Changing Lives: Cullimore Duttons Business Newsletter, March 23

CHESTER NETWORKING WHAT’S ON GUIDE

OUR EVENTS

18 April at 12:30am

Chester Luncheon Club with guest speaker Louise Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Chester Racecourse.

1539 at Chester Racecourse

18 May at 5:30pm

The Mid-Week Mixer

Relaxed and informal networking for professionals in the early stages of their career. Popcorn, 1 St John St, Chester CH1 1DA

OTHER SELECTED NETWORKING EVENTS

11am 19 April

The Accidental Influencer

Meet one accidental influencer and two Instagram experts over Pasta & Prosecco

Artezzan Restaurant & Bar 33 Pepper Street

10am 26 April

Netwalk Delamere

Local business networking whilst walking around the delightful Delamere Forest.

Delamere Forest CW8 2JD

Mondays (fortnightly)

networx4business

A supportive networking experience, that runs across Cheshire, North Wales and the Wirral.

Ristorante Sergio, 18a St Werburgh Street, Chester, CH1 2DY

WELCOME TO MARCH’S BUSINESS NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our second business newsletter of the year.

This month, we have been talking to Louise Stewart who has recently completed her first 12 months as the CEO of Chester Race Company. Find out what attracted her to the world of racing, her plans for the world’s oldest racecourse still in operation and what she loves about the city.

There’s also a chance to sign up for our next business lunch in April where Louise will be our first guest speaker.

In this issue, you can find out more about Chester Rugby Union Football Club, who we sponsor, and we invite you to support our representative in this year’s Chester Duck Race –Quackiemore Duckie (AKA Duckpool).

We’ve also got the latest networking events taking place in the city and free will, pension and investment reviews for our readers.

Andrew Wright | Managing Director #WeChangeLives

We have a host of tips and advice on the Knowledge Hub area of our website. You’ll find everything from understanding inheritance tax and the secrets to a good divorce, and what you need to know when leasing a commercial unit. Here are a selection of our recent guides and articles:

• Are you too young for an LPA?

• Quick guide to LPAs

• Unravelling inheritance tax

• Mould and maintenance in rented housing

• A quick guide to wills

• Fixed Fee Divorce – Don’t gamble with your future

• A tenant’s quick guide to leasing a commercial unit

• Why should you leave a gift to charity in your Will?

CHESTER LUNCHEON CLUB HEADS TO THE RACES

Following another successful CLC at Artezzan in March we are excited to announce that April’s Chester Luncheon Club will be hosted in 1539 at Chester Racecourse.

Chester Luncheon Club is our relaxed and informal, monthly business and networking lunch for Cheshire professionals.

Attendance cost just £20 (payable on the day) and includes relaxed networking with a welcome drink and two course lunch.

Event details:

Date: Tuesday 18 April

Time: 12:30pm – 2pm

Location: 1539, Nuns Road, Chester CH1 2LY

Introducing our first guest speaker Luncheon Club guests recently indicated that a speaker on a quarterly basis would be a welcome addition to the event. As such we are delighted to announce that our first guest speaker will be Louise Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Chester Racecourse

(See our interview with Louise on page 5).

To book your place visit: www.cullimoredutton.co.uk/clc-april-23/

March’s CLC at Artezzan

March’s CLC at Artezzan

March’s CLC at Artezzan

OFF TO A FLYING START

An interview with Louise Stewart

Yorkshire born Louise Stewart has recently completed her first 12 months as the CEO of Chester Race Company, whose racecourses include Chester, Bangor-on-Dee in North Wales and Musselburgh in Scotland. Here she talks to Cullimore Dutton about what she loves about the job and her plans for the business.

How did you get started in business?

I properly started my career when I was 25. Before then, I worked in a number of roles in restaurants, bars and overseas for a number of different tour companies and had lots of fun. Over the years, I’ve had a number of very interesting roles all focused in the leisure, culture and tourism sectors.

Before taking up the Chester role, I was CEO of Alexandra Palace or ‘Ally Pally’ as it’s better known, for nearly 7 years. A key part of that job was strengthening both the charitable and commercial operations, and investing in the visitor experience. Before this, I was Deputy CEO of VisitEngland, the national tourist board and held senior roles at both One North East and Yorkshire Forward Regional Development Agencies.

What attracted you to the world of racing?

Although it’s my first job in the racing world, I’ve always loved horses. I was very horsey as a teenager and rode from the age of 13 until I went to university. I did a lot of cross country and jumping, not on thoroughbreds like at the racecourse, but on really old ponies!

Louise has a life-lomg love of horses

Louise Stewart

The thrill of race day

There was a chap down the road from me growing up who had three carthorses which I would look after for him. I’d take them out in a trap or jump them and they were amazing.

I also spent time at a local livery helping out and mucking out horses all in return for riding. It was a great way to spend time as a kid. Everyone thinks the horse world is just for wealthy people, but you couldn’t be further from the truth, it’s a very diverse industry.

What’s the view like from your office?

Most people expect me to be based on the racecourse, but actually my office is in HQ, which is nearby. I’ve got the most wonderful views across the whole of the racecourse and over to North Wales, and I can also see the Cathedral and cityscape from where I sit. People always comment on the view when they come in for a meeting.

What are your plans for Chester?

Chester is a world-famous racecourse with a great reputation and it was very flattering to

be approached to do this job. It’s an exciting city to live and work in and I love its rich heritage. Established in 1539, our racecourse is the oldest racecourse still in operation in the world.

The diversity of the business is what excites me. We have 15 race days during the year and outside of that there’s a whole host of hospitality, leisure, corporate events, meetings, exhibitions and dinners going on. We also own and operate the Holiday Inn Express on site and a fabulous pub in the city centre.

My focus is to make sure that the existing operation runs as efficiently as possible, that we deliver great experiences for our guests and that we look after our site and the buildings that we have. I’m also looking at how we can develop the course to be even more of a multi-purpose venue. The site was of course designed as a racecourse, but there is clearly an opportunity to build on the success of the year-round events operation.

What do you think of the business community?

It’s a brilliant little city and the business community has been very welcoming to me. I like that people value the role the racecourse has to play in the city and that they want to get you involved in stuff.

I’ve worked in lots of different places and I’m always amazed at the footfall we get in Chester. People are starting to come out in bigger numbers again and places like the new Market are great assets. I don’t think I’ve ever been in there when it’s not busy. The food offering is exciting, I love the new wool shop and it’s such a good idea to make it dog friendly.

Louise will be the guest speaker at our next business lunch in April. It takes place on April 18th at 1539 between 12.30pm-2pm at Chester Racecourse.

For more details and to book your place visit www.cullimoredutton.co.uk/clc-april-23

info@cullimoredutton.co.uk

LOUISE STEWART FAST FACTS

What do you like about Chester?

I love the Rows, the coffee shops and I’m looking forward to exploring more of the bars and restaurants. I live just ten-minutes from the city centre because I want to be part of the community and close to work.

An ideal weekend?

I would go running, cycling or just take our dog, a whippet called Barry, for a good walk. I’m also a keen open water swimmer and always on the lookout for some lovely new places to swim.

How do you relax?

The exercise is how I relax but sometimes I’ll get stuck into a good book or work on my knitting. Thankfully, British diver Tom Daley has made knitting cool again. I’m currently knitting a blanket and previously made a woolly jumper for the dog!

A little-known fact about you?

During my third year at University, studying for a Tourism Management degree, I spent a year in industry working as a mountain guide in North Wales, and Cumbria.

What type of CEO are you?

Approachable, inclusive and I have a collegiate style. I don’t have a big ego and I understand that my team will always know more than I do about what they do. We work on plans and problems together. It’s a different style, but it works well.

A tick box exercise or does it bring real value to your business and its future sustainability?

By Caroline Swailes, Founder & Director of Be Ethical Training

Caroline Swailes

Let’s start at the beginning to give some context to what ESG means for a business today and when ESG credentials can support its ability to sustain itself.

Investors developed environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings to value a business based on more than just profit nearly twenty years ago. Today ESG has evolved into a much more mainstream subject, now used by companies who aim to put structure in place to help understand and maximise its impact on society and the planet using these three key areas as a framework. Also, enabling a business to define how much ‘profit with purpose’ it achieves yearly.

But why bother?

If you aim to be in business for the long term, then there will come a tipping point at which you will have to take your ESG seriously. It all starts with recognising the importance of supporting your employees, those in your community and the planet’s future by using your business as a platform for good.

In general, there are two scenarios with ESG. A business throws a load of cash at it through branding and marketing campaigns to make it

look good externally, but when its employees are quizzed, they haven’t got a clue what ESG is, never mind the commitments and impact of their business. It is not a good look, especially if those questions come from a potential investor, bank, or someone looking to work for you in the future. An organisation’s internal culture needs to support the external perception of its brand, otherwise it can significantly impact its longterm financial performance and reputation.

The other scenario is a business is doing great things; employees love working there, and the culture aligns with ESG values, but externally, no one has a clue because they don’t ‘blow their own trumpets’ and share the impact with the external stakeholders.

It’s all about getting the balance right because this is where the real value is achieved.

If you manage your ESG but do not report or share the impact with those who buy from you or want to work for you, you will miss out because your competitors will. You will undoubtedly miss out on securing new business and recruiting and retaining the best staff.

Reporting outcomes is vital as this informs stakeholders about how stable your business is, what your future growth plans include and how you aim to support the sustainability of your workforce and business, aligning this message with ESG.

Be Ethical Training was founded in 2020 to support companies in understanding their current ESG position through ESG awareness training. To develop a structured and managed ESG programme, aiming to de-risk and sustain that business in the future.

www.be-ethical.com

So, promoting your ESG credentials is essential, and here are the stats to prove it:

• 83% of consumers will always choose a brand with a better sustainability record.

Wunderman Thompson

• 90% of employees who work at companies with a strong sense of purpose say they’re more inspired, motivated, and loyal.

Aflac

• One in three young workers turn down jobs due to poor ESG records

IEMA

• Engaging in socially valuable projects can reduce employee turnover by as much as 50% IO Sustainability

• Procurement evaluation in the past may have weighed 60% price and 40% quality, today we are seeing weightings of up to 20% for social value alone

Propeller Studios

So, is ESG just a tick-box exercise?

To some, it may seem so. But when it comes to presenting your credentials authentically, it can’t just be about a piece of paper classed as a policy with one person attempting to engage an entire workforce in a subject that has to be informed and owned by all.

When a commitment is made, and a business takes an ESG approach to its operations, the culture of that business will adapt too, engagement and loyalty will increase, recruiting costs will reduce, customer retention will improve, and all this will add value to your company and its resilience for the future.

So, all in all, ESG can sustain your business and improve societal outcomes while also working towards securing the planet’s future. And never underestimate your contribution. The UK comprises 5.5 million SMEs, employing 16 million people. Together we can make a significant difference if we all make small changes and improve our impact each year. But we must get started.

Of course, you will need to commit time and resources to the development of your ESG, but surely that is a small price to pay to ensure your business is here for the long term, managed by a loyal workforce and supported by customers who promote and sell your business for you because of your commitments to the planet and society.

INTRODUCING QUACKIMORE DUCKIE!

We have been delighted to introduce you to a very special new member of our team; our representative in Chester’s… annual Duck Race… Quackimore Duckie!

TOCLICKHERE DONATE

Come and cheer Quackimore Duckie on in the big race

We would love for you to join us on Saturday 1st April at the Chester Duck Race on the River Dee, to cheer on Quackimore in his efforts; to support our local hospital and raise money for The Countess Charity.

Sponsor Quackimore Duckie

We are inviting anyone who is able to support Quackimore’s efforts to make a donation to the Countess Charity, to donate simply click here.

Our Duck Committee have been working hard to give Quackimore Duckie (AKA Duckpool) a makeover as he prepares for the Duck Race. We will be documenting his adventures and training regime around Chester and beyond, as he gets ready to take the plunge (literally) carrying the hopes of our team on his wings (along with two fake swords).

The event starts from 12pm, where the flock of decorated ducks will be on display including Quackimore Duckie. There will also be fun activities such as a colouring competition, hook a duck, and a visit from Puddle Duck! There will be something for all the family.

The race begins at 3pm, with prizes awarded at 4pm.

We hope to see you there to cheer on the ducks for a very worthwhile cause!

Quackimore Duckie {AKA Duckpool)

We are asking clients, colleagues, and the wider community to donate new, or nearly new pyjama sets for children up to the age of 12

SUCCESSFUL RETURN OF THE MID-WEEK MIXER

Our Mid-Week Mixer made a successful return at the end of February with over 40 Cheshire professionals joining us for drinks at Opera Grill.

The “Mixer” is a relaxed and informal networking event with a difference in that it is specifically for professionals in the early stages of their career.

Cullimore Dutton host and paralegal Isabella Martindale said: “Networking can be challenging for those in the early stages of their career; however, these are skills which every aspiring professional needs to develop. The Mid-Week Mixer is the perfect opportunity for this. We take a room full of professionals all at a similar stage of their career, we then set them a few simple challenges such as finding and connecting with someone from a different sector or finding and connecting with someone from the same sector who is not a colleague. These simple tasks help breakdown any barriers guests have starting conversations and encourage guests to make connections.”

Mid-Week Mixer guest Charlotte DohertyJones of Cyril Jones & Co said: “Such an amazing event and so great to meet so many others in the same stages of their careers as me. Can’t wait for the next one!! Thank you to everyone who hosted.”

Our next Mid-Week Mixer takes place on Thursday 18 May at Popcorn.

If you’re a Chester business professional in the early stages of your career, or if you know someone is and would interested in joining us at our next MWM, please email events@cullimoredutton.co.uk

Mid-Week Mixer at Opera Grill

Mid-Week Mixer at Opera Grill

Mid-Week Mixer at Opera Grill

A relaxed and informal social and networking event for professionals in the early stages of their career

Date: Thursday 18 May

Time: from 5:30pm Location: Popcorn, 1 St John St, Chester CH1 1DA

WELCOME TO CHESTER RUFC

Chester Rugby Club is the largest recreational member’s club in the Chester area.

We were founded in 1925 and first played our matches on temporary pitches on the Roodee. We moved to our present ground at Hare Lane in 1961. The ‘new’ clubhouse was built in 1994 and we began hosting the RFU funded Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) in 2017.

We have nearly 2,000 individual members, including 850 active players in over 35 teams from under 5’s right up to our veterans and walking rugby players. Our 1st team plays in the higher leagues of English rugby and we have one of the largest and fastest growing women & girl’s sections in the country. We have a large contingent of social members, spectators, coaches and supportive parents of our junior team members.

Our facilities are second to none and are the envy of many of our visiting teams. In addition to the AGP, we have 8 grass pitches, 3 squash courts and a fabulous club house which has a 2,500 square feet function area, a café, an award-winning caterer and 3 bars –a great place to host our many social events.

We are a friendly bunch at Chester Rugby Club. Our mission is to provide a positive and welcoming environment for all our members and visitors by maintaining our family culture, continually improving our facilities, fostering rugby in all its formats and providing tangible opportunities for all, whether it is progression to senior rugby or maintaining an enjoyable involvement in the game such as supporting our teams and joining in with social events.

Maintaining our fantastic facilities does not come cheap though and we are so lucky to have the support and sponsorship of many generous local firms such as Cullimore

Dutton. Sponsorship provides so many benefits, not least the opportunity for significant brand awareness around the ground to the many thousands of visitors we have each year. Flexible packages are also available to suit our sponsor’s needs and companies can choose a bespoke package including sponsoring players, teams, kits and also to enjoy the fantastic match day facilities to entertain clients and staff.

If you would like to find out more about how you can put a little bit back into the local community and benefit from sponsoring Chester Rugby Club - please contact Dave

Maloney, Club Chairman

chair@chester-rufc.com

Maintaining our fantastic facilities does not come cheap though and we are so lucky to have the support and sponsorship of many generous local firms such as Cullimore Dutton. Sponsorship provides so many benefits, not least the opportunity for significant brand awareness around the ground to the many thousands of visitors we have each year.

HOLD THE BACK PAGE

Free pension review

We are offering all our clients a free pension review. Our free pension review will cut through all the jargon, ensure that you have a complete overview of your pension status and what your retirement looks like.

For more information or to book an appointment please visit www.cullimoredutton.co.uk/free-pension-review

Free Family Law Clinics

We are delighted to be able to offer free, monthly Family Law Clinics* to new and existing clients. Our family law clinics are ideal for anyone working in, or visiting Chester City Centre, who would like to be able to access half an hour of free, completely confidential expert advice at a time which is convenient to you. Click here to reserve your place

Tax year end: Five ways to make the most use of your annual allowances

One of the foundations of financial planning is to make use of your annual tax allowances. It’s even more important now as these allowances seem to be getting squeezed more and more, increasing our tax burden. Click here for more details.

Free will review

Have your personal or business circumstances changed recently?

Our Wills & Probate Team are offering all clients a free will review. With the many tax changes that have taken place in recent years, now is a good time to make or review your will..

Click here for more details.