inbusiness Milton Keynes Aug Sep 21

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inbusiness @ChamberMK

www.chambermk.co.uk

THE VOICE OF MILTON KEYNES BUSINESS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

A GLOBAL BRAND YOU CAN TRUST SGS SECURES NEW OPPORTUNITIES BUSINESS REPORT: PHOTOBOOK SALES TO BENEFIT CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES MEMBER ZONE: NEW MEMBERS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MILTON KEYNES CHAMBER

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INBUSINESS

VIEWPOINT

CONTENTS BUSINESS REPORT

After a year of unprecedented records being consistently broken in a negative light, I finally can offer a silver lining in those dark clouds. Economists expect at least a five per cent rise in GDP figures for the April-June quarter as a whole, taking the economy inch by inch back to pre-pandemic levels.

But for every silver lining, there is a cloud of concern, and that cloud was made even darker for businesses hopeful of reopening back when the Prime Minister extended the lifting of restrictions.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Chamber has fully understood and supported the Government’s approach to putting health first, providing that support is in place for businesses that have had to close or reduce output.

As the economy has started to reopen in recent months, thanks in no small part to the incredible vaccine roll-out that began here in our region, it has proved what we have all known to be true throughout this crisis – that nothing actually beats doing business.

While, of course, the eye-watering sums of money that have gone into supporting companies across the UK have helped so many businesses to survive, our members are keen to get back to trading at full capacity as quickly as possible after being given a taste for it with the partial lifting of restrictions Further guidance will also be required on working from home as many companies are still unclear on whether they should be bringing people back on a full-time basis.

Businesses are providing more silver linings for people as 197,000 people joined the payrolls of firms in May. As the job market continues to gather momentum, we must all recognise the positive impact that business is having on our economy.

What is absolutely clear is that these next few months are going to be incredibly important as we look to strengthen our economy and I’d urge every business to get in touch with the Chamber to find out how they can access the support available to make the most of any post-pandemic bounce.

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Harrods debut for skincare firm

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HR firm celebrates anniversary

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Managing director named award finalist

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Photobook sales to aid charity

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Digital agency makes shortlist

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Policy Matters: Firms still face recruitment issues

GOING GLOBAL 12

The benefits of ChamberCustoms

TALKING BUSINESS

Best wishes, Louise Wall, Interim CEO, Milton Keynes Chamber 14

CONTACT DETAILS

FRONT COVER: Heather Crick, SGS See pages 14-15

MILTON KEYNES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Waterside House, 8 Waterside Way, Northampton NN4 7XD

COVER PHOTO: Provided by SGS

NEWS AND ARTICLES SHOULD BE SENT TO: inbusiness.MK@chambermk.co.uk Editorial process managed by Ballyhoo PR EDITOR: Laura Smith EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Katie Macdonald

CHAMBER BUSINESS PARTNERS

PUBLISHED BY: Kemps Publishing Ltd Unit 8, The Courtyard, 707 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DA T: 0121 765 4144 W: www.kempspublishing.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Blake T: 0121 765 4144 E: laura.blake@kempspublishing.co.uk

Heather Crick, of SGS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 16

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES Helping teams reconnect through art

18

BUSINESS CRIME & PROTECTION New health and safety service launched

TRAINING & EVENTS 20

The latest comprehensive list of Chamber training courses and events

MEMBER ZONE 23

Volunteer drivers rewarded

24

Member Profile: Leigh Frost, Business Buzz Buckinghamshire

26

Next Generation, plus new members

DESIGNER: Stuart Burton ADVERTISING MANAGER: Jon Jones T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk

The Oct/Nov 2021 issue of inbusiness will include features on: Corporate Christmas and Accountancy Services The deadline is: 12 August

PRINTERS: Stephens & George Print Group

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE: inbusiness is a bi-monthly publication and digital magazine distributed to over 3,000 Chamber members and key businesses in Milton Keynes. The publication focuses on news and information about local companies and the initiatives and advice available to increase the prosperity of firms in the Milton Keynes area. Milton Keynes Chamber welcomes newsworthy articles of business interest, giving preference to Chamber members. As editorial space is limited, inclusion cannot be guaranteed and the editor may amend or reject articles submitted. inbusiness is produced on behalf of Milton Keynes Chamber by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed without charge to all Chamber members and other leading businesses in the Milton Keynes area. The Chamber and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. However, views expressed in the magazine are independent and while every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither Milton Keynes Chamber nor the publisher can accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise.

For further information on Milton Keynes Chamber, call: 01908 547820 or visit: www.chambermk.co.uk

PRIVACY NOTICE: Kemps Publishing Ltd process personal information for certain legitimate interest purposes, which includes the following: • To provide postal copies of this publication to Chamber members and Kemps’ customers; and • To offer marketing and promotional opportunities within this publication to Chamber members and prospects.

Whenever we process data for these purposes, we always ensure we treat your Personal Data rights in high regard. If you wish to, you can visit www.kempspublishing.co.uk to view our full Privacy Notice and to learn more about our legitimate interests and your rights in this regard.

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BUSINESS REPORT

BUSINESS REPORT

MILTON KEYNES CHAMBER keeps its members up to date with all the latest business news. Whether it’s through the pages of this magazine, our website or regular email updates, we will always endeavour to keep you in the picture and informed

PROPERTY TEAM STRENGTHENED Regional law firm Neves Solicitors are strengthening their residential property team with the appointment of associate, Lucy Madley.

Lucy is experienced in various residential property acquisitions such as leasehold, shared ownership, right to buy, new builds and freeholds.

Neves has also announced that residential property and conveyancing specialist, Charlene Shillingford has been promoted to associate.

Stewart Matthews, joint managing partner and head of company commercial, said: “The appointment of Lucy and Charlene’s well-deserved promotion to associate will further strengthen and develop our already very experienced and dynamic residential property team.

“We are delighted to be able to recognise Charlene’s talent and commitment to the firm with this move and welcome Lucy as a great addition to the firm. I look forward to seeing them both flourish in their roles.”

DEBUT FOR SKINCARE FIRM The firm empowers women in the Kingdom of Naturally Tribal Skincare, an award-winning Milton Keynes based natural, vegan, cruelty free Essan, Nigeria, where the company’s main brand, has made its debut as part of the ingredient, Shea Butter, is sourced from. line-up in Harrods Beauty Born & Bred During 2020, Naturally Tribal Skincare collection. completed the Essan factory which ‘BEING PART OF Born & Bred is a collective of upcurrently employs 20 women.

THE H BEAUTY and-coming local brands that H Founder Shalom Lloyd said: FAMILY IN OUR Beauty share values with.

“Being part of the H Beauty family Pharmacist Shalom Lloyd in our hometown, Milton Keynes, is HOMETOWN, founded Naturally Tribal Skincare special. We know we have great MILTON KEYNES, after creating a homemade remedy products that work, a fantastic story IS SPECIAL’ to alleviate her new-born baby’s and we are built on incredibly strong values. So, being part of the H beauty severe eczema.

Made in the UK with ethically sourced Milton Keynes Born & Bred line up is ingredients, mainly from Africa, Naturally Tribal something to be extremely proud of. unleashed its purpose led message in H Beauty “This milestone brings my proud dual British and Milton Keynes, which opened in April.

African heritage to life. I talk about my ‘kitchen to Naturally Tribal Skincare’s launch into H Beauty is kingdom’ journey and can now proudly talk about our a significant milestone towards the company’s vision product journey from ‘The Kingdom of Essan to to become a sustainable business, built on ethical Harrods’ - This is a big deal for the Essan community.” sourcing, innovation, empowerment, and love for our planet.

Visit www.naturallytribalskincare.com

CONFRONTING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS Lucy Madley

Charlene Shillingford

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A renowned local recruitment services company has released three free training courses on unconscious bias in the workplace.

The trio of sessions, offered by hireful, are made from similar content but targeted to different audiences.

Challenging Unconscious Bias in the Workplace is designed for all staff to complete. This is supported by Challenging Unconscious Bias in the Workplace For Managers and Minimising The Role Of Unconscious Bias in Your

Recruitment Process, which both cover all the chapters listed in the original course but with additional chapters designed for managers, HR users or recruiters who are responsible for designing the recruitment process. hireful have pledged to keep the training trio on their virtual learning platform - hireful academy - free forever, as they emphasise how important the topic is.

Director Sean Maher said: “In recent years, specifically 2020, we saw diversity and inclusion become a focal point across the

world. In hireful’s spirit of being ‘the UK’s most helpful recruitment company’ we wanted to give organisations and professionals across the country the opportunity to learn more about the influence their unconscious bias can have on their decision making. And, in turn, know how to manage it to minimise their bias in the workplace – so they can build the most inclusive and productive workforce possible.”

Visit: academy.hireful.co.uk/courses

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BUSINESS REPORT

TWO DECADES OF FINDING HR SOLUTIONS An award-winning HR firm which is L-R: Angela Rhodes, Greg Guilford, Carol Guilford expanding rapidly across the East and Sue Watson Midlands has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

When HR Solutions was first launched by Carol Ann Guilford in June 2001, outsourcing a firm’s human resources needs was a new concept.

Since then, the company has continued to pave the way for outsourced HR by supporting SMEs with a full service offering from its head office in Kettering.

It provides traditional HR, payroll, recruitment, HR administration and ‘WE PUT OUR software services to CLIENTS AT THE more than 450 HEART OF retained clients and EVERYTHING last year launched a Health, Safety and WE DO’ Environment division. accredited courses in health and said: “We put our Another major safety and mental health as well as clients at the heart of highlight in 2020 was its certificates in management and a everything we do. acquisition of successful Milton range of soft skills.

“Having a focus on service Keynes HR consultancy Crispin Greg added: “There have been so delivery has definitely seen us Rhodes Limited. This latest many incredible achievements over grow. There are clients that have acquisition coincided with one of the past 20 years, but I’m been with us for many years, and in the firm’s busiest years as it extremely proud to have developed most cases have also introduced us supported clients with HR and such a great team. They’ve really to their colleagues, or even reHealth & Safety advice around engage with us when they move to risen to the challenge of supporting furlough, redundancies and back to new companies.” our clients during an extremely work guidance following the onset This year the firm is also working tough 12 months.” of the Covid-19 pandemic. on exciting plans to increase its Carol’s son Greg, who has been certified online training and offer Visit: www.hrsolutions-uk.com managing the business since 2014,

A PRESTIGIOUS APPOINTMENT Ruth Corkin (pictured), VAT and indirect tax principal at Hillier Hopkins, has been appointed to HMRC’s Land and Property Liaison Group as one of two representatives of the Institute of Chartered Accountants In England and Wales (ICAEW).

The Land and Property Liaison Group is a sub-group of the Joint VAT Consultative Committee, where Ruth Corkin sits as a representative of the Vat Practitioners Group.

The Joint VAT Consultative Committee is an HMRCsponsored forum allowing the exchange of views between HMRC and industry relating to the procedures and operations of VAT. It allows industry and HMRC to discuss VAT issues arising with the aim of strengthening HMRC’s understanding of the needs of the business customer/taxpayer.

The Land and Property Liaison Group will tackle issues facing the property and construction industries, with Ruth being one of two representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) sitting on the group.

Ruth Corkin said: “Hillier Hopkins has a large client base of property developers, investors, professional landlords, and construction companies and understands the issues and challenges they face. By joining this panel, we can make sure their voice is heard at the highest levels and we can share with our clients’ insights from HMRC.”

PARTNERSHIP TO HELP SMES Swoop Funding is pleased to announce a partnership with BNP Paribas Asset Management (‘BNPP AM’) which will enable it to offer unsecured loans of up to £5m to SMEs. Borrowers can access funds of between £500,000 and £5m, significantly higher than the standard unsecured facility.

Swoop’s offering fills a gap in the market for SMEs that need to secure debt funding to support growth without having to provide collateral. These loans are the latest addition to Swoop’s expanding range of financial products targeting SMEs and their advisors, including traditional sources of funding such as debt and equity, alternative sources like invoice and asset finance, business grants and more.

The loans will form part of BNPP AM’s SME Alternative Financing direct lending activity, which enables SMEs to access long-term unsecured funding in the UK, The Netherlands and Germany.

Damon Walford, chief commercial officer at Swoop, said: “Swoop provides businesses and their advisors with access to a wide range of funding opportunities via our digital marketplace. Our partnership with BNPP AM adds to this considerable funding firepower and allows Swoop to support businesses looking to accelerate their growth and/or make acquisitions by combining a team of experienced financial professionals with market leading technology.”

Stéphane Blanchoz, head of SME alternative financing at BNP Paribas Asset Management, said: “As a source of funding that is complementary to traditional bank lending, unsecured longterm credit offers borrowers a unique form of financing that is invaluable in supporting the sustainable expansion of their businesses. Our partnership with Swoop will enable us to further expand our access to UK SMEs and to benefit from Swoop’s valuable experience and expertise in this market.”

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BUSINESS REPORT

FINALIST STATUS FOR HR FIRM LEADER Award. Both my name and heart lie inside this The managing director of an award-winning company and it is humbling to be human resources firm in Milton Keynes recognised for the work that we do. has been named as a finalist in the “My nomination is testament to Buckinghamshire SME Business the fantastic team that supports Awards. me and the business every day, Angela Rhodes, of Crispin ‘MY NOMINATION particularly over the last 12 Rhodes HR consultancy, has IS TESTAMENT TO months which has been a been shortlisted in the THE FANTASTIC challenge for all.”

Business Woman of the Year TEAM THAT The 2021 awards ceremony category of the popular is due to take place on awards, which recognise and SUPPORTS ME’ Thursday 9 September reward those individuals and 2021 at the Jurys Inn, companies striving and Milton Keynes. succeeding in the local business Winners of some categories community. will automatically go through to the The Business Woman of the Year Award will be presented to the best female owned business National SME Awards final at or female who has had a positive impact on a Wembley Stadium on Friday 3 business, showing exceptional drive to succeed.

December.

Angela said: “I am over the moon and very proud to have been selected by the judges as a Visit: www.crispinrhodes.co.uk finalist in the Business Woman of the Year

SECOND LOCAL SITE FOR MANUFACTURER Milton Keynes-based power tool manufacturer, Makita UK has unveiled its new Factory Service Centre (FSC) in Blakelands.

World renowned for its innovation in cordless machinery and battery technology, the leading power tool manufacturer has opened a new service centre in Blakelands. The company has had a strong business presence in Milton Keynes for a number of years, with its UK headquarters located in Tongwell since 1992. The manufacturer has also been a keen supporter of the local community, regularly working with local colleges to deliver its ‘Be Safe’ safety course, as part of its ongoing commitment to providing training for students in the construction industry.

Now, in a move that reaffirms this ongoing commitment to the region, the company has opened a

second site in Milton Keynes, by investing in a 20,000-sqft premises in Blakelands. The new facility will sit alongside its headquarters to provide Makita with further space for the business to continue its growth strategy and strengthen its customer focus.

The site will primarily be used to provide a dedicated servicing and repairs facility, as part of Makita’s objectives in delivering exceptional customer service and support for end-users in the local area as well as from further afield.

Recognising the opportunities that the site offers for the region as well as elevating levels of technical knowledge across the construction sector, Makita will also utilise the new space to host workshops and seminars for employees, authorised agents, apprentices and dealers.

Visit: www.makitauk.com

The new facility in Blakelands

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Angela Rhodes

STUDENTS MOVE INTO BRAND NEW SCHOOL

MAIN PICTURE: The new Watling building INSET: Students on their first day at school

There was huge excitement at Watling Academy and the Denbigh Alliance Trust as students moved to their brand new purpose-built school building in Milton Keynes.

The state-of-the-art, three-storey building, which is on a 10-hectare site on Barrosa Way in Whitehouse, will allow Watling Academy to offer an outstanding educational experience to 1,800 students.

Watling’s first ever cohort of Year 7 students, who joined the school in September 2020, are enjoying all the facilities that the new building offers including classrooms, science labs, DT facilities, social space, creative arts space and both indoor and outdoor sports facilities. They will be joined by a further intake of 300 students in September.

Watling Academy is a member of the Denbigh Alliance Trust, which also runs Denbigh School. The Trust

has worked in partnership with Milton Keynes Council to open this new educational facility for the young people of Milton Keynes.

Ian Bacon, head of school at Watling Academy said: “Our new building reflects the modern, dynamic, and innovative school that we are. The purpose-built facilities will allow us to demonstrate our focus on STEM Innovation and our core values of Respect, Responsibility & Kindness.”

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BUSINESS REPORT MAIN PICTURE: Black Lives Matter protest INSET: Jane Russell with the Life Through A Lens Photobook

CAPTURING LIFE IN LOCKDOWN A limited edition collaborative lockdown photobook is raising much-needed cash for a Milton Keynes charity.

Talented photographer Jane Russell teamed up with two other local business people Freddie Guilmard and Tim Lee to create Life Through A Lens, which gives a pictorial representative of life in lockdown for the people in Milton Keynes.

The trio hope that the book, which is on sale for a minimum donation of £15, will raise more than £2,000 for MK SNAP (Milton Keynes Special Needs Advancement Project).

The charity, based in Walnut Tree, deliver a leading programme of education, life skills, work preparation and opportunities to adults with learning disabilities.

Jane, who is a Chamber Business Partner, said:

Life Through A Lens brings to life a gamut of emotions. Looking through the photos in this book you may feel a spark of recognition in the experiences and situations you see.

“We have decided to donate all profits from the book to MK SNAP who sadly lost three young learners during the Covid-19 pandemic - Romini, Isi and Gemma.”

So far, the book, which has been sponsored by All Things Business, What’s Next IT, Bidwell Accountancy and Suzuki GB, and designed by Sarah Henderson of Yolk Design, has raised £775.

The foreword was kindly supplied by Helen Gent of Trumpet Media.

“The lockdown photobook is a wonderful memento of the past year, beautifully designed and created. Funny, poignant, sad and inspiring,

To secure your copy of the book visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/freddie-guilmard

COTTONS WELCOMES TEN NEW STARTERS Cottons Chartered Accountants, a leading accountancy firm with offices across the Midlands and London, has welcomed 10 new starters as it undergoes further expansion and continues to support a wide range of clients.

Nick Warne, managing partner at Cottons, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming so many new starters this year. These appointments underscore Cottons investment in our future and to ensure that we continue to provide an outstanding service for our clients.”

Cottons have long been recognised as a firm committed to investing in developing our staff

with several partners having initially joined the firm as trainees.

“We are pleased to announce that four of our new starters have joined as trainees, bringing our total number of staff studying for professional qualifications to 15.”

The new trainees will benefit from hands-on experience with a team of qualified and experienced accountants, business advisers and auditors alongside classroom study as they work towards their qualifications.

With the addition of the new team members, Cottons now employs over 80 staff and continues to grow.

We feel really positive about the future of Milton Keynes and we are supporting people like you to achieve your objectives.

Whether you need help with your strategy for growth, organisational change or setting your new venture up, Queensbury can help.

T: 01908 766114 E: info@queensbury-consulting.com

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BUSINESS REPORT

SHORTLIST SUCCESS FOR DIGITAL AGENCY A creative digital agency in Milton Keynes has been shortlisted for a muchcoveted customer service award.

MyDigitalBooth, who joined the Chamber in March, are thrilled that their parent company TheAppBooth has been nominated for the SME National Business Awards 2021 in the Best Customer Service Category.

The prestigious awards recognise industrious, hardworking and enterprising SMEs across the country.

Bola Duro, CEO at MyDigitalBooth, said: “We are elated to have been shortlisted for such an important award. Our customers are at the heart ‘WE ARE ELATED of all that we do, so this award nomination brings us great joy.

Congratulations to all the other nominees.”

TO HAVE BEEN MyDigitalBooth provides end to end digital solutions for businesses SHORTLISTED of all sizes and complexity. They offer one-stop business solutions, FOR SUCH AN with services including website design and development, mobile app IMPORTANT design and development, email marketing, SEO, blog and copywriting, AWARD’ branding and design, social media services and review management.

Bola added: “The experience of our trusted and diverse team as well as our global strategic partnerships makes us well placed to help businesses positively transform and accelerate their business. We are delighted that the team have received this recognition.”

Bola Duro

Visit: mydigitalbooth.com

AUREUM FINANCE ASSISTS PROPERTY PROJECTS A financial advice company, which supports corporate clients to fund property projects and investments, has secured loans for numerous new developments in Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire this summer.

Aureum Finance, based in Central Milton Keynes, assist clients to source and structure any debt requirements across all asset classes.

The firm completed their sixth deal in the same year for one client in Clifton – a development loan for seven bespoke executive houses in a Bedfordshire village location.

Down the road, in Silsoe, they completed a marketing loan for eight houses in another sought-after village, popular with commuters for its proximity to Flitwick train station and motorway links. This enabled the client to release profits early and reduce funding costs.

In Long Buckby, Aureum Finance recently

secured 100% funding for an exclusive development of nine executive family homes, providing a joint venture structure that will assist the clients with the growth of their business.

And in Corby, their work helped to finance a residential development of 12 new houses and six apartments with a second project of 87 houses now purchased on the same site in the heart of Northamptonshire.

Dean Brown, managing director at Aureum Finance, said: “Our dedication, hard work and efficiency enables us to assist our clients to get their developments and investments funded in a timely manner. We can source creative funding structures that assist our clients with the growth of their business and that provides real satisfaction to our team.

“We have access to a number of diverse lenders with funds available and are always seeking experienced property developers to partner with.”

Visit: www.aureumfinance.co.uk Call: 01908 414235

CASH IS KING – HOW BUSINESSES CAN TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR OUTGOINGS The impacts of the pandemic will be felt well into the future but for now, businesses are taking their first steps in gradually reopening.

Coffee shops and cafes are welcoming customers inside, hairdressers and beauty salons are switching on the lights and workers are starting to return to the office.

Despite these first steps, trading will continue to be difficult for some time, especially for smalland medium-sized firms. These are the ones who will have seen their cash flow significantly hit and are now looking for all the help they can in trying to budget and plan for the future.

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HOW BUSINESSES CAN AVOID SPENDING MORE THAN THEY HAVE TO In these uncertain times, many businesses are looking for ways to save money and maintain a healthier bottom line.

The good news is that getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference.

A smart meter can help businesses take control of their energy bills as they enable accurate, not estimated billing.

Meaning, they only pay for what they use – helping to take the stress out of budgeting.

We all want to work smarter not harder. Smart meters send your gas and electricity readings directly to your energy supplier so you don’t have to!

MANAGE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT It is also important to bear in mind that it’s everyone’s responsibility to become more conscious of their environmental impact. Regardless if your business has three employees, or three thousand, we all should be aware of how much energy we’re using and a smart meter is a simple way of doing this.

A smart meter is a positive step

in taking control of business outgoings and if your firm has 10 employees or less your business could be eligible.

Visit: www.smartenergygb.org You can also contact your energy supplier or broker. It could be one of the best calls you make this week.

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BUSINESS REPORT

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POLICY MATTERS Milton Keynes Chamber represents your views to the people who matter

RECRUITMENT IS STILL AN ISSUE Business leaders in Milton Keynes have welcomed a fall in unemployment but some companies in a variety of sectors are facing a recruitment headache.

We saw unemployment drop from 4.8% to 4.7% in the three months up to April as the economy was slowly starting to reopen. But with the ‘THE LOGISTICS end of the furlough scheme INDUSTRY IS looming, we could see an uptick EXPERIENCING A in unemployment, but we know HUGE VOLUME that some areas of the economy are desperate to recruit.

INCREASE’ The feedback the Chamber is getting from business is that the logistics industry is experiencing a huge volume increase and that is leading to capacity issues and delays in getting products out to businesses.

Both the logistics sector and the hospitality businesses are supported in finding and sector have been clear that they need to training new staff to help them make the most recruit to be able to meet the demands that of the full reopening of the economy. the reopening of the economy has brought.

A recent survey from the British Chambers It’s been a combination of Covid-19 and of Commerce underlined that there isn’t going Brexit that has led to the shortage for those to be a one size fits all approach as people sectors. Some people have found new return to work. industries while the hospitality sector was There’s no doubt, businesses and their closed down, while many EU workers have employees across the region have adapted returned home. It is absolutely vital now that

incredibly well to the past 15 months and it may mean a hybrid of home and remote working with a return to the office but, again, it’s going to require some flexibility as the economy starts to rebuild.

What we really want to see even more of is people getting out and using local businesses as much as possible, while abiding by any Covid-19 rules that may be in place.

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY Milton Keynes Community Foundation’s newly released Impact Report highlights not only the struggles the city has faced over the past year, but also the ways in which the community have supported those in need.

The report reflects the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on Milton Keynes. The Community Foundation awarded over £1.6m in grants to 198 charities and community groups in order that they could continue to provide vital support to some of the most vulnerable people in the borough throughout the pandemic.

The report rounds up some of the incredibly inspiring work that has been carried out locally, in response to the pandemic, while highlighting the many challenges faced, such as the adaptation of services, loss of income, issues around mental health and the urgent need for funding in order to survive.

Ian Revell, chief executive at MK Community Foundation, said: “This

report is more than just an account of what has happened this last year; it is a celebration and thank you to all of the incredibly generous people who donated to their Covid response appeal, and the tenacious and hardworking local community groups and charities.

“We have done everything we could possibly do to match your generosity. I know, when you read

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this report, you will be proud and want to join me in thanking everyone who has contributed to bring much help, support and kindness during this crisis. We will continue working hard to help groups to recover from the effects of the pandemic.”

To read the full report visit: online.fliphtml5.com/pubio/mfsj/# p=1

ABOVE: MK Food Bank and Women In Enterprise event LEFT: Members of Musica say thank you Milton Keynes

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BUSINESS REPORT ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Quality Assessment and Qualification Framework (QAQF) ‘Alone you carve your own path BUT together we provoke the difference in shaping your future’ AQF is an innovative training organisation, helping health professionals across the globe to meet overseas standards to obtain their licence to operate in countries like the UK, Canada, New Zealand, USA and Australia.

We started amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and had no idea that the impact of this would make our project so important, with organisations such as private care, nursing, residential and hospitals all benefitting from our services.

Since last year we have trained and placed over 100 overseas nurses across the UK (London, Plymouth, Cornwall, Croydon, Lancaster and Harrogate).

Our blended training took place on our eLearning platform and our face-to-face practical training is conducted at Crowne Plaza Hotel in London.

Recently we have trained over 50 overseas nurses for their OSCE Exam. During their training, we also conducted a welfare assessment to measure their level of wellbeing.

A significant number of the trainees were very appreciative of how their employers have treated them. They were also grateful that they were given the greatest opportunity to serve during this challenging time. Lots of them have left their friends and family back home to dedicate their lives to caring residents and patients in the UK.

Q

Testimonials Cynthia Kaguah, from Ghana, says that she is so fortunate that she recently secured her NMC PIN and is now a qualified nurse.

Kelsy Manyi Nijiwaji, from Cameroon, says this country has given her a unique identity and she wants to dedicate her career to the residents in her Care home in Lancaster.

She passed the OSCE exam in June.

Anu Tamang, from Nepal, is willing to give whatever it takes to make a resident smile in Croydon London.

Alisha Baidhya, from Nepal, finds the UK to be an amazing place to learn more on how to improve her talents. She is a preregistered nurse in Doncaster.

All of these nurses are overseas qualified health professional and have a lot of experience to share here in the Care sector – however working with the elderly, dementia and challenging behaviour residents was, for most of them, a first-time experience.

Nonetheless, within a short period of time they have quickly learned how to navigate and adapt in the care sector, keeping all the standards and regulations in place. Indeed, they are fast learners.

Over 100,000 health professionals are needed in the UK market and QAQF endeavours to train a huge number of overseas candidates to the UK standard so as to feed the needs of the market shortage. We train them to adapt swiftly to the job market.

We closely work with many employers in the health sector to fulfil their needs, as well as to bridge the gap between the candidates and the requisite skills, so that we can reduce the shortage of labour efficiently, not only in the UK but in other countries such as New Zealand and Canada.

Together we empower people and communities to thrive through education, innovation, and experiences.

To find out more about the full range of courses available please contact us on Tel: 07856592518 Email: info@qaqf.co.uk or visit: www.qaqf.co.uk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

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GOING GLOBAL

GOING GLOBAL The Chamber’s INTERNATIONAL TRADE TEAM can help you navigate your way through all of the regulatory procedures and documents that you’ll need for successful international trading

HELPING YOU CLEAR CUSTOMS The new Chamber customs declarations service has been set up to help businesses clear goods for international trade, post Brexit.

Customs declarations are forms used to accompany goods that are entering or leaving the country. They are used internationally to communicate the origin of the product and its relevant tariffs. This allows customs and regulatory bodies to calculate what duty is payable and understand any restrictions.

ChamberCustoms is a brokerage service run by Chambers of Commerce across the country. The dedicated team of experts at the Chamber have the expertise and knowledge to help traders keep on trading.

Through the Chamber’s deferment account, the team can access faster duty and VAT payments and make duty and VAT payments on behalf of businesses to HMRC. International trade executive Raphael Tomy said: “ChamberCustoms has been created to clear goods for import and export at every port in the UK. We make a potentially complicated process smooth, quick, and entirely transparent.”

T: 0203 633 2127 W: robertsonbusinessconsultancy.com 12 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

“Customs declarations are enormously important and a necessity for all businesses that import and export goods. This is particularly relevant now as the UK has left the EU and goods will be subject to increased border checks. Businesses that import or export goods will need to comply with the rules and make declarations.”

You do not need to be a Chamber member to access the service.

ChamberCustoms is open to all businesses who import or export goods.

Contact chambercustoms@northants-chamber.co.uk

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BUSINESS REPORT

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TALKING BUSINESS

A GLOBAL BRAND YOU CAN TRUST Despite the worldwide pandemic, inspection, verification, testing and certification company SGS has been incredibly busy with acquisitions and its role in prehuman trial testing of the Covid-19 vaccine. SGS’s Heather Crick explains how its global presence gives it the edge over its competitors. the CE mark, we do the auditing part for medical devices Nobody will argue that it has been a turbulent year for and PPE, as well as construction product regulation (CPR) business. The unexpected appearance of a pandemic, on for things like timber products, insulation, tarmac, anything top of Britain’s long-awaited exit from the EU has affected that could be used in construction. trade across the country.

“The CE mark is a European mark and we are now But for the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS, the two headline working on the UKCA, which is the British equivalent now grabbing events have led to some new and exciting we are outside Europe. We are one of only a few bodies who can offer both CE and UKCA mark certification.” opportunities.

The firm’s life sciences business line is part of “We also audit supply chains for companies, the Oxford Astra Zeneca Consortium prehuman including social and ethical auditing to ensure trial testing of the Covid-19 vaccine, as well organisations are meeting local labour laws in as all the batch testing of the vaccine. respective countries.”

One of SGS’s recent business She added: “Our auditors are highly ‘IT IS IMPORTANT acquisitions, i2i, has an exciting skilled professionals who have come from TO US HOW WE international trade platform that enables industry and bring with them a great deal INTERACT WITH companies to complete customs of knowledge and experience. Their ability OUR CUSTOMERS’ declarations online for the import and to deliver is seen as great value – it’s not export of goods, while also offering a full just a tick box exercise, we bring a great customs brokerage service for clients that deal of experience.” prefer expert assistance.

Staff at SGS are driven by integrity, with the Business manager for the knowledge business company instilling the importance of integrity as a line of SGS, Heather Crick, believes the brand’s global virtue from the moment a new starter arrives. presence gives it the edge over its competitors.

All employees undertake annual integrity training and Heather believes this is integral to how the service is She said: “I think our global footprint is a big positive, delivered. particularly as we are moving to a post-Brexit world and “It is important to us how we interact with our companies in the UK want to continue to trade customers,” she said. “Our annual integrity training brings a internationally. Our brand is strong in places that they want to market their services and having certificates from us is a great deal of confidence that we are dealing with powerful thing.” customers in an independent and impartial manner.

SGS are widely recognised as the global benchmark for “Plus we go through quite an extensive recruitment quality and integrity in the inspection, verification, testing process to get people with the right attitude and approach and certification industry. and also the right level of knowledge and expertise.”

Heather has been at the helm of the company’s auditing This meant the workforce were well equipped for change arm since January 2018, which primarily provide auditing when the pandemic hit in March last year, with adaptability services for international standards such as ISO 9001. at the forefront of management’s minds.

“We audit organisations so that they can demonstrate to Heather said: “We were one of the first to offer remote their customers that they are reaching a certain standard,” audits. We did that in the first week of lockdown because she said. “In addition to the ISO standards, we also cover we had a willing customer and a willing auditor so decided to give it a go.

“70% of audits were conducted remotely in the last year.

It has been interesting and challenging but we’ve also found it to be very positive. In the past we’ve been on site to audit but now, having done it all successfully remotely, I believe that moving forward we’ll have a more blended approach.

She added: “So often in business, change is difficult and it’s hard to get people to change how they work. But it’s very rewarding to see my whole team and our customers rise to that challenge so positively. We had hiccups but that’s what change is about.”

Heather, who has been with SGS for 22 years, joined in 1999 as an administration manager. She went on to complete two management NVQs over the past two decades and says her longevity of service is testament to the company’s culture.

“I’ve found my niche here,” she said. “I’ve found where I fit. The things that are important to me – the company ethics and desire to do a very good job, with a focus on integrity, are mirrored in my colleagues. We are a very technical company and employ serious people and I feel at home here. It sounds cliché but it’s a bit like a family.

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TALKING BUSINESS PHOTOS BY SGS

FACTFILE: SGS COMPANY BACKGROUND: “SGS SA (Known as SGS) was established in 1878. The company originated in France as a grain import and inspection firm. It now has a head office in Geneva, 89,000 employees with 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.”

MAIN PICTURE AND INSET LEFT: Heather Crick, Knowledge, UK business manager

“We’ve all got bottom lines to achieve but everybody gets on with it, working together to reach a common goal.”

The latest project the team are working on are the new ESG services - ESG refers to environmental, social and governance criteria and goals that a company strives to achieve to demonstrate the value they bring to stakeholders and society.

SGS’s end-to-end solutions help customers solve a combination of risks and needs across their value chain, to redefine their journey to sustainability.

Heather believes these services will form part of the bigger growth plan going forwards.

“I think there’ll be more focus on sustainability and environmental issues and our ESG services will grow, going forward.

“I’d like to say that in five years’ time we’d be bigger than we are now full stop, as I’ve got some big growth targets to meet!

“We are diversifying more into supply chain and risk auditing, but the traditional ISO certification will always be there, and more standards will come along to keep us busy, I’m sure.”

COMPANY DESCRIPTION: “SGS United Kingdom Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of SGS SA. SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. We are recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our annual turnover for 2020 was 5.6 billion CHF (approximately 4.4 billion GBP).”

JOINING THE CHAMBER: “Our business is about supporting and enabling other businesses to do business. Nobody has ever heard of us but we are kind of everywhere!

“We want to increase our brand awareness and we want to get out there a bit more, so people have heard of us. We felt that joining the Chamber of Commerce would be a positive move to help get that exposure.

“It also brings us knowledge in relation to activities you have going on that’s pertinent to services we might be developing. It’s a bit about contacts and a bit about knowledge gathering.”

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

This issue’s spotlights are on the CREATIVE INDUSTRIES and BUSINESS CRIME & PROTECTION sectors in Milton Keynes.

RECONNECTING THROUGH ART MK Gallery is offering a fun and memorable corporate portraiture workshop for teams looking to reconnect following the disruption of the pandemic.

Re-connect is based around portraiture – a form of art in which you can show the qualities of your subject. Working in various materials, the group will be guided by a professional artist and encouraged to experiment with different ideas and mediums.

Billie Passchier, MK Gallery’s head of events and catering, said: “Have you and your colleagues been navigating the highs and lows

of working from home during the past months and months of lockdown? Have you returned to work and felt discombobulated from your team, colleagues or clients compared to ‘normal’ times? Re-connect is a great opportunity for a group to spend time together, step out of comfort zones and indulge in a new experience while re-connecting with each other. Businesses can choose from a full-day or half-day session.

Both include materials, equipment and refreshments.”

With the support of the professional artist, colleagues or clients can enjoy a creative

environment, expand their knowledge, let go of the stresses of work and recalibrate.

A recent participant, Lucy Bradban, partner at Freeths LLP, said: “I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Thank you, MK Gallery, for hosting our team. We loved it. In the year where we’ve had very limited interaction with people an event spending time together, drawing each other in person was a great idea. There is no doubt this event will be very popular with businesses in MK and beyond.”

Email: events@mkgallery.org

RISE IN DEMAND FOR CREATIVE SKILLS Qualifications in creative disciplines are predicted to be in increasingly high demand in Milton Keynes as investment pours into the OxfordCambridge Arc. Kate Bashford, head of school for creative arts at Milton Keynes College, said the evidence points towards growing demand. She said: “Government plans are around knowledge-based industries, particularly digital; the links between arts and technology are crucial to that sector. The professional and businesses services sector in our area employs two-thirds of newly qualified graphic designers and a third of web designers and developers.”

Elsewhere creative industries are regarded as the glue holding many other kinds of work together. The Regional Studies Association says: “creative industries may instead best be thought of as a way of linking a number of separate economic and social agendas to give them more coherence”.

College links to business are crucial in turning qualifications into careers.

A longstanding relationship with online estate agent, Rightmove, sees graphic design students gaining internships with the company producing promotional material; several have gone on to full-time jobs there.

“We’re training people to be able to do things rather than just to understand how they are done,” Kate added. “We’re training those people who will glue businesses together.”

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Kate Bashford

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

BOUNCE BACK WITH BALLYHOO New Chamber members Ballyhoo PR are offering a virtual PR and communications service to local businesses, to help them bounce back from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The PR agency - who recently joined the Chamber to support their already extensive work with local clients and media in Milton Keynes – decided to provide the virtual service to companies who might not be able to afford to employ a team of experienced copywriters and PR professionals but still require the expert help.

For a set fee each month, the Ballyhoo PR team work remotely to manage all company communications and PR activity including social media management, website content, blog posts, email marketing, press releases and other articles.

Those that sign up to the ‘IT IS VITAL TO monthly contract service also KEEP IN TOUCH receive free media opportunity WITH YOUR alerts from journalists, CUSTOMERS AND comprehensive social media business owners and reports and updates on any PR POTENTIAL managers to plug any gaps coverage gained.

CLIENTS’ that may have been created Ballyhoo PR’s Milton Keynes through depleted marketing based clients range from HR activity, furlough and redundancies. companies and business support “It is vital to keep in touch with your organisations to event management firms. customers and potential clients who will be Founder and company director Emma Speirs checking the company social media, website and said: “Communications are more important than search engines for updates and reconnect with ever. As we emerge from Covid restrictions, your market. companies will be keen to promote their “Using our virtual service means that businesses and move forward from the businesses can have their own small team on a coronavirus crisis. We are able to work with

The Ballyhoo PR team

rolling contract basis with none of the commitment that comes with employees, such as holidays, sick pay and pensions, but they can also get their messages out there to generate new business and recover from any impact coronavirus has had.”

If your business is looking for support with their PR and communications in Milton Keynes, Ballyhoo PR would be more than happy to set up a free, no obligation call, to discuss how they could help. Call today on 01536 682800.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: BUSINESS CRIME & PROTECTION

SAFETY MADE SIMPLE WITH NEW SERVICE A TAX-FREE WAY TO EARN CASH A specialist chartered financial planner has provided some tips on how to extract money from your company tax-free.

Managing director of Wealth and Tax Management Tony Byrne suggested paying yourself or your spouse a modest salary of around £8,750 p.a. with the balance paid as dividends.

He said: “At this level of salary, neither employer’s nor employee’s National Insurance is payable. A 50:50 shareholding couple can pay themselves jointly £100,000 p.a. without paying higher rate tax of 40%. Their company can pay £40,000 a year into each of their pensions too.

Salaries, employer’s NIC and employer’s pension contributions are taxdeductible for the business whereas dividends are paid from taxed profits.”

Dividends are taxed at a lower rate than salary. If a business owner were to reinvest £63,042 of their dividends into Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) and/or Enterprise Investment Schemes (EISs) they would obtain 30% tax relief and save £18,912.60 Income Tax each reducing their personal tax bills to zero. Seed EIS gives even higher Income Tax relief at a rate of 50%.

For more tax mitigation techniques, try a one-hour Discovery Meeting with Wealth and Tax Management.

Call 01908 523740 or for free on 0800 980 4516 or email wealth@wealthandtax.co.uk *The contents of this article are for information purposes only and do not constitute individual advice. The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. VCT, EIS and SEIS are high-risk investments that are only suitable for professional investors.

A brand-new competent health and safety person service has been launched by a Northamptonshire consultancy.

Every employer is required to have access to competent health & safety advice. The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state that every employer must enlist one or more competent persons to assist in complying with their statutory duties under Health and Safety Law. It is the duty ‘IT IS of the company Simply Safety offers a cost-effective service director(s) to ensure THE DUTY OF that health and THE COMPANY safety is paramount.

DIRECTOR(S) TO corporate health current health and safety Ensafe’s ENSURE THAT and safety regulations. competent health HEALTH AND matters.

Simply Safety, which starts at and safety person SAFETY IS For a one-off, just £44 per month, will also report service - Simply PARAMOUNT’ annual fee, the any RIDDOR reportable accidents Safety - service helps retainer service offers or incidents to the HSE on your businesses who cannot behalf, assist with the completion a cost-effective solution justify the expense of of Contractor Appraisal to health and safety support employing a full time health & Questionnaires/PQQs and liaise and includes regular health and safety manager. with third parties and enforcement safety audits, access to health and The dedicated competent health agencies. safety advice and regular updates and safety person provides and information to keep you continuous ongoing support to Visit: www.ensafe.co.uk informed and up to date with achieve successful management of

A SIMPLE STEP TO SECURITY A Kettering-based IT support company is urging local companies to better protect their business against cyber-crime by using a free trick.

PCS Business Systems offer a range of support and services including cyber security, disaster recovery and business continuity to ensure that your systems and your data is kept safe, secure and retrievable.

PCS believe that one of their biggest protection tips that won’t cost you a penny is to edit your network ‘permissions’.

A spokesperson for PCS said: “Many businesses are guilty of allowing all employees to access all data/areas, or certainly more than they need for their job role. If a hack is successful, it will most likely spread using a user’s account.

When your users can access everything then your network is open, and everything will be accessible by the attack.

“A simple step you can take today is to look at who needs access to what and consider smaller storage areas for each business unit. If you’re a business owner or director, don’t feel like you need access to everything as it could be your account that is breached.

“A good IT company like PCS can help you audit your permissions, improve security and if you need a file that is not in your permission group, then their helpdesk is only a phone call away and the team is happy to help.”

To find out more about securing your business, get in touch with PCS. Whether it’s a question you have, advice you need or one of their many services you want, the team at PCS is on hand and ready to support your IT needs.

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Visit: www.pcs-systems.com Call: 01536 532900

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INBUSINESS

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TRAINING & EVENTS

TRAINING & EVENTS

Follow us on Twitter @ChamberMK Follow #ChamberTraining for the latest updates Follow #ChamberEvents for the latest updates

EFFECTIVE APPRAISAL SKILLS

TRAINING COURSES All Chamber training courses are currently delivered virtually in compliance with Covid-19 restrictions.

Call the Training Team for more details on 01604 490490 or email training@northants-chamber.co.uk

GETTING THE MESSAGE RIGHT CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE TELEPHONE Date: Cost:

15 September (one-day) Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 + VAT A telephone conversation may be the only contact you have with your customers or incoming enquiries; it is therefore essential that you master the skills to keep the conversation flowing; obtain important information and ensure your customer - or potential customer - leaves the call with a good impression of your company.

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WRITING IN THE 21ST CENTURY Date: Cost:

22 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 + VAT This practical course aims to help people understand how they can make their written messages more effective, inclusive, and appropriate to the needs of their audience. We will focus on basic grammar as well as the subtle changes needed to remain professional when writing for different channels such as email, letter, text and web chat.

People are encouraged to bring examples of their written work to review during this half-day session.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRAINING CUSTOMS PROCEDURES, DOCUMENTATION & RULES OF ORIGIN *2 MODULES Date: Cost:

26 August (one-day) Member £299 + VAT Non-member £369 + VAT This course covers the key information required to understand:

• Organisations involved in International Trade • What is an export?

• International documentation and key Information • Rules of Origin • Customs Compliance, HMRC – their role, Export Declarations, Customs Procedures • Import Duties, AEO, Audit, Phased Import Easements, NI Trade

IMPORT PROCEDURE (INCLUDES IP/OP) BCC ACCREDITATION *2 MODULES Date: Cost:

21 September (one-day) Member £299 + VAT Non-member £369 + VAT The course provides an overview of the end-to-end import process and reviews all the areas that would be applicable to a new supplier, to include country and supplier risk, payment risk etc. It will review documentation requirements and how to ensure goods are imported successfully to include duty payments and an overview of the available Special Procedures.

MANAGEMENT AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IMPROVE YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE IN THE WORKPLACE Date: Cost:

7 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 + VAT This half-day workshop will explain the elements that make up your self-confidence and how each of those can be improved effectively, rapidly and permanently. This will lead to improved effectiveness and engagement in the workplace and greater resilience to deal with issues when things don’t go according to plan, coping with the unexpected!

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Date: Cost:

8 September (one-day) Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 +VAT Appraisal is a key part of performance management. It offers a regular opportunity to provide people with constructive feedback about their performance and to set objectives both for achieving their task and for further developing their capability. The significant increase in home working due to Covid-19 and a change in work practices, has made it even more important to maintain contact and give people feedback. A key factor is to have more frequent reviews, perhaps monthly and to include additional skills for remote working.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Date: Cost:

9 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 +VAT Conflict is inevitable, people disagree, argue and sometimes there is conflict. Conflict management is a way of resolving conflict early by means of skilled communication and negotiation.

We need to know how to nip it in the bud and how to diffuse the

situation before it gets out of hand.

The important question is how to handle conflict situations? Some people are too pushy and say too much, some are too passive and say nothing. The best way to resolve conflicts is to develop a rational approach to all people and all problems. Use reason, as opposed to either a high emotional approach or avoidance.

LEADING BLENDED TEAM VIRTUAL & WORKPLACE Date: Cost:

14 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 +VAT Leadership in any context is challenging. This course will explore the key strategies that are most effective, and what kind of leaders succeed most often in remote and onsite environments.

SALES AND MARKETING SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING Date: Cost:

16 September (one-day) Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 + VAT This practical session will show how social media feeds into your company’s business and communications objectives and how

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TRAINING & EVENTS The CHAMBER EVENTS TEAM has worked hard to adapt and deliver a new format of events, increasing the range and availability of our schedule.

EVENT FOCUS to gain the most mileage out of your marketing budget! Beneficial for all personnel looking to develop an understanding of how social media can be utilized to its full potential as an essential marketing tool.

EFFECTIVE FACE TO FACE/VIRTUAL SALES MEETING Date: Cost:

21 September (one-day) Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 +VAT Whether you are meeting your clients face-to-face or running sales meetings via Zoom it’s important to get an understanding of their issues/problems, effectively demonstrating how you can help them and ultimately close to win the business. How effective are yours? Are you winning business? If not, this is the workshop for you!

This one-day training session will show you how to achieve this

This past year has been a challenging year for many events organisations across the globe.

The Chamber, historically, have always delivered face-to-face networking events ranging from before hours, after hours, speed networking and, our tried and tested, networking breakfasts and networking lunches.

While face to face events were forced to close due to the pandemic, the virtual Chamber networking experiences have been a great success.

These, coupled with ChamberLIVE sessions and Policy Hour events, have provided businesses across Milton Keynes with access to a wide range of business events and forums, suitable to businesses of all sizes and all industries, despite lockdown and subsequent restrictions.

On this note, the Chamber believe it is important for us to continue with these online networking events that allow our members to continue building relationships, sharing ideas and increasing brand awareness. We continue to put together a series of virtual events ranging from Speed Networking,

Meet The Neighbours and our popular Wind Down networking.

Moving forward we hope to soon share details with our Chamber members about the reintroduction of face-to-face events.

Behind the scenes we are planning for a Milton Keynes Chamber Members Showcase event and we look forward to sharing details of this with our Milton Keynes business community in the near future. In the meantime, we urge members to keep an eye on our events listing page.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Time: Cost:

NEXT GENERATION SANDWICH SOCIAL (ONLINE)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Open courses and bespoke training sessions on all Microsoft packages at all levels are available.

Call the Training Department on 01604 490490 for details.

Date: Time: Cost:

Tuesday 7 September 12pm – 1pm Free to attend – Next Generation members only

WOMEN WITH VISION REFLECT ON THIS MONTH’S CPD SESSION WITH THE CHAMPIONS DROP-IN SESSION (ONLINE)

WOMEN WITH VISION SOCIAL

WOMEN WITH VISION NETWORKING (ONLINE) Date: Time: Cost:

Wednesday 11 August 10am – 11.30am Free to attend – Women With Vision members only

MK CHAMBER MEMBER SPEED NETWORKING (ONLINE) Date: Time: Cost:

Thursday 2 September 10am – 11.15am Free to attend – Members only

How Women Rise CPD session delivered by champion member Anjana Rajani from Power2Progress, plus networking and afternoon tea Venue: Northampton Active, Bedford Road, Northampton Date: Wednesday 8 September Time: 12.30pm – 2.30pm Cost: Women With Vision members - £15 + VAT Non-members: £20 + VAT

FRIDAY WIND-DOWN NETWORKING (ONLINE) Date:

Friday 24 September

3pm – 4pm Free to attend – Members only

Date: Time: Cost:

Wednesday 29 September 10am – 1am Free to attend – Women With Vision members only

NEXT GENERATION CPD SESSION (ONLINE) From Apprentice to Managing Director – The Journey of Matthew Rigby-White of Square Media Date: Time: Cost:

Wednesday 29 September 3.30pm – 4.30pm Free to attend – Next Generation members only

YOUTUBE CHANNEL Look out for our new YouTube channel entitled ‘NN & MK Chambers of Commerce’ which allows our subscribers to watch back ChamberLive events so you never have to miss out!

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MEMBER ZONE

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MEMBER ZONE

MEMBERZONE Latest news from MILTON KEYNES CHAMBER MEMBERS including award wins, relocations, appointments, new contracts, member profiles, mergers, company expansion plans, sponsorship deals and business success stories

The Mayor with the volunteer drivers

AWARD FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS The Milton Keynes Volunteer Drivers Service has been recognised by the Mayor of Milton Keynes with a Contribution to the Community Award.

The vital service was bestowed the award in recognition of their adaptation to unprecedented circumstances, ensuring they continued to provide an essential service to the community during the pandemic of 2020/21.

The MK Volunteer Driver’s Service has seen a significant increase in the demand for the service since Covid-19 restrictions have eased and the

NHS calls patients for treatment from waiting lists.

Because of this, they are now recruiting for additional volunteer drivers to join the team.

The Driver’s Service, delivered by Volunteering Matters and funded by MK Council, provides vital transport for older isolated members of the community to medical appointments. Drivers also collect prescriptions, run errands and transport vulnerable children to school, play therapy sessions and to access contact.

Heather Oddy, engagement manager, said: “Demand for journeys is increasing at a rate we have not seen before. We are therefore looking to recruit new drivers to join our team to ensure we can meet this demand and continue to deliver our service with excellence.”

Contact the team on 01908 670309 or miltonkeynes@volunteeringmatters.org.uk @volunteering_uk to find out more about becoming a volunteer driver.

BECOME AN MK SNAP DRAGON

Caroline Massey

Martin Thompson

AWARD WIN FOR DOMESTIQUE A domestic cleaning company has celebrated a decade of trading by winning a highly coveted award for customer satisfaction.

Domestique, established in Milton Keynes in 2011, scooped the Trustist Top Performing Franchisee Bronze Award 2021, which celebrates the franchisees who haven collected a significant number of positive Trustist and Google reviews.

Trustist is web tool where clients can leave reviews about the quality of a service provided.

Trustist praised Domestique for their impressively high level of reviews during 2020, saying: “This award recognises the fantastic efforts of individual franchisees who have worked hard to maintain a consistently positive local rating.”

Regional director Martin Thompson said: “We are very proud to receive the award as we have received some wonderful feedback from our very supportive clients in a very difficult year.”

A roar of excitement surrounds the launch of a corporate partnership programme helping some the city’s most vulnerable people.

Becoming an MK Snap Dragon is an opportunity for local businesses to add heart and pride to their workforce by being part of MK SNAP’s lifeenhancing work supporting people with learning difficulties in and around Milton Keynes.

CEO of MK SNAP Angela Novell said: “We are proud to be launching our very first corporate partnership programme, a unique package that allows you to deliver your CSR objectives and simultaneously help some of the most vulnerable and often marginalised people in our community to lead purposeful lives.”

Email: info@mksnap.org

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MEMBER ZONE

MEMBER PROFILE

MEMBER BENEFITS For full details of all the benefits available to chamber members, visit: www.chambermk.co.uk

CHAMBER FX Exclusive foreign exchange member package offering free health check, low transfer fees and free account opening. Key benefits include bank-beating exchange rates.

CHAMBER HEALTH PLAN NAME: Leigh Frost COMPANY: Business Buzz Buckinghamshire

Provided by Westfield Health, Chamber Primary Health Plan can give members cover from just £5.57 per employee, per month.

JOB TITLE: Regional lead & business connector

CHAMBER PROTECTION WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANISATION DO? We organise (currently) monthly virtual networking events across England using an exciting platform called Remo, which enables our networkers to create a profile that’s like an advert and move around the room as they like to talk to whoever they want when they want.

People love our events because there’s no such thing as late – they can come and go as they like, there’s no industry lockout, no pitches and no membership. Just great networking.

This includes four services: Chamber HR, Chamber Health & Safety, Chamber Legal and Chamber Tax. They include an advice line covering HR, employment law, legal, health & safety, tax and VAT, legal and health & safety documents and legal expenses insurance cover.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

HOW DID IT ALL START? Buzz was started in 2012 by Simon George and Katrina Sargent as an open networking business event to cater for people who wanted to attend mid-morning sessions without lots of commitment and rules.

The idea quickly took off and by end of 2019 we had more than 30 groups across 10 counties.

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR? We’ve grown even through lockdown. We now have 40 groups in 12 counties and we’re continuing to expand. Our Milton Keynes monthly event has always been one of the highest attended in the network with between 40 to 60 people networking every month, even during the pandemic.

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT? When we’ll be able to go back to physical events and the best way to do that.

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST IN YOUR JOB? Everyone’s support and desire to continue networking throughout the past year – as well as just how many people recommend our events.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE EVER TAKEN – AND DID IT WORK OUT? I, personally, spent three days non-stop translating our very popular speed networking matrix, that we have used for years in physical events (and allows everyone to speak to all 47 people at the event) into an online system when the first lockdown hit. It took a huge amount of time and effort and planning, but yes, it worked out in the end and enabled Buzz to keep going until we found Remo.

CHAMBER FOREIGN EXCHANGE

I’ve known Simon Elton-Thomson since the early days of Milton Keynes Buzz. They’ve supported our events for a number of years and it’s been a great opportunity to spread the word about our networking. I attend as many of their networking events as I can and, when I have time, I add member offers and blogs to the member platform.

The British Chambers of Commerce has partnered with exchange experts, moneycorp to provide money saving foreign exchange to Chamber members across the country. If you have international payment requirements moneycorp can help you save hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands every year.

We offer an exclusive Member Package including a free assessment of your business’s foreign exchange requirements, to help you pinpoint where you could improve your margins, plus low transfer fees starting at just £5.

Chamber Foreign Exchange allows customers to buy and sell any of 35 different currencies at bank-beating exchange rates – typically as much as 4% better than the banks. moneycorp is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide payment services and safeguards all client funds in segregated customer accounts.

Chamber Foreign Exchange offers expert market guidance at the end of a phone - moneycorp’s professional currency dealers can guide you through the foreign exchange market.

Call: 07399 700170 Email: mk@business-buzz.org Website: www.business-buzz.org

For more information on Chamber Foreign Exchange telephone 07551 170665, quoting ‘Chamber of Commerce’, or email andy.medler@moneycorp.com

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Don’t let anyone tell you what your business needs to be or do to be successful. Set your own rules and standards and aim for those instead.

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE CHAMBER?

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MEMBER ZONE BACKGROUND – TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU! I attended Northampton University for my fast track Law Degree, I then commuted to London for a year to attend Law School.

I joined Wilson Browne at the end of 2015 and commenced my training contract at the start of 2016. I qualified as a solicitor in the commercial litigation team in early 2018 and have progressed to become an associate mainly focusing on property litigation.

NEXT GENERATION PROFILE

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE? NAME: Chloe Doggett

My role is varied but includes; liaising with clients, other firms, the Land Registry and the First Tier Upper Tribunal. Some days I will be drafting court applications or consent orders and other days I can be advising multiple clients on their property matters/title defects.

COMPANY: Wilson Browne Solicitors JOB TITLE: Associate solicitor

WHY DID YOU JOIN NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER? I joined because there is always more to learn as your career progresses. With a range of speakers I thought it would be a productive way of meeting people and also working on my own skills development.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER EVENT AND WHY?

It’s hard to name just one! I think the whole committee have been great, especially keeping events going online for members throughout the pandemic.

The recent talk by Lindsey Marriott & Charlotte Green from Specific was extremely helpful because they provided tips on how to manage a busy workload.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU’VE LEARNED FROM NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER?

WHICH NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER MEMBER DO YOU ADMIRE? WHY?

For me, I have learnt that there are a variety of people out there who are willing to help with any queries. I have learnt the importance of having a strong network around you and that

the best way to get to know people is simply by getting in touch for a chat.

Linkedin: Chloe Doggett

NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER PATRONS

NEW MEMBERS Absolute Accountancy Recruitment (BB) Ltd MILTON KEYNES 01908 754089 www.absolute-recruit.com Absolute Recruit are a recruitment services provider operating across finance and accounting, technology and HR Barking Bags MILTON KEYNES 07818 484221 www.barkingbags.co.uk Barking bags have created multifunctional bags, designed for dog walking, by dog walkers Blue I Event Technology Ltd MILTON KEYNES 01908 032668 www.blue-i.tv Working in the corporate events sector providing consulting services, video, sound, lighting equipment rental and sales, along with design and build Blue I Theatre Technology Ltd MILTON KEYNES 01908 032668 www.blue-i.tv Working in the theatre production and arts sectors providing consulting services as well as video equipment rental and sales

Breedon HR (North Bucks) Ltd NATIONWIDE www.breedonconsulting.co.uk HR consultants Elisabeth James Antiques MILTON KEYNES 07887 834888 Antique furniture retailer specialising in large antique dining tables, restoration and polishing Form Five Group Limited NORTHAMPTON 07926 167477 www.formfivegroup.co.uk Main contractor in construction but with additional services including viability studies, project planning, design management, cost management and construction

also a social enterprise. Looking after IT strategy and IT support to SMEs Korg UK Ltd MILTON KEYNES www.korg.co.uk 01908 304600 Distribution sales and marketing to the UK market for Korg products Liquid Culture WELLINGBOROUGH 01933 670999 www.Liquid-culture.co.uk Experts in coffee first and foremost, and specialists in providing the complete drink and snack service

Hot Chemist MILTON KEYNES 01908 803499 www.hotchemist.co.uk Delivering NHS electronic prescription and private prescription services

Right Digital Solutions Ltd CENTRAL MILTON KEYNES 01908 106133 www.rightdigitalsolutions.com Services that span beyond print and document services, incorporating workplace innovation, workflow solutions, cloud enablement and information security

It's What's Next IT MILTON KEYNES 01908 410883 www.iwn-it.com Managed IT services business, which is

Swift MRP Ltd MILTON KEYNES 01908 032668 www.swiftmrp.com Working in the design, creative,

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marketing and event production sectors.

Providing consulting, design and brand, 3D visualisation and video production The Car Doctor MILTON KEYNES 01908 969495 www.cardoctoronline.co.uk Car body repair and alloy wheel refurbishment centre. Professional, expert car body and collision repairs for the public, trade, corporate and fleet customers The Startup Pack Limited BLISWORTH 01604 435133 www.thestartuppack.co.uk Business start up packs Think Hatch BLISWORTH 01604 879776 www.thinkhatch.co.uk Channelling creativity and innovation into meaningful results YUM YUM Creative Solutions Ltd BLISWORTH 01604 879776 www.weareyumyum.co.uk Creative agency, recognising the challenges facing small businesses and the need to see a return on investment

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