connected issue 99 by connected magazine

INSPIRING SUCCESS

ISSUE 99

The official magazine for Chamber members

PLUS. . . ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE CHAMBER NETWORK

E T A R O B A L L CO E T A V O N N I E T A CRE

guardtechgroup.com 0330 113 0303

sales@guardtech.com

Together, we can bring your vision to life

this issue

CONTENTS

Editor’s comment

Ask the Expert

Chief Executive’s comment

Marketing Insight

6-7

Connect

Charity of the Year

8-9

Global

Charity news

10-11

Annual Global Conference

24-28

Member news

New members

30-31

Green column

Cambridge Kinetics nominated as national finalists “Best New Business”

Training

Protect

Mental Health column

14-15

Transform

Growth Works

16-17

Inform

18-19

Guest article – Cambrionix

34-35

Chamber events

cover photo created by Keith Heppell Iliffe Media

connected 3

welcome from the

EDITOR

Welcome .... ISSUE 99 INSPIRING SUCCESS

The official magazine

for Chamber members

Cambridgeshire County Day took place last month and the Chamber, and 14 of our members, exhibited at this once-in-a lifetime event to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. You can read more in our Chief Executive’s comment. Our Charity of the Year are holding the Mont Blanc cycle challenge on Sunday 25 September and looking for teams to enter. Turn to page 22 to find out more about the event and how you can enter your team.

PLUS. . . ALL THE LATEST

ER NETWORK

NEWS FROM THE CHAMB

Chief Executive Vic Annells Editor Sadie Parr

This month’s guest article is from Cambrionix who help their customers and partners to develop and deliver reliable mobile IT solutions. On our centre page spread you can read how Cambridge is connecting the world and what the future holds for this member company.

connected, please email me your copy of approx. 150 words and photo by Wednesday 31 August to appear in the September issue. If placing an advert is of interest, please drop me an email and I’ll send you the current rate card.

There are five pages of news from members across the county. To have your news shared in

SADIE PARR s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Published and Printed by

www.xlpress.co.uk Design Helen Dwyer Advertising Sadie Parr s.parr@cambscci.co.uk Membership Team Bren Coleman 01223 209811 Jack Wilson 07564 054922 Kamla Sooriah 07955 439393 Chamber contact details Clifford House, 2 Station Yard, Oakington, Cambridge, CB24 3AH Tel 01223 237414 Email enquiries@cambscci.co.uk

• D IA RY DAT E S • AUG 2022

Visit www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk @CambsChamber Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce @CambsChamber Views expressed in connected are not necessarily these of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/ or omissions. The editor reserves the right to make amendments without notification.

4 connected

SEPT 2022

Summer Garden Party, Cambridge

Import / Export Diagnostics course

Safari Networking Breakfast, Stamford

Understanding Exporting course

Informal Networking Evening, Cambridge

Construction & Property Network Breakfast, Alconbury

Informal Networking Evening, Ely

Safari Networking Breakfast, Cambridge

HR Coffee Club, Huntingdon

Understanding Importing course

Understanding Commodity Codes course

Informal Networking Evening, Huntingdon

Informal Networking Evening, Peterborough

comment from the

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Chief Executive’s comments This month there is plenty to talk about with the resignation of the Prime Minister, the latest quarterly economic survey results, and more positively last month’s Cambridgeshire County Day and a warm welcome to new recruits in the Chamber team. Recent data from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey makes clear that every single business sector is facing a troubling outlook. The latest results can be read in more detail on page 14-15. Key data shows that two thirds of firms expect to raise prices, while three quarters have no plans to increase investment. Business confidence on turnover and profits are on a downward trend. Over eight-in-10 companies are worried about rising inflation and the soaring cost of energy bills is cited as a top factor in driving prices higher. Plus, we now face weeks waiting for a new Prime Minister to be appointed and then set about deciding their policies. This uncertainty on what the future holds, and the direction the Government may take, is likely to further damage business confidence. Businesses need certainty and they need to see strong fiscal policy and a long-term strategy for getting us back to economic growth.

Last month the Chamber took a large marquee and exhibited at Cambridgeshire County Day with a number of our member companies. This was a unique opportunity for Cambridgeshire businesses to come together to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Queen is also our Patron and we were very proud to be involved in this event that showcased all that the county of Cambridgeshire has to offer. There were 120 exhibitors from the Cambridgeshire business, charity, community and public sectors along with performances and demonstrations entertaining the 6,000 strong crowd. Sponsorship enabled many schools to bring students on the day to experience this one-off event. The visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the afternoon was the icing on the cake. The royal couple spent time visiting some of the exhibitors and talking to staff and members of the public. Unfortunately they never made it as far as

the Chamber marquee where they would have received a very warm welcome. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome to Connor Butler and Justyna Burkiewicz to the Chamber team. Connor has joined the Marketing & Events Team as Administrator to support the important work with the Local Chamber and Sector committees, providing support to our events programme and most importantly keeping my diary up-to-date. Justyna has joined as International Trade Administrator to support the team that process documentation and declarations for companies trading internationally. We hope that you get to meet Connor and Justyna at an event or Chamber committee meeting in the near future.

VIC ANNELLS Chief Executive

While politicians battle for the top job, we must also see action from the new interim Cabinet so that plans which were already progressing will not be allowed to fall by the wayside. Announcements on the future of Local Skills Improvement Plans to help address skilled labour shortages, the allocation of the Shared Prosperity Fund, and decisions on the future of the SuperDeduction scheme and other tax breaks must all go ahead. Work must also continue to progress the Export Strategy at the Department for International Trade and the Enterprise Strategy at BEIS. Whoever is chosen as the next Prime Minister must immediately set out their plans for a comprehensive strategy to support UK businesses and the economy through the difficult times ahead. The autumn budget must be the main priority of any new Prime Minister and Chancellor a chance for them to reset, rethink and get their house in order.

photo created by Keith Heppell Iliffe Media

connected 5

We provide Chamber members with many opportunities to widen their network of business contacts – building connections, creating opportunities and maximising the benefits of being part of Cambridgeshire’s most vibrant business network.

EXCLUSIVE SERVICES FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS

Chamber membership provides you with links to national companies providing services at exclusive rates for members. CHAMBER FINANCE FINDER The Chamber Finance Finder simplifies and speeds up the funding process, matching members businesses with the right funding opportunities across loans, equity investment, grants and commercial mortgages.

CHAMBER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Whether you have a small or large fleet of cars or a single commercial vehicle we can help you to keep your company on the move with Chamber Roadside Assistance. In partnership with the AA, we’ll ensure you keep motoring at an exclusive competitive price; Chamber members can receive up to 67 per cent discount on the cost of business breakdown cover.

HALF PRICE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING Taking your business to the world? Make savings every time you ship with this exclusive half price offer from DHL, leaving you more money to invest in other areas as you establish your business on an international scale. Available to all Chamber members providing you’ve not shipped more than five times with DHL in the last 12 months.

CHAMBER FOREIGN EXCHANGE Moneycorp can save your business money by creating a foreign exchange strategy tailored to your business needs. Highly competitive exchange rates, low or no fees, free online currency accounts plus access to Moneycorp online, a web-based 6 connected

portal for making payments and trading foreign exchange.

CHAMBER PRIMARY HEALTH PLAN This low-cost employee reward helps recruit and retain staff, manage risk and reduce absenteeism. Provided by Westfield Health, packages include cash benefits towards routine treatments such as dental and optical, diagnostic scanning facilities, a 24/7 advice line operated by GPs, Employee Assistance Programme and subsidised gym membership. Cover starts from as little as £1.10 per employee, per week, with additional upgrades and partner cover available.

AXA HEALTH - BUSINESS HEALTHCARE COVER At AXA Health, we know that your people are your greatest asset. Offering healthcare cover shows your employees that you really value what they do for you. That you’re ready to invest in their health and wellbeing – and in getting them back on their feet again if they become unwell. Healthcare cover can help to provide you with peace of mind that your team’s health and wellbeing is being looked after, so you can focus on your business.

DC INTELLIGENCE LTD We have teamed up with DC Intelligence Ltd to offer cloud solutions that are highly cost effective with exclusive discounts for Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce members. To find out more about these partner offers please visit our website: www. cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/ member-benefits/partner-offers/ or telephone the membership team on 01223 237414.

network and

CONNECT

CHAMBER CONFERENCE ROOM AVAILABLE TO HIRE We have a conference room available to hire for up to 10 people with free parking.

Costs: £200.00 (plus VAT) full day, £115.00 (plus VAT) half day. 10% discount for Chamber members. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided for £2.00 (plus VAT) per person. If you’re interested in hiring the John Bridge Conference Room please email enquiries@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 237414

GET CONNECTED AT CHAMBER EVENTS Our events calendar is filling up fast giving you ample opportunities to connect with new and existing Chamber members across the county.

MEMBER OFFERS Do you have a special offer that is open to members of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce? Upload details to the member area of the Chamber website and we’ll share across the network

Turn to pages 34-35 to see what’s coming up or visit our website https://www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/events/ Our Drinks Reception at Burghley House in June was sold out ahead of the day and provided a great opportunity for members of the Chamber and clients of The One Group to come together and network in The Orangery and Rose Garden. Arrival drinks were enjoyed in the Old Kitchen and a private viewing of the state rooms was offered. If you enjoyed this event, why not book for our Summer Garden Party at Madingley Hall, Cambridge, on Friday 5 August. Details on our event pages. Full details of all our online courses, including Data Protection & GDPR can be found at www.cambridgeshiretraining.co.uk

GRAPHIC DESIGN – CONSULTATION OFFER FREE 30 MINUTES How your business is seen is often a client’s first impression. So make it a good one. Strong brands are vibrant and robust, memorable, and have a strong personality with an outlook and message. At Vavoom we offer a wide range of Graphic Design services to enhance your Brand. So if you need a brochure or leaflets designing, or if you need a website and social media marketing – please get in touch – we offer a free 30 minute chat to Chamber Members, when they call for the first time. And if you are unsure how Branding could help you, we can develop a Brand development strategy with you. To get in touch please email: danielle@vavoom.co.uk or call 01480 380931 / 07939 042018. Pop onto our website to see how we work and the full range of our services at https://vavoom.co.uk/

connected 7

We’re your gateway to international trade, providing a unique combination of expert knowledge, essential documentation and the business connections needed to capitalise on new market opportunities overseas and succeed in a global marketplace.

Safeguard Measures on Steel Imports Decisions have been made by the International Trade Secretary on the continued application of safeguard measures on imports of steel plus also on tariff rate quotas. If any of this impacts your business and your trading possibilities, please contact us using internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk and we will ensure that your concerns are raised with the British Chamber of Commerce Trade Policy team. The Secretary of State has decided to apply the safeguard measures on the following categories of steel imports until the end of June 2024: 1 - Non-alloy and other alloy hot-rolled sheet and strip 2 - Non-alloy and other alloy cold-rolled sheet 4 - Metallic coated sheet 5 - Organic coated sheet 13 - Rebar 19 - Railway material 20 - Gas pipe 21 - Hollow section 25 - Large welded tube 26 - Other welded tube The safeguard measures are also being applied to the following categories of steel imports until the end of June 2024: 6 - Tin mill products 7 - Non-alloy and other alloy quarto plates 12 - Merchant bars and light sections 16 - Non-alloy and other alloy wire rod 17 - Angles, shapes, and sections of iron or non-alloy steel For category 12a the Secretary of State is increasing the tariff rate quota by 126,136 tonnes in order to assist importers and downstream users of steel.

How to grow a small business after year one The latest data from the ONS shows that around 10 per cent of businesses fail after year one. Spotting the keys to growing your business after the first year is vital if you’re to escape this cycle and create lasting success. After a full year of trading, you should be able to use your sales data to identify which products have sold the best and what you’ve done to drive traffic to your website. Therefore, finding what’s most reliable and lucrative for your business should be relatively straightforward. If you’re confident you’re already wellpositioned to meet your customers’ needs, you could investigate expanding your brand into new product categories. Growth from diversifying works on two fronts: existing customers recognise your brand in the new products they find, while new customers find an established and reputable brand available to them. Refining your marketing strategy can also be an effective way to grow your small business. You can generate revenue by making your advertising more targeted and effective at demonstrating your business’s value. Find more ways to grow a small business in domestic and international markets on the WorldFirst website.

Uncertainty remains on future of standards marking system The BCC has welcomed the announcement of four new easements on conformity assessment markings.

whereas those from the rest of the world could not, beyond the end of 2025.

Responding to the planned policy changes, Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “It’s good news that the UK Government has listened to business in providing these new easements to support cashflow and costs in these difficult economic times. There will be relief on the pragmatic solution reached on spare parts and repairs.

“There is some way to go before businesses will have complete assurance about the operation of the new markings systems.”

“Usage of EU certificates will cut duplicate testing costs, which firms could have faced early next year to place goods on the market in Great Britain. Those companies, which have the resources to do so, will also have the flexibility of importing CE-marked goods before the end of the year and placing these on the market in Great Britain without subsequent relabelling.

The four measures are to: 1. Allow certificates issued by EU conformity assessment bodies before the end of 2022 to be used as the basis for subsequent UKCA marking certification 2. Permit existing imported goods (before January 2023) to be treated as being already placed on the GB market eliminating the need for relabelling of products 3. Clarify that imported spare parts which repair or replace goods already on the GB market meet the same requirements as the existing goods 4. Facilitate goods being able to have UKCA marking, and importer details added via a sticky label, or accompanying paperwork, until 31 December 2025.

“After the end of 2022 however, firms will face significant new cost pressures from the introduction of the new markings system. “Uncertainties also still exist in terms of what will happen to markings in Northern Ireland. The current arrangements also suggest that CE-only marked goods, brought over from Northern Ireland, could continue to be placed on the market in Great Britain, 8 connected

This written ministerial statement on the markings of industrial, construction, electrical and electronics will be subject to secondary legislation and updated guidance by the UK Government.

extend your

GLOBAL REACH

WTO Agreements must now deliver progress The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for agreements reached at the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference to be translated into real change for businesses.

Over 160 countries attended the event which agreed tangible outcomes to aid the global economy and make progress in a number of areas.

Following the conclusion of the conference last month, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The most important decision for many firms will be the eleventhhour renewal, for 18 months at least, of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission of products. This is a key boost for exporters.

These included: • Renewal of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission of products until the next Ministerial Conference if held at the end of 2023 or until the end of March 2024 if it is delayed • Exclusion of UN World Food Programme destined products from any export bans • Waivers from the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement to secure continuity of vaccine supplies in the COVID-19 pandemic • Re-commitment towards WTO reform agenda before next Ministerial Conference and fully functioning dispute resolution system in place by 2024. • Dedicated sessions on transit issues annually until next review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement • Commitment to renewed business engagement by the WTO Secretariat team.

“We also welcome the renewed commitment for the WTO secretariat to work with business so we can make these agreements work to strengthen trade and economic growth globally. “Key issues like food security and vaccines saw sufficient progress to avert forthcoming crises, but on these, together with subsidies, digital trade, and WTO reform, further steps are badly needed. “We hope for many opportunities to engage in Geneva on key business priorities for action and reform ahead of the next Ministerial Conference at the end of 2023.”

Will the Bank of England raise rates to 1.75% in August? The Bank of England monetary policy committee (MPC) are taking their usual summer hiatus, however being out of sight will not be a case of being out of mind. Before the MPC next meet in August, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the U.S Federal Reserve (Fed) are expected to have raised interest rates. The ECB have signalled an uplift to their main policy rate (currently minus 0.50%) in July and September, their first increase in over a decade. The more hawkish Fed are expected to follow June’s 0.75% hike to 1.75% with something similar at the end of July. Sticking to cautious quarter percent increments (BofE base rate stands at 1.25%) combined with a hesitant narrative, the financial markets are being left underwhelmed by the MPC. The Bank seems to have one eye on stifling already lack lustre economic growth, and the other on tying to dampen rampant inflation.

Three of the nine members of the MPC did vote for a larger rise in June, by time August arrives just another two are needed to see a rise to 1.75 per cent (or higher). Pressure will mount over the summer; will the Bank of England raise rates to 1.75 per cent in August? A perceived soft and confused Bank of England is no help to Sterling performance in the currency markets. Testing 52-week lows drives up the cost of imported good, fuel at the pumps and ultimately inflation itself. A $110 barrel of oil which cost £78.50 at the start of 2022, recently cost as much as £91.50. Estimates indicate up to 15p per litre is being added to the price at the pump due to Sterling’s 13 per cent fall against the US dollar. The ONS reported inflation at 9.1 per cent at the end of June, the BofE are forecasting 11 per cent in Q3. Research from Swiss Re, the insurance wholesaler, suggested interest rates should be 10% in the UK – 1992 anyone! Circumstances are somewhat

different with inflation a global challenge, not just an issue for the then ailing UK as it crashed out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism. Whilst the US & Eurozone are all facing soaring inflation and economic slowdowns, with no major economic data or policy intervention expected over the summer, Sterling is destined to test lower levels against the Dollar and Euro. For more information on how Ascendant can benchmark your current supplier and to hear about how we are reducing the cost of foreign exchange for local businesses, contact karen.benson@ascendant.world 52 week range for GBP (up to 1 July) GBP v Euro – High 1.2190 - Low 1.1465 GBP v US Dollar –High 1.3983 - Low 1.1933

connected 9

“Because there is power in partnership. During the pandemic, the Government listened to businesses, stepped in, and gave vital support just when it was needed – this was a great example of our Network and Government working in partnership. And, of course, our discussions with Government continue.  Ahead of the spring statement we urged the government to temporarily reverse their commitment to raise National Insurance Contributions and to support businesses with energy costs. “However, the Spring Statement was a missed opportunity. We saw some support for business, but the lack of a clear strategic direction meant it did not give clarity or confidence. This has to change and we are on limited time. The Government has until the autumn budget to reset, rethink and get their house in order.” The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Annual Global Conference 2022 took place on Thursday 30 June at the QEII Conference Centre, London. The British Chambers of Commerce Director General, Shevaun Haviland, welcomed delegates to the event and made the opening speech. Her opening included the following messages: “The diversity and vibrance of the economies of our regions and nations is something to behold.  And across all of these communities, and in communities around the globe, are the Chambers of Commerce, using the power of partnership to support businesses to build connections, and create opportunities.   “However, we all know that businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, exacerbated by the conflict in Europe, which follows a once in a lifetime pandemic that literally brought life as we know it to a halt. “Increasing cost of raw materials over last summer, supply chain and shipping issues, problems in recruiting people, and by this March spiralling energy prices. It really is the perfect storm of increasing costs, firmly putting the brakes on recovery. “But there is another side to this story that is often under-reported. When I speak to businesses I hear one thing – resilience. Business owners got through the pandemic using their ingenuity, taking tough decisions, and holding their nerve.   “Now, again, in the face of difficult economic conditions, they are showing their entrepreneurial spirit - innovating, finding solutions, looking forward, and always holding on to an unfailing belief in their own business, even if they are losing faith in the environment around them. And to me that is inspiring. And that is what motivates me, and all of us across the Chamber Network, to keep supporting our businesses, to keep speaking to Government and to keep working together to create the conditions for these businesses – your businesses – to thrive.   10 connected

Through thought-provoking discussions, talks and peer-to-peer sessions, delegates explored and debated how we can individually and collectively rise to the challenges ahead, with a particular focus on: • PEOPLE - Developing talent now and for the future • PLANET - Boosting a green global economy • PROGRESS - Seizing new opportunities Away from the sessions there was also networking time for delegates to greet existing contacts and meet new ones; and we showcased our dynamic network of Chambers and strategic partners.

The 2022 conference welcomed speakers and partners including: • The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer • The Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Secretary of State for International Trade • Bobby Seagull, Maths Teacher, Broadcaster, Author & Investment Banker • Mary Portas, Founder, Portas and Co-Chair of the Better Business Act • Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; current Chair of The Elders • Andrew Harrison, Managing Director, Business Banking NatWest Commercial Banking

GLOBAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023 The next Global Annual Conference will be returning on Wednesday 17 May 2023 in the QEII Centre, London. BCC Global Annual Conference 2023 will bring together business leaders, policy experts, media and government representatives to tackle important business issues and create lasting change. At the BCC, with our network of national and international Chambers, we are on a mission to help businesses thrive in Trade, Skills, the Economy and Net Zero.

Local technology start-up nominated as national finalists “Best New Business” at the 2022 SME Business Awards Launched back in September, local technology start-up Cambridge Kinetics has gone from strength to strength, turning a student’s glimmer of an idea into a fully-fledged multi award-winning small business. Offering software development solutions, including CRM & ERP, Cambridge Kinetics has a mission of supporting local businesses to get the digital systems they need to operate effectively and efficiently. Founded by Jason Mashinchi, Cambridge Kinetics was started soon after graduating with distinction from Trinity Hall at the University of Cambridge. Jason holds a master’s degree in Industrial Systems, Manufacturing and Management, in addition to a first-class degree in Computer Science – and combining the two has proved a powerful combination. Within a few months of operations, the company won the Huntingdonshire SME ‘Best New Business’ Gold Award, narrowly beating sister company Cambridge Support, who came close behind with the silver. As the team expanded from a solo enterprise to a seven-person business, the opening of their new office in the prestigious St John’s Innovation Centre shortly followed. In May of this year, the Cambridge-based start-up went onto achieve full ISO 9001 certification after months of hard work and preparation for the rigorous audits. In addition, they have achieved full Cyber Essentials certification, a scheme backed by the UK Government and supported by the Federation of Small Businesses and the CBI. Their rapid growth and achievements didn’t stop there. Cambridge Kinetics went on to be invited to attend the inaugural Cambridgeshire County Day as part of the AstraZeneca Entrepreneurship marquee. Cambridge Kinetics were amongst over

100 businesses, and the event even got a last-minute visit from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. To top things off, Cambridge Kinetics have made it to the finals of the National SME Business Awards 2022, held in December at Wembley Stadium in London. Cambridge Kinetics works with organisations of all sizes, from ambitious start-ups, all the way to established industrial businesses, helping every client to put their digital technology ideas into motion and achieve success. The company has come on leaps and bounds in a short space of time and continues to make waves within the industry. connected 11

chamber

Our regular training courses provide the knowledge to assist with your international trade activities. Currently, all courses will take place online via Zoom.

TRAINING

CHAMBER TRAINING Course Dates

IMPORT/ EXPORT DIAGNOSTICS WORKSHOP 11 August, 24 November This workshop shows companies how to look at their SOPS and compliance, going through key areas of procedures and compliance, preparing for trading internationally either by exporting or importing. UNDERSTANDING EXPORTING 8 September This course covers all the basic key areas around exporting. It will explain the requirements for documentation, plus an overview of country of origin and incoterms. UNDERSTANDING IMPORTING 20 September This course covers all the basic key areas around importing and will explain the requirements for documentation, plus an overview of country of origin and incoterms. UNDERSTANDING COMMODITY CODES 27 September, 13 December By attending this course we will ensure you are aware of what a commodity code is and what it is used for, understand the process of how to classify goods, successfully classify a range of goods and understand the importance of getting your commodity codes correct. CUSTOMS PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION 6 October The course looks at the procedures required to deal with customs. It is vitally important that importers and exporters understand the information required to be submitted, fines and inspections are things that no company wants to endure. UNDERSTANDING LOGISTICS 13 October Understand the process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination. INCOTERMS 2020 18 October This seminar will explain Incoterms® and their importance in international trade contracts.

12 connected

UNDERSTANDING A CUSTOMS DECLARATION 3 November This course will highlight what you need to know to complete customs declarations accurately for both the import and export of goods, including taking you through step-by-step guidance on completing the SAD C88 form. LETTERS OF CREDIT 15 November This workshop covers the five main types of payment for exports, from advance payment to open account, including Sight Documentary Collection, Term Documentary Collection and Documentary Letters of Credit. It includes the use of Bills of Exchange with and without documents. INWARD AND OUTWARD PROCESSING 1 December The course will cover special procedures and the benefits of using IP and OP in your compliance. UNDERSTANDING RULES OF ORIGIN 6 December This course will explain all aspects of the Rules of Origin and Trade Agreements and how to understand and comply with them to help companies be more competitive in export markets. Full course details are available on our website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/training TRAINING COURSES Our training courses run from 9.30am-1.00pm. Cost per course: £250.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £330.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members. BITESIZE WORKSHOPS Our Bitesize sessions run from training courses run from 3.00-4.00pm. Cost per bitesize session: £50.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £75.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members. To register please visit our website, email j.mansfield@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 237414.

To access these services please visit the protection page on the Chamber website or call our membership team on 01223 237414.

how to

PROTECT

HOW DOES GDP AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS? Gross domestic product (GDP) is a measure of the size and health of the UK economy measured over a period, this can be one quarter to one year. Where there is a drop in the GDP percentage rate that can impact on unemployment as that increases. This connection is usually referred to as Okun’s law.

RISING PRICES

Economists have raised serious concerns about the UK economy after it shrank again in April. Rising prices are affecting businesses. The Office for National Statistics have said the economy contracted by 0.3 per cent in April after it shrank by 0.1 per cent in March. Some experts have warned there may be real risk of the UK falling into a recession as the economy has shrunk two months in a row. There are no signs the UK economy will stop shrinking or improve. Businesses and households have also been hit hard by rising prices for food, fuel, and energy costs. The reaction to this is that businesses and households are cutting on spending in reaction to rising costs. At the time of writing, the average cost of petrol for an average family car is £100.

THE BANK OF ENGLAND

The Bank of England has predicted a slowdown of the economy, further inflationary rises resulting in higher prices and lower investment in the UK. Prices could increase a further 10 per cent by the end of 2022. April was the first time since January 2021 that there had been a decline in services, production, and manufacturing. Only in January did the UK economy grow in 2022. Further pressure has been added to businesses due the increase in National Insurance and the uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine. There is also a risk of trade war between the UK and the EU which can result in further inflation and further risk investment in the UK economy. Businesses are also under pressure due to taxation, and some businesses have called for tax cuts. The Government have given support to households by way of energy packages to ease the impact of record energy prices. However, the risk of a recession stays a real possibility.

Considering the state of the economy, businesses may need to make difficult decision, like assessing cost cutting measures such as reducing staff numbers, variation of staff employment contracts and readdressing any commercial contracts or ensuring that any new commercial contracts are not a financial burden like tied into erroneous terms for several years ensuring that there is appropriate insurance cover in place with legal expenses insurance. Questcover can help explore options for HR management and business strategy.

RESTRUCTURING AND REDUNDANCY

We can assist you with the correct handling of your restructure and redundancies. Salary reductions may be a possibility with careful consultation with staff. Employers can consider reducing the working week so that staff work more effectively over a few numbers of hours. The four-day week for example is a new concept business can consider increasing productivity working few hours in the week. Where there is a temporary reduction of work employers may be able to place employees on short time working or place employees on layoffs.

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES

Financial difficulties may cause health issues for employees and therefore employers should consider supporting staff with disabilities by making reasonable adjustments. The Equality Act 2010 applies to individuals with both physical and mental health issues. The legislation will apply to all employees regardless of the length of service and the Employment Tribunal can award unlimited damages against an employer who discriminates against a disabled employee. This article is guidance on the actions you can take as a business. If you have any concerns on employment, legal or taxation matters please contact the Quest Advice line and speak to our experience staff on 01455 852028. Raj Laxman, Employment Law & HR Advisor

As a Chamber member you have unlimited access to four services – HR, Legal, Health & Safety and Tax. This includes: 5 Advice Lines – HR, legal, health & safety, tax and VAT 3 Document Libraries – HR, Legal, Health & Safety that contain almost 800 templated documents £1,000,000 Legal Expenses Insurance – includes employment cover and Tax Enquiry cover. Visit https://chambercambs.questcover.com/login or call the helpline on 01455 852037. If you don’t know your log-in details to access this service, please give the team a call on 01223 237414. connected 13

As a Chamber member you have the power to influence key decision makers and play a leading role in tackling the issues that are preventing your business from reaching its potential, while an experienced team of lobbyists represents your interests in Whitehall.

The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q2 2022 shows key economic indicators flashing red The survey of over 5,700 firms revealed a weakening in the proportion of firms reporting increased domestic sales, investment intentions, and longer-term turnover confidence.

MEASURES FOR INVESTMENT AND LONGER-TERM BUSINESS CONFIDENCE HAVE SLIPPED BACK Indicators for turnover and profitability confidence, as well as investment, all worsened from their Q1 positions. Firms expecting an increase in turnover over the next 12 months dropped from 63 per cent to 54 per cent, this is the lowest figure since Q4 2020 when much of the UK was under some form of lockdown. Confidence in profitability also took a significant knock with 43 per cent predicting an increase, down from 50 per cent in Q1. More than a quarter (28%) are now predicting a decrease in profits. Unsurprisingly, this declining confidence in business performance has affected firms’ plans to increase investment, with three in four (75%) saying they have no plans to do so (up from 73% in Q1). This metric has remained largely unchanged since Q2 2021.

INFLATIONARY PRESSURES CONTINUE TO EXCEED RECORD HIGHS 65 per cent of firms now expect their prices to rise in the next three months, up from 62 per cent in Q1, a record high and a 23-percentagepoint rise on a year ago. Only one per cent overall expect a decrease in their prices. Expected price rises are being felt most acutely in the retail and wholesale sector, and construction and engineering sector, both at 78 per cent, with production and manufacturing only slightly behind at 77 per cent. When measured as a net balance (the percentage of respondents reporting an increase minus those reporting a decrease), price expectations are now the highest since records began for this indicator in 1997 for both the manufacturing (+76%) and services sectors (+56%). When firms were asked which factors were driving price rises, 67 per cent cited utility bills, 66 per cent labour costs, 56 per cent fuel and 53 per cent raw materials. 14 connected

In the three sectors worse affected (Retail & Wholesale, Construction & Engineering, Manufacturing & Production) all three cited raw materials as the biggest factor.

“This quarter’s survey results clearly point to a weakening economic outlook amid unprecedented cost pressures and falling business confidence.

When asked what external factors were more of a concern to their business than three months ago, 82 per cent of firms cited inflation. This is the highest on record and a rise from 77 per cent in Q1 (the previous record).

“Domestic demand continues to show buoyancy, with almost half of respondents reporting increased domestic sales in the quarter.

The percentage citing interest rates as a concern also rose for the third quarter running; one in three (33%) reported interest rates as a concern, up from 32 per cent in Q1.

BUSINESS ACTIVITY REMAINS BUOYANT BUT ON DOWNWARD TREND

“However, indicators for structural business conditions such as investment, and cash flow, are showing no sign of improvement for most firms. “Inflation remains by far and away the top concern, with our survey measures going beyond anything we’ve seen before in the history of the data.

“Businesses face an unprecedented convergence of cost pressures, with the 41 per cent of respondents overall reported main drivers coming from raw materials, fuel, ISSN 2398-4406 increased domestic sales in Q2, down from utilities, taxes, and labour. The continuing 42 per cent in Q1, and the third consecutive supply chain crisis, exacerbated by conflict in quarterly fall. 18 per cent reported a decrease, Ukraine and lockdowns in China, has further the same as the previous quarter. compounded this. Measures for inflation the highest “Some levelssectors on record. The impacted BCC’s Quarterly In the services sector, the balanceat of firms are far more than Economic Survey (QES) for Q2 2022 – the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and reporting increased domestic sales stood at +24 others. Manufacturers, retailers, and hospitality a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – shows inflationary pressures continuing to reach levels never perpreviously cent, compared per cent in Q1. firms have been sounding the alarm recordedto in +21 its 33-year history, asIn the vast majority of firms expect further price rises. on the manufacturing sector, the balance of firms inflation for 18 months. reporting increased domestic sales fell to +19 “Against this backdrop, it is no surprise that per cent in Q2, the lowest level since Q1 2021. business confidence for the months ahead is David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

41% of respondents overall report an increase to domestic sales, slightly down on Q1 2022. Marketing and media firms were most likely to report an increase in domestic sales (51%), while retailers and wholesalers were among the least likely (33%). 25% of respondents overall report an increase to investment in plant, machinery, and technology, compared to 27% in Q1. As measured as a percentage balance*, the manufacturing sector stands at +11%, the lowest since Q1 2021. The services sector also stands at +11%, unchanged from the previous quarter.

waning as we enter a period of heightened economic uncertainty.”

the power to

Responding to the findings, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, said: “The red lights on our economic dashboard are starting to flash. Nearly every single indicator has seen a deterioration since our last survey in March. “Business confidence has taken a significant hit and fears over inflation and cost pressures are at new record highs. But it is not too late for the

TRANSFORM

“A cut in VAT on energy bills to five per cent and other steps to relieve the tax burden on firms to encourage investment are crucial.

“The Government must swiftly demonstrate that it is on the side of business if confidence to invest is to be restored. Only then will we be able to return some momentum to the economy and find a pathway through the current difficulties.”

“Better infrastructure, a plan to address labour shortages and a unified long-term economic strategy to give businesses more certainty are also needed.

The QES is the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth.

Government to take action to help businesses through these challenging times and put the economy on a more stable footing.

Frontline service success thanks to local residents and businesses People across South Cambridgeshire have been thanked for their ongoing support for vital public services like social care and police after the District Council was named second in the country for Council Tax collection across England. Residents and businesses are being praised for playing their part in supporting public services through prompt council tax payment, as the country emerges from the COVID pandemic and residents now face a rising cost of living. Cllr John Williams, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “Despite the many challenges we are living through, our local residents and businesses must be thanked for supporting vital frontline services for everyone in the community. Being able to collect such a high proportion of the Council Tax and Business Rates due means local services benefit, which ultimately benefits everyone in the community. “It is difficult times for everyone, and we have of course, worked sensitively with those who needed help paying their bills – such as arranging payment plans to spread those payments. We are always here to help residents who are concerned about their ability to pay in any way we can, and I would encourage those residents or businesses with understandable continuing worries to contact us as soon as possible.” South Cambridgeshire District Council is the second from top performing council out of more than 320 tax-collecting authorities in England.

Government collection rates for Council Tax in England show that for the financial year 2021-2022, South Cambridgeshire District Council: • C ollected 99.2% of the total amount of Council Tax due from residents. This amounts to £126,976,000. Almost £127 million. * National collection rate average 95.9% • C ollected 99% of Business Rates due from local businesses. This amounts to £84,973,000. Almost £85 million. * National collection rate average 95.5% • T he total collected by South Cambridgeshire District Council, is almost £212 million. The District Council collects Council Tax from residents and businesses before passing on most of it to several frontline local services including Cambridgeshire Police, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cambridgeshire County Council and Parish / Town Councils. Only around nine per cent of the public’s Council Tax bill goes towards the District Council’s services. Income from Non-Domestic rates is shared between Central Government, County Councils, District Councils and Fire Authorities, with the District Councils retaining 40 per cent. By the end of March 2022, authorities across England had collected £33.9 billion of council tax and achieved an average in-year collection rate of 95.9 per cent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous year.

connected 15

Chamber membership provides access to key information, expert advice and legal protection, enabling you to stay informed, legally compliant and free to focus on what you do best – building your business.

IT, SECURITY & DIGITAL SECTOR NEWS

Cyber security – ensure all your bases are covered Cyber security is a critical issue for all organisations. However, although all organisations are at equal risk of attack, not all have equal resources or expertise to deal with the threats they face. Damages incurred by information security incidents generally aren’t covered in commercial insurance policies, so a specific policy is necessary to help cover the costs. These costs can include things like forensic investigation, incident response and notification procedures. A cyber insurance policy doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you will receive aid following a data breach. Most policies include provisions requiring organisations to follow certain information security best practices. The most common reasons that insurers reject cyber insurance claims are failure to conduct regular vulnerability scans, document an incident response plan, protect data in transit, inspect the security practices of third parties and perform staff awareness training. Cyber insurance is becoming increasingly more complicated and expensive to secure, and insurers are now demanding

more from organisations to prove they are not negligent when an incident occurs. If your organisation already has the NCSC’s basic controls in place, or is Cyber Essentials certified, Cyber Safeguard is the perfect next step to safeguard your organisation with additional peace of mind that you have quick access to cyber insurance as and when your organisation needs it most.

How IT Governance can help Cyber Safeguard protects businesses against cyber attacks quickly and cost-effectively with expert support, training and tools. With Cyber Safeguard, you get access to dedicated cyber security expertise, legal support and specialised cyber insurance cover of up to £500,000 for added peace of mind. If your organisation requires a more involved programme, Cyber Security as a Service expands on Cyber Safeguard, providing guidance from a dedicated cyber security expert and a more comprehensive set of tools.

Cyber Security Leadership Let’s take a quick look at cyber security leadership… Here’s an interesting question to ponder for a few minutes. How much value do you place on three hours of your time as a business or organisational leader? Maybe you thought along the lines of “that’s nearly half a day, I can get lots done in that time”, or “three hours, three meetings, three things dealt with”. Now ponder this, you’ve just been told that your business has been hit by a ransomware attack and you’re the person the team are looking to for quick decision making on how you’re going to respond. Your critical systems are at risk of being taken offline and your highly sensitive customer data is under threat, this could damage your business for a long time. Would investing three hours of your time in building your cyber security knowledge be worthwhile if it meant you could mitigate some of these risks? It’s an unavoidable reality that 100 per cent security from cyber-attacks targeting your business systems and information 16 connected

is impossible, so sending yourself or your leadership team to be trained in cyber and information security may seem like a luxury use of valuable time. However, this training, as opposed to that you would give the IT team or frontline staff, provides the information you need to be able to reduce risk. We focus on delivering actionable insights in our training which relate directly to elements that can be implemented in the business, ensuring that your cyber security strategy is specific to the risk profile of your business is key in it being effective. If you’re keen to mix with and learn from other leaders across a range of industries our cyber security training for business owners and leaders runs for three hours and could be instrumental in you building a more protected business. You can find out more at www.cyberscale.co.uk.

learn and

INFORM

More support needed for women planning to work beyond retirement age Employers are being urged to give more support to older women in the workplace following reports suggesting that more than half plan to work past their retirement age. A poll conducted by Working Wise reveals that 52 per cent of women approaching retirement age believe they will have to continue working to support their pension to meet a financial shortfall.

An incident response, sometimes referred to as an IR, is a set of security policies and procedures. These are in place to identify, contain, and eliminate cyber-attacks. The primary goal of an incident response is to halt such cyber-attacks, minimise potential damage and prevent an attack occurring in the future. Having an incident response process is vital. This would include the various stages of preparation, detection, restoration, and prevention. Planning is key. Having an incident response plan will ensure both prevention and a response are established if an incident occurs. Secondly, detection identifies the source of the breach, regardless of where it originated. At this stage, information needs to be collected to learn more regarding the situation. Thirdly, once information has been gathered regarding the breach, restoring, and recovering data is needed in this restoration stage. Then lastly, a central part of the incident response process is preventing incidents from happening in the first place. The prevention stage is a matter of learning from previous incidents to improve the process. If you are in need of IT support, please visit www.cambridgesupport.com

Nearly three-quarters (71 per cent) of respondents said their reduced pension payments were a likely result of going part time or taking a career break, with two-thirds (64 per cent) saying they chose to stop paying into their pension altogether because they either went part time or took time off work. The survey also suggests: • A third (34 per cent) needed to reduce their working hours due to a health issue • 28 per cent said their progression was held back due to the menopause • Caring responsibilities have affected 63 per cent of respondents • Of those currently employed, 25 per cent felt their current employer was unsupportive of older women in the workplace • Re-entering the workplace was a challenge in terms of the process for 31 per cent of older women looking for a new job in the last five years.

Recruitment specialist Rebecca Moore said: “The results of this poll make for some difficult reading, particularly when looking at the reasons many of the respondents are giving for taking a career break or reducing their hours.

However, with a huge positive shift in work/life balance over the past couple of years and greater flexibility, Peterborough-based Anne Corder Recruitment says older women can and will add value to your business.

Rebecca added: “Employers themselves have had to adapt to changes in the working landscape over the past two years, with the pandemic and its aftereffects a learning curve for many.

Experience, life skills, a sound work ethic and confidence are among the qualities that can put older workers in the driving seat – as well as being sought-after traits by employers, says the recruitment specialist.

“Older workers offer a wealth of benefits to the workplace including an already sound work ethic, and the confidence and/or experience to take on any task and succeed. “There is much to be gained mutually for employer and employee. Many organisations are keen to retain and reward staff of a high calibre, regardless of age – and the member of staff can in turn reap the benefits of incentives like flexible working and performancerelated rewards.”

“The workplace is vastly different to how it used to be. Flexible working and working from home have meant that people have become more personally accountable for their own work/life balance, and no age group should be overlooked when recruiting.” connected 17

chamber

GUEST ARTICLE

CAMBRIDGE CONNECTS THE WORLD WITH CAMBRIONIX Just as some of the world’s biggest brands grew from humble beginnings, so too did local tech start-up Cambrionix. Founded from a Cambridge garage in 2007, the husband-and-wife run business has now gone truly global, expanding its international reach throughout Europe, the US, India, Singapore and beyond. And they’re only just getting started.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT – THE FUTURE IS MOBILE

“Technology is playing an increasingly integral role in every sector, from education to government, healthcare to industry,” says co-founder and Managing Director Victoria Tyson.

“But to be truly useful to the organisations and the end users, that technology needs to be scalable, and it needs to be easy to use well. That’s exactly the problem we’re helping to solve with our products at Cambrionix.” Cambrionix makes smart USB hubs and intelligent docking stations to help organisations charge, connect and manage 18 connected

mobile devices at scale. It allows users to synchronise and deploy multiple devices at once, far faster than any alternative in the market, securely and safely. It also provides intelligent software to manage and control devices easily and effectively, with a dedicated service team to provide support. “Every business is using technology in its service delivery nowadays, and that dependency is only going to increase,” says Victoria. “In shops, hospitals, schools, businesses, festivals and events – everyone is using mobile devices for both front line and back-office operations. But phones and tablets need to be set up correctly so they can be safely switched between operatives, whether that’s staff or customers, and that has always been a massive challenge for organisations.”

MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION Cambrionix works across almost every conceivable industry. Their hubs have been used by the UK and US military

to boost communication efficiency, in healthcare organisations throughout the world, in education, retail, government, hospitality, technology and industry, and the list keeps growing. “We love working with our customers around the world and seeing the impact our products are having,” says Victoria. “Global trading has its challenges of course, even outside the current supply chain issues. We have to navigate complex import and export regulations, as well as individual countries’ quality assurance certification requirements, so it requires really in-depth understanding of the different protocols. We have great partnerships with our customers and they really buy into the quality and relevance of our products. It’s a really exciting space to be in right now.”

THE STAMP OF AUTHORITY

Credibility is vital for any business operating in the technology landscape. Recently Cambrionix has become an approved partner of world-leading tech platform Jamf, an organisation which

chamber

manages and secures more than 27 million devices worldwide and is relied upon by over 62,000 businesses spanning every conceivable sector including corporate, government and education. “Being featured on the Jamf marketplace is a really exciting step for us,” says Victoria. “It’s a real benchmark of the incredible quality and capacity of our products and we can’t wait to see where the partnership could take us.”

SO WHAT’S NEXT?

With business expanding rapidly and global partnerships on the rise, the future looks bright for Cambrionix.

“We are just about to launch a fantastic new offering in Cambrionix Connect, which will enable remote operation for all our hubs,” says Victoria. “The world is changing fast and remote operation and control is increasingly becoming a necessity. Our engineers are doing incredible things to bring this dream to life for our customers and we can’t wait to launch it over the next few months.” The team works tirelessly to identify and develop new products, processes and improvements to enhance the user experience and make life that little bit easier for its global network of customers

What’s your next power move?

GUEST ARTICLE and suppliers. Cambrionix products have earned an enviable reputation worldwide for their incredibly fast transfer speeds, reliability, high quality and versatility. “We’ve come a really long way over the last 15 years,” says Victoria. “We’re so proud of our Cambridge roots and delighted to be a part of such an exciting hub of technology for the UK. Things change incredibly fast in this industry and we absolutely can’t wait to see what the future holds.” You can find out more about Cambrionix and its range of mobile device management solutions at www.cambrionix.co.uk

Limited funding still available for eligible businesses towards renewable energy projects*. Find out more and apply: www.pect.org.uk/projects/ene

The ENE project is funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding * Eligibility criteria apply. Minimum project value £5,000.

ask the

EXPERT

How to hire in times of a candidate shortage value around collaboration? Share benefits and most importantly, be clear on salary. Think about the best way of getting engagement for your job post and invite your team to share and comment on any adverts on their own professional social media platforms. There’s nothing better than an in-post advocate to endorse that you have a great place to work. How can I turn a shortlist into a new recruit? The market is moving at a fast pace, so by condensing the process, you won’t let that perfect candidate slip through the net. If you see someone that fits the bill, then make your move or risk losing them to another role. Yes, you may only get one really strong applicant but don’t be afraid to make an offer on a shortlist of one.

With candidates becoming more discerning over the roles they aspire to and are in fact willing to take Nel Woolcott, Managing Director at Peterborough-based Anne Corder Recruitment, offers some advice to employers on overcoming current industry challenges of hiring during a candidate shortage. Why is it such a tricky market to recruit in at the moment? Coming out of Covid employees have proved they can (and in some cases, prefer) to work from home, which puts businesses insisting on full-time in-person attendance on the back foot. There are a record number of vacancies advertised in the UK, which is resulting in skills shortages. Post-pandemic, people are becoming more discerning about their choices - looking for more money AND a better work life balance. How can I attract candidates to my vacancy? Be absolutely clear about what it is you are offering – transparency is a key factor, starting with clarity in job adverts around what the role is, and what the person would be doing. If the post requires mandated 100 per cent office attendance, then make that evident but share the reason why – can it be linked to a

20 connected

If after a week you have only one applicant that you can see working, don’t wait - it is likely that person will get snapped up and you’ll miss out on a potential starter. Offer at the advertised salary – move quickly with paperwork – focus on your candidate’s experience. If someone feels engaged and energised by a swift and slick process, they are more likely to join on day one. How to counteract the counteroffer? Ask the question at interview – what would you do if there was a counteroffer from your current business? and record the answer. Be consistent with communications and stay close to your new hire throughout their notice period. Candidates are particularly vulnerable during this period and it is highly likely that their current employer will be in contact with them every day to express that they don’t want them to leave. How can I maximise relationships with my preferred agency supplier? Definitely a time to go exclusive – when the recruitment market is operating at this pace you need your agency to work for you. Bring them into your manpower plan, skills risks and get them to start building pipeline and talent pooling. That way, when the inevitable happens you should have an expert on hand to deliver your shortlist, save you time in the search and selection process, and ensure that you don’t leave the team shorthanded for longer than necessary.

insight from

SARAH WEST

Using marketing effectively for IT and technology deliver. If you’re product-based, your website needs to make its features and benefits immediately clear.

CONTENT MARKETING Content marketing is particularly relevant for IT and tech-based businesses. Analyse the content competitors are delivering and work to develop more unique - and more useful - stories. Effective content marketing is more about helping your audience, than helping yourself! Establishing yourselves as thought-leaders can be critical. Blogs, whitepapers and webinars not only show you as a leader but attract influencers who can increase your reach. Video content has become a popular way to introduce tech solutions. Make sure your video has any key messages at the start and includes subtitles so it can be watched without sound. To be of value, videos should be useful and can include content like tutorials, product demos, industry trends and how-to. Humorous and entertaining videos can help you stand out. IT and technology intersect every aspect of our lives, including at work. So, if you’re in IT or technology, how do you capitalise on this appetite and use marketing to bestow the benefits of what you deliver to busy businesses? Sarah West, of B2B experts Full Mix Marketing, looks at some effective tactics:

KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS

It might be that almost any business could benefit from the technology you deliver – or it could be quite niche. Be realistic about who you appeal to and aim your marketing at the low hanging fruit before targeting more challenging segments.

Animated graphics are an easy and attractive way to present facts and information. Rather than scrolling through a datasheet, viewers get a clear picture of what the product delivers.

INTERACTIVE CONTENT Infographics bring stats to life and calculators can help potential customers crunch the numbers. Product tours help bridge the gap between videos and demos. Solution builders are a free demo which lets users access a simple version of your product so they can experience the benefits. They can be particularly effective for a solution which represents a large investment or big change.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Try specifying ‘buyer personas’ - maybe one for the average CEO and another for those in the IT, sales or ops who would benefit from what you deliver. It’s important to understand the challenges they face and the marketing most likely to reach them.

Businesses can sometimes be reluctant to embrace new technology if it is unfamiliar. Case studies and testimonials help potential customers think – ‘If it worked for them, it could work for us!’

If you’ve created something unique, you may wish to appeal to early adopters. If your service is more established, it might be better to focus your marketing on more solid benefits, such as being trusted.

If you’re investing in marketing to bring your product to life, it’s important to personalise your approach.

NERDY OR NOT?

Your potential customers may be technical specialists or simply business people looking for a solution to an everyday challenge. For the former, it’s good to speak their language, utilising the terms they’re familiar with. For the latter, it’s better to use plain language about the challenge your product overcomes and its benefits.

PERSONALISE EACH EXPERIENCE Link the content you share with the buyer persona which most closely matches your potential customer. Differing content can be effective at various stages of the buying process. Don’t push your customer into a full product trial if all they initially need is some simple content to explain its relevance!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

An elevator pitch will be familiar to many in sales but less familiar to those in IT. Technical experts are not known for their brevity! However, a concise and consistent take on what you deliver can form the basis of effective marketing.

Make sure you understand the types of customers you wish to target, their needs and preferences. Aim first at the more likely customers before tackling tougher segments. Be technical with technical experts but business-like with business people.

TECH MARKETING HAS TO BE DIGITAL, RIGHT?

Digital marketing is likely to be critical but remember it’s largely a vehicle for content marketing. Most potential customers will visit your website so ensure it communicates the qualities you want.

Your website needs to showcase what you do. In B2B, it’s likely most potential customers will visit it on their way to buying from you.

Try to deliver content marketing which is more compelling than competitors. If your IT or technology has the potential to transform customers’ businesses, let them experience it!

For a business in IT and technology, digital marketing has to be a big part of the mix. It’s effective, expected and can be synergistic too.

If you’re service-based, your website should be easy to navigate, informative and communicate the service elements of what you

For more help, visit www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk connected 21

chamber

CHARITY OF THE YEAR

TAkE oN tHE MOnT bLANc CyCLE CHaLLEnGE iN a SInGLE dAY!

On Sunday 25 September, we’re asking teams of 4 to 10 people take on their own team Mont Blanc challenge in the beautiful surroundings of Barkway-Barley-Newsells area. e course runs from the Cokenach Cricket Club in a circular route, each round is under 5 miles. A full Mont Blanc is 40 repetitions or just under 200 miles (split between your team). ere is free parking at the venue and free cake/tea/coﬀee throughout the day.

Entry cost: £40 per person (including free Maggie’s cycling vest) Team Fundraising Target: £2000 For further information or questions, please contact Andrea Chupacova at cambridge.fundraising@maggies.org or call 07557 265 462. www.maggies.org/montblanc

22 connected

chamber

CHARITY NEWS

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit EACH at Milton Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) at Milton on Thursday 23 June 2022. The Duchess is Royal Patron of the charity, and this year marks the 10-year anniversary of her patronage. This was The Duchess’s first public visit to the hospice in Milton and it was the first time The Duke had accompanied her to see the work of EACH.

Waves of dragon boat supporters help raise more than £38,000 for local hospice After two years away from the water, a raft of racers and supporters turned out for the much-loved Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, helping to raise an incredible £38,612, for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. Forty teams took to the water for the annual boat race at Peterborough Rowing Club, Thorpe Meadows on Saturday 11 June, with Preston’s Physio Green Dream Team scooping top spot in the Mixed Crew Champions and Amazon Griffins taking gold in the Champions finale. There were also prizes for the best dressed crew, won by British Sugar – Sugar Babes & Sugar Lumps - and for the team who managed to tot up the most money for charity, which was awarded to The PCML Paddlers who raised an amazing £4,005 for the hospice and won the special prize of a group escape room experience, courtesy of Escape Peterborough. Nilesh Patel, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “It was fantastic to be back at the festival this year. A big thank you to everyone including those who raised sponsorship for our hospice, our festival sponsor Whirlpool and media partner ESP Magazine for their support and promotion, as well as Escape Peterborough for donating the top fundraisers prize! “It wasn’t just the boat teams and sponsors who were the heroes of the day though, with a sea of Sue Ryder volunteers on hand to support us with everything from shaking buckets to setting up and running our tombola, selling lottery tickets, and not forgetting cheering the teams on to the finish line – thank you! “All monies raised will go towards making sure that our hospice teams can continue to be there when it matters for families going through the most difficult times of their lives. Thank you again and we can’t wait to see you all back on the water next year!”

The Duke and Duchess toured the hospice, which was opened by Diana Princess of Wales on 1 August 1989, and met with children, young people and families who use services through EACH. They were invited to take part in art activities with families, in addition to touring the hospice grounds and meeting long-term staff members and volunteers. EACH Chief Executive Phil Gormley said: “We very much enjoyed welcoming Their Royal Highnesses to Milton. It was The Duchess’s first public visit to Milton and the very first time we had the pleasure of welcoming The Duke to one of our hospices so it was a very special, memorable and momentous day for everyone connected with EACH. “The Duchess met our fantastic staff and volunteers at Milton, who work tirelessly with children and their families needing our services. They had the chance to explain the difficulties they have faced in recent years, particularly in light of the pandemic and the isolation they have felt through shielding. “The visit was the perfect opportunity to celebrate 10 years since Her Royal Highness became our Royal Patron. Throughout the decade, The Duchess has been immensely supportive by championing our cause. Her continued support comes with warmth, empathy and understanding, including beyond public view, and her Patronage is enjoyed and appreciated by everyone at EACH. “We are extremely thankful and consider ourselves honoured and very lucky to benefit from her hard work, generosity and support.” Since becoming Royal Patron in 2012, The Duchess of Cambridge has played a vital role in raising awareness and understanding of children’s hospice services across East Anglia and the rest of the UK. From hospice and shop openings to meeting children and families, The Duchess’s profile has projected EACH and the importance of children’s hospice services onto a national and international stage. The visit took place during Children’s Hospice Week, a national week to raise awareness of the vital work of children’s hospices across the country. EACH currently provides care and support for more than 580 children, young people and family members across the region, with 211 currently using services through Milton. To find out more about EACH visit www.each.org.uk.

Ian Moverley, Communications Director from Whirlpool, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the return of the festival this year and help to raise funds for Sue Ryder which is close to the heart of many of our colleagues. It was a fabulous event to be involved with and we look forward to it again next year.” If the Peterborough Dragon Boat Race has inspired to raise money for Sue Ryder visit www.sueryder/events to find out how you can involved. connected 23

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Cooking up a storm at Royal Ascot Student chefs from Cambridge Regional College are betting on a winning future after spending a week cooking for racegoers at the prestigious Royal Ascot race meeting. The group, a mix of Level 1 and Level 3 catering students, spent a week away from home, cooking under pressure alongside their teachers in the hot, busy kitchens of the Pavilion Restaurant to serve lunch and afternoon tea to hundreds of racegoers. The opportunity, provided by catering company Sodexo, came about after the Head Chef and HR Manager visited CRC to introduce and help prepare the learners for the challenge. Picked at random, the nine available places filled quickly, and the lucky volunteers spent a week at Royal Ascot learning new skills while gaining invaluable professional experience. CRC Catering Lecturer, Anthony Dunball said: “We catered for approximately 900 meals each day, serving a high-end three course lunch and afternoon tea. The mixture of professionals from Sodexo and our learners was a brilliant blend.

There was so much learning taking place with a clear demonstration of hard work, devotion, and resilience from the team. “For all of us, myself included, this was a learning curve beyond all others. The students should be immensely proud of themselves!” The small group of students, some just 17 years old, lived and worked together for a week presenting themselves with professionalism, and consistently working to high standards. The intense environment left them feeling tired and hot with sore feet, but there was a real sense of determination. Sodexo Head Chef, Chris Burrows added: “Cambridge Regional College should be really proud of their learners, they have excelled themselves and should be proud of what they have achieved. It is amazing what happens when you push people outside of their comfort zone.” The students agreed the week had been challenging, but worth every minute.

New Director appointment for PDG Architects Ltd Kirsten works on projects across the different sectors and has developed strong client relationships during her time with the Practice. Paul Hutchings said: “Despite the challenging climate of the last two years, the work of the Practice has continued and developed, including moving to our new offices in Warmington, near Oundle, in October 2020. Kirsten has always taken a keen interest in the running of the practice and her appointment as Director was the next natural step. Her enthusiasm and commitment to PDG has been a fantastic asset and will maintain continuity of the Practice moving forward.”

PDG Architects Ltd are delighted to announce that Kirsten Brown has joined Paul Hutchings and Colan Bartram as a Director of the Practice. Kirsten first came to the Practice 20 years ago for work experience and been involved with the Practice ever since. She spent her summers with them whilst studying at university, returning full time in 2011 and qualifying as an Architect in 2014. 24 connected

Kirsten Brown said: “PDG has been a big part of my life, supporting me through my studies to qualify as an Architect and allowing me to realise my career goals. I’m really excited to start this new chapter and contribute to the future of the Practice.” PDG Architects Ltd has experience on a wide range of projects from small house extensions to large housing developments, commercial, education and community projects. They offer a bespoke service tailored to each client’s requirements. Details of their full services and projects portfolio can be found by visiting www.pdgarchitects.co.uk

chamber

MEMBER NEWS

Passionate King’s Ely Teacher recognised with national award A teacher at King’s Ely has been crowned a winner in this year’s Pearson National Teaching Awards. Esmeralda Salgado, who is Head of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) at King’s Ely, has won Silver in the prestigious award scheme’s ‘Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School’ category. Esmeralda, who joined King’s Ely in 2009 and has been teaching languages for 20 years, is one of 80 Silver Pearson National Teaching Award winners in the UK. Esmeralda is now in the running to win a gold award later in the year. Recognition of this once in a lifetime achievement will be broadcast on the BBC’s ‘The One Show’ as part of a week-long celebration of teaching, which sees famous faces honouring award winners every night in the run up to the ceremony. Esmeralda, who was presented with her silver award at Ely Cathedral during King’s Ely Senior’s Prizegiving Service on 27 May, said: “As an MFL Teacher, I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this award, which is not only national recognition of my work, my MFL Department’s work and my school, King’s Ely’s work, but most importantly, recognition of the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication of all MFL Teachers in the country! I am extremely grateful to the Pearson National Teaching Awards team for giving me this incredible opportunity to celebrate outstanding teaching and learning throughout the UK.” Esmeralda, who was born and raised in Albacete, Spain, has taught languages to students from Key Stage 2 through to Key Stage 5. She is an Advanced Skills

Teacher and alongside her role as Head of MFL, has been King’s Ely’s Digital Lead for two years. Esmeralda was instrumental in helping her colleagues develop their online teaching skills when the pandemic struck in 2020. In the classroom, Esmeralda implements informed evidence practice in everyday lessons to foster confident, fluent, independent and creative learners, who have a strong growth mindset. Her goal is the driving force behind the King’s Ely MFL Department, and it is at the core of the Teaching and Learning Steering Group at King’s Ely, to which she belongs. Her approach to teaching informs the school’s Digital Learning Strategy and Languages Curriculum. It is underpinned by Rosenshine’s principles of instruction and research on second language acquisition. In her current position and in her previous role as an Advanced Skills Teacher in the Medway Learning Authority, Esmeralda has supported and coached colleagues within MFL and other curriculum areas, especially NQTs and struggling teachers in Medway schools. She helped them develop their own teaching and learning strategies and boost their confidence, and as a result, that of their pupils. Jane Thomas, Vice Principal Academic at King’s Ely, said: “Esmeralda is one of the most talented, committed and positive teachers I have ever worked with. She is an amazing problem solver and has a ‘can do’ attitude to everything; this was brought home to me more than ever when during the January-March lockdown last year she took on the teaching load of a colleague who was off with long Covid, meaning

that at times she was teaching classes of 50+ pupils and ensuring they continued to receive quality feedback on all their work. Alongside this she also mentored members of her team who were at short notice teaching courses unfamiliar to them.” Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “Congratulations to Esmeralda Salgado on this incredible achievement, and for the hard work and dedication which led up to it. Winning this award is impressive, well-deserved and shows Esmeralda’s commitment to helping students achieve their full potential.” The Pearson National Teaching Awards are open to every school across the UK. The awards were established by Lord Puttnam CBE in 1998 and are managed by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity. The vision of the charity is to recognise and celebrate excellence in education. For more information, visit: www.teachingawards.com

Local Charity named In Best Places to work Local Charity The Edmund Trust; based in Waterbeach, has been named as one of the best companies to work for in the East of England as well as one of the best Charities to work for in the UK. Named as the 14th Best Charity to work for in the UK; and the 31st Best Company to work for in the East of England, The Edmund Trust is a shining example of the care and support given to those with learning disabilities, putting Support Workers at the forefront of its service to those with the most immediate need of support. With services across Cambridgeshire, The Edmund Trust are always on the lookout for local businesses to sponsor, donate or work alongside them in a mutually beneficial way. connected 25

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Intrepid hikers from Stone King more than double fundraising target A team from Cambridge law firm Stone King completed a 22.5km windy hike in the Peak District to raise funds for two charities and more than doubled their original £1,000 fundraising target. The challenging, seven-hour hike included 850m of ascent and took place on a paid weekday, forming part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme for which people are encouraged to take a day every year to support charitable causes. Nicole Reed, Senior Associate at Stone King who organised the hike, said: “It was a great day, we had a good mix of people from all levels and ages and from across our national offices. Some had joined during lockdown and others I hadn’t seen in a long time so it was great from a social point of view, as well as being an opportunity to fundraise.” They set out from Edale at the start of the Pennine Way climbing steeply up onto the southern edge of Kinder Scout. After the team’s first summit of Grindslow Knoll they progressed along Kinder’s southern gritstone edge, with gritstone boulders carved by wind, rain and ice erosion into fascinating and unusual shapes. The second and highest summit was Kinder Low at 633m from where they crossed the head of the valley and passed Jacob’s ladder and on over moorland habitat. They then passed a third summit before ascending onto Rushop Edge and The Great Ridge with a final steep climb to the summit of Mam Tor, and then descended back into Edale to complete the circuit. Nicole, who is a member of Stone King’s CSR team, added: “The most challenging part was facing the final climb, we were all getting tired with aching muscles and feet but there was great camaraderie and we encouraged each other along, even though we were almost blown off Mam Tor!”

Guides from Peak Walking Adventures, paid for by the firm, guided the group of 15 Stone King walkers and told them about the history and geology of the National Park along the way. Richard Tower of Peak Walking Adventures said: “It was great walking with such a determined team who exceeded their challenge and remained positive and cheerful throughout, even as they faced their last steep challenge to the summit of Mam Tor! It was a privilege to spend the day with them.” The walkers pledged to raise £500 each for two charities, but have so far raised £822.50 for food bank charity The Trussell Trust and £900 for Refugee Action, which supports refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK. In addition, the Stone King Foundation – the firm’s charitable arm which is run separately with a board of trustees made up of Stone King volunteers – has voted to award an additional £250 per charity, bringing the fundraising total for both to more than £2,200. Anyone wishing to donate, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/team/SKCSRHIKERS

Murray Edwards futureproofs AV expertise with new appointment including meeting the currently changing needs for hybrid events. Responsible for all the AV equipment across the College and conference spaces, Liam runs the technology aspects of all events including sound, live streaming, filming, recording and hybrid elements. Following a first class degree in Audio and Music Technology from Anglia Ruskin University, Liam worked freelance as an audio producer, mostly making podcasts, as well as organising live streams and remote meetings during the pandemic. A Cambridge College is strengthening its technical capability with the appointment of Liam Martin as Audio Visual Technician – 26 connected

Liam says: “In my new role I have already worked on some exciting projects with interesting people, including an Art event

which included a live link from Ukraine and a session with a BAFTA and Academy Award-nominated film maker about her documentary ‘For Sama’. “Most recently, I have been helping out on an active set on a TV show for a wellknown actor/producer in the lecture theatre I look after. “I am also working on refitting the AV equipment in Paula Browne House, so we can provide broadcast-standard live streams and hybrid events there. It’s a really great development that we are able to support remote participants, anywhere in the world, making events more accessible to a much wider audience.”

chamber

MEMBER NEWS

DOMINO PRINTING SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL DAY TO CELEBRATE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING A Cambridge company has marked this year’s International Women in Engineering Day on Thursday 23 June by paying tribute to some of its female employees working in key technical roles. Domino Printing, a world leader in coding, marking and digital printing technologies used worldwide across a wide range of industries, is committed to helping its staff to progress in their chosen fields. This includes supporting employees studying for additional professional qualifications which will enhance their skillset and personal career development. As a business, it welcomes the annual awareness campaign by the Women’s Engineering Society to highlight the range of rewarding careers available in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics which for a long time were more popular with boys. Susan Palmer, Head of Global Pre-Sales, realised at school that she was interested in a technical career which led her to study for a degree in Materials Science including three six-month industrial work placements. “I have held several roles in Domino and having a good technical background has enabled me to use my skills to understand information and explain it in a way that can be understood by people with different backgrounds,” she says. “Studying STEM subjects gives you great future employability with a choice of diverse roles ranging from hands-on testing, building or designing products to supporting the sales or marketing team to ensure a technical message is communicated clearly.” Natasha Jeremic, Digital Printing Ink Development Manager, studied for a degree in Organic Chemical Technology & Polymer Engineering followed by a PhD in Chemical Engineering. She says: “In my current role I enjoy watching our inks start their lives as an early stage concept and then improving, evolving and progressing until they graduate into the fully commercialised

products that serve our customers and solve some practical issues for them. “We need to change perception for engineering that it is a man’s world as it would be nothing without women.” Mariam Khalfey, Data Product Owner, is currently expanding her skillset with a secondment in the Advanced Services Team in Product Management. She says: “I was interested in science at school and went on to study Chemistry & Molecular Physics at university which set me up perfectly for becoming a Chemist at Domino. I love my job because it’s varied and every day is different. “As a company, I’ve found that Domino is incredibly supportive of career development and progression, always finding exciting opportunities such as collaborations with external bodies, or with other departments within the business.” Dr Josie Harries, Group Programme Director studied Chemistry at university and joined Domino after completing her PhD in Inorganic Chemistry, since when she has held a number of different roles relating to product development. She says: “I am passionate about the introduction of novel technologies, delivery of new products and understanding the fundamental science

and processes that sit behind all these activities. An important and enjoyable part of my job is coming up with new concepts and ideas to improve the business’s capabilities. “I believe that women have an essential role at all levels in STEM and must be supported throughout their careers to achieve their full potential. The STEM environment often goes hand-in-hand with a masculine culture which women can find exclusionary. This reduces diversity of thought and hampers the problem-solving ability required for successful innovation.” Rachel Hurst, Chief Operating Officer, concludes: “The annual International Women in Engineering Day shines a light on successful female role models at different career stages to inspire more women and girls to believe they can do it too. “I trained in Manufacturing Engineering as I like problem-solving and feel good about making a difference. Manufacturing engineers take products from design into manufacture and ensure they meet market needs – it’s a great role to learn about a business and how it runs. Engineering doesn’t have to be male dominated and companies need to do more to be inclusive and inspire women to develop in technical subject areas.” connected 27

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page? Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424 email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

The official conference and events bureau for Cambridge and the surrounding area is preparing to welcome around 850 delegates at three international association conferences during August and September. Founded and funded by the Cambridge Colleges, Meet Cambridge is looking forward to seeing three of its key conferences take place at its member venues across the city, bringing a total of £720,000* economic impact to the local area. First to arrive is the 35th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences between 15-19 August. With 300 international delegates, the event will be held at three venues: Cambridge Union Society for the Opening Ceremony, Clare College for the conference sessions and King’s College for the Gala Dinner. This biennial conference first held in 1929, discusses topics of heraldic and genealogical interest, bringing together scholars and other interested people from around the world. It was last held in the UK in 1976 and this is its first time in Cambridge. The same month is the International Symposium on Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, originally scheduled for 2020 and now taking place 18-20 August. Attracting 200 international delegates, this is the first time the event has been run as a hybrid conference using the facilities at West Road Concert Hall and Gonville & Caius College. The client is being assisted by Meet Cambridge’s Digital Conference Organiser partner, Opening Doors and Venues Ltd. The event brings together scientists, educators, clinicians, and policy makers to stimulate and support the study of veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy, and to translate that knowledge into improved animal rehabilitation worldwide.

Credit: Damien Vickers

Meet Cambridge welcomes International Association Conferences this Summer

Another conference which has been postponed since 2020 is the 20th Biennial Congress of the European Psychiatric Association [EPA] Section of Epidemiology & Social Psychiatry which is now taking place 8-10 September. To deliver the event for 350 delegates, Meet Cambridge introduced its client to its Professional Conference Organiser partner Suzy Howes & Associates Ltd. Open to delegates from across the world, the biennial conference explores the themes of psychiatric epidemiology, social psychiatry and public mental health. It will be held at three venues: West Road Concert Hall, Darwin College for the Welcome Reception and Selwyn College for accommodation and Gala Dinner. Judith Sloane, Head of Meet Cambridge, said: “We are delighted to finally be able to host these three major conferences at our venues and to welcome delegates from around the world to our wonderful city so they can experience the unique ‘Cambridge Experience’, as well as get together with others in their field. “Our portfolio of more than 50 venues is offering a wide range of spaces, with something suitable for every type of meeting. We are also able to support multi-site events where different venues can be used for different parts of the conference programme.”

____________________________________________________________ *VisitBritain Business Events Research, Delegate Spend and Trip Extensions Report 2017.

New Chief Executive Officer officially opens This Land Showhome David Lewis, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of developer This Land™, has officially opened the company’s showhome at Spiregrass Square, their site at Over, Cambridgeshire.

David has been Acting Chief Executive Officer for the past 12 months and his appointment has now been made permanent. In his role as Chief Executive Officer, David cut the ribbon on the new four bedroom showhome, The Evergold. Once completed, Spiregrass Square will feature 53 two, three and four-bedroom homes, 21 of which are affordable homes to help meet the needs of the local district. “I’m delighted to have been able to cut the ribbon and officially open the showhome at Spiregrass Square,” said David Lewis. “This is an important project for This Land. It demonstrates our commitment to create much needed quality housing across the region. Interest in the project is very encouraging and work is progressing on target with the first units due to be completed and handed over in the next few months.”

28 connected

Would you like to become a Chamber member? Get in touch today to find out the many benefits. Tel: 01223 237414 Email: enquiries@cambscci.co.uk

• NEW MEMBERS • Aitus Associates Ltd British Chambers of Commerce Azerbaijan Cardinalis Concrete Data Conversion Systems Ltd

Grayscale Translations Limited Grayscale Translations Limited is based in Manea and run by Fiona Gray. A passionate small business owner herself, Fiona translates marketing content from German into English to help companies shout about their brand in a way that really speaks to their international target audience. www.grayscaletranslations.co.uk

Greyscale Translations Ltd Harry Specters MV Training & Investigation Solutions Ltd Prestige OH Ltd Stapleford Granary Arts Centre TaxAssist Accountants Xpress Datacom Supplies Ltd

We are The Edmund Trust, a not-for-profit Charity that has been supporting people with learning and physical disabilities, complex needs and autism for over 75 years in Cambridgeshire. We have services in respite, supported living, residential and domiciliary care across the county, with more services being added regularly, and are expanding further afield to meet the needs and demands.

Barnes Commercial

We are actively looking to work with local businesses for both sponsorship/donations and mutually beneficial ways to help the people we support live fuller, more independent lives.

Barnes Commercial is an independent specialist broker offering tailored advice on commercial insurance solutions for businesses operating in a variety of sectors, to help manage business risk.

Constant Finance

Our experienced team take a personal approach, building authentic long-term relationships, supporting you with exceptional service from beginning to end. We will recommend the right cover for the risks you face now and also for those of the future, from market-leading A rated insurers. www.barnesinsurancebroker.co.uk

www.edmundtrust.org.uk / www.eddies.org.uk

We are client-focused offering tailored advice to help you understand how lenders work and how to use their products for your benefit. Specialising in Investment loans for property and Lifetime Mortgages which can be used to release the equity in your home raising funds for a wide range of purposes. www.constantfinance.co.uk

Clayton Hotel Clayton Hotel Cambridge, situated in the heart of Cambridge Train Station just a 10-minute walk from the town centre. The perfect place to gather family for a fun and social dinner, a weekend away with friends or romantic getaway with your partner. Providing the best possible value for outstanding quality. www.claytonhotelcambridge.com

Elite Swimming Academy Ltd Stapleford Granary Arts Centre - Cambridge A home for the culturally curious… Unique meeting, business and venue hire facilities, concert hall and café. Live music concerts, art exhibitions, family and community events. Beautiful 19th century restored granary, with outstanding meeting and conference facilities, just five miles from Cambridge with free parking.

Ed Williams is the MD and Founder of Elite Swimming Academy Ltd, one of the UK’s largest private children’s swim schools. “Having swum solo across the English Channel and most recently the Irish Channel, swimming is not just a passion of mine but is also a way of life. My company teaches thousands of children to swim every week from numerous sites across Cambridgeshire. We partner with several hotels, spas and gyms as well as having several of our own purpose built sites where we run our private swimming lessons from in luxury environments. I am very much looking forward to getting involved with the Cambridgeshire Chamber and meeting you soon.” www.eliteswimmingacademy.co.uk

www.staplefordgranary.org.uk connected 29

chamber

GREEN COLUMN

The Multiple Benefits of Managing Your Waste Waste is something all organisations must deal with to varying degrees, ranging from small amounts of office waste to large manufacturing facilities producing hazardous waste and packaging. One thing that’s true for all organisations producing waste, is visibility and perception to employees and customers sends a clear signal of how your organisation manages its wider environmental impacts. When working with iiE members of all sizes and sectors, we’ve found most employees will state waste and recycling is key in the fight against climate change. Meaning your waste management choices are more impactful than just reducing waste costs. This amongst many other issues such as reduced costs in wasted materials and waste management, and reduced environmental impacts, shows a need for greater management of waste. The waste hierarchy is an important tool when looking at your organisation’s waste and where possible prevention offers the greatest cost and carbon savings. A basic waste audit can highlight areas where an organisation is creating waste and opportunities to eliminate this can be identified. iiE members can access our waste guides to help identify and implement waste prevention and reduction measures.

According to the Office for National Statistics, commercial and industrial waste accounts for roughly a fifth (19%) of all waste generated in the UK. That’s more than every household combined and is only set to increase. All commercial waste in the UK is governed by the Waste Duty of Care statutory guidance that came out of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This makes provision for the safe management of waste to protect human health and the environment. This legislation applies to anyone who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats, disposes of, or are a dealer or broker that has control of, controlled waste. For most 30 connected

organisations, this affects them when they are sourcing waste management services, as it is a legal requirement under this legislation to ensure they use a registered waste business. Organisations have a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure that waste transferred to another waste holder is managed correctly throughout its complete journey to disposal or recovery. You can do this by: • Checking the next waste holder is authorised to take

the waste • Asking the next waste holder where they are going

to take the waste, and checking that the intended destination is authorised to accept that waste • Carrying out more detailed checks if you suspect the

waste is not being handled in line with the duty of care - for example, requesting evidence that your waste has arrived at the intended destination and that it has been accurately described. The Government is also targeting waste through a plethora of new waste legislation that will impact businesses across the board. The key drivers for change in this area are the Resources and Waste Strategy and The Environment Bill, both of which are set to change the way waste is managed in the UK. One of the ways the Government hopes to drive down volumes of waste and increase recycling is to push the costs further on to the waste producers. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy tool which requires producers to be responsible for the packaging they place on the UK market at the end of its life. It reinforces the ‘polluter pays’ principle which states those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment. Under EPR proposals packaging producers will be made responsible for the full net cost of managing the packaging they place on the market. The UK Government first announced their intention to introduce EPR for packaging in the Resources and Waste Strategy published in 2018 and has since published several consultations. The new EPR system will replace the current Packaging Waste Regulations with a phased implementation from 2024. In England, business waste recycling is not currently mandatory and although most big businesses do recycle, some do more than others and there are plenty of medium, small and micro-businesses that don’t do any recycling at all. The new Single-Use Plastic Tax that came into force in April this year is another incentive the Government is using. At a cost of £200 per tonne for all plastic packaging manufactured

chamber

in the UK or imported which does not contain at least 20 per cent recycled content, it looks to reduce plastic waste and drive up recycled content in packaging by 40 per cent as well as boost recycling rates. Food waste is also an issue high on the Government’s agenda and consultations are underway to ban food waste from going to landfills or incineration. Food waste has huge environmental implications as the carbon required to get food from farm to fork is vast and decomposing food waste is a huge greenhouse gas emitter. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that food waste contributes 8-10 per cent of total man-made greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Every measure a business can employ to reduce food waste will have huge positive implications for the environment. The Waste Resource and Action Programme (WRAP) have worked in this area for many years and have lots of useful resources to help you reduce food waste in your businesses and home.

GREEN COLUMN

Examining your organisation’s waste through regular waste audits gives you a real opportunity to identify areas for improvement and efficiencies. I love a bin! It tells me so much about an organisation and how it views its resources. We need to move away from looking at waste as rubbish and viewing it as a resource. We have some great examples with our iiE members of innovative ways of reducing waste, from packaging reuse to process changes and simple incentives like Tupperware Tuesday where employees are encouraged to bring lunch in reusable packaging. Managing waste effectively is a win-win for your organisation with huge payoffs in all areas. Find out more about the iiE accreditation scheme on our website: www.iie.uk.com. Jo Holmes, Principal Consultant and Northeast Regional Lead – Investors in the Environment (iiE) Managing Director - Genee

Credit: Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

connected 31

Mental Health and the cost-of-living crisis The cost-of-living crisis. Fuel prices are going up. Brexit. The struggle is very real for many of us with some people in society feeling it more profoundly than others. You may have heard the saying that “everybody is in the same storm, but we are all on very different boats.” Back in February of this year the Cambridge Chambers of Commerce published an article talking about the cost of doing business crisis. If you are a business owner, you will understand the urgency of making our businesses a success or developing new strategies to make sure that they survive in these difficult days. (https://www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/ cambridge/cost-of-doing-business-crisis/) In a recent article* in The Independent, Dr Adrian James, Head of the Royal College of Psychologists said that the mental health of the nation faces a “threat of pandemic proportions” due to the deepening cost of living crisis.

Currently one in five British adults with a mental health difficulty have problem debt.

Depression and anxiety can affect anybody at any time and there are many factors that contribute to this and at this point it is also important to understand that this also applies the other way round. Work can sometimes be the reason people develop mental ill-health, thus starting a vicious cycle that can be exceedingly difficult to get out of. Depending on the length and severity of the illness, the knock-on effects can be catastrophic.

Regarding the workplace, some of the agencies that may be useful to offer staff members could be: EAP – An Employee Assistance Program which offers the organisation access to phone lines and support for anything ranging from apps that help support wellbeing to practical advice around all aspects of one’s life. ACAS - https://www.acas.org.uk/ - Making working life better Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules, and best practice. We also offer training and help to resolve disputes

Credit: Money and mental health.org.

ABC Life Support have been commissioned by CHS (Cambridge Housing Society) in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council to help agencies such as the CAB, CPFT and others to understand the basics around Mental Health, Mental Ill-health and Mental Illness and the correlation between these and problem debt.

Citizens Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org. uk/ - Citizens Advice is an independent organisation specialising in confidential information and advice to assist people with legal, debt, consumer, housing, and other problems in the United Kingdom. Danielle Bridge, CEO, ABC Life Support CIC

____________________________________________________________ * https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/cost-of-living-crisis-mental-health-uk-b2104963.html

32 connected

FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY MUTUAL RECEIVES FUNDING FOR WEBSITE SHOWCASING UK CARE INTERVENTION SUCCESS Family Psychology Mutual (FPM) is a staff-owned social enterprise, aiming to reduce the number of young people who end up in care. They provide evidence-based interventions with proven family therapy techniques. Targeting edge of care therapy across London, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Redbridge. We spoke to Dr Tom Jefford, who explained their unique process. Where possible, they aim to heal relationships to keep that young person living with their family. Dr Jefford says: “Generally speaking, it’s better for society having a lower care population.” FPM work with local authorities, such as social care and youth offending staff, to prevent family lives from derailing. Young people often end up in care due to an unstable home life. Sometimes, those problems could have been resolved with professional intervention. By talking about their issues and relationships with a therapist, wounds can often be mended, if not healed. Dr Tom explains their process makes “families become more socially adept” to deal with their “messy reality”. The work FPM do is essential in helping to prevent people from falling into criminal exploitation, too. Many young adults get “stuck in a loop and have the worst of all circumstances”. FPM help to spot these negative behaviour patterns, intervening with gang-related crime. The challenge: Projects ending with fierce competition for further funding Unfortunately, the main projects FPM have been working on are coming to an end. They have been working hard in London with people at risk for criminal exploitation, but the budget has run out. Another difficult factor, Dr Jefford explains, is the “market is still suppressed by covid”. During the pandemic, many local authorities had to focus on short-term solutions to deal with the immediacy of people’s needs. FPM have applied to roll-out various schemes to help people who are at risk of going into care, but they’ve struggled to get new contracts confirmed. However, their recent project in London provided a great proof of concept for future programmes. Now they need to be able to explain the positive evidence and results to take it to scale. By managing behaviour, they’ve been successful in moving people away from the edge of care. The solution: Present great results to investors to strengthen their case FMP realised they need to set out their value better. Showing what they do, how they are doing it, and how that helps people, is an essential part of raising awareness and scaling their income generation. A key part of this work was recognising that their website didn’t accurately reflect the work they do. That’s when Tom reached out to Growth Works for support to grow their enterprise. FPM applied for funding through Growth Works. So far, they’ve not been able to invest in professional services to market themselves.

They are using this time and funding to develop a professionallydesigned website that they could adapt and evolve as they grew their business. The results: New website and collaborative learning to support sustainable investment opportunities Without the support from Growth Works, they would have only been able to do minor amendments rather than a full revamp. That means it would have become unfit for purpose quickly. “But, the money enabled us to take the good bits but completely rework it. Put new images in, put a new structure, refresh the content, use infographics,” explains Dr Jefford. Also, moving it onto a more responsive site that is now a necessity for their search engine optimisation. Dr Jefford also attended a peer learning cohort with Growth Works. Although at first, he thought the diverse mix of businesses leaders would mean he “wouldn’t learn anything, I was completely wrong. It was good fun.” He found it interesting that the sessions “talked a lot about leadership and how to authentically represent yourself and your business”. With change in the pipeline, this was helpful to “see things from a different perspective to solve our problems.” At the time of this interview, the website was not yet launched, but once launched, will directly support their capabilities to scale FPM’s project capabilities. Dr Jefford “would certainly recommend” eligible businesses to apply for Growth Works support. And what does growth mean for Family Psychology Mutual? Though they can’t guarantee success, as sometimes care is inevitable, they are confident that support will help reduce care days. Like in a recent project with over 100 families in Suffolk, two years after FPM’s intervention they have saved more than 50,000 care days. That’s growth you want to get behind. connected 33

chamber

EVENTS

Chamber members can register for events via the Chamber website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk or please contact Zoe McCabe Brennan, Events Co-ordinator on 01223 237414 or email z.mccabebrennan@cambscci.co.uk

Construction Networking Lunch Informal Networking Evenings Take this free opportunity to catch up with familiar acquaintances you haven’t seen in ages, mingle with new business contacts and share knowledge and skills with like-minded professionals. Huntingdon Racecourse Wednesday 14 September, 5.00-6.30pm Fellows House, Cambridge Thursday 15 September, 5.00-6.30pm Orton Hall, Peterborough Wednesday 21 September, 5.00-6.30pm Poets House, Ely Monday 26 September, 6.00-7.00pm

Friday 16 September, 8.00-10.00am The Club, The Boulevard, Enterprise Campus, Alconbury, PE28 4WX Network with other construction and property-related companies at this specialist informal event. Guest speaker: TBC. Cost: £15.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £22.50 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members.

Friday 14 October, 10.00am-3.00pm Wyboston Lakes, Great North Road, Wyboston, MK44 3AL Join us for our first St Neots Expo: • Inspirational Speaker Jem Hills • Connect with local businesses • Showcase your products and services • Meet potential new clients • Speed networking Cost: £85.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £100.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members. Sponsored by:

HR SECTOR EVENTS Chamber HR Coffee Club Tuesday 13 September, 9.00-10.30am Holiday Inn Huntingdon Racecourse, Thrapston Road, Brampton PE28 4NL Network informally with likeminded HR professionals, share ideas and have a chat over a coffee. Cost: Free to attend but we encourage you to register via the Chamber website. organised by the HR and Recruitment Sector. 34 connected

Organised by:

Supported by:

chamber

EVENTS

SAFARI NETWORKING BREAKFASTS Take the opportunity to meet new business connections through safari networking. This relaxed but structured format offers guests the chance to move around the room and form connections with new business contacts from a wide range of industry sectors. Tuesday 26 July, 7.45-10.00am Peterborough United Football Club, London Road, Peterborough, PE2 8AL Antony Gough, Grant Scheme Project Manager at Eastern New Energy, will explain how to access grants offering financial support to invest in low carbon and energy-efficient measures. Cost: £20.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £30.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members.

Tuesday 6 September, 7.45-10.00am The Crown Hotel, 6 All Saints’ Place, Stamford PE9 2AG We return to The Crown Hotel in Stamford for this popular networking breakfast event. Cost: £20.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £30.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members. Tuesday 27 September, 7.45-10.00am Quy Mill Hotel & Spa, Church Road, Cambridge, CB25 9AF Join us at our next Cambridge breakfast and build connections over breakfast baps. Cost: £20.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £30.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

Summer Garden Party Friday 5 August, 3.00-5.00pm Madingley Hall, Cambridge, CB23 8AQ Join us for an afternoon of informal networking, canapes & drinks in the glorious gardens of Madingley Hall. This is a great opportunity to treat your employees, colleagues, clients or suppliers. Sponsored by Madingley Hall Cost: £20.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £27.50 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

Switch onto energy savings Limited funding still available for eligible businesses towards energy saving projects*. Find out more: www.pect.org.uk/projects/ene

Direct Marketing Specialists

LOOKING FOR

WAYS TO SEND YOUR BULK MAIL

CHEAPER?

FIRST MAILING OFFER HALF PRICE POSTAGE ON YOUR BUSINESS MAIL If you are bulk mailing over 4,000 items, we can offer incredible discounts to help your direct mail campaigns. First Mailing have been working to promote and grow businesses for nearly 25 years. From major retail brands to smaller independents, we offer the full range of traditional, social media and digital marketing services. By using a mixture of marketing methods, your exposure will be wider and more impactful. We can produce in-house all your printed products from simple flyers to full colour brochures as well as offering the complete packing and fulfilment services to distribute them in the most cost effective manner. By providing the social media and digital support services, we maximise your chances of interaction with existing clients and new prospects. Our team are based in Huntingdon and are a wise bunch with the mix of experience and knowledge needed to kick start your campaign.

Lets get started... Call us: +44 (0) 1480 450 661 or Visit @: www.firstmailing.co.uk

connected issue 99

Articles inside

Chamber events

Growth Works

Mental Health column

Member news

New members

Green column

Charity news

Marketing Insight

Ask the Expert

Guest article – Cambrionix

Transform

Chief Executive’s comment

Protect

Training

Annual Global Conference

Inform

Global

Connect