Diamond Edition 22 - September & October 2023

Squirrels - cute and furry garden animals or a menace?

AI at work from the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre

GDBA 2024: Celebrating Business Excellence

Sponsored by

Awards

Welcome!

in the next step on her career path. But as the saying goes, as one door closes another one opens, and we are delighted to welcome Francesca Matteini as our new Membership & Marketing Assistant and Ciaran Donohue who will be studying for his Business Admin level 3 - our eighth apprentice! They are both excited to join the gdb Team and are looking forward to supporting us and helping you to get the very best from your gdb membership.

award categories!)

The 2024 programme will be unveiled at our VIP Alumni lunch, in early October. Open to all previous GDBA winners, sponsors and partners, I urge you to book very soon if you haven’t already, and if you are interested in sponsoring this VIP event, please do get in touch to explore the available options.

Welcome to your September/October edition of Diamond, full as always of great news stories and updates from you, our valued gdb members!

September marks the beginning of Autumn (although as I am writing we seem to be experiencing a mini heatwave!), and as with the unpredictable ‘good old British weather’, there are often changes to navigate when running a business. gdb is no different as we prepare to say goodbye to Aaliyah at the end of September. I am sure you will all join us in thanking Aaliyah for her support and enthusiasm over the past 3 years and wish her the very best of luck

Our front-cover for this edition is dedicated to a beautiful Hawk called Luna and her handler Alan Day, both team members at multi award winning pest control company, Cleankill. On page 8 Cleankill’s Managing Director, Paul Bates tells us of the disturbing number of issues squirrels can cause, and on page 21 we see that Cleankill have been shortlisted as one of 4 finalists in the National Pest Awards. Best of luck to Paul and the Cleankill team and huge thanks for sponsoring this edition of Diamond.

I can’t mention awards at this time of year of course, without highlighting the much-anticipated Gatwick Diamond Business Awards. With preparations in full flow for the launch of our 15th annual Awards and returning for the third year in a row to the stunning Grand Hotel, Brighton, you get a sneak peek at this year’s new colour scheme and branding on page 2. (I do hope you are planning to enter at least one of the

Being General Manager of gdb is certainly a privilege, and recent thrills have included the loan of an all-electric Jaguar I-PACE for a week (see page 24) and being followed around Gatwick Airport by a film crew as part of their Northern Runway Campaign!

My last words for this edition are to honour a very dear friend and gdb Ambassador, Jaffer Lokhandvala, who sadly passed away in July. Many of you will have known Jaffer well, and all who knew him will have very fond memories of the wonderful, positive and selfless gentleman he was. At our August Members Meeting we paid tribute to Jaffer and on behalf of gdb, Susan Fleet has kindly written a further tribute which you can see on page 6. Thank you, Susan.

Our thanks as always to Creative Pod for the design of Diamond, and to all of you who have contributed your news, inspiring stories and advice to this edition.

Sally Brown General Manager

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Michael Humphrey

Business name: DigiBubble Limited

Member since: March 2021

Description: We help businesses grow online by driving a positive ROI through website design and digital marketing. We build meaningful relationships with our clients to unlock their formula for digital success.

1. What appealed to you about joining gdb?

Gatwick Diamond Business has a thriving community of businesses throughout the South East. This provides DigiBubble with the opportunity to connect with other businesses in the area, learn from them, and collaborate on projects. We are firm believers that you are a reflection of the company you keep and we want to sit alongside the best possible businesses.

2. What was the thing that surprised you about gdb?

I was surprised by how engaged Gatwick Diamond Business is with its members and how they work to ensure you are connected and introduced to the membership. There is a culture of collaboration, and this is evident from the first meeting.

3. What’s the biggest single thing you’ve got from being a member of gdb?

A network of support from businesses throughout the region. I am free to seek advice and guidance from members which is freely offered. This has proved invaluable when considering factors that are outside of our scope and gives us

the confidence to tackle any issue our clients may face.

4. What difference has being a member of gdb made to your business?

Gatwick Diamond Business has given us the opportunity to share our expertise at events and workshops. This has helped us to position ourselves as a thought leader in the digital marketing space, and to build our reputation as a trusted advisor throughout the South East.

5. gdb puts on lots of different types of events - what’s your favourite?

The monthly member meeting is a firm favourite. It’s a great opportunity to meet with new and existing members in a relaxed environment. All of the members are welcoming and interested in my business. It is a fantastic opportunity to hear the successes being achieved.

6. What’s different about gdb compared to other networking you do?

gdb allows me to sit alongside larger businesses in the region, when a lot of other networking locally is focused on businesses that are just starting or a little smaller. gdb has enabled opportunities

with sizable businesses that would have typically been difficult to reach through other means.

7. What’s your top tip for getting the most out of networking?

Do not seek immediate gratification, seek to build relationships in the room and keep yourself front of mind for when the time is right. Seek out members that you feel can add value to your business and make yourself known.

8. Besides the events, what else do you get out of your gdb membership?

I am part of the Diamond Leaders for Growth Programme which offers members a peer group for focused business support and training. This programme has allowed me the time to focus on my business and lean on peers to support the growth of DigiBubble, as well as tackle specific issues. As well as this, Gatwick Diamond Business has given us access to marketing and promotion opportunities. This has helped us to raise our profile and attract new customers.

www.digibubble.co.uk

Gatwick Diamond Business has allowed our business to sit among the top businesses in the region, leaning on experience, expertise and support that allow my business to flourish.

How to keep a good credit rating

Whilst lenders don’t look at your actual credit ‘score’, your credit report forms an important part of personal or business borrowing. With that in mind here are a few tips to keep that credit rating top notch.

Pay Your Bills on Time: Timely bill payments are crucial for a positive credit history. Set up reminders or automatic minimum payments to ensure you never miss a due date.

Monitor Your Credit Score: Regularly monitoring your credit score allows you to stay informed about your credit health. Lenders don’t pay attention to the actual ‘score’, but it can be a good indicator for you if something has gone awry.

Keep Credit Card Balances Low: High credit card balances can negatively affect your credit utilisation ratio. Keeping your credit utilisation below

30% can demonstrate responsible credit management, having a higher utilisation percentage suggests your finances are under stress.

Maintain a Diverse Credit Mix: Having a mix of credit accounts, such as credit cards, loans, HP, can positively impact your credit score. It shows lenders that you can handle different types of credit responsibly. However, avoid opening too many new accounts simultaneously, as it raises concerns about your financial stability.

Avoid Closing Old Credit Accounts: Length of credit history is an important factor. Weirdly, a repaid credit card you don’t use suggests you have access to credit but only use when needed and it reduces the utilisation ratio. However, remember to monitor them for any fraudulent activity, especially if a replacement card is sent to an old address.

Global hyperdrive for wind and solar generation

New data published in the Global Electricity Review from energy analyst, Ember, reveals that May 2023 was the first full month on record to see wind and solar electricity overtake fossil fuel generation in the EU.

Wind and solar accounted for 31% of electricity, while fossil fuels generated a record low of 27%.

This hyperdrive of renewable transition marks a significant turning point for the fight against climate change. It’s also the first time ever that an annual drop in fossil fuels has occurred without the influence of other factors such as the recession and the pandemic.

Ember believes that this is due to a culmination of growth in solar power, strong wind performance and low electricity demand.

Major milestones in the UK

Review Your Credit Reports Annually: Obtain free copies of your credit reports annually from Equifax and Experian. This allows you to spot errors, inaccuracies, or fraudulent accounts. Be especially vigilant if you change addresses as things often get missed.

limeconsultancy.net

In the first three months of 2023, renewable sources (wind, solar, biomass, and hydro) contributed 42% of UK electricity, while fossil fuels supplied 33%.

Drax Electric Insights released findings from an Imperial College London report in June 2023, which revealed that 32.4% of UK electricity was supplied from wind power during the first quarter of 2023, the first time in 100 years that the UK has not been primarily reliant on fossil fuels.

It is also the first time that wind has provided the largest share of power in any quarter in the history of the country’s electricity grid.

The future looks green

To find out how your business can get onboard with the renewable transition, visit our Carbon Solutions Hub - cec. uk.com/services/carbon-solutions-hub

Jaffer Lokhandvala

to bring out the best in everybody he encountered. He was kind, reliable, and totally trustworthy.

Jaffer and I met – like most of our fellow members – at a networking meeting. My first impression was that Jaffer made me feel instantly at ease and as though I was the only person in the room. Everyone he encountered felt that way about him and his warmth was infectious.

opportunity to realise his ambition to travel the world at their expense. This was followed by some big roles which included setting up and owning his own highly successful IT company, which he sold last year.

A few Jaffer facts… Not only was he a qualified ski instructor who taught numerous friends to ski, an accomplished sailor, as well as a qualified helicopter pilot.

by Susan Fleet

The sad news that gdb Ambassador Jaffer had passed away met not only with shock but also immense sadness. Jaffer was just SO very special. Not just because he was a superb networker, but also a great guy. A real gentleman, in the old-fashioned sense of the word, because he was ‘gentle’. A man with the utmost integrity and an innate ability

Why values matter

And what you need to do as a business to ensure yours are sound.

The right values operate as a steward for events which occur that have the potential to destroy a reputation and a business. Values help us to take the right decisions during challenging times, helping to navigate complexity and ambiguity by setting a framework for how to operate.

Here are three ways you can check if your values are fit for purpose:

Test out before you commit to them

In some contexts, certain words or phrases carry different meaning to different audiences. The word “ambitious” seems like a fairly innocuous word for a corporate value, but for some stakeholders, can carry a more bullish sentiment that may not resonate. Your business values are part of your brand, and how customers relate to you. So, chose them wisely!

Interestingly, it was only a few short years ago that Jaffer told his colleague he didn’t see the point in networking! However, after his first experience, Jaffer didn’t look back. In truth, Jaffer became the King of Networking.

Jaffer had an interesting and diverse career. After leaving university, he went to Cirencester Agricultural College and later joined Massey Ferguson’s development programme which gave him the

The tributes for Jaffer are still pouring in and Elaine has been bowled over by the love and respect for her husband.

Jaffer was a truly remarkable man - he was the most honest, generous, thoughtful, highly intelligent and kind person anyone could ever wish to meet. He made a huge impact on our local business community - especially gdband he will long be remembered as an exceptional friend and colleague.

Set appropriate behaviours

Consider the behaviours that must be visible to demonstrate values are embedded. For example, if you say one of your values is “transparency”, what does this really mean in practice? Which things are you transparent about? What level of openness and honesty are you really comfortable with, especially if you get something wrong? Values should set you apart, but only if they are truly embedded in ways that customers and other stakeholders can see and feel when they do business with you.

Reinforce with action

Many companies state their values outwardly yet don’t have a framework to manage them inwardly. If a value is violated by a member of staff in a way that damages your reputation, or your bottom line, what action will you take and are you prepared to take it? Taking action when a value has been infringed shouldn’t involve blame

or punishment. Values drive better performance by fostering a culture of learning where mistakes are considered as opportunities to grow and improve.

victoria@integrityperformance consultancy.co.uk

integrityperformanceconsultancy. co.uk/contact

Local Businesses Work for Good, helping to protect the wildlife and wild places of Sussex

saying they shop with purpose in mind, sales fundraising is a great way for local businesses stand out from the crowd, whilst supporting a cause close to their heart.

Clothing brands. It’s a fantastic way for businesses to sustainably support our work and have powerful and positive impact, whatever their size.

Sussex Wildlife Trust believe everyone should be able to turn the work they do into good. We’ve found an easy way for local businesses to sustainably support our future, by fundraising for us through their sales via the small business fundraising platform Work for Good. With 82% of consumers now

By pledging their donation via our Work for Good page they can join a growing community of like-minded businesses, by donating in a legal, simple and sustainable way that works for them. To support us through their sales, they must have a Commercial Participation Agreement, which is created through the Work for Good donations form.

The Trust now have 12 businesses generously supporting them through the Work for Good platform, from Breweries to Artists, Consultants to

Is Crawley Creative Enough?

That’s the question being asked by one of our newest members

Creative Playground: a new long-term programme in Crawley, funded by Arts Council England that invites local people to explore how art and culture can create a new sense of aspiration, joy and togetherness in their town.

Creative Playground was set up following a series of conversations with local business, education and community leaders about how important arts and culture is to the local economy and to the wellbeing of residents.

The values of the project have been developed with and by local people and focus on bringing joyful togetherness, boundlessness, pride of place, inclusivity and opportunity to Crawley.

By taking part in the project, local businesses can offer their staff opportunities to learn new skills and shape the creative future of the town by becoming a volunteer Creative Playground Playmaker.

Louise Blackwell and Sophie Eustace, Creative Playground’s Co-Directors, are

keen to emphasise that you don’t have to currently feel like you’re creative or arty to get involved:

“Creative Playground can be what you want to make it, especially if you are up for having a go and being part of something bigger. You can be involved in small ways or develop more in-depth connections. By taking part you might have fun, feel like an explorer, feel more confident or happier. Dip your toe in. You never know who you might meet or what might happen.

“Whether you are an interested local resident, have a passion for reading or online gaming, like listening to music or

If you know a local business owner who may want to support Sussex Wildlife Trust through sales fundraising, ask them to get in touch with Louise, who would also be delighted to speak to any charities who would like to find out more about Sales Fundraising, and how it could work for your cause too.

workforgood.co.uk/charities/sussexwildlife-trust

LouiseCollins@sussexwt.org.uk

watching films. Or if you love am-dram, are a business owner, a hair-dresser, a delivery driver, a teacher, or a taxi driver. Or whether you work in a pub, at Gatwick Airport, a care home or anything in between in Crawley. This could be for you.”

To find out more about getting involved visit creativeplaygroundcrawley.com or come along to one of Creative Playground’s Free Friday events taking place every Friday in either Bewbush, Broadfield, Langley Green and West Green.

Photo by Ian Greenland

Squirrels – cute and furry garden animals or a menace?

Some people think Grey squirrels are cute and cuddly, but they actually cause more problems than rats according to Paul Bates, Managing Director of Cleankill Pest Control.

from a premises to stop squirrels leaping on to the property. Ivy or any other climbing plants should be cut back so they can’t be used to access roof spaces. Food sources, for instance bird feeders, should be removed or replaced with squirrel-proof versions.

DIY pest control is strongly discouraged by the British Pest Control Association

Squirrels are very determined creatures and if they find a weak point around the soffit boards leading into your loft, it can be very difficult to get them out and keep them out. Rats, on the other hand, tend to enter lofts by moving up wall cavities from the under-floor drain areas and can’t normally find their way in again, once they have been proofed out.

Like rats, squirrels have ever-growing incisor teeth so the creatures need to constantly gnaw on hard objects to keep their teeth from growing too long. Electric cables chewed by squirrels are a common cause of building fires and blackouts. Squirrels are also responsible for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to roof beams and supports.

Electric cables chewed by squirrels are a common cause of building fires and blackouts

Squirrels in residence can also contaminate any unsealed water tanks with their droppings and cause flooding by gnawing through water pipes.

Treatment for a squirrel problem will normally involve a survey of the premises to assess where the pests are entering the building and what proofing measures need to be taken to keep them out. Then it is likely that a trapping programme will be needed to catch and remove all of the Squirrels, requiring several follow up visits.

The best way to prevent an invasion is to block any holes in the building and ensure overhanging trees are far enough

Much like other rodents, squirrels can carry and transmit a range of diseases such as Lyme disease (via ticks), leptospirosis and salmonella. They can also transport fleas, posing a further risk to both people and pets. In addition to the risk of disease, females can become very aggressive and will attack if they think their pups are being threatened.

Once settled, it is extremely difficult to get squirrels to leave and DIY pest control is strongly discouraged by the British Pest Control Association. It is illegal to use a rat trap for a squirrel as they can cause suffering to the animal and under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act it is illegal to release a Grey squirrel into the wild or allow one to escape. It means that if you trap a squirrel you are obliged to despatch it using a humane method.

This can be distressing and should only be performed by a qualified and competent pest controller. Pest Control Professionals are the only people with the experience, expertise and skills to assess and advise the best course of action.

If you have a squirrel problem or another pest problem, contact www.cleankill.co.uk for a free survey.

Roffey Park Launch New Free Guide to Personal Effectiveness

Developing personal effectiveness is essential today. Increasingly we need to influence people both in person and virtually, utilising different forms of communication. We are best able to do this through developing our confidence, clarity of purpose and communication

skills. Our roles as leaders or managers also require that we inspire and engage our people. This is at the heart of bringing about successful individual and organisational change.

Roffey Park Institute’s latest white paper – The DNA of Personal Effectiveness – takes a fresh look at personal effectiveness and how regular, sustainable changes can be made which directly impact your personal effectiveness. The paper outlines a new framework for personal effectiveness and is packed with practical exercises which have been drawn from our research and the work we do with groups and individuals from all levels within a wide range of organisations. The focus on developing yourself runs throughout this white paper – just as it does in the work we do at Roffey Park Institute. Ultimately,

organisational effectiveness depends on the effectiveness of its individuals, irrespective of role or position.

If you’re a leader or manager in an organisation and want to better understand how to have greater impact and influence across your organisation, download this free of charge white paper! Join in by taking part in our suggestions for becoming more effective at work!

The DNA of Personal Effectiveness will be launched in early September 2023. Keep an eye on the Roffey Park Institute social media channels for more information. Subscribe on LinkedIn for continued free reports to help you and your business thrive.

www.roffeypark.ac.uk

How Trust and Confidence in the Right People Could Be Your Key to Successful Marketing

After more than 25 years in marketing, I know this much is true:

As a business owner, you are outstandingly good at what you do. Your expertise is phenomenal; you know your industry sector incredibly well. And, you take your knowledge for granted.

However, you may be failing to achieve the marketing success you need and deserve. Why, exactly? To explain, here's an all-too-common scenario:

You’re trying to run your business, manage your staff and keep customers happy. And, you’re writing your own website blogs, running multiple social media accounts and generating sales –all singlehandedly. There aren’t enough hours in the day, and are you really comfortable with all of this?

Option one: in-house. Should you retrain staff, recruit externally, or engage a consultant? How should you do this?

Option two: fully outsourced marketing. Great, but where do you find the best people? That is, those

who understand your business, your target market and whose commitment matches yours.

You think you know what marketing activity you need. So, randomly, you launch a social media campaign. Yet because it’s a bit knee-jerk and panicky, it lacks a considered strategy. Your brand-new marketing initiative won’t serve your company’s needs without an authentic strategy.

Ideally, finding the best outsourced expertise involves someone who’s already doing it – and doing it successfully. In other words, someone who knows what excellence looks and feels like. Is there anything more powerful than a trusted recommendation or endorsement? I think not.

That's why The Marketing Alliance exists. It's not a traditional marketing agency. It’s a curated collection of around 50 UK-based experts, all highly competent individuals with exceptional skills in a diverse range of marketing

and business development disciplines. We share your commitment to the success of your business – and we recognise your core values: integrity, high standards and great working relationships.

hello@themarketingalliance.co.uk

www.themarketingalliance.co.uk

Leadership Matters

that $356 billion invested globally by companies in classroom leadership training had minimal payback, with leaders reverting to old behaviours after training. I’ve attended multi-day leadership classroom training and never felt an impact on my leadership behaviours. Why? Because leadership is not one-size-fits-all, and the training did not support ongoing context-specific behavioural change.

Leadership Group Coaching

Group coaching supports:

1. Independent and group reflective learning.

2. Group exchanges explore real situations with diverse experiences and perspectives.

3. Building skills such as listening, empowering others, and strengths awareness.

4. Action and accountability outside the sessions.

Finding the Right Coach

Leaders Impact Employee Engagement

Engagement means employees know what to do and have what they need, including a supportive leader. The Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2023 report revealed that low engagement costs the global economy $8.8 trillion, and leaders account for a 70% variation in employee engagement. So, how can leaders grow their ability to increase employee engagement?

Leadership Training

Harvard Business Review 2016 found

Group coaching presents a paradigm shift in leadership development. Trained coaches use approaches and tools to guide individuals in their goals, creating a collaborative, confidential space for personal and collective learning. Sessions vary in length, cadence, and structure based on organisational and participant context. For example, our leadership group coaching programs run six months for 4-6 leaders. We tailor to the organisational and participant context and complement with 1:1 coaching and reflective tools, reading and assessment surveys.

Threads – the new social network from Meta

On 5th July, Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, released text-based conversation app Threads. The launch version has limited functionality, but we expect Meta will be working hard on updates.

That hasn’t stopped people signing up, becoming the fastest app to reach 100 million users in five days.

Threads is available on iOS and Android, but not currently as a desktop site or web app. Hopefully, this will be coming soon.

To access Threads, you need an Instagram account. The Threads app will prompt you to log in with your Instagram username, which becomes your Threads username.

You cannot import Instagram followers

to Threads in bulk, but they can follow you when they join Threads. There are differences between Threads and X/Twitter. Threads has no features behind a paywall and the character limit is 500. It does not have direct messaging and Instagram Head, Adam Mosseri, says there are no plans to include one. Hashtag linking does not exist, but Mosseri says this will be implemented in the future. Other planned developments include the ability to edit threads.

In terms of the terminology, a tweet (or X) is a thread, a retweet is a repost and a quote tweet is a quote thread.

We suggest that you protect your brand name and set up an Instagram/ Threads account, if you don’t already have one. By the time this article is

Coaching is unregulated; look for coaches accredited by professional bodies like European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC) and International Coaching Federation (ICF). At Kinkajou Limited, we are EMCC accredited, with Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, plus leadership experience spanning Digital, Creative, and Education.

Let’s chat! calendly.com/kinkajounancym/chat

www.kinkajouconsulting.com

published, Threads is likely to have been significantly enhanced, so it’s worth following their progress.

www.scaramanga.agency

How to ensure your company’s print is Planet Friendly

We are all striving to do our bit for the environment and there are ways we can improve our efforts within our work practices. After being in South London for 29 years we moved to Crawley where we originally started. We are a family run business and took a conscious decision when we moved that we improve our carbon footprint and be more Planet Friendly.

Our office/print room are set up with energy saving devices such as low energy LED lighting with energy supplied from a 100% renewable energy supplier. Print itself is a major contributor to pollution so we now use eco-friendly office and printing practices that can often save money – a win-win for us and clients – on energy, materials and waste disposal. Our eco-friendly print practices include zero VOC inks and coatings which are free of volatile

organic compounds which are harmful environmentally.

We recycle all our paper and other materials to reduce waste/conserve resources (we even collect/recycle old sample print where possible). In 2020 we purchased a DYSS digital cutting table which creates custom cardboard packaging - reducing our plastic usage and providing a bespoke packaging service.

We are members of ‘Forest Carbon’ which enables us to balance our carbon consumption with woodland creation for carbon capture and ecosystem protection, thereby increasing woodland cover – to date they have planted 13 million trees, primarily in the UK www.forestcarbon.co.uk

We have invested in 100% renewable energy with our electric delivery vehicle to offset/reduce our carbon emissions

Celebrating Success at RPD’s Footgolf Championship: Supporting the Crawley Food Bank Partnership!

Richard Place Dobson, (RPD), a local accounting firm in Crawley held its annual Footgolf Championship, which was an extraordinary event that brought their community together in exhilarating fashion. Not only did participants showcase impressive skills on the course, but their incredible generosity also shone through in supporting the Crawley Food Bank Partnership

Supported by the RPD Foundation, together, they raised an outstanding £3,369, a significant contribution to help those facing increased living costs.

The Championship was a resounding success, uniting individuals, and local businesses with a shared commitment to making a difference in their community. Friendly competition and camaraderie defined the day, all while keeping the cause at the forefront of our minds.

Southern Sheeting emerged as deserving champions, displaying exceptional skills. They also celebrated Curve Accountancy and Extech for their outstanding performances in the longest drive category. The event's vibrancy extended to the nearest pin challenge, where RPD Foundation and Extech showcased their remarkable prowess. Managing Director, Matthew Tyson, said: “We were amazed at just how many businesses and people came along to support this, and how much fun they all

and improve air quality.

We are still able to provide both high quality print and an excellent service as well as attract customers who care about the environment and sustainability.

We are proud to be a Planet Friendly business.

For more information please go to www.benchmarkrepro.co.uk or email olliehall@benchmarkrepro.co.uk / office@benchmarkrepro.co.uk

had as well. This has become a regular event for us. The generosity towards the charities we support has made this a key date in our diaries each year.”

More than a sports event, the Footgolf Championship celebrated the strength of collective effort and community spirit. It was a reminder of the positive impact they can create when communities unite for a greater cause... Together, they made a tangible difference in the lives of those facing challenging circumstances. The funds raised will provide essential food supplies, such as coffee, sugar, cooking sauces, and daily essentials to those who need it most.

RPD and the Foundation are immensely proud of the caring community that came together for this cause. To learn more about RPD and what they do in the community, visit their website - www.placedobson.co.uk/ rpd-in-the-community

Helen Vane has been in the world of recruitment for over 25 years and has witnessed incredible changes in the way we work. AI is coming and will transform a lot of the jobs we currently do. In this fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up in algorithms and keywords. And maybe feel overwhelmed when trying to navigate the ever-changing job market. Yet, the essence of interactions, both work and social, for all of us lies in the human touch, where prioritising active listening, empathy, and lasting connections is key.

According to the American Staffing Association, an overwhelming 77% of job seekers prefer human interaction when job hunting.

As a business and a team at GoGecko we proudly champion this ethos, recognising the might of the human approach and the importance of

community within our business values. Amidst the prevalence of automation, we're committed to creating genuine connections that surpass the confines of a CV. Technology has its place, and we utilise it, but not at the expense of people. We understand that an ideal match entails more than skills—it encompasses personalities, aspirations, and shared values. We are actively taking this philosophy out into the community with outreach to local schools, local companies and job seekers.

At GoGecko, our team of experienced recruiters can help advise you as to how to portray your unique story to ensure every job prospect aligns with your aspirations. It is important to attract candidates who are not only qualified on paper but who also resonate with your company culture and, along with Vocate, who we partner with when offering

apprenticeships to local businesses, we help companies do just that.

For any advice on how to maintain the human touch when recruiting, please feel free to contact Helen@gogecko.org.uk or visit www.gogecko.org.uk

Everyone has heard of phishing attacks, spam and malware – but not everyone knows that email is still the No.1 attack vector. IT Governance discovered 310 security incidents between January and March 2023, which accounted for 349,171,305 breached records. This

represents a 12.7% increase on the number of security incidents in Q4 2022, but the number of breached records has increased more than threefold.

Email is an integral part of how every business operates but it also represents a weak link for organisations due to the prevalence of ransomware attacks and human error.

Mimecast is designed to reduce the increasing risks of security threats and provide the detail required to meet compliance requirements. It uses sophisticated, multi-layered detection engines and the latest threat intelligence to prevent malware, spear-phishing and zero-day attacks, as well as email filtering, archiving, and encryption. Mimecast also offers a cloud-based email security service that provides real-time protection from email-borne threats.

Primarily, Mimecast helps to keep email safe from malware and phishing attacks. It does this by scanning all

incoming, internal and outgoing email and attachments for threats, and then quarantining any suspicious content, offering remediation and email recovery.

Secondly, to meet legal and regulatory challenges and ensure email compliance, Mimecast provides a suite of fully integrated capabilities for complete compliance control and litigation.

Finally, Mimecast’s email archiving feature ensures that all emails are safely stored off-site, making them easy to retrieve if they are ever needed for reference or legal purposes.

Overall, Mimecast provides a robust set of tools for protecting and managing email communications, reducing disruption by providing IT with a single, integrated platform to mitigate risk through secure, reliable and compliant email; and empowering end users with self-service applications.

kit.powell@enablesit.com

AI is coming but let’s not lose sight of being Human

Mimecast: how to control risk without adding complexity

Adult Learning

Part-time courses designed to support your personal and professional development

FREE Courses

You may be entitled to FREE or subsidised tuition fees, even if you are working. We also offer FREE Maths and English courses as well as a range of ESOL courses (English for Speakers of Other Languages).

The results of this study are mind-blowing...

When we’re time starved and rushing in the morning, it can be really tempting to miss breakfast and grab a pastry or a quick sandwich mid-morning, instead of having a ‘proper’ breakfast.

But, eating something protein rich and with a low glycemic load (GL) at breakfast is essential to prevent food cravings, brain-fog, and overeating later in the day.

Read the astounding results from this study below.

A study was done on 12 overweight young adults who ate different breakfasts over 3 days.

All 3 breakfasts contained EXACTLY the SAME AMOUNT OF CALORIES.

After 5 hours, they all ate EXACTLY the same lunch.

After Breakfast 1 - Omelette (low GL) they ate 2000 calories at lunch

After Breakfast 2 - Wholegrain Muesli (medium GL) they ate 3000 calories at lunch

After Breakfast 3 - Cornflakes (high GL) they ate 3600 calories at lunch

Compared to the omelette breakfast, they ate 50% MORE CALORIES at lunch after eating the muesli (medium GL) breakfast, and a staggering 80% MORE CALORIES at lunch after eating the Cornflakes (high GL) breakfast.

(David S. Ludwig, Paediatrics, High Glycemic Index Foods, Overeating, and Obesity, 1999, 103:e26)

To help keep our blood sugar levels stable, we need to focus on eating low GL (lower sugar/carbohydrate) foods, particularly at breakfast.

This is a large part of how The Lean Rebalance Executive Method helps my clients to safely and permanently lose

up to 16kg/2.5 stone in 12 weeks and protect their future health.

If you’d like a FREE, non-obligatory 30 minute chat to discuss how the plan could help you, get in touch using the details below or book via my website.

www.theleanrebalance.com

katie@theleanrebalance.com

Are you planning for global growth? Perhaps you are exploring a new market for the first time, taking the plunge to start trading internationally or even setting up a subsidiary overseas?

At Carpenter Box, our dedicated team of specialists have extensive experience helping international businesses set up in the UK and also assisting UK businesses to trade around the globe. Through our international association, PrimeGlobal, we can draw upon experts in just about every jurisdiction around the world.

Carpenter Box: our specialist advisers

Tony Summers

Partner, Head of Assurance & Advisory

E: tony.summers@carpenterbox.com

Tony has over two decades of experience working with corporates, both large and small, in all areas of audit and assurance. He joined Carpenter Box as an audit partner in our Crawley office in May 2015 and now heads the Assurance and Advisory team.

Tony heads the firm’s international offering, helping clients navigate the potentially choppy waters of local overseas compliance and advisory needs.

Andrew Neuman

Director, Tax Services

E: andrew.neuman@carpenterbox.com

Andrew helps to lead the tax advisory team in our Crawley Office. During his career he has gained significant experience in advising large corporates, owner managed business and private individuals on all areas of taxation.

Andrew has particular expertise in international tax issues, advising clients on how to structure their overseas activities in a tax efficient way together with the regulatory requirements.

www.carpenterbox.com/international

Gone But Never Forgotten - Creative Pod Honour the Memory

of Their Team Member, Joe Mattelaer

talent, kindness, and humour, all complemented by his exceptional skills, which paved the way for him to become a successful entrepreneur.

Joe disappeared on the evening of July 19th. After a tremendous amount of support from his family, friends, colleagues, the police, and members of the public, who all helped look for him, unfortunately, Joe is sadly no longer with us.

Matt knew Joe as a gentle, caring, and talented young man with a bright future ahead of him.

Those who had the pleasure of working with Joe knew his enthusiasm was infectious and he had a bright mind. At times he would get lost in the moment, talking passionately about web development and data analysis, but it was always a pleasure to get lost in the moment with him too.

It is with great sadness that Joe Mattelaer, who worked with the team at Creative Pod as their Head of Product, has sadly passed away. At the young age of 24, Joe possessed an incredible

This came as a massive shock to the team, but it's at times like this, they all band together and remember the support they have in each other to get through the difficult weeks ahead.

Matt Turner worked very closely with Joe, and as much as he was a mentor to him, he was also a friend who helped give Joe support and advice when needed.

The team wants to express their gratitude, and thanks to their clients and friends who have all shown their support. Their thoughts are with Joe's family and all that knew him.

Thank you, Joe, for gracing us with your brilliance, gone too soon but never forgotten. RIP.

Navigating Employment Tribunals: Insights and Protection for Businesses

Recent data from GOV.UK unveiled noteworthy trends in the realm of employment tribunals, shedding light on challenges faced by businesses and the importance of proactive protection.

In Q4 2022, the Employment Tribunal (ET) received 8,100 single claim receipts and successfully resolved 9,000 single claim cases. While these numbers indicate a significant effort to address disputes, the fact that 37,000 cases were still open by the end of March underscores the workload.

The introduction of the ET fee refund scheme in October 2017 has made waves. With over 22,000 applications and a total monetary value of £18.7 million in refunds granted by March 2023, it is evident that businesses are becoming increasingly aware of their options.

Q2 2022 statistics revealed intriguing insights. Single claim receipts, which surged during the pandemic, returned to pre-pandemic levels, constituting 44% of 18,000 ET receipts. Disposals

increased by 6% from Q2 2021/2022, indicating progress, but the daunting reality of 493,000 outstanding cases persists.

Considering these developments, safeguarding businesses has become paramount. Custodian Management Ltd offers Employment Tribunal Protection (ETP), a comprehensive solution to navigate the complexities of tribunal proceedings. The average compensation for unfair dismissal is £13,541, highlighting the financial impact of tribunal outcomes.

Discrimination cases have yielded diverse awards, emphasizing the intricate nature of such proceedings. Businesses are encouraged to explore protection measures to ensure resilience against potential challenges.

For businesses seeking guidance and support, Custodian Management Ltd is a strategic partner. With a history of expert assistance, businesses can rely on their ETP to mitigate risks and proactively address tribunal-related issues.

For any advice or to learn more about ETP and how it can benefit your business, email info@custodianinsurance.co.uk or visit custodianinsurance.co.uk and we would be very happy to offer our support.

AI at work from the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre

The UK risks a growing divide between organisations who have invested in new, artificial intelligence-enabled digital technologies and those who haven’t.

survey. On the other hand, the key reasons for non-investment were AI being irrelevant to the business activity, wider business risks and the nature of skills demanded.

However, there was little evidence to suggest that investing in AI-enabled technology leads to job losses. In fact, digital adopters were more likely to have increased their employment in the five-year period before the survey.

Professor Jacqueline O'Reilly, Co-Director of the Digit Centre, said: "AI is in the news every day but there has been little reliable data about the extent to which, and how, it is being used by UK employers. This major new survey is an important, nationally representative source of data for policymakers grappling with the implications of rapidly evolving technologies."

Other key findings of the study show that:

New research from the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Digit) at the University of Sussex Business School suggests that only 36% of UK employers have invested in AI-enabled technologies like industrial robots, chat bots, smart assistants, and cloud computing over the past five years.

The nationally represented survey, carried out between November 2021 and June 2022, also found that just 10% of employers who hadn’t already invested in AI-enabled technologies were planning to invest in the next two years.

The Employers Digital Practices at Work: First Findings report is an important output of the Digit Centre, which is co-led by the Business School.

Low investment in digital skills

The new data also points to a growing skills problem. Less than 10% of employers anticipated a need to make an investment in digital skills training in the coming years, despite most finding it fairly or very difficult to recruit people with the right skills. Almost 60% of employers reported that none of their employees had received formal digital skills training in the past year.

The main reasons for investing were improving efficiency, productivity and product and service quality, according to the

The use of traditional information and communication technologies was widespread, with desktop computers, portable devices, and smart phones ubiquitous. More than 90 per cent of employers reported that they used desktop computers. In contrast, more novel forms of ICT hardware, such as wearables, were much less common, adopted by around a fifth (22%) of employers.

Just over a third of employers had invested in AIenabled technology in the past five years. These are

Below photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash

University of Sussex Business School - Jackie O'Reilly

‘digital adopters’. Cloud computing and the internet of things (IoT) were by far the most popular types of new digital technologies (79% and 59% of digital adopters invested in these technologies respectively). Investment in AI-enabled equipment and apps was much less frequent.

Digital adopters were more advanced than digital non-adopters in the use of traditional ICT technologies, especially wearable devices, and customer relations software. Digital adoption was uneven. Firm size was significant; one in two firms with more than 100 employees were digital adopters compared to around one in three among small enterprises (with less than 50 employees).

Industrial sector also mattered. For instance, around two thirds of employers in Public Administration and Information and Communication had invested in digital technologies, while only 22 per cent of those in Accommodation and Food Service Activities and 30 per cent in Education had invested. Improving efficiency, productivity and product and service quality were the main reasons for investment. Digital technologies were mostly applied in the organisation of production or service delivery, and quality control and monitoring. Non- adopters typically identified their area of business activity, wider business risks and the nature of skills demanded as the key reasons for non-investment.

Delve deeper into critical business issues with the Sussex MBA

The Sussex MBA is built on four pillars to help you develop the leadership needed in today’s disrupted business environment:

• digital work – the move to digital technologies and virtual work environments

• innovation – develop new strategies to adapt to disrupted environments

• resilience – ensure employee wellbeing and the sustainability of business models

• policy – lobby and influence policymakers at local, regional, and national levels.

Enhance your critical and strategic thinking and gain the practical skills to apply cutting-edge business theory. You will develop a range of management and leadership skills under the guidance of leading academic and industry experts. Flexible study options mean you can fit your studies around your work or family commitments and apply what you learn directly to your job. Study full time in one-year or part-time over two years, starting in January or September. Classes are taught on Fridays and Saturdays helping you schedule your time.

To find out more visit: sussexmba.com

To read the AI report visit: digit-research.org Find

sussex.ac.uk/business-school

"AI is in the news every day but there has been little reliable data about the extent to which, and how, it is being used by UK employers."

JACE Training win Apprenticeship Provider of the Year Award

JACE Training are delighted to have been awarded the Apprenticeship Provider of the Year 2023 Award from the South London Careers Hub in June at their end of year celebrations.

The South London Careers Hub is delivered by the South London Partnership and is part of a national network of Careers Hubs across England working with young people to support them on their chosen career pathway. JACE has enjoyed a great year delivering Apprenticeships across London, South-East and nationally for our Surveying apprentices and working with many great employers who have embraced Apprenticeships and have seen the benefits to their company by employing new talent. We’ve been working with employers and have offered some fantastic opportunities for new Apprentices, bringing them into their workforce with robust training and support from the team at JACE. Some

recent feedback from some of our students outlines the value that the opportunity and Apprenticeship has given them.

‘Taking an apprenticeship course does not only move you to the next step of your career, but the skills you learn also transfer to your personal life. I felt it was right because I learn better when I can go and implement what I have learnt almost immediately, rather than having only head knowledge, and getting paid during the whole process is a plus’.

‘I have grown in confidence and acquired various business and project management skills. The skills have also transferred into my personal life as I now manage my personal finances better and have become even more organised outside work.’

‘I have learnt to become more independent and interact more with other people.‘

It’s really inspiring watching our

apprentices start, develop, grow and move on with a company and their career progression, which has made this award received even more meaningful. If you can offer an Apprenticeship opportunity, we’d love to hear from you by emailing to askus@jace-training.co.uk

Prevention is Better Than Cure and Early Detection Saves Lives

enhance our overall quality of life.

However, even with the best preventive measures, health issues can still arise. This is where early detection becomes paramount. Regular health check-ups and screenings are essential in identifying potential problems at their earliest stages when treatment options are often more effective and less invasive.

Consulting with healthcare professionals and staying informed about the latest advancements in preventive care can help individuals make informed decisions about their health.

When it comes to our well-being, prevention truly is better than cure. Taking proactive steps to maintain good health and detecting diseases early can make a significant difference in saving lives and promoting overall well-being. By focusing on prevention, we can reduce the risk of developing various health conditions. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management, forms the foundation for maintaining good health. These habits not only help prevent diseases but also

The significance of early detection cannot be emphasised enough. Detecting diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetes in their initial phases greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and long-term survival. Timely intervention can prevent the progression of diseases, reducing the physical, emotional, and financial burden on individuals and their families.

It is important to follow recommended screening guidelines based on age, gender, and personal risk factors.

In conclusion, prevention is the cornerstone of good health, and early detection serves as a powerful tool in saving lives. By adopting healthy lifestyle practices, undergoing regular checkups, and staying informed, we can pave the way towards a healthier future for ourselves and generations to come. Remember, your health is your most valuable asset, so take the necessary steps today for a brighter and healthier tomorrow.

The Mary How Trust is a charity offering life saving health screenings to people over the age of 18. They listen to health concerns and offer lifestyle guidance to help people stay well. For further information, visit www.maryhowtrust.org

For more than three decades, MR Printers have been providing high quality printing and design, working with all organisations; the team’s experience and knowledge combined, exceeds 300 years. The result of a merger in 2020 between the original MR Printers run and owned by Simon Relleen, and Ben Colverson, head of Storm Print and Design.

Since a very young age, Simon was exposed to the Print industry thanks to his father already owning a Print Company and after 3 years and qualifying at Guildford Printing College, he continued to work in the industry, purchasing his own business, MR Printers in 2014.

Ben, fellow joint Managing Director commenced his career at the tender age of 17 as a trainee ink technician. His

career moved from managing The British American Tobacco account to starting as a Sales Executive for a litho company ending up as a Sales Director. Then in 2007 he set up Storm Print and Design, a Print brokerage and Consultancy.

Focusing very much on customer problems, the team also offer expertise in marketing helping both start up and established businesses with their own campaigns with a passion to help develop the local community.

We also like to think outside the box, a recent case being a legal practice who, having suffered a cyber-attack, needed to communicate securely with over 8,000 of their customers, reverting back to letters posted by recorded delivery. The sentiment is of course that in this day and age with the on-line tools and services now available, increased efforts

have to be made to protect our data, and in turn our businesses. Perhaps rewinding the clock a few years can give us the integrity and security we are seeking.

To start the dialogue, email Mark Hope on sales2@mrprinters.com

Ali Booth – Ocean Breeze Wellbeing –Supporting Women’s health in the workplace - My story

Up to a point my career in HR and Business management was a challenging but a fulfilling one, until 4 years ago when I found myself dealing with poor mental and physical health. It seemed to happen overnight, I suffered terrible anxiety, migraines, and vertigo. I was not me I lost my confidence; I had bouts of crashing tiredness, and I could not think straight.

After 18 months of investigations into the symptoms I was experiencing I was diagnosed with vestibular migraines a condition brought on by low oestrogen

and a stressful lifestyle.

On one hand It was a relief to know that it was treatable but on the other there were closed doors around the subject of perimenopause, the normal stage I was at in my life. I felt I had no one to turn to and I was the only one who was going through this.

I now know this not to be true. It is estimated that 13million women in the UK have reached perimenopause or menopause, whilst not everyone will have such impactful effects, 75% will have some, of which 25% can be severe.

At one point it crossed my mind that if I had a car crash and got injured that would mean that I would get support and some respite, and people would be happy to speak about this. These were dark times, but the symptoms had been affecting me for months and months and I could see no light at the end of the tunnel! I found there was a significant lack of accessible information and support for women in my situation.

Through the work I do with leaders in the workplace, I hope to make the journey for other women a better one, where they can speak out openly and get support when they need it. I know that my own experience would have been so much better if there was more awareness in the workplace, I had prepared myself, and made important lifestyle changes.

www.oceanbreezewellbeing.com

Ali@Oceanbreezewellbeing.com

How automation can streamline the shipping process

As your business grows, you’ll want to reduce the number of repetitive tasks in your shipping process to give you more time to focus on other responsibilities. Automation is the way forward because it uses technology to perform simple tasks with reduced human intervention. Automating shipping-related tasks can streamline and improve your order fulfilment accuracy.

If you’re looking for ways to save time, below are some examples of automating your shipping process.

Integrate your eCommerce platforms

Import multiple eCommerce orders from platforms like eBay, Etsy and Shopify into one order-management platform. An integrated platform makes processing and fulfilling orders much quicker because it saves you from manually entering the booking details of every order.

Create shipping rules

Save time on manual processes by creating a set of actions you want to apply to orders. Creating rules for different types of imported shipments makes processing orders quicker and ensures the relevant criteria are met. For example, you could set a rule whereby additional transit cover is automatically added to every imported shipment.

Set up automated branded tracking

When you’re processing multiple orders, it’s not feasible to individually update

Flexible Working Act gains Royal Assent

The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act was granted Royal Assent on 20 July 2023.

It introduces some changes to the current regime for making a flexible working request, which will most likely come into force in 2024.

• Employees will be able to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period. Only one request can be in progress at any time.

• Employers will be required to ‘consult’ with employees before rejecting requests.

• Employees will no longer be required to identify the effects of the proposed change or suggest how the employer might deal with them.

• Employers will be required to respond to requests within two months rather than three as currently applies, subject to an agreed extension.

The Act does not include a ‘day one’

right to request flexible working, so an employee will still require a minimum of 26 weeks’ service to make a request, and the current statutory reasons for rejecting a flexible working request will remain unchanged.

Acas has published a draft Code of Practice on handling requests for flexible working, including the changes introduced under the Act and reflecting current best practice.

The draft Code includes how a formal consultation meeting to discuss the request should be conducted. It also states that employees should be allowed to appeal against a decision to reject their request. The Code of Practice is not legally binding but will be taken into account by courts and tribunals when considering a claim under the statutory flexible working procedure. Nonstatutory guidance will also be updated to reflect the changes introduced by

every customer on their delivery. That’s why setting up an automated branded tracking page lets your buyers track packages themselves.

A designated tracking page also saves you from responding to individual customer delivery queries and keeps your brand at the forefront. Parcel tracking emails and SMS notifications are also commonly automated to provide critical delivery status updates, which can help improve the overall customer experience.

Get started with automation

Creating a streamlined shipping process takes time, but business automation tools like that offered for free by Interparcel can help take your business from strength to strength.

Visit uk.interparcel.com to learn more about our free shipping automation and business tools and access low-cost UK and international shipping rates.

the Act.

The Act has only tinkered around the edges of the existing flexible working regime. Employers will still need to review their existing flexible working policies to ensure they reflect the changes and make sure that managers are up to date on the new requirements.

charlotte-sloan@birketts.co.uk

Croydon company Cleankill Pest Control has been named one of four finalists in the Large Company of the Year category of this year’s National Pest Awards.

Organised by Pest Magazine, in association with the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) and PROMPT Register, the National Pest Awards recognise, celebrate and reward

excellence and outstanding practice in the industry.

The Large Company of the Year award is open to any pest control business employing more than 20 technicians. The judges look for excellence and professionalism in all aspects of the business, with a particular emphasis on customer service, breadth of solutions and a real commitment to staff development and training.

Cleankill Managing Director Paul Bates: “Being shortlisted in the Large Company of the Year category of the 2023 National Pest Awards is a real achievement for everyone at Cleankill. We are rightly proud of the work we do and the way we do it. “As a company, we have always placed our commitment to exemplary customer service, the environment and our communities before profit.

This hasn’t held us back and today we are more successful than ever. I believe Cleankill is a great example of how you can do business in a better, ethical way and still maintain a thriving company.”

Established in 1995, Cleankill has won multiple awards including Company of the Year at the British Pest Management Awards in 2019, Responsible Business of the Year at the 2018 Gatwick Diamond Business Awards and the BPCA Sustainability Award at the 2023 BCPA Members Awards. For a full list of Cleankill’s awards, click here

The National Pest Awards are now in their fifth year. 2023’s winners will be announced at a black-tie event on 7th September at the Hilton London Bankside.

www.cleankill.co.uk

In all walks of life, a distinct pattern appears amongst the Top Performers (10-15%). Those who consistently outshine their peers, share a powerful secret – the potent impact of mentorship on their journey to success.

This is not really that surprising. Mentoring from an experienced “challenging friend” is a universally effective practice due to its highly personalised guidance, knowledge transfer and skill development. Top Performers choose mentorship to foster faster growth, accountability, and accelerate their all-round development. They benefit by shortening their learning curves, expanding networks, and boosting confidence.

In the context of the SME sector, this synergy between mentorship and toptier performance is also clearly seen. In the top-performing businesses, SME Owners typically view mentorship as an investment in both their personal

leadership growth and the future health of their business. Enabling them to become more strategic in working ‘on’ their business rather than ‘in’ it.

SME businesses move through 5 key stages as they grow: from initial Existence to Survival then Success, Take-Off and Maturity. Each stage presents new challenges and traps as the business becomes more complex. Progress through these stages is by no means assured. Many do not survive.

A talented mentor gives a clear advantage to SME Owners in preparing for and navigating these difficult growth transitions as their business develops. They learn the leadership skills and process for building a business, how to avoid the traps, and fully reap the rewards of owning their business: more profit, more balance and more freedom.

In these difficult times, the country needs the SME sector to thrive, yet c.70% of SME Owners are either struggling or

frustrated with their business growth. Wherever you are on your SME journey, I encourage you to discover the power of mentorship as a strategic imperative to propel the development of your business.

Contact me directly for a complimentary discussion that will help drive your business forward.

steve@ukbusinessmentoring.co.uk

ukbusinessmentoring.co.uk/businessmentors/steve-drake

Cleankill shortlisted for national award

Top Performers know this: Discover the power of mentorship to propel the development of your SME business

30 Years of Innovating for Chess Dynamics

For three decades Chess Dynamics has been developing technology for the international defence and security industry. This required constant innovation in order to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we look back at the major technological advancements that have marked our history and enabled us to meet the demands of customers and partners throughout the defence industry as the world has changed.

Industry-leading technology for a changing landscape

The starting point for Chess was in our development of sensor positioning systems, which allowed platforms to effectively and affordably identify targets with exceptional precision and accuracy. We pioneered the technology to stabilise sensors in challenging environments, enabling them to maintain a firm grip

on targets. This paved the way for our approach, which has continued since then, to develop innovative solutions to continually evolving defence and security needs. We have also been at the forefront of introducing groundbreaking methods for mounting sensors onto surveillance systems, deviating from the conventional ‘ball-type’ design. This approach allows for easy replacement of sensors, enabling operators to maintain equipment availability instead of enduring extended period of downtime. While modularity has become integral to modern forces, Chess has been utilising this approach for many years.

Shifting our focus to the present, under our Vision4ce brand, Chess has implemented artificial intelligence into tracking algorithms, facilitating the challenging task of tracking fast-moving objects in cluttered environments. Our cutting-edge surveillance solutions represent a significant advancement, as

they autonomously acquire, reacquire, and classify threats with minimal user intervention, promptly alerting operators of potential dangers.

Chess’s success has been driven by these innovative technologies that have adapted to the changing landscape of defence.

For further information on Chess Dynamics, please visit our website www.chess-dynamics.com

Celebrating one year of Help to Grow at the University of Brighton

Happy Birthday Help to Grow: Management!

It’s been one year since the first cohort of SME business leaders graduated from the Help to Grow: Management Programme, and they’ve just celebrated their fifth cohort graduating. The numbers tell of a success story for the programme and the businesses that have grown since taking part.

Help to Grow is a 90% Government

funded 12-week programme for business decision makers. It’s designed to boost leadership skills and business performance with participants developing a bespoke growth action plan for their business.

The programme is proving popular, with thousands of businesses throughout the UK being supported. Nearly 100 SME business leaders have taken the programme with the University of Brighton in the last year. The next cohort is running in Crawley in September and the sign ups include some Gatwick Diamond Business members.

The businesses who have taken part come from all sectors – ranging from construction to a glamping site, and from a mobile cocktail bar to a dental practice.

Having graduated last month, Helen Snellgrove from Property Select Ltd

commented: “The course has been so helpful. It has given me the time and permission to focus on the business.

“We have already started making changes by embracing digital technology more and looking at our structure to make sure it supports our objectives. I feel like I am enjoying work a lot more and not feeling overwhelmed. I absolutely recommend the Help to Grow programme; it has been incredibly useful.”

Help to Grow sent a big thank you to all the local business associations that have supported them along the way, particularly Gatwick Diamond Business.

Looking forward to future cohorts, the September programmes in Crawley and Brighton are already full and the Brighton programme starting in April is filling fast. More dates will be announced soon so please keep an eye on the Help to Grow webpage

Portmeirion Adventures with the All-Electric Jaguar I-PACE!

By Sally Brown

When Harwoods Jaguar, Crawley asked if I’d like to borrow the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE and suggested I write a review, I was very excited and more than happy to oblige.

Although I’m already an absolute convert to all-electric driving (albeit in a less impressive set of wheels), I cannot be described as a car aficionado by any stretch of the imagination. I lean much more towards low cost, comfort and reliability than top-quality, high-end brands and I average an unimpressive 2000 miles a year.

Jam packed with leading edge technology and so many great features, it’s hard to know where to start...

So, when Harwoods dropped off the I-PACE, I’m not ashamed to admit I was initially quite intimidated by her size (although in my defence - I drive a fairly small car). All doubts melted away when I climbed in and familiarised myself with the luxury interior features though - instant comfort!

With such a beautiful car at our disposal, my husband and I decided to seize the moment and book a weekend escape to Portmeirion, North Wales; a round trip of 540 miles looked sure to provide the perfect all-electric test drive conditions!

We set off to Wales with a full charge, the dashboard promising a range of up to 238 miles (with some modes this stretches up to 292 miles, depending on variables like weather, driving style and terrain). Jam packed with leading edge technology and so many great features, it’s hard to know where to start with my review, but here’s a shortlist of my highlights:

• Driver Assistance - Cruise control/speed limiter/lane assist - While my husband really enjoyed the comfort these features gave him, especially on long motorway stints, my experience as a passenger was mind-blowingly positive. Without a doubt, for me these were the best features of all!

• 0-60 in 4.5 seconds - Very quiet, excitingly quick and extremely responsive.

• Excellent handling - great on the motorway and holding the roads beautifully on the Welsh hills and winding roads.

• Heads up display - super useful, presenting key data like speed and navigation directions on the windscreen.

• Easily adjustable front seats - with the touch of a few buttons, once you’ve found your perfect position you can save it and easily switch between drivers with one press.

• Super comfortable front seats - not only heated but also cooled! How brilliant is that for hotter days!

• No range anxiety - Our experience across our whole trip was that consumption was pretty much on point when comparing miles used with miles covered. A real positive which enabled us to completely avoid any range anxiety; something I suffered with my first electric car, and not to be underestimated!

In summary, driving the Jaguar I-PACE was an absolute buzz! It was super comfortable, super powerful, reassuringly safe and its quality good looks turned heads. Putting concerns over the UK EV charging infrastructure aside, the only small criticism I have is its lack of a 360-degree parking camera, but that’s it. Would I recommend the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE? In a heartbeat - I didn’t want to give her back!

You can see a full list of features here and if you’d like to find out more or to book a test drive, contact Amy Still at Harwoods on 01273 272727 or email jlrfleet@harwoods.uk.com

International Award Win for Extech Cloud

selected Extech Cloud as the category winner, describing the company as a ‘fantastic, forward-thinking partner with all the right knowledge in the Microsoft Azure space’. The judges also recognised Extech Cloud’s confidence in its infrastructure offering and that the business is passionate about supporting other businesses looking to become completely cloud reliant.

and improve.

The Extech Cloud team has also benefitted from the support and guidance of its Pax8 account manager, who’s always on hand to offer the team advice and support.

Extech Cloud has won the Pax8 Most Valuable Player – Infrastructure EMEA award 2023. The award win was announced during the EMEA segment of the Pax8 Beyond event, in Denver, Colorado in the United States.

The Pax8 EMEA leadership team

Pax8 is a global leading cloud solutions marketplace for IT professionals. The company works with channel partners such as Extech Cloud to enable businesses to move to the cloud. Extech Cloud is considered a valuable channel partner by Pax8 and the partnership has between mutually beneficial. The company has built out a comprehensive infrastructure stack to empower its clients, through Pax8. And the Extech Cloud team provides feedback to their account manager, enabling Pax8 to grow

It doesn’t stop with Start-Ups

Let’s Do Business Finance discusses the availability of Start Up Loan financing, dispelling the myth that it is only for businesses at their very beginning and educating on how it is empowering businesses to take the next growth step.

In today's fast-paced business landscape, start-ups and small businesses are often unaware of or struggle to secure the necessary funding to take their ventures to the next level. However, entrepreneurs need not fret, as there is a valuable lifeline available in the form of start-up loans. These loans have become a vital resource for fledgling businesses, offering financial assistance to those trading under three years, propelling them towards success and growth.

Start-up loans offer loans of up to £25,000 per applicant with a distinguishing feature of being accessible to businesses that have been trading under three years old. Unlike

traditional loans, which often demand an established track record, start-up loans acknowledge that early-stage businesses require support during their crucial formative years.

This accessibility extends to a broad range of industries and sectors. Whether it's a technology start-up, a creative venture, or a retail business, as long as the business has a clear plan and potential for growth, it can apply. There is also a lot of freedom for the use of the funding which can include uses such as equipment purchases, office space, marketing campaigns, and hiring essential personnel. By easing the financial burden during the early stages, start-up loans allow entrepreneurs to focus on building a strong foundation for their ventures.

Apart from the financial aspect, startup loans come with added benefits. The Start Up Loan Scheme itself provides a comprehensive post loan mentoring and

The Pax8 Beyond event is the first ever field event for MSPs looking to grow their business and learn about the ways in which Pax8 is transforming what it means to work in cloud tech. The EMEA awards are open to any partner based in the EMEA region.

The Extech Cloud team of experts works with SMBs in Burgess Hill, Crawley, Brighton, and across Sussex and Surrey, to help move their systems into the cloud. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, Extech Cloud supports businesses on their journey to success and helps them to get the most out of their Microsoft 365 accounts. www.extechcloud.com info@extech.co.uk

support programme to all successful loan recipients. This invaluable support can prove decisive for start-ups seeking guidance and expertise from seasoned professionals who have traversed similar paths.

To find out more about how a Start Up Loan can help your growing business visit www.letsdobusinessfinance.co.uk/ lets-start-up

Managing your team through change

Organisational change

Managers and leaders often need to implement change in their organisation or department.

Getting an insight into how their team might be responding to that change is obviously going to be useful – for the manager, the team and the change project.

The ‘Grief Cycle’

The ‘Grief Cycle’ is a model that I often use when coaching a client who is having problems with members of their team going through change.

Denial: a defence mechanism, possibly unconscious, but perfectly natural. As a manager, you simply need to accept and acknowledge. Anything else might be futile, or even counterproductive. Anger: can manifest in different ways, so some behaviours might need interpretation. You need to remain detached and non-judgemental. Bargaining: For example "Can at least this part remain the same...?”. Maybe they are struggling to find meaning, but you need to stay with your plan. Depression: It's natural to feel sadness and regret, fear, uncertainty, etc. but acceptance of the reality is beginning. It just needs empathy from you. Acceptance: indicates some objectivity and emotional detachment, so now is the time for information, and encouragement.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Learning to Lead

Is there any greater responsibility afforded to those in an organisation than the leadership of others? Yet when it comes to leading people, too many business owners don’t take it upon themselves to learn how.

The sheer breadth of expectation for a leader has changed. No longer will setting objectives, checking in every now and then and approving holiday requests suffice in the modern company. For a modern leader to succeed they must not only be a specialist in their area of expertise but also understand and be able to fulfil the roles of coach, mentor, strategist, tactician and therapist, to name a few. That’s a lot for anyone to cover, let alone a founder or small business owner who may be entirely new to being the leader of others.

Part of our executive coaching sessions at Sussex Innovation involve first looking at team leadership: values, culture, group performance/

accountability, and “team happiness”. Then it’s important to understand how to adapt your approach for different individuals’ needs: personal empathy, constructive feedback and tailored career development. It’s only through the continual practice of communicating with each person that you build the trust required to grow into a high-performing team.

A happy team, well-supported and cared for, will be more productive and stay with the company for longer. The generation starting their careers in the early 2020s place as much importance on a company’s approach to health and wellbeing as they do salaries and bonuses. Smart companies might start to reflect this shift by ensuring that leaders have specific KPIs to incentivise caring about their teams’ mental and physical health. Only a modern leader - as emotionally capable as they are intellectually capable - will be able to rise

It’s about individuals, not teams

So, a person’s response to change may appear irrational, but is perfectly natural for them and for that particular change. Remember, a person may not experience all five stages, and some stages may get revisited – it’s maybe more of an ebb and flow than a linear progression.

In conclusion, maybe consider where a person might be on the curve before reacting to their behaviour. Organisational change is hard, don’t make it harder!

Executive Coaching

Implementing organisational change is just one of the many client issues that I encounter in my Executive Coaching. Get in touch for a free taster session or if you just want to find out more.

ian@merceric.co.uk

www.merceric.co.uk

to the challenge of fulfilling the wishes of those now joining the workforce.

info@sinc.co.uk

www.sussexinnovation.co.uk

Martin Searle Solicitors run their annual October 2023 campaign “Disability Matters” to stamp out Disability Discrimination in the Workplace

This October, Martin Searle Solicitors’ Employment Law team are launching ‘Disability Matters’, their annual campaign to stamp out disability discrimination at work. This campaign will concentrate on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other medical conditions such as Long Covid and Fibromyalgia, which can produce similar symptoms. Despite disability discrimination in the workplace being outlawed we are dealing with increasing numbers of employees experiencing discrimination. A study in June 2023 by the House of Commons library found that 53.7% of working-age disabled people are in employment, compared to 82.7% for people who are not disabled. For many with mental health conditions, including learning difficulties, the employment rate drops to just 28%.

Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law at Martin Searle Solicitors, said "We have been contacted by many employees who believe they have been unfairly selected for redundancy or whose employers have

failed to make reasonable adjustments for their disability. We are a campaigning law firm who educate employers to follow best practice while fighting for employees who have been discriminated against. This is because we want to make disability discrimination at work a thing of the past."

Their campaign includes a virtual seminar for charities and non-profit organisations on Managing Ill Health and Disability, run in partnership with Community Works. This takes place on Thursday 19 October at 10.30am. They will also run a virtual seminar for

HR and Employment Professionals on Managing Ill Health and Disability in association with MBL Seminars, from 1pm on Thursday 26 October.

Martin Searle Solicitors are providing a free 30 minute confidential advice line for employers and employees on disability rights and employer duties throughout October 2023.

Employers, employees and workers can call 01273 609911 from 3.30pm5.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, please visit ms-solicitors.co.uk/disability-matters

The UK Government’s Phase-Out of T5 & T8 Fluorescent Tubes from September 2023

The UK Government is banning old fluorescent high energy light fittings from September 2023 because they contain mercury and use high amounts

of energy. These fluorescent tubes are usually found in schools, offices, older warehouses, and hospital operating theatres.

So, if your business hasn’t yet made the switch to LED lighting, now is the time to do so.

In real terms, LED lighting will save up to 71% on your energy bill, help reduce your carbon footprint , and create a better environment to work in.

All LED lights have a manufactures warranty of 5 years and a working life of 50,000 hours. This, combined with a reduction in long-term maintenance costs and a full back up service, makes LEDs the obvious choice.

LED-UK can help advise on design, supply, and install of bespoke LED Lighting System tailored specifically to the needs of your business.

Stephen Marshall, Director of LEDUK can be contacted for advice at enquiries@led-uk.co.uk and would be very happy to talk you through the process of phasing out your fluorescent tubes.

“This is an opportunity for businesses to consider the long-term return on their investment, energy savings and operational efficiency, plus look at the quality and ambience of lighting across their facilities.” Steve Marshall, Director, LED-UK Lighting Ltd

DMH Stallard is pleased to announce its first range of employment law podcasts

dmhstallardemploymentlaw.podbean. com

Join our experts for the first of a threepart podcast series on globalisation in the world of work:

Simon Bellm, Partner at DMH Stallard and an expert in public, private sector complex employee relations and structural change issues.

Adam Williams, DMH Stallard Partner and expert in business immigration and employment law.

Alexei Zuyev, Senior Associate at DMH Stallard who specialises in advising on UK immigration matters, with particular focus on work-related immigration routes, right to work and compliance.

In this series the experts discuss globalisation and international recruitment as being increasingly important in today's business landscape.

A few beers and a quiz

Cast your mind back fifteen years – a discussion one evening between two men in the City of London, putting the world to rights over a few beers. At that time, Graham was the Chief Technical Officer of a well-known Investment Management company, me the supplier of their communication and data networks.

Graham's foresight was unequivocal: “no data network is the world is secure, if anyone tells you theirs is, they are lying”

As labour markets tighten and free movement ends, employers are forced to face the challenge and harness the benefits of recruiting from overseas.

Join in as the many benefits of becoming a sponsor to UK based operations are discussed in greater detail, including:

• attracting talented individuals from other countries, helping address skill shortages and filling difficult to recruit positions.

• accessing a wider talent pool and bringing in individuals with specialised skills and expertise.

• attracting and retaining talent within the UK, providing potential employees, especially those on student or graduate visas, with a long-term career path in the UK.

• giving a business a competitive advantage in the marketplace, showing

their commitment to investing, in and supporting, their workforce.

• compliance and risk management benefits.

Subscribe and follow the DMH Stallard podcast channel, to be kept informed and help you through the complexities of employment law.

www.dmhstallard.com

he announced with some conviction. Surprisingly, he then went on to state that “most significant threats are from your own staff”.

Fast forward to the present day, myself and Graham work together running Sussex Tech Support, aiding businesses across Sussex, supporting and securing their IT systems.

Reflect on this scenario: the assets, information, and data your business holds – what if they were to fall into the wrong hands? The implications are profound – potential financial setbacks, reputational damage, and even the prospect of business closure. For companies with fewer resources, the prospect of addressing these concerns often seems daunting.

Now, we are delighted to introduce our online Cyber Security Quiz. Developed through Graham's expertise in coding, this tool offers a simple means of assessing your business's security

posture.

The quiz is straightforward: a brief questionnaire with binary responses, followed by automated checks within your email service and website. Upon completion, the quiz provides a concise, actionable report tailored to your business, offering recommendations to bolster your cybersecurity posture.

As Graham is a qualified assessor for the government backed Cyber Essentials accreditation scheme, the questioning in the quiz draws on the same guiding principles. Completing the quiz also provides a solid starting point for companies looking to go on and complete their Cyber Essentials Certification.

There is a complementary service found at sussex.tech/cyberquiz. Why not give it a whirl today?

For any advice please feel free to contact me, Chris Daines, at chris@sussex.tech

Upcoming Events

www.gatwickdiamondbusiness.com/events

Thursday 14th Sept: 14.00 - 16.00

gdb Cream Tea & Networking

• Join us for an afternoon of networking and indulgence at our Cream Tea and Networking event! Engage with other likeminded businesses at the beautiful Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club over a delicious cream tea.

• £10 +VAT for gdb Members

• £15 +VAT for Non-Members

Monday 18th Sept: 10.30 - 11.30

Membership Meet Up

• Whether you’re new to gdb, thinking about joining or an existing member who needs a refresher, these events are the perfect opportunity to get to know gdb, ask questions and learn more about the variety of member benefits available to you.

• Free to attend

Thursday 21st Sept: 08.00 - 09.30

gdb Slow Networking at K2 Business Expo

• We're excited to be supporting the K2 Business Expo. Join us before the main expo hall opens for a light breakfast and slow networking. Think speed networking, but slower... A great way to build new contacts and make meaningful connections through a structured but low pressure session.

• Free for all attendees

Friday 29th Sept: 10.45 - 12.00

gdb AGM 2023

• Join us for the gdb AGM 2023 hosted by Holiday Inn London Gatwick Worth with Moore Kingston Smith.

• For gdb members only

Friday 29th Sept: 12.00 - 14.30

gdb September Members Meeting hosted by Holiday Inn London Gatwick Worth

• Stay connected with the gdb Team and your fellow Members.

• Free for gdb Members

• £25 +VAT for Non-Members

Thursday 12th Oct: 08.30 - 10.00

gdb Pastries and Networking at EMW Law LLP

• Join us for a morning filled with delicious pastries, where you can meet like-minded professionals from various industries. Whether you're looking to expand your network, find new business opportunities, or raise your profile in the gdb community - this is the event for you.

• Free for gdb members only

Monday 16th Oct: 10.30 - 11.30

Membership Meet Up

• Whether you’re new to gdb, thinking about joining or an existing member who needs a refresher, these events are the perfect opportunity to get to know gdb, ask questions and learn more about the variety of member benefits available to you.

• Free to attend

Thursday 19th Oct: 18.00 - 20.00

The Power of Business Networking

• We're excited to be collaborating with Burgess Hill Business Parks Association, East Grinstead Business Association & Haywards Heath Business Association.

• Free for BHBPA, EGBA, gdb & HHBA

Friday 27th Oct: 12:00 - 14.30

gdb October Members Meeting hosted by Worth School

• Stay connected with the gdb Team and your fellow Members.

• Free for gdb Members

• £25 +VAT for Non-Members

gdb welcomes new members

Membership of gdb will help you raise your organisation’s profile within the Gatwick Diamond and build your business connections.

Chess Dynamics

Based in Horsham, Plymouth, and Wokingham, Chess Dynamics is a Systems House providing surveillance, fire control and special project capability for Land and Maritime domains. Chess’ portfolio of proven surveillance and fire control solutions also includes countersUAV (drone) protection systems, the Vision4ce branded real time video and image processing solutions for electro-

optic systems. The company also provides a complete service including survey, installation, training, and maintenance across its entire product range, including bespoke engineering solutions. Chess has been supplying equipment, sub-systems and systems to defence leaders and prime contractors since 2005. Chess is a subsidiary company of the Cohort group.

www.chess-dynamics.com

Chestnut Tree House

Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for Sussex and South East Hampshire and provides care for around 300 children and young people with lifelimiting and life-threatening conditions every year.

It is thanks to the support and generosity of the local community, children and families who know they don’t have long together have the

www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

Cookie Jar

Cookie Jar is a next-generation business consultancy. We partner with founders and business owners of SMEs to solve their most important challenges and grow/scale their business. We work closely with our clients to empower them to build sustainable and adaptable companies. Those that can endure. We work with you to develop your business and corporate strategy. A

chance to live life to the full and say goodbye in the way that is right for them.

Over £4 million is needed every year to provide hospice care for local children and their families. Very little of this comes from central government. The rest comes from donations, fundraising, gifts in wills, shops, the Chestnut Tree House lottery and volunteering.

strategy that transcends every aspect of your business. Your strategy will guide you, give you confidence and clarity. It will help your team, customers and suppliers understand how you add value and the impact you have on the world.

East Sussex National

Set in 1100 acres of English countryside, the resort offers a perfect retreat for both business and leisure guests, with 104 beautiful bedrooms, health club, spa and two Championship golf courses. The resort also offers a wide range of meeting and event space which is ideal for day meetings, residential conferences, weddings, or that very special social event.

From the moment you walk in, to the second you sink into your deluxe and comfortable bed – you’ll feel it. Familyowned, our independence means we can offer an individual experience that exceeds your expectations. Whether it’s the irresistible facilities at your fingertips or carefully considered finishing touches, it’s not just what we do, but the way we do it that sees our guests leave happy. www.eastsussexnational.co.uk

Integrity Performance Consultancy

Victoria is a certified ILM Level 7 Executive Coach, and Chartered Manager. Victoria coaches business owners, directors and experienced professionals on challenges in their role and their business. Challenges can include experiencing overwhelm and needing support managing time, getting the right balance between strategic and operational priorities, delegating effectively,

Kingsway Care

Kingsway Care is the number one home care provider in Brighton & Hove, enabling older and disabled clients to stay in the homes they know and love. Whether you need temporary or long-term care, we can support you in maintaining your independence from age 18 to 100 years old and beyond!

We are determined to add more joy to Clients’ lives through kind, personalised,

overcoming Imposter Syndrome and boosting confidence around changes in your role or situation (such as taking on additional responsibilities), navigating complex decisions in your business or role. You’re welcome to join Victoria’s mailing list for tips, insight and access to free resources around these kinds of challenges.

and imaginative care with our outstanding team of competent, reliable and bighearted CareGivers.

Kingsway Care was also proudly crowned Gatwick Diamond Business of the Year 2023! (up to 1 million).

gdb welcomes new members

Membership of gdb will help you raise your organisation’s profile within the Gatwick Diamond and build your business connections.

Kinkajou

We're a UK-based women-owned consultancy supporting individuals and global organisations to evolve ways of working, leading and collaborating. Our conversations always start with understanding your why. From there, we tailor services to meet unique needs. Our virtual or in-person services include coaching, consulting, workshops and talks. Examples include leadership

development, improving engagement, agility and diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Our European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) accredited coaches and consultants have decades of leadership experience in small and large corporate organisations, including creative agencies, Fortune 500 technology companies, and educational institutions. We're always up for a no-obligation chat.

www.kinkajouconsulting.com

MR Printers

PRINT - PROVEN TECHNOLOGY!

For more than three decades, MR Printers have been providing high quality printing and design, working with organisations both big and small across all industry sectors. Our offering includes promotional goods, business stationery, point of sale literature, uniforms and a wide range of bespoke items.

We are proud of our reputation –

our team’s experience and knowledge combined, exceeds 300 years, making us well positioned to meet every customer’s need.

We look forward to being part of your success story…

www.mrprinters.com

Ocean Breeze Wellbeing

Ocean Breeze Wellbeing offers employers of SME’s and Corporates, wellbeing presentations, training and consultancy relating to women’s health support in the workplace. Using my personal as well as my HR and Business leader experience, I work with organisations to build practical people plans that improve engagement, attendance, attrition and reduce tribunal claim risks.

My goal is to make the journey for working women going through menopause and other related conditions associated with their reproductive health a much better one, where they can speak out openly and get the support as and when they need it.

www.oceanbreezewellbeing.com

email mandi@gatwickdiamondbusiness.com

Optimise Accountants

Counting beans and living the dream! With a calculator in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other (sometimes, we mix them up) Optimise Accountants & Tax Advisors ensures you stay fully compliant with HMRC and Companies House, giving you more time to focus on your business and more importantly, relax during tax season.

A firm of chartered accountants, we

cover everything from bookkeeping, payroll, VAT & tax to final accounts, with everything in between. Looking to turn boring spreadsheets into works of art? Book in your discovery call today.

www.optimiseaccountants.com

Silverstone

We are a stakeholder and communications consultancy who do things differently.

We have decades of specialism working within regeneration, the built environment, local authorities, and in the infrastructure sectors. We help clients become a community voice through our storytelling and development of the narrative, utilising our deep local knowledge.

Our aim is to help clients' projects achieve success by providing effective communication and engagement services that bring together all stakeholders to create common ground and ultimately get things delivered.

We have bases in the Midlands and East Sussex and for more information, please visit our website.

www.silverstonecommunications.co.uk

Referrals

#goodpeopleknowgoodpeople

We would like to thank the following members for referring gdb to their business contacts:

• Emma Cleary from Flexibility Matters & Katie Weir from The Lean Rebalance for referring Ocean Breeze Wellbeing Ltd

• Steve Jebson from Business Doctors for referring UK Business Mentoring

• Mo Kanjilal from Watch This Sp_ce for referring Kinkajou Limited

• Brett North from Gatwick Diamond Initiative for referring Tottington Manor Hotel

Diamond Listing Directory

Welcome to your Diamond Listing Directory

The gdb member companies listed below have a Diamond Listing in the online gdb Members Directory. For a full list of gdb members please go to www.gatwickdiamondbusiness.com/68-diamond-listing.html And contact us to find out how to enhance your listing and raise your profile in PINK!

Accounting / Financial Services

Carpenter Box

www.carpenterbox.com

info@carpenterbox.com

01293 227670

Kreston Reeves LLP

www.krestonreeves.com

tracy.morrison@krestonreeves.com

01293 776152

Servo Private Wealth www.servoprivatewealth.com

info@servoprivatewealth.com

01444 715200

Airport / Airline Services

BA Euroflyer

www.britishairways.com/en-gb/ flights-and-holidays/flights/flightsfrom-london-gatwick-airport

03444 930787

Delta Air Lines

www.delta.com

salesuk.delta@delta.com

02076 600767

Gatwick Airport Ltd

www.gatwickairport.com

richard.lennard@gatwickairport.com

08443 351802

jetBlue www.jetblue.com

maris.kuklis@flyjetblue.eu

07494 749129

Banking

HSBC UK www.hsbc.co.uk

sarah.k.milligan@hsbc.com 07717 690813

NatWest personal.natwest.com/personal.html

Andrew.Kettle@natwest.com

01293 643096

Business Consultants

Cultural Nexus www.culturalnexus.co.uk

cecilia@culturalnexus.co.uk

07734 261813

The 8020 Business Consultancy www.8020consultancy.com

mcook@8020consultancy.com

08453 887888

Environmental Services

Blue Planet Washing Solutions Ltd

www.blueplanetws.co.uk

jenna@blueplanetws.co.uk 07917 040044

Cleankill Pest Control

www.cleankill.co.uk

enquiries@cleankill.co.uk

02086 685477

Food & Drink

Love Water

www.lovewater.com

nick.swan@lovewater.com

03455 200820

Hotels / Venues / Events

Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

www.ashdownpark.com

conference@ashdownpark.com

01342 824988

Gravetye Manor

www.gravetyemanor.co.uk

info@gravetyemanor.co.uk

01342 810567

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc www.millenniumhotels.com

torsten.puck@millenniumhotels.com

01342 348800

Strive AV Ltd www.striveav.com

toni@striveav.com

01342 778083

The Arora Group

gatwick.arorahotels.com

gatwickreservations@ arorainternational.com

01293 530000

The Grand Brighton www.grandbrighton.co.uk

info@grandbrighton.co.uk

01273 224300

Tottington Manor Hotel

www.tottingtonmanor.co.uk

reservations@tottingtonmanor.co.uk

01903 815757

Wilton Park

www.wiltonpark.org.uk

enquiries@wiltonpark.org.uk 01903 815020

Worth School Lettings worthschool.org.uk/lettings

01342 710200

Insurance / Risk Services / Compliance

First Central firstcentralgroup.com

jo.harrison@first-central.com 03330 432066

Plan Insurance Brokers

www.planinsurance.co.uk marketing@planinsurance.co.uk 02030 045572

IT Services / IT Support

Red River Software Ltd www.river.red info@river.red 08448 802357

Vazon Technology www.vazontech.co.uk

info@vazontech.co.uk

07880 728209

Legal Services

Birketts LLP

www.birketts.co.uk

Charlotte-Sloan@birketts.co.uk 02087 687000

DMH Stallard LLP

www.dmhstallard.com enquiries@dmhstallard.com

01293 605000

HCB Legal Limited

www.hcbgroup.com

victoriahazell@hcbgroup.com

01293 602892

Irwin Mitchell www.irwinmitchell.com

Lee.Harding@irwinmitchell.com

01293 742700

Lewis Denley lewisdenley.com lauren.gardiner@lewisdenley.com

01403 456430

Mayo Wynne Baxter

www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk info@mayowynnebaxter.co.uk

01273 477071

Local Government / Public Sector

Crawley Borough Council crawley.gov.uk

01293 438000

Logistics / Travel Services

Cmac Group UK Limited

www.cmacgroup.com

paul.wait@cmacgroup.com

03333 580156

Cubic Transportation Systems

www.cubic.com/transportation krishna.desai@cubic.com

01737 782200

DNA www.dna2b.com

info@dna2b.com

03333 358585

Gatwick Express www.gatwickexpress.com

Angie.Doll@gtrailway.com

03458 501530

ILG www.ilguk.com

info@ilguk.com

08442 648000

Interparcel uk.interparcel.com

gatwickdbusiness@interparcel.com 03333 000700

Manufacturing / Engineering

Chess Dynamics Ltd

www.chess-dynamics.com

sales@chess-dynamics.com 01403 249888

Commtel Ltd

commtel-uk.com

sales@telguard.co.uk

01306 710120

Pentagon Plastics Ltd

www.pentagonplastics.co.uk

sales@pentagonplasitcs.co.uk

01403 264397

Sub-Cool-FM Ltd

www.sub-cool-fm.co.uk

hello@sub-cool-fm.co.uk

01293 223044

The Marketing Alliance

www.themarketingalliance.co.uk

hello@themarketingalliance.co.uk

Thakeham Group

thakeham.com

info@thakeham.com

01403 787300

Training / Education

Medical / Health / Wellbeing

02035 762955 Elekta www.elekta.com

Crawley.Accounts@elekta.com

01293 654378

Welland Medical wellandmedical.com

SamJackson@WellandMedical.com 01293 615455

Office Services

Benchmark Reprographics Ltd

www.benchmarkrepro.co.uk

olliehall@benchmarkrepro.co.uk

01293 922500

Brookvex www.brookvex.com

michael.davidson@brookvex.com

02086 875560

Regency Grove Communications Ltd

www.rgcltd.co.uk

enquiries@rgcltd.co.uk

03300 022222

SOS Systems Ltd

www.sossystems.co.uk info@sossystems.co.uk

01293 562525

Property / Planning Services

Panattoni UK Developments Ltd

www.panattoni.co.uk

hwing@panattoni.com

01215 130000

Chichester College Group

www.chichestercollegegroup.ac.uk info@chichester.ac.uk

01243 786321

East Surrey College

www.esc.ac.uk employerservices@esc.ac.uk

01737 788316

North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot)

www.nescot.ac.uk

jkapsalis@nescot.ac.uk

02083 941731

Rewards Training

www.rewardstraining.co.uk enquiries@rewardstraining.co.uk 01293 562651

Roffey Park

www.roffeypark.com enquiries@roffeypark.ac.uk

01293 854020

Sussex & Surrey Institute of Technology

www.sussexsurreyiot.ac.uk

01293 442213

University of Brighton

www.brighton.ac.uk/businessservices/index.aspx enterprise@brighton.ac.uk

01273 641039

University of Sussex

www.sussex.ac.uk

information@sussex.ac.uk

01273 606755