that may not usually have the funds available to offer this sort of training.

The Apprenticeship Levy is paid by employers who have a salary bill of over £3m per year. The money is held by the government and businesses can apply for funding to pay for apprenticeships. Up to 25 per cent of a business’ unused levy can be transferred to other businesses.

“We’re now looking to support more small businesses or charities who could take advantage of this scheme and would welcome enquiries from organisations in the Merseyside area who believe we may be able to help”

Lynne Stockton-Howard, SVP HR at Liverpool Football Club, said: “The ability to

The Government has chosen Hugh Baird College as the only education provider in the Liverpool City Region to deliver new ‘revolutionary’ technical qualifications called T-levels. Starting in September 2021, Hugh Baird College will be offering T-levels in the areas of: • Construction • Digital •

Health Care

T-levels combine the career focus and practical elements of current technical and professional qualifications, like BTECs and NVQs, with the theory and study of traditional A-levels.

The qualification was developed in collaboration with employers and businesses to provide a highly credible vocational alternative

Liverpool Chamber

Liverpool Football Club are committed to continuing to support the local community with this levy initiative. If you would like to know more about how the club can help, then please contact LevyInitiative@liverpoolfc.com

The skills brokerage service delivered by Growth Platform on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has helped the club to successfully navigate the levy

to A-levels. T-levels will focus on high-level technical study and work-ready skills and will provide young people with a clear route to skilled employment, as well as progression to higher or degree Apprenticeships, or degreelevel study at university.

Employers from a range of sectors need the competencies and attributes that will be taught on T-level courses, so students who complete this qualification will be in high demand for some of the best jobs.

experience which will be validated by an employer. If you are interested in working with Hugh Baird College to provide a placement for a T-level student, please get in touch: marketing@hughbaird.ac.uk the College would love to hear from you.

Goal Objective Purpose Destination

T-Levels, the next level qualification

transfer process by identifying the needs of the recipients, understanding where gaps in their skills are and then sourcing the best training to meet their needs.

T-levels will take two years to complete and are similar to A-levels; in fact, they have an even wider scope because, as well as a high level of classroom-based learning, students will develop the practical skills needed to actually carry out a job in their chosen field.

A core component of the T-levels qualification is an industry-based placement, where students will apply the theory they learn in the classroom to the workplace and develop the essential workready skills that employers are looking for. In order to pass the qualification, students must have fully completed the industry placement element of the course and gained the necessary level of work

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INFRASTRUCTURE AND REGENERATION

ArchiPhonic’s Agnes Jones House Project Welcomes New Students Agnes Jones House, an iconic Liverpool building, has reopened to welcome new student residents for the 2020/21 academic year, following a 105-bedroom refurbishment delivered by city-centre based architectural design firm, ArchiPhonic.

A women’s hospital until 1995, the building was named after a Florence Nightingale contemporary, Agnes Jones. ArchiPhonic was appointed in 2019 to manage the alteration and refurbishment of 105 student bedrooms owned by Gather Students, an international investor-backed company that provides student accommodation nationwide.

The phased project saw the refurbishment and interior design of 44 bedrooms across

Crowne Plaza Liverpool accredited

by Bureau Veritas Accreditation Crowne Plaza Liverpool – John Lennon Airport, based in Speke, is a 4-star hotel situated within the original Grade 2 listed Liverpool airport terminal. The hotel offers a traditional Art Deco design that provides a unique backdrop of the former runway and its vintage aircraft.

When lockdown began all the way back in March, everyone in the hospitality

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two blocks, to provide a more attractive and modern offer to incoming students.

The second phase comprised the alteration and refurbishment of 61 bedrooms across three further blocks and involved the alteration of the layout of Agnes Jones House itself, in order to provide higher specification ensuite student rooms.

ArchiPhonic created a new offer for Gather Student’s portfolio, which features in two blocks - a ‘twodio’ or two-person studio.

These were made available alongside premium studio rooms and further alterations were also made to existing cluster bedrooms to include private bathrooms in each.

we persuaded the client of the added value in altering their current offering.

“In place of shared bathrooms and standard bedrooms, the new layouts provide spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms. This has dramatically increased the rental appeal to incoming students and potential tenants and made the client’s offer even more competitive.

“With 50,000 students from all over the world living in Liverpool we are finding more and more developers from the UK and abroad investing in developing high-quality, sustainable student accommodation in the city, which also presents opportunities for commercial use outside of term-time.”

To find out more about ArchiPhonic’s commercial work visit archiphonic.co.uk or call 0151 345 7600

In the final phase of the project, ArchiPhonic also refurbished and refreshed existing 7-bed cluster apartments located on each floor, which had become somewhat dated.

The designs implemented by ArchiPhonic were created with future proofing in mind, to align with a longer-term vision for Gather Student’s portfolio, primarily to enhance its non-term time letting potential.

Speaking about the project, Adam Mokhtar, co-director at ArchiPhonic, said: “Through research of the existing market,

industry were asked to close their doors to the public for the foreseeable future.

However, throughout the duration of the UK’s period of lockdown, the Crowne Plaza Liverpool – John Lennon Airport stayed open to some of the country’s key workers, providing accommodation as well as a place of respite before they had to return to the frontline. Whilst staying open to key workers, the hotel implemented the appropriate measures, policies and procedures in place in accordance with current and national guidelines on good practice in order to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the hotel. This helped the hotel to prepare for re-opening to the general public on 4th July and ensured they were providing incoming guests, some of which had not left their

homes for months, with home from home comforts and the confidence that the hotel was doing everything they could to keep their guests safe.

The Crowne Plaza Liverpool - John Lennon Airport is owned and managed by Kew Green Hotels Group, one of the UK’s leading hotel management companies with over 50+ hotels in the portfolio. The Group has been accredited across the whole site by Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification. Bureau Veritas have given the Group a 100% score, meaning all of its hotels, including the Crowne Plaza, are compliant in all areas, providing guests with the assurance that they will be in safe hands when staying at any of their hotels.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND REGENERATION

Businesses invited to share views on Everton’s amended stadium plan Businesses across Liverpool City Region have the opportunity to give Liverpool City Council their views on Everton Football Club’s updated proposals for a new 52,888 capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock as the council’s formal consultation on the Club’s amendment to the original planning application begins.

Everton, working alongside CBRE and Simetrica, estimate The People’s Project could deliver at least a £1.3billion boost to the economy, create more than the initially estimated 15,000 jobs and still attract 1.4millon visitors the city.

Estimates show a ripple effect that would be felt across the city’s region’s economy with local families who have members of their households working on the development benefitting from £32million of income, Liverpool City Council could see an annual return of £2.1million in Council Tax, while Business Rates income could yield a further £1.7million per year.

The Club’s contribution to Liverpool’s social, cultural and heritage offer would also potentially increase with residents of the Liverpool City Region placing a huge preferential value on Everton’s new stadium being developed as part of Liverpool’s North Shore vision. The new stadium would sit within Peel L&P’s £5bn regeneration project, Liverpool Waters.

View the full submission and amendments on the Liverpool City Council website Visit http:/ /northgate.liverpool.gov. uk/ and search for application reference number 20F/0001

All comments should be submitted by 11.59pm on Thursday 22 October.

The amendment to the application comes after the Club revealed the design changes to supporters last month and addresses feedback from statutory consultees to the original planning application.

Changes include the introduction of a stepped plaza, removal of the multistorey car park (leading to increased parking in the West Quay for disabled

Liverpool Chamber

supporters), the relocation of solar panels, simplification of the brick façade, and reduction of the overall height of the stadium in line with Liverpool City Council’s World Heritage Site Supplementary Planning Document.

Comments on the application need to be made in writing to Liverpool City Council by 11.59pm on Thursday 22 October, quoting the application reference number 20F/0001. Comments should be e-mailed to the dedicated council application e mail address: efcapp@liverpool.gov.uk

Documents submitted by the Club to Liverpool City Council also show a further increase in the public benefits delivered by a proposed new stadium at BramleyMoore Dock as well as a community-led legacy development at Goodison Park.

Comments can also be sent by post to The Planning Department, Liverpool City Council, 4th Floor, Cunard Building, Water Street, Liverpool, L3 1AH, quoting the application reference number 20F/0001.

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FINANCE FOR BUSINESS

Coronavirus how it could affect your retirement income Why you should reconsider your pension withdrawal strategy during periods of market volatility Stock market volatility can be unsettling for investors of all ages, however much they have invested and whatever their objectives may be.

However, the market fluctuations triggered by the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the global economy have particular implications for investors taking income from their retirement pots.

There are two related concepts – or risks – at work in retirement investing.

Pound-cost ravaging ‘Pound-cost averaging’ is the result of, when building up your pension pot, buying smaller amount of stocks at different times, perhaps regularly; rather than risking making a big investment only to find the market falls.

But when you’re withdrawing retirement income in a declining market, because the

unit price of your investments falls, you have to cash in more of your pot to maintain the same level of income as before. This is known as ‘pound-cost ravaging’.

Sequencing risk An associated peril is ‘sequencing risk’: this is the risk that a market downturn will happen at a particularly bad time in your drawdown cycle.

In a period of prolonged volatility, you may end up taking an unsustainably high amount of cash out of a pot that’s steadily dwindling.

When this downturn coincides with the beginning of your retirement, it’s when you’re most vulnerable because you are no longer working and you have all your retirement years yet to fund.

Mitigating their effects The good news, however, is there are several ways to help minimise the impacts of these risks.

They include having a cash fund to draw down from in times of volatility, so that equity investments are allowed to fluctuate and potentially weather the storm. While this provides stability, however, any money held in cash will lose its value in real terms due to inflation.

Another option is to take only ‘natural income’ – such as dividends – rather than drawing from the capital. This will mean that what you have to spend is variable and will be less when markets are depressed.

You need to be flexible. You can have several income strategies. The art of managing market downturns in retirement is knowing exactly what to do and when – and that’s where financial advisers really earn their stripes.

If you’re worried about the effects of market volatility on your retirement income, or you want to understand more about making withdrawals during this period of uncertainty, just ask a financial adviser.

To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance Tax planning, contact AJ Barnes Financial Planning on 0151 2248700 or email alex.barnes@sjpp.co.uk

FINANCE FOR BUSINESS

Equity stakes and the pandemic: how has business responded to Covid-19?

CEO of AFM (MSIF’s fund manager subsidiary) Mark Borzomato reflects on the ways in which the MSIF equity portfolio companies have responded to the pandemic, and the qualities they will need to thrive in the uncertain times ahead.

The recent spate of local lockdowns has made it clear that businesses cannot expect a straightforward return to pre-pandemic normality in the near future. In March, we perhaps expected a short lived period of disruption followed by a swift return to ‘business as usual’, however we now know that the impact of coronavirus will be felt for some time to come, and its effects on the economy continue to be difficult to predict.

“The key quality which will enable businesses to thrive in these circumstances are flexibility to adapt to change, coupled with sound financial management to create resilience.”

Companies in the MSIF equity portfolio have demonstrated that quality to a hugely impressive extent in recent months, adapting in different ways to the impact of coronavirus on the sectors in which they operate.

Businesses helping fight against Covid 19 In some instances, adapting to the impacts of Coronavirus has meant reacting quickly to an increase in demand for a specific product or services. For example, Wirral-based Biofortuna was one of the few companies in the country with the capability to gear up at short notice to supply critical components for the first CE marked coronavirus testing kits,

Liverpool Chamber

whilst Health and Safety consultancy EDP, have been providing advice to clients ranging from SMEs to blue chip companies on how to make their workplaces Covid secure.

Adapting to the ‘new normal’ For other companies, working practices have had to be adapted rapidly to the new circumstances.

Liverpool based Centriforce, who manufacture damage protection products from recycled plastic, had to create Covid safe ways to operate their factory continuously even at the height of the first wave of the pandemic as they are a supplier to critical sectors including utilities and agriculture.

For Cybertill, who supply software to retail businesses, the requirement has been very different as they have moved to a completely remote operating model with all staff working from home.

The experience of medical weight loss specialists Bodyline Clinic perhaps illustrates most fully the complex mix of challenges and opportunities which have arisen.

Demand for their services has never been higher, due to the well-publicised challenges many people have faced managing their weight during lockdown, coupled with the links between obesity and higher risk from coronavirus. However, their existing business model, operating face to face consultations from clinics in the North West and North Wales, could not operate during the first phase of lockdown. As a result, they developed a CQC approved remote prescribing service so that they could continue to support their existing patients.

The importance of resilience While these businesses operate across a range of sectors and the challenges and opportunities created for them by coronavirus have all been different, what they have in common is entrepreneurial and resilient management teams who have adapted to change.

The management team The quality of the management team is the critical element in any equity investment that we make. Business plans and forecasts are very important, but ultimately we know that circumstances will change, and the ability of the team to respond will be key. The way that our equity portfolio has reacted to the enormous changes of the last few months has been hugely impressive, and gives me confidence that they will continue to navigate their way through the unpredictable times ahead.

And in addition to these existing investee businesses, we continue to actively look for new opportunities to join our portfolio.

Despite the current uncertain times, we remain keen to speak to quality management teams in SME businesses looking for funding to enable their continued business growth, with our equity funding typically providing investments of between £500k - £2m. If that sounds like it might be your business, we look forward to hearing from you - info@msif.co.uk

While the clinics are now open again, with new Covid-secure protocols in place, Bodyline is also now launching a fully remote service for new patients which will give local customers the choice of a physical or virtual consultation, as well as making the business accessible to customers from further afield.

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MEMBERS NEWS

Flexible Tech Solutions for the COVID-19 Era Over the past few months, businesses have emerged out of COVID-19 hibernation, into a working world filled with uncertainty and a new demand for more flexible business processes.

Since full lockdown was lifted, the team at Mashbo has seen an increase in enquiries from businesses now working remotely and those which have always worked nationally and internationally across multiple sites and in territories across the globe.

The pandemic has caused many to turn attention to historic processes and practices and ask the question - could technology provide a better, more flexible solution that allows us to adapt?

Working with BDO In most cases, the answer - even prepandemic - has been yes. Last year Mashbo implemented a project with global accountancy firm BDO, to streamline its admin-heavy onboarding

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process for clients and potential clients wishing to move their business into other global territories through the firm.

Following a scoping session, Mashbo was able to identify a significant amount of tasks that could be automated through an internal app. These tasks included gathering complex client information so they could be passed over to the relevant international BDO office, with relevant data being transferred seamlessly as well.

At the time, the app was intended to be used during in-person client meetings, but by automating and digitising key processes, it provided an unprecedented benefit when employees were forced to work remotely.

The onboarding app prevented clients being passed around to find the required information and allowed BDO staff to reassure them of the firm’s expertise, even if they might not be particularly familiar with the territory in question. The information was at their fingertips wherever they were located.

Improving Businesses While company-wide roll-out will be implemented in phases, the benefits to those using the app - particularly while working from home - are already being recognised.

It has reduced time spent on admin, helped clients get the information they need faster

and reduced the points of contact required for a better client experience.

Mark Sykes, Partner at BDO, said: “Working with Mashbo helped us not only develop the tools we needed to deliver our new groundbreaking service to support local SMEs in the North West, but the team helped us think around user experience and ease of use. The system helped increase our efficiency, equip our teams to deliver a consistent service and supported us in quickly collating insights to help us support growing businesses.”

Gavin Sherratt, Managing Director at Mashbo, said: “Clever organisations are using this dramatic shift in our working life to improve their businesses. Indeed, some - like BDO - were already thinking in this manner. It’s an area where digital can really flex its muscle and value.

“From integrated dashboards where current systems need to talk to each other and systems for more transparency of remote workers to clients’ customers, to systems helping people working out in the field to be more accurate and efficient - there is a whole world of opportunity to be grasped.”

Find out more at mashbo.com or contact studio@mashbo.com to discuss how you could revolutionise your business.

Planning ahead with Promotion: Establishing a Strategy for your Video Content We know that video content is at the heart of modern media, but how can you ensure they are being used to good effect? Regularly filming and promoting videos is both time consuming and demanding; with many creators becoming disheartened when their hard work doesn’t display any significant, tangible benefits.

Fortunately, we’re here to help, with three tips to ensure you launch your video with a strategy.

Know your audience This may have already played a huge part in the creation of your video content but it’s also important to know what platforms your audience are engaging with and when. Once you know who your audience is, you can start to think of the best time to launch your video and what platforms to do it on.

Tailor your content Unfortunately, it isn’t just as easy as posting the same video across all platforms with no thought as to what it could look like.

Liverpool Chamber

Every platform employs its own algorithms and rules which determine what you can do with content. For example, instagram will only let you post a 1 minute video (Unless you use IGTV) and it’s best if it’s 1:1 (Square). There are lots of online handy guides available for more information on this.

There are many ways a video can encourage consumers to take the next step to engage with your brand.

Creating regular content in today’s world can be a very stressful task, but fear not, we’re here to help! Whether it’s creating animated text videos to update your customers or shooting a business video and launching it across your social media, our team is here to support you throughout the entire process.

If you’re curious as to what we can do for you, visit media. hi-impact.co.uk or email georgiaflynn@hi-impact.co.uk for a quick chat.

Call To Action If people have made it to the end of your video, they mean business and you need to be ready to hold their hand and show them the next step.

What do you want from your video? Do you want to push people to visit a specific page of your website or do you want them to pick up the phone and contact you?

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MEMBERS NEWS

Internationalise your Business New Markets and Export Growth Programme

overseas business trips might not be top of your agenda at the moment. However you can still claim through our programme if you are, or in the planning stages of, internationalising your business.

Funding for SMEs in the Liverpool City Region

For example spend could include costs which cover marketing, advertising, legal advice or services, consultancy, market research, workshops, training and website upgrades.

Up to 35% financial support for export related business costs

As long as the cost incurred is in aid of internationalising your business then you could potentially claim some funding back through the project.

Given the impact of Covid-19 we understand that attending or planning

If you are travelling on business then the project will still support activities

such as Economy Class flights, hotel accommodation and exhibition stand costs.

The programme is live now, and runs to the end of 2021. We are happy to answer any questions you might have around eligibility and would strongly advise you to discuss with us in advance before committing to any expenditure.

Eligibility A minimum spend of £3,000 and provided the eligibility criteria are met, you can claim back 35% of costs.

The company must: • be actively trading and eager to grow export business • have headquarters in Liverpool City Region • be an SME (less than 250 employees) Contact: export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk for more details or simply a chat through your ideas

Business Growth Programme from Liverpool Chamber The Business Growth Programme from Liverpool Chamber is designed to build confidence, create new opportunities and help you navigate through these truly unique times.

have created bite sized sessions which are just an hour long and completed within 5 weeks. The programme is here to boost your business, not take you away from it!

The programme is delivered through dedicated workshops delivered by Gary Halpin of Flourish.

Fully funded through EDRF, we are able to deliver high quality sessions, webinars and events at no cost to you and is available to members and non-members of Liverpool Chamber. *Businesses are subject to eligibility.

Gary has enjoyed a successful career in the corporate world operating at Board and senior management level in Operations and Commercial positions and is responsible for many successful product launches. Since setting up his own business his company has delivered successful programmes into hundreds of businesses delivering profitable growth and jobs created in a sustainable manner.

The Business Growth Programme funding is subject to 12 hours of participation so we

Gary will take your through each of your challenges and help you find the right

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solution so your business is stronger and your feel more confident.

“The structure of the workshop works really well, Gary’s business acumen is great and he has extensive knowledge of different sectors which is very useful. I recommended the workshop to one of my business colleagues after week one and I would have no hesitation to recommend it to others.” — Diane Cannon “Gary Halpin from Flourish provided an easy to follow course with practical examples that could be immediately transported into my own business. The course has had an instant impact and will undoubtedly benefit my business in the long run.” — Chris Pearson Contact ian.bulmer@liverpoolchamber.org.uk for more details.

STAFF DIRECTORY

Staff Directory

Chamber staff are here to provide dedicated support for business members of the Chamber. The directory below provides a list of contacts for members should they need to contact us.

Connect Support Thrive.

Paul Cherpeau Chief Executive

Jon Cranston Director of Finance & Operations

Lee Stanley Head of Business Development

Elena Enciso International Trade Manager

Julie Sankey International Trade Executive

Ian Bulmer Programmes & Policy Manager

Sarah Woolley Export Documentation Manager

Helen Gibbons Accounts Manager

Michelle Cameron Senior Policy & Communications Advisor

Melissa Healy Office Manager

Laura Edwards Events Manager

Nathan Taylor Administration Assistant

paul.cherpeau@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

julie.sankey@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Heather Whitaker Export Documentation Analyst

heather.whitaker@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Richard Smith Business Engagement Manager

richard.smith@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

jon.cranston@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

ian.bulmer@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Lisa Noon Export Documentation Assistant lisa.noon@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Conor Williams Business Policy & Engagement Executive

lee.stanley@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

sarah.woolley@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

michelle.cameron@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

laura.edwards @liverpoolchamber.org.uk

elena.enciso@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

helen.gibbons@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

melissa.healy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

nathan.taylor@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

conor.williams@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Tel: 0151 227 1234 Email: membership@liverpoolchamber.org.uk export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk | @LpoolChamber

Liverpool Chamber

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Denis Sowler, Export Sales Executive for Tithebarn Ltd and Chair of Liverpool Chamber’s International Trade Club (ITC) In sales and marketing two pieces of advice have served me well. “You have two ears and one mouth - use them in that proportion” and “don’t tell them what it is - tell them what it does, especially for them”.

Why your involvement with the ITC?

What does a typical day look like?

I am usually woken by my cell phone on the bedside table. It is more likely to be an incoming email, WhatsApp or WeChat from one of overseas customers especially from S. E Asia, rather than my alarm. Rather than being an unwelcome intrusion, being woken up to a new order from Thailand or Indonesia is a great start to the day!

I arrive at the office around 07:30. The early start gives me that important “quiet time” before everyone else arrives and also the opportunity to respond to any urgent messages the same day before customers who are eight hours ahead of us go home.

I love my job because it is so varied, working with the team and customers to deliver the best products and services we can. Both Covid-19 and Brexit will continue to have an impact on what is already an extremely competitive trading environment.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

The young Denis wanted to either be a Ship’s Cook or to own a sweet shop. Today he’s selling salt blocks to farmers around the world. Not sure where the missing link is!

To my teenage daughters I would encourage them to follow their dreams and to give themselves every opportunity to taste, experience and learn from every aspect of their chosen careers. Everyone has skills and we need to encourage young people to exploit all the opportunities open to them.

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I have lost count of the number of business seminars I have attended and often, for me, the most important and beneficial time was what the Irish call the “craic”, which took place after the talks when you were able to mix freely with like-minded people who had the same hopes, dreams, desires and worries as you.

When the ITC was proposed I recognised the potential for this to be not only an ideal meeting place to gain insight and knowledge from experts in their field, but also to create a forum within which fellow exporters/importers could openly exchange their thoughts, ideas and concerns. Not only are we encouraged by the success stories of colleagues but the ITC has such a broad and diverse membership that between us and our myriad years of experience we can also support each other.

Being a significant and major port with a substantial history in foreign trade it is hardly surprising that the Chamber in Liverpool has gained an excellent and wellearned reputation for helping local trading companies. From Export Documentation to financial assistance with new market research, the Chamber continues to provide wide ranging practical help and advice.

Where would we find you on your day off?

You will probably spot me at Runcorn Golf Club trying to reduce my handicap to a respectable 18. Alternatively watching, with great pride, my wife and daughters excel themselves playing both ladies and mixed sex cricket at the Club.

When not drumming up business you can also find me providing the beat and pulse to local band “The Waltones” as

their resident drummer. We specialise in 60’s and 70’s rock and provide many free concerts to charitable organisations. It is a great way to unwind!

Who is your role model?

My greatest influencer is my father and I still try to live by his standards. Without him actually knowing it, he was one of the best salesmen ever to have worked for the company. When customers were asked why they had purchased something they would often say “Oh, I bought that off Jim Sowler” never “Oh, he sold me that”. He did business in a way that no one ever felt pressurised or misled. His honest approach and respect for the customer, rather than just completing the sale, gave him greater rewards than many so called professional negotiators.

What lessons will you take away from the past 6 months?

To be flexible, adaptable and willing to make changes wherever necessary.

Providing we are all working to the common goal with clear understandings of what we need to achieve, then some disruptions to the “norm” are not only acceptable but essential.

e v o l to Reasons E N O l oo Liverp

Reason #1: 170 stores, bars & restaurants

Shopping, Restaurants and Entertainment by the Waterfront

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