CONNECTED magazine March 2014

MARCH 2014

DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE

36

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CONTENTS |

Inside this issue 6

7-9

5 6-9

Ely Chamber News

12

Fenland Chamber News

13

Huntingdonshire Chamber News

14

Stamford Chamber News

19

16 22-23

Cambridge & South Cambs Cambridgeshire Chamber News

20-21

Events

22-23

Out & About

25 26-27

13

Peterborough Chamber News

11

15-17

12-15 11

Chief Executive’s Comment

Ask the Expert: Tax Refunds and Penalties In the Hotseat: Jonathan Denby

28

Policy Update

29

Chamber Updates

30

Update from the LEP

32

Charity of the year

34-35

Tour de France

36-37

New Members

38 39-41

International Focus Sector Updates

22-23

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 3

| EDITOR’S COMMENT

Contributing this month...

Welcome We are pleased to introduce a new feature to the magazine this month to support the increase in exports by Cambridgeshire companies.

Exports are making a considerable contribution to economic growth as companies continue to pursue new opportunities overseas. To help our members maintain their competitive edge in the international marketplace we have introduced an International Focus page to CONNECTED which you will find on page 38.

International Trade is just one of many support services that your Chamber membership offers. This power of networking and how sponsorship packages can help you reach your target market are both featured this month on our Chamber update page.

Sadie Parr Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Communications Co-ordinator and editor of CONNECTED

Ian MacKellar MacKellar Consulting A freelance journalist with a background as business editor for a local newspaper.

Oliver Halls Method Creative Recent English graduate and journalist working for a local creative agency.

Do you follow us on Twitter?

Sadie Parr Editor, CONNECTED, s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

We regularly tweet Chamber news; follow us at @CambsChamber to be kept up to date with all the latest news.

DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE Chief Executive John Bridge OBE | Editor Sadie Parr | Creative Director Jillian Boys Publisher methodcreative.co.uk | Future Business Centre, King’s Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2HY | 01223 781220 | Print cambridgeprinters.co.uk Disclaimer Views expressed in CONNECTED are not necessarily those 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.

Membership Development Officer Peter Watts 07545 697799 or Bren Coleman on 01223 209811 Cambridge Enterprise House, The Vision Park, Histon, Cambridge CB24 9ZR. Tel 01223 237414 Peterborough 6 The Forum, Minerva Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6FT. Tel 01733 370809 Email enquiries@cambscci.co.uk | www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

@CambsChamber Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

4 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

Our editorial panel: We would also like to thank Chamber committee members responsible for shaping the key topics this month and researching these features to better serve the readers of CONNECTED in this edition.

Advertise in CONNECTED and reach more than 7000 potential customers every month!

Contact Lorna Hopkins on 01223 781220 or email lorna@methodcreative.co.uk

Prices start from as little as £75

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S COMMENT |

Skills and

Employment

MEMBERS from our Chamber have played a key role in the development of a Skills and Employment Manifesto recently published by the British Chambers of Commerce, proving that our members really do have a voice when it comes to national policy.

A group from our Learning and Skills Sector met with authors of the publication last month to share their experiences of the mismatch between the skills demonstrated by young people and those needed by businesses. As the discussion unfolded, it became clear that it wasn’t just competent literacy, numeracy and ICT skills that businesses were prioritising – attitude was similarly important. Key ‘employability’ skills missing from many candidates include a positive attitude, self-discipline, time management, organisational skills and the ability to interact and communicate effectively with others.

As you can expect the recommendations within the national manifesto are wide-ranging, including more emphasis on employability skills in the way schools are assessed and rated, clearer qualifications to help businesses understand the skills and proficiencies held by candidates and more choice for business receiving funding for employee training.

But one of the key recommendations is for businesses across the UK, and Chamber members in particular, to have a much stronger role in preparing young people for the realities of work.

The manifesto suggests that with more co-ordinated interaction between young people in education and employers, they would

leave education with an insight into different sectors and job functions and therefore improved career direction. By bringing more business people into the classroom, studies would be given additional relevance, and soft skills would be embedded.

The result? The UK would benefit from a workforce with the right skills to ensure that in an ever changing global economy, employers would increasingly value the training delivered by the education and skills system and that training would continue to positively impact upon skill sets throughout the workplace. With real partnership with employers at the heart of education and skills training, the value to the individual business would be just as great as it would be to our future economy as a whole.

It is imperative that all of us as employers rise to the challenge by ensuring we engage in this essential interaction between education and employers as an investment in our own workforce for the future.

John Bridge OBE Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

Chamber members have a voice in national policy

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 5

| PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

Peterborough Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

PECT tree planting event

PECT celebrates 20 years of success!

It is 20 years since PECT was founded, and the city’s reputation for sustainable development continues to grow.

Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is an independent charity working for a cleaner, greener, healthier Peterborough.

They run a range of projects and initiatives working with local people, communities, schools, businesses, local authorities and voluntary organisations.

working for a cleaner, greener, healthier Peterborough

Investors in the Enrivornment Awards 2013

6 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

“I welcome the work of Peterborough Environment City Trust to improve sustainability and help fight against climate change. We all have shared responsibility for our shared future. Peterborough has helped show the way forward, with measures that enhance the local environment and improve people’s quality of life.”

David Cameron, Prime Minister.

PECT has delivered a number of projects over the years, which have helped businesses to save over £3m and reduce their impact on the environment.

Investors in the Environment (iiE) was initially launched in 2010 to play a key part in helping Peterborough strive for its Environment Capital mission. iiE is a not for profit environmental accreditation scheme, designed to help the business sector save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

Due to the scheme’s success it has now expanded to cover 12 counties with over 1,000 businesses pledging their commitment to the environment. iiE has recently launched a new consultancy service which can help you with your iiE, BS8555 or ISO4001 certification.

Get involved:

•

Become an iiE member and start saving!

•

•

•

Sponsor the launch of our annual Green Festival engaging with thousands of members of the community.

Support our annual Peterborough Environmental Education Awards, which celebrate the achievements of Peterborough’s green schools.

Support Forest for Peterborough, an ambitious project to plant over 180,000 trees in and around the city by 2030.

We would love to talk to you about how we can work together. Please contact us on 01733 568408, email info@pect.org.uk or visit www.pect.org.uk n

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS |

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

International law recruits put Buckles ahead of the competition

IN BRIEF MARCH 2014 ACR celebrates 19 years of international accreditation Anne Corder Recruitment (ACR) has passed its annual audit for the 19th year running.

The company passed its quality review, with the inspector noting that the management system ‘continues to be maintained in a professional manner’.

The ISO 9001:2008 accreditation demonstrates ACR’s commitment to running an efficient and cost effective business.

Anne Corder said: “We strive to provide best practice in all areas of our work and achieving accreditation for the 19th consecutive year is testament to that.”

Kier ‘kicks off’ at United Left to right – Duncan Jackson (Head of Private Client), Maria Martin Corda (Paralegal), Alejandro Verdu de Haro (Associate), Sally Dilks (Associate)

The expertise at Peterborough based law firm Buckles Solicitors LLP has been enhanced with the arrival of Spanish law experts Alejandro Verdu de Haro and Maria Martin Corda.

The pair join French law expert and 2013 recruit Sally Dilks to form a fully-fledged international legal services team at the firm’s Grant House offices, designed to better advise UK clients with legal issues in France and Spain.

The new appointments stand to bolster the company’s status and reputation in the East Midlands as the only firm within a 100-mile radius to offer both French and Spanish legal advice.

Alejandro is an English and Spanish qualified solicitor who also holds a PhD in Spanish tax law. He previously worked in Spain dealing with property, commercial and banking law before relocating to the UK. Paralegal Maria is a bilingual Spanish national with a wealth of experience in

Spanish property law.

Duncan Jackson, Head of the International Legal Services department, said: “We are delighted to welcome both Alejandro and Maria to the Buckles team. Their arrival has been a major coup for the company as a whole and the department itself is now truly unique in its service offering locally.

“Their specialist knowledge will be invaluable to many of our existing clients and we anticipate an increase in new enquiries from those requiring bilingual assistance on a variety of legal matters.”

Alejandro comments: “I am delighted to join such a progressive firm as Buckles.

The services we will be able to offer are unique within the region.”

The team became fully operational from Monday 6 January and will specialise in purchase of French/Spanish property, inheritance tax advice, Spanish tax, transfer ownership of property, litigation and disputes, wills, gifting assets and more. n

Kier Construction marked the start of a major redevelopment project at Peterborough United Football Club with a ground breaking ceremony on 13 January.

The leader of Peterborough City Council, Cllr Marco Cereste, joined Peterborough United’s Chief Executive Bob Symns and senior representatives from Kier at the ground to see first-hand the status of the £9.5m project.

Cllr Cereste said: “We are on the verge of having a community stadium this city can be really proud of. It was quite a sight seeing the old stand coming down but what will now replace it will be fantastic and a vast difference to what has been there since the early 1950s. I can’t wait to see it completed.”

Dennis Cotton, Kier Construction Director, said: “We’re delighted to be a part of this exciting scheme for Peterborough. The demolition of the Moy’s End stand went smoothly and now we look forward to seeing the new stand and skills centre come out of the ground.”

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 7

| PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

Peterborough Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

Peterborough Arena delighted to host LAMMA

Record-breaking LAMMA event at Peterborough Arena

Over 900 exhibitors from around the UK, Europe and as far away as India attended LAMMA at Peterborough Arena and the East of England Showground in January using the venue’s 250 acres of outdoor and indoor space to showcase their products to the 40,000 plus visitors.

Keith Dalton, Managing Director at Peterborough Arena, said: “This has been arguably the largest show in Peterborough for many years and indeed the biggest in the venue’s history where, not only have exhibitors been able to fill their order books at a trade event of this kind, but which has brought additional revenue into the city.

“Peterborough doesn’t always get the best press in national media so to see live broadcasts from the event on the national BBC Breakfast News was a great plug for the city and a chance to put Peterborough on the map for the right reasons.”

Neil Darwin, Chief Executive of Opportunity Peterborough, said: “A show of this size attracts a large number of visitors and exhibitors many of whom are contributing to Peterborough’s economy in terms of accommodation, not to mention use of local restaurants and pubs.” n

Media Matters becomes a Google Adwords partner Online Marketing Executive Laura McGill, at Peterborough PR and marketing agency Media Matters, has passed her Google Adwords exams with flying colours.

Laura’s exam success means the progressive agency is now a certified Google Adwords partner and can carry the accreditation on its website as endorsement of this achievement.

“Online communication is moving at such a pace it’s vital all of our team embrace change and are equipped with the very latest knowledge and skills to ensure our clients get the best service level and advice from us,” said Dawn Strange, Accounts Director at Media Matters.

“As well as being useful to drive higher volumes of traffic to a website, with the landscape around SEO changing recently, Google Adwords campaigns are becoming more necessary than ever. They should now really be part of every business’s SEO activity,” she added. n Laura McGill Media Matters

8 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS |

Job Success

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

Name revealed of new £9.9m extra care facility Kingfisher Court has been chosen as the name for Cross Keys Homes’ flagship scheme.

The indigenous Fenland bird’s name will bring a new sense of identity to the facility as the important interior design works are started by contractor Kier.

The £9.9m extra care scheme will provide a combination of 79 one and two-bedroom, state of the art, extra care apartments for older people.

To celebrate this important milestone in Cross Keys Homes’ flagship scheme was its Head of Supported Housing, Heather Scullion, Head of Development, Ian Richardson and Kier Director, Nick Bache.

Cross Keys Homes’ Deputy Chief Executive, Claire Higgins, said: “We are so pleased to be able to reveal the new name of our flagship scheme.

“Kingfisher Court was chosen after consultation as we wanted

to choose a name which had meaning and reflected its nearby Fenland surroundings as well as to add a sense of peace and tranquillity which the imagery of this very beautiful bird brings with it.”

Kier Director, Nick Bache, added: “With the scaffold taken down and the internal works progressing, work at the newly named Kingfisher Court is on target. I am pleased to report that we have successfully used local contractors to complete the vast majority of these works.

“This connection with the community is one of Kier’s key drivers, as we believe that investing locally generates benefits above and beyond the structure itself.”

Kier has also received the Considerate Constructors – ‘Performance Beyond Compliance’ certificate for the Kingfisher Court development. n

for Railway Signalling Designer

By Roderick Sutherland, Assistant Principal Apprenticeship and Employer Engagement, Peterborough Regional College

PETERBOROUGH Regional College’s Jobsmart facility in the city centre is continuing its work with the long term unemployed in Peterborough, with notable success.

With their targeted employability training courses, the college is having a dramatic effect in helping people get back into work.

One such programme is the Skills Support for the Unemployed course, where learners hone their job seeking skills and interview techniques.

Charles McInally One learner who has recently benefitted from the course is Charles McInally who had until recently been out of work for 2 years.

Charles had a background in Railway Signalling Design, but found that there were few jobs in the area where he could use his existing knowledge and skills.

With support from the staff at Jobsmart, Charles started looking further afield within Cambridgeshire and eventually found a job that would suit his skills.

With support from his Teachers, Charles applied for a job and secured an interview. After some coaching in interview techniques, which is part of the Skills Support for the Unemployed course, Charles impressed the interview panel to such an extent, that they offered him the post of Railway Signalling Design Manager with their company, and on a very competitive salary.

Roderick Sutherland, Assistant Principal of Apprenticeship and Employer Engagement at Peterborough Regional College said of Charles, “He impressed all his Teachers with his determination to get a job after being unemployed for such a long time. As a result of his hard work and determination, Charles has proven that there is no barrier to securing a job in your chosen profession.”

Cross Keys Homes’ Head of Supported Housing, Heather Scullion, and Head of Development, Ian Richardson, with Kier’s Director, Nick Bache.

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 9

Helping you to progress your career through different levels of learning of courses designed to suit all levels and abilities which support learning from level 3 to level 7.

Think Peterborough is committed to helping organisations attract and retain talent in the region by providing quality learning and development opportunities.

To discuss your options in more detail, including bespoke courses and accreditation, please give us a call on 0845 196 6709 or email thinkpeterborough@ anglia.ac.uk. contact

Whether you a supervisor, manager or senior leader, Think Peterborough is able to offer a solution which equips you with the skills needed in today’s challenging business environment.

Understanding how different qualification levels relate to each other can be confusing certainly if you are looking to progress your learning across different qualification types. To help navigate how you can progress your learning to a higher level, a qualifications framework has been developed which identifies the levels of vocational, professional and academic qualifications and how they broadly compare to another. Each regulated qualification has a level between entry level and level 8.

Qualifications at the same level are a similar level of demand or difficulty.

The content and size of qualifications at the same level may be quite different. Further information on this framework can be found at http://ofqual.gov.uk/help-and-advice/comparing-qualifications/

These courses are designed for people in work and the learning gained can be applied to real time business issues, which directly benefits your performance. Flexible funding options are also available, please contact us for more details.

Level 3 ILM Award/Certificate in First Line Management

Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in Business Administration

Certificate of Higher Education Management (Work-based)

Level 5 Foundation Degree (FdA) in Management (Work-based)

CMI Diploma in Management and Leadership

Uni Diploma in Leading Business Change/Business Development

Level 6

Anglia Ruskin University, University Centre Peterborough and Peterborough Regional College have put together a comprehensive Management and Leadership pathway

BA (Hons) Management (Work-based) Level 7 MA Leadership and Management

Education for your Business With Think Peterborough you can gain: • Accredited qualifications for your workforce • Accelerated staff development • A flexible, earn-while-you-learn approach • A freshly motivated team • Access to academic expertise From NVQ through to Masters courses, we can help equip your workforce and your business - with the skills to prosper.

www.thinkpeterborough.anglia.ac.uk

Call: 0845 966709

Email: thinkpeterborough@anglia.ac.uk

ELY CHAMBER NEWS |

Ely Chamber NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Ely

Ely Chamber of Commerce

And they’re off...

Paddocks House launches with glittering reception THE House Collection welcomed 400 guests at two evening receptions to celebrate the opening of its latest venue, Paddocks House near Newmarket.

Guests enjoyed champagne and canapés, whilst feasting their eyes on the stunning new interior. The hotel has been totally transformed with the grandest of design features and intricate attention to detail that has become typical of The House Collection hotels.

Following hot on the heels of sister hotel, Poets House in Ely,

Paddocks House will create a new local landmark for highquality hospitality, fine dining and special events.

David Toulson Burke, Managing Director of The House Collection, said: “We’ve been absolutely astounded at the positive response we have received from guests and visitors. It’s been a real joy to restore this amazing venue to its former glory. We are sure it will be a great asset to the region that will appeal to local people and visitors alike.” n

‘In our nature’ EMERALD Frog Marketing has been chosen to work with The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire on their latest marketing campaign.

The membership recruitment campaign, ‘In our nature’, highlights the challenges faced by the Trust’s dedicated team of staff and volunteers, working hard on essential conservation projects and reserve maintenance during the winter months.

“We are delighted that the Wildlife Trust chose us to help them with their latest campaign,” says Cheriee Chater, Director at Emerald Frog Marketing. “Wildlife marketing is an area we are enthusiastic about and it’s great to be working with an organisation who do so much to protect local wildlife and help increase supporter numbers for the vital work that they do.” n

Maxine Flello, Cheriee Chater and Emma Fellows

Delegates attending the reception

Labour-tech achieve record figures DESPITE the news of a high percentage of unemployment nationwide, Labour-tech Recruitment still continue to provide hundreds of people per day to work in the local and surrounding areas. During December they were able to achieve two consecutive record weeks, surpassing all previous records since the company was established in 2001.

More recently Labour-tech has seen a rise in the number of temporary-to-permanent and permanent placements with clients new and old.

Steve Copeland, Business Development Manager, said: “This has helped us to become market leaders in both the temporary and permanent recruitment sectors. We have also diversified the sectors we have been working within and have started to work more with admin and sales roles, as well as continuing to provide skilled and unskilled labourers.

“Keep an eye on changes on Ely’s Market Street in the coming months for we will have more news to celebrate this quarter!” n Labour-tech celebrate another winning year

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 11

| FENLAND CHAMBER NEWS

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

Tom has designs on taking the prize IT was fitting that a competition to design a logo for the new Technology Centre at the Isle campus of the College of West Anglia was won by a graphic design student.

Now the creation of Tom Dunn will be used in all promotions for the £7.2m Technology Centre, as well as winning him a £50.00 prize.

Tom, from March, was handed a giant cheque by Alan Seeley, technology programme manager, and Stuart Spiteri-Nobbs,

head of construction, who originally came up with the idea of the design competition.

He was one of the final judges, along with Michelle Blake, the college’s senior marketing co-ordinator; Stephen Lowery, head of the Technology Faculty, and Stuart Spiteri-Nobbs, construction leader. He said that Tom’s graphic design was perfect.

Tom, 18 and in the second year of a Btec extended diploma, aims to study graphic design at Lincoln University. n

Tom with Stuart Spiteri-Nobbs and Alan Seeley

Job Café offers a friendly helping hand A new job café has opened in Wisbech to help people who are struggling to find work and will open two hours each Monday. Designed to back up the services provided by Jobcentre Plus, it offers a range of support in a friendly setting, with free tea and coffee.

The café is a pilot scheme that will run for three months with the backing of Fenland District Council, the Ferry

12 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

Project and Circle Roddons, as well as Jobcentre Plus and Cambridgeshire County Council.

Councillor Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council’s deputy leader and Cabinet member responsible for skills and job stimulation, said: “The Job Café offers something a bit different from other services. It’s relaxed and informal and anyone is welcome to drop in.” n

Fenland Chamber of Commerce

Research visit by University professor A leading educationalist has visited Thomas Clarkson Academy (TCA) to assist his report on inclusion in schools.

Cambridge University’s Professor John MacBeath met with staff and students in January as part of his research which will be published before the summer.

It is a follow up to the ‘Cost of Inclusion’ which he co-wrote with Maurice Gaulton in 2006. As part of the project the professor emeritus will be visiting a number of schools around the country and will then write up his findings. He said: “I have come here with no preconceived ideas, just a fresh pair of eyes and keen to talk to staff and students.

“As a child I went to schools in South Africa, Canada, England and Scotland.

After attending the school in Scotland I thought ‘Schools cannot be this bad’ and so decided I would become a teacher to see what schools could be like.”

He said he is amazed by how different schooling is today. “I walked into this building and just thought wow.

This is how a school should be. It is a fantastic environment, light, spacious and with students art displayed on the walls.”

Mr MacBeath hopes to return to TCA once the report is published and also attend the Children’s University graduation. n

Professor John MacBeath

HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER NEWS |

Huntingdonshire Chamber NEWS

Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce

A round-up of news and events from Huntingdonshire

Business students sent to the top of the class

IN BRIEF NOVEMBER MARCH 2014 2013 B2B Cashflow Ouse Creative help Solutions local expand charity

Business students from Huntingdonshire Regional College on site at the new Linden Homes development which they have named with Linden Homes sales manager Warren O’Callaghan and course tutor Ali Paine.

DEVELOPER Linden Homes has successfully enlisted the help of Huntingonshire Regional College’s (HRC) business students to produce a brand, identity and name for a new site.

Saxon Gardens will be the name for the company’s new Huntingdon development on the town’s California Road – adjacent to HRC. Sales manager Warren O’Callaghan said: “When we issued the invitation to the college

we had no idea just how much research and work the students would put into the project. Their creativity and inspirational ideas were fantastic and we are thrilled with the outcome. Not only do we have a wonderful new development name, but Linden Homes has been able to offer some valuable experience to the students as part of their studies.” n

A newmore Three website associates has been havelaunched recently joined by B2B Cashflow Ouse CreativeSolutions that hastaking a voting the facility total number for the UK to 19.

Christian Book Awards 2014.

Karl Lanham, Mike Garrick Green Associate, of Ouse said:Creative “These appointments Ltd said: “We give are pleased us a greater to launch regional coverage this new website and demonstrate and to announce the continued the growth inofthe opening voting independent for the UKcommercial Christian finance Book Awards.” sector.”

B2B Cashflow Voters will beSolutions emailed have a linkalso to been nominated receive a free forticket the third to the year 2014 running awards for the Business ceremony, presented Moneyfacts

by Pam Awards Rhodes in the category of BBC Songs of Best of Praise.

Commercial Broker.

The Christian Book Promotions Trust, a Cambridgeshire-based charity, hold these biennial awards in order to promote Christian literature in the community.

Partnership approach provides homes for larger families

Lawyers on Board with Magpas Helimedix

WORKING in partnership, Luminus and Huntingdonshire District Council have increased the supply of larger family-sized affordable homes for local people.

Huntingdonshire District Council awarded Luminus £237,000 grant funding to help provide four new four-bedroom family homes and to extend four three-bedroom homes. By working together, the two organisations have helped local families living in unsuitable accommodation.

Dr Chan Abraham, Luminus Group Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to be able to provide some much needed larger family homes throughout the district. By working in partnership with the District Council we have given eight families a lovely home that they can enjoy for many years to come.”

Councillor Nick Guyatt, Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing at Huntingdonshire District Council said: “Providing good housing for families is one of the council’s priorities and I am delighted that we have been able to provide grant funding, enabling Luminus to carry out this work to provide housing for larger families. I am pleased that we have worked together on this successful project.” n

BARR Ellison Solicitors have been making a generous monthly donation of £200 to lifesaving organisation Magpas since August 2013, awarding them nominated charity status for 2013/14.

Recently some of the team from the Cambridge based solicitors met the Magpas Magpas Paramedics with Barr Ellison Solicitors Helimedix on shift and looked around the helicopter.

Sophie Grainger, Personal Injury Solicitor, said: “The Personal Injury team at Barr Ellison are regularly instructed by the families of victims who have been seriously injured, or tragically died, in catastrophic accidents throughout East Anglia.

“We see the difference Magpas can make and the extremely difficult conditions they can find themselves working in. Barr Ellison think Magpas deserve this recognition and we are therefore proud to team up with them.” n

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 13

| STAMFORD CHAMBER NEWS

Stamford Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from across Stamford

New members to connect with following merger THE Chamber has welcomed over 70 new members from the Stamford area following a successful merger with Stamford Chamber of Commerce and Trade.

The arrangement has created additional opportunities for new and existing Chamber members to connect with businesses throughout the Chamber network. Businesses in Stamford will also continue to have their own identity and views communicated with local decision-makers by their representatives on the Stamford Chamber of Commerce committee, led by Tim Lee, who takes on the position of Chairman. Tim will also represent businesses from Stamford on the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors.

Tim Lee, Chairman of Stamford Chamber of Commerce, said: “As a business community we are focussed on growth and pursuing new opportunities. By becoming part of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce our members will benefit from increased opportunities to network, share expertise and develop their businesses.

“This is a very positive step for the Stamford business community.

We will continue to lobby local organisations on issues relevant to Stamford and we look forward to helping our members establish new relationships with potential customers and suppliers within Peterborough and across Cambridgeshire.”

John Bridge OBE, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, added: “Over the last few years businesses in our region have excelled in adapting to new markets and changing conditions

and it is a great pleasure to welcome members of the Stamford Chamber into our Chamber Network.

“Businesses are no longer constrained by geographical boundaries.

More natural economic boundaries are emerging and businesses in and around Stamford are recognising that Peterborough and the wider Cambridgeshire area offer excellent opportunities for successful business growth.” n

Photo provided by Rutland and Stamford Mercury Stamford Town Centre

Meet Chairman Tim Lee TIM Lee has been representing businesses in Stamford as President of Stamford Chamber of Commerce and Trade since 2008 and he will continue to do so as Chairman of the new Stamford Chamber of Commerce committee.

He was a founding partner of WLP Ltd, a performance improvement company that specialises in helping businesses grow and improve. His career included senior marketing roles at a number of international companies, including European Marketing Director at General Mills and UK Marketing Director at Mattel.

Now semi-retired, Tim continues to perform some consultancy work while dedicating his time as a governor at Stamford New College and Chair of the Town Team. n Photo provided by Rutland and Stamford Mercury John Bridge with Tim Lee

14 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS |

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber NEWS

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

25 years as progressive arts organisations WYSING Arts Centre has been at the vanguard of providing ways to support artists to make new work and reach new audiences for the last 25 years.

Initially set up by four enterprising friends in 1989, the rural centre has evolved into a highly regarded organisation that is part of influential networks, including the prestigious Plus Tate network, and has been the springboard for many successful artists.

The centre has extended its reach and is now working on a programme of innovative talks and events that will attract large

audiences. Artists will work with businesses to unlock their creative potential and with individuals with specialisms outside of the arts.

Director Donna Lynas says: “Wysing has come a long way since it was founded and has an incredible alumni of artists who have worked here across the years. I’m looking forward to welcoming them back in 2014 when we’ll take a glance at the past, whilst looking forward to a future in which artists continue to play a central role in all that we do.” n

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

IN BRIEF NOVEMBER MARCH 2014 2013 B2B Cashflow £3,683 for CLICSolutions Sargent expand The Cambridge Three more associates Building have Society recently chose joined B2B Cashflow CLIC Sargent asSolutions its ‘Charity taking of the the Month’. total number DuringtoDecember 19. customers guessed theKarl names Lanham, of bears Associate, in the branches said: “These and appointments bought CLIC Sargent give uspin a greater badges, regional while coverage staff fundraised and demonstrate and took onthe a variety continued of growth in theroles volunteering independent . commercial finance In total sector.” from fundraising and sponsorship B2B Cashflow The Solutions Cambridge have Building also been nominated Society supported for the third the work year running of CLIC for the Business Sargent to theMoneyfacts grand totalAwards of £3,683.65. in the category of Best Commercial Broker.

New Domino Inks provide solutions to industry challenges

Wysing Arts Centre

Helping businesses optimise their investment proposition ST John’s Innovation Centre is delighted to provide expert support through delivery of the Access to Finance (A2F) stream of the GrowthAccelerator service.

A2F will give companies direct access to some of the UK’s top business coaches for one-to-one guidance. It is designed to support companies with the ambition, capacity and capability to double their turnover in the next three to five years by offering specialist finance coaching.

St John’s Innovation Centre is the obvious choice to deliver A2F. In the last four years, the team has supported companies in raising over £17M in equity, bank and grant finance with sums raised ranging from £10,000 to £4M. David Gill, Managing Director at St John’s Innovation Centre, said: “Adding A2F was an obvious move for us. Many innovative firms with the highest potential need external funding to scale fast.” n

Domino Printing Sciences has extended its range of high performance inks to address the needs of its customers.

The inks include a new yellow ink useful for personal care, food and beverage industries where dark labels or glass are being used. Four new black inks have been added, three are aimed at the food sector and the fourth designed for the aerospace industry.

Nick Plaister, Product Manager, said: “We constantly monitor the demands of all the industries we operate in and are confident the response to our new ink offering will be positive.”

New face driving golf Marc Smith has taken over as the interim County Development Officer with Cambridgeshire County Golf Partnership and will be working with golf clubs and other organisations to help bring more people into the game through initiatives such as ‘Get into golf’.

Marc said: “I am looking forward to meeting everyone involved with golf in Cambridgeshire. Golf is a great game for everyone who enjoys fresh air, friendship and exercise.”

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 15

| CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber NEWS

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

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

Cambridge Printers Ltd Celebrate 10 Years of Operation LOCAL SME Cambridge Printers Ltd is celebrating trading for 10 years following the merger of two smaller local printers (Copycolour and Larman Printers) in 2004.

From humble beginnings in Gwydir Street and Eastern Court, operating single colour presses and early-model digital printers, Cambridge Printers moved to their current premises at 1 Mercers Row and developed into a fully capable print facility; running four-colour litho, eight colour large format and a full range of modern colour and mono digital presses.

Serving a diverse clientele ranging from local and national businesses, schools and colleges, charities and private commissions,

Cambridge Printers provides a wealth of print knowledge through their artisan crafts-people as well as graphic design

and pre-press skills even offering training opportunities to clients. n

Pantone book

As green shoots emerge, team grows to meet market needs BARR Ellison Solicitors services are in high demand by Cambridgeshire businesses who value their knowledge of the commercial property market. They have gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years, incorporating two legal businesses into their existing firm.

In order to meet growing demand for their commercial property services, Barr Ellison is pleased to welcome two commercial property solicitors, Stephen Bottle and Lucy Harrison.

Head of Commercial Property Elizabeth Deyong says: “Between them, Stephen and Lucy bring some three decades of solid property expertise to the team and we very much look forward to the added strength they bring us.� n

Daisy Darrell, Elizabeth Deyong, Stephen Bottle and Lucy Harrison

16 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS |

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

Hewitsons appoints dispute resolution solicitor HEWITSONS has further strengthened its Dispute Resolution Team by announcing the appointment of Stewart Morrison as a Commercial Litigation solicitor. He will be working within the Dispute Resolution Team alongside partner Simon Biggin and colleagues. The team advises on a wide variety of commercial disputes with a high emphasis on contractual disputes, warranty claims, disputes between shareholders and partners, or claims against professionals for errors and omissions.

Stewart said: “Hewitsons has an excellent reputation both in

the region and beyond. I am very much looking forward to working with my colleagues to take on fresh and exciting challenges and adding to the on-going success of the firm.”

John Dix, Managing Partner at Hewitsons, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stewart to the team. He has valuable experience of commercial litigation which will complement our already excellent reputation in the field of dispute resolution.” n Stewart Morrison

Register for grants and free support to go digital BUSINESSES are being urged to register now to benefit from a countywide scheme to help SMEs afford faster broadband connections and make the most of digital technologies.

Destination Digital was officially launched as part of the Connecting Cambridgeshire programme, which has won £4.5 million extra Government and European funding to help SMEs get better connected, increase productivity and create jobs.

The scheme will offer grants in the form of vouchers to help businesses in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire pay for high speed broadband connections, as well as funding and support to encourage companies across the county to go digital. Destination Digital runs until March 2015 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Suppliers of broadband enabled technologies, digital products and services can also register for opportunities to secure new business through the scheme. Find out more and register for the scheme at www.destinationdigital.info or call 01223 706123. n

Sustainability: What’s in it for my business?

By Nick Milne, Catering & Conference Manager, Robinson College Cambridge

OPERATING a business sustainably is by no means an innovative concept.

Large corporate companies have spent years developing social responsibility campaigns, with entire departments dedicated to ensuring that daily activity is synonymous with green policies.

Positive public image is undeniably the primary Nick Milne reason big corporates embark upon sustainability programmes. For a country still in the midst of austerity, reports on corporate greed are increasingly popular, and likely to end up on the front pages of newspapers. Booming businesses compensate for this negative coverage through developing virtuous initiatives.

Whilst some argue that big companies can afford to spend money on their public image, even making the slightest changes, such as recycling can prevent landfill waste-costs and equate to an eventual reduction in outgoings.

At Robinson College we operate a maintainable sustainability programme, ranging from recycling, to monitoring energy usage and introducing solar panels. We have earned a reputation as an organisation committed to reducing environmental impact but we have also cut costs, increased profit, benefited the local community and inspired our staff.

Our sustainable policies are vital to our progression and wherever possible, we encourage conference organisers, delegates and suppliers to work with us achieve this. This is an attractive message for businesses that place CSR on their corporate agenda and the same applies to large investors, unlikely to associate with a company neglectful of such policies.

A sustainable agenda should no longer be viewed as merely a reputation boosting initiative for big corporate companies. It should be a core initiative in which all businesses, regardless of size, should invest.

@RobCollConf robinson.cam.ac.uk/conferences 01223 332859

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 17

| CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber NEWS

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

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

Property experts renew charity relationship JANUARYS is pleased to announce it will continue to support the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity for a second year following a successful partnership in 2013.

The commercial property specialists donated a total of nearly £2,700 last year as a result of several fundraising initiatives and activities. Most notably, the company raised £1,673 from its inaugural treasure hunt around Cambridge city centre last May that saw 25 local businesses participate. A second event is scheduled to take place this summer due to its popularity.

Graham Smith, Director at Januarys, said: “We’ve really enjoyed supporting the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity for the last 12 months. The partnership has enabled us to exercise our creative side by devising different ways to raise cash. We were overjoyed with the success of the treasure hunt and look forward to raising even more money from this and other events in 2014.”

Donna Talbot, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Arthur Rank, said: “The money Januarys has raised for the hospice so far has made a phenomenal difference. In terms of services, it equates to

Purveyors of fine quality investments We identify valuable commercial property opportunities

In 2013 we facilitated more than £30m in commercial property deals for our clients. We’re planning to make 2014 a good year too.

18 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

Staff from Januarys and Arthur Rank House

10 individual nights of Hospice at Home care which enables patients approaching end of life to remain in the comfort of their own homes.

The team has really got involved with our mission and we can’t wait to see what they have planned for 2014!”

Januarys has also offered its professional expertise to the charity in light of its search for a new site as it looks to move from Mill Road. n

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHAMBER NEWS |

Cambridgeshire Chamber NEWS

A round-up of news and events from Cambridgeshire

Haverhill Research Park launches innovation centre plans PLANS for a 30,000 sq ft, £5 million innovation centre to help the needs of start-up businesses have been unveiled

by Carisbrooke Developments at Haverhill Research Park, Suffolk.

A planning application has been submitted to St Edmundsbury Borough Council for the four-storey building which, as the first property on the park, will create a landmark development adjacent to the lake in the centre of the 450,000 sq ft project. The innovation centre is expected to be completed by summer 2015 and could create up to 300 jobs.

The development will comprise high specification offices and dry R&D accommodation in a range of sizes together with conference and meeting rooms, training facilities and a ‘work-hub’ area for shared

Standing on the new RPV platform

MARCH 2014 Skype appointments at Gross & Co

Innovation Centre

working. There will also be a cafe overlooking the lake, which will create a focal point for the innovation centre as well as other businesses located on the park. n

Ridgeons donate key supplies for East Anglian Air Ambulance THE new addition outside the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) hangar at Norwich Airport means that the emergency medical team can conveniently transfer vital equipment to the awaiting rapid response vehicle (RRV) saving valuable time. Prior to the installation of the platform, critical care paramedics and doctors were unable to lay equipment on

IN BRIEF

the ground while loading/unloading the RRV due to the risk of contamination.

Dr Jenny Townsend said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with the new platform for the RRV as it means we no longer have to worry about transferring mud from our boots into the medical environments, therefore complying with infection prevention control (IPC).”

Materials donated for the platform included 10 60x60cm concrete paving slabs, three quarters of a tonne of building sand, six bags of cement and one small bag of gravel. Local builder Simon Youngman along with two volunteers kindly donated their time to lay the platform.

Ridgeons Norwich Branch Manager Tim Wigby said: “We were only too pleased to help and look forward to assisting the EAAA efforts further this year.” n

Gross & Co Solicitors have been offering Skype appointments to their international client base since 2009.

Client Care Partner Elizabeth Hodder says: “We embrace technology such as Skype and Twitter because these are mediums that our clients use. Skype in particular is convenient for our clients, many of whom are based in jurisdictions all over the globe, principally through our Immigration practice headed by Graeme Kirk.”

Wyboston Lakes appoint IT Director Having played a key role in establishing Wyboston Lakes’ award-winning technological infrastructure, Craig Warner has been appointed as IT Director.

Craig, who will be a member of the Board of Management of Wyboston Lakes, was previously Chief Information Officer. He has more than 18 years’ experience in the hospitality IT sector, from business analysis to application development.

Mark Jones, Managing Director, said: “Craig has been instrumental in establishing us at the cutting edge of technology and his new role will help us to extend our horizons still further.”

Granite 5 welcomes new staff There are two new recent staff additions at the Granite 5 offices based near Cambridge. Rob Butler joins the team as New Business Consultant and James Warmington-Smith as Digital Marketing Manager. Both newcomers bring a huge amount of wide experience to Granite 5, adding to the existing expertise and continuing expansion success of the company.

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 19

| CHAMBER EVENTS

CHAMBER EVENTS Please visit the Chamber website for full details of all future Chamber events www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

Your essential business calendar for the next month

Two Counties Business Show

DATE Tuesday 11 March TIME 11.00am-3.00pm LOCATION Newmarket Racecource, CB8 0TF PRICE Stands from £50.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £80.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber member CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or telephone Karen on 01223 209808

SEMINARS 11.15am-12.15pm: Branding Seminar presented by Cubiqdesign 12.30-1.30pm: Simply Networking organised by the Chamber Keep an eye on the Chamber website for details of further seminars as they are announced.

Seminar places should be booked in advance online or by contacting Karen Dawson at k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk.

2013 Exhibition

Maximise your membership

Stands are still available - see the website for details. n

Cambridgeshire Export Club

CAMBRIDGE DATE Tuesday 25 March TIME 9.30-11.00am LOCATION Skills Funding Agency, The Business Centre, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9LQ

PETERBOROUGH DATE Wednesday 26 March TIME 9.30-11.00am LOCATION Chamber Offices, 6 The Forum, Minerva Business Park, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6FT Find out if you are making the most of every opportunity that Chamber membership brings.

DATE Tuesday 25 March TIME 5.00-7.00pm LOCATION The Moller Centre, Storeys Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DE PRICE Free to attend CONTACT h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk or telephone Helen on 01733 370809 Cambridgeshire Export Club is an invaluable forum in which to exchange views with other exporters and to keep up to date with new developments in a rapidly changing global business environment. Members of the Chamber’s in-house export team will be on hand to answer your exporting queries. n

HEALTH & SAFETY SEMINAR DATE Tuesday 29 April TIME 9.00am-1.00pm LOCATION The Incubator, Alconbury Enterprise Campus, Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, PE28 4WX

Keep up-to-date with your responsibilities under health and safety legislation. This event is exclusive to Chamber members.

PRICE Free to attend and places must be booked in advance CONTACT b.coleman@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 209811 20 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

Delegates at January’s event

CHAMBER EVENTS |

Doing Business with Vietnam MARKET TO BUY FROM - MARKET TO SELL TO organised by the International Sector

Networking Events SAFARI NETWORKING BREAKFAST

DATE Monday 10 March TIME 4.30-7.00pm LOCATION Hunt & Coombs Soliciors, 35 Thorpe Road, Peterborough, PE3 6AG MEMBER PRICE £15.00 (plus VAT)

DATE Friday 28 February

NON-MEMBER PRICE £22.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT d.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

NON-MEMBER PRICE £22.50 (plus VAT)

TIME 7.45-10.00am LOCATION Bourn Golf & Leisure, Toft Road, Bourn, Cambridge, CB23 2TT MEMBER PRICE £15.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

This event will present the opportunities for both those seeking to source goods and those wishing to export products and services to Vietnam.

More details can be found on the Sector page 39.

Sponsored by:

BBC Annual Conference State of the Nation – Good to Great

Networking at Homerton Conference Centre

‘MEET THE NEIGHBOURS’ BUSINESS LUNCH

DATE Tuesday 1 April TIME 9.00am start, continues all day LOCATION QEII Conference Centre, London, SW1P 3EE MEMBER PRICE £50.00 (plus VAT) when attending as part of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce group.

CONTACT g.prangnell@cambscci.co.uk or telephone Gill on 01223 209802 This high-profile event will bring together key representatives from the Chamber Network as well as the wider business community, giving them a platform to network, discuss prospects for the UK economy and to influence the country’s key policymakers and opinion-formers. n

CONNECT WITH MEMBERS OF HERTFORDSHIRE CHAMBER DATE Tuesday 18 March TIME 11.45am-2.00pm LOCATION Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridge, CB22 4QR MEMBER PRICE £20.00 (plus VAT) NON-MEMBER PRICE £28.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk We have a room full of businesses from Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Chambers of Commerce ready to get connected with you and your business – all you have to do is get the date in your diary and book a place! n

Informal Networking Evenings March 2014 Wed 5, 19

NEW VENUE Park Inn, Peterborough

NEW TIME 5.00-7.30pm

Thurs 6, 20

Holiday Inn, Cambridge

5.00-7.00pm

Mon 10

The Lamb Hotel, Ely

5.00-7.00pm

Wed 12

Waterfront Bar, Wyboston Lakes

5.00-7.00pm

Tues 18

The Old Bridge, Huntingdon

5.00-7.00pm

Wed 26

Oliver Cromwell Hotel, March

5.00-7.00pm

Spring Collection Seminar organised by the HR & Recruitment Sector DATE Wednesday 26 March TIME 11.45am-2.00pm LOCATION Holmewood Hall, Peterborough, PE7 3BZ MEMBER PRICE £20.00 (plus VAT) NON-MEMBER PRICE £27.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT d.rivetti@cambscci.co.uk or book online at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk Keep up-to-date on the changes to legislation at our forthcoming Spring Collection seminar. More details can be found on Sector page 41. n CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 21

| OUT & ABOUT

Out&About

Safari Networking Delegates got ‘connected’ at a recent breakfast event at Homerton Conference Centre.

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

Cambridgeshire Export Club The first Export Club for 2014 saw record numbers attending. Delegates meet informally to discuss trading internationally.

Informal Networking Our popular informal networking evening at Park Inn attracted businesses from a wide range of industry sectors allowing them to get connected for free.

22 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

OUT & ABOUT |

Come Fry With Me Volunteers from The Cambridge Building Society cooked a fry up at RAF Wyton to say thank you to the Magpas volunteers for their hard work and commitment.

Free sailing offer for members Michael Garrick Green, from member company Ouse Creative, and fellow sailors attended the AGM of Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club (RCSSC). They are a small and informal group of people who enjoy sailing on Rutland Water.

Any Chamber members who would like a free sail can contact Mike at mike@ousecreative.co.uk

Paddocks House launch event John Bridge and Freda Kirchen attended the launch event of The House Collection’s newest boutique hotel – Paddocks House.

John is pictured with Ian Cross, Commercial Director at The House Collection.

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 23

ASK THE EXPERT |

Ask the expert: Tax Refunds and Penalties Val Lloyd, at TaxAssist Accountants of Ely, answers some common questions on tax refunds and penalties.

Q

Can I get some tax back before the end of the tax year? I am a subcontractor and I get 20 per cent tax taken from my receipts by contractors but I haven’t done any work for the last couple of months.

A

No. The only way for you to get your tax back is to wait until the tax year has passed and then submit your tax return.

If there are gaps in your income or it is low, you may be due a refund. In the long term you may be eligible to receive your payments gross from contractors however there are criteria to meet.

Q

I just realised I made a mistake on last year’s return, it has quite a significant impact on my tax position.

Can I change it?

A

If you make a mistake on your tax return, you’ve normally got 12 months from 31 January after the end of the tax year to correct it. For example, you have until 31 January 2015 to amend your 2012/13 return. If you owe more tax or have a penalty as a result of the mistake, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) should

tell you how much you need to pay, when and how to pay it. If you’re think you’re due a refund you can tell HMRC how you’d like to receive it If you sent your tax return electronically, you can amend it online. If you send it in hardcopy, you don’t need to send in the whole tax return again. Just write to HMRC and attach the pages you want to change.

Q

I still haven’t filed my tax return for the 2012/13 tax year. What penalties could I face when I file it?

A

You should have already received an automatic £100.00 initial filing penalty. This is payable regardless of whether you had no tax outstanding or you were due a refund. From 1 May 2014, daily penalties of £10.00 per day will begin, capped at £900.00. From 1 August 2014, a further penalty of £300.00 or five per cent of the tax due (whichever is higher) will be added to your existing penalties.

The dates referred to are based on the online filing of the return. If you use a paper version, you will face more significant penalties as paper tax returns should have been filed by 31 October 2013.

Q

I am newly self-employed and have been rather unorganised this year.

I just managed to get my 2012/13 tax return filed online on 31 January 2014, but I didn’t have enough cash put aside to settle my tax bill. What are the implications of late payment?

A

You will have interest to pay on anything you owe until HMRC receives your payment). Furthermore, after a delay of 30 days, late payment penalties at five per cent of the tax you owe will begin to apply. Additional late payment penalties will be added if the delay exceeds six months. Please note, if you also registered for self assessment late (i.e. after 5 October 2013), you may also incur a Failure to Notify penalty. This will be five per cent of any tax outstanding on 31 January 2014.

Anyone wanting help on tax matters can contact Val on 01353 669933. n

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 25

| SPECIAL rePOrT

In the HOTSEAT

Jonathan Denby Head of Corporate Affairs, Abellio Greater Anglia Keen to support growth in the region, Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs at Abellio Greater Anglia, is working to improve rail services in the east of england by targeting and facilitating the needs of business passengers.

“We’re more than just a train operator,” says Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs at Abellio Greater Anglia. “Yes we’re going to make sure we’re providing the best possible service to passengers; that is what we do.

But it’s important for us to look beyond that and to understand that what we do also affects the success of the region and the areas we serve.”

Abellio Greater Anglia operates services from London Liverpool Street to all major towns and cities in east Anglia. It began operations in February 2012 and now employs a team of 3,000 people to operate 1,900 services per day, carrying two million passengers per week.

The Greater Anglia service was awarded to Abellio on a short franchise basis, originally ending in July 2014. This term may now be extended to October 2016 subject to agreement with the Department for Transport before a long franchise is let.

“even though this is currently a short franchise, it hasn’t stopped us taking a long-term strategic approach,” says Jonathan enthusiastically. “What we’ve been passionate about is improving core

We’re not just a train operator; we’re part of the fabric of the region performance, improving customer service, and linking in very closely with communities, stakeholders and businesses to try and jointly secure long-term improvements and investment for the region. rail can be such a strong contributor to the success of the region, so what we’re trying to do is mobilise that joined-up approach.”

Creating opportunities “In pure rail economics, many local lines cost more to operate than the railway gets back in revenue,” admits Jonathan. “But where their value lies is in supporting growth for the region. If you took them away, all these places lose their connectivity and life force.

Business, education, tourism; all these things would suffer.

“Back when I worked for Anglia railways, I led the bid for a new Norwich to Cambridge service. Until September 2002 there was no direct train service; you had to change at ely. It wasn’t convenient and it didn’t attract people off the A11. We saw an opportunity to gain funding from a government partnership scheme to help support service improvements that wouldn’t necessarily be viable for the train operators on their own, but actually would be the right thing for the region. So we introduced the direct service with four new trains. There were about 390,000 passenger journeys in the first year and that has now almost tripled to 940,000.”

Collaboration over competition When franchises are let, there is always a degree of competition with over companies.

However, Jonathan is keen to stress that Abellio is more focussed on cooperation.

“We’ve made an alliance Network rail, and now we even share the same HQ. That has enabled many improvements in terms of performance and reducing the amount of disruptive engineering work.

“From a passenger’s perspective, what matters most is that the train service that’s there does what it needs to do. That means getting them to their destination quickly, An Abellio Greater Anglia 379 ready to depart

26 | CONNECTED MArCH 2014

SPECIAL rePOrT |

efficiently, and in a good-value way. We see our role as being not just as a train operator but as part of the fabric of the region and what underpins the region being able to succeed.”

Good for business Business passengers understand that the beauty of travelling by train is that that time is genuine productive time, and that access to data can be a crucial factor when deciding whether they use rail services at all (or indeed which train operator to use).

“On the Cambridge to London Liverpool Street route, currently only the brand new trains have WiFi,” says Jonathan. “And only a small proportion of our services to Liverpool Street are operated by the new trains – as most of that fleet are used on the Stansted express services. However, those trains are great from a passenger’s point of view; they’re modern, they’re new, they’re airconditioned, they’ve got plug points, and they’ve got free WiFi. Our other trains are more basic, but in the future we would like to either refurbish or replace them. A lot of that will depend on whether or not we’re awarded the long franchise.

“Later this spring we’re trialling one of those units with two of its carriages completely refurbished to get some passenger feedback, so be sure to keep your ears open about that.”

Jonathan concludes by saying: “Across our network, we are focussed on delivering better services for customers and businesses, which also benefit the wider region.“ To find out more about Abellio Greater Anglia and the improvements it is bringing to the region, visit: www.greateranglia.co.uk n

Rush hour at London Liverpool Street station

On the riGht traCK TrADITIONALLY, Network rail owns the infrastructure for all rail travel across the UK, including the stations. Abellio is unusual in this sense as it is the only train operator to have 99-year leases of almost all its stations, meaning it has control over station upgrades.

“This allows us to be quicker and more flexible in doing station upgrade programmes,” says Jonathan. “As a result of this, we’ve got a major £4.25m scheme that’s going to be going on at Cambridge station later this year. The significant benefit of that will be the refurbishment of the main ticket hall area. That’s going to be expanded and modernised, and will be a real benefit when dealing with the volume of people that use Cambridge station on a daily basis. At the moment it is quite tight. The work is due to start this year and will probably be complete next year.

“At the same time we’re also going to put in a cycle point, which is going to have 3,000 secure parking spaces.” As Cambridge is such a pro cycling city, this will be a big plus and will be the biggest cycle point on the UK network.

“In addition to the trains, about 100 of our stations now have free WiFi, and Cambridge is one of them. We will keep on looking for opportunities to extend WiFi and plug points but it’s about finding the business case opportunities to do it because we know it’s the right thing to do and it’s what business passengers like.“

The interior of the brand new 379 train

CONNECTED FeBrUArY 2014 | 27

| POLICY UPDATE

Policy UPDATE Keeping you informed, representing local business

Want an Apprentice?

MAYBE, but you’re not sure how to go about it or what benefits an apprentice would bring your business? Read on to find out about an exclusive Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce member offer.

Did you know that apprenticeships are work-based training designed around the needs of your business, leading to nationally recognised qualifications.

Did you know there are more than 300 Apprenticeship programmes to suit your business needs – from Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships in accountancy and engineering to package distribution and fencing at Intermediate level. And if you can’t find a programme to suit your business needs it is possible to tweak an existing programme to suit.

It may even be possible to develop a new

framework around your specific business needs although, be warned, this will take time to develop.

And did you know that if you take on an apprentice aged 16-18 you only have to pay their salary - the government will fund 100 per cent of their training.

Especially for Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce small and medium sized businesses, Elizabeth Phillips, Business Development Manager at the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), is offering you the level of support and advice on Apprenticeships, normally only available to large employers.

NAS will talk to you about any aspect of Apprenticeships, whether you are considering taking on an apprentice or already employ an apprentice.

If you want to find out more about Apprenticeships either contact me at g.prangnell@cambscci.co.uk or contact Elizabeth direct at elizabeth.phillips@ apprenticeships.gov.uk Don’t forget to mention you are a Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce member and please let us know how you get on.

Gill Prangnell, Policy Adviser n

How we can help To discuss your Apprenticeship requirements, without any obligation, Elizabeth will:

•

•

Guide you through the formalities and help you find a suitable apprenticeship programme and training provider If necessary, provide you with training on the legal aspects of employing an apprentice and what to expect during the training.

NAS is making this special offer for Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce members to:

•

• • •

28 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

Improve your bottom line Bring a fresh approach and new enthusiasm to your business Address any specific skill shortages Customise training specific to your needs.

CHAMBER UPDATES |

Chamber Updates

Chamber Networking helps new businesses find their feet With the Chamber urging companies to ‘Get Connected’ during 2014, we asked one member how the Chambers’ events programme had helped her build her customer base, increase her confidence and expand their offering.

SHIRLEY Rycroft set up 5iftyfournine, a telesales and marketing company, just over two years ago with nothing more than a love of picking up the phone and talking to people and a clear picture of what she didn’t want to be doing.

She approached Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, knowing that building up a customer base through networking would be a challenge, but that the Chamber would be a great place to start. The contacts she made became some of her very first customers and gave her the confidence to keep going.

Shirley now attends up to four networking events a week in Cambridgeshire, meeting up with business people who have now become both friends and customers and is always looking for new ways to grow and expand her business.

Shirley said: “I would not have grown 5iftyfournine into the company that it is now without the help of the networking groups that I attend. Having the confidence to walk into a room full of strangers and talk about yourself and your company is not something that comes easily to many people, but if you

remember that everyone there felt the same way once, it is something that is really rewarding when it starts to pay off.”

All of 5iftyfournine’s customers have been generated through attending networking events or personal recommendation from existing customers and the company is now entering its third year of trading with a business plan that includes both doubling last year’s turnover and hiring up to three members of part time staff to handle the workload. n

Bespoke opportunities to reach your target market WHERE will your target market be this summer? Battling it out for the coveted Team Trophy at our annual Golf Day? Hosting a table of clients and suppliers for dinner and laughs at our Comedy Night? Maybe building new contacts within the construction industry at our specialist events in Peterborough and Huntingdon?

Whatever your target market, our bespoke event sponsorship packages provide ideal opportunities to generate brand awareness and build relationships with the people that can make a real difference to your business. They can also be adapted to meet your business needs and budget, ensuring you gain maximum return on investment.

If you’re currently deciding how to invest your marketing budget this year, give our events team a call on 01223 237414 to discuss some of the events we have coming up and how our bespoke sponsorship packages can help you reach your target market. n Shirley Rycroft

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 29

| CONNECTED MAGAZINE

LEP FOCUS

Keeping you informed and up to date

£5m boost for Alconbury Enterprise Campus The development of Alconbury Enterprise Campus has been given another boost thanks to a £5 million cash injection from Government.

THE additional funding will be used to deliver ‘nuts and bolts’ infrastructure that will attract new businesses and jobs. This includes landscaping, demolition, infrastructure and utility works. These vital improvements will lay the groundwork for high-quality office developments, expected to employ up to 600 people by 2016.

Grahame Nix, Chief Executive of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership, said: “Alconbury Enterprise Campus is one of the LEP’s top priorities; therefore further investment is welcome news. By investing in Alconbury the Government is accelerating delivery onsite, helping to bring forward building works and ultimately the creation of new jobs.”

Nigel Hugill, Executive Chair of the site owners and developers, Urban&Civic, said: “The intention is to invest monies immediately. The funding is further welcome demonstration of the commitment to Alconbury Weald shown at national, county and local level. All investment will be matched by Urban&Civic to secure the foundations for further growth by accelerating preparation of over 40 acres on the Enterprise campus, bringing forward the planning delivery by about three years.”

Jason Ablewhite, Executive Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, who will

30 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

oversee delivery of the funding, added: “The announcement by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) of the awarding of a £5 million grant for the Alconbury Enterprise Campus following a competitive bidding process is fantastic news, and will greatly enhance the significant strides the site has already undertaken in recent months. On the back of the recent progress towards granting of outline application for the overall Alconbury Weald site and the imminent opening of the flagship Incubator Centre, this funding is an endorsement from Government and will further accelerate the development of this transformational site for the benefit of the whole region” The Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Martin Curtis, said: “I very much welcome this announcement which will be a boost for the work and progress that has already been made to develop the Alconbury site which will do much to boost jobs and prosperity in the area.”

Alconbury Enterprise Campus is supported by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership, Huntingdonshire District Council and

Cambridgeshire County Council. It focusses on advanced manufacturing and engineering, low carbon industry and ICT, as well as supporting the commercialisation of Research & Development. Since the Zone was established, five companies have moved on site including University of Cambridge spin-out Enval, Development company Mole Solutions and Aquavent UK. Find out more about Alconbury Weald by visiting the LEP website www.gcgp.co.uk or www.alconbury-weald.co.uk. n

We are recruiting The LEP is seeking to recruit a new Business Board Member. This is a unique opportunity to drive economic growth in what is already one of strongest performing regions of the country.

You can find out more by visiting www.gcgp.co.uk/yourlep/recruitment.

CONNECTED MAGAZINE |

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 31

| CHAMBER CHARITY OF THE YEAR

The light never goes out when you… Shine!

It’s hard to believe that we are coming to the end of our year together as Charity of the Year with the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce.

WE want to thank everyone involved with the Chamber for your support and for showing a genuine interest in working with us and furthering the work we do.

Over the past year we feel we have got to know so many members a lot better, whether it is through chatting at networking events, wearing the trademark yellow shades at the Wine for Shine event, seeing the Chamber’s very own Karen Dawson swim for us, or witnessing the generous raffle at the Chamber Christmas lunch, all of these events have led to more people learning of our essential work.

There is no better way to convey our thanks to you than by sharing this message from the mother of a little girl with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. In it she said: “Shine has done so much for us in so many ways and we are

32 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

incredibly thankful for all your support over the past two and a bit years. Without your support, information and advice our daughter probably wouldn’t have made it into this world, not to mention into the beautiful little girl we now have.

The Chamber are generous supporters of Shine During my pregnancy you gave us the information we needed to make the biggest decision of our life and then equipped us with what we needed to stay strong throughout pregnancy and continue to do so this very day at every step

of our journey as a family living with both spina bifida and hydrocephalus.” We wanted to pass the thanks of this family on to you all, as generous supporters of our work with people with these complex conditions and their families.

I’m sure we will continue to partner with you all in the years ahead, we look forward to working together more and transforming the lives of thousands of people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. n

CONNECTED MAGAZINE |

Global recognition When we started Domino in Cambridge, more than thirty years ago, we had a singular vision: to be a leading global print technology company. In that time we have always looked beyond our borders for partners as well as trade.

Selling and supporting our products in over 120 countries.

Our influence is felt on everything from cans of drink to electrical cables, from cosmetics to construction.

Our people are drawn from around the world but share a common ethos; it is their resourcefulness and tireless innovation which drives us to ever greater achievements.

www.domino-printing.com

Domino. Do more.

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 33

| SPECIAL REPORT

Report from Ian MacKellar

Tour de France

How the arrival in Cambridgeshire could impact on business YOU can think of Monday 7 July 2014 as a rather irritating one-day – or even half-day – wonder for Cambridgeshire. Or you can think of it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for individuals, communities, companies and the local economy. That is the day Stage 3 of le Grand Départ of the 2014 Tour de France, the biggest annual sporting event in the world, comes to Cambridgeshire.

These guys don’t muck about. The peloton will set off from Parker’s Piece at midday and will be in The Mall, waving to The Queen, by 3.30pm, having had a tour of historic Cambridge and the villages of south Cambridgeshire on their 100-mile route to central London.

Naturally, the city is going to be a tad busy on the day and some people are going to be inconvenienced. A lot of roads will be closed for much of the day – it’s not just the cyclists but all the other vehicles

there will be logistical issues involved in exploiting or avoiding the cycling involved, such as support teams, marshals, organisers, television cameras and so on – and other roads will be busier than usual. We shall not know until late March, at the earliest, what the proposed traffic management arrangements are.

What we do expect is that hundreds of thousands of people will line the route for Stage 3 of this 101st running of the Tour and it will be watched on television by an audience of 3.5 billion people in 188 countries. What an opportunity for a bit of publicity!

The Jeremiahs may be proved right: that it’s just a day of traffic chaos in the city and a few extra pints sold by pubs in villages along the route.

But that’s unlikely. According to Becky Churms of the tourism bureau Visit Cambridge, the Government, through her Tyke counterparts

34 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

Welcome to Yorkshire, is investing £10million in supporting the initial stages of the event. They reckon the UK economy will get back something between £100m and £300m, if Canterbury’s edge-ofrecession £88m return on the previous UK Grand Départ in 2007 is a reliable guide. That year, two million people turned out to watch over the two days the Tour was in London and Kent.

Oop North (where I come from) there will be an arts and culture festival running ahead of and alongside the cycling. ‘Land Art’ is being encouraged along the route – a leavening of culture for the world’s television cameras as a break from the sweaty chaps in lycra, as their helicopters fly over the terrain.

SPECIAL REPORT |

Cambridgeshire is a bit behind the curve on this, not having been so close to the original bid, but is sprinting now to catch up. Not only is ‘land art’ encouraged – such as topiary cyclists – but Cambridgeshire is organising its own ‘Velo Festival’ of cycling and French-themed events across the county from May to September. Cambridgeshire County Council is managing the application process for the festival, which is open to any group, charity, business, cultural organisation, sports club or school with an appropriate idea. Qualifying organisations will get free publicity for their event or performance, which will be included in the on-line listings for the Velo Festival and promoted through a

postcard leaflet campaign. It will include an extended Big Weekend in Cambridge immediately before the Stage itself.

The plan is to wow visitors to the area so that they will want to return to Cambridgeshire after the cycling, and also to show off the city and surrounding countryside to those billions of television viewers around the globe, Becky Churms says.

So there is not only an opportunity for Cambridgeshire businesses to grab as part of the day itself or the concurrent festivities, but there are logistical issues involved in either exploiting or avoiding the cycling.

Hoteliers are doubtless already aware that the Tour generates demand for 5,000 rooms each night for the competitors, support teams, tour personnel and media. Other firms with premises along the route may wish to invite clients to watch the spectacle from their works or offices. Equally, they may wish to ensure their deliveries do not fall foul of road closures on the day. It might be the worst possible day for a sales conference – or the best possible.

Either way, ‘it will be a day like no other,’ according to the county council’s Tony Taylorson: “It’s a massive event, with huge opportunities for international and national links to be made.

I doubt it will happen here again in my lifetime.”

Stage 3, sadly, does not take in the Busway maintenance track, but it sets off from Gonville Place, Cambridge, at noon on 7 July.

The competitors will then cycle into the city centre, along Regent Street and Sidney Street before turning left at the Round Church to ride past the picturesque historic colleges of St John’s, Trinity, King’s and Peterhouse as they cycle along King’s Parade and Trumpington Street before leaving the city by way of Trumpington Road and past the Botanic Gardens.

The peloton will then race through south Cambridgeshire, on the A1301, taking in villages including Trumpington, Great Shelford, Little Chesterford and Hinxton, home of cutting-edge genome research. The Tour will then leave Cambridgeshire, travelling on to Saffron Walden and through Essex towards London.

Il sera magnifique. n

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| NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

NEW Members NEW MEMBERS THIS MONTH Abbey Commercial Investments Ltd Ace Tech Training and Business Development Ltd

Active Magazine Anand Shoes of Stamford ANAtech Resource Ltd

A warm welcome to our new Chamber members

CMC Partners www.cmc-partners.co.uk David Brassington is the Cambridgeshire based Partner of CMC Partners, business advisers helping small business owners to realise their objectives for their business.

David’s experience and skills with an extensive network of professional partners offer a cost effective, practical support service to owners wishing to get more from their business.

Cambridge United FC Chairs For Offices CMC Partners Cyberscribe Deborah Rhoden-Stokes Ferry Associates Ltd Foundation East Hanson Cement Ixion Holdings

Cambridgeshire County Golf Partnership www.cambridgeshiregolf.co.uk The CCGP was established to promote the game of golf and increase people’s awareness and participation in the sport in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, regardless of age, gender or background.

If you want to learn to play golf, find free and low cost beginner sessions at clubs across the county by visiting www.getintogolf.org/cambs.

Jackson Associates Jordan HR Solutions Ltd King West Meadows Consultancy Ltd Mira Training Solutions Motordetox NFU Mutual (Stamford) Nisha Keshav Photography

Chairs For Offices www.chairsforoffices.com Chairs For Offices carry over 1,000 chairs in stock in Cambridge with fast free delivery. For keyboard users, executives, thinkers, designers, programmers, everyone!

They can give great prices because they import directly from factories they have personally visited and keep overheads low – for example, they don’t have any salespeople but sell through their website.

Most chairs are exclusive to them and have been carefully selected using 25 years of trade experience.

Purcell Solcamb Ltd Stamford HR Solutions Ltd

ANAtech Resource Ltd

Stamford Music Shop

www.anatech.uk.com

The Creative Company

ANAtech Resource Ltd is a group of ex-forces individuals who have worked in industry for many years and recognised that there was a widening gap in the needs and availability of technical resource.

They migrate highly skilled individuals from the Armed Forces into many of the skilled industries currently experiencing recruitment and retention shortfalls.

Watson Mitchell Welland Valley Timber

36 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

CONNECTED MAGAZINE |

Would you like to become a Chamber member?

Get in touch today and find out the many benefits. tel: 01223 237414 email: enquiries@cambscci.co.uk

Tee-Kay Packaging Ltd www.tee-kay.co.uk Tee-Kay Packaging make cardboard boxes; large or small, printed or plain, from one to 100,000. They specialise in saving businesses money on their packaging costs.

For a free no obligation quote please contact Paul Kilby on 07525 967 181 or email paul@tee-kay.co.uk.

Green Duck www.greenduck.co.uk Green Duck serves local and international customers with a range of complementary, market-leading technology services.

Founded in 2002 and based in Bury St Edmunds, Green Duck’s expertise encompasses IT support and strategic consultancy, web and mobile design services and bespoke IT and business management training.

Its WEEE-compliant IT and telecoms equipment recycling division now allows Green Duck customers to benefit from full IT lifecycle support for hardware, software and services.

Knowledge Exchange Embeds Marketing Expertise Low Carbon KEEP is a funded knowledge transfer scheme designed to help SMEs in the East of England improve competitiveness, productivity and profits by working in collaboration with a UK University and providing access to a wealth of knowledge, skills Professor Teck Eng and expertise.

FLEX (UK) Ltd, part of the Software in Partnership group, is one such business that has benefited from this collaboration. It needed help to develop a sales and marketing strategy for its web-based HR system, YouLink HR, and expand into the competitive HR software market.

Through Low Carbon KEEP, FLEX (UK) approached the University of Essex to help develop its product. Together they developed a structured and achievable marketing and sales strategy, established YouLink HR as a brand and set up a pricing strategy and band of YouLink HR products. In addition, they analysed the company’s competitive environment and mapped its strengths and weaknesses, and embedded a marketing ethos and capability in the company.

Commenting on the collaboration, Norman Liu, Director of Sales and Marketing at YouLink HR, said: “we benefited greatly from the enthusiasm of the student associate asking questions about our business that we would never have thought to ask. Through this project, we became more aware of business theories and practices, so much so that we have identified missing knowledge gaps and have provided training to future proof the organisation.”

Through this knowledge exchange, FLEX (UK) has already begun to generate increased turnover. Marketing processes and activities are also receiving greater attention across the company and other products within the Software in Partnership group have benefited from the marketing know-how and skills gained.

If you want to find out more about how the Low Carbon KEEP knowledge transfer scheme can help fund your business, be sure to get in touch.

W anglia.ac.uk/lowcarbon T 0845 1964310 lowcarbonKEEP

CONNECTED MARCH 2014 | 37

| INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

International FOCUS Helping to support international trade

EXPORT BRITAIN THIS national online resource provides Chamber members across the UK with access to a wide range of support services and expert advice, information on opportunities to learn about high growth markets, opportunities to get connected both in the UK and overseas and information on export training, events and trade missions. www.exportbritain.org.uk n

International Trade Course Finance Options: Focusing on Letters of Credit

COUNTRY FOCUS TRADING WITH IRAQ AS Iraq rebuilds its economy following years of war and insurgency, opportunities for overseas businesses are increasing.

Whilst it is not an easy market to do business with, many British companies are looking with a growing interest at Iraqi prospects.

The Chamber has seen a significant increase in the number of shipments to Iraq in the last 12 months, with the majority of shipments to Iraqi Ministries and government departments but there are increasing shipments going ahead with independent businesses.

To help exporters with shipments to Iraq, the export team at the Chamber have written a useful guide on documentary requirements and details of where to obtain advice on current restrictions and pre-inspection certificates. This guide can be found on the Export News page of the Chamber website. n

DATE Monday 3 March TIME 9.15am-5.00pm LOCATION Skills Funding Agency, The Business Centre, Station Road, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9LQ MEMBER PRICE ÂŁ225.00 (plus VAT) NON-MEMBER PRICE ÂŁ275.00 (plus VAT) CONTACT k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 209808 Getting paid is a vital part of the sales transaction. Join us to explore the options and reduce the costs involved in receiving payment. n

Support with International Trade THE Chamber offers a range of services to help exporters maintain their competitive edge in the international marketplace.

As well as processing your export documentation both in person and online, we also facilitate opportunities to develop your knowledge of export and import procedures and requirements and investigate potential new marketplaces.

Our close working relationship with UKTI ensures that Chamber members have access to expert advice and support and opportunities to take part in UKTI-led trade missions. n

38 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

International Trade Newsletter THE Chamber sends a monthly International Trade Newsletter aimed at helping exporters to keep up to date with the latest news, events and training. If you would like to be included on this email distribution list please email s.parr@cambscci.co.uk. n

SECTOR FOCUS |

Sector Focus

Updates from Chambers Sector Groups

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

INTERNATIONAL SECTOR

Doing Business with Vietnam Market to buy from – Market to sell to THE NEXT EVENT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SECTOR WILL FOCUS ON VIETNAM. VIETNAM IS RAPIDLY GAINING A REPUTATION AS THE LOW COST CENTRE FOR SOURCING MANUFACTURED GOODS. DRIVERS including low labour rates, a highly motivated workforce and a government keen to develop a market economy are similar to those found in China 25 years ago. With this comes a strong draw on imports and opportunities are growing for exporters to secure early stage entry into what is becoming a key Asian market.

This event, organised by the Chambers’ International Sector, will present the opportunities for both those seeking to source goods and those wishing to export products and services. The event will focus on providing practical advice and support

on accessing the market. It is designed both for companies looking to gain or increase exposure to the rapidly growing Far East economies and those wishing to maximise competitive advantage through low cost product sourcing.

Piers Craven, Head of UKTI, British Embassy Hanoi, will give the keynote address describing the current state of the economy and focusing on the areas offering the greatest opportunities for British companies.

David Moir of UKTI recently led a trade mission to Vietnam and will provide insight into doing business on the ground. Federico

Vasoli, an Associate of Hunts & Coombs and a registered foreign lawyer at the Bar of Hanoi, will cover matters of contract law and legal matters related to establishing business in Vietnam.

See events listing on page 21 for details of how to book. n Sponsored by:

Creating International Links CAMBRIDGESHIRE Export Club took off to a busy start at the end of January. Held at the Moller Centre, Cambridge, this first monthly meeting of the year was well attended with over 20 people present.

Appealing to exporters and those associated with export and international trade, some good connections were made. Experienced or not, those that attend are sure to meet others willing to share their knowledge, experience or support with trading internationally.

There will always be representation from the Chambers’ in-house Export Team to take care of your export documentation queries.

See the events list on pages 20 for details of our next meeting. n

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| SECTOR FOCUS BUSINESS WOMEN

Meet Michelle!

This month we hear from Michelle Ring from Abtec Industries Ltd If you would like to feature here, contact Helen Bosett, Sector Co-ordinator, h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk

Q A

3. Customer care is key. We listen to our customers and react to their needs. Abtec was shortlisted in the Fenland Business Awards 2013 for our customer service.

What do you do in business?

I am a director at Abtec Industries, a Wisbech-based company specialising in abrasive products and training. I am responsible for customer service, media and marketing.

Q A

Q A

What do you do to unwind?

I like to take advantage of the beautiful countryside on our doorstep and go for long walks with my children. I also enjoy spending time with friends, socialising, photography and a good chat!

What are your top three tips for running or working in a business?

1. Be innovative. Our business is constantly evolving to meet our customers’ needs. I like to ensure we’re one step ahead in terms of the products and service we offer.!

Q

2. Know all there is to know about your products. Our customers come back to us because they know we are experts in our field and can always provide them with exactly what they need.

If you could pick anyone to sit next to at a dinner party, who would it be and why?

A

My ideal dinner party guest would have to be Winston Churchill. He was such an iconic figure and I have great respect for what he did for our country. I would love

Michelle Ring

to find out what he thinks of the world today.

Q A

What value do you get from being a Chamber member?

I appreciate being able to meet other like-minded businesswomen to exchange ideas, learn from each other and share our success. n

Inspired Leadership A repeated series of Women in Management workshops have been well received with all three sessions being fully booked!

Session one held at the end of January, looked at and shared issues in leadership or inspiring to be leaders, techniques and behaviour, systems to help you make better decisions, your use of time and

Interactive fun

40 | CONNECTED MARCH 2014

how to use time in better ways and goal setting and making them achieveable.

The session was delivered by Caroline Robinson of Sandler Training, Pauline Heron of Chartered Management Institute and Linda Hayman of Blue River Coaching. n

It was a full house for our first workshop

SECTOR FOCUS | ICT SECTOR

Are you at risk from Cryptolocker?

CRYPTOLOCKER is a new kind of Malware, a highly modified strain which locks your files and demands payment to release them …

Ransomeware! For more information have a look at the video on YouTube: http://pages.watchguard.com/483KCW7120001g6000Zts00 A few facts about why you should be aware of this threat to your business:

• Cryptolocker is persistent; it not only holds individuals

and businesses to ransom but is extremely disruptive and can ultimately cause downtime, significant cost – and potentially loss of the entire business.

•

Cryptolocker isn’t the only kind of Ransomware out there.

Businesses need to be cautious about the risks from web browsing as well as email.

ICT Roadshow THE Chambers’ ICT Sector are on a mission to counter your ICT conundrums and are touring our informal networking evenings with their problem-solving roadshow.

To take advantage of their expertise and receive free advice on how to make technology work more effectively within your business, simply come along to our informal networking evenings and our expert committee will answer your questions and share their opinion with you over a drink in the bar. To find out the events they will be attending, please see the events listing on our website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk. n

• Whilst solutions such as firewalls and anti-virus software can

help guard against infection there are still possible ‘backdoors’, for example the laptop computer that gets taken home. A system wide strategy is necessary to unify security solutions and put best practices in place to protect digital assets.

•

There is always a risk that you may suffer loss or corruption of data no matter what protective measures you take. A reliable backup solution for ensuring data can be rapidly restored is essential to protect your business from any sort of attack or system failure.

If you need help or advice on Ransomware, or would like assistance with putting a security strategy in place call 0845 094 1574 or email support@dsm-gb.co.uk. n

LEARNING & SKILLS SECTOR

Confidence breeds job success PETERBOROUGH Regional College, in partnership with Job Centre Plus, has developed an innovative Intensive Work Readiness Programme, aimed at supporting the long term unemployed.

The course is now starting to show dramatic results, with increasing numbers of claimants now finding work. Barry Brockman (42), who has recently secured work in Peterborough, said of the course: “As a direct result of what I was taught, I was able to secure my first interview in six months.”

His employer was impressed by Barry’s job application, his interview skills and his positive attitude to work, things that Barry had been supported with on his course. n

HR & RECRUITMENT SECTOR

Are you responsible for your staff?

MANY employers, large and small, are daunted by the amount of pressure and responsibilities involved in employing staff.

The Chambers’ HR and Recruitment Sector provide support and information to our members.

The Sector’s Spring and Autumn Collection workshops are designed to keep anyone responsible for HR (no matter how small) up to date with forthcoming changes to employment law and legislation – in an engaging way! How do they work?

Informative and interactive, delegates hear from a panel of experts before taking the time to have their own questions answered and learn more on the topics

of most value to them and their business in round table discussions.

Feedback from previous Collection workshops: ‘So much information in short bites, practical advice, brief overview with a chance to learn more. Great to have access to professionals in their areas of expertise.’

‘Plenty of time for questions and learning more, excellent speakers!’

If you are responsible for the people within your organisation and would like to be kept informed of the Sector’s activities then drop Helen Bosett, Sector Co-ordinator a line, h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk Details of our forthcoming Spring Collection can be found on the event pages. n

Autumn Collection 2013

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| CONNECTED MAGAZINE

Saturday 14 0 2 y a M 31st 2014 s e c a R y Wack again g n i n e p is hap igger b e b l l i and w fore! e b n a h t er and bett siness u b r u o y Is make ready to a spash?

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#01

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Low Carbon KEEP can help fund your business ideas and make them a reality.

anglia.ac.uk/lowcarbon