CONNECTED Magazine December 2015

DRIVING BUSINESS CONFIDENCE

CAMBRIDGESHIRECHAMBER.CO.UK

N 38 DECEMBER 2015

national living wage How its intoduction could impact on the economy

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CONTENTS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 5

13

6-7

CONNECTIONS

8-9

INFLUENCE

10-11

GLOBAL REACH

12-13

KNOWLEDGE

14-15

SECTOR FOCUS

17-19

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

20

ELY CHAMBER NEWS

21

FENLAND CHAMBER NEWS

22-23

21

23

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S HIGHLIGHTS

OUT & ABOUT

24

STAMFORD CHAMBER NEWS

25

HUNTS POST HUNTINGDONSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2015

26-27

HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER NEWS

28-29

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

30

LEP FOCUS

31

PETERBOROUGH B2B FEATURE

33

CHARITY OF THE YEAR

34-35 37

NEW MEMBERS HOT SEAT

38-39

REPORT FROM IAN MACKELLAR

40-41

EVENTS

43

ASK THE EXPERT – DIGITAL MARKETING

31 CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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WELCOME TO CONNECTED

Contributing this month...

A warm welcome to the readers of CONNECTED

Season’s Greetings

Ian MacKellar

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

Welcome to our festive edition of CONNECTED Places are filling up fast for our festive events taking place in December.

Please turn to page 40-41 for full details of the events and how to book.

Our 2016 event calendar is also taking shape. Details are being added to the website as dates are confirmed, don’t forget to use the event reminder for events you are interested in but not ready to book.

For those members that use our export documentation service please see the notice on page 10 for the important dates relating to documentation applications, in particular the cut-off date for any consular documents and the electronic processing date during our Christmas closure.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

Sara Drawwater

Something Beckons Director of a social media training, marketing and web design company.

John Dibb

KISS Public Relations

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 DESIGN & MARKETING STUDIO

Chief Executive John Bridge OBE DL | Editor Sadie Parr | Print xlpress.co.uk Design Louise Wightman: melbournehousedesign@yahoo.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

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CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

Digital Director of a Cambridge based marketing agency.

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.

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

Contact Sadie Parr on 01223 209805 or email s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Prices start from as little as £65.00 (plus VAT)

Photo courtesy of The Hunts Post

CONNECTING WITH THE CHAMBER NETWORK

JOHN BRIDGE REPRESENTED THE LORD LIEUTENANT AT THE REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE IN ST NEOTS

It was a great privilege to see so many people lining the streets of St Neots to watch the Remembrance Sunday parade, observing the two minutes’ silence at the memorial before joining together for a church service at St Mary’s Church.

From youngsters up to war veterans, the whole community united for this very special occasion and it was a great honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire for the Queen.

It was my first opportunity to represent the Lord Lieutenant in this way since I was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant last year and it was a great privilege to be asked to play a part in such a very moving occasion.

The importance of exporting shone through at our recent international-themed event on opportunities to do business in Scandinavia.

JOHN BRIDGE WITH SUSANNAH POULTON, EMILIE MORTENSEN, MIKAEL ANGESJO AND GUNNAR LARSEN

Coinciding with Cambridge International Airport’s announcement that new connecting flights now offer onward travel from Gothenburg to Stockholm and Helsinki, it was a timely reminder that businesses that export grow 20 per cent quicker than those who don’t. With such easy access to market from Cambridge, Scandinavia is the ideal starting point as businesses explore new markets.

As always we are very grateful to our speakers Susannah Poulton, UKTI, Emilie Mortensen, UKTI Denmark, Mikael Angesjo, Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the United Kingdom and Gunnar Larsen, Danish UK Chamber of Commerce, for giving up their time to share such valuable insight with companies looking to take advantage of those opportunities at our recent event.

As members of the Anglian Water Stakeholder Forum, it’s just one of the many ways the Chamber continues to represent the interests of our members.

For several years Anglian Water has been consulting on the way it should balance its priorities in order to improve its water and water recycling services while making the necessary considerations to climate change, population growth and market reform to name just a few.

JOHN BRIDGE WITH PETER SIMPSON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF ANGLIAN WATER

As Chief Executive Peter Simpson presented his plan for 2015–2020, it was clear that Anglian Water is genuinely seeking to communicate and engage with stakeholders in a very productive way and we are very pleased to work with them to ensure Chamber members are represented. n John Bridge OBE DL Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

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

CONNECTING YOU NATIONALLY WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS Chamber membership links you with national companies providing business services at exclusive rates. One of these services is Chamber Foreign Exchange which offers exclusive bank-beating exchange rates and expert currency guidance.

If you’re trading across the world or making regular international payments, you’ll know that currency fluctuations can have a big impact on your bottom line.

Chamber Foreign Exchange, in partnership with Moneycorp the exchange experts, protects your business against adverse rate fluctuations and makes the most of any positive movements to protect and grow your profit – and your business.

Why choose Chamber Foreign Exchange? ȗ Bank-beating exchange rates – typically as much as 4 per cent better than the banks ȗ Free currency accounts – Chamber members can trade multiple currencies for no extra charge ȗ Low transfer fees – Chamber Foreign Exchange transfer fees fixed at £5, just for Chamber members, compared with £20 to £40 typically charged by the bank

ȗ E xpert market guidance – with Chamber Foreign Exchange you’ll have access to a dedicated Moneycorp professional currency dealer to guide you through the foreign exchange market ȗ F ast online money transfers 24/7 – trade at convenient times with online accounts and live rate information ȗ F ree foreign exchange health check – free assessment of your business’s foreign exchange requirements, to help you pin-point where you could improve your margins.

Discover more about the range of benefits available to you as a Chamber member call 0808 163 5138 or visit www.moneycorp.com/chamberfx. n

FREE FOREIGN EXCHANGE HEALTH CHECK – EXCLUSIVE TO CHAMBER MEMBERS! IN ADDITION to free currency accounts, low transfer fees and competitive exchange rates, as a Chamber member you’re eligible for a free foreign exchange health check for your business.

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MEMBER TO MEMBER OFFERS DO YOU have a special offer for Chamber members? Upload to the member’s area of the Chamber website to be promoted through social media and right here in CONNECTED.

Executive Coaching Looking to introduce executive or business coaching into your business or to expand your current provision? Managing Change are offering a free initial consultation meeting and a further 10% off your first coaching programme.

Call Sarah on 07711 503382 or email sarah.jaggers@managingchange.org.uk.

Corporate rates Citystay are extending their discounted corporate rates on all luxury serviced apartments in Cambridge to members.

Contact Citystay today on 01223 420920 or email info@citystayuk.com.

Website analysis It’seeze websites are offering a FREE one hour website analysis with their Website Health Check. Find out how to improve your ranking and traffic, and find faults, missing pages, broken links and errors.

Telephone 01832 293840 to find out more.

CONNECTIONS

GET CONNECTED There are lots of ways to connect with other Chamber members. At events, on social media, you could even pick up the phone after reading their interview right here in CONNECTED. This month we meet Jo Evans from EvansHR.

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WHAT DO YOU DO IN BUSINESS? I set up my business, EvansHR, to provide HR services to SME’s.

I work with business owners and managers advising and supporting them in effectively and efficiently managing and getting the best from their employees. Hopefully I help take away some of the stress that inevitably arises where people are involved!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE TIPS FOR RUNNING OR WORKING IN A BUSINESS? 1. Always be honest – with others and yourself 2. Be clear on your service offering – if you don’t understand what you do, no-one else will 3. Set realistic delivery dates – things invariably take longer than you think (and burning the midnight oil is not always an option)

WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND? When I’m not chasing around after my three young children, I enjoy knitting (of late I have been particularly pleased with my little baby bears!).

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK AND WHY? My favourite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. It evokes such strong images of the American Deep South in the 1930’s through the eyes of a voraciously intelligent, yet innocent, child and her father – one of fiction’s most complex, yet fundamentally good, characters. I re-read To Kill a Mockingbird every couple of years and it tugs on my emotions every time.

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WHAT VALUE DO YOU GET FROM BEING A CHAMBER MEMBER? I value meeting a wide variety of people and learning about their businesses. n

Grants available to businesses to help battle conGestion

LOCAL businesses are being urged to act fast in order to claim Travel 4 Cambridgeshire’s (TfC) green grants to combat the county’s every-growing congestion problem.

Aimed at ‘getting Cambridgeshire to work,’ TfC – a partnership organisation based within the County Council in Cambridge – is willing companies to claim a slice of the original £1 million given to them by the Government’s Department of Transport from the ‘Local Sustainable Transport Fund’ before the 31 December deadline. This is in order for employers to increase the number of travel services and

facilities on offer to their staff, so that sustainable transport solutions that hit congestion hard, while reducing carbon emissions and supporting economic growth, can be fully achieved.

The ‘Workplace Sustainable Travel Grant’ is available to improve the travel infrastructure at workplaces. This is worth up to 75 per cent of the costs to a maximum of £3,000 per company and can be spent on initiatives such as car park management, lockers, showers, pool bicycles and cycle parking. Up to two applications are permitted per business.

The ‘Workplace Sustainable Travel Event Grant,’ gives up to a maximum of £500 per business for running and promoting sustainable travel events at the workplace for employees

(including those from several companies in the case of area-wide events), such as Bike Week, Liftshare Week, or the launch of a pool bike scheme or travel plan.

For businesses who promote car sharing, there is also the ‘Guaranteed Ride Home Grant.’

It means that if an employee is unable to car share, for example in the case of an emergency, the grant will help pay for the costs of alternative travel to get them to and from work as part of a scheme that will be set up.

To join the scheme and to make the most of their grants, email info@tfw.org.uk or phone 01223 715550 to find out how to submit an application before 31 December. n

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

BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS ‘STILL WORLDS APART’ ON READINESS FOR WORK TWO-THIRDS of businesses (69%) believe that secondary schools are not effective at preparing young people for work, according to a major new UK-wide survey of over 3,500 business and education leaders published in November by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Business leaders surveyed think that secondary schools could do more to help students get on the career ladder – with three key actions needed to bridge the gap between the worlds of education and work: ȗ E mbed key skills for work in the curriculum. The top five entry level skills that firms value most are communication (88%), literacy (69%), numeracy (64%), computer literacy (56%) and teamwork (53%) ȗ H old lessons around recruitment and interview techniques. Most businesspeople think schools should teach students how to conduct themselves in an interview (78%), demonstrate transferable skills (54%) and communicate lessons learned from work experience (46%) ȗ P ut direct contact with local businesses at the heart of careers guidance. Firms think careers advice should include workplace experiences (64%), encounters with employers and employees (62%), and link curriculum learning to careers (45%).

With youth unemployment rates still stubbornly three times the overall unemployment rate, the BCC is calling for action not just from ministers

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and schools – but also from businesses, more of whom need to work with local schools to plug skills gaps and help young people make a successful transition from education to work.

John Bridge OBE DL, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “This survey has highlighted that there is a real challenge that needs to be overcome where the focus of education currently is on educational attainment, when what pupils really need are the practical skills necessary to get into work, a job, earn money and develop the quality of the life they’re seeking. There is a very urgent need to implement a mechanism that successfully knits the two together.

“There are many existing initiatives that exist to bring businesses together with schools, higher education and further education providers and yet the result is still that young people are lacking the key skills most valued by employers, including communication, literacy and team work skills.

Businesses want to meet young people who understand how to conduct themselves in an interview and who have undertaken work experience placements that have added real value.

“The key question here is whether we’re really serving young people the way we should be and while we’re failing to equip them with the skills they need to get a career, quite clearly we are not.” n

INFLUENCE

Time To inspire Girls?

A small team of Chamber members are working together to develop a project designed to inspire girls to follow careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Enterprise.

ST PETER’S SCHOOL’S ALL MALE YOUNG ENTERPRISE TEAM INSPIRED LAURA TO DEVELOP A PROJECT AIMED AT GIRLS

LAURA Jenkins, Information Advice and Guidance Officer at St Peter’s School, Huntingdon is the brain child of the project.

Earlier this year, the school’s Young Enterprise team attended the Hunts B2B Exhibition at Wood Green. Laura said: “As you can see from the photo there were no girls in the Young Enterprise team and this gave me the idea to develop a project aimed at inspiring girls to take up careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Enterprise.” As St Peter’s School is a Chamber member Laura

approached the Chamber for assistance.

Sara Collins, Chair of the Chambers’ Women’s Sector, volunteered her time to help develop the project. Sara said: “I believe the key to raising girls’ aspirations is for them to meet inspiring women with successful careers in STEM and Enterprise – careers that traditionally have been the province of men.”

Louise Osborne from the Skills Service said: “This excellent project gives us the chance to raise girls’ aspirations. If boys can aspire to follow careers in STEM and Enterprise, so can girls.”

The aim of the project is to increase girls’ awareness of the many interesting and rewarding career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Enterprise that are available in our area and are open to girls, as well as boys.

Although plenty of girls enjoy these subjects at school, too frequently they fail to follow these interests through into a career. The project aims to increase girls’ confidence and self-esteem through a combination of interactive workshops where the girls will have the opportunity to meet a number of female role models and also to visit some local employers.

So, if you are a female entrepreneur or work in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and can spare a few hours of time in early 2016 to inspire Year 8 girls (aged 12–13 years) from St Peter’s School, please get in touch: g.prangnell@cambscci.co.uk.

If the project is successful it may be rolled out to other schools in the Greater Cambridge, Greater Peterborough area, so if you do have time to inspire girls but are not based in the Huntingdonshire area please let me know because a future project may take place in your area. n

ApprenTiceship levy concerns THE Chamber has written to Nick Boles MP, Minister of State for Skills, to express concerns over the scope and scale of the proposed Apprenticeships Levy. We were particularly concerned that the drive to see three million apprenticeships started during this parliament will be at the expense of improving the quality

of apprenticeships, ensuring they are relevant to business needs and attract the high calibre of young people that businesses want to employ. We expressed concerns about the introduction of a levy and asked that the scope and scale of it be clarified as soon as possible, because we believe uncertainty will cause

businesses to halt investment in training and apprenticeships and thereby result in fewer apprenticeships being created. We have also called for flexibility in the way the money raised by a levy is spent to ensure that smaller businesses gain benefit from the levy too. n

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Global Reach

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

IMPORTANT – DATES FOR THE CHRISTMAS BREAK THE CHAMBER will close for the Christmas break at lunchtime on Thursday 24 December and will re-open at 9.00am on Monday 4 January.

During the closure documents submitted electronically will be processed on Wednesday 30 December from 10.00am–2.00pm. Please

ensure you upload all supporting paperwork to enable us to process these applications.

The last date for submitting consular documentation is 12.00pm on Friday 18 December, documents submitted after this time will not be processed until Monday 4 January. n

GO GLOBAL AND SAVE £45

WITH THIS EXCLUSIVE MEMBER BENEFIT FROM CINTRA AS A Global Chamber member you have access to a number of benefits designed to assist with your international trade activities.

One of these is an exclusive discount on the Go Global starter pack from Cintra Translation which can assist you with your first steps in international marketing.

The Go Global Starter Package includes everything you’ll need to get your company off to an international flying start, including email text, website text, a promotional poster and leaflet plus a cultural list of

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the business dos and don’ts for your chosen country.

This special package is available for just £345.00 (plus VAT) for Global Chamber Members.

If you’re new to exporting or are simply exploring opportunities in a new market, the Go Global Starter Pack is right for you – a package of all you’ll need in one language to get started and then a 10 per cent discount on everything else you buy from Cintra in year one. If you’re already exporting or have another language need you’ll need the Go Global Advanced. n

GLOBAL REACH

Are you export SAvvy?

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has just launched a new tool for companies who want to learn about exporting.

EXPORTSAVVY is a unique learning and information online tool for companies who want to grow their business overseas covering multiple topics. Each 15 minute module is targeted at beginner level exporters within ‘Bitesize’ and ‘Think it Through’ themes.

These modules provide you with the expertise to help grow your business outlining the help UKTI provides for new exporters, covering key resources and elements to consider when starting out.

The service can help your business to get started in international trade and increase export capabilities while helping you save time and money.

Registration provides access to 15 minute modules within the ‘Bitesize’ and ‘Think it Through’ themes hosted online. Each module is designed to focus your business on a particular aspect of your own export planning and stimulate thought about how to approach this.

‘Bitesize’ is a library of written briefings covering a wide range of topics designed for easy access reference. Covering topics such as Choosing/entering a new market, Finding a partner, Entering a contract, Creating an international proposition, Managing performance, Organising finance and resources, Conducting market research, Finding help and support, Setting out your export plan, Transporting goods, Getting paid and Protecting intellectual property.

Think it Through’ contains a series of learning modules covering Explore your export potential, Prepare your business for export, Professional considerations and Partner selection and management.

The video based modules feature SME exporters, overseas distributors

and advisers discussing issues from experience and invite you to analyse your own business and develop conclusions and next step actions.

For further details on ExportSavvy including eligibility criteria contact Pat Smith by email p.smith@uktieast.org.uk. n

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COURSES DECEMBER 2015 Processing Reliefs: Focusing on Inward and Outward (IPR and OPR) Monday 7 December Learn how to clearly and confidently instruct freight forwarders/clearing agents. Find out how keeping spreadsheets and records of all IPR & OPR movements can help ensure you pass customs compliance audits.

Agents and Distributors Monday 14 December This course will explain the different types of representation when selling overseas.

All courses run from 9.15am–5.00pm at the Chamber offices, Histon.

Cost per course: £250.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £300.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

Contact Karen Dawson on 01223 209808 or email k.dawson@cambscci.co.uk to book your place. n

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

TAYLOR VINTERS LLP OFFER ADVICE ON DATA PROTECTION

IN AN age where data is increasingly centralised and managed digitally, staff data (including financial and sensitive personal data), which is not adequately protected by employers, is becoming more susceptible to falling into the wrong hands and being distributed for the wrong reasons.

There is a positive obligation on employers to look after such data and an ensuing data breach could prove costly for an organisation.

The recent conviction of former senior internal auditor at Morrisons’, Andrew Skelton, for leaking personal details of supermarket

staff is illustrative of this. Mr Skelton was jailed for eight years in July 2015 for leaking information (including salaries, National Insurance numbers, dates of birth and bank account details) of around 100,000 staff to various public data-sharing websites and newspapers. The Crown Prosecution Service has clearly demonstrated that it will, without hesitation, prosecute those who wrongly obtain and use personal data and where the potential loss to the victims and quantity of personal data are significant.

The Morrisons breach is a stark reminder to employers to have in place effective data protection and fraud prevention (in relation to confidential data as well as revenue) policies, which are implemented and enforced as required. The processes and procedures

FREE ADVICE FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS AS A Chamber member you can receive free advice from our 24/7 legal helpline and HR advice line. KEEP THESE USEFUL NUMBERS TO HAND: Chamber Legal Advice Line 02921 157571 Advice on employment, Health & Safety, tax and VAT, data protection, property, contractual, debt recovery and other related matters.

Chamber HR Advice Line 01455 852037 Manned by specialist HR advisers offering advice and guidance, unlimited calls, available 24/7, 365 days a year.

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within such policies should also tie into the organisation’s HR policies and provide for regular awareness training, for example, the key dos and don’ts of compliant big data usage. Companies should also ensure they have appropriate policies in place in respect of ‘bring your own devices’ (or BYOD) and remote working, both of which can significantly increase the chances of a data breach.

Although prevention is better than cure, in a digital era breaches are unfortunately almost inevitable (however big or small). Companies should also therefore have robust emergency response plans in place ready for execution should a (significant) data breach occur (e.g. to have the ability to immediately take down data and avoid further losses). n

KNOWLEDGE

WORKIE SAYS: ‘DON’T IGNORE THE WORKPLACE PENSION’ A NEW character has recently been introduced to Britain’s television screens with the launch of a campaign to raise awareness of workplace pensions. Workie, a striking physical embodiment

of the workplace pension, will be seen visiting people in all sorts of work environments over the coming months, asking them not to ignore him. #DontIgnoreIt

The campaign has been designed specifically to raise awareness among smaller employers who may not realise they have automatic enrolment duties.

For more information on how automatic enrolment applies to you, go to The Pensions Regulator’s step by step guide to automatic enrolment.

Pensions Auto-Enrolment: Are you ready? This event takes place in Peterborough on Tuesday 1 December organised by the Chamber. See page 40-41 for further details.

The event will pull together a panel of experts to help businesses identify the steps they’re required to take ahead of their statutory staging date. n

Extend your knowledge and inspire other businesses to develop new skills EXCLUSIVELY available to Chamber members and included in every company’s membership fee, the Chamber Idea Exchange and International Idea Exchange matches member companies together to share expertise and ideas that will enhance how their businesses operate.

We match up member companies according to location and their area of interest, facilitating dialogue between the two so that a member of staff from one can spend up to a day on-site with the other, learning about how their business operates and taking away new ideas and processes that they can implement within their own workplace.

How it works 1. Sign up for the Chamber Idea Exchange – it’s exclusive to Chamber members and absolutely free!

Visit the Chamber website and download a registration form or contact the Chamber on 01223 237414. n

2. Tell us what areas of business you’d like to learn about from others, and which geographical areas you’d be willing to visit 3. Tell us which areas of your business you’re be willing to open up to other members 4. The Chamber will put you in touch with suitable companies who you can visit, share ideas with and host a visit from.

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SECTOR FOCUS Updates from the Chambers’ Sector Groups BUSINESS WOMEN

RAISING YOUNG WOMEN’S ASPIRATIONS THE Business Women’s Sector has teamed up with St Peter’s School in Huntingdon to deliver a project aimed at raising the aspirations of girls in non-traditional gender based careers.

There is a national shortage of women entering some career sectors, particularly STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and entrepreneurial enterprises.

The aim of the project is to raise confidence and broaden awareness of different careers and for them to meet with inspiring female role models.

We are particularly looking for women in the Huntingdon area who are working in the STEM sector and would be willing to come and talk to a group of girls in year 8 (aged 13 and 14 years) either as part of an hour long workshop or with a smaller group of girls in a mentoring capacity.

So, if you are female and can spare a few hours over a three month period starting in January please get in touch: g.prangnell@cambscci.co.uk.

Further details on page 9. n

HR & RECRUITMENT

NEW APPROACH FOR “WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF…” HIGHLIGHTS WHAT NOT TO DO WITH HR ISSUES new recruit Mick Lumsden of Moore Stephens.

They were aided in the wings by Judith Underhill, Sector Chair, Nicky Cockerill of Hunt and Coombs, Jo Evans of EvansHR Consultancy and Joy Bemrose of Winning Workplaces.

They are now busy writing their scripts and gathering information to bring you the first of their follow on series for 2016, which will focus on sickness absence management.

If you would like to be informed of the details first-hand as they become available, ensure you are on the mailing list by contacting Helen Bosett, Sector Co-ordinator: h.bosett@cambssci.co.uk n KATHARINE HOLLIDAY FROM BUCKLES SOLICITORS IN CHARACTER AS PAUL BAKER

THE HR and Recruitment Sector took a different approach to delivering their recent event series ‘What would you do if…’. They introduced Paul Baker, MD of Pro-Blems Ltd and his not quite professional approach to dealing with a number of HR related staffing issues. Taking it away from Powerpoint overload, Paul and his team acted out a

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number of scenarios which delegates took the opportunity to discuss and share ideas with other professionals as to how such issues could have been handled.

Paul Baker, aka Katharine Holliday from Buckles Solicitors, was joined by fellow sector members Claire Berry of Leeds Day, Sally Cox, formerly of Hunt and Coombs Solicitors and

SECTOR FOCUS 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

COMMUNICATIONS

How to use twitter more effectively TWITTER is a social media platform where users share updates of no more than 140 characters at a time. Twitter users follow each other to stay up to date with and communicate with people, organisations and brands they are interested in. But the real value of Twitter comes from more than just following people – Twitter users can ‘favourite’ (like), ‘retweet’ (reshare) and ‘tweet’ (hold conversations with) the people, organisations and brands they are interested in.

With 316 million active users, 77 per cent of accounts outside the US and 35+ languages supported (October 2015), Twitter is bound to be a tool you could use to build your brand and market your business.

Twitter is a social media platform where users share updates of no more than 140 characters at a time

20 ways your business could use Twitter ȗ Share your expertise and relevant content ȗ Participate in industry conversation ȗ Find and cultivate influencers and brand ambassadors ȗ Use it as a discovery tool ȗ Virtual networking ȗ Build relationships ȗ Campaigns and competitions ȗ Grow a relevant following ȗ Increase brand awareness ȗ Generate traffic to your website ȗ Generate leads ȗ Expand your reach ȗ Create a buzz ȗ Get feedback from audiences ȗ Improve customer service ȗ Gain competitive intelligence ȗ Monitor sentiment and reputation in real time ȗ Embed tweets on your website (like testimonials) ȗ Recruitment ȗ Twitter ads

This information has been provided by Sara Drawwater, Vice-Chair of the Communications Sector and business owner of Something Beckons. Read her top tips for using Twitter successfully from the resource leaflet available from the Communications Sector page on the Chamber website. n

CONTENT – WHAT TO USE AND HOW TO CREATE IT IN HOUSE A business’s online presence needs to be not only interesting to its audiences, but visually attractive too. Professional designers can supply excellent media to use online, but on those occasions when something needs to be created quickly or there are budget restrictions there are a number of tools businesses can use to supplement their online activity.

Producing eye-catching media doesn’t need to be time or cost intensive, as there are plenty of inexpensive tools available which dramatically simplify the process: AT THE recent ‘Maximise your Online Presence’ workshop, run by professionals from the Communications Sector, delegates were introduced to practical tools that will help ensure their online presence is eye-catching and engaging.

Editing – Microsoft Picture Manager is an easy to use tool for editing images; crop and resize to specific dimensions, rotate, and retouch to make images brighter or darker.

Creating – Using platforms like Canva create layouts and backgrounds, overlay text on top of images, upload your own photos and make

banners. There are also templates available which are already set to specific sizes for use on different social media platforms, saving you time.

Sourcing – Purchasing images can be a quick and easy way to get your hands on high quality royalty-free images. Shutterstock is just one of many reputable image libraries. Some sites will charge you for the image and some won’t – often you will have less success in finding the right image on a free website.

Using media is important if you are going to be successful online, but to make the most out of any visual content it is vital to ensure the media you edit, create or source to share is aligned in look and message with your brand.

For more details about this and other workshops and for advice on how to maximise your online presence, contact hannah.campbell@consciouscomms.com. n

CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Cambridge & South Cambs

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

Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

IN BRIEF DECEMBER 2015 CAMBRIDGE IN LINE FOR TWO TRAINING AWARDS Cambridge is being represented at the prestigious British Excellence in Sales and Marketing Awards (BESMA 2016) in not one but two categories.

Claire Payne is a finalist in the Student of the Year category while Professional Academy, the organisation through which she studied her Level 5 Diploma in Sales and Account Management – is a finalist for the Training Centre of the Year Award.

Claire, who is Director of Events and Domestic Services at The Leys School Cambridge, is one of 10 students from across the UK to have been shortlisted for the Student of the Year Award.

Representatives from Professional Academy will also be there, both to support Claire and Edward Ryder a trainer with the company in Leeds who is a finalist in the Sales Trainer of the Year category. Professional Academy will also be making their own presentation to the judges as one of five finalists in the Training Centre of the Year category. n

CHAMBER MEMBERS CAN BENEFIT FROM CRM OFFER A software development company has launched an offer that will benefit Chamber members looking to get their contact data organised.

By offering a 50 per cent reduction on the advertised sign up cost of their CRM system members can easily manage their data from anywhere while benefiting from a suite of productivity tools that are included.

Designed and built by Cambridge Software from its base in St Johns Innovation Centre in Cambridge, RealTimeCRM is a fully mobile, integrated CRM system designed to manage company data and to automate a range of business processes. n

NEW CLIENT FOR QUITE GREAT QUITE Great Communications have won a new consumer client and will be handling all aspects of PR & marketing for ‘Zing’, the first in a range of products being developed by MvBii who are also based in Cambridge.

Zing is a new gadget that combines the best features of a top line smart watch and offers more fun and interaction than a standard fitness tracker in an affordable price bracket of around £50.

Ludo Chapman, of MvBii Ventures, said: “The

Zing is a fun alternative to high-end products such as the Apple Watch. We are delighted that Quite Great Publicity will be handling our Publicity campaign – they are truly creative with a sense of fun and enthusiasm that is infectious.”

The account will be led by PR Manager Victoria Berry who will be supported by a wider internal team; Quite Great will be handling all aspects of the media from online, regional and national PR. n

New recruit at Miller SaNdS

CELEBRATIONS FOR GREEN HEAT

MILLER Sands are pleased to announce that Julia Hutchings joined their conveyancing department in JULIA AND October 2015.

EMMA-JAYNE Julia will be working closely with the head of department, Emma-Jayne Sheehan.

Julia is a senior solicitor with a wealth of experience and has worked in the Cambridge market for over 10 years.

Julia is committed to the Miller Sands ethos of delivering outstanding customer service. n

GREEN Heat Ltd and its founder, Peter Thom, celebrated a double anniversary recently at a special reception held at Girton College, Cambridge.

2015 is a momentous year marking Peter’s 50th year in the heating industry and Green Heat’s 25th anniversary.

A dedicated environmentalist, Peter has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of energy efficiency in the domestic market. Over an impressive 50 years in the industry, he has been instrumental in getting climate change and energy efficiency not only on the political agenda, but at the top of it.

Green Heat is now one of the country’s leading energy efficiency companies. The contribution the company and Peter have made to the industry over five decades has been recognised year on year in an abundance of accolades. n

CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Cambridge & South Cambs

IN BRIEF

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

ARTHUR RANK CELEBRATES IN STYLE AT ANNUAL EVENT

DECEMBER 2015 BIDWELLS TEAM TAKE PART IN YORKSHIRE THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

BIDWELLS’ TEAM COVERED 24 MILES

An intrepid team of 10 from Bidwells Cambridge office took part in the gruelling Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and they still made it to work the next day!

During the challenge the 10 had to cover a total of 24 miles, which not only included getting up and over the three highest mountains in the Yorkshire Dales, but also negotiating the technical terrain between each mountain, which included boulder fields, peat bogs and even rivers.

The challenge was to complete the course in 12 hours, but the team was just short of this and finished in an impressive 13 hours and 15 minutes. n

PREMIER TRAVEL’S TAKE ON THE ACCUMULATOR CHALLENGE An annual event set by the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, the Accumulator Challenge, encourages local businesses in the area to raise as much money for the cause as possible over a three month period, using fun and innovative ideas such as planning a seasonal event, hosting a quiz night, organising a raffle or holding a cake sale to generate as many donations as they can.

Premier Travel’s Addenbrookes branch will be taking part in the challenge again this year with both manager Lauren Chappell and travel consultant Hanna Taylor entering Ely’s Festive 5K run to help the team raise as much money as they can. n 18 2

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Cambridge & South Cambs Chamber of Commerce

FREDDIE TURNER, AGED 12, RECEIVED HIS FIVE YEAR AWARD

THE Guildhall provided a spectacular venue for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s Celebration Evening in October.

The evening was attended by more than 140 guests including trustees, staff, relatives, healthcare professionals and supporters and provided a valuable opportunity for them to share latest news, look back at the successes of the last year and recognise the vital contribution of their wonderful volunteers.

The charity was delighted to host the event in the beautiful surroundings of The Guildhall after the Right Honourable Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Robert Dryden, chose to support the hospice during 2015/16 as one of his charities.

The Mayor presented 27 volunteers with awards for five, 10, 15 and 20 years’ service. The youngest volunteer, Freddie Turner aged 12, received his award for five years’ service. n

HEWITSONS APPOINTS NEW PARTNER Andrew Priest joins Hewitsons’ as a partner in the Corporate Business unit, as part of a firm-wide role to co-ordinate and direct its technology offering.

In a career spanning over 25 years in both England and Scotland, Andrew has significant experience within the ICT sector in advising private and public sector clients, with particular emphasis on technology licensing deals, outsourcing projects and general commercial contracts. He also advises on a range of intellectual property and data protection issues.

Andrew commented: “I am very pleased to be joining such a well-respected and forwardthinking law firm and I am looking forward to further developing the growth of Hewitsons’ offering within the technology sector.” n

workflow preSeNtS prize offered at caMbridge b2b CONGRATULATIONS to William Knights, Hospital Director of Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital, who attended the Cambridge B2B Exhibition on Thursday 24 September and won a Samsung tablet from Workflow Group.

Mr Knights is pictured receiving his prize from Francis Desmarais, Director, Workflow (Cambridge) Ltd. Workflow Group specialise in providing user-friendly solutions expertly designed to optimise customers business processes with independent and impartial advice and take pride in their reputation for providing superior customer service. ȗ Photocopiers ȗ Printers ȗ Managed document and print solutions ȗ Service and support. n

MR KNIGHTS RECEIVES HIS PRIZE FROM FRANCIS DESMARAIS, DIRECTOR, WORKFLOW

CAMBRIDGE & SOUTH CAMBS CHAMBER NEWS

IN BRIEF DECEMBER 2015 LANDMARK BIM CERTIFICATION FOR BSD

BILL BROGAN’S COLLABORATIVE MISSION HIGHLIGHTED THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH AND CHINESE FOOD CULTURE

St JohN’S college leadS cateriNg MiSSioN to chiNa BILL Brogan, Catering & Conference Manager at St John’s College, organised a collaborative research mission to China in conjunction with The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO).

The objective was to gain inspiration and establish links with a diverse range of institutions including universities, technology corporations and catering businesses in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Leading a 15-strong delegation of catering professionals from universities across the UK, Bill wanted to obtain a deeper understanding of the differences between British and Chinese food culture, in addition to looking at how

Chinese universities cater for their students and customers so that he could look to enhance the services on offer in Cambridge.

Bill said: “Our visits to five Chinese universities also highlighted differences in service trends between the UK and China. There’s a lot we can learn from Chinese universities; the numbers they are catering for are amazing. One university we visited had just served 20,000 breakfasts and Peking University serves around 47,000 lunches each day. Members of the delegation have returned full of ideas that we can roll out in our own organisation.” n

proSpect eMployS MarketiNg reSource NATALIE Coe is the new Marketing Executive at Prospect Research. The company has experienced growth over the last few years with 20 full time members of staff. Natalie joined the company through an internship with Anglia Ruskin University in March as a Marketing Executive. This lasted three months and resulted in further collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University into a Knowledge Transfer Partnership. Natalie is now employed by Prospect Research in the sole Marketing role.

“It feels like a great step forward to have Natalie in the marketing role. She’s a real asset to the team and has helped bring together our off-line and digital marketing strategies” says Beth Walthew, Prospect Research Director. n

STEPHEN HAWKING ROOM AT TRINITY HALL WORLD famous cosmologist, Professor Stephen Hawking, joined members of Trinity Hall in October for the official naming of the Stephen Hawking Room.

At the opening ceremony Professor Hawking said: “It is a pleasure to be back in my old college and a privilege to have this room overlooking Latham Lawn named in my honour. I hope that the next generation of cosmologists, and of course other Trinity Hall scholars, gain inspiration from working in this space.” n

DELIGHTED STUDENTS WITH STEPHEN HAWKING

Photo: Kiloran Howard

Building Services Design (BSD) is the first SME company in the UK to be assessed and certificated under BRE Global’s BIM level 2 Business Systems Certification Scheme.

This is a landmark achievement and, as BSD is only the third company of any size in the UK to achieve this certification, firmly ranks them as one of the most innovative and progressive M&E consulting engineers.

“We are incredibly proud to be the first SME to have achieved this certification. It is concrete evidence of BSD’s commitment to BIM as a key vehicle for delivering the best value to our clients” commented David White, Managing Director. n

NATURE IS NOT AN IMPEDIMENT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IT IS ESSENTIAL That was the message delivered at a Wildlife Trust event at Downing College which explored the economic role of Natural Capital and how the Wildlife Trust helps to sustain this.

Tony Juniper, a leading author, campaigner and trustee of The Wildlife Trust BCN, opened with a question: Conservation – Why Bother? In answer, Tony called upon a variety of case studies to show how working with nature and the environment has clear and measurable economic benefits; often, nature can provide a function at a fraction of the cost of artificial methods.

Jeff Ollerton, Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Northampton, talked of the importance of pollinators and began with a startling calculation: the value of insect pollination as an ecosystem service is estimated to be around £430m per annum; hand pollination by farm workers (as used in some parts of China due to destructive pesticides) could cost £1.8b per annum. This illustrates the cost saving we make through insect pollination, and reinforces the business sense in protecting our many species which make it possible.

Our local wildlife sites are the most important network that we have – our species cannot move and carry out their work unless they have a well-connected landscape – and we must ensure that we are in the best position to protect our Natural Capital in the years to come. n

CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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

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

Ely Chamber of Commerce

EMERALD FROG THANKED LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND DONATIONS

IN BRIEF DECEMBER 2015 ELY ACCOUNTANTS MOVE TO NEW PREMISES Due to continued growth Ely Tax and Accountancy have moved to larger premises at 76 Broad Street, Ely. “This is a fantastic move for us”, said co-Director David Bryan, “We will now not only be able to offer better facilities to our existing clients but the excellent location makes our business more visible.

“We have also recently confirmed the appointment of an apprentice within our business so it is a very exciting time for the whole team.” n

TOP SAFETY ACCREDITATION FOR SERVICEMASTER CLEAN ServiceMaster Clean has been awarded accreditation from Safecontractor for its commitment to achieving excellence in health and safety.

Safecontractor is a leading third party accreditation scheme which recognises very high standards in health and safety management amongst UK contractors.

Employing 80+ people, ServiceMaster Clean provide regular cleaning services to businesses in Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon and surrounding areas, specialising in cleaning offices, laboratories, distributions centres and local authority premises.

The company’s application for Safecontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.

Simon Taplin, Managing Director, said: “This accreditation demonstrates to our current and prospective clients our commitment to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our employees and to protecting our clients’ staff and visitors and anyone else who may be affected by our work” Safecontractor accreditation will enhance the company’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal. n

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EMERALD FROG MARKETING AUCTION RAISES £1,150 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES EMERALD Frog Marketing has raised £1,150 by running an online fundraising auction of promises to raise money for five local charities: The Liam Fairhurst Foundation, Little Bundles, Froglife, The Wildlife Trust and Branching Out. Prizes donated by local businesses included a flight for three over Cambridge, a Samsung tablet and an array of local services and products.

Jo Evans, Director at Emerald Frog Marketing, said: “We are delighted to raise £1,150 for five very worthy charities across the Cambridgeshire area

to mark our five years in business.

“We’d like to thank the local business community for supporting the auction and donating prizes and all those members of the public who placed bids.”

Established in 2010 by business partners Jo Evans and Cheriee Chater, Emerald Frog Marketing has won several local and national awards and works with clients from a wide range of industry sectors, from start-ups and SMEs through to international businesses and charities. n

Swan on the RiveR backS community initiative THE SWAN on the River pub in Littleport has become the first business to sponsor a local community initiative to tackle litter in Ely and Littleport.

The pub has helped kick off a campaign by Littleport Timebank to raise money for litterpicker sets. These sets will allow more volunteers to have the correct health and safety equipment to continue their community litterpicks.

THE SWAN ON THE RIVER PUB IS SPONSORING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO TACKLE LITTER

Richard Oyarzabal, owner at The Swan on the River, says: “As corporate members of Littleport Timebank community, we are very proud to be the first business to sponsor a litterpick set for Littleport Timebank. The litterpicks by volunteers do a great job helping keep the local area tidy and we encourage more businesses to pledge sponsorship to keep up the good work.” n

FENLAND CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Fenland

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

Fenland Chamber of Commerce

CUB WEAR PINK FOR CHARITY THE CUB team wore pink items in celebration of wear it pink, baked cakes and participated in fun activities. Every year wear it pink raises around £2-million pounds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Luciana Edwards, Relationship Manager for CUB UK organised the event.

Luciana said: “I regularly participate in charitable events to raise awareness of so many good causes. I am so pleased that the CUB team raised a generous £100.” n

STUDENTS COMPLETE THE LEGO TASK

ENGINEERING TALENT OF THE FUTURE AT CWA WISBECH ANGLIAN Water is training their potential future work force with workshops held at the College of West Anglia (CWA) Wisbech Campus.

As of September the College of West Anglia has been working with Anglian Water and its four alliances to offer two exciting courses.

The 15 level 3 engineering students in attendance at the Anglian Water workshops, which ran in the classrooms of the technology centre, worked on teambuilding activities and their ability to keep to deadlines.

One task involved creating a building out of giant Lego-style bricks. The purpose was to ensure that the learners realise that the world

of work is not simply about working it out on your feet.

Mark Hedges, digital asset creation team manager at Anglian Water, explained to students that Anglian Water are all about zero accidents and working together as a team.

He said: “We had a great morning with the students and it appears they enjoyed themselves too! Our key messages about communication and teamwork really seemed to strike a chord especially through the Lego challenges. They really opened up and started talking to us, exchanging observations and opinions, which was great to see.” n

STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE TALK AT CWA WISBECH

ROYAL NAVY SILENT SERVICE VISIT CWA WISBECH STUDENTS from the College of West Anglia (CWA) Wisbech campus gained an invaluable insight into life in the Royal Navy when they met two outstanding ambassadors currently serving in the Royal Navy Submarine Service.

In October 60 of CWA’s uniformed and public service students, along with the college’s technical apprentices, received a presentation on life in the forces from Petty Officer Kevin

Mathias and Able Seaman Matt Wardle.

The serving duo informed students of the excellent career opportunities in today’s modern Royal Navy Submarine Service.

They learnt of the vital role performed by the Royal Navy’s Fleet Submarines that are fast, deep-diving and capable of a wide range of roles and also gained insight into the day-today routine of living on submerged and

deployed Royal Navy Submarines.

Adrian Kent, uniformed service tutor at CWA Wisbech, said: “The presentation, and more importantly a chance to ask current submariners questions about life in the Royal Navy, was an invaluable experience for our students. It is fair to say that both students and staff found the presentation extremely informative and inspiring.” n CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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OUT&ABOUT Enjoy our monthly montage of events and happenings across the local area with this colourful round-up of events

Make sure you send us your photos each month and we’ll include the best of the bunch! Email images straight to Sadie Parr: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL CALENDAR NOW ON SALE Peterborough Cathedral has just published a 2016 calendar packed with beautiful photographs of Cathedral life, in a new slim line format with space to write against each date.

PRIZES PRESENTED FOR THE ‘WHERE’S RATTY’ CONTEST CambridgePPF were delighted to present prizes during October half term to the young winners of the ‘Where’s Ratty’ contest held during the Open Days at Hinxton Watermill over the summer.

Entrants to the contest had to locate and record soft toy rats hidden around the Mill. The prizes, presented to James and Elin, were kindly donated by The Cambridge Toy Shop and Shepreth Wildlife Park. The photos show James holding his prizes, and Elin with her brother Ewan who assisted in the contest.

POSH BREAKFAST! Over 40 delegates recently attended our Peterborough Business Breakfast at Peterborough United Football Club.

CWA TO TRAIN THE NUCLEAR ENGINEERS OF THE FUTURE The College of West Anglia (CWA) has been approved as a Quality Assured Provider of the respected National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN).

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OUT & ABOUT

TEAM LUMINUS TAKE ON CHALLENGING MUD RUN Team Luminus joined thousands of runners to take part in a gruelling and challenging muddy run on Sunday 27 September for Insane Terrain.

GEORGE HAY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS RAISE OVER £1,000 FOR THE ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY Members of the George Hay team and their friends and families took part in the Bedford Memory Walk on Saturday 10 October to raise money for their chosen charity of this year, The Alzheimer’s Society.

DOING BUSINESS IN SCANDINAVIA Delegates recently discovered new opportunities to do business in Scandinavia, an increasingly important market for UK companies, when they attended a joint Chamber and UKTI event at Cambridge International Airport.

STP PRESENT PRIZE TO ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE STP had a great day exhibiting at the B2B Exhibition last month. A competition was held to win a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini phone, and the lucky winner, Alliance Française, received their prize presented to them by Neil & Jasmine from STP.

CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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STAMFORD CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Stamford

NEW STARTERS JOIN EXPANDING STRUTT & PARKER TEAM STRUTT & Parker’s team in Stamford continues its expansion in the region with the recruitment of new surveyor Charles Wadsley and new consultant Ed Trotter.

Charles, a graduate from the University of Reading, will focus on providing advice on the management of rural property for private and corporate clients including agricultural, residential and commercial lettings, building repairs, refurbishment and estate diversification.

Ed, a graduate of Newcastle University, will focus on farm management, consultancy and agronomy services for a wide range of clients.

Tom Bagge, Partner in Strutt & Parker’s Stamford office, said: “We are delighted to welcome Charles and Ed on board. I am certain they will make excellent additions to our Stamford presence. Their arrival bolsters our land management and farm consultancy teams and I believe they will deliver major benefits to our land owning clients.” n

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

New College Stamford qualifieS for ChampioNShipS THREE New College Stamford students have qualified for the British Colleges Sport National Championships to be held in Newcastle in April 2016.

Two minibuses left New College Stamford bound for Morley Hayes in Derbyshire taking four students to compete in the Regional Golf Championships, and for Lincoln College where the Regional Trampolining and Squash Championships were taking place.

The regional golf tournament was held at Morley Hayes, a well-kept hotel and two course site for amateurs and professionals. Morley Hayes is also the base for Derby College’s Golf Academy so it provided tough competition.

Yet 18 holes later New College Stamford student Calum Lewis came up the last green and rolled the ball home, he looked confident and then said “I nailed a 75” – on a course that he’d never played before and against Academy players!

Calum produced the best score of the day to win the tournament and progress to the BCS National Finals in Newcastle. His team mates were thrilled for him and as a team we finished fourth with our joint team score. To top off this fantastic display, Oliver Brett was also voted ‘Best Trousers of the Day’ by his competitors.

At Lincoln College Abigail Hinks had planned a short routine and executed this to a sound level, scoring highly with the marking judges.

THREE STUDENTS HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Abigail then delivered a ‘free style’ routine and finished in fourth position to secure her place at the National Finals.

Alice Richardson also qualified for the female squash with fellow student Cameron Heald playing well in the male squash coming runner-up in the plate competition, but unfortunately didn’t qualify for the National Finals.

This is an outstanding achievement, with the students looking forward in competing against the countries best in April 2016. Overall New College Stamford’s first set of participants that competed in different sports have started well, the quest for reaching the National Finals in Newcastle goes on with more team sports to compete before Christmas. n

STATION COMMANDER ADDRESSES BUSINESS LEADERS RAF Wittering reservists and integration were the topics as Group Captain Richard Pratley addressed business leaders at the Chamber’s Grow Your Business event in October.

Personnel from Royal Air Force Wittering were invited to attend to give an overview of the station’s outputs and productivity.

Group Captain Pratley spoke about his station’s recent return to full time flying operations and the challenges associated with reviving a dormant airfield and incorporating flying into the routine business of the Royal Air Force’s deployable logistics and engineering hub.

The allotted 10 minutes quickly passed as the Station Commander explained the benefits of

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Andrew Carter and Katrina Knox. Andrew is employed by ISS Defence and is the Catering, Retail and Leisure General Manager at RAF Wittering. Katrina is an ISS Defence employee and RAF Reservist with 504 Squadron. Andrew and Katrina touched on several key themes including the benefits to employers of the training received by employees whilst in RAF GROUP CAPTAIN RICHARD PRATLEY Reserve training, including increased confidence ADDRESSES BUSINESS LEADERS and leadership skills.

Group Captain Richard Pratley said: “This event the Chief of the Air Staff’s direction that service, has been very useful, we’ve been able to directly reservists, civilian and industry personnel should engage with business leaders and explain how aspire to work as a whole force. Of great interest the skill sets in their companies can be enhanced when employees join the RAF Reserves.” n was RAF Wittering’s case study, presented by

HUNTS POST AWARDS Best in business celebrate their success

CHAMBER WINNERS AND FINALISTS EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Luminus Group Finalist: BrightVisions, Living Sport SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Finalists: Lilac James Co. Ltd, Quest Cloud Solutions BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Sponsored by George Hay Chartered Accountants Finalist: Encocam Ltd EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Winner: Emma Dolby, Borney UK Ltd Finalist: Katie Kitson, Beacon Wealth Management Ltd

BEST IN BUSINESS EXCEL AT HUNTS POST AWARDS It was a night of celebration as triumphant firms and entrepreneurs across Huntingdonshire clinched prestigious awards thanks to their success and hard work.

RETAILER OF THE YEAR Winner: Premier Travel YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR Winner: Lincoln Miles from Beard Shop UK/The Beard Box TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD Sponsored by Alconbury Enterprise Campus Finalist: Living Sport BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY Sponsored by Ace Tech Training and Business Development Ltd Winner: Huntingdonshire Regional College Finalist: Huntingdon Racecourse NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Finalist: Etyres Huntingdon BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Leeds Day Solicitors Winner: Paul Jackson, Forward Composites Finalists: Philip Mashinchi, BrightVisions, Tony Larkins, Beacon Wealth Management Ltd. n

THE Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards represents a broad range of industries and highlights the men and women making a difference in the district’s workplaces who stand head and shoulders about the rest.

Now in its 18th year, the latest get-together of the finest businesses at The Burgess Hall, St Ives, proved once again to be memorable. There were 14 hard-fought categories at the annual awards. n CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Huntingdonshire

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

Huntingdonshire Chamber of Commerce

Neuro rehab CeNtre is a wiNNer

LUMINUS STAFF TOAST THE SUMMER THE Marbrook Centre being built near St Neots has just won the IHA 2015 Awards – Best New Specialist Care Facility design.

The brand new service which is also home to Mayfield, a specialist place for those living with dementia, is opening in the spring of next year.

Robert Myers, Head of Care Pathways, said: “As thrilling as it is to have won this award for the attention to detail the team have put into the design, it’s the energy, commitment and skills of our new staff team that really brings a centre like ours to life. Enabling changes in choice, control and dignity for those in our care, is the really exciting thing.” n

EMPLOYEES and non-executives at Luminus, the eastern region’s premier housing provider and independently recognised as one of the UK’s best companies to work for, were out in force after work to enjoy a ‘Luminimms’ together, the company’s signature non-alcoholic cocktail, as well as a range of activities at a special annual event.

Gathered on the lawn at Luminus HQ Brook House in the last of the Summer evening sunshine, they were treated to the ‘secret recipe’ cocktail and strawberries and cream while they were entertained with live music provided by some of Luminus’ own talent.

Also on the programme were giant garden games and an egg-and-spoon race. Each team within the company was represented by one contestant and spectators had a lot of fun watching them compete against each other in rounds. Mark Malerich, representing the Trades Team, was crowned the ultimate winner and he

posed triumphantly for a photo with a silver cup to commemorate his victory. As the company’s cleaners arrived later in the evening, Dr Abraham welcomed and personally served them with drinks, strawberries and cream, and they were thrilled as he reminded them that they were every bit as important as all of the other Luminus staff.

Jo Venni, Corporate Administration Team Leader, who attended this event for the first time, said: “I really enjoyed my first Luminimms experience. The cocktail itself and the strawberries and cream were wonderful and everyone had a fantastic time. It was a great opportunity to socialise with the Luminus team, especially on such a lovely evening, listen to live music and have great fun.”

Dr Chan Abraham, Group Chief Executive, concluded the event with a short speech thanking the staff for participating and most importantly for all their continuing excellent work. n

ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME DOES THE JOB HUNTINGDONSHIRE Regional College’s new Access to Employment Study Programme, designed to help young people into work, is already proving to be a success with five people moving on to new opportunities.

Harriette Henry (right) is beginning a childcare apprenticeship with Butterfly House Day Nursery in Great Paxton. She said: “Access to Employment has development my confidence. I wouldn’t have applied for the apprenticeship without the support I’ve received.”

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Access to Employment is a rolling programme designed specifically for people aged 16–19 who are not in full-time education, employment or training (NEETS).

HRC’s Employment Services Manager, Maureen Horan, said: “The College has been delighted with the uptake of this new programme which clearly shows that young people want and need the support and guidance it offers to move into work.” n

HUNTINGDONSHIRE CHAMBER NEWS

PHOTOGRAPHER’S IMAGE MAKES TOP 10 FROM AROUND THE WORLD

IN BRIEF DECEMBER 2015 TRAINEE ACCOUNTANT WINS BEST STUDENT AWARD

ALAN BENNETT’S TOUCHING PHOTO MADE IT TO THE TOP 10 OF A GLOBAL COMPEITION

George Hay is pleased to announce that Trainee Accountant Joe Kokotka has been chosen as the winner of the AAT Level 4 Diploma in Accounting Best Student Award.

This award will be presented to Joe at the forthcoming Student Awards Ceremony on 28 November at The College of Animal Welfare in Godmanchester.

Barry Jefferd, Managing Partner, said: “I speak for the team when I say that we are all very proud of Joe. This is a wonderful achievement and a very well-deserved accolade. In the three years that he has been with the firm, Joe has been a pleasure to work with as he has constantly shown his dedication and enthusiasm.”

Joe joined George Hay in 2012 as a trainee accountant. n

ENCOCAM STRENGTHENS ITS APPRENTICESHIP LINK

A PHOTO taken by professional photographer Alan Bennett, of Media Imaging Solutions, has been selected as one of the top 10 images in a global competition.

The international learning company Pearson, creative agency Mother London and design partner Together invited photographers around the world to submit images that captured the essence and emotion of education and learning.

Among over 500 photographs submitted was one from Alan, who is based in St Ives.

The judges, including the renowned British photographer Rankin, had no hesitation in selecting Alan’s photograph, which has won him a prize of $500 and also the potential to continue to work on paid projects for Pearson in the future.

It features a resident in a retirement home

encouraging his great granddaughter as she tentatively walks down a corridor.

Alan was on an assignment at the Park Lodge Retirement Home in the town of March when he saw the photo opportunity.

“I just saw the gentleman and the little girl walking down the corridor and I was inspired by their responses to one another to take a photograph,” Alan said. “When I contacted Pearson sometime later about commercial work they informed me about the competition and I knew just the photo that I would send them.

“I am so proud to have been selected by the judges, particularly by someone with the reputation of Rankin and to find my work appreciated in this way, along with photographers from around the world.” n

Engineering company Encocam has strengthened its commitment to apprenticeships by recruiting their fourth apprentice through their established partnership with Huntingdonshire Regional College.

Bradley Hopkins (left), a Level 2 engineering Apprentice, will join Adam Ford, a production operative apprentice and CNC Apprentices Alfie McGuinness and Daniel Hancox.

Eleonora Castellazzi, HR and Recruitment Co-ordinator at Encocam, said: “We believe our greatest asset is our people whose excellence gives us the competitive edge.

“With a wide variety of courses and apprenticeships Huntingdonshire Regional College has been able to support us in this mission to ensure the development of our staff so that we have the skills needed to develop for the opportunities of tomorrow.”

Encocam is a rapidly expanding organisation committed to manufacturing high quality products and has worked with the college since 2012 to recruit apprentices and get involved with college events such as Lions’ Den. n

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PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of news and events from across Peterborough

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

Peterborough Chamber of Commerce

INDIGO ELEVEN’S NEW WEBSITE SHOWCASES THEIR ‘VIRTUAL’ OFFERINGS

SIGNIFICANT BURSARY LAUNCHED SOLICITORS Roythornes has launched a bursary scheme to help local students gain a career in law.

The scheme, which is open to students who study within a 35 mile radius of Spalding, will offer two students a bursary worth up to £4,500 a year to help with the costs of studying law, together with work experience and the possibility of a training contract. It is one of the most comprehensive packages in the region and one which the firm hope will boost recruitment of the best local talent.

Speaking about the scheme Managing Director Vember Mortlock said: “We’re delighted to be offering the bursary – it will be a real head-start for the successful candidates and help us to recruit our leaders of tomorrow. We know the cost of studying at university can be high and sometimes off-putting, so by offering to pay up to £4,500 a year we hope to ease the burden and identify those who will help with the continual growth of the firm.”

The firm decided to open the scheme to regional applicants in order to support the community. Vember, who started her career at a large London firm, continued: “Many of our staff and current trainees grew up in the region and we have no doubt it helps our business if our people know the community in which they work.

The quality of training, high level specialist legal work and career prospects at Roythornes rival those at many bigger city firms, with the added benefit of a better work life balance. We would like to give the best candidates the opportunity to realise this at the outset of their careers.”

Applications for the 2016 scheme are open until 27 November, after which there will be a rigorous selection procedure involving interviews and exercises. n

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IndIgo ElEvEn unvEIls nEw wEbsItE INDIGO Eleven are showcasing their expertise and inviting you to meet the team after their new and improved website went live!

You can follow and engage with the team across social media and subscribe to their blog, which focuses on sharing helpful information and advice for busy professionals.

Business owner Louise Richman is delighted with the new fully responsive site.

Louise said: “We welcome you to take a look

and familiarise yourself with the range of ‘virtual’ services that are available to individuals and businesses. We are extremely proud of our client relationships and our personalised service is the perfect complement to any team or business, working together to achieve common goals.”

You can hear what clients are saying about the support they’ve received from Indigo Eleven by visiting www.indigoeleven.com. n

NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR CROSS KEYS CROSS Keys Homes’ (CKH) ground-breaking solar panel project has been recognised in the national 24 Housing Awards, winning the Best Green Scheme category.

The awards, presented by the national housing magazine 24 Housing, celebrate the best the housing sector has to offer. CKH was up against stiff competition, but judges felt their project, which involved solar panels being installed on over 5,000 homes across Peterborough, had made the most substantial environmental improvements, as well as having a positive impact on the lives of residents.

The panels, installed in a partnership arrangement between Global Heat Source, Macquarie Lending and CKH, is the biggest partnership of its kind in the country and is aimed at alleviating fuel poverty. It is funded

by Macquarie investment bank with the solar panels being installed and maintained

by Global Heat Source at zero cost to CKH or its tenants. The project will extract 13Mw of energy – just over 9,400 tonnes of CO2 each year from the running costs of CKH’s

housing stock. It has been said that this is more of a saving than some large solar farms in the country!

Chief Executive of CKH, Claire Higgins said: “It is wonderful to be recognised on a national stage for the work we do in improving the lives of the people of Peterborough. Awards such as these help to make people aware of the amazing work housing associations do every day, and the value of that work across the country.” n

PETERBOROUGH CHAMBER NEWS

IN BRIEF DECEMBER 2015 DISCOVERY EVENT REVEALS APPETITE FOR CLOUD COMPUTING

CELEBRATION TIME FOR FERGUSON FINANCIAL SOLICITORS

FERGUSON SHORTLISTED FOR MODERN LAW AWARDS THE team at Ferguson Financial Solicitors are celebrating after being shortlisted for a national legal award.

Ferguson Financial Solicitors, which specialises in legal services for businesses, is one of five companies shortlisted for ‘Best ABS 1–25 employees.’ ABS refers to the Alternative Business Structure, which allows non-lawyers to have a stake in a law firm. Ferguson Financial describes itself as being ‘run by business people, for business people.’

Ferguson Financial Solicitors entered the awards to mark a very successful year of business which has seen the company grow significantly. In just two years since launching as an ABS, Ferguson Financial Solicitors has demonstrated sustained

and steady increases in both profits and turnover.

Its initial strategic aim, to become market leaders for PPI recovery for insolvency practitioners, has already been achieved. The firm is now expanding into other legal services to the benefit of SMEs, particularly in the Peterborough area.

Ferguson Financial Solicitors’ Managing Director, Maurice Power, said: “We hold traditional values in our approach to business. Personal relationships, trust and integrity are important to us and we are particularly inspired by supporting small businesses and assisting both our own employees and young people in general to develop their careers. We’re very proud of our progress this year and to be recognised by the prestigious Modern Law Awards means a great deal to us.” n

On 14 October DMC Software, an Xperience Group business, ran a successful Cloud Discovery workshop at The Bull Hotel in Peterborough. Local businesses in attendance explored the benefits of cloud computing and how it can complement their activity.

Feedback on the day was excellent, indicating once delegates understood what cloud computing is, 92 per cent of businesses in attendance suggested they would not be investing physical servers moving forward.

During the workshop George Tubb from Microsoft explored Office 365 cloud productivity suite and cloud experts from Xperience Group discussed cloud hosting and its benefits over ‘traditional IT’. The post-event survey revealed 100 per cent of delegates plan to invest in cloud in the next two years, with 64 per cent planning the move within six months.

The event ended with a prize draw for a ‘cloud’ balloon ride, won by David Lyons from Coborn Engineering. n

onE stop shop for EvErythIng from propErty to probatE

BUCKLES SOLICITORS’ GROWING PRIVATE CLIENT TEAM

BUCKLES Solicitors provide a one-stop shop for a wide range of life-changing and impacting situations – all under one roof.

Specialising in French and Spanish law, court of protection, wills and probate and care home fee planning, the legal team is believed to be the largest of its kind in the region and also provides services to clients using its Stamford and Nottingham offices.

Heading up the recently expanded team is Buckles partner Duncan Jackson. He said:

“When you look at the population of Peterborough, and the many situations and scenarios affecting people in their everyday lives, almost all of these will need some kind of legal intervention or advice.

“These can range from making a will or arranging power of attorney to tax or financial planning and protecting your assets.

“At Buckles, not only can we provide all of these services within one professional team, but in a friendly and helpful manner and one

which we hope a client will remember.

“People remember emotions, particularly when they are faced with making important decisions in their lives, rather than the specific facts or company branding.

“Treating every client as an individual and making them feel as comfortable as possible with the decisions they make, is at the heart of what we do.” n

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LEP FOCUS Keeping you informed and up to date with the LEP

Defining the future

SMALL BUSINESS OUTLOOK

CAMBRIDGE & PETERBOROUGH RATE HIGHLY SIGNPOST 2 GROW LAUNCHES A NEW initiative designed to help connect businesses of all sizes with the support, advice, and funding they need to grow has been launched online.

Signpost 2 Grow draws together a wide range of information from exporting supporting and grant funding through to financial planning advice and how to guides.

The website is free to use and is supported by a team of experts at the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP. Find out more by visiting www.signpost2grow.co.uk.

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Centre for Cities recently launched their new Small Business Outlook 2015, which looks at the performance of the 63 largest cities in the UK. BOTH Cambridge and Peterborough feature throughout the report, which showcases the strength of our small businesses.

Cambridge is ranked in the top 10 list of cities with the highest density of SMEs, with 310.9 SMEs per 10,000 population in 2014. Not only is this a high percentage, it has also increased 5.1 per cent between 2011 and 2014.

When it comes to SME expansion, Peterborough is ranked third in the country, creating an average of 7.2 jobs per expanding SME. Overall, 31.6 per cent of SMEs in Peterborough have expanded between 2011 and 2014, this is up from 28 per cent between 2008 and 2011. A sure sign of business confidence in the city.

It isn’t just growth that is important, it is also survival rates. Across the UK Cambridge was ranked 63rd out of 64 cities for the number of SME closures, showing that SMEs are more likely to succeed in Cambridge than almost anywhere else in the UK. Neil Darwin, Chief Executive of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP, said: “Once again, the Centre for Cities Small Business Outlook report has proven the strength of the

economies within our two core cities.

Cambridge is leading the field in nurturing and growing ‘new work’ SMEs that are vital for the future of the UK economy, whilst Peterborough has one of the highest proportions of High Growth SMEs in the country.

“To ensure that our cities can continue to thrive, we must continue to work hard to secure vital infrastructure improvements for our area and look at ways in which we can ensure a steady supply of housing close to these new jobs that is affordable for workers. The scheduled upgrade of the A14, delivery of the Ely Southern Bypass and road improvements around Peterborough will all help, but more investment is required to unlock the full potential of our area.”

A key feature of the latest Small Business Outlook was the importance of ‘new work’ SMEs – companies that operate in the digital, creative, and professional services sectors. On average, 40 per cent of city based SMEs are classed as ‘new work’, but in Cambridge this figure is 51 per cent – making it one of the top five ‘new work’ SME locations in the country. n

B2B PETERBOROUGH A highlight of our recent event at KingsGate Centre

PETERBOROUGH B2B 2015 THIS year’s Peterborough B2B Exhibition at the KingsGate Centre was another huge success, bringing hundreds of business people together for a day of networking, idea sharing and informative seminars. A huge thank you to our 90+ exhibitors, our headlines sponsors Peterborough City Council and Peterborough Regional College, our supporting companies

and our partners, Opportunity Peterborough.

Thank you to everyone who continued the conversation online using #PboroB2B – if you’ve not yet shared your favourite snapshots and #B2Bfreebie pics from the day please post them on twitter using #PboroB2B and we’ll share the best ones on our main Chamber twitter account @CambsChamber n

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I SAVE MONEY ON ALL MY INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS AS A CHAMBER MEMBER I’M WELL CONNECTED

Take advantage of exclusive offers, bank-beating exchange rates and expert currency guidance with Chamber Foreign Exchange.

Add a free foreign exchange health check and a dedicated personal trader to help you manage foreign exchange risk, protect against currency fluctuations and make savings on every transaction.

Call 0808 163 5138 to access your exclusive Chamber offers.

CHAMBER CHARITY OF THE YEAR

EMERGENCY FACE-LIFT FOR CHARITY AMBULANCE Phil Gibbs, MD at Alfa Tail Lifts Ltd, has worked with Air Ambulance charity Magpas over the years, fixing the organisation’s training ambulance on many occasions. After an abundance of tail lift repair requests, Phil decided the lifesaving charity could definitely do with a replacement ambulance – and so he set to work!

PHIL bought an old ambulance with lots of potential. He then gathered his contacts from around the Eastern Region and asked them to step in and help give the vehicle a full face-lift.

First port of call was Mercedes Orwell Truck & Van (based in Ipswich, Norwich, Newmarket and Colchester) for the maintenance and servicing of the ambulance. Contracts Director Ryan Cory from Orwell Truck & Van explained: “We went over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb and put hours and hours of work into making it 100 per cent roadworthy. We were delighted to help out Magpas – a very worthwhile cause.”

Next stop for Phil was the livery and paintwork for the ambulance. Who better to ask to assist than David Simonds, MD of Full Circle Enterprises Ltd in Banham in Norfolk, who immediately agreed to get involved. Full Circle Enterprises spent around £2,500 worth of man hours and paint on these emergency four wheels, leaving it looking as good as new! Director Karen Simonds said: “We have great relationships with other emergency services and so it seemed the obvious thing to do. Thanks to the specialist skills of the Magpas paramedics and doctors,

an awful lot of people survive horrendous situations who otherwise wouldn’t.”

Project leader Phil and his fellow counterparts collectively spent around £40,000 on the Magpas ambulance makeover – and proudly visited the Magpas Operations Base recently to officially hand over the impressive vehicle. Phil summed up why Alfa Tail Lifts chose to support Magpas: “The level of training Magpas provides these already experienced senior doctors and paramedics really stands out. They are trained to administer lifesaving anaesthetics in some small spaces and so having a decent ambulance to work in is crucial for the organisation.”

Magpas are extremely grateful to Alfa Tail Lifts, Orwell Truck & Van and Full Circle Enterprises Ltd for the excellent team work, absolute

dedication and hard work involved in renovating this ambulance. Antonia Brickell Head of Communications at the charity said: “This is a prime example of partnership working, which will help us continue to bring lifesaving care by land and air to patients in life-threatening emergencies, in the East of England and beyond.

Thank you.” n

Thanks to the specialist skills of the Magpas paramedics and doctors, an awful lot of people survive horrendous situations who otherwise wouldn’t.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR MAGPAS Please help Magpas to continue saving lives 24/7 by calling us on 01480 371060 (Option 2) or email debbie@magpas.org.uk For further information on the charity visit www.magpas.org.uk

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NEW MEMBERS 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

A round-up of the new members that have joined the Chamber in the past month

NEW MEMBERS THIS MONTH AIRPHONE TELECOM SOLUTIONS LTD CAMBRIDGE CAR & VAN RENTAL COFELY GDF SUEZ COFFEE WORLD (UK) LTD CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT TRAINING LTD DARDAN SECURITY DIRECT SOLUTIONS

MANAGING CHANGE

www.managingchange.org.uk Managing Change is an established Cambridge based coaching and development company.

They specialise in developing people to perform at their best, to be successful and fulfilled – resulting in thriving, motivated and successful people who will have a real impact on your business. They offer a comprehensive range of executive coaching, management and leadership development, psychometrics and outplacement services to help you attract, develop and retain the best people for your business.

DRIVE ARRIVE ELLGIA LTD ENGINEERING SERVICES PARTNERSHIP LTD EQUALIISE LTD EVOLUTION DOME LTD LONGHURST GROUP PAB TRANSLATION CENTRE LTD PINNACLE HOUSE SITE PERSONNEL LTD

DRIVE ARRIVE

www.drivearrive.co.uk Drive Arrive is an executive personal chauffeuring service for airport transfers, business and leisure travel. With a professionally driven luxury long wheelbase Mercedes S Class they provide an affordable first class service of distinction where punctuality, safety and discretion is assured.

SMC TUPLIN GROUP VERTAS GROUP LTD WALNUT TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT LTD WATERBOURNE LTD

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DIRECT SOLUTIONS www.directsolutionsuk.com

At Direct Solutions their expertise is Direct Marketing, Print and Design – giving you the proven tools and flexible solutions you need to make your marketing strategy pay dividends. They take the time to listen to your needs, and work within your budget to identify and implement the solutions you need.

NEW MEMBERS

MULBERRY COTTAGES www.mulberrycottages.com Luxury, self-catering accommodation agency Mulberry Cottages are now operating in East Anglia. With over 550 handpicked properties they have the holiday property for you. A diverse selection to suit family holidays, corporate gatherings, celebrations, city breaks, short-lets, and inspirational escapes!

ANGLIA TRANSLATIONS LTD www.anglia-translations.co.uk Trust, Value, Quality since 1992. For over 20 years Anglia Translations Ltd, based in Huntingdon, has been providing high quality translation and interpreting services to a diverse spectrum of commercial and industrial sectors in the UK, Europe and the USA. Their core belief is that translation is a partnership between client and translation company to provide a high quality, cost-effective translation, delivered on time and on-budget.

CAMBRIDGE CAR AND VAN RENTAL www.cambridgecarandvanrental.co.uk For a professional, friendly approach to your business hire requirements look no further. Cambridge Car and Van Rental offer cars, vans and people carriers at special corporate rates and their account facility makes hiring easy. Local delivery is offered and mini leases are also available.

FACE2FACEHR RAMSEY www.face2facehr.com

Dawn Cross (MCIPD) is an accomplished HR professional with more than 20 years’ experience in management and HR. Known for her friendly, operational hands-on approach, Dawn provides clients with tailored HR solutions - navigating tricky, and often complicated, employment issues such as TUPE transfers; mediation; restructure as well as day-to-day HR.

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Ä‘Ĺ?Ĺ?Opportunities to ‘Ask the Chamber’ and seek advice and expert opinion from our experienced International Trade team Ä‘Ĺ?Exclusive discounts on the Go Global starter pack from Cintra to assist with your first steps in international marketing Ä‘Ĺ?Access to our exclusive LinkedIn networking group for Global Members, providing an opportunity to post queries, contribute to discussions and share new business opportunities Ä‘Ĺ?Ĺ?Access to the International Idea Exchange, linking members to share expertise and provide advice Ä‘ One hour of on-site documentation assistance and support each year from a member of the export team

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IN THE HOTSEAT

PROFESSOR GARY PACKHAM PRO VICE CHANCELLOR AND DEAN OF LORD ASHCROFT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL AT ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY We asked what the International Business School is doing to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs

AS ONE of the largest business schools in the East of England, the Lord Ashcroft International Business School is research led and committed to promoting, supporting and facilitating entrepreneurship and innovation.

“We recognise the importance of our SME community and that’s why so much of our research is based on the challenges these businesses face. Our research is continually looking at the plight of small businesses as they strive to grow and innovate. It’s not just SMEs here in the UK that our university is working hard to help. We also work alongside international governments and communities to help them foster a more entrepreneurial approach, in countries such as Romania, South Africa and Uruguay. It’s really important to us that our research has a purpose, by making a genuine contribution and creating real impact.”

Closer to home and following being crowned Entrepreneurial University of the year in 2014 at the Times Higher Education Awards, Anglia Ruskin is about to launch its Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy. This new initiative will be dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship across all sectors and supporting student enterprise, entrepreneurship and graduate start ups.

“We aim to contextualise what a small

business start-up might look like for our students.

To do this we provide a wide range of initiatives, events and support mechanisms that put enterprise at the heart of our student community, ensuring understand enterprise and can develop more entrepreneurial mindsets. One of our goals is to increase the rate of graduate entrepreneurship which will create future wealth and employment in our communities.

“Integral to this is that our world leading research informs our teaching and provides students with opportunities to work on real issues facing small businesses. Recently, Business

helping small businesses compete successfully with larger chains and online retailers.

“This, I believe, characterises the role of our business school and our entrepreneurial university – producing world leading research, teaching and learning that is accessible, informative and makes a real contribution to business and society.

“Over the next 12 months we’ll be working more and more with local entrepreneurs, businesses and our local communities to provide support and guidance to those who want to work with us in a start-up capacity through our Enterprise Academy.

I believe we can play a pivotal role by working collaboratively with the SME community to help businesses to develop and grow by enabling our students and staff to engage with SMEs, bringing world leading research into practice and producing highly skilled and employable graduates. After all we have a responsibility that extends to making a difference outside academia to the communities we serve locally, nationally and internationally. n

“We recognise the importance of our SME community and that’s why so much of our research is based on the challenges these businesses face.”

School students along with academic staff were involved in helping local retailers connect with local shoppers through the development of a new online app called HurryHereNow. This is

“One of our goals is to increase the rate of graduate entrepreneurship which will create future wealth and employment in our communities.”

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REPORT FROM IAN MACKELLAR What impact will the National Living Wage have?

National Living Wage Ian Mackellar explains the impact on the National Living Wage coming into force next April.

WE HAVE got used to the National Minimum Wage which, in spite of initial misgivings, has turned out to be what in 1066 and All That would have been described a ‘a good thing’.

But it should not be confused with a ‘Living Wage’, as defined by the Living Wage Foundation, being the amount someone needs to earn to meet life’s necessities.

But now the Chancellor is giving us, from next April, a National Living Wage, which should not be confused with a living wage. Nor should it be confused with the National Minimum Wage even though, for very many people, that is exactly what it will be.

Young Master Osborne took a lot of people by surprise with this announcement. It was not the sort of thing you would have expected from a Chancellor in the Thatcher or Major eras. Even Gordon Brown might have thought it to be taking the NMW concept a bit far.

You don’t expect a Conservative finance minister to tell giant grocery chains to stop treating their employees with the same foppish disdain as they treat their suppliers.

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Could this be part of a cunning plan to win the EU referendum and keep Britain at the heart of Europe?

To be fair to the ‘big four’ UK supermarket chains, they do try quite hard to provide customer service. That involves employing a lot of people as cheaply as possible. Who gains from squeezing their margins by putting up those costs? Aldi and Lidl. Where are they based?

The trouble is that I’m not convinced that the Harrowboy is bright enough to have worked this out on his own or that Angela ‘Bismarck’ Merkel has the wit to go along with it to the extent of falling in with the Cameron master-plan for staying in the EU.

Osborne says his National Living Wage is part of the strategy of reducing the welfare budget by cutting down on working tax credits – parenthetically, he argued when the Lords got stroppy that tax credit changes were not welfare but finance matters, but we’ll set that to one side – but it has ramifications way beyond supermarket shelf-stackers in what Americans call the ‘boondocks’. It is actually yet another piece of metropolitan one-size-fits-all legislation of the sort that appealed to the Prime Minister for Islington, Tony Blair, and his mates.

What it means for NW-whatever is quite different from what it means for Cambridge, and a world away from what it means for the low-wage

“It is actually yet another piece of metropolitan one-size-fits-all legislation of the sort that appealed to the Prime Minister for Islington, Tony Blair, and his mates.”

REPORT FROM IAN MACKELLAR high-employment economies of, for example, Huntingdonshire, the Fens and south Lincolnshire.

In high-wage Cambridge it will be an irritant in sectors such as catering and hospitality.

Elsewhere it may cost jobs. For companies that kept on staff during the recession through a combination of compassion and self-interest it could be the last straw – ironic that recovery should deliver the very thing recession did not, falling employment.

Cambridge, where more than 30 companies are already committed to the proper Living Wage, is relatively relaxed, according to accountants and Chamber members Streets. There, James Pinchbeck says most employers outside the care and catering sectors already have to pay above the NLW threshold, so will be relatively unaffected. For those who currently pay more than the NMW but less than the NLW, the difference will effectively be that year’s pay rise during the transition to the 2020 rate the Chancellor is aiming for.

In the meantime, the principal beneficiaries may well be undergraduates supplementing their student loans.

How it is remunerated is likely to depend on how many low-wage workers are employed.

Some employers will take the change on the chin: others will test their businesses’ elasticities by hiking prices.

But it is outside the cities that the Chancellor’s largesse may prove to have unintended consequences. Barry Jefferd of Huntingdon accountants and Chamber member George Hay says employers of adults currently on NMW will be paying £5,178 a year extra for each worker,

difficulty – and that in turn could compromise local authorities’ ability to discharge their statutory duties.

Barry’s colleague Toni Hunter believes the change will discourage employers from creating new jobs, other than subsidised apprenticeships, and will then make them think twice about employing the apprentices they themselves have trained. She believes the increase in employment allowance will be inadequate to redress that balance.

The move may even be ‘ageist’ because it will be much cheaper to employ people under 25, and it could act as a further magnet to migrant workers from eastern Europe at the same time as depressing local employment opportunities, she adds.

“Most of our clients are small family businesses who are already outsourcing functions because they consider the cost of employment to be too onerous.

“And it’s scary for young people – the very people the politicians say it’s for. Maybe the Government should be helping low-wage workers in other ways, such as improving their skills.” n

“How it is remunerated is likely to depend on how many low-wage workers are employed. Some employers will take the change on the chin: others will test their businesses’ elasticities by hiking prices.” including employer’s NICs – more if pension contributions are taken into account. That is the equivalent of giving an annual increase of 6.8 per cent every year for the next five years.

What’s more, the introduction of the NLW will put many care workers on rates above what their supervisors are currently paid, so differentials will have to be maintained. With the squeeze on local government finances that could put social care providers into great

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CHAMBER EVENTS Your essential business calendar for the next month

PENSIONS AUTOENROLMENT: ARE YOU READY? DATE Tuesday 1 December TIME 7.45–9.30am LOCATION Chamber office, Minerva Business Park, Peterborough, PE2 6FT PRICE Free to attend but places must be booked in advance CONTACT Helen Bosett, Sector Co-ordinator, email h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk, call 01733 370809 to book.

A STEP-BY-STEP guide to auto-enrolment including your company’s legal responsibilities and the actions you should be taking ahead of your staging date. We’ll also be looking at the practicalities so you can be clear exactly what’s going to happen from both the employer’s and the employee’s perspective. n

Christmas Drinks reCeption – FenlanD DATE Wednesday 16 December TIME 5.00–7.00pm LOCATION Octavia View, 10a-14 South Brink, Wisbech, PE13 1JQ PRICE £10.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £15.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT Karen Dawson on 01223 209808 or places can be booked via the Chamber website at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

SHARE the festive spirit at our special Christmas Drinks Reception. We’ll greet you with mulled wine and canapes and introduce you to other members of the Chamber network. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet the local business community and make new connections in a relaxed setting. n

BUSINESS WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS LUNCH DATE Thursday 3 December TIME 11.45am–2.30pm LOCATION Marriott Hotel, Peterborough, PE2 6GB PRICE £25.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £32.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT Helen Bosett, Sector Co-ordinator, email h.bosett@cambscci.co.uk, call 01733 370809 or book online via the website.

from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service who will be joining us to share her experience as a woman progressing a successful career within a traditionally male-orientated environment.

Joining Vicky will be Ann Haughton, former mum of a MAGPAS patient, who will talk about why and how she has personally become involved with the charity.

A two-course meal and glass of wine is included in the ticket price, there will be EXCLUSIVELY for professional business women plenty of opportunities for networking over working within your organisation, this very the course of the event too. We will also be special annual event is guaranteed to inspire. holding a raffle raising funds for MAGPAS, the This year we welcome Firefighter Vicky Best Chambers’ nominated charity of the year. n

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CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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

Christmas lunCh – CambriDge DATE Friday 11 December TIME 12.00–3.00pm LOCATION St Johns College, St Johns Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TP PRICE £50.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £60.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members CONTACT Karen Dawson on 01223 209808 or places can be booked via the Chamber website at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

CHRISTMAS DRINKS – STAMFORD DATE Thursday 10 December TIME 6.00–8.00pm LOCATION Dawson of Stamford, 6 Red Lion Square, Stamford, PE9 2AJ PRICE £10.00 (plus VAT) per person CONTACT Helen Bosett on 01733 370809 or places can be booked via the Chamber website at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

WE WELCOME you to our Christmas Lunch with a glass of hot mulled wine and invite you to informally network with colleagues, clients and friends before being seated for a delicious three course Christmas lunch.

Over coffee and mince pies we’ll hold a raffle, raising funds for our charity of the year Magpas. All prize donations are gratefully received.

We’re delighted to announce that Gillian Beasley (left), the newly-announced joint Chief Executive of both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, will be providing the keynote address, giving you the chance to hear first-hand why both councils have taken this bold step to share a Chief Executive. n Sponsored by:

COME along for a glass of wine and sample some fine party food.

Held in the historic building of Dawson of Stamford, you will be offered the unique opportunity to see the upstairs gallery of its fine quality antique silver. Places are strictly limited and are to be booked in advance. n Sponsored by:

INFORMAL NETWORKING EVENINGS DECEMBER 2015 TUE 1

HOLIDAY INN HUNTINGDON RACECOURSE

5.00–7.00PM

WED 2

THE CROWN HOTEL, STAMFORD

5.00–7.00PM

WED 9

WATERFRONT BAR, WYBOSTON LAKES

5.00–7.00PM

INFORMAL NETWORKING EVENINGS JANUARY 2016 MON 11

THE LAMB HOTEL, ELY

5.00–7.00PM

WED 20

PARK INN, PETERBOROUGH

5.00–7.00PM

THU 21

HOLIDAY INN, CAMBRIDGE

5.00–7.00PM

WED 27

OLIVER CROMWELL HOTEL, MARCH

5.00–7.00PM

CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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ASK THE EXPERT This month’s Ask the Expert focuses on digital marketing

ASK THE EXPERT John Dibb, Digital Director at KISS Public Relations, gives us an overview of digital marketing

WHY DO I NEED A DIGITAL STRATEGY? A digital strategy is key. Without a clear strategy you can easily get distracted by your competitors and veer off task – you have to stay true to what you want to achieve.

A crucial part of the digital strategy is setting clear KPIs, which not only need to be aligned with your business objectives, but also with the digital platform you are operating on.

WHAT IS A RESPONSIVE SITE AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT? A responsive website ensures that you are provided with optimal viewing and an interactive experience. It’s one of the most important elements to a website as it guarantees that whichever platform is used to view your page, all the content is available. A full 50 per cent of people said that even if they liked a business, they would use it less often if the site wasn’t mobile friendly.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE OUR SEO? Google has the power to make or break your site, therefore you have to be alert to various changes in its algorithms. These algorithms determine which kind of phrases and key words will help to get your site to the top of the page. Furthermore, you must produce valuable content. By creating consistent content, you will heighten your chances of making it to the top of page.

WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT BIG THING IN DIGITAL? User-centric is the next big thing in digital.

Companies have to start investing more time into improving the customer experience and making each moment they engage online a unique, personal one. With so many places on and offline to purchase the same product or service, it is vital that the customer is given a memorable experience.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I UPDATE MY SITE? You should update your site at least weekly. Users coming onto your site have the ability to leave at any moment, so you need to make sure they have a reason to stay.

You have to be able to draw in a customer within three seconds and new content is the best way to do this. On the more technical side of things, you have to ensure that Google and other search engine bots keep returning to index your site.

HOW IMPORTANT IS SOCIAL MEDIA? Social media is a gateway to talk to your customers on a more personal level, and interact with them daily. Many businesses these days treat social media as an after-thought, and this can cause their popularity to decline rapidly. To reach as many customers as possible and create a trustworthy online personality, you need to set aside time each day to build up your profile. Social media is also a key factor for the ranking of your site on Google and other search engines.

CONNECTED DECEMBER 2015

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MySpire Corporate Have you got yours yet?

MySpire Corporate offers a number of benefits to employees of local companies accessing services at Spire Healthcare Hospitals.

MySpire corporate is free to employers and employees to sign up with no contract.

Once you have registered your card you can use it to claim the following rewards and discounts*.

5% discount for any fixed price self-pay in-patient, day case and out-patient procedure carried out at a Spire Healthcare Hospital 5% discount for any self-pay physiotherapy 10% discount for any out-patient diagnostics, tests, imaging and pathology

Spire Healthcare, for all your healthcare needs back pain assessment clinic bone and joint specialists breast clinic chest pain clinic cosmetic surgery ear, nose and throat specialists eye specialists hernia repair hip and knee replacements men’s health MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound scans physiotherapy skin cancer and lesion clinic spinal surgery varicose vein surgery women’s health

Register your company’s interest today *Terms and conditions apply. For full details visit www.spirehealthcare.com/myspire

Please visit www.spirehealthcare.com/myspire or email myspirecorporate@spirehealthcare.com