CONNECTED magazine June 2014

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CONTENTS |

Inside this issue 6-7

10-12

17

14-16

19

5

6-7

8

Chief Executive’s Comment Huntingdonshire Chamber News Stamford Chamber News

10-12

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber News

14-16

Peterborough Chamber News

17

Ely Chamber News

18

Fenland Chamber News

19

Cambridgeshire Chamber News

20-21

Events

22-23

Out & About

25

Ask the Expert: Chris Parkhouse

26-27

In the Hotseat: Richard Duxbury

28

Policy Update

29

Chamber Updates

30

Update from the LEP

32

Charity of the year

34-35

Report from Ian Mackellar

36-37

New Members

38

39-41

International Focus Sector Updates

36-37

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 3

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S COMMENT |

Overseas

Markets

exporting is key to business growth and as recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics show, figures are rising steadily. Exports of goods increased by 4.9 per cent between February and March 2014 to £24.6 billion, reflecting an increase in exports of finished manufactures including jewellery and cars.

The gap between the value of goods and services imported and those exported has also been squeezed, down from £1.7 billion in February to £1.3 billion in March.

Indeed here in Cambridgeshire we processed the necessary export documentation for companies to distribute some £27million worth of goods in April 2014 to markets including Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Opportunities certainly exist and companies from our region are clearly grasping them.

The figures make for positive reading but behind the scenes, both new and experienced exporters are learning first-hand the challenges that arise from communicating with new markets overseas. Cultural differences, language barriers and different time zones all contribute to a challenging landscape upon which to build successful relationships.

The Chambers’ International Sector has pledged to tackle some of these issues at its next seminar in Cambridge in June. They will examine how social media is being used by leading companies to engage with customers, partners and employees all over the world and how it is essential to adapt your approach according to your target market (for details see page 39), However, despite the advances in technology and its widespread adoption, face to face contact remains essential when establishing and nurturing those business connections that are so essential to

trading successfully overseas. That’s why we were so supportive of the recent launch of CityJet’s twice-daily routes from Cambridge to Dublin and Amsterdam.

With these new routes Cambridge International Airport has truly become an international gateway, with connecting flights in Amsterdam linking travellers to the East and flights to Dublin providing an attractive alternative for those who value the convenience of completing the necessary formalities associated with entering the United States before leaving Ireland.

It is an initiative that has been designed around the requirements of business travellers, for whom convenience and efficiency is paramount, and as such this essential and attractive transport hub is a real asset for a region such as ours that is so firmly focused on growth.

John Bridge OBE Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

Companies in our region make the most of overseas opportunities

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 5

| HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER NEWS

Huntingdonshire Chamber NEWS

Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce

A round-up of news and events from Huntingdonshire

Introducing Forward Composites He was recently named Business Person of the Year in the Cambridge News Business Excellence Awards 2014 following on from his success in the Hunts Post Business Awards 2013. This month we discover how Paul Jackson, Managing Director of Forward Composites, took a company in administration and turned it into an overnight success.

John Bridge was taken on a factory tour and is pictured viewing the Watchkeeper fuse

When the Lola Group went into administration in May 2012, Paul Jackson in his capacity as Commercial Director was appointed by the administrators to run the company while new investors were sought. The group comprised two very different but intrinsically-linked companies; Lola Cars produced racing cars, while Lola Composites specialised in lightweight, carbon components for the aerospace and defence industries.

It took six months of showing around potential buyers before the lightbulb moment hit and Paul realised that he and Ed Collings (Technical Director), along with previous key staff held the key to the company’s future. It was a painstaking process but, with the grace of hard work, determination and an excellent working relationship with the administrator, at the eleventh hour a deal was struck.

Throughout the process Paul had remained in constant communication with the firm’s suppliers and customers, quickly securing a vital contract to manufacture unmanned air vehicle for Thales Aerospace and the MoD, that would get the company off the ground. Key members of the former workforce returned 6 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

to join Paul on his journey and three months later Forward Composites made its first delivery. To date they’ve manufactured eight Watchkeeper UAVs. These impressive aerial vehicles, used by our military for surveillance and reconnaissance, are manufactured from their workshops right here in Huntingdon.

Integrity and respect is at the heart of the company’s success As if that feat wasn’t challenging enough, an electrical fault on-site in January started a fire that destroyed one machine and caused significant damage across one of their buildings. The clean-up operation is still ongoing but they’re all working around it, and the incident provided the team and their clients with further proof of the company’s resilience and stability.

Today the workforce has grown from three to 95-strong, and there is a real community

Viewing Mercedes parts

feel across the company. Paul attributes its success to having the right team around him, and it is clear from a tour of the factory floor that they are highly-skilled and dedicated to producing the high quality product that their clients demand. But as Paul talks to the staff, asks about their holidays and thanks them personally for putting in the extra hours to help them fulfil a recent contract, it’s also clear that his own integrity and the respect he has for his team is truly at the heart of the company’s success. n

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS |

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 237414 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Members vote to donate £1,470 to the regions’ charities Three East Anglian charities each received a cheque at the Cambridge’s AGM following a vote by its members.

For the past six years The Cambridge has donated 25p for every member vote at its AGM, giving a total of more than £10,000 to charities across the region. This year, each voting member was asked to select one of three charities: East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH), Magpas and Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Chairman Ian O’Reilly presented the charities with cheques at The Cambridge Building Society’s 164th AGM. Magpas received £603.50, Arthur Rank Hospice Charity £585.00 and EACH £283.25.

Antonia Brickell, Head of Communications at Magpas, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working yet again with The Cambridge Building Society – not just raising funds but also helping spread the Magpas life-saving work. We couldn’t

continue to provide our specialist care for seriously ill and injured patients in Cambridge and the East of England without such valuable support.” n

Ian O’Reilly with Lynn Morgan from Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Considerate Contractor Awards

Ian O’Reilly with Karen Newton from EACH

Strike gold on Januarys’ treasure hunt Januarys is calling for local businesses to enter its second annual fundraising treasure hunt after a successful inaugural event in 2013.

The property consultants are holding a Tour de France themed treasure hunt on Thursday 5 June based around the route the famous cycling event will take through Cambridge in July. All funds raised will be donated to Januarys’ chosen cause, the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

To enter your team, email tammy@januarys.co.uk or call 01223 326800. n

The Considerate Contractor Scheme Awards for 2013 were recently announced at Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry annual dinner which was held at King’s College.

The city council run Considerate Contractor Scheme was introduced in 1998 and sets out to recognise efforts made by construction firms to minimise noise and disruption.

The judging panel included Duncan Wisbey representing Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. Since 2001 the Chamber has supported a separate award for contractors who undertake small to medium size projects and the city council are most grateful for this continued support.

Paul Joslin representing Dean and Dean Construction was presented with the award for smaller projects by Duncan Wisbey on behalf of the Chamber. n

Duncan Wisbey with award winners

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 11

| CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from across Cambridge & South Cambs

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

Trinity Hall opens the doors to its newly refurbished Dining Hall Trinity Hall unveiled their new-look dining hall at a special reception in April, attended by 200 guests from regional businesses and organisations, other branches of Cambridge University and members of the College.

The project has combined careful refurbishment of some of the original features in the Hall, together with installing the latest technology in terms of light, sound and heating.

Rachel Mortimer Holdsworth, Head of Conference & Catering Services said: “We were delighted to welcome our guests and introduce them to our newly refurbished dining hall. The result is a stunning dining hall which retains the traditional elements of Trinity Hall but incorporates the latest technology.”

Other improvements to the hall include re-using the existing table-tops to provide a series of uniform length tables and replacing the original benches with chairs. The colour scheme has also been changed. n

Accolade for catering excellence Downing College is celebrating its Executive Head Chef winning a prestigious national award.

Stuart Conibear was recently presented with the Elior UK Chef of the Year Award at an Awards for Excellence event held at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, attended by over 250 guests.

Stuart was initially nominated for his continued commitment to culinary excellence and consistency of performance throughout 2013.

The nomination was followed up by a panel of judges visiting Downing College to interview Stuart and carry out an operational review.

He received his award from TV personality Natasha Kaplinsky who hosted the event. Stuart’s prize is a seven-night holiday to Morocco in June.

Elior is one of Europe’s leading contract catering companies, with 10,000 staff in the UK located on 650 client sites, operating across a wide spectrum of organisations. n Stuart Conibear

Paul Folkes Davis, Rachel Mortimer Holdsworth, Glen Sharp and Nicky Clarkson from Trinity Hall at the official launch

East - West links for La Dante With the European Union still lagging behind economically, it’s not surprising that businesses are looking east, in particular at China - the biggest spender in education with an infrastructure that has funding for students at secondary school level as well as university level.

Director of La Dante, Giulia Portuese-Williams, paid a cultural and business visit to Beijing visiting one of the best universities with an international programme where students do speak English: the rest of the population finds it very hard to express themselves in English and the need is rather large even considering the competition.

Giulia also visited a secondary private school, ranked one of the fifth best schools whose students have a thirst for English to create that edge when it comes to job search. n

Giulia, second from right, visiting the school

12 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

We know what works well together Connecting businesses and commercial property

| PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

Peterborough Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

Record donations for charitable suit drive More than 150 items of office wear and accessories were donated to a suit drive hosted by leading independent agency Anne Corder Recruitment.

The company is proud to pledge its support to the ‘Smart Works’ campaign, which offers practical help to out-of-work women.

The international charity dresses more than 1,200 women a year in complete interview outfits donated entirely by other business women. Professional stylists help to pull together the smart looks, while senior executives offer personal interview training for those who are returning to the workplace after a long spell.

Within just five days, the rails at the agency’s offices were overflowing with plenty of high quality suits, skirts, trousers,

shirts, bags and accessories.

“This is the second time we have hosted a suit drive for the charity and we’re delighted with the number of donations and great level of enthusiasm shown for the event,” said recruitment partner Karen Dykes.

“Smart Works is a fantastic cause as it not only helps women look the part, but feel the part too. The campaign is as much about boosting confidence as it is about donating clothes, so we’re thrilled to be able to contribute,” she added.

The donations from Peterborough will now be available through Smart Works to women on low incomes who are taking their first steps back into the workplace. n

Athene continues commitment to charities

Peterborough Soup Kitchen receiving their donation

Three Peterborough charities have benefited from Athene Communications’ annual charity donation that helps to support local causes. Staff at the PR and Communications agency selected Peterborough Soup Kitchen, Peterborough & District Riding for the Disabled and Hampton Navy Under 9’s Football Club as the groups to receive the funds.

MD Richard Astle said: “We donate to chosen charities every year and I am pleased that we have been able to continue to do this for the past 12 months. We hope these funds will make a real difference to these worthwhile charities.” n

14 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

ACR staff Emma Plummer (left) and Lydia Beach (right) with a few of the items collected for Smart Works

Hegarty supports local charity A local charity, offering vital support for families of children who have disabilities and life limiting conditions, welcomed representatives from Hegarty Solicitors’ charity committee.

Angela and Tina were given a grand tour of the new Centre in Bretton by co-founder and Chair Michelle King.

The Centre now operates from a purpose built building (courtesy of DIY SOS and the BBC Children in Need appeal) offering a very wide range of sessions from counselling and child psychology to massage and sing and sign, football and cookery.

Tina at Hegarty said: “The firm’s charity committee raised funds for Little Miracles and during my visit I was deeply moved by Michelle’s story and inspired to do more to help on a personal level. The new facilities are amazing – the garden has a tree house, trampoline and roundabout all suitable for wheelchair users! This is a vital resource for local families and I hope that more businesses can offer their support to keep Little Miracles running.

“The Centre is funded entirely by local support so all donations, including everyday essentials however seemingly insignificant, and voluntary assistance is very gratefully received.” n

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS |

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that you would like featured in these pages? Get in touch. tel: 01223 209805 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Student has community spirit Peterborough Regional College Hospitality and Catering student, Anthony Sutton has a strong sense of community spirit.

Anthony is a former cadet with Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force and recently re-joined as an adult instructor.

Anthony said: “At college cooking is my passion and I would one day like to work as Head Chef for a large hotel chain. When not studying I like to teach young people at the Army Cadet Force skills such as achievement, discipline and good citizenship.

It’s my chance to give back something to society, just what my Teachers and Military Instructors have done for me over the years.” n

New starter brings unique planning expertise Law firm Buckles Solicitors LLP has recruited Senior Associate Abigail Walters to enhance the company’s planning law offering.

Abigail, who lives locally, has spent 10 years working for a nationally renowned planning team at a Top 10 international law firm in London. She brings with her a wealth of experience in all areas of planning law, including highways law, compulsory purchase and infrastructure development.

A member of the Compulsory Purchase Association and the National Infrastructure Planning Association, Abigail will be working closely with the commercial property and construction teams at the company’s Grant House offices, offering strategic advice to both new and existing clients.

Abigail’s appointment means that Buckles is the only firm offering specialist planning expertise in the Greater Peterborough area.

Managing Partner Colleen Gostick said: “Abigail is going to be a unique and great asset to the Buckles team. Her experience and knowledge gained throughout her career so far is sure to bring real value to both our business and our clients.” n

Businesses take advantage of new fibre communications Service Peterborough businesses are signing up for the new Gigabit fibre service currently being installed in the City, getting ready to take full advantage of the system which will deliver immensely faster communications, provide much higher quality, with no electromagnetic interference and give data security protection, not possible with previous technology, at one third of the cost of what is currently available. Businesses that could not afford to invest in the past can now do so. Internet, telecommunications, CCTV and even television will be dramatically improved.

City Fibre’s specialist business communications partners, Businesscoms, are registering the interest of businesses around Peterborough and signing them up in preparation for when the service goes live in July and there is a huge appetite for the coming Gigabit Service, nobody wants to be left behind.

The new 1000 Mb fibre optic communications infrastructure is now being installed across the City in a five phase roll-out programme which will see the entire project completed inside 12 months.

Businesscoms Director, Rob Baldacci, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for every business in Peterborough, every business that uses the new Gigabit service can gain a major advantage in their market. It will enable Peterborough based businesses to compete virtually anywhere. Most people only associate fibre with the Internet but, whilst it will make a huge difference to the web, with broadband speeds increasing between 100 and 500 times for most users, the scope for businesses is far, far wider because all business communications can be greatly improved. The Gigabit can mean not only major cost savings but the ability to greatly improve their own services to their customers, streamline and improve their communications systems and become more effective, making them more profitable.” n

Volunteers wanted for careers festival

Buckles property team

thousands of young people from Peterborough and the surrounding areas are expected to flock to this year’s Careers Festival on 10 July on the Peterborough Embankment.

Approximately 40 adult volunteers are needed to help with various tasks. If you can help, please contact Claire Saunders on 317441 or claire.saunders@opportunitypeterborough.co.uk. n

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 15

| PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

Peterborough Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

Accountants ‘hold onto their hats’

Moore Stephens support Wear a Hat Day

Moore Stephens East Midlands donned their hats in support of charity Anna’s Hope, the leading children’s brain tumour charity in the East of England.

The firm raised almost £100 in support of the charities ‘Wear a hat day’ on 28 March, with staff members voting for their favourite hat and entering a raffle to win a hat-shaped cake.

Tax manager and charity co-ordinator Denise Watson said: “We are delighted to be supporting local charity Anna’s Hope this year. So far we’ve raised over £1,500 to help children and young people with brain tumours and many more activities are planned over the coming months.”

Anna’s Hope aims to assist in the rehabilitation of children and young people who have suffered from a brain tumour or who have had brain surgery by providing or assisting in the provision of resources and facilities not normally provided by the statutory authorities at local hospitals and in the local communities. n

Renewal highlights specialist skills

Elizabeth Young

roythornes has had its membership of the Court of Protection Panel of Deputies renewed, meaning it can continue to act on legal issues for those people who are not able to do so on their own behalf.

Elizabeth Young, head of Roythornes large Private Client team, said: “The Court of Protection is responsible for overseeing the financial management and affairs of some of the most vulnerable members of society and the day to day management of those matters are delegated to a panel of just 60 individual deputies across England and Wales. “Our work ensures that those less able to do so have fair representation on some of the more important issues we all face.” n

16 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

ELY CHAMBER NEWS |

Ely Chamber NEWS

Ely Chamber of Commerce

A round-up of news and events from across Ely

Chamber support Ely Eel Festival The Ely Chamber of Commerce committee donated a trophy for the City Centre Eel Throwing Competition which took place on the opening day of Ely’s Eel Festival weekend.

The event was attended by the Chamber’s Freda Kirchen and 15 teams, including member companies Sylhet Restaurant, The House Collection, Neaves & Neat and Whizzle, who took part in the competition.

Tammy Driver, Commercial Director of

Breeze Technology and Vice-Chair of the Ely Chamber of Commerce, presented the trophy to Neil Blanchflower from Whizzle who was crowned ‘City Centre Eel Throwing Business of the Year’.

Ely’s Eel Festival weekend celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and included attractions such as Eel Food Safari, Eel Parade and World Eel Throwing competition, food and drink festival and street food fayre. n

IN BRIEF JUNE 2014 Emerald Frog Marketing listed with Destination Digital Emerald Frog Marketing is now listed as a supplier as part of the Destination Digital scheme across Cambridgeshire.

This funding scheme for small and medium sized business means Emerald Frog Marketing’s Cambridgeshire customers may be eligible to up to 40 per cent in Government funding towards the cost of marketing support including new websites and social media management.

Destination Digital is a new countywide scheme to help hundreds of small and medium sized businesses get better broadband connectivity and utilise digital technology.

Business on the Move

Ely Chamber committee

Tammy presents the award to winner Neil

JDR wins Queen’s award JDR, a leading provider of technology connecting the global offshore energy industry, has won a 2014 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

This prestigious award recognises JDR’s success in international oil, gas and renewable energy markets.

Over the last three years JDR has delivered substantial growth through the design, manufacture and delivery of subsea products and services for many of the world’s major energy and subsea equipment suppliers. JDR now exports over 80 per cent of its output; overseas

revenues have increased by 248 per cent since 2010.

JDR’s export success has been achieved by growing business for existing products and services, venturing into new markets, as well as investing in next generation technology development.

Andrew Norman, JDR’s CEO, commented: “We are delighted with our latest Queen’s Award for Enterprise. This award is testament to the strategy we established in 2008: to grow JDR by targeting new global markets through investment in our products, technology and infrastructure.” n

Potter Logistics is proud to sponsor the long anticipated educational game Business on the Move.

Business on the Move is aimed at primary school children to A level business students, teaching them about running a business that has to respond to customer orders, move products from China to their UK markets using a combination of air, sea, rail and road taking into account cost, speed and environmental impact. It can also be used within the boardroom as part of a team building exercise, which is exactly what Potter Logistics did.

Potter Logistics Executive Chairman Derrick Potter says: “We have championed this game from the beginning and are really pleased it has now come to fruition. We felt that if we were going to back a game and place it within schools, we would have to play it, so we did. I have to say we all got very competitive.”

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 17

| FENLAND CHAMBER NEWS

Fenland Chamber NEWS A round-up of news and events from Fenland

IN BRIEF

Local business planting roots within the community

JUNE 2014 FPM celebrate contract award Foster Property Maintenance has been awarded a five-year contract to upgrade kitchens and bathrooms with Axiom Housing Association.

Tim Drake, FPM Ltd’s Contract Manager for the service, said: “We’re thrilled to have secured this contract – yet again we’ve got an opportunity to make what can often be life-changing improvements to people’s lives. Our FPM project team together with Axiom staff and residents have been working hard together to get the service mobilised and we’re really looking forward to getting underway.”

The works will also include the provision of bathrooms specially tailored for disabled residents. The criteria for selecting FPM Ltd covered price and quality, demonstrating that both FPM Ltd’s approach to the service and its pricing levels were compelling.

The Green Team from CUB (UK) Ltd got involved with gardening on the grounds of the National Trust’s Peckover House.

CUB established their Green Team, to help charities and non-profit organisations around the local area.

The Green Team donned their gardening gloves and started work digging and planting ready for the summer months ahead.

Holly Redden, SME account manager said of the experience: “It’s great to get out of the office and in the fresh air, working on fantastic projects for charities like the National Trust. Also to plant trees is an act for future generations to enjoy.”

Green Team co-ordinator, Derrick Hart discussed the reasons behind the idea: “The idea was to build our relationships within the community, getting involved with opportunities that benefit the team dynamics as well as the local area.” n

The Green Team planting

Rapid Recruitment fundraising Rapid Recruitment of Wisbech recently held a large and successful fundraising campaign for Tapping House, the Snettisham based Hospice that serves West Norfolk and the Fens.

Smart Cookie Bakeries of Kings Lynn once again very generously donated 400 of their delicious cakes. Staff from Rapid then visited over 40 businesses in the local area and sold cakes to hungry staff. £320 was raised for this highly worthwhile cause.

West Norfolk and the Fens is one of the last remaining areas of the UK that does not have a full hospice service, and with a population of 300,000, it is the largest. Since 1984, the Hospice has been providing skilled and compassionate care to people with cancer, neurological and other life-limiting conditions.

Rapid Recruitment and Smart Cookie Bakeries have a number of other fundraising plans for the year, with the goal of raising a total of £5,000, which would pay for a new specialised bed in the new Hospice. n

18 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

Fenland Chamber of Commerce

Successful fundraising by Rapid Recruitment

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHAMBER NEWS |

Cambridgeshire Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from Cambridgeshire

‘Thrill Park’ dimensions for corporate events Wyboston Lakes is set to boost the scope it offers for team building and corporate away-days by launching a comprehensive portfolio of contemporary ‘thrill park’ activities.

The venue will make the most of its customised water sports lakes and the off-road driving opportunities.

Options available to corporate clients include water-based pursuits such as wakeboarding, water-skiing, banana boating,

jet skiing and Zego, the latest powerboat based activity from New Zealand. On land, delegates can drive on an extensive 4x4 off-road course or ride quad bikes. Hovercraft trips on land and water are also available.

“The demands of team building and away-day clients are changing. Companies are looking for more activities that excite, engage and inspire participants,” explains Mark Jones, Managing Director of Wyboston Lakes. n

Hovercraft trip

Johnson Matthey wins the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development This prestigious award recognises the company’s achievements in developing and manufacturing emission control catalysts using resources efficiently,

Autocatalysts on a production line

based on lean principles and meeting challenging sustainability targets within its operations.

Johnson Matthey is known as a pioneer in the field of emissions control having made its first autocatalyst in its Royston facilities in May 1974. Johnson Matthey has retained its position as a world leader, supplying one third of all catalysts for vehicles worldwide.

Neil Carson, Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey, said: “This highly prestigious award recognises the hard work and dedication of our employees and acknowledges our cutting-edge technology in the field of automotive emissions control over four decades.” n

IN BRIEF JUNE 2014 CubiqDesign ranked fourth Praising rapid growth, a new management team system and a focus on core areas over the last year, The Drum Design Census has awarded graphic design agency, Cubiqdesign, with a fourth ranking in its Elite Tables for agencies with less than 10 staff.

Recognising the business’ huge increase in publication clientele alongside its monthly lifestyle publication and quarterly business magazine, The Drum’s recent commendation has left Cubiqdesign extremely proud.

Creative Director John Treby commented: “It’s always been our intention to be considered an elite agency, and The Drum’s recognition of this makes us very happy indeed. Its been 10 years in the making, and I have worked incredibly hard with a creative team that is as passionate about great design and strategy as I am.”

OMS wins Queen’s Award for Innovation Optical Metrology Services (OMS) won the coveted 2014 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category for its SmartFit™ service, a system for managing pipe preparation and fit-up in readiness for welding prior to pipe laying.

Used in the oil and gas industries, SmartFit™ ensures accurate fitment of pipes prior to welding and laying in trenches, thus preventing environmentally damaging leaks.

Hugh Davies, Client Solutions Director at OMS, comments: “Everyone at OMS is honoured to receive this award.

Innovation has always been a priority here and a cornerstone of this company’s growth and financial success. Innovation is something that the UK excels at so the competition for the Queen’s Award must have been intense.”

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 19

CHAMBER EVENTS |

Making Social Media Work for your Business

Networking Events

organised by the International and Communications Sectors

Networking Masterclass - Cambridge

DATE Tuesday 10 June TIME 4.00-8.00pm LOCATION The Moller Centre, Storey’s Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DE PRICE £20.00(plus VAT) Chamber members, £27.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01733 370809

DATE Thursday 5 June TIME 11.45am-2.30pm LOCATION Cambridgeshire FA, Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9PH PRICE £22.00 (plus VAT), exclusive to Chamber members CONTACT b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

Discover how adopting a social culture will positively impact your bottom line at this specialist seminar. Full details on page 39. n

Peterborough B2B Working with partners Opportunity Peterborough we bring you Peterborough B2B Exhibition DATE Wednesday 22 October TIME 9.00am-4.00pm LOCATION Kingsgate Centre, Peterborough, PE1 4YT

From how to recognise your company’s unique selling points and ensure you’re getting the right messages across effectively, to how you can improve your self-confidence, this event offers expert tips to networkers of all levels of experience. n

Simply Networking - Cambridge DATE Friday 27 June TIME 9.30-10.30am LOCATION Future Business Centre, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge, CB4 2HY PRICE Free of charge, exclusive to Chamber members CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

For more information visit www.peterboroughb2b.co.uk n

Cambridgeshire Export Club

This free event is all about extending your network of business contacts and putting a name to the face of some of the Chamber members you may already have been networking with online. n

organised by the International Sector

DATE Tuesday 24 June TIME 5.00-7.00pm LOCATION The Moller Centre, Storeys Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DE PRICE Free to attend CONTACT h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01733 370809 An informal networking evening for exporters and those considering it. n

Informal Networking Evenings June 2014 Weds 4

The Crown Hotel, Stamford

5.30-7.30pm

Thurs 5,19

Holiday Inn, Cambridge

5.00-7.00pm

Mon 9

The Lamb Hotel, Ely

5.00-7.00pm

Wed 11

Wyboston Lakes, St Neots

5.00-7.00pm

Tues 17

Old Bridge Hotel, Huntingdon

5.00-7.00pm

Weds 18

Park Inn, Peterborough

5.00-7.30pm

Wed 25

Elgood & Son, Wisbech

5.00-7.00pm

St Ives Business Breakfast DATE Friday 13 June TIME 7.45-10.00am LOCATION Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives, PE27 6WU MEMBER PRICE £15.00 (plus VAT) NON-MEMBER PRICE £22.50 (plus VAT) CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk What would happen to the company after the death of the business owner, a senior technician or major shareholder, for example? At this Business Breakfast, Andrew Jennings of Ewing Associates will explain the serious problems businesses have been faced with when someone integral to the business has died. Andrew will also explain how straightforward it can be to adapt your business continuity and disaster recovery plan so that cash, profits and the family of the deceased can be protected from such a financial disaster. n Andrew Jennings

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 21

| OUT & ABOUT

Out&About

BCC competition winner Andy Bennett from Hinchingbrooke School won an ipad after completing a BCC survey which asked how technology works for your business.

Enjoy our monthly montage of events and happenings across the local area with this colourful round-up of gatherings. Make sure you send us your photos each month and we’ll include the best of the bunch! Email images straight to the creative team: connected@methodcreative.co.uk

CityJet launch event Freda Kirchen attended the event that announced new flights from Cambridge International Airport to Dublin and Amsterdam.

Corporate membership with Wildlife Trust Trinity Hall launch refurbished dining hall John Bridge and Karen Dawson attended the official launch of Trinity Hall’s newly refurbished dining hall, following an extensive project lasting seven months.

22 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

Caroline Prout, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (left) presents Jacqui Cressey, Conference Manager at Downing College, with their Corporate Membership Certificate.

OUT & ABOUT |

Leapfrog Schools!

Simply Networking

The Froglife Trust work with schools that could benefit from either a new or restored pond. They will deliver this project with any groups that feel they would benefit from a wildlife/outdoor learning area or environmental education activities and events.

Chamber members met at City College Peterborough in May for one of our popular Speed Networking sessions which are exclusive to Chamber members.

Informal Networking with Hong Kong business managers Our Cambridge Informal Networking Evening at the start of May welcomed mature students from Hong Kong University, all of whom are managers in respected companies. The evening provided an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the business culture from both parties.

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 23

IN THE HOTSEAT |

was going on in your local town, you bought the paper. Over time and with the introduction of digital and mobile phones, initially publishing could have been accused of being a bit slow to catch up.”

Cutting his teeth on national papers including the Financial Times, The Independent and specialist business titles, Richard quickly jumped up the ladder before taking a sideways leap to become Deputy Managing Director at the Hull Daily Mail.

“That was a big, big role for me,” he remembers “It was a very established business, good structure and with an excellent MD – I learned a lot in a very short period of time there.

“It really opened my eyes to the importance of local and regional media. Up to that point I’d been working at national level, which was great and had a lot of positives, but working at a more local level I realised we could really affect people’s lives.”

A few years later and the MD job came up at Lincolnshire Media, a neighbouring business

And so begins the next reinvention for Richard as he brings his experience to our doorstep at the helm of . “As MD across Cambridge and LSN, which is Northampton, Milton Keynes, Luton and Bedford, it’s probably an even bigger patch with more diverse cultures and communities,” he ponders.

“This covers a daily title, some very strong weeklies – some paid and some free – as well as websites and two magazines.

“Local World put digital right at the front of the transformation with the community at the heart of everything. The biggest change we need to see here is the relevance of our content to our communities.

“There are some core themes – the local MPs, weather, schools, traffic – but also specific interests such as technology and innovation in Cambridge. We’ve got so much that we’re doing but we’ve not told anyone!”

Navigating the business, its people and consumers through this period of transformation will be a challenge, but it looks like Richard is the right man for the job. n

within the same organisation, which meant familiar ground for Richard in terms of ethos, culture and business systems.

“It had immense potential but hadn’t been

It really opened my eyes to the importance of local and regional media loved like it could have been,” he admits.

“We embarked on quite a transformation in terms of the products we produced as well as the internal culture and how we were viewed by the local market.

“The title had recently been changed from a daily to a weekly and there was a big emotional reaction to that, which we understood. It was a case of rebuilding confidence. I was there for just over two years and the business is back to where it should be with strong brands and a really good team.”

A local outlook in the digital world TRAFFIC

SOURCES OF TRAFFIC 91,011,572

+63% YOY

+32% YOY

Monthly Unique Browsers

Monthly Visits

Monthly Page Views

30,779,898

+64% YOY

4

15,195,521

1

2

tABLET 17%

dESKTOP 42%

MOBILE PHONE 41%

3

TOP DEVICE TYPES – UNIQUE BROWSERS

1. TYPED/BOOKMARKED 38% 2. SEARCH ENGINES 32% 3. SOCIAL NETWORKS 21% 4. OTHER WEBSITES 9%

SOCIAL MEDIA

673,308

396,623

FOLLOWERS

LIKES

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 27

| POLICY UPDATE

Policy UPDATE Keeping you informed, representing local business

Travel Planning Should my business bother with Travel Planning?

Well, it could save you money, ease pressure on expensive car parking, reduce your carbon footprint and result in happier, healthier and more productive staff.

In rural Cambridgeshire public transport is limited therefore it’s not practical for most of us to get rid of the car. We know that walking and cycling are healthier options but for most of us, not realistic for travelling to work. A Travel Plan provides a co-ordinated package of measures to support staff travel for the commute to work and travel on business.

At the Chamber we have taken the first step towards developing a Travel Plan. Not straightforward as we work from offices in Cambridge and Peterborough, serve six Chambers, put on over 180 events a year: breakfasts, lunches, informal evenings, business meetings and exhibitions.

Our Travel Plan acknowledges that most of the team need to travel on business by car but with a bit of planning we have already reduced car usage and mileage claims.

For example, if several of us are attending the same meeting or event we travel together in one car. There have even been meetings where members have travelled with us.

We’ve also taken to travelling by rail.

The train service between Peterborough and Ely is pretty good and travelling by train provides time to work during the journey and avoids the frustration of getting stuck behind a tractor on the A47.

Taking the first step in Travel Planning entitles us to discounts. Some of the team are purchasing new bikes (at discounted prices) so they can travel 28 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

to work by bike occasionally. We are looking forward to taking advantage of discounts on rail travel as well.

For employees whose roles and hours of work are regular they can register with CamShare and find out about car sharing: save fuel, wear and tear on vehicles, avoid parking charges and even make friends.

If you are thinking about electric vehicles you could save 25 per cent off the cost of installing charging points.

Travelling by train allows you to work during the journey

Or you could borrow an electric bike to see if that would encourage you to cycle to work sometimes.

Reducing reliance on the car and using more sustainable and healthier methods of travel is good for business as well as the environment.

To find out more about Travel Planning contact Travel for Work (TfW) on 01223 715550, email info@tfw.org.uk follow them on twitter @Travel_for_Work or visit their website www.tfw.org.uk n

CHAMBER UPDATES |

Chamber Updates

Chamber Awards 2014 Rewarding excellence in British business You have until 27 June to enter this year’s Chamber awards.

Regional winners will be announced on 22 September and the prestigious Chamber Awards Gala Dinner takes place in London on 27 November where one winner will be awarded Business of the Year. www.chamberawards.co.uk #ChamberAwards n

Join #ChamberNetwork The use of social media by businesses is increasing, with over 15 million users on LinkedIn in the UK alone and even more active users on Twitter.

Millions of accounts have never posted an update though – they’re owned by listeners. Businesses and individuals that don’t actively participate in conversations online but keep up with the latest news and developments in their areas of interest by reading other people’s comments. So even if you’re not inclined to join in the conversation, there are great benefits to setting up an account anyway and following companies that you have an interest in.

If you’re on twitter, it couldn’t be easier to find other Chamber members to follow. Simply enter #ChamberNetwork in the search bar and a list of tweets will appear from @CambsChamber where we’ve mentioned members’ accounts.

Click on each username and, if you’d like to see their updates in your twitter feed, click follow. It couldn’t be easier! n

Time running out to voice support for A14 Businesses have until Sunday 15 June to respond to a Highways Agency consultation and voice their support for the widening and improvement of the A14 in Cambridgeshire.

The scheme is currently in its formal consultation phase, responses to which will be summarised and included in the Development Consent Order which the Highways Agency is due to submit to the Planning Inspectorate later this year.

The Secretary of State’s decision to give the go ahead to the scheme will be based on an examination of the Development Consent Order (DCO), and that’s why the Chamber believes it is so important that the weight of support for the scheme is represented in the DCO. Inevitably there will be some who do not believe that the widening and improvements to this route are necessary and that’s why it is so important that everyone who does believe in the importance of these improvements speaks up to ensure that support is reflected in the Development Consent Order.

Responses to the consultation can be made by completing a short online questionnaire, which can be found at http://bit.ly/A14question n

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 29

| SPECIAL REPORT

Report from Ian MacKellar

Business Rates If you don’t vote, don’t complain about the outcome. No, not last month’s Euro elections, but the Government’s consultation on changing or replacing the current system of business rates.

As with anything that has been around since the 16th century, property taxation is in need of a bit of modernisation. It happened with domestic property in the 1980s and 1990s, first with the reviled ‘poll tax’, then soon afterwards with the current system of Council Tax. Until 1990, business rates were set, collected and spent by local authorities.

Since then, ‘national non-domestic rates’ (NNDR) have been set by the Treasury, but collected by councils such as Cambridgeshire’s five districts and Peterborough City Council on the Government’s behalf. Part of the cash has then been re-allocated to local authorities on the basis of arcane formulae understood only in Great George Street.

Everybody knows they are another ‘stealth tax’, but businesses can’t vote. Companies didn’t mind so much when business was booming, but recession focused the mind on this huge fixed cost that bore no relation to the profitability of the enterprise. Last year, the Chancellor finally conceded that there may be something in the clamour for reform, but you have very limited time left to respond to the consultation - 6 June is the cut-off.

Few people question the principle of local taxes on employers. By virtue of employing people, firms impose costs on local services – health, transport, education and so on. But the fiscal burden on companies has come

34 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

The fiscal burden on companies outweighs the costs they generate to outweigh the costs they generate by a huge margin.Do the occupiers of the 1.8million business premises in England actually cause local costs that add up to the £22bn they contribute in business rates?

The attraction for the Government is that individuals – let’s call them ‘voters’ – don’t have to stump up whatever businesses throw into the pot. And there are more voters than businesses or their stakeholders.

But even this Government has recognised that cash-strapped firms have had enough, particularly in the High Street: internet traders are either completely exempt from business rates or have tax-dodging ways round them.

It is received wisdom – even in the Treasury, where I used to work – that you can have a fair system of taxation or a simple one, but you cannot have both.

SPECIAL REPORT |

Respond to the consultation by Friday 6 June (The Diocese of Ely is going through a similar process in the hope of finding a fair way of paying for Church of England clergy.)

And it is clear that attempts at fairness are what lie behind the complexity of the current system of NNDR. That’s why there are reliefs for small companies, charities, agriculture, churches and all manner of other organisations. Some are mandatory, some discretionary. Most have to be applied for, so organisations that are unaware of them miss out.

The current arrangements are based on ‘rateable value’ – a notional assessment of a fair annual rent for the ‘hereditament’ concerned [that term says a lot about the antiquity of the system] – with different multipliers for larger and smaller concerns.

When I was at university, I had a holiday job with a firm of rating surveyors for which appealing valuation assessments was a lucrative industry, though valuation lists now seem more accurate.

Yet the concept that a rent review might actually see a reduction in the landlord’s take is quite novel in Britain, though commonplace elsewhere in Europe.

The Government’s consultation document starts off as a bit of an apologia for the current mess but does go on to concede that there may be flaws. So it really is important that you say how you think it might be improved in a way that is equitable across the business sector.

Inevitably, the starting point must be that, if rateable value were no longer to be the benchmark, what would be a better one? Michael Anderson-Brown, Chairman of Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber, wonders whether ability to pay (ie profitability) or energy use might be better yardsticks than notional rental value.

He points out that having to pay £10,000 a year in business rates is a serious disincentive to anyone wanting to cut people’s hair in the centre of Cambridge – where a lot of people need access to hairdressing services. But business rates are payable before a single strand is severed.

Responses to the consultation paper are asked for by 6 June 2014 and should be sent by email to businessrates. review@hmtreasury.gsi.gov.uk n

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 35

| NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

NEW Members

A warm welcome to our new Chamber members

Clive Simpson

Ramsey Golf Club

www.clivesimpson.co.uk

www.ramseyclub.co.uk Situated on the edge of the fens, Ramsey Golf Club provides an easy walking, mature parkland 18 hole course. It offers interest for the novice, whilst being a good test of golf to the single figure golfer with every hole being different and challenging.

The course was officially opened in June 1965.

Service Insight Ltd www.Service-Insight.co.uk

Experienced copywriter, editor and freelance journalist, supporting agencies, business and the media throughout Cambridgeshire, the UK and Europe. Professional and friendly approach with expertise in business, manufacturing and engineering, the environment and mainstream journalism. Copywriting for websites, blogs, annual reports, PR, feature and news articles, brochures and newsletters.

Customer Satisfaction is typically at the heart of any successful business. As an independent satisfaction ratings provider, Service Insight are changing the way you see your customers and the way they see you. Service Insight provides the tools your business needs to monitor, manage and promote customer satisfaction making your customers happy customers.

NEW MEMBERS – THIS MONTH Academy Corporate Entertainment Ltd

Forward Composites Ltd

Priority First Aid

Asbestos Training Ltd

fruit to suit Stamford

Pro Storm Solutions Ltd

Attica VIP Ltd

GGTC Ltd

Rural Broadband Networks

Autec Training Ltd

Hanski Ltd

Salon de Belleza Ltd

Bryant Wealth Management

Icon Business Solutions

Sanctuary Outdoor Living Ltd

Businesscoms Consultancy Ltd

IMMIX Solutions Ltd

Service Insight Ltd

Clive Simpson

Joy Bemrose HR

The 80percent Hub

Creative Content Company

Krystalklene Ltd

The Cresset

Data Diligence Ltd

Millrose Telecom

The Red Lion Whittlesford Bridge

DazzLED Lighting Ltd

New Look

Tryka L E D Ltd

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH)

Nexus-IE Ltd

UK Passenger Direct

Ecology Solutions

Node IT Solutions

Wills Jacobsen Solicitors

Ensors Chartered Accountants Cambridge

PaymentSense

YMCA Cambridgeshire

Faithful + Gould Ltd

PP2 Pumps Ltd

YMCA Peterborough

Finesse Media & Logistics

Premier Inn Peterborough A1M

36 | CONNECTED JUNE 2014

SECTOR FOCUS |

Sector Focus

Updates from Chambers Sector Groups

For any feedback, general information regarding the Sector Groups, or to contribute, please get in touch with Helen Bosett. tel: 01223 209815 email: h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL SECTOR

Making Social Media Work for your Business how adopting a social culture will positively impact your bottom line.

Cambridgeshire Chambers’ International and Communications Sectors, with UKTI, have brought together a team of outstanding practitioners to describe how Social Media is being used by leading companies to engage with customers, partners and employees to drive higher performance and show you how to harness the approach in your business to raise efficiency and increase business home and overseas.

Jonathan Wichmann, now with Orca Social, joined Maersk as Head of Social Media and steered the Danish logistics and shipping company to lead the world of B2B social media with 1.8million Facebook fans and over 110,000 followers on twitter. Harvard and MIT recognised the outstanding results and have produced case studies. Jonathan will describe how Maersk developed and implemented their strategy, the benefits it has brought and where current trends are taking the business environment.

Richard Beattie, Senior Director, Marketing and Social Cloud EMEA for Oracle will talk on Social Technologies describing how they simplify the process of delivering a Social Media Strategy, improve the effectiveness, enable you to control opportunities and analyse the results achieved.

Notburga Preining, Export Communications Consultant for UKTI, will talk about adapting your website for overseas customers, how to approach web structure, design, content and search engine optimisation when implementing a website for international trade.

Sara Drawwater of Something Beckons will describe the practical challenges facing SMEs building an effective social organisation and explain how to overcome them. She will cover the key elements of the Social Media Strategy and show how it can be delivered in both home and overseas markets.

Tuesday 10 June, 4.00-8.00pm, The Moller Centre, Cambridge. n Sponsored by:

Guest speaker Jonathan Wichmann

HR & RECRUITMENT SECTOR

Zero Hours Contracts The Government’s consultation on zero hours contracts ended on 13 March 2014. The consultation is to look at maximising the opportunities of zero hours contracts whilst minimising abuse and setting out core standards that protect individuals.

A zero hours contract is generally taken to mean a contract between an employer and worker under which the employer is under no obligation to offer the worker any minimum working hours and the worker is not obliged to accept any of the hours offered. The CIPD estimate over 1 million such contracts are in force.

Many employers who need a flexible workforce use these contracts e.g. events management with seasonal work or care homes that need bank staff. Many workers on zero hours contract will gain employment rights just like ordinary employees and will be entitled to the national minimum wage and annual leave. All employees should be issued with a written statement detailing the main terms of employment.

The Government will publish its response in due course. n

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 39

SECTOR FOCUS | Construction

Comedy Night Whether you’re looking for a staff incentive to motivate your team, or an opportunity to entertain key clients and business partners, we have just the event for you.

Our Comedy Night and Black Tie Dinner returns to Orton Hall Hotel, Peterborough on Friday 27 June with a bumper night of quality food and entertainment to guarantee you and your guests a great night out.

Tickets include a drinks reception on arrival, a three-course meal with wine on the table and after-dinner entertainment from Johnnie Casson.

Johnnie has appeared on many well-known TV shows, including his own show on Sky One. With inimitable Yorkshire humour, Johnnie promises to draw on the trials and tribulations of everyday life with inoffensive humour and feigned innocence and naivety that make him all the more entertaining.

A raffle during the evening will raise funds for Peterborough Cathedral, the Chamber’s nominated charity of the year, in aid of their Peterborough 900 Development Campaign.

Our last event was a sell-out! n

ICT SECTOR

Don’t become a statistic – backup your businesscritical data 70 per cent of businesses that suffer a major data loss are out of business within 18 months – or in other words, 70 per cent of businesses don’t have a decent backup strategy in place.

All computer hard drives fail eventually – are you prepared for when it happens? How often do you backup your data? The business-critical files and folders you use every day to conduct your business, pay your staff, and liaise with clients.

Many businesses backup half-heartedly, if at all, as it’s seen as a chore. In this day and age, why keep it as a manual task?

Online Backup automates the whole backup process for you, backing up just the changes you’ve made to your files every night and sending them to a Cloud platform using the same security as your bank uses online.

If you would like more information on improving your backup strategy, pop down to one of the Chamber Informals with an Ask the IT Experts flavour, or contact ICT committee member Ryan Hughes directly on 01733 359115 or r.hughes@questcloud.co.uk. n

Our last Comedy Night was a sell-out

COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR

Social Media workshops Sara Drawwater of Something Beckons will deliver the final in the series of social media workshops on 3 June. Hosted by Huntingdonshire Regional College this workshop entitled ‘Social Media: from Theory to Reality will look how to successfully introduce and manage social media in your organisation, the importance of a social media policy and monitoring and evaluation. This programme was designed to help businesses understand and embrace an integrated approach to social media and how to successfully apply it to your business.

For further content refer to the Communications Sector page on the Chamber website. n

Delegates attending session 1

CONNECTED JUNE 2014 | 41

Your property is in safe hands with us Our excellent reputation guarantees landlords peace of mind and helps us build long-term relationships.

a fresh approach to letting 01638 661375 lemontreeproperties.co.uk 10a Old Station Road, Newmarket CB8 8DN

Get straight to the point.

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