PLATINUM BUSINESS MAGAZINE - ISSUE 18 - SUSSEX EDITION

The widest-read business publication in the South East

PLATINUM

SUSSEX EDITION . ISSUE 18 . 2015

NATWEST GROWTH TRACKER

Good news for the SE economy

INTERVIEWS KPMG SKERRITTS MANOR ROYAL SITE VISIBILITY

WORKING LUNCH

PLATINUM PLUS: Business Funding Guide International Trade Legal Issues Accountancy Wealth Management Business Travel Chamber News Business Style Editorial Opinion Networking Motoring

GRAVETYE MANOR

JAGUAR AWD F-TYPE

Driven to destruction

THE BIG STORY

SIMON COWELL THE MARMITE MAN

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WELCOME

24

THE BIG STORY SIMON COWELL Superb self-publicist or raging narcissist?

It’s that time of year again when some feel joy, some horror and some just look forward to a break from work, with family and friends, fine wine and food and a chance to unwind.

Of course, this magazine will be with you all the way and in this issue Daryl Gayler from NatWest brings us the 2015 Q2 growth tracker and jolly good news it is too as we head for the break. We wonder what Simon Cowell might have in his stocking and have a fascinating chat with Tim Rush and David Bywater from KPMG. Maarten got hold of the new 5.0 litre AWD Jaguar F-Type and whilst stating what a good job the Indians had done with the company, then let rip about the Chinese in his barely contained Anger Management.

Ian interviews Richard Skerritt of Skerritts Wealth Management, about the extraordinary growth of the firm.

And we hear from Rosemary French OBE with details of the Gatwick Diamond Business Barometer.

32 10 80 52 14

We have been busy.

SKERRITTS The art of investing

NATWEST Daryl Gayler reports on the latest Growth Tracker

DINING OUT Working lunch at Gravetye Manor

MOTORING Jaguar’s first AWD F-Type

KPMG We interview David Bywater and Tim Rush and hear about 13,000 accountants dancing

4

As we approach our first full year of the magazine, we would like to thank our Founding Partners, our contributors, colleagues and friends that have made Platinum the largest business magazine in the country. We are now reaching over 235,000 business leaders a month across the South East and having launched the highly successful Surrey edition in June, the new year will see the Hampshire and Kent editions burst into life. Our Twitter followers reached 9,000 and our digital subscribers reached 123,000. That is quite a year!

We are delighted with this progress and thank all our readers for making it happen.

2016 in the Chinese calendar is the year of the Monkey and we leave you to make any spin on that you wish but all we will say is that if you read or contribute to any other business publication except for Platinum, remember, pay peanuts and you always tend to get monkeys.

Happy Christmas, Happy New Year and we wish you everything you wish for yourself.

Maarten & Ian

Platinum Business Magazine, Sussex November 2015 All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

Platinum Business Magazine is published and owned by Platinum Business Publications Limited.

Issue 18 - 2015

The Team

Maarten Hoffmann – Director maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com 07966 244046

AT A GLANCE 6

Local News

10

NatWest – Regional Growth Tracker – The South East Success Story

12

Enterpreneurial Spark – Acceler8ing Start-ups

14

KPMG – Small is Beautiful

19

Midnight Communications – Crisis? What Crisis?

20 National News 23 Diamond Dance 24 The Big Story – Simon Cowell – The Marmite Man Ian Trevett – Director ian@platinumbusinessmagazine.com 07989 970804

32 Skerritts – The Art of Investing 34 DMH Stallard – Visible Growth 37

Gatwick Diamond Businesses Back Europe

38 Gatwick Diamond Business Awards – Last call for entries

40 Women in Business Awards – The Winners Amanda Spicer - Senior Designer

42 Skerritts Wealth Management – Bring the Washing in or Get the Sandbags Out?

45 Lloyds Bank – Fraud Prevention 46 Kreston Reeves – The Tectonic Plates of Business are Shifting Julia Trevett - Accounts Manager

48 Platinum Style – Dressing for the Occasion

50 Rockinghorse – Britain at its Best 52 Global Travel Management

54 Burt, Brill and Cardens –

D.I.V.O.R.C.E. - Nothing to Declare?

56 Nova – Little Donkey 58 Anger Management –

The Chinese Takeaway

62 Prowse –

Making the Case for PR

63 Motoring – New Metal 64 Motoring – Jaguar F Type AWD 66 Motoring – Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate

68 Bennett Griffin –

Landlords Beware

71

Hastings Direct – Be the Change

73 Business Scene –

The Platinum Business Club

74

Excellent Eastbourne – The Winners

77 Sofitel London Gatwick is Ten 78 Manor Royal – A Royal Success 80 Carpenter Box – An Event with BITE

82 Chambers of Commerce 92 Dining Out – Gravetye Manor 95 The Business Network – Women in Networking

96 Secret Sussex – Giving a Voice for the Greater Good

98 Institute of Directors – Business and Society

Hannah Monkcom - Staff Reporter

Lauren Psyk - Staff Photographer

5

NEWS

LOCAL NEWS

Compiled by Hannah Monkcom

NEW OPPORTUNITIES WITH RENEWED GROWTH More than 100 policymakers and businesses received an update from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership at its bi-annual Forum on the 2nd of November at the Hilton London Gatwick Airport hotel.

In his final Forum as Chief Executive before retiring at the end of the year, Ron Crank spoke about the post-election period bringing new opportunities with many businesses in the area planning for renewed growth, how the LEP will be supporting future growth sectors such as STEM and emphasising the importance of apprenticeships.

Transport consultant Iain Reeve revealed Coast to Capital has contributed £10m towards the revamp of Gatwick Airport railway station, and 19 infrastructure projects will create better roads, walking and cycling facilities, as well as improved train and buses systems in the area.

Ron Crank concluded the Forum by saying: “When I took the helm of the newly-formed Coast to Capital LEP, it was with a passionate belief in the power of partnership working to achieve change. We set ourselves robust targets, over the next 25 years, we will have created 100,000 new jobs, increased trade by £780m each year and increased annual output by £11.1bn.”

Coast to Capital is the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Lewes, the Gatwick Diamond and Croydon.

IS YOUR BUSINESS WORTHY OF AN AWARD?

A NEW HAVEN

HRH The Prince of Wales’ charity Business in the Community (BITC) is calling on businesses across the South East to showcase how they are taking practical action to address pressing issues, as the 2016 Responsible Business Awards opened. The most prestigious and respected awards championing responsible business in the UK and abroad will identify and celebrate inspiring examples of businesses making a difference by creating stronger communities, building more inclusive workplaces and tackling societal and environmental challenges. Now in its 19th year, the awards are open to companies of all sizes - from SMEs to multi-national companies - and across all sectors.

For more information visit www.bitc.org.uk/awards. The closing date for entries is 12 February 2016.

Businesses have been speaking out about the benefits of locating their companies to Newhaven in a new video. The video commissioned by business support service Locate East Sussex showcases successful Newhaven-based businesses against a backdrop of economic growth in the town. Philip Johnson, Director of Locate East Sussex, said: “Newhaven has entered a period of rapid economic growth with companies expanding and many new jobs being created. We created this video because it’s such an exciting time to do business in Newhaven which is fast emerging as a centre for clean, green and marine technologies.

The town has great connections to Brighton and Lewes, has a skilled workforce and benefits from a wide selection of affordable commercial properties.”

The video highlights exciting developments such as Newhaven’s massive port expansion plan, construction of E.ON’s £1.3billion Rampion Offshore Wind Farm and the opening of UTC@ harbourside. To view the video visit www.locateeastsussex.org.uk

“The company accountant is shy and retiring.

He’s shy a quarter of a million pounds. That’s why he’s retiring..

6

NEWS

“A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.”

WORTHING COMPANY WINS AWARD! The BOSS Industry Awards recognise and reward those in the office supplies industry who can demonstrate real excellence through the successful performance of their business. The awards took place at the NEC in Birmingham and Red-Inc received their award in recognition of the company’s growth, profit and customer-focused concepts of 100% fulfilment rates, new measures of efficiencies and regular comprehensive reviews with their customers.

Red-Inc Office Supplies won the prestigious Dealer Excellence Award and triumphed over the fierce competition for businesses under £2,000,000 category.

MD of Red-Inc Office Supplies, Adam Huttly, commented: “This award means the world to me and the team. We are in a very competitive and saturated sector that has declined over the past 5 years, so it makes me extremely proud of what we have achieved to date. Being recognised by our industry peers on a national level is just fantastic!”

KPMG STUDY LIVING WAGE KPMG has announced that 6 million UK employees are trapped in working poverty by earning less than a Living Wage. The figure indicates that 23% of all employees now earn less than the Living Wage - up from 22% last year.

In the UK, the modern Living Wage movement began in 2001 and is led by Citizens UK and the Living Wage Foundation. The current UK Living Wage is £7.85 an hour. The current London Living Wage is £9.15 an hour.

KPMG operates from 22 offices across the UK with approximately 12,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a turnover of £1.9 billion in the year ended September 2014.

BAKER TILLY NAME GONE FOREVER!

KRESTON REEVES WELCOMES PARTNER

Baker

Kreston Reeves, one of the

Tilly,

leading accountancy and

together

financial services firms

with their

located across London and the

fellow

South East, has announced

RSM

the appointment of Laurence

firms,

Parry as a new Tax Partner.

have

Laurence has trained as a mediator and was the North West Society of Chartered

united

Accountants Accounting Personality of the Year for 2008. He has also been

under one name – RSM. They are uniting their network

nominated as Dealmaker of the Year in the North West of England. Most recently,

of firms in over 110 countries under one brand so that

Laurence has been Head of Private Client at a boutique consultancy focusing on the

wherever their customer is in the world, they have the

finance sector. Laurence has joined Kreston Reeves to help drive forward the firm’s

advantage of RSM’s global vision and local knowledge.

award-winning tax service offering.

7

NEWS

LOCAL NEWS

Compiled by Hannah Monkcom

Q LEISURE AND RIVERVALE CARS JOIN FORCES

Q Leisure and Rivervale Cars have joined forces which will bring some exciting new features to Q Leisure.

As part of this new partnership, Rivervale Cars are sponsoring the new state-of-the-art karts that have arrived at Q Leisure in the last few weeks. This makes them the only karting centre in the whole of Sussex to boast these exciting karts, which can reach speeds in excess of 60mph.

Rivervale Cars have also supplied branded hoarding around the 800m outdoor track as part of the sponsorship deal.

The karts are 270cc Sodi RT8, which are a brand new model featuring fantastic design, safety and technology features. The karts are the most compact on the market and Q Leisure are proud to be the only Sussex-based centre to own them.

SUSSEX CHAMBER BRIDGES GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND WORK The Sussex Chamber of Commerce has launched a new membership scheme aimed at schools, colleges and universities, under the name of Young Chamber. Its purpose is to help bridge the gap between businesses and the education sector and give young people contacts within the business community, allowing them to gain valuable skills, knowledge and experience to complement their academic qualifications.

As part of Young Chamber, members will be able to take advantage of the many connections that the Sussex Chamber has in the local business community. Members benefit from careers networking events, strategic links with local businesses, talks from local employers, work inspiration experiences, workshops on ‘work readiness’ and access to local business intelligence.

HIGH CALIBRE PANEL EVENT

Worthing based chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers Carpenter Box are hosting a high calibre panel event at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley on the 4th of February 2016.

Tony Summers, Partner at Carpenter Box: “Having opened a new Gatwick office in June, Carpenter Box is keen to help local businesses - from SMEs to large corporates - achieve their growth plans. With this in mind, we have decided to host an exciting new event involving an impressive panel of nine alternative funders and industry experts.

The panel will provide an insider’s guide to innovative routes to funding, the impact of interest rates and other current issues surrounding alternative sources of finance.”

The event will be held between 9am and 11am on February 4th 2016. To book your place, please visit www.carpenterbox.com/ inspired-financing/ or get in touch with Lucy Tunstall (lucy.tunstall@carpenterbox.com) at Carpenter Box.

“You don’t want another Enron? Here’s your law: If a company can’t explain, in ONE SENTENCE....what it does....it’s illegal.”

8

NEWS

“Catch a man a fish, and you can sell it to him. Teach a man to fish, and you ruin a wonderful business opportunity.”

AWARD FOR YOUNG APPRENTICE

SHORTLISTED Firefly Online Ltd and West Sussex County Council have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for their work on a unique system to provide market intelligence in the residential and nursing care home sector.

Both parties have been nominated in the Public Private Partnership category of the LaingBusson Awards 2015, announced on 11th November, for their work to develop a Quality Assurance, Market Oversight and Contract Management System.

Innovative software developer Firefly Online Ltd and West Sussex County Council have developed a tool called MMi3 –assure (Measure, Monitor, Improve) that enables the local authority to measure, monitor and support improvements in the quality of residential care across the county. Key features of MMi3 ensure the council’s quality assurance standards are met and residents are receiving an appropriate level of service.

GIGGLING S-QUIDS IN!

Freya Ward from Chichester, 22, who recently completed her apprenticeship at Napier Partnership Limited fought off stiff competition from 12,000 apprentices in the region to be announced the South East winner of the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year 2015. Freya will now go through national judging in the hope of becoming a national finalist.

The Awards, now in their twelfth year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices, and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Throughout her apprenticeship Freya has presented the benefits of apprenticeships through local FSB events, multiple blog posts, a webinar and a video for Chichester College. Freya is a passionate advocate for apprenticeships, and values being a positive role model. Congratulations

A restaurant group founded in Hove has won £6.4 million investment to expand across the country.

Leading Thai group Giggling Squid secured investment from BGF (Business Growth Fund). The group already has 13 branches across the South of England, and will use the funds to add further locations to its portfolio. Headquartered in Guildford, the business is run

by Brighton-based Andy and Pranee Laurillard, who opened the first Giggling Squid in Hove. It was followed by further restaurants in Tunbridge Wells, Henley, Reigate , Crawley and Horsham. Over the past two years the pace of growth has accelerated, with three openings in 2014 and a further four so far this year, in Bristol, Salisbury, Billericay and Guildford.

A further 1,000 jobs nationally are expected to be created as a result of the company’s expansion over the next four years. The business employs around 300 staff across its thirteen sites and is expected to generate revenue in excess of £12 million this year.

Freya!

9

FINANCE

THE SOUTH EAST SUCCESS STORY

by DARYL GAYLER, NatWest Regional Director, Sussex & Surrey.

T

he Q2 Regional Growth Tracker paints a promising picture of the UK economy.

Economic growth picked up and the

gains were very unevenly distributed. Out in front, on its own, was London. The capital grew

than most on these.

And after a good start to the year, the

by 0.7%q/q. The reason? ICT and professional,

North East and North West found themselves

economy expanded by 0.7%q/q. However, our

scientific and technical services. Both sectors

falling back slightly from the head of the pack.

Regional Growth Tracker suggests that the

had a good quarter and London is more reliant

Bringing up the rear, Yorkshire & the Humber,

10

FINANCE whose higher reliance on a manufacturing sector that struggled in Q2, saw its economy grow at a much slower rate of 0.3%q/q.

At a local area level, there were some familiar faces leading the way. Inner East London came top, growing by an estimated 5.1%y/y.

The rest of the top 5 regions in England & Wales in Q2 included: Milton Keynes, Inner West London, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire.

Their outstanding

the rate of unemployment, the South East still

performance was driven by a mix of service

enjoys the second lowest rate of joblessness

sectors ranging from retail to business

in the country and earnings growth has been

services, as well as their industrial

well above the UK average. The good times are

competitiveness relative to their peers. With

clearly rolling.

the exception of Milton Keynes, this has meant

There is a noticeable sense of confidence

a fall in unemployment rates over the past

in communities across the South East

year.

with business owners keen to explore new opportunities as well as trying to adapt to rapidly changing consumer trends and

“The South East’s competitive advantages are well known, with growth driven by ICT and professional services, sectors that the South East has in spades.”

demands. Our own hatchery launch with Entrepreneurial Spark in Brighton was the fastest to be filled from all of our UK sites when doors opened in August and this now houses 80 exciting new businesses to increase economic opportunity right across the region.

An area of focus for us in the South East is raising awareness amongst school children

grew by 0.6%q/q, putting it alongside the North West and South West as the UK’s equal second fastest growing region. Milton Keynes was one of the top performing local area economies in the UK, but Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire also posted growth rates above 3%y/y and the latter three have all seen unemployment rates fall over the past year, a very pleasing set of circumstances.

With so much good work being undertaken by companies in the South East, we are on track to exceed this growth in 2016. With

about enterprise and self employment as a

many of our largest companies launching

career choice to consider into the future, as this

programmes with our local Universities to

is becoming an ever increasing option.

assist graduates into work and retain the best

Our economic progress is strong and with

of them within the region, apprentice schemes

continued hard work and development, we

witnessing a healthy take-up, initiatives such

will continue to be one of the world’s leading

as Entrepreneurial Spark, and the increasing

economies.

number of start-ups in the region all point to a

We estimate that the South East’s economy We would also note that the UK Continental

“There is a noticeable sense of confidence in communities across the South East ”

healthy and successful 2016.

Shelf, a region we do not cover in our growth

The RBS Regional Growth Tracker is put together by Royal Bank of Scotland

tracker, made a significant contribution to UK

economists to estimate and track growth across the UK including Scotland, Wales

growth, as oil and gas extraction had a very

and nine regions of England as well as smaller local areas.

strong quarter. Excluding this sector, the UK

We calculate our growth estimate by taking the UK growth rate of each sector and

economy grew by 0.5%q/q, meaning that on our estimates London, the South East, the South

weighting them by the sector shape of each region’s economy. For Scotland, we take

West and the North West all grew at or above

the data provided by the Scottish Government. We then make an adjustment for each

the national average.

region’s historic competitiveness. This reflects each region’s inherent strengths/

The South East’s competitive advantages

weakness, and the fact that some have tended to grow more quickly/ slowly than

are well known, with growth driven by ICT and

their sector shape implies they “ought” to have done. Differences are small from

professional services, sectors that the South East has in spades. And despite a slight rise in

quarter to quarter, but can become large over time.

11

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPARK

ACCELER8ING START-UPS Brighton companies awarded £10,000 at entrepreneurial Acceler8 event

The Acceler8 winners

U

p and coming entrepreneurs from across Brighton won prizes totalling £10,000 at the Entrepreneurial Spark Acceler8 awards on the 10th of November.

The event, hosted by the world’s largest free business accelerator in conjunction with NatWest and KPMG, celebrated entrepreneurs across the region who have achieved recent business success.

The Acceler8 event brought together Chiclets who are currently based at the Entrepreneurial Spark Hatchery in NatWest’s Preston Road branch in Brighton with an entrepreneur enablement day focussing on leadership taking place during the day before the awards ceremony.

Entrepreneurs in the Brighton Hatchery are provided not only with expert advice and guidance on how to develop their business but also with free office space, phones and internet, regular Temperature Checks with their dedicated Enabler and a fortnightly Wednesday #GoDoEventNight.

The entrepreneurs were given the chance to hear from business leaders Daryl Gayler, Regional Director – Sussex and Surrey, Commercial and Private Banking, at

12

NatWest, Andy Parsons, CEO, YELO Architects and guest judge Dan Smyth, Commercial Manager from Brighton radio station Juice 107.2 throughout the evening. Al Start and Double Six were awarded £2,000 each for the #GoDo Award, which is given to the Chiclet best demonstrating the mindsets and behaviours of a successful entrepreneur.

Winners of the Brighton pitching competition were Brighton Gin, Meme Coverture and The Mumpreneurs Network.

Following on from a fantastic few months, entrepreneur Melanie Lawson from Bare Biology also walked away with £3,000 to help grow her business, after winning the Acceler8 award.

Melanie Lawson, founder of Bare Biology, said: “The Acceler8 event is a fantastic opportunity to get together with the other Chiclets based in Brighton and with such great prizes up for grabs it made the day even more interesting! I’ve learnt so much already from my time at Entrepreneurial Spark and with learning days such as this, I’ve got loads more ideas on how to improve my business.”

Jim Duffy, founder and Chief Executive of Entrepreneurial Spark said: “The Acceler8

Awards are a tremendous way of rewarding the hard work and determination we see from our Chiclets across the country. The day was a fantastic way to celebrate the #GoDo attitude we see on a daily basis and I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all of the winners in Brighton“ Fiona Anderson, Entrepreneurial Development Manager, NatWest, said: “It’s been fantastic to see how much the Chiclets have progressed over the past three months and recognising the hard work that these aspiring businesspeople have put in through the Acceler8 Awards is very important. The Chiclets have shown a tremendous amount of passion, creativity and commitment to their businesses.

It can be daunting starting your own business but the entrepreneurs working in the Brighton Hatchery have had fantastic support from all the partners involved and are proving to be a wonderful reflection of Brighton’s vibrant startup community.”

Tim Rush, Managing Director of KPMG Enterprise in the South East, said: “The Acceler8 awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Brighton based Chiclets, all of whom exemplify our city

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPARK “It’s been fantastic to see how much the Chiclets have progressed over the past three months and recognising the hard work that these aspiring businesspeople have put in through the Acceler8 Awards is very important.” and region’s creativity, drive and ambition. It’s great to see the difference the Entrepreneurial Spark programme has made to the winners, and to see them in turn setting a great example to other start-ups hoping to become the big businesses of tomorrow.”

Taking place half way through the six month programme, the day long Acceler8 event

which took place before the awards ceremony provided Chiclets with an opportunity to reflect on how their business has grown during their time with Entrepreneurial Spark, and plan for the coming months. At the start of the six months, Chiclets were put through an entrepreneurial ‘bootcamp’ where they refined their pitching skills, developed their business

ideas, and participated in several workshops and presentations to help guide them in building their business.

Applications for the February intake are currently open across all locations for entrepreneurs with a #GoDo attitude and an emerging business idea.

Nicky Chisholm and Dan Smyth

Acceler8 winners with their cheques

Daryl Gayler with Al from GoKids

Daryl Gayler and Hassan Rajwani

Brighton Gin with Andy Parsons, CEO of YELO Architects

ESpark enabler, Elena, with Melanie Lawson

13

INTERVIEW

“We don’t just do auditing, we are not just consultants. We get involved in truly momentous things.”

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL The global Big Four accountancy firms have traditionally been associated with medium-to-large businesses. In the modern, fast-moving business world, a start-up can quickly become tomorrow’s next big thing, and KPMG has been quick to recognise the importance of embracing the ambitious new start-up and early stage companies.

PBM visited KPMG’s Gatwick office and met with David Bywater, Office Senior Partner and Head of Tax, and Tim Rush, Managing Director of KPMG Enterprise in the South East, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of today’s dynamic business scene.

“C

an you imagine 13,000 accountants dancing to Tinie Tempah?” asks David Bywater, Office Senior Partner and Head

of Tax at the Gatwick office of KPMG. It’s a

to engage with, and “reboot”, the whole

overseeing the integrity of the first democratic

firm, giving everyone a sense of pride in the

elections in South Africa. I think everyone will

organisation they worked for.

have walked away from that day – I certainly

“It was a phenomenal day. It wasn’t a heavy

did – with a spring in their step, feeling proud

whole new world out there. It’s not just Apple

corporate day, but instead was focussed upon

who can host a spectacular event. If you want a

recognising some of the successes that we

great event, then KPMG is the place to be.

had had as a firm. By this I don’t mean saying

Tempah, Florence and the Machine, and, for the

“It was September 2014, and 13,000 people

to work for KPMG. “We had several music acts, including Tinie

we grew a certain percentage, or that we

older generation, Madness. There was a lot of

trooped along to the O2, including staff,

had won certain new clients, but instead we

inspirational stuff as well. Martine Wright, who

contractors, security staff and anyone else

focussed upon the wider impact of our work

was seriously injured in the 07/07 bombings

engaged in the business,” recalls David. “The

and the difference we had made to society,

but who then competed for team GBP at the

motivation behind the event was that there had

including, for instance, the work we had done

2012 London Paralympics told her story, which

been a number of organisational level changes

to help coordinate the policing of the London

reduced everyone to tears. Bob Geldof spoke

in the business under the leadership of Simon

Olympics. There was also a reflection on our

with his typical passion about how you can

Collins, and the event was an opportunity

history, including the role KPMG had played in

achieve great things if you really work together,

14

INTERVIEW Lenny Henry

and we had a link to F. W. de Klerk, who moved everyone with his story of the South African elections and the role that KPMG played. It makes you think, ‘Actually, we don’t just do auditing, we are not just consultants. We get involved in truly momentous things.’

“Celebrating the talent that we’ve got within the organisation is a great thing to do.

You know what it’s like - you work hard five days a week, you go home and rest, and you come back in and do it again. And you don’t necessarily stop and think about the successes that you’ve achieved.”

“We do all this work, but fundamentally we’ve

outward-looking approach, as David explains:

Rush, Managing Director of KPMG Enterprise

got values and ethics that are truly important

“The Chairman’s focus is to create an

in the South East, “was that there weren’t that

in everything we do.” We had a great day, but a

organisation that is relevant to our clients and

many KPMG speakers. Simon Collins did five

lot of people were really humbled by it, which is

the wider society in which we operate, and in

minutes, and that was probably about it. It was

really good.”

this respect he has stuck to his convictions in

“The key thing about the event,” adds Tim

compered by Lenny Henry, and the theme was, The current Chairman, Simon Collins, has

The event was just one element of a new

terms of pushing through changes.”

“If you’re alongside them and you provide

accelerators that are being backed by Natwest

introduced a new style and approach to the

all of the relevant services to help them

with the support of KPMG), it was interesting

market, but the changes sweeping through

grow, then you’ll actually stay alongside them

watching the likes of Sir Howard Davies, Ross

KPMG run far deeper, proving that a global

throughout their whole life cycle. Part of it

McEwan (Chief Executive, RBS) and Simon

giant need not be cumbersome and resistant

is about backing winners, but you have to be

Collins (Chairman, KPMG) and then seeing

to change. And this means a very big company

in the game to find the winners. Now we’re

the five start-up entrepreneurs who pitched.

now deliberately thinking small, or more

working the ‘S’ part of SME, because you need

They were fantastic - and all of a sudden I was

accurately, thinking about small companies.

to be there.”

thinking, ‘If all of our team had the ability to

Tim Rush (TR): “It’s about keeping up with David Bywater (DB): “Historically, we

and the enthusiasm that those five people

have dealt with global businesses and the ‘M’ (medium) of SMEs. As one of the Big Four firms, we are very strong in the M part of SME. But there has been a realisation over the last few years that the pace of change is actually now such that you’ve got organisations that start from an idea or a concept and grow into a Fortune 500 within the space of a few years.

You look at the tech revolution, how quickly things develop – 20, 30 years ago, it wasn’t like that. Businesses had a much longer life cycle.

articulate themselves and pitch with the skill have just done, then we’d be absolute world-

“For KPMG it is vital that we all act with integrity in everything we do, and furthermore that we are seen to be acting with integrity”

beaters.’

“It was interesting just being there for the day and getting a sense of the buzz around the place. Part of the value for us comes from the fact that we’ve got 35-40 people who signed up to be mentors there, which is a very healthy proportion of our Gatwick office. If just a little bit of the entrepreneurial spirit rubs off on people, it’s just brilliant. It also teaches our people to actually communicate with

“We realised that what we need to do

organisations as well, which is key to working

is actually provide the services which

in this market place.

businesses need right from day one. Not all of

“For us, it could be described as enlightened

them will succeed, but some of them will, very quickly, and there are things we can do; here’s

trends. We’ve invested a lot of money on

self-interest; we’d be liars if we said it wasn’t,

value we can add all the way along their rapid

developing a digital solution to management

but it is also good to help start-up companies.

life cycle. What we as a firm don’t have these

accounts because that’s how a lot of people

We have a Manager, Gemma Pascal, who’s the

days is the luxury of coming along after three

want to work – real time information with

hub coordinator, and she’s absolutely loving

years to say to an organisation: ‘Right, you’re

minimal effort for the owners. Each Company

it. For me, it wasn’t about skills; it’s who’s got

big enough for us now.’ If I was that business

has an account manager where more difficult

the right attitude to go down and do it, and she

I would, quite legitimately ask, ‘Well, where

questions can be fielded.

has just gone for it, hell for leather.”

were you on day one when I needed your help with small business accounting?’

“If you take the Entrepreneurial Spark launch in Brighton, (just one of the

DB: “As a business our involvement with the ESpark programme nationally, including

15

INTERVIEW

www.kpmg.com • Tel: 01293 652000 locally in Brighton, is just one part of making KPMG relevant to the start-up and fast growth businesses. This is not just paying lip service to the smaller business community, this programme goes alongside

Is it correct that your recruitment policy has an increased emphasis on school leavers, and not just graduates.

TR: “Yes, that’s correct. We chose to invest in school leaver

the other investments we have as a firm made, ranging from the

programmes. We started four years ago and the initial intake are just

development of services aimed solely at this market to the direct

completing their degrees as well as becoming qualified Chartered

recruitment of partners focused in the SME space.”

Accountants. Trying to get the right quality of people in the professional

In a similar vein, you have an alliance with Metro Bank with small business administration.

TR: The alliance with Metro bank is an extension to our SBA offering.

The digitalisation of the management’s accounts process under SBA out-sources many aspects which are time consuming and distracting for entrepreneurs, by taking this burden away people can concentrate on growing their business, making business decisions based on real-time information. You can out-source your management accounts to anyone, but it can take three weeks to get it back using traditional methods. It seemed natural for us to partner with someone as well. Metro Bank are pushing hard setting up in the UK and we’re early in the game looking to make banking easy for entrepreneurs. They are following the same ethos as KPMG by trying to minimise disruption for the business owners so it’s a natural fit. They have been easy to work with and they act quickly.”

DB: “All entrepreneurs want to do is focus on their business, so anything that can be done to lessen the burden of the bureaucracy and the admin that goes with that is welcome. We’re alongside them,

services if you’re outside of London is difficult, especially for business located so close to London.

“For the young people it works brilliantly, because they get a degree without the financial burden as the tuition fees are paid for by KPMG. For us, we have people who are very enthused and dedicated to work in the local market.

“We need to think about how to get the really bright, relevant and motivated people. It’s not about intellectual brightness, because half of it is attitude, it really is. When I interview people, I don’t want to hear about their education. I want to listen to their views and opinions because if they’ve got the right attitude they’ll do really well.

So we’re not just saying, ‘You’ve got to go to university to get a place here.’ “

We have heard all the stories about Volkswagen, and going back further, Enron, Olympus and BP. How do you stand with your clients on corporate governance?

DB: “There are two parts to that. One is corporate governance in

helping them with their books and real-time information. It’s about

terms of the rules and regulations which you need to live by. The other

bringing a broader suite of value to those organisations.“

part of that is a much softer side, which is about what kind of integrity a business has. Volkswagen is just the latest in a series of corporate

Tim Rush

scandals involving a business failing to act with the integrity that wider society expects.

“For KPMG it is vital that we all act with integrity in everything we do, and furthermore that we are seen to be acting with integrity – we need to lead by example. As an organisation we never want there to be any question about our integrity; it is about doing the right thing all of the time, even when the lights are turned off and no-one is looking. And if that’s the way you actually live as an organisation, then you won’t ever have this type of Volkswagen problem. Furthermore, in our relationships with our clients we need to be honest enough to encourage them to act in the right way, where, for instance, we detect that they might be veering of course; it’s like being a critical friend to an organisation”.

TR: “What we’re also seeing is that non-executive directors are taking their roles a lot more seriously than they probably did five, even three, years ago. I think the type of people being non-executive directors is also changing as well. They are asking the right questions: ‘Is our internal audit function up-to-date? What is best practice on this?’ and in their relationship with the auditor they are helping to create an environment that delivers a better quality audit.”

How fine a line is there between tax avoidance and evasion?

DB: “On one level tax planning and tax avoidance falls within the letter of the law, but in our view businesses should also operate within the spirit of the law. As an organisation we’ve been at the forefront of the very public debate on tax avoidance, pushing for the tax regimes around the globe to fit better with the modern business world and also pushing for businesses to take a very responsible approach to the management of their tax affairs.

16

INTERVIEW

David Bywater months ago, I would say the consensus was very much to stay in Europe. Whether the anti-EU campaigns are now starting to become more vocal, or attitudes are changing, I have detected a shift in what I am hearing, with the prospect of leaving the EU becoming a little more acceptable.”

TR: “If you take employment law, there are so many things where people point to the EU as being the problematic issue. Would it change at all if we were outside the EU? In a lot of cases the answer would be no and I think that’s the really interesting part which has not been considered, especially for firms who are employ under 50 people. On the other hand, if we did leave the EU, business would have to find a competitive way to continue to trade with Europe.”

What do the next 5 to 10 years hold for KPMG? TR: “There will be a lot more delivery, digitally. If any firm isn’t looking at how it’s going to change, they’re going to be left behind.

Business owners want to have one person to talk to, especially at the SME level with that person being able to bring the right solution for the individual issue. We will continue to refine the deliverables to clients focusing on value adding, for example using two page red flag reports and spending time with the business owners rather than churning out reports by “volume”. He/she is never going to read a big report, they don’t need a big report. What they want to know is, what are the risks?

What are the opportunities and should I do the deal?”

DB: “We have to continue to be relevant to our clients, and it will be a case of broadening and adapting the services we can deliver to meet their needs and the issues they face. In this respect, we, along with the “As an example, we effectively have a tax ethics committee who act

other Big Four firms, are building our consulting businesses, whilst at

to ensure, on a consistent basis, that any tax planning upon which we

the same time retaining and growing a strong audit businesses, because

advise clients falls on the right side of the line.”

the audit business does underpin the brand.”

TR: “With the change in the corporation tax rate, a lot of people within companies will actually say, ‘We’re paying a fair amount of tax now’, and that is a mind-set change. When they think what they’re paying is fair, then you get fewer people thinking about ways to beat the system. So it’s actually self-fulfilling. And that has certainly happened over the last three or four years.”

Europe. What’s the KPMG view – in or out?

DB: “The corporate view is that business doesn’t like uncertainty,

Finally, as a Big Four company, presumably Corporate Social Responsibility is a high priority?

DB: “Our CSR policy has shifted to being much more targeted on the things that make most difference. Historically, as an organisation we’ve chosen a partner charity to be alongside for two years, and then engaged in a series of events and activities to raise funds for the charity.

“Our attention is now focussed on two areas on promoting literacy;

especially around significant issues such as the UK’s relationship

and on homelessness. Tackling these two problems will have the

with Europe. In fact, any whiff of uncertainty causes nervousness for

biggest benefit on society. Anything that we can do to contribute to

businesses when it comes to making decisions based on long-term

alleviating the homelessness problem, such as our work with Shelter,

investment plans.”

helps to break that vicious circle where people have no home, and

“We saw earlier this year, with the general election, that corporate

therefore can’t get a job. Helping with literacy has two benefits. On

activity eased off a little and people were perhaps delaying investment

a macro level it can help to close the skills gap and reduce reliance

decisions, whether it was property or corporate investment. And you’ve

on the welfare state. On an individual level, helping an individual to

got exactly the same with the EU. Being part of a single “free trade”

develop the skills to secure a job has a huge impact upon their feeling

market is undoubtedly a positive thing for businesses who sell into

of self-worth.”

overseas markets. As an example, a strong factor in Nissan building

TR: “I think we now realise our strength is actually using our skill

its plant in the North East would have been that this created a strong

sets to support organisations like Action for Literacy and Shelter. A lot

entry point into the wider European market. Would they pull out if we left

of blue chip companies, including us historically, have gone out, tidied

Europe? Probably not given the investment already made. Would Nissan

up somewhere, painted something, done some DIY, which has its own

have commited such an investment into the UK if we had not been part of

merits, but we’ve got skills which can really help these organisations in

the European market? Possibly not.

their aims. Spending time delivering these skills, whether it’s financial

“I have also noticed a change in tone of the Brexit debate. Twelve

advice or business plans, adds far more value for the individuals.”

17

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CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS? ...so a famous politician once commented.

solicitors would be most appropriate?

But what DO you do if you are suddenly faced

It is sensible to ensure all company

with a crisis which can impact on the future

spokespeople are media trained, that full Q&A

reputation of your company? How you respond

scenarios are developed and rehearsed, that all

once a crisis begins can lay the groundstone for

the lines of communication (phone numbers,

your company’s future.

mobiles, emails and so on) are gathered in

Crises can arise in many forms – they might

and directly address any concerns raised. Try

not to appear selfish in your response. Be open and accessible (within reason).

Don’t panic. Think clearly. Gather in the facts and respond with honesty and integrity.

One thing I can tell you for sure is that the

one single place for easy access. A crisis

call that shakes up your business is guaranteed

be natural, technological or personal, product

management manual should be put together,

recalls, factory shut downs, or employee

and it should contain all of the above and copies

to happen when you least expect it – or worse,

misconduct. But they all have one thing in

logged with key personnel.

common: you will need to react in the best

Once a crisis breaks, make sure you gather in

possible way in the shortest of timescales.

all the facts from as many sources as possible.

The first rule is, don’t panic.

Review. Discuss with your team. What are the

Even the best-managed companies can run

implications? Is anyone in danger? This is most

into a crisis of some sort, so it is important to

certainly your immediate priority, above all else.

have a crisis PR plan in place so that you are

When you know what it is you want to say,

prepared for that unexpected emergency.

The key to crisis planning is preparation, and

then be clear and be honest. Do not offer information that has not been requested, but

we would advise all businesses to conduct some

tell the truth. If you do not know the answer to

form of PR risk management investigation. The

a question, say you will find out and get back to

audit will highlight vulnerabilities within your

them. Tell them by when you will get back to

organisation and help you identify areas where

them.

you are door-stepped by a reporter quizzing you about a problem of which you were not even aware.

Instead of running away or shielding yourself from the camera, say you are happy to talk on camera - but in a professional and scheduled environment.

Don’t get angry. Assume everything is being filmed and will repeat. You will talk on camera, but only in the proper format and environment.

Have a legitimate excuse that prevents you engaging right here right now.

A reputation takes years to build and a

If you are asked about stuff which is already

moment to be lost. Yet you can have influence

in the public domain, then react with the truth.

over the way your story is presented and alter

who does what, should a crisis erupt. Who

Do not get caught out in a lie. Because you will

the outcome of that story.

will your spokespeople be? From where will

get caught.

a crisis might occur in the future.

A crisis plan should then be drafted to identify

the crisis PR team operate? Who will approve your company’s media response? Which firm of

Look at the bigger picture. There may well be others affected by the situation. Show empathy

Crisis planning starts now. Fail to plan and you plan to fail!

And if you get stuck…call me!

19

NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS

Compiled by Hannah Monkcom

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS Toshiba’s boss Hisao Tanaka was forced to resign from the Japanese conglomerate in July over a 152bn yen (£780m) accounting scandal that the government said threatened to undermine investors’ confidence in the country. In their report into the scandal, investigators said: “Within Toshiba, there was a corporate culture in which one could not go against the wishes of superiors.”

The losses are Toshiba’s first for six years and compare with a 137.8bn yen profit in the same period last year.

The scandal has forced Toshiba, which employs more than 200,000 people worldwide, to embark on a round of restructuring that includes selling its shares in affiliates. The firm has said it will sell its image sensor business to Sony and is expected to announce an overhaul of its home appliance, TV and computer units later this month. Toshiba shares have been down by as much as 5.9%, their lowest level in almost a year. In one of the most damaging corporate scandals in Japan in recent years, regulators said managers had started setting unrealistic performance targets for the firm’s new businesses, such as smart meters and electronic tollbooths, after the global financial crisis seven years ago. The accounting irregularities continued after the March 2011 Fukushima disaster, amid concerns Toshiba would sustain losses in its nuclear division.

POUND SLIDES

VW PAYS BACK

Volkswagen could have to pay back billions of pounds to European governments in tax credits after admitting it had found “irregularities” in the levels of carbon dioxide emitted by 800,000 of its cars.

Shares in the embattled carmaker fell by as much as 10% in Frankfurt as investors responded to the latest admission from the company, which is already reeling from revelations that it rigged nitrogen oxide emissions tests. VW estimated the “economic risks” of the latest discovery at €2bn (£1.4bn). This works out at €2,500 per car, far more than the €609 per car put aside for the cost of the 11 million cars involved in the diesel emissions scandal, which was €6.7bn in total.

The Bank of England has signalled that interest rates will stay on hold for a while longer, leaving them unmoved for at least seven years in total, and perhaps even eight.

A more uncertain global outlook has prompted the central bank to reconsider where interest rates should be in the months to come.

Policymakers kept interest rates at a record low this month, as they voted 8-1 in favour of maintaining the Bank Rate at 0.5%, with Ian McCafferty, an external policymaker, the only dissenter.

In a balanced assessment of the economy, policymakers noted that domestic momentum in the economy remained “resilient” and confidence high.

Low inflation meant real income growth this year was likely to be the “strongest since the crisis”, they said, noting that investment intentions remained “robust”.

“I know a man who gave up smoking, drinking, sex, and rich food.

He was healthy right up to the day he killed himself.”

20

NEWS

“How many people on their deathbed wish they’d spent more time at the office?”

BRITAIN NAMED 6TH BEST COUNTRY FOR DOING BUSINESS The government’s drive to cut red tape and corporate tax has seen the UK move up the international league table for doing business in a year that has seen both rich and poor countries strive to ease regulations on setting up and running companies, the World Bank said.

Britain rose from eighth to sixth place in the Washington-based organisation’s rankings and was the highest placed of the G7 group of leading industrial nations.

The bank said developing countries had quickened the pace of reforms but the highest positions in the list of 189 countries in its annual 2016 Doing Business report were again taken by high-income states.

Singapore headed the top 10, followed by New Zealand, Denmark, South Korea, Hong Kong, Britain, the US, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Sajid Javid, Britain’s business secretary, said: “The UK has once again climbed up the rankings and is one of the top places in the world to do business, getting closer to the government’s target of reaching the top five. This is international recognition of the UK’s strong and stable business environment, competitiveness and entrepreneurial spirit.”

CHILD INVENTOR

RED CARPET OUT FOR CHINA In October we saw China’s president Xi Jinping stay four nights in Buckingham Palace.

What we might not know is that he addressed both houses of parliament and even escorted our Prime Minister David Cameron to Manchester. The visit was designed to unlock trade and investment deals worth £30bn, including money for the Hinkley Point nuclear power station, to be built in conjunction with the Chinese and France’s EDF. China is to cover around a third of the cost, likely to be in the region of £5bn-£8bn.

That would mark the largest inward investment in the UK on record. So alongside this and the article last month on the Chinese banks opening in the UK, the government is also advertising high-speed rail contracts to China. The differences in the two states’

A child only 10 years of age has invented an app to help disabled people. One of the youngest entrepreneurs known to date, Alex Knoll attended an

political systems, international political alliances and attitudes to human rights mean that future ruptures are almost assured? Maarten has a thing or two to say about this subject in this issues Anger Management column.

entrepreneurs event recently with his idea of ‘The Ability App’ which he came up with after seeing a disabled man in a wheelchair unable to open a door.

Alex says the concept is “similar to Yelp but it’s for disabled people and it helps them find disability features, services and employment,” and later added “A lot of people believe kids have a lot more imagination (than adults). Sometimes kids can come up with better ideas.” We are seeing more and more children attend inventor and entrepreneur summits with ideas as good as edible plastic bottles and a device aiming to save water coming out of your taps.

Perhaps we should be turning to our own children when we’re stuck for ideas in our businesses!

21

NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS MANUFACTURING STATS

Compiled by Hannah Monkcom

AMERICAN TRADITION NO MORE

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) charted

Supermarket Asda says it will

a 0.8% month-on-month

not take part in the shopping

increase in output for

discount day known as Black

the manufacturing

Friday, which it helped to bring to

sector, which endured

the UK just two years ago. So big

a tough summer as

was its effect last year, the event

production slowed to

completely distorted Christmas

reflect an easing in

spending, pulling forward sales,

orders.

right at the most crucial time of the year when retailers should be selling their

While the performance was better than expected, the ONS said it would have a negligible effect on overall GDP in the third quarter.

goods at full price. The event marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the US and many of us in the UK didn't like the tradition with many retailers refusing to take part in Walmart Asda's event.

Its initial estimate of 0.5% GDP growth for the period represented a slowdown on the previous three months, with the dominant service sector responsible for propping-up output.

Wider production numbers released by the ONS on Friday showed a 0.2% dip during September - largely blamed on a 24% fall in iron and steel output. Steel producers - alongside other

Last year, police were called in to supermarkets as scuffles broke out among shoppers vying to get the best deal.

"The decision to step away from Black Friday is not about the event itself," said Asda's chief executive Andy Clarke.

manufacturers - have been feeling the effects of a series of

"Over the last two years we've developed an organised, well-executed plan,

barriers to growth including the strong pound, which makes UK

but this year customers have told us loud and clear that they don't want to be

exports more expensive.

held hostage to a day or two of sales."

Key markets such as China and the UK’s biggest trading partner, the eurozone, are still suffering lulls in activity despite central

It says that instead of investing in one-off sales, it will invest £26m in savings

bank action.

across the seasonal shopping period. Much more British, thank you Asda.

BP SUFFERS SIGNIFICANT DROP Oil major BP attempted to reassure investors that it would be able to maintain its dividend, as it unveiled a 40% drop in underlying profits over the last quarter. In the three months to the end of September, BP’s profit fell to £1.2bn, significantly lower than the £2bn reported in the same period last year. The results are a direct impact of collapsing oil prices. Brent Crude has fallen from £60 a barrel a year ago to roughly £30 today.

BP’s Chief Executive Bob Dudley said that the company can maintain the dividend if prices recover to £45 a barrel by 2017. Even if they remain lower, the firm could weather the storm by cutting costs further, he claimed. BP has already made £2bn in cost savings this year including laying off staff and headcount is expected to have fallen by 4,000 by the end of this year.

“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

22

BUSINESS SCENE

DIAMOND DANCE T

he 2015 Gatwick Diamond Business Charity Dinner Dance at the Hilton Hotel London Gatwick in November raised nearly £2,000 for the member Charities.

With thanks to the sponsors, Gatwick Airport, Emirates & the Hilton, all the attendees had a great evening.

Entertainment was provided by TV Comedienne Sara Pascoe while the band Strobe kept everyone on the Dance Floor.

The eight prizes in the Charity Raffle included return tickets to Dubai with Emirates and return tickets to a European destination with Norwegian. Other prizes were kindly donated by the Hilton, Pelham House, Gatwick Fire & Rescue and Campden BRI. Coupled with the Go-Kart Challenge, #gdb12hDuMans, Gatwick Diamond Business members have raised over £8,300 for charity this year.

Lee-Ann Connor, Sara Pascoe and Jeremy Taylor

For more, please visit www.gatwickdiamondbusiness.com

Laurie Berryman with Sara Pascoe

The Ascot Suite, Hilton Hotel London Gatwick

Sara Pascoe with Hannah Staunton

Basepoint enjoy the menu

Guests at the Drinks Reception

Jeremy Taylor entertains Central Sussex College

23

THE BIG STORY

SIMON COWELL THE MARMITE MAN

by Maarten Hoffmann

S

imon Cowell is one of those people who divide opinion. Some dislike him and some intensely dislike him, but is this due to the smug countenance, his dominance of his sector or his addiction to having

his mug on the television as often as humanly possible?

Whatever the reason, there can be no denying Cowell’s talent for getting

noticed and for building a hugely successful and influential company that will mark the musical childhood of almost all of today’s global youth.

Simon Cowell founded his company, Syco Entertainment, in 2002, a joint venture between Cowell and Sony Music, and it is one of the world’s leading music, film and television production companies, responsible for some of the world’s most successful TV and music franchises. In 2014 one division, Syco Music, was named the UK’s number-one label by Music Week, and to date has sold more than 200 million records and secured more than 200 worldwide number-one albums with artists such as One Direction, Susan Boyle, Little Mix and Il Divo. As part of the deal, retail magnate Sir Philip Green was also brought in as a shareholder and adviser to the venture, perhaps to provide the ‘steady hand’ to Cowell’s creative flair.

Syco Films produces concert movies with Sony Pictures and have teamed up with the makers of Happy Feet to produce live action-hybrid animated films. New projects include a new music show, ‘Ultimate DJ,’ in association with T Mobile and La Banda, a new show to find the latest Latino boyband, with Ricky Martin as a judge.

If you hate pop music and talent shows, by now you are

24

THE BIG STORY holding your head in despair, but behold the

present himself, Rosencrantz suggested he just

His mother was a major influence in his life;

man and not the product, as whatever you think

be himself and let rip if the mood took him. The

he rarely did anything that his mum would not

of him and his manufactured genre, there can

mood took him and the public fawned over this

think proper and this seems to be the abiding

be no denying the man’s ability and sheer force

man who, unlike so many people on television,

light of his career. Unfortunately, his mother

of will to get things done.

actually said what he thought, and it was a

Julie, 89, who lived in Brighton, died in July of

happy coincidence that it was what the public

this year, which knocked him for six, and for a

Lambeth, to a mother who was a ballet dancer

thought too. Not being slow on the uptake, both

long time he refused to speak about it.

and socialite and a father who was an estate

Rosencrantz and Cowell realised that they had

agent and music industry executive with EMI.

hit on a sweet spot and he never changed his

Huffington Post, saying: “She’d been ill for a

After attending Radlett Prep School and then

presenting stance from that point on.

very long time. It really happened last year and

Cowell was born in October of 1959 in

Eventually, he gave an interview to the

Dover College, he left with GCEs in English

it was a tough, tough period. But I didn’t want

Literature and Language and then attended

to burden anyone else with my problem. That’s

Windsor Technical College, where he gained

why I never talked about it.”

another GCE in Sociology.

After a few menial jobs, from which he was fired for not getting along with his colleagues, his father gave him a job in the mail room of EMI. This was his first sniff of the music business and the sycophancy and towering egos that are involved, but this was perfect for him. As in all creative media industries, raging egos are tolerated as long as they are accompanied by a million dollar idea and the ability to bring it to market.

That world is populated by a wide variety of

“But his biggest strength is also his biggest weakness.

He manages to convince everyone he’s right, whether or not he is”

experienced it with my dad and the only thing I can say is that I have incredible memories.”

In the wake of her death, Simon cancelled two days of X Factor auditions to grieve, but later threw himself back into work in tribute to Julie, who counted X Factor as her favourite show that her son worked on. “It sounds corny, but it’s exactly what she would have wanted me to do as she loved what I did,” he said. “When it came to work, she would say, ‘Get back and do what you enjoy’.

characters – some harmless like Cowell and

“Whenever it was going to happen it was

some not so harmless, such as his early-days

going to be difficult because I’m always

coach and convicted sex offender, Max Clifford.

Here is another man who was tolerated

“In a way, that was the hardest part because it was always on your mind. But look, I

“Every reality show needs to pre-assign its

working.”

because he got things done, but the harm done

characters, and Pete Waterman was on the list

along the way is palpable.

to be Mr Nasty. Because I’d worked with Pete

support from the public on Twitter helped him

for years and he was a dick in real life, I thought

during one of the darkest periods of his life.

Apart from having a good dose of chutzpah

He believes the ‘incredible’ outpouring of

with the spotting of early-days talent, Cowell’s

he’d be a dick on television. But he turned into a

break came when ITV Controller Claudia

complete softie during the auditions, crying all

Rosencrantz offered him the job of judge on the

the time, and I’m sitting there thinking, ‘These

first series of Pop Idol in 2002, the franchise

acts are horrible.’ I thought it was funnier

who was treated like a valued member of the

owned and created by his arch-nemesis, Simon

than anything else – I was amused. It was just

crew during her regular visits to the X Factor

Fuller. As Cowell did not really know how to

something that happened.”

set. Simon wiped away tears and said: “She

He said: “That kind of got me through it, if I’m being honest.”

His TV colleagues had all got to know Julie,

25

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THE BIG STORY was. Everybody who met her, they just loved her.”

He has also started to look at life differently, explaining: “I do believe in destiny. I really do. Not all of your life is under your control.

No matter how well your career is going and you’re happy and you think you’ve got your life under control, things happen out of the blue.

Some good. Some bad.”

Last year, Cowell became a father for the first time to son Eric, who’s mother is Lauren Silverman. He has never taken the easy route, be it business or his personal life. Lauren was the wife of a friend of Cowell’s, Andrew Silverman, who, once the affair was revealed, sued for divorce, citing her adultery with Cowell. But life cannot be easy for her as she has to deal with the fact that the majority of Cowell’s female friends are ex-lovers, such as singer Sinitta, actress Terry Seymour and Aussie actress Dannii Minogue, who regularly accompany him on vacations, en-masse. Giving birth to his son surely secured Lauren’s place in his life, although he is still resistant to marriage.

But one-year-old Eric has been the ultimate distraction from his mother’s death. Once considered an unlikely father, it’s clear Simon is adjusting to the role. He said: “He doesn’t sit still. He doesn’t stop trying to talk. But he’s getting to that age now where you understand him and he understands you. He’s a little joy.

You know, life is interesting. If we’d been sitting here two years ago this would not have been on the ‘this is going to happen’ list. But whatever the circumstances, it happens, you deal with it and, of course, they bring something extraspecial into your life.”

His businesses have certainly brought

rejected them, recruited Cowell as a judge on

for which he received a rumoured advance of

his television show Pop Idol, which catapulted

£1.3m.

something special into his life. The Got

the master of withering put-downs into the

Talent and X Factor shows have propelled

public eye and onto the road to riches. When

famously announced that he paid a UK tax bill

his earnings through the sound barrier over

Cowell devised X Factor in 2004, Fuller sued

in 2006 of £21.7m. But he also supports several

the last few years. According to the Sunday

him because of the similarity in format, a tussle

charities, particularly those involving animals

Times Rich List, he is now worth a cool £325m,

that allegedly cost Cowell millions of pounds to

and children. In early 2010 he spearheaded

making him the 398th richest person in Britain.

settle out of court.

the production of a celebrity charity song to

No wonder his grin appears as permanently

The media mogul is unashamedly motivated

fixed as his year-round tan.

And his wealth has grown substantially since then. It was revealed in October that he had signed a £100m deal to keep The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent on ITV for another three years. The money will be split between Syco and co-producers Talkback Thames.

Cowell is now the second-highestpaid name in the US entertainment industry, behind Oprah Winfrey, according to Forbes magazine.

In 2001, Simon Fuller, Cowell’s fierce industry rival, who snapped up the Spice Girls after Syco

by cash and has said in the past: “I’m interested only in making money, for myself and the people I work for.”

Apart from his music business dealings, he also makes money from his 2004 autobiography I Don’t Mean To Be Rude, But...,

He doesn’t keep all the lucre himself. Cowell

support the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

But he also enjoys investing and spending on himself. Among his property investments are a luxury £34m Beverly Hills mansion with tanning salon and private cinema, at least one more Hollywood property, a £10.5m house in Holland Park, West London and holiday homes

“According to the Sunday Times Rich List he is now worth a cool £325m making him the 398th richest person in Britain”

in Malaga and Barbados and an investment property in Dubai. He also has an expensive taste in cars, having recently bought a £750,000 Bugatti Veyron, a £400,000 Rolls Royce, a Bentley convertible and a Ferrari, to name but a few.

And the king of television

27

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THE BIG STORY entertainment further spoiled himself - and scores of media and music friends - by lavishing £1m on a party to celebrate his 50th birthday. He is apparently generous to a fault and tends to pick up the bill when out, even with equally wealthy celebrity friends. He also splashed out about £250,000 on his mother’s 80th birthday party at the Savoy in 2005, and as for those trademark teeth (a crucial investment for a career on American television) it is estimated that his set of dazzling veneers set him back at least £10,000.

Cowell’s blend of arrested development and obsessive compulsion might have taken him nowhere, and it very nearly did. Sweet Revenge, Tom Bower’s insightful biography, narrates his string of failures in the business before the evolution of Pop Idol. He lacked the cool of other A&R (artists and repertoire) executives, and was best known in his thirties for oddities such as a musical spin-off from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series.

By the time Pop Idol was launched he had achieved greater success, initially by persuading two actors, Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, to record a song from a television series. “The rest of the industry was obsessed with radio being the route to hits, but all Simon talked about was television,” says Sonny Takhar, who now runs Cowell’s music label. Even after signing the highly successful boy band Westlife in 1998, he struggled for respect.

“Who designs their office, housing hundreds of staff, with a huge and dominating image of themselves?

A narcissist is the obvious answer” “I was perceived as the lowest of the low,” he recalls, “There was one meeting with my boss and the rest of the A&R team, and she’d forecast a very bad quarter. I presented two of my ideas, which I thought were pretty good. She was at a flip chart and she said, ‘Right, this is the figure I’m putting for those,’ and wrote a gigantic zero in front of everyone. It was probably the worst I have ever felt.”

That moment required a compendium of skills, and Cowell, with his middle-of-the-road taste and love of visual display, possessed them all. He didn’t need to dumb down or learn how to understand the ordinary people who would now become stars. He had waited a long time for precisely this world, in which he could become the A&R man, pop producer, television personality, television producer and band manager in one. He could control everything.

“I’ve got a really, really good attention to detail,” Cowell replies, when asked to judge his own talent. “Even when I’m on a show, I know what’s going on, and if it’s going wrong, what we have to do to try to fix it. I’m minutely involved in every part, literally down to the colour of the floor. I can spot a lightbulb out at 100 metres. I don’t mean to sound arrogant, it’s just that I’m always aware of my surroundings. I like it to look a certain way, to sound a certain way.”

“My phone rings at 2am and a voice says: ‘How are you?’” says Sir Philip Green, the retail tycoon who helps Cowell to run his business. “I am not joking, 2am is early. He will go at it all night, he is such a perfectionist.

He tortures himself, watching the show, then rewatching it, reworking, reworking. He calls to get a sense of what I think. That’s the part nobody sees – how hard and intense he is about the detail. He wants it to be right. He wants it to be great.”

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THE BIG STORY wheel, bigger than this area where we’re sitting, and someone was going to make a £1m bet, red or black. I thought: ‘I love this, this is absolutely great.’ When we started to make it, we realised it was boring up to that point.

By the time you reached the end, you were exhausted. We didn’t think it through.”

The executives around him insist that Syco has an open culture in which any employee can suggest an idea or challenge those of the boss.

Even Cowell accepts the latter is a stretch.

“There are times when I say something and they probably nod to my face and five minutes later are saying, ‘He’s lost the plot’, but I think Conservative peer (and television sidekick of Alan Sugar on the BBC series The Apprentice),

neither will the competition.”

“What’s so hard about it?” Cowell was

we have a healthy system where everyone has a voice. I always say to my staff, when we

whom Green brought to Syco as a non-

asked by John Gapper of FT Magazine. “Surely,

executive director and adviser, says, “He finds

sit in creative meetings, beating ourselves up,

someone just has to think of the basic concept

the talent, he crafts it, he picks the songs, he

‘One good idea a year can pay for the next 10.’

– a music contest or a variety show?”

I was at the Rose Bowl, looking down at the

handles the image. If you look at the revenues

80,000-strong crowd watching my group, One

and number-one hits that Syco has created, Simon should be considered the biggest music act in the world.”

On the wall in the Syco London office is a huge portrait of Cowell, depicting his grinning face in coloured paper dots. “I didn’t realise it was going to be so big, but I bought it off the artist. It took her ages to do it,” he says. “I thought, ‘Well, nobody else is going to buy it, so I will.’”

Direction. I felt like I’d really used my brain,

“I felt like I’d really used my brain, rather than being a dickhead on an American TV show.”

And there’s the rub: who designs their office, housing hundreds of staff, with a huge, dominating image of themselves? A narcissist, is the obvious answer. Four assistants sit in a row outside his office, next to posters of his shows and a cardboard figure of Cowell on The Simpsons cartoon show on Fox. His image is all-pervading, but is this true narcissism or a well-honed marketing tool?

Two chief executives have come and gone at Syco, perhaps finding it difficult to cope with Cowell’s dominant presence. But his stalwarts, including Sonny Takhar, head of Syco Records,

rather than being a dickhead on an American TV show.”

“Simon is hugely talented and I’ve never met anyone who believes in himself more than he does,” says one executive at a rival music company. “But his biggest strength is also his biggest weakness. He manages to convince everyone he’s right, whether or not he is. He’s never found a right-hand guy at Sony who he’ll

“Beginning, middle and end,” he says crisply.

“I like to be able to walk through every five

listen to and who can execute his best ideas.”

It is a nice idea, that the impresario of reality

or ten minutes of the hour, so I know exactly

TV and modern pop music has come so far and

what’s going to happen. The arc of X Factor

achieved such fame that management means

looks simple on paper, but there’s quite a

more to him than image. Those close to Cowell

structure over the 16 weeks, going from the

take it with a pinch of salt. “He lives it, he

smaller rooms to the arenas, to the boot camp,

breathes it, he’s in it, he’s on it. The business is

to home visits, to live shows. That’s a lot of

a passion for him, it is genuine fun,” says Hall.

content.”

“Although he does have a little saying. ‘When

He cites Syco’s 2014 ITV show, Red or Black.

“I thought it was fantastic. A gigantic roulette

you’re editing [shots of Cowell on X Factor], remember two words: happy and handsome.’”

Nigel Hall, who runs the television operations, and Sorraya Sequeira, his finance and operations director, have worked with him for a long time and talk about him with affection tinged with humour. “Simon knows what a family in Manchester who are sitting down to watch telly on Saturday night at the end of a hard week will feel when they watch the show,” says Hall. “I’ve often wondered how he does it. Simon’s lived a very privileged life. You look at photos of him as a child and he wasn’t on a donkey at Clacton, he was skiing in Gstaad.”

“I’m interested only in making money, for myself and the people I work for.”

“Luckily, it’s hard,” he says. “If it was easy, everybody would do it. When you’re asking a network to make a commitment of $70m or $80m on a show, it’s got to be a really good idea. We won’t have them every month and

31

INTERVIEW

THE ART OF INVESTING

Skerritts Wealth Management has grown dramatically from a oneman-band to an influential regional company, managing investments in excess of £670million. Ian Trevett spoke to MD, Richard Skerritt, about what makes the company tick

I

t’s all about the investment. Not just the investment in the markets, but crucially, in the company and its people. Skerritts have placed great emphasis on becoming Chartered, gaining accreditation to perform discretionary management and earning the right to say they are Investors in People. It is this ethos which has helped the win the industry recognised New Model Adviser award for five years on the row. But what exactly is a New Model Adviser?

“It’s an award that reflects success in the modern investment industry, so it looks at people doing things in the right way now rather than the methods our industry had in the past.

“They are judged by Citywire, a financial publishing/reporting company who are completely independent and they’re seen, certainly in our eyes, as the most prestigious financial publishing arm. That’s why we think that’s the award to win and that’s the one we

32

always want to win.

“It’s a reflection of our performance, our approach to clients, our professionalism, all those things, which ties in with us being Chartered as well because, again, the most wealth management firms or FA firms aren’t Chartered. I believe something like less than 5% are. There are lots of hurdles to get Chartered status but most people would want to see a Chartered Accountant or a Chartered Surveyor – it’s the highest level of recognition of qualifications and experience.

We just want people to know that if they come to us they are getting the very highest level of professionalism.

“With our wealth management side we predominantly specialise in discretionary management. Most companies can only offer advisory management, which means if they want to change funds they have to speak to the

client and get their permission to change, which means they can’t act quickly. So for example if we wanted to change asset allocation, or change a fund, or de-risk the portfolios, we can just do it. We can do it in a timely way. If you have to ask the client, by the time the client’s signed the paper, the moment has gone. You cannot manage efficiently on an advisory basis.

So discretionary just means we can do our job properly.

“There’s a massive requirement for us in terms of liquidity, which basically means we have to hold a lot of money back for client protection and it’s a much more highly regulated. We need to have a lot more committees and everything in place. So it is very onerous but it’s very worthwhile.

“As a company we hold Investors in People as we’re always very keen for our staff to develop within the company; there’s no glass

INTERVIEW

“A lot of people will pay high-end management fees but they’re not getting anything outside of what a tracker fund will do” ceiling. We want people to work their way up.

And people can go as far as they want to go and we’ll encourage them all the way. So we’ll always pay for training and we’ll always pay for the exams. And we’ve been speaking to Brighton University about interns and about graduates coming on board. On our doorstep we’ve got a wealth of highly qualified people and I think that’s definitely something we’ll look to explore more.”

How does the investment committee work?

“It’s a formal investment committee.

All of our investment decisions are run by committees, which is how we need to be with discretionary management, so it’s a good discipline to have. We meet every week though there’s obviously lots of communication during the week. It’s a good process in that no one person is all powerful in terms of what we’re going to do.”

Do they get quite heated?

“In a good way, yes. There is some good, healthy discussion that goes on; it’s great because sometimes people will play devil’s advocate. We don’t follow the crowd like everyone else does and that’s reflected in our performance. We do competitive performance analysis and we come out incredibly well but that’s only because we are active on the investment management. A lot of people will pay high-end management fees but they’re not getting anything outside of what a tracker fund will do. We’re always looking for that outperformance which makes it worthwhile paying for.”

How do you research this?

“We do a lot of in-house research, but we also buy in a lot of research. It wouldn’t make sense for us to employ a team of 20 analysts and researchers or whatever. So what we do is, we spend an absolute fortune buying in research.

“They spend tens of millions of pounds doing the research analysis and we basically buy their results. So we outsource that - we couldn’t do as well as they do. No-one tells us the asset allocation, we do that in-house, but we back that up with a lot of information we buy in.

There are reports for all the regions such as Europe, North America and Japan, and from these we need to decide what type of asset we’re going into, whether it be equities or bonds, and then look at specific sectors such as biotech. It’s a constant, evolving thing.”

Are there any particular instances where you actually went out on a limb against the consensus and it really paid dividends?

“You tend to find benchmark portfolios stay within a certain asset allocation. With our tactical funds, we can go ‘overweight’ or ‘underweight’ in sectors. For example, over the last couple of years we’ve been overweight in biotech and pharmaceuticals and that’s an area we strongly believe in. It’s had its ups and downs but over that period of time that’s been one of our biggest contributors to outperformance. We’ll never go stupidly aggressive because that’s not what our clients want.

“At the moment, we are very overweight in cash because the markets are volatile, so what we’re looking to do is be defensive, but also that gives us a war chest where we can be active when opportunities arise.

“Our investment managers are working incredibly hard because it’s not just looking for growth, it’s looking to preserve capital because markets are up and down. We think it’s going to be a very testing 12 months – not to say that there isn’t growth to be made but you have to be very active in those particular areas to get that growth.”

I know that you personally believe in an exit from Europe.

“Absolutely, yes.”

Is that a view shared by the committee?

“No, we’ve all got different views and I think it’s good that we do have different views. I personally think if we leave the European Union, the impact won’t be anywhere near as big as people think. I think there’s a lot of scaremongering out there that people say, “If we leave that we’re leaving our trading partners” and whatever. The last time I looked we were importing more from Europe than

exporting. So at the end of the day would Europe really say “We’re not going to deal with you anymore?”

“I just think it’s very expensive for us and it’s just the fact that we have a lack of control. They’re trying to impose a financial transactions tax but London is by far the biggest financial centre within Europe. It basically is a tax on London.

“Either way, when we’re managing money we’re always looking at ‘What if’ scenarios and we look at every possibility that we think can happen. Occasionally you get something like Lehman Brothers going under, but even then, Andy Merricks, our Head of Investments, had written a great article 18 months before it happened about how the American lending problem that was coming in was going to have an impact. So we could see it coming and we built this in.

“It’s always trying to predict what’s going to happen and the impact on that because a lot of the market changes are now down to sentiment rather than the fundamentals. If you look at some of the companies that lose 50% of the value, the fundamentals aren’t 50% different, it’s just the sentiment. If you go back two generations people would buy 10 or a dozen blue chip companies and hold them - and they did them well. It’s so different now. It’s almost impossible now for an individual to manage their own portfolio effectively and without the risks of being too much in one particular stock or one particular sector.”

Does it still excite you, trying to work out the market movements?

“Absolutely, I still really enjoy it. I think my wife, Heidi, would kill me if I was at home all day. I do get a buzz from it. It’s great to see the business grow here. We’ve had colossal growth, we’ve got a really good team and we’re establishing ourselves more and more as the place to go to for wealth management in the area.”

Skerritts.co.uk

33

CASE STUDY

VISIBLE GROWTH

SiteVisibility works with some of the world’s finest brands on their digital marketing and is also the company behind the influential bi-annual BrightonSEO events. Managing Director Jason Woodford spoke to Ian Trevett about the help they have received along the way from leading South East law firm, DMH Stallard

B

Goodwood Estate, to grow their business and

says, ‘What’s your USP?,’ because I think

revenue online using a number of different

it is really difficult to actually have a USP.

techniques,” explains CEO Jason Woodford.

We’re very famous for our Internet marketing

Laine coffee shop. The original one-man-bands

“For the most part, our work centres around

podcast, which is the number-one marketing

have matured into serious companies gaining

digital marketing strategy, delivering search

podcast on iTunes in the English-speaking

global recognition. One such super-growth

engine optimisation (SEO), pay-per-click and

world; it’s been downloaded over 2 million

story can be found at SiteVisibility.

social media to drive traffic, conversions and

times, and 40,000 - 50,000 subscribers every

revenues.

week listen to our podcast. The idea behind

righton’s digital hub is no longer a collection of micro-businesses and web designers beavering away in a North

“SiteVisibility helps really ambitious brands, such as Fat Face, House of Fraser and the

34

“It’s always really difficult when someone

that is that a marketeer who needs to keep up-

CASE STUDY

to-date with digital marketing can listen to the

large amount of money every month on direct

podcast on their way to work once a week and

mail; we really should have been using Internet

get a little bit more informed.

marketing techniques to promote our service.

“The second thing we’re really famous for

“I bought it from the liquidator and we

is BrightonSEO, which is Europe’s largest

in becoming a founder member of Wired

developed an Internet marketing consultancy

SEO conference, where 2,000 people come to

Sussex, with the idea of privatising it and taking

business and an eLearning business. At the

Brighton twice a year to learn about SEO. It’s

it away from Sussex Enterprise, setting it up

start it was just myself and my brother, who

the biggest congregation of SEOs in the UK at

as a membership organisation to drive the

was just leaving Exeter University. I knew

any one time and it trends on Twitter for two

digital community in Sussex and Brighton. As a

he wanted to get into marketing, I needed

days. It’s grown really quickly over the last

small business we couldn’t afford to deal with

a marketing consultant, and so we started

five years and next year we’re moving into the

structural issues, macro issues like property or

together and we worked with some ex-

Brighton Centre.

employability or policy. So, Wired Sussex does

employees and a large team of experts, who

all of that for us. I’m very proud to be a Director

supported us through those early days. We had

moving very, very rapidly and it’s very difficult

of Wired Sussex and to help push the industry,

to win business and deliver business and we’re

to keep track on what’s going on. And one of

as well as the company, forward.

very lucky as we won some major contracts in

“In internet marketing, the industry is

the key drivers for our customers is that they

“Brighton is an absolute magnet for talent,

the first couple of months, including Fish4Jobs,

need to learn and become more knowledgeable

eBookers, the Department of Health, M & M

so they can make better decisions about the

Sports and the Institute of Direct Marketing.

digital marketing, and this is where our USP is as we’re uniquely able to deliver that, along with the results and service which everyone expects.”

Are you often perceived as being an SEO company rather than the wider aspects of what you do?

“Our heritage and our reputation have been founded on SEO since 2001. I’m very proud of that. SEO evolves every year, every week, every

“With DMH Stallard there’s a nice synergy there because they also have a similar ambition to work with ambitious brands.”

so they come back to learn more, and when they’ve had enough of learning more, the desire is to get on with the work themselves.

“The company grew very rapidly for about eight or nine years and was in The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 for three years in a row. We

SiteVisibility and developed the business to

because SEO is only part of the activity that you

where we are today, employing 20 people and

need to apply in order to generate sales.”

and what’s changed over the last few years

Being accredited as an Investor in People,

is that Brighton as a centre for business in

your staff are obviously very important to

digital has absolutely matured. We’ve got

you?

companies here like Brandwatch, which has just secured £33 million worth of Venture

business relies on the quality of our people and

Capital for investment funding, global leaders

their knowledge. It is very, very important for us

in e-learning like Kineo, Brightwave and LEO,

to continue to train and develop our consultants

games development like Relentless, marketing

so we stay on top of the rapidly changing digital

agencies like iCrossing and American Express

landscape; to ensure both our strategies are

base their 450 strong technology team here in

effective and to satisfy our team’s appetite for

the City”

talent is intense and never-ending.”

customers and sharing knowledge with them

with another company, branded ourselves as

offer all the other digital marketing solutions

learning. This is critical where the battle for

marketing, keeping close to our prospects and

got some angel investment on board, merged

day. That’s what we’re known for, but we also

“Staff are critically important to us as our

“What’s underpinned the whole business all the time has been really strong CRM, email

How did it all begin?

“We started back in 2001, when the company

I guess Brighton is a good place to be, in that

that I was working for went bust. I was

case, because it attracts IT talent?

made redundant and I could see that there

working with many freelancers and experts.

You work closely with DMH Stallard LLP. How has this relationship helped SiteVisibility?

“We have worked with DMH Stallard since the very outset, initially on an informal and ad hoc basis, where they provided a variety of intellectual property and employment law expertise.

“There was a trade mark issue relating to our previous brand name which was contested by an international media group. DMH Stallard partner Tim Ashdown fought it and won the case, which was amazing. So it all started then.”

“I also knew of DMH Stallard and some of

were some ways to make this business very

the partners, so I felt that that was something

competitors in Brighton and Sussex for

profitable. It was called Academy Internet

I was very comfortable with. We looked at our

customers, but we do compete with them for

and was one of the main Internet marketing

legal outgoings on our budget, and they were

staff and for talent. Around 2008, we invested

training businesses in the UK, but we spent a

fluctuating up and down and very difficult to

“We very rarely compete against our

35

CASE STUDY predict. DMH Stallard came to us and said

very pragmatic.

that they were offering a new service, which

“One of the benefits of

was the fixed-cost retainer based service. The

the retainer is it means

service is completely bespoke and is ideal for

that my risk is being

businesses that want direct access to legal

managed better from

advice when they need it, with the benefit

a legal perspective, so

of knowing that legal costs are fixed which

my risk is not as big a

guarantees budget certainty. We were the very

concern as it could be,

first customer to take that on. We helped them

which allows me to be

pilot it and it‘s worked out really well for us. We

bolder in my business

get direct access to partners at DMH Stallard

decision-making. I’m

to deal with issues for us, and if it needs to be

not suggesting I take

immediate, it’s immediate.

more risks because I

With DMH Stallard there’s a nice synergy

know the lawyers will

there because they also have a similar track

sort it out, but I know

record with and interest in ambitious brands.

I’m very clear about my

“They’re going places as a business. From

legal framework, and it

a service perspective I definitely get what I

allows me to be more

need, when I need it, and the key is specialist

certain about aspects

expertise. But one of the things I like about that

of business, which is

relationship is that it’s more than just that they

really helpful.”

are lawyers. We actually help them in terms of search engine optimisation and we’re helping them with their website.

How do you keep upto-date with so much change? It must be like running against the tide.

“If you wanted to keep yourself personally

“DMH Stallard are definitely going places. From a service perspective I definitely get what I need, when I need it, and the key is specialist expertise.”

Tim Ashdown, Partner at DMH Stallard, helped secure the brand name for SiteVisibility, in a case that was contested in the High Court.

updated with everything, you’d stress yourself out and you’d never do it. I do read a lot of blog sites and newsletters and listen to our podcasts of course, but I recognise that I have to keep myself up-to-date through my team, so

and measure the success of it. This isn’t a political interview, but the government policies are definitely driving and solving problems and creating opportunities around innovation.

It’s absolutely clear that the government understands that innovation is going to drive future growth, future prosperity and tax revenue.”

we hire people who love learning, and have lots

If you are a company that is serious about

of different skill sets. You very rarely get me

growing, can you do it without getting your

talking about some technical detail of digital

message out there digitally?

marketing; I’d much rather have one of my

“I think you can, because anything is

team come up and talk about it.”

possible. But you’ve got to have a plan. I

Is Silicon Valley still the centre of innovation?

think it’s very rare that massive success just

“A disproportionate amount of innovation is happening in the UK, a lot of it in Silicon Roundabout up in London, and in Brighton

happens. It does happen occasionally, but you can’t rely on being one of those occasionals.

So you have to have a plan and a fundamental

there’s an enormous amount of innovation.

part of a business plan is your marketing

they go out to promote themselves they’re

Look at what Brandwatch has done; that

plan, and these days a fundamental part of

actually getting found by their target audience,

was technology designed and built here in

your marketing plan is: What are you doing in

and we’re helping them from a marketing

Brighton, which is selling to the USA. “There

terms of your website, your online promotion?

perspective. Of course, there’s the commercial

are a number of technology businesses that

If more people are finding stuff through their

trading relationship between both parties, but

are based in Brighton and eLearning industries

phones and learning about stuff through their

it goes beyond that in terms of the partners at

around video production, around analytics

phones than they are by watching television or

DMH Stallard actually helping us to generate

and measurement-type technologies, around

watching billboards, if you want to reach that

more business. We speak at their events

gaming, where the innovation is happening

audience when they’re looking, you have to be

to their customers about what we do. That

right here in Brighton, let alone in the UK.

online.

We give them feedback so that when

generates business for us, and DMH Stallard

“The fact is that a lot more of businesses get

“If you don’t consider at least what the

come and talk to us and our customers about

more funding when they go to Silicon Valley,

opportunity is to make yourself visible to

what they do.

which is a shame. However, Britain is definitely

people who are looking for you online, you’re

one of the global leaders in terms of crowd

missing a massive opportunity. But, amazingly,

worked with many law firms; there are lots of

funding and innovative financial resources, and

there are still loads of companies that don’t do

good law firms out there, like there are lots

that can only help. The government’s R&D tax

that properly.”

of digital marketing agencies. But I think they

credits programme is unbelievable in terms

understand the business aspects, the business

of how much that incentivises you to actually

drivers behind the legal issues, and they are

push for an innovation and track the innovation

www.sitevisibility.co.uk www.brightonseo.com www.dmhstallard.com

“I’m a real advocate of what they do. I’ve

36

BUSINESS SURVEY

GATWICK DIAMOND BUSINESSES BACK EUROPE

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mid the complex national debates and delicate negotiations in Brussels, Gatwick Diamond businesses have spoken with a clear, united voice: they want to stay in the EU, albeit a simplified EU. Home to 45,000 businesses and 500 international businesses, the Gatwick Diamond is the sixth-largest economy in the world and one of the easiest places to set up and run a business in Europe, according to the World Bank. Local businesses have access to excellent market opportunities, world-class skills and a highly supportive, open business environment.

With London Gatwick Airport at its heart, it is simple for Gatwick Diamond businesses to connect with markets in mainland Europe – indeed, the rest of the world.

The Conservatives’ election manifesto promise to hold a referendum on whether the UK should stay in or leave the EU is therefore of particular importance to the Gatwick Diamond. In a recent survey of the area’s business owners by the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, more than half said they would vote to maintain Britain’s membership of the EU. Rosemary French, Executive Director of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative explains: “The Gatwick Diamond Initiative is a business-led partnership which champions the growth and success of the Gatwick Diamond economy. Our quarterly Business Barometer survey provides direct feedback from our business community to help us address the needs of the area and to ensure it continues to be a world-class place to live, work and do business.

“The EU referendum is highly significant to businesses in the Gatwick Diamond, which are outward-looking, many of them operating on an international or global stage. Even the smallest companies can be part of a much bigger international supply chain.”

It is not surprising to find that over 70 per cent of Gatwick Diamond business owners responding to the survey say that the UK’s membership of the EU has a positive impact on their business. Close to 50 per cent say that a full withdrawal from the EU – a so-called ‘Brexit’ - would have a negative impact on their business. The survey also found that over half of Gatwick Diamond businesses sell to customers in the EU and believe that the UK’s membership of the EU has helped to open up markets for their businesses. For this reason, they are not keen to shut the UK out of its most important market and other markets around the world that have trade agreements with the EU. EU suppliers and EU labour are also vitally important to the success of Gatwick Diamond businesses. Half of all the businesses surveyed rely on EU suppliers and 44 per cent employ staff directly from the EU. Ms French adds: “It’s not a totally rosy picture. We cannot ignore the negative impact of EU legislation on sections of the business community. Our survey found that 60 per cent of Gatwick Diamond businesses identify the burden of employment regulation as the biggest priority for the UK government to tackle.” Improving regulation around skilled migration (that is, opening up pools of skilled workers at a time when competition for talent is high) is also of key importance. Reducing red tape on environmental legislation and financial reporting requirements were also flagged as priorities.

The survey has identified a need for greater clarity and more information to help businesses understand the complexities and potential impact of each scenario in the run-up to the referendum. Ms French explains: “A clear message coming through from businesses locally is that uncertainty

Rosemary French OBE

poses a huge problem for business confidence.

For many small businesses, the debate is conceptual at the moment, but as we get closer to a referendum, businesses will need clarity and factual information about the realities of what ‘in’ or ‘out’ might mean to them. Only then can there be a sensible debate about the issues.”

The Business Barometer research study is commissioned by The Gatwick Diamond Initiative to help monitor local economic conditions on a regular basis.

Conducted by Prowse & Company Ltd, this online survey is designed to source primary data from local businesses to measure how the Gatwick Diamond is performing as a location for business.

The survey provides quantitative and qualitative evidence of business trends to aid the Gatwick Diamond Task Groups in their activities. Importantly, the survey offers a snapshot of business confidence in the Gatwick Diamond area.

For more information on the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, visit www.gatwickdiamond.co.uk

37

BUSINESS AWARDS

LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE GATWICK DIAMOND BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

T

he Gatwick Diamond Business Awards celebrate people and businesses who have shown innovation and inspiration

in their work and have demonstrated a

The Sponsor is the judge in each category and will provide feedback for each Entrant.

premier business occasions - celebrating

We check for impartiality between judges and

the best of the best across the Gatwick

entrants, so if there is any conflict of interest, a

real commitment to the sub-region.

Any business that is located in or trades in the Gatwick Diamond can enter (apart from

The awards have become one of the regions

neutral third party will oversee the judging.

Judging will take place through January

Diamond.

This will be the eighth year for the Awards and the whole event is gaining ever-increasing attention in the region. In fact, you could

sponsors, judges & suppliers). You do not need

2016, then the three Finalists in each category

say this is our Centenary Year as we will be

to be a member of any particular business

are announced in February and the Awards are

awarding our 100th Award during the course of

organisation to enter.

presented on the 17th March, 2016.

the evening … but who will it go to?

Gatwick Airport NatWest Bank Nestlé Vines BMW & Mini

Headline Sponsors

Pre-Dinner Reception sponsored by Thomas Eggar LLP With over a third of the tickets already sold for the Awards Ceremony on the 17th March, 2016, early booking is advised. The Effingham Park Hotel is the home of the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards.

Awards Business of the Year, sponsored by NatWest Bank Business Person of the Year, sponsored by KPMG New Business of the Year, sponsored by the FSB Green Business of the Year, sponsored by Crawley Borough Council Award for Developing People for Business Success, sponsored by Central Sussex College Responsible Business of the Year, sponsored by Lloyds Bank Award for Customer Delight, sponsored by Storm Creative Partnership

International Business of the Year, sponsored by the Gatwick Diamond Initiative Employer of the Year, sponsored by Search Consultancy Award for Supply Chain Excellence, sponsored by Hays UK Award for Innovation and Technology in Business, sponsored by Rawlison Butler LLP Digital Marketing Business of the Year, sponsored by Optima Systems Ltd Professional Services Firm of the Year, sponsored by Preview Visual Communications Group Award for Place to Meet, sponsored by B&CE The Peoples Pension

For more, visit www.gatwickdiamondbusinessawards.com www.twitter.com/gdbizawards www.facebook.com/gdbizawards or call us on 01293 813888 38

BUSINESS AWARDS B&CE - 2015 Business of the Year

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE B&CE (The People’s Pension) is the 2015 Gatwick Diamond Business of the Year. Zoe Wright, Director of People & Premises, tells Ian Trevett why this is such an important accolade for the company

I

n 1942, unions and employer federations created the Building & Civil Engineering Holiday Scheme Management Limited (B&CE)

“We have won many awards within the pensions industry, but the Gatwick Diamond Awards were important to us as we have

volunteering to help create the People’s Park in Manor Royal.

“We are very proud of the award and we

because construction workers – who tended

been in Manor Royal since the 1950s. Also, we

have had so many suppliers and customers

to move jobs frequently – needed a way to

believe they are very well run, in particular,

congratulate us on our award, and it makes a

build up holiday pay. They launched a simple

the way the judges come out to the businesses

big impact. It has also helped with recruitment

scheme whereby every week a construction

and find out about companies for themselves,

as people see us as a good place to work. This

worker would buy a stamp to stick on a card.

rather than just look at entry forms.

has been very useful as the number of people

Then they’d cash in the card to give themselves money to live on when they took a holiday.

Holiday stamps have long since gone, but

“When we didn’t succeed in 2014, it would have been easy to be down-hearted, but the feedback from the judges was very

working in the company has doubled in the last couple of years.

“The award has raised our profile in the

B&CE is going from strength to strength as a

constructive and useful, and we decided to act

region and we decided to become a sponsor

not-for-profit financial services company, best

on their recommendations.

this year. Being a judge is an interesting

known for its hugely popular People’s Pension,

“This time, rather than prepare a formal

experience and it allows us to learn from

which is open to all employers and employees

presentation for the judges, we decided to take

the companies we judge and apply their best

from any profession.

them on a tour of the company, invite them to

practices in our own company.”

“It is very unusual for a financial services company to operate on a not-for-profit basis,” says Zoe Wright, “but it is what makes us

listen to our staff making calls and also to chat to our team.

“On the night, we were shortlisted for

unique. Any profits go straight back to our

Business of the Year and the Customer Delight

policy-holders. Our aim is for our members to

award. We didn’t get the Customer Delight

get the best possible pension. We want to pay

award, and the Business of the Year award was

out as much as we can to our members.”

the last to be awarded, so we weren’t overly

This commitment to the members is typical

optimistic, and it was a huge surprise and thrill

of the company’s approach, and the strong

when we found out we had won. Jeremy Taylor

adherence to ethical values was a major

had given us no indication at all that we might

factor for the judges when selecting the 2015

have been successful.

Business of the Year. For B&CE the success was

“I believe we won because the judges

even sweeter as they had failed to make any

recognised how important the company’s

of the shortlists in the three categories they

values are to us all, and we are very active in

entered in 2014.

the local community, with many of our team

The People’s Pension is a multiemployer scheme with independent trustees and is operated on a not-forprofit basis. It’s a hassle-free, flexible and portable workplace pension designed for people, not profit. And it’s suitable for any organisation, large or small, in any sector.

It’s the largest private sector pension scheme in the UK, with over 1.6 million people auto-enrolled and now provides pensions to people from all walks of life. www.bandce.co.uk

39

BUSINESS AWARDS

WOMEN IN BUSINESS The Winners

by Faiza Shafeek

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he 2015 Sussex Women in Business Awards was a tremendous

success with over 270 attending the magnificent gala finals at the Cavendish Hotel, Eastbourne - a truly

glittering red carpet event which was filled with glamour, super food, wonderful

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entertainment, amazing networking, much elation and huge accolades and standing ovations for the winners.

The Overall Business or Business Woman of the Year Award was won by the wonderful Agora Fertility Clinic, Brighton and the Lifetime Achievement Award went to the amazing Ann Sandeman.

The Sussex Women in Business Awards celebrate the success of today’s very best females at work. Whether we like it or not, many companies today still remain maledominated despite the obvious progress that has been made over the years to change that.

As we looked through the hundreds of nominations it made us realise the talent, success and sheer determination of so many women across Sussex. We only have to look at our eight local East Sussex MPs five of whom are female. Look at our police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne. And there are so many more examples we could name across the county of Sussex.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sarah Hopwood the guest speaker, Lynsey Bartlett from Heart FM who was a super host, the Cavendish Hotel for an excellent evening, Accord AV for your superb set-up, Paperlane for the amazing decor on the night, Andy Rose and Zach Le Cheminant of Mad Fish Vintage Wave, The Vox Beatles Tribute Band, Progress for the video shoot and the Identity Group for the banners, signs and event programmes.

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BUSINESS AWARDS

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New Business/Start-up of the Year Winner - StephieAnn Designs Small Business of the Year Winner - Grafters Recruitment Consultants, Sian Maher Woman in Arts/Music/Dance or Media - The first joint Winner was Chloella Gunn of Dyamond Dance, Woman in Education Award - Winner was Jill Wittaker of HIT Training Medium Business of the Year Award - The first joint Winner, The Charlvington Group, Claire Baker Medium Business of the Year Award - The second joint Winner, Duvacourt Construction, Irene Souliotis Large Business of the Year - Winner was Cash Bases - Received by Judit Ruckes Marketing Manager and colleague Business Woman of the Year - The Winner was Mandy Brook of Recruitment South East Business Woman of the Year - Special Recognition Award Sue Mulvey of the BMI The Esperance Hospital The Innovation Award - Winner was The Agora Clinic (Gynaecology & Fertility Centre) New Business/Start-up of the Year Presented by Ali Thompson Mentor of the Year - Winner was Mumpreneurs Networking Club - Received by Nicky Chisholm and Sara Guiel The Woman of Courage Award - Winner was Ann Sandeman Woman in Education Award - Winner was Jill Wittaker of HIT Training Woman in Uniform Award - The first joint Winner was Dr Aniko Lazar of First Choice Dental Clinic Woman in Arts/Music/Dance or Media - The first joint Winner was Chloella Gunn of Dyamond Dance, Woman in Arts/Music/Dance or Media - The second joint Winner was Jade Powers of The Sussex Dance Studios.

Contribution to the Community - Presented by Sarah Greenley our Head of Customer Services and colleague Contribution to the Community - Winner was Hannah Staunton of Gatwick Airport, Overall Business or Business Women of the Year Winner was The Agora Clinic (Gynaecology & Fertility Centre) Rising Star of the Year - The Winner was StephieAnn Designs The Innovation Award - Presented by Nick Collinson Mentor of the Year Presented by Ian Trevett - The Winner was Mumpreneurs Networking Club - Received by Nicky Chisholm and Sara Guiel The Woman in Uniform Award - Presented by Johanne Hardwick, Sales & Marketing Manager and the Chief Constable of Sussex - The second joint Winner was Police Constable Bernadette Lawrie,

41

INVESTMENTS

BRING THE WASHING IN OR GET THE SANDBAGS OUT?

By Andy Merricks Head of Investments of Skerritts Wealth Management www.skerritts.co.uk

T

here is an air of pessimism around at the moment which is proving hard to shift. It mostly centres around the mind-numbingly repetitive question of when the Fed (the US version of the Bank of England) is going to raise interest rates. A bit like the worst version of Bridezilla, if we keep on and on talking about it, when it actually happens it is likely to be a massive anti-climax the day after the event. What next? It will start all over again when the next time beckons for a serial divorcee Bridezilla. In our case, we know a rate rise is coming, but what will the effects be?

Or do we know a rate rise is coming at all?

Janet Yellen (the Fed Chair) may yet be left at the altar for a number of reasons. And, like an ill-suited couple, should the rate rise occur

42

when the economy is wrongly positioned, the combination won’t last long before a split inevitably happens. We all know the rain is coming, but do we just need to take the washing in or lay out the sandbags in defence of something more meaningful?

Why Would You Raise Rates?

So what are the reasons for raising rates?

There are no obvious ones. If the only reason is so that there is something to cut if you need to, then we should probably be worried about the state of the global economy. If it is perceived that things are due to get worse, so much worse that an interest rate cut is the only solution, then we think it’s the sandbags that need readying.

It may be a fit of pique that the markets

appear to be in control rather than the central bank policymakers. If this is the case, we should be prepared for the markets to be demanding new central bank policymakers before too long.

It certainly cannot be to slow an overheating economy. Every forward indicator is flashing amber, at least, as the economy is doing a damned good job at slowing itself down, thank you very much. How many companies are shouting about taking on large numbers of new staff? None that we can think of.

Another key reason for raising rates is to keep a lid on inflation. We’re living in inflationary times. You’re kidding, right? After seven years of constant and extraordinary monetary easing pretty well across the

INVESTMENTS main determinants of inflation – this is clear to see – and we expect the former to remain low and possibly go lower while we can’t see the latter putting upward pressure on the rate of inflation any time soon, especially against the backdrop of a slowing economy.

So any rate rise that does occur will, in our opinion, become viewed fairly quickly as a policy error, and so we hope that it does not happen. Add to this the almost inevitable effect of a consequential stronger Dollar (particularly if, as expected, the ECB and Bank of Japan – and probably the Bank of China too – trigger a further bout of QE themselves), which “will shave 45-90 basis points from annualised growth over the next two years” [BCA Research] and it is difficult to see any advantage to be gained by tightening. Remember, too, that a stronger Dollar will almost certainly mean more pain for the Emerging Markets, so we are avoiding any temptation to chase or anticipate a sustainable bounce in these for the foreseeable future.

Markets Want To Believe In Central Banks

globe, there has been absolutely no effect on inflationary expectations. In fact, it is quite the opposite. When QE first began, there was many an economic sage who predicted that printing money was going to lead us all into a re-run of life under the Weimar Republic or Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. To be fair, that was what the rule books told us would happen. We forget that most economists, and the theories that they espouse, exist to justify what has happened rather than to predict with any pinpoint accuracy what will happen. When events fail to pan out as expected, a fair bit of head scratching ensues.

“People React To What They See, Not To What They Are Told” Ben Bernanke said this at the BCA Conference in New York in September, and it is very true.

So we can be told as many times as we like that central banks can control inflation, but in reality the evidence is completely the contrary.

Why else would Japan still be striving for a 2% inflation target after years of pouring trillions of Yen into the system, and why did the Governor of the Bank Of England spend more time writing to the Chancellor about why he’d missed the inflation target than my late Dad spent writing to Points of View? The oil price and wages are the

In the absence of anything else, it is fair to say that markets (and individuals) want to believe that the central banks have some control over proceedings. It’s a bit like when, as a child, you wanted your parents to know everything and protect you from the Bogeyman.

There is a profound disappointment if it comes to light that this is not so. As with treating kids, rare and meaningful rewards are received with more enthusiasm and are a better behavioural tool than constant provision of nice things that turn your wide-eyed and wondrous offspring into spoiled brats. So it is with QE. After the first few times, the excitement starts to wane and the question of what else you can give us gets harder to answer. This is the state we seem to be approaching now.

The short-term hit has worn off. In Daniel Kahnemann’s book Thinking, Fast and Slow he identifies that the human brain has developed two separate and independent decision-making faculties: a fast, rapid-response, associative way of thinking and a slow, measured, analytical way of thinking. Markets have been displaying these tendencies, which goes some way to explaining the similarity in movement over the Summers of 2014 and 2015. The short-term response to QE, or the excitement of seeing rates kept on hold after it was expected that they would rise, was followed by a more studious analysis that identified that the only reason QE was launched or rates could not rise was because the economy was, in fact, in a worse place than was originally thought. Having then taken a few months

of steady realignment back to virtually the level that markets had risen from initially, the policymakers see cause to give us all a fillip in the form of further easing or lack of rate movement. This can only be repeated so many times before the markets become wary, distrustful and plain bored. The next fix is demanded. The trouble is, at the moment, no obvious fix exists.

But are things that bad? Not really. We’ve

“The Governor of the Bank Of England spends more time writing to the Chancellor about why he’d missed the inflation target than my late Dad spent writing to Points of View.”

been in worse places and economies have been in worse shape. It seems to us that we will continue to drift… if markets go up, they become too expensive for what they reflect, but having fallen because they’re too expensive, they then reach a level, particularly against the backdrop of sustainably low interest rates for cash, whereby they offer good value to investors and thus rise once more – until they get too expensive.

The main problem with this is that it cannot last for ever. At some point, markets will break out. We don’t know at this stage whether they will break out on the upside (let’s hope) or on the downside (let’s hope not). When they break out will depend upon a catalyst occurring, either negative or positive. At this moment it’s not clear what is the more likely. As a glasshalf-full type, let’s have faith in our central bankers to do the right thing for all of us. So, please don’t raise rates, Ms Yellen.

These are our views and are for professional use only

Skerritt Consultants, 8 Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0BE Tel: 020 3206 1066 Skerritt Consultants, Skerritt House, 23 Coleridge Street, Hove, BN3 5AB. Tel: 01273 204 999.

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Our Philosophy At Skerritts we realise that everyone faces risks in the future and that our client’s long-term financial security is very important.

In particular we recognise that an individual will, in almost all circumstances, want to make provision to protect their family from financial liabilities in the unfortunate event of their death. Furthermore we believe that it is important to consider the long-term financial implications in the event that an individual suffers from a serious illness in the future.

At Skerritts we have extensive experience of reviewing and establishing protection arrangements. Our advisers, researchers and administrators regularly review and implement the following types of protection arrangements on a regular basis for individuals: Due to the fact that Skerritt Consultants Ltd are Independent Financial Advisers, we are able to review protection products across the whole of the market place.

We are therefore able to provide an impartial service which is tailored towards our clients specific requirements and circumstances.

Call us to see if we can start something together.

FRAUD PREVENTION

FRAUD PREVENTION

Ian Patterson Area Director, South East, SME Banking E: ian.patterson2@lloydsbanking.com

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ith fraud being such a dominant subject within the business community, Lloyds Bank recently held a Fraud Awareness seminar at the Effingham Park Hotel in Crawley to offer corporate clients some first hand advice on how to protect the company from fraud and advice to the employees on what to look out for. It was incredibly useful and quite sobering.

Ian Patterson, Area Director of SME banking with Lloyds, opened the event with some alarming statistics and the re-enacted actual phone conversation of a company being defrauded with alarming ease. These fraudsters are becoming ever more professional and convincing and many such phishing fraudsters have been recruited from the call centre industry and often know exactly which buttons to press.

Some highlights that should be considered immediately within your company: • Limit access to on-line banking to the smallest team possible and change passwords regularly.

• Establish a double sign off process for all payments over a certain amount as a problem shared is a problem halved.

• Establish with staff that only attachments from trusted sources should be opened.

Further, access such attachments on a screen not attached to the mainframe

therefore restricting possible infection.

• Always insist on calling the bank on your regular number, and from a separate line, to verify any suspected phishing calls.

• No bank will ever send an email, text or a website link asking you to enter your Internet banking or card details.

• Don’t use a link in an unexpected or suspicious email to access any webpage. Type the website address into the browser’s search bar. Banks will never link from an email directly through to your Internet Banking log on page.

• Phishing emails are often sent as spam mailings pretending to come from your bank, tax authority, eBay, PayPal or webmail accounts.

The alarming phishing call replayed, detailed an employee being panicked by a

caller purporting to be a bank official stating that there had been suspicious payments made from the company account and if they were quick, they could stop the money leaving the account. Did the caller know the MD was on vacation from his Facebook page, as suggested? With that in mind, she panicked and passed over the information requested to the frighteningly plausible chap, for the good of the company. The account was cleaned out and on the basis that she gave the information willingly, banks are not obliged to refund the money. In this instance, Lloyds went to great trouble to track down the money and managed to recoup most of it. Nevertheless, it caused the company to lose two weeks of trading and the employee in question, one of the worst weeks of her life.

Lloyds bank statement: Lloyds guarantee to refund your money in the unlikely event you experience fraud with our Internet Banking service - as long as you’ve been careful, for example, by taking reasonable steps to keep your security information safe. We protect you with safeguards that meet Industry Standards.

• Keep your password secure and do not let anyone else make use of your security details,even if they share a joint account with you.

• Do not let anyone watch you enter your security details and log off after each Online Banking session.

• Carry out regular virus checks on your devices and have the latest operating system and web browser installed.

45

BUSINESS FORECASTING

THE TECTONIC PLATES OF BUSINESS ARE SHIFTING

Clive Stevens, Executive Chairman at Kreston Reeves, looks at how the future will create both threats and opportunities for business in the South East. www.krestonreeves.com 0330 124 1399

A

s the UK economy emerges from recession we have been involved in advising and helping local businesses

with their strategic plans for the next few

business journalist Trevor Sturgess. Richard

business plan you develop. Recent work has

and Trevor spoke about the future challenges

seen us consider the impact of globalisation,

they see facing UK business.

digitalisation and social trends for our clients.

Our strategic planning processes include

Globalisation

years. As part of these exercises, we encourage

working with our clients to consider the

business leaders to plan for the inevitable

upcoming political, economic, social,

economic and societal changes we see around

technological, legal and environmental

Kreston International, we are seeing a dramatic

the corner.

(PESTLE) changes. The scale of predicted

increase in the globalisation of businesses of

change means it is increasingly important to

all sizes. Clients ask us to source overseas

series of “Tomorrow’s Business” forums

undertake a PESTLE analysis for your business

advice on a continuing basis and help with

throughout London and the South East,

to really understand the potential threats and

foreign direct investment into the UK.

featuring Professor Richard Scase, one of

opportunities you may face over the next few

the UK’s leading business forecasters, and

years: it provides the basis for any strategic

Part of our work has included hosting a

46

Through our extensive overseas network,

It is clear that, although globalisation is opening up business opportunities, it has a

BUSINESS FORECASTING

“The Chinese no longer have surplus rural labour to fill the factories in coastal cities. UK manufacturers are therefore reassessing the benefits of overseas sub-contractor production.”

The global service hub

human cost and makes the UK vulnerable to

increasing wealth divide between the many

future economic and social trends. Speaking at

and the few. Social security, pension and

“Tomorrow’s Business”, Professor Scase said

tax policies will inevitably be used to limit

East is perfectly placed to offer specialist

that “while the manufacturing shift to China

increasing wealth differentials. Businesses will

services such as finance, insurance, education,

reduced the cost of manufactured goods in the

bear increased pension costs for their workers

media, digital services and high-value

shops, we have paid a huge price in other ways.

as the government seeks to limit its exposure

manufacturing internationally. These services

Allowing China and the Far East to capture so

to a spiralling pension bill. We are already

are in demand across Europe, the USA and the

much manufacturing has badly damaged the

seeing these changes emerge with both auto-

developing economies of China, India, Africa

sector in the UK and the US, causing human

enrolment for businesses and limits on pension

and Asia. We are seeing our clients reaching

and economic cost to communities as factories

tax relief for high earners.

out to markets in these areas - and winning

closed and workers lost their jobs”.

Professor Scase gave a word of caution on the UK’s focus on the knowledge economy – for example, media and the creative industries – at the expense of manufacturing. This contrasts with the choices made elsewhere, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia, where there has been greater investment in high-technology manufacturing.

That said, understanding the opportunity and threat of globalisation will be key for all businesses in the South East. Even small businesses are venturing into overseas markets, so they are also now part of global supply chains affected by world markets.

We are also seeing a revival of high-tech manufacturing throughout the South East based on entrepreneurial inventiveness and investment in technological knowhow.

Social trends As wages have increased in China and its one-child family planning policy creates an ageing population – although this policy is changing – the Chinese no longer have surplus rural labour to fill the factories in coastal cities.

UK manufacturers are therefore reassessing the benefits of overseas sub-contractor production.

However, while we have seen some manufacturing return to our shores, the overall effect has been to widen the UK North-South

Next year businesses will also face the

orders.

National Living Wage increases. This will hit

There are now more opportunities for South

some organisations hard with higher labour

Eastern manufacturers than 10 years ago: the

costs and - we believe - drive a demand for

cost differential is reducing.

greater automation and efficiency.

A new world disorder

The global/digital combination has broken down divisions between home and work. We now have a proliferation of self-employed, subcontractors and full-time employees working from home and dealing with clients across the world.

Many mid-cap businesses will be operating in this ‘new world’. This is to say nothing of the changing work attitudes of the ‘millennials’,

Professor Scase summed up our ”Tomorrow’s Business” forums by pointing to a ‘new world disorder’ triggered by the China downturn, digital ‘democracy’, global political uncertainty, changes in energy and commodity prices and population migrations.

As with all trends, events and crises, these will inevitably create opportunities for enterprises and entrepreneurs who

young people with new work aspirations and

stay ahead of the game. A world of greater

expectations.

risk and uncertainty reinforces the need for

Digitalisation

brainstorming and strategic planning.

Digitalisation is becoming a key driver

Our strategic planning and profit

in economic efficiency for business.

improvement processes can help boards steer

Professor Richard Scase stressed the

their businesses through the uncertainties

impact of destructive technologies and how in the future these will destroy knowledgebased professional businesses and the pharmaceutical industries will be transformed as a result of DNA - driven medical treatments.

Whether it is increasing computing power, mobile communications and telephony, 3D printing or robotics - our world is changing fast.

The combination of globalisation,

divide. London now accounts for a third of

digitalisation and changing employee

national GDP and has become a global service

demographics is totally transforming the

hub. This has made the UK more vulnerable

business landscape. Large and small firms now

to competition because human capital is more

cooperate and compete on a more level playing

mobile and can more easily be displaced by

field. Digital businesses need hardly any capital

talent elsewhere.

for start-up, creating greater opportunities for

There is huge media concern about the

With the benefits of our time zone the South

of today’s world. We are excited by the opportunities offered by these future trends and would be delighted to engage with you in your planning for this new world disorder.

Clive Stevens, Executive Chairman at Kreston Reeves, welcomes comments about any issues raised by this article. Kreston Reeves is a member of Kreston International, a worldwide network of independent accounting firms.

entrepreneurs.

47

PLATINUM STYLE

style PLATINUM

DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION….

It’s undoubtedly the most social time of the year. Sparkling occasions abound - Christmas drinks, office parties, New Year’s Eve - it’s enough to make anyone have a wardrobe crisis! Whether Samantha Wilding Tel: 07833 084864 Email: Samantha@styleandgrace.eu Website: www.styleandgrace.eu Twitter: @alwayschicUK

planning a special date, heading out for

Gentlemen – even if it’s a casual occasion, you still want to look like you made an effort, don’t you? A pair of dark wash jeans and a simple shirt worn with a v-neck jumper is a good starting point. Add some ‘oomph’ by topping it off with a black leather jacket or

cocktails or hosting a soiree at home,

contrasting blazer (in wool or tweed). For

everyone wants to make an impression.

evening, keep the colour palette neutral – think

Dressing up is becoming increasingly

black, grey and navy – it will be more than

rare in our casual 21st century world,

48

Look like you made an effort

appropriate and inject a bit of elegance.

For a more formal do, wear a suit, but don’t

but nothing beats it for injecting some

make it look like one. What do I mean by that?

glamour into a gathering. Read on to find

Well, lose the tie, for starters, and unbutton

out how….

your top button. You will still look sharp

PLATINUM STYLE Where to find it: www.austinreed.co.uk www.jigsaw-online.com www.reiss.co.uk www.johnlewis.com www.mrporter.com https://www.jcrew.com/uk/index.jsp www.marksandspencer.com www.wolford.com www.spacenk.co.uk www.maccosmetics.com

and plain trousers. If you’re going to buy a full

new and vintage will create a look that is

dinner suit, look to Austin Reed, Reiss and of

uniquely yours. Seek out smaller boutiques for

course, Moss Bros. For velvet jackets, take a

a more individual look (see box)

look at John Lewis.

Achieve effortless elegance Ladies, there are so many interesting textures to add a touch of the extraordinary

Think beyond black: navy, for example, is chic and looks less harsh. Claret and teal are also beautiful tones that suit most skin tones …And beyond the dress: jumpsuits are, quite

to your outfit - sequins, faux fur, lace and of

literally, a ‘one piece wonder’, creating a long

course, leather. A sequinned skirt or leather

fluid silhouette. Reiss have some very elegant

trousers worn with a cashmere jumper is a funky alternative for dinner or drinks. Leopard print and faux fur are also abundant this

jumpsuits in a variety of styles Think about the finishing touches to add polish. Get your makeup applied professionally

(assuming your shirt and suit fit well) but less

year, but keep these limited to one element to

like you’re heading to the office. A suit with

avoid any Bet Lynch connotations. If you’re

some pattern or texture (grey check or tweed,

heading out straight from the office, a simple

experiment with a brand new look, however –

for example) will also be more interesting,

black dress with worn with boots for day are

you may not like it, and you want to look like

especially if you add a pocket square.

transformed by adding heels, jewellery and a

you!

Stepping up the formality a bit, a dark grey or navy suit will take you almost anywhere, particularly when worn with a classic French cuff shirt fastened with cufflinks (every man

sleek clutch.

Here are my top tips for achieving effortless elegance this festive season: The basics matter: Well-fitting and

should have at least one in their repertoire).

supportive underwear are the foundation

Oh, and worn with a tie, of course. For sharp

of your look – get this right and the rest

tailoring options on the high street, try Jigsaw

will follow. If your outfit calls for tights or

Menswear, Reiss, J Crew or even M&S. Or seek

stockings, seek out Wolford. Their colours,

inspiration from men’s clothing and lifestyle

patterns and quality are unrivalled

website Mr Porter.

For black tie events, choose a dinner suit in

Be prepared: Nothing is more panic-inducing than discovering your dress has a broken

black or midnight blue (the Duke of Windsor’s

zipper or you don’t have the right shoes. Try

favourite) in wool. A velvet jacket in navy or

everything on at least a week in advance, giving

bottle green is also very contemporary, and

you time to get any last minute dry cleaning

can be worn with (or without) a richly coloured

done or to fill any gaps

patterned tie (not a bowtie), pocket square

Mix it up: Mixing high street and designer,

at Space NK or Mac. This is not the time to

Remember, if you are unsure of the dress code for a particular event, check with your host. It is so much better to ask than to risk embarrassment. Whatever you choose to wear, do so with confidence and a smile– nothing says elegance quite like it.

Sussex boutiques (womenswear): Doodie Stark, Lindfield Lounge, Lewes Nola, Brighton Sirene, Brighton Sloanes, Petworth Tribeca, Brighton Walk in Wardrobe, Hove

49

BUSINESS SCENE

BRITAIN AT ITS BEST A local children’s charity benefitted from a sporting lunch held at the Hilton London Gatwick Airport hotel in November.

T

he Gatwick ‘Best of British’ charity sporting lunch welcomed over 240 guests from businesses across Sussex, digging deep to raise over £12,000 for the charity Rockinghorse, who aim to make life better for sick babies and children in Sussex.

Guests were in good company with special guest speaker, former England rugby international, Gareth Chilcott, who entertained the room with stories from his career as part of a Rugby World Cup 2015 special. The event raised £12,020 for Rockinghorse through a series of fundraising initiatives held throughout the day, including an auction with exclusive sporting memorabilia and a raffle.

Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (the Alex) and a vital support of the Trevor Mann Baby Unit (TMBU) in Brighton and its sister site, the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in Haywards Heath. The charity raises money for lifesaving and cutting-edge medical equipment, whilst ensuring that children are treated in an environment better suited for their needs.

All funds raised from last week’s Gatwick ‘Best of British’ event will be donated to SCBU, which is based within the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath. The money will be used to purchase a cardiac monitor for highly dependent babies and those in need of emergency care.

Ryan Heal, CEO of Rockinghorse, says: “As our supporters prove year after year, their contribution makes a direct, life-changing impact on the sick children of Sussex, and for that we are incredibly grateful. Thank you to all our guests who gave so generously, enabling us to purchase this vital piece of equipment.”

The next Brighton ‘Best of British’ charity sporting lunch will take place at The Grand hotel in Brighton on Friday 3 June, 2016 and will welcome 1966 World Cup winning goalkeeper, Gordon Banks OBE.

50

The Rockinghorse team

Sponsors Mayo Wynne Baxter

Gareth Chilcott and the Hilton London Gatwick Airport hotel table

BUSINESS SCENE

Gareth Chilcott, Ryan Heal and Aaron James

Gareth Chilcott with Maarten Homann & Ian Trevett from Platinum - Rockinghorse Media Sponsors.

Signed Rubgy Union shirt

Gareth Chilcott signs his canvas for Grant Ashley

Signed SCCC cricket bat

England football shirt auction lot

Gatwick Best of British

Best of British volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group

Tim Cobb, Gareth Chilcott and James Dempster

Neil Laughton and Ryan Heal

Gareth Chilcott and Grant Ashley

51

TRAVEL

GLOBAL TRAVEL MANAGEMENT

B

ack in the day, companies wanting to send their management team on a sales or team building trip, would ask

the company PA to plan the trip. Having little

skills and knowledge to ensure that all such trips go seamlessly, and at the best price available.

Voted by airlines and related travel industry

bespoke service and pioneering initiatives.

With its head office in Woking, Surrey, and a further office in South Africa, it has steadily grown its broad range of loyal clients, that vary

practical experience, this led to many a famous

companies as Advantage Corporate Member

from large international FTSE-100s to small

cock up with the sales team sitting in Timbuktu

of the Year 2015, Global Travel Management

businesses and start-ups.

airport when they should have been in Chicago.

is the leading company in their field and was

That was long ago before specialist

In the last 18 months it has continued to

founded in 1997 by Scott and Natalie Pawley. It

build its portfolio with the acquisition of a North

companies arrived that would take all that head

has become a standard bearer within the travel

West London travel management company

ache away and utilise their highly specialist

industry, keeping ahead of the curve through its

(TMC), Stanmore Business Travel, and NK Jets,

52

TRAVEL of their clients shy away from

a private charter aircraft service, now relaunched under the brand Global Travel Jets.

The acquisitions clearly indicate that the company is on target to meet growth plans set out by MD Scott Pawley, highlighted when GTM was

making credit card payments and

“The reason so many clients choose us over bigger companies is because GTM specialises in bespoke personal service.”

ensuing cash flow problems may result in the closure of many old school TMCs. Companies such as GTM prefer clients to use credit cards

chosen as a finalist in the 2015 Toast

but it still has the challenge of

of Surrey Business Awards.

Fully licensed by ABTA, ATOL, IATA, and an accredited Investors in People enterprise, it stands out as an industry and

despite the fall in oil prices, are still expected to reflect hikes in fares and hotel costs.

Scott says: “We believe that the biggest

persuading all its clients to do so and to shed the misconception that payment by credit card would be a burden should anything go wrong.

business leader. Even through the recession it

hit on prices is likely to be in the Asia-Pacific

more than doubled its turnover from £10.3m in

area where more and more businesses are

2007 to £23m in 2014, achieving a substantial

continuing to invest a considerable amount of

bigger companies is because GTM specialises

profit increase for the same period.

time and money. So business travellers are

in bespoke personal service.”

In his role as Chairman of the Focus Partnership Tech Panel, Scott continues

likely to see that reflected in their travel costs.”

The reason so many clients choose us over

GTM has built a solid reputation for reliability,

However, the challenge that he feels will

efficiency and a service that is second to

to reinvent his sector with a number of

have the biggest impact on UK TMCs is the decision by airlines to change payment

none and that is why their 350 corporate

technology-based initiatives that he has shared with his peers. Focus, as a group, has become

regulations. Agents will be required to make

a forward thinking network of 69 TMCs with a

their payments to airlines twice instead of

combined turnover of over half a billion pounds.

once a month. “This is the industry’s biggest

The GTM App was one of the industry-leading

challenge to date, possibly leading to the

clients rely on them for every element of their travel needs, be it airlines, rail, conference reservations, hotels, visa requirements, ground transportation and much more. This will be why

products GTM piloted for Focus providing a

closure of a number of the smaller companies,”

they have won a host of prestigious awards and

bespoke client app that supports the work of

says Scott.

more and more companies are turning to GTM

the company’s team of specialists.

Global Travel Management also works

The credit card shake up is expected to hit the smaller companies the hardest as many

for their one stop shop approach to business travel.

with clients to maximise their travel strategy, which includes the option to develop and provide bespoke corporate travel websites with management reports, that offer an online suite of reports analysing company travel expenditure as well as an option to upload and maintain personal travel profiles and analyse the impact of travel on the environment.

“Year on year GTM has surpassed its annual targets, achieving a steady growth over the last 18 years. The developments over the last year have been particularly exciting for us,” says Scott.

“I attribute such success to our high quality customer service with clients and suppliers alike based on our in-depth knowledge of the industry. Our human-to-human approach is what they value most – it’s also the way we work and value each other as a team.”

This said, the Business Travel Management industry as a whole is taking a cautious approach to the year ahead despite an easing of global economic tensions. Corporates are looking to TMCs to achieve savings in travel in the face of rising business travel costs that,

Global Travel Management Kingsway House, 123-125 Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6LR T: 01483 747321 • W: www.g-t-m.co.uk • M: reservations@g-t-m.co.uk 53

LEGAL ADVICE

D.I.V.O.R.C.E.: Nothing to declare?

disclosure, the Court has the power at a later

by Wendy Ryle Burt Brill & Cardens W: www.bbc-law.co.uk T: 01273 604123

date, to set aside an Order or Agreement based on the fraud or lack of the material information.

So what is the problem?

When a couple are heading for divorce or separation, this can bring out the worst in some people. Emotions are running high and both spouses are facing the uncertainty

T

of a complete change in their personal

his month I am dealing with the issue of financial disclosure when a couple divorce or separate. This has been in

the news recently with the Supreme Court’s rulings in two cases which were heralded as a victory for wives over husbands who attempt to conceal the truth relating to their finances.

The basics It is a fundamental requirement when a couple deal with the finances on divorce or separation that both owe a duty of “full and frank disclosure” to their spouse and the Court.

This means that they must be entirely open about all aspects of their finances: namely, income, property, other capital assets, pensions and any changes which are reasonably

circumstances. This can result in either or both partners feeling defensive and wanting to protect their assets or income. This is

“Mr Sharland’s valuer said they were worth between £6.7 million and £8.08 million.

The wife’s valuer assessed the value at between £22.24 million and £31.9 million.”

especially the case if they feel aggrieved at the prospect of their “other half” recovering or sharing in “their” income or assets. This could relate to an inheritance or gift from a family member, a business which one of the spouses has built up or the prospect of an improvement in their finances in the future which they do not wish to share.

The law states that a fair outcome is to be reached when dealing with finances and so it must be a case of “cards up on the table” for fairness to be achieved.

The question of the concealment of assets

foreseeable. Judges are keen to stress the

or income or misrepresentation of assets

importance of this duty. It is established law

or income arises frequently in my work.

that where there is fraud or material non-

The Supreme Court rulings are welcome for

54

LEGAL ADVICE

“It is a fundamental requirement when a couple deal with the finances on divorce or separation that both owe a duty of “full and frank disclosure” reinforcing the need for complete honesty.

Mr Sharland’s valuer said they were worth

had been agreed and approved by the Court

However, to refer a case back to the Court after

between £6.7 million and £8.08 million. The

after financial proceedings had been heard.

it has been disposed of, one must establish that

wife’s valuer assessed the value at between

The wife had concerns about the husband’s

there has been dishonesty or fraud or that this

£22.24 million and £31.9 million. There was

disclosure at that time. She required a note to

is highly likely. This can be very difficult.

also an issue as to when the shares might

be included in the Order that she considered

be realised. Mr Sharland said that this was

that her husband had not provided full and

set aside an Order has often been produced by

unlikely for 3, 5 or 7 years from the time of the

frank disclosure of his financial circumstances

the ‘innocent’ party being able to rely on “self-

hearing. At one stage he said, “There is nothing

and she was compromising her claims to

help” – finding documents or other records, e.g.

on the cards today”.

achieve finality. In 2007, Mrs Gohil applied to

In the past, the evidence for an application to

on a computer, to prove that their spouse has

the Court for the Order to be set aside. Those

not provided a full picture of their finances or

proceedings progressed slowly because in

been dishonest in some other way.

2008, Mr Gohil was prosecuted for offences

By a Court of Appeal decision in 2010, in a case when the wife’s brother had downloaded the husband’s financial records from a shared computer network, the Court ruled that this was a breach of the husband’s right to confidentiality. Therefore, the information obtained was inadmissible evidence. This decision has been unhelpful to clients who

“When a couple are heading for divorce or separation, this can bring out the worst in some people.”

of money-laundering to a value of about £25 million. The criminal proceedings were eventually dealt with and in 2011 Mr Gohil was sentenced to prison for a total of ten years.

The Judge in the ongoing family proceedings required the Crown Prosecution Service to provide evidence from the money-laundering proceedings. It was the contention of the CPS

have suspicions about the financial information

that Mr Gohil had realisable assets of £35

given (or not given) by their spouse. The Court

million. By reason of this and other evidence,

of Appeal said that where appropriate, freezing or search orders could be obtained but this can be problematic without compelling evidence of dishonesty and is a costly process. The Court also said that it is usually able to identify dishonest disclosure. However, this then requires a case to be brought which may be fraught with uncertainty and be expensive and stressful.

It is therefore much better to know that a case is being dealt with by reference to all the relevant financial information and that there is no risk of non-disclosure. I fear we will never reach this ideal but the recent Supreme Court decisions make it clear that dishonesty and non- disclosure will not be tolerated by the Courts.

So what did the Supreme Court say in the recent cases?

The Supreme Court dealt with the cases of Mrs Sharland and Mrs Gohill.

Mrs Sharland was the ex-wife of Charles

including testament by Mr Gohil’s father Prior to the Judge making a decision, an

against his son, the Court said Mr Gohil had

agreement was reached on the basis that Mrs

been dishonest in his financial disclosure in

Sharland would receive 30% of the net proceeds

2004 and set aside that order. Again, the case

of sale from the shares and certain other

was sent back to the High Court for rehearing.

assets. Before the agreement could be formally approved by the Court, reports appeared in the press that AppSense was being actively prepared for public flotation. On the predicted sale price, the husband’s shares were estimated to be worth ten times as much as his valuer had calculated. Mrs Sharland therefore asked the Court not to seal the proposed Order. The Court decided to do so because it felt the agreement should be upheld and there was still uncertainty as to when the flotation would take place. The Court of Appeal upheld this decision. It was ultimately the Supreme Court who found that Mr Sharland’s misrepresentation and nondisclosure as to the plans for the company were highly material. They said that they had coloured both valuers’ approach to the valuation of the shares and the wife’s approach to the terms

Sharland, an IT “whizz” and co-founder of

on which she would settle the case. The Order

AppSense. During the first part of the contested

recording the agreed terms was therefore set

financial hearing, there was a considerable

aside and the matter has been sent back to the

difference in the evidence provided by the

High Court for a rehearing.

experts instructed by each party as to the value of Mr Sharland’s shares in AppSense.

So what can we learn about financial disclosure in divorce and separation cases?

The recent decisions in the Sharland and Gohil cases have made it absolutely clear that the Courts will not tolerate dishonesty. Spouses who do not provide full and frank financial information are at risk of having orders and agreements re-opened and set aside at a later date. The moral is clear: “liar beware”……and it is right that I add that all that I have stated about dishonesty and non-disclosure applies equally to wives as to husbands!

If you or someone you know is facing a divorce or separation or dealing with other family law issues, please contact Wendy at wryle@bbclaw.co.uk or on 01273 604123, mentioning the Platinum Club Magazine, and she will be able to provide free initial advice.

In Mrs Gohil’s case, the financial proceedings had been concluded in 2004 on terms which

55

CASE STUDY

LITTLE DONKEY CharityLine specialises in helping charities maximise their income so they can concentrate making a difference to the good causes they are passionate about. With the season of nativity plays almost upon us, it is the ideal time to focus on a Haywards Heath based charity that rescues donkeys in the Holy Land. It is a charity that touches a nerve for all animal-lovers. Ian Trevett talks to Wendy Ahl, Sarah Webster and Melanie Thorpe from the charity and CharityLine’s Stuart Sutherland.

I

f there’s ever a charity that follows the Ronseal marketing philosophy, it is this one. Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land... It does what it says on the tin!

It was born out of a typical British love of animals and shock at their

mistreatment. It was founded in 2000 by a volunteer at an animal shelter in Jerusalem who became aware of the many hundreds of sick, unwanted and abused donkeys in the region.

Wendy Ahl, the current chief executive explains, “We’re the only charity helping donkeys in Israel and Palestine and we help working and abandoned donkeys. By helping donkeys we’re also helping the people who rely on them because otherwise the people just couldn’t manage without them.”

The scale of the problem is quite horrific, as Sarah Webster explains, “When houses are built in Israel and Palestine they are up on the hills and the working donkeys are used to transport all the sand and materials. They literally just walk up and down constantly all day, carrying up these great big sacks of sand. The average working donkey only lives until they’re 10 because of the extent of their work and the labour they have to do. Normally a donkey might live up to 40. You can see the dip in their backs where the weights push down. So it’s very, very sad, especially as their owners often forget to give them water and food to keep them going.

“When their donkeys aren’t useful for them any longer, they just leave them, abandoned at the side of the road. You find them in some pretty poor conditions - one had actually been set on fire.

“Some boys poured some petrol on the back of his back and then set light to him. He has to have a big thick layer of Sudocrem over his back every day, but he is so friendly, that he’s now the meet and greet donkey for the sanctuary, which has almost 250 donkeys. Each time a donkey comes to us in a distressed state, Burnie comforts them and makes them feel comfortable.

“We all love and dote on our pets so much here and as a nation we’re very much animal people. It’s difficult to get your head round the fact that people just abuse and abandon them and don’t care.”

56

CASE STUDY “When the donkeys give birth it stops the mothers from working,” adds Melanie Thorpe, “so they just tie the young donkeys by the side of the road and leave them to die.”

As if their job wasn’t hard enough, there is the small matter of Middle East politics. The charity runs a 4-acre donkey sanctuary near the Israeli town of Netanya and a clinic in the Palestinian town of Qalqilya. It doesn’t take an avid expert in diplomacy to realise that this has its own difficulties. But the poor treatment of donkeys transgresses the divide between the two communities - the neglect on both sides is often shameful. Ultimately, it all comes down to education in the rural areas.

“We have schools coming to our sanctuary as you need to break the cycle,” says Sarah.

an A4 donation form. Along with legacies and

“If a child sees their dad not looking after

nothing you can do. You could possibly go to the

direct debits/standing orders it is one of main

the donkeys then it continues. If you train a

bank and ask for a trace to be put on it. But I

revenue sources.”

don’t know what they’d charge to trace that or

10-year-old to look after the donkey, to feed

Another initiative instigated by CharityLine

whether they’d even be willing or able to.

it, to brush it, to make sure the basic care is

was to update payment methods. “A key move

covered, then it just makes life much easier. So

was introducing direct debit,” says Stuart. “We

we have schools come in and we show them

payment methods because that just prompts

were trialling it and we sat down with Wendy

how to look after the donkeys.”

them to make a buying decision of, “Do I want to

and she was really receptive to helping us roll

carry on supporting the charity?” So generally

it out.

we say if they’re there, leave them alone. But if

The work of the charity is admirable, but the costs of running the sanctuary and the daunting veterinary bills are always a challenge. Which is where CharityLine come in.

“At first we got involved to help with mailing and data cleaning,” says Stuart Sutherland, “but before long we were helping with the design and print of marketing materials, and then we started to print the newsletter.”

“We always had a newsletter,” recalls Melanie, “but it changed so much when CharityLine took over. We used to have a little

“Having a well-designed, professional newsletter was a fantastic investment. ” “I think we were a bit surprised when we

A5 leaflet, which looked old-fashioned.”

saw the previous data and realised that some

Having a well-designed, professional

were anonymous donations. Money turned up

newsletter was a fantastic investment. Wendy

every month, we didn’t know where it came

agrees: “I’d say we’ve probably raised £100,000

from, which meant you had no contact to even

a year from our newsletters, so it’s huge.

say thank you.

Each letter has a donation slip; it’s normally

“With standing orders there’s literally

“We don’t tend to encourage people to move

a donor phones up and says, “I want to increase my payment,” then you can suggest they go on direct debit. Once it’s set up as a direct debit, the person can phone up and say: “Can you suspend it this month or can you increase it or reduce it,” and you’ve got the power to log in and do so.

“Often with a standing order there is an expiry date and then it runs out. With debit cards, they tend to expire after about four or five years, which means that at some point over the next four years every single one of those payments is going to expire.

“With direct debit it’s in your control. For instance, the adoption packs are a one-off lump sum of £24 but if it was a direct debit of perhaps £5 a month, suddenly you’ve doubled the donation.”

Introducing direct debits has undoubtedly helped with fundraising, but Wendy is looking for more revenue sources: “We desperately need to businesses to choose us as their charity for the year and then for them to run events with us – which is something Safe Haven hasn’t done to date.

We can support them as much as they need. If they can start running events for the charity, that would be amazing. If you are reading this, please get in touch as your help would be really appreciated.”

http://www.safehaven4donkeys.org/ fundraising/make-a-donation/ Tel: 01444 831177 www.charityline.org.uk

57

ANGER MANAGEMENT

ANGER MANAGEMENT Utterly failed by Maarten Hoffmann

THE CHINESE TAKEAWAY I

that we do not fully understand and that rarely

the mantle to the Chinese who are producing

integrate, partake of habits that we might find

said steel by building coal fired power stations

appalling, a religion we find confusing and a

faster than we can blow them up. China is

migrant crisis where only now are the leaders

global outlook that we think we understand but

building a new coal fired power station at the

of the EU waking up to and trying to deal with

nothing could be further from the truth.

rate of one per week! And globally, China plan

believe that the UK, and the rest of Europe, is walking into a future drama that has yet to be fully recognised. One might compare it to the

it. To little too late and we should expect more from our ‘leaders’.

China is buying up the world and putting

Yet, we are prepared to sell them the family jewels at a rate of knots that is terrifying.

Due to the green lobby that, to be frank, have

to build a further 1,000 coal-fired plants in the next 5 years by entering into deals with third world countries and offering them cheaper power - for now.

themselves into such a dominant position in

absolutely no bloody idea what they are talking

every area, that we should wake up and smell

about most of the time, we are blowing up coal

the roses.

fired power stations right left and centre but

Zimbabwe’s butcher Robert Mugabe, so it is

I think we all share the same abhorrence of

cannot afford to replace them. The answer: roll

good to see the Chinese government took all

in many ways, like us. We share common goals,

out the carpet for the Chinese government and

the West’s documentation about his human

share common worries and fears and, in the

have them come and build them for us. Our

rights record to heart. On the very day that

main, get along. Russia is having a fit of muscle

nuclear industry is now owned by the Chinese

President Xi shared a pint with David Cameron

flexing but essentially we understand Russians.

who will be producing electricity at a price that

in some Buckinghamshire hostelry last month,

India is waking up and starting to roar, but we

no one will be able to afford. Meanwhile, we

China awarded Mugabe their equivalent of

have much in common with the Indians and

destroy our steel industry by forcing them to

there is great empathy between our people.

pay huge green taxes, also meant to discourage

But China is a race apart. They are a people

the use of wicked coal, and therefore pass

The vast majority of races on the planet are,

the Nobel Peace Prize, the Confucius Peace Prize, for his ‘quest for global harmony and the decent and democratic treatment of his people’. Yup, that’s got the bloke down to a tee - astonishing that nobody has picked up on his success before now. But then they have history here as the last recipient was Fidel Castro for his success in human rights. But then, compared to China, they are indeed beacons of fair play.

Zimbabwe have considerable mineral deposits and China want them, so to hell with human rights. They have also identified Africa as a prime target and have been buying up vast tracts of land across the continent and raping it for all they are worth. Having just returned from Kenya and had this very conversation with many Kenyans, they despise them for their shocking treatment of the locals, their

58

ANGER MANAGEMENT

abject failure to even attempt to integrate and

shareholders, China’s state-owned enterprises

recently showing China’s foreign exchange

the environmental horror they leave behind

(SOE) enjoy massive state support, which

reserves jumped by a record $199bn in the

them when the raping is complete. The only

fosters growth and insulates them from

final three months of 2010 to an all-time

thing the Kenyans are grateful for is that they

competition. “What would the chairman of

high of $2.85 trillion, these global shopping

have cleared the streets of stray dogs, by

China’s largest bank do if the chairman of

excursions are set to become bigger and more

eating them all. They have made huge but quiet

PetroChina asked for a loan?” wrote Carl

frequent. They already own 21% of all US

Walter and Fraser Howie in their history of

treasury bonds and could bring the country

China’s markets, Red Capitalism. “He would

down if they sold in one hit. It also currently

say, ‘Thank you very much, how much, and for

owns substantial sovereign debt bonds in

how long?’” He’d probably do so from one of

Greece, Spain and Portugal.

investments across 34 African countries with $21bn in Nigeria, $15bn in Algeria and $10bn in Angola and they have set aside over $400bn for energy raping over the next 12 months.

They also own large chunks of Rio Tinto, Glencore, Standard Bank, BP, Morgan Stanley, IBM, Total, Munich Re, Peugeot, Volvo, Diageo, Ford, Barclays, Conoco Phillips, Thames Water

the extravagantly designed SOE headquarters,

There is nothing new in China buying the

many with foreign architects, that line two

assets and debts of countries and companies

major thoroughfares in Beijing. With data

around the world with the huge foreign

and GM. China is cash rich and for the past few decades the world has been sending virtually all manufacturing to their shores. Then they wait for the green lobby to shut down half to the developed worlds factories and then ‘rescue’ them will piles of cash, gaining large chucks of voting shares in the meantime. Much of their investment has gone into energy or mineral producing companies. Unlike the rest of us, the Chinese government ensure that the top 500 Chinese companies are all government owned, therefore controlled 100% by the state. Just imagine the lack of competition and creative freedom this creates compared to how the West runs their economies.

With the government as their largest

59

ANGER MANAGEMENT

currency reserves it accumulates by producing cheap goods that the rest of the world wants to buy.

But the speed with which these reserves have grown, as China’s economic juggernaut consistently outpaces every other economy, is enabling it to exert an ever tighter grip on global business, finance and, in turn, politics.

Gerard Lyons, chief economist and group head of global research at Standard Chartered, said: “The last decade could be characterised by the three words ‘made in China’. In this next decade, it will be ‘owned by China’.”

“In the last 18 months China has moved into a new phase whereby it has started getting quite vocal about the global economy and is really staking a claim to being a superpower,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at online foreign exchange trading company Forex.com. She dates China’s change in attitude to the moment when its foreign currency reserves breached the $2tn mark in July 2009.

David Cameron is happy to ingratiate himself with China. In November, he led the largest ever UK trade delegation to Beijing during which he set a goal for the country to nearly double its annual trade in goods and services with China from $52bn in 2009 to $100bn in 2015. Britain struck £2.6bn of deals with China this month, including a move to increase sales of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles to China; an announcement

by BP and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation on deepwater exploration in the South China Sea and a so-called framework deal between PetroChina and Britain’s Ineos to form refining joint ventures.

This all sounds splendid and flushes cash into UK reserves but l urge you to consider what some might say is a doomsday scenario.

We do not understand the Chinese mentality.

A recent combative streak amongst army Generals speaks to a profound shift in Chinese

60

politics and foreign policy that transcend the heat of the moment. The more provocative of these officers call for “short, sharp wars” to assert China’s sovereignty. Others urge Beijing to “strike first”, “prepare for conflict” or “kill a chicken to scare the monkeys”.

I repeat: we do not understand the Chinese mentality, thought process, long-term goals or their view of the world.

What if they decided to re-kindle their Empire, as the Russians have done in Ukraine, Crimea and Syria. There is little doubt they know the power they have. They could, within 48 hours, cripple the words economy, cause black-outs across half the globe, cut all digital transmission and grind the banking industry to a halt. If any country dare challenge them, with what l don’t know as without digital transmission 90% of the worlds armies would still be in barracks, they have 4.3 million

“kill a chicken to scare the monkeys” soldiers ready to go at any one time and 20 million a year coming of age. They have more tanks, ships, aircraft and land based nuclear assets than any other country and spend $145 billion a year on maintaining it. When they recently claimed the Diaoyu Islands from Japan, not a peep out of any Western country because we cannot afford to upset them. So China will take the islands, as Russian took Crimea, and we cannot afford to protest.

And that is the point. The West is bought and paid for. We will never ever stand up to China as there is too much to lose, ergo, they can, and most likely will, do anything they damn well please around the globe. This includes

decimating the Elephant, Tiger and Rhino populations; eating every Whale and Dolphin that still exists; burning more fossil fuel each year than the West consumes in a decade; abuse and imprison any protester; storm Tibet and slaughter any monk that dare resist; support despots such as Mugabe, Kim Jong-un, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Bashar al-Assad and Fidel Castro.

“There’s virtually no accountability for torturers in China,” Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, tells this magazine. Human Rights Watch issued its own report on the topic in May. In Amnesty’s report, Hunan lawyer Cai Ying detailed being held for 87 days in 2012, allegedly for suing a member of the country’s judicial system. He told Amnesty that he was questioned for at least 12 hours a day in a hanging chair.

Beijing-based human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng told Amnesty he was detained for 99 days after he supported pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2014. “My hands were swollen and I felt so much pain that I didn’t want to live,” he said. “I know from personal experience how widespread torture is in China’s current law-enforcement environment.”

But earlier this year, when the UN’s antitorture committee confronted China with Wensheng’s story within a broader list of issues, China denied that the lawyer had been “maltreated.” In the same response, government officials described the country’s detention practices as “a management approach”—rather than a violation of international law.

Human beings need a ‘management approach’? I don’t know if we should be terrified of China. Do you?

Direct Debit Processing Donor Development Campaign Planning Marketing Resources

www.charityline.org.uk

Call us on: 0800 368 9701 or email: info@charityline.org.uk

MAKING THE CASE FOR PR

By Joanne Rogers, Managing Director, Prowse & Co. www.prowse.co.uk

A

well thought-out and focused PR campaign offers many benefits.

However, like any form of sales

and marketing activity, PR needs planning.

Whilst some quick wins will be achieved, PR is best considered a medium-to-long term commitment.

Should your company invest in PR, and if so, what is the best approach to deliver a campaign? It is a myth that PR is only effective for big organisations with large budgets. The options may seem overwhelming and most companies certainly don’t have the resources to try every technique – but even the smallest

But, overall, you want people to remember your name when they are in need of your products or services and PR is an excellent way Customers will choose to buy your products and services based on your reputation.

The same applies to partners who may be associated with your firm. Public relations will help to build the reputation you want and to differentiate it from others to give your organisation a competitive edge.

With this in mind, the argument for doing more rather than less PR appears to be a ‘nobrainer’. When things become tight, people

targeted PR campaign. Moreover, it can be used

become far more selective about where they

at all stages of the business lifecycle.

choose to spend their money. In the battle

PR might be your primary marketing activity, or it may be one element of an integrated

for market share, you are going to have to communicate more, not less.

Money spent on PR is money well spent

marketing campaign which includes

when the message is focused, consistent and

advertising, direct mail and sponsorships.

measured.

Prowse & Co. combines strategic counsel with practical support to help you effectively communicate with your target audiences. If you would like to find out more about how PR might benefit your organisation, just give me a call on 01372 363386 or visit www.prowse.co.uk.

62

www.prowse.co.uk

in which to build your brand.

of firms can benefit from a focused and

Depending upon your specific circumstances,

Public Relations Marketing Events Research Economic Development

Why is PR important?

• It helps to further the strategic objectives of your organisation by ensuring the vision and values of the Board are communicated effectively to stakeholders.

• It is designed to influence behaviour and create a positive sales environment.

• It fosters relationships with key audiences including customers, prospects and partners.

• It minimises threats by spotting problems, or potential conflicts, early.

• It helps to build and safeguard a strong reputation, particularly important in markets where ethical trading is an issue.

• It helps to retain and attract talent to your team.

MOTORING

NEW METAL 1. FERRARI F12tdf With 770bhp and £400,000 - too late, they are all gone. Recession, what recession?

2. EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE Cute as a button for £47,000 but drop the roof off the RR Sport and then we have something.

3. MERCEDES AMG C63 COUPE A stonking soundtrack from the V8 turbo and only £61,000. Coming soon.

4. LAMBORGHINI HURACAN Back to rear wheel drive and away from quattro for plenty of tail sliding. 602bhp 5.2 litre V10.

5. PORSCHE TURBO New Carrera and Carrera S coming shortly at £86,000. The perennial 911 that refuses to die.

6. MERCEDES GLS A handsome facelift, go anywhere for £63,000 and a huge challenger to the Audi Q7.

7. AUDI Q7 e-tron 166mpg hybrid, silence is golden at £65,000, but still a humungous car.

8. HERITAGE DEFENDER The end of history but only 400 built so be fast with any price you can get it for.

9. LOTUS ELISE SPORT The sport moniker has not been used since the Esprit. £30,000

10. BMW 330e A hybrid 3 Series with remarkable stats and coming soon.

63

MOTORING

JAGUAR F TYPE AWD J

aguar have been breaking the mould fairly consistently over the past few years and roaring back to life. From their grand and powerful days, Jaguar slipped into the doldrums until the Indians came to the rescue, in the form of Tata Industries. They now present a range of extremely good cars, full of character, style and speed.

If you read this column on a regular basis, you will know that l have rekindled my love affair with Jags. They might not be in quite the same league of build quality as the Germans but they do have that elusive ingredient character. I have reviewed all the versions of the beautiful F-Type, from the drop top V6, the Coupe V8 and the drop top V8 and l have never come away disappointed, Exhilarated, excited and with soiled underpants on occasion but never disappointed.

The only issue ever encountered is on a wet day in a rear wheel drive, front engined V8 monster,

64

with a little too must pressure on the go pedal, you see the rear beside you and realise you are definitely not going to make the corner.

That’s the ‘soiled’ time as l realised that the rear wheels have broken free and l am about to demolish £100,000 worth of Crewe’s finest.

“....a lot less frightening on a wet night on the Pease Pottage roundabout.”

Jaguar have answered that little problem with the first ever all-wheel drive Jaguar in the history of the marque. Now l have four wheel drive AND a 5.0 litre V8 behemoth and there will be no stopping me. Who needs a driving licence anyway?

Motoring Editor: Maarten Hoffmann

They have had to make a few modifications to make this work such as a bonnet re-profile to accommodate a 10mm engine lift required to fit the AWD bits and an inch or two off the left-side footwell to slide in the electronically controlled clutch, and apart from the rear AWD badge, there is little exterior difference.

This clever little bugger only drives the rear wheels under normal driving conditions but when called for, the AWD system kicks in and takes control of all four wheels.The electronic clutch control unit knows what throttle and steering inputs you’ve asked for, and monitors traction underfoot too, so it only sends power forward when it thinks it’s genuinely necessary.

Sticking that badge on it just makes me want to challenge it therefore l tried to get the back to break away with a half turn whilst burying the throttle into the carpet in the rain but after a split second of the computer working out what l was up to, it settled into a well controlled and easily managed fourwheel drift. Less dramatic, admittedly, but also a lot less

MOTORING

TECHNICAL STUFF Model Tested: F-Type R Convertible AWD Engine: 5.0 litre V8 Supercharged Power: 550bhp Performance: 0-62 3.9 seconds Top Speed: 186mph Economy: 25mpg combined Price from: £97,145.00 As tested: £103,715.00

frightening on a wet night on the Pease Pottage roundabout.

From the Audi R8 and Lambo Huracan to the Porsche 911 and Nissan GT-R, AWD is taking over and, following Audi’s lead, is appearing in more and more cars. But then, some might feel it takes the fun (read danger) out of it and

Lambo now produce the Huracan in 2-wheel drive. I, along with many others, have also been bitching about all fast motors now coming with an auto box with paddle shift for those that want to pretend they are driving a manual.

They are not. So Jaguar are now producing the F-Type with a proper manual gearbox. Do you

remember that stick to your left hand side praise be it’s back and thank the heavens for that.

Thank you Jaguar for producing a blisteringly fast and beautiful car that, in anger, can actually be kept on the road.

65

MOTORING

MERCEDES-BENZ

E-CLASS ESTATE I

owned an E-Class estate a few years back and really liked it. Yes it’s huge and wafts around like a stately home but then that’s

detached house bolted to the rear and drove

you were born to it. And, as l have mentioned

like a - well, a semi-detached house. Today,

before with the new premium Mercs, it is lovely

most manufacturers have estates and they

to see a real and beautifully crafted clock in the

why you buy it. My kids loved it as the rear two

really can be good looking cars but the test is

centre of the dash.

seats that made this a 7-seater, pulled up from

if they drive as if it were a saloon. This is the

the floor and faced backwards and they thought

real test.

that was hysterical. It might not of been terribly

Mercedes estates have long had a reputation for spaciousness and dependability – and with

To sit in this luxurious cabin, you are sitting

leather-lined interiors and high-tech equipment

safe in a rear shunt mind you but hysterical

in a typical beautiful, bullet proof saloon. Well

as standard, the latest E-class doesn’t sacrifice

never the less.

laid out, superbly finished and everything

luxury in the pursuit of those two traits. What’s

So it was with some anticipation that the

ergonomically designed to be at your finger

more, with a range of fuel-sipping engines

latest model pulled onto my drive and without

tips. Most of the functions are controlled by

and the option of seven seats, the E-Class

even getting inside it, l can tell you that it is a

scrolling thorough menus on a colour dash

estate has all the makings of a truly desirable

very handsome motor. Do you recall the days

mounted screen and although it takes a bit of

package.

when as estate was a saloon with a semi-

time to get used to, after a few hours it is as if

66

The SE models come with a very soft

MOTORING

TECHNICAL STUFF

Motoring Editor: Maarten Hoffmann

Tested: E350 BlueTEC AMG Night Edition Engine: 2,987 cc, 258 bhp Performance: 0-62 6.6 seconds Top Speed: 155mph Economy: 51.4mpg combined Price: £41,210.00

suspension that’s brilliant at soaking up the bumps and if that is not enough, there is the optional air suspension that lets you switch between Comfort and Sport and gives you the best of both worlds. Crucially, driving it does not remind you of the gargantuan space you are pulling around.

The suspension holds so well on corners that there is no suggestion that the tail is going to hang out. The absolute test here is load capacity and what that does to the drive. So, we attended the Lets Do Business Exhibition in Hastings and l decided we would take all the boxes of magazines with us rather than having the van deliver them. We loaded 22 very heavy boxes, pull up banners, magazine racks and much more and l pulled away with trepidation. No need. It pulls superbly and you only really know the load is there when you forget - and take that corner with a tad too much gusto. This is one of the finest load luggers on the market and best of all, it is done in fine style. 1,950 litres of load space leaves the BMW 5-Series touring the Audi A6 avant wanting by over 300 litres.

The power plant offering is good but l cannot help suggesting you stay away from the 220 diesel as it really does not have the grunt you need when loaded but from the 250 up, you are good to go. For the ultimate effortless acceleration, plump for the E350 and you will want for nothing.

That’s for you. For me, l would order the full fat E63, with a 5.5 litre petrol engine, offering 557bhp that can terrify and delight in equal measure. But back to reality, the very best economy comes from the E300 Bluetec hybrid model, which combines a 2.1 litre diesel engine with an electric motor.

No other large, prestige estate can match its fuel economy.

The E-Class estate is a seriously good looking car with stylish rakish lines, roof rails and tinted back windows and go for the twin glass sunroofs and the interior is lit up like Harrods.

There are some great estates on the market and this is one of the best.

Mercedes-Benz of Brighton Victoria Road, Portslade, Brighton, East Sussex BN41 1DY 0844 6593320 Mercedes-Benz of Eastbourne Eastbourne Road, Westham, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN24 5NH 0844 6593320 Mercedes-Benz of Gatwick 78 Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9AW 0844 6593320

67

LEGAL

LANDLORDS BEWARE ALL CHANGE

By Adriana Scherpenisse Tel: 01903 229928 www.bennett-griffin.co.uk 23 Warwick Street, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 3DG

S

Deregulation Act 2015 to Section 21 Notice

October pursuant to a tenancy granted prior to

procedures come into force. Landlords and

this date. Only ASTs for properties in England

letting agents are well advised to take note of

are affected. Landlords must also be aware

as a Solicitor in September 2004. I specialise

these changes as they will have a big impact

that as of 1 October 2018 all ASTs will be

in Residential Property Law, dealing with

on the way they manage the lettings of their

covered by these changes, regardless of when

mainly residential conveyancing transactions.

properties. Equally, legal advisors must

the AST was entered into.

I joined Bennett Griffin in 2014 as part of their

make sure they have full knowledge of these

expanding Property Team.

important changes. Should they fail to properly

What is changing?

What is a Section 21 Notice?

advise their clients in accordance with them,

include further restrictions on the timing, form

it is unlikely that any possession proceedings

and process involved in issuing a Section 21

they initiate on behalf of their clients will be

Notice. These include the following:-

ince moving to England from the Netherlands in 1998 I have studied Law at Nottingham Law School and qualified

A Section 21 Notice is an eviction notice (also called a ‘Notice Requiring Possession’).

Landlords use it to evict tenants and gain possession of a property that is let under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. It is called a Section 21 Notice because it is served under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

Who is affected?

As of October 1st 2015 the changes introduced by sections 33 to 41 of the

68

successful.

So, who do these changes apply to and what

Landlords should know that the changes

A Section 21 Notice cannot be served in the first four months of the AST. This prevents a

do they entail? It is important to note that at

landlord from serving the notice on the first

present only Assured Shorthold Tenancies

day of the tenancy which has been standard

(ASTs) granted on or after 1 October 2015 are

practice for some landlords in the past.

covered by these changes. They will not apply

The changes remove the need for a landlord

to a fixed term AST which was entered into

to specify in the Section 21 Notice the last day

prior to 1 October 2015, nor do they apply to

of a period of the tenancy as the date on which

a statutory periodic tenancy arising after 1

the tenancy comes to an end (even for a notice

LEGAL

served under section 21 (4)(a) of the Housing Act 1988).

A claim for possession must be started within six months from the date of service of the Section 21 Notice. If possession proceedings have not been started within this timeframe a new Section 21 Notice will have to be served. In the case of notices served under section 21(4) where more than two months’ notice was given, the cut-off time is four months from the date specified in the notice. A landlord must therefore make sure they start their possession proceedings within these set timescales to prevent having to first serve a new Section 21 Notice or else risk the court not granting them a possession order.

There is a new prescribed form that must be used when issuing a Section 21 Notice. Failure to use this prescribed form will invalidate the notice. Since there is a time restriction on when the Section 21 Notice can be served, the earliest date for mandatory use of the prescribed form is 1 February 2016.

A landlord must not serve a Section 21 Notice unless they have first served on the tenant an Energy Performance Certificate and a current Gas Safety Certificate. Failure to do so will invalidate the notice.

A Section 21 Notice cannot be validly given until such time as the tenant has been given prescribed information. This prescribed information is contained in a booklet prepared by the Department for Communities and Local Government called “How to Rent: The checklist for renting in England” which must be handed to the tenant.

There is a requirement to repay the tenant an apportionment of rent paid in advance where the Section 21 Notice expires in the course of a rent period.

A restriction has been imposed on a landlord so as not to take retaliatory action. A Section 21 Notice cannot automatically be served where a tenant has made a written complaint to the landlord about the condition of a property. A failure to follow the prescribed process and adhere to set time limits when it comes to dealing with repair complaints will invalidate a Section 21 Notice and can result in the landlord

being prevented from serving a Section 21

be prevented from re-letting a property for

Notice for a further six months.

six months from the date a Relevant Notice is

It is perhaps this last requirement that

served by the local authority. Equally, letting

has caused the most amount of controversy.

agents must be careful to make sure they

In the past, some landlords have resorted to

review their processes for managing repairs

issuing a Section 21 Notice instead of resolving

so that they do not fall foul of this requirement

the complaint but this is no longer an option

and do not miss any repair request which may

available to them. Where a tenant complaints

frustrate a landlord’s desire to serve a Section

in writing about the condition of their property,

21 Notice.

an adequate response must be provided within fourteen days. This must state that remedial work will be carried out and must set out a reasonable timeframe for completion of the work. If the work is then carried out, there is no impact on any Section 21 Notice served. If no adequate response is provided within fourteen days, or the work is not carried out, the tenant

What next?

Undoubtedly, some landlords and letting agents will get caught out by these changes if they are not prepared to follow these new requirements. However, the process is not too onerous or complicated to follow if simple processes are put in place. An organised

has a right to complain to the local authority.

landlord would be wise to provide the Energy

The local authority then has the option to serve

Performance Certificate, current Gas Safety

a Relevant Notice (this is an improvement

Certificate and the booklet containing the

notice (Cat 1 or Cat 2 hazard) or an emergency

prescribed information at the outset of the

remedial action notice). If they do not, then

tenancy. In addition, they must cease to apply

a Section 21 Notice can validly be served. If

the practice of serving a Section 21 Notice

however they do serve a Relevant Notice on

on the first day of a tenancy and be more

the landlord, a landlord cannot serve a Section

proactive in issuing possession proceedings

21 Notice for six months from the date of that

once a Section 21 Notice has been served. But

notice.

perhaps most importantly, they must review

It is therefore vital that landlords and letting

their processes for managing repair issues and

agents have sufficient processes in place to

resolve these in a timely fashion.

speedily and adequately deal with any repair

The information contained in this article is for

complaint so as not to be barred from serving

general guidance only and is not intended to

a Section 21 Notice. Any failure to deal with

be legal advice. Professional advice should

repairs properly and promptly could become

always be taken on the application of the law

a very costly affair for landlords as they could

in any particular situation.

For further information about any of the services offered by Bennett Griffin, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01903 229999, or visit our website at: www.bennettgriffin.co.uk 69

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EDUCATION

BE THE CHANGE

Hastings Direct Insurance in partnership with LoveLocalJobs.com and social enterprise, Human Utopia, announce an exciting new three year education programme this week for Bexhill Academy called ‘Be the Change’.

‘B

e the Change’ is the first programme of its kind in the UK and focuses on raising the aspirations of local year

nine students (13 years), helping them to remove barriers that make them disengaged

us the opportunity to help younger people

The three year programme will give our

in our community and with our colleagues’

students the opportunity to learn and put into

involvement; we hope that we can make a real

practise skills that benefit them into further

difference.”

education and employment. Academy staff

Gary Peters, Chief Executive, LoveLocalJobs.

will be working alongside staff from Human

at school and in life and providing them with

com said: “The ‘Be the Change’ programme

Utopia and Hastings Direct to support Bexhill

life skills to help shape their future. It is a

focuses on working with young people on

Academy’s work in raising student aspirations

detailed and sustainable programme of activity

what they are able to do, rather than what they

and preparing them as tomorrow’s leaders

designed to bring young people and business

cannot do. During the programme the students

within the work place. We would like to thank

volunteers together on five occasions over

will learn valuable skills working with business

Hastings Direct, LoveLocalJobs.com and

the course of the school year, culminating in

volunteers to help them prepare for their final

Human Utopia for their work with Bexhill

a celebration event at which the students are

years at school and most importantly, for

Academy and their commitment to our students

presented with certificates and meaningful

their future. Hastings Direct participating in

through the Be The Change Programme.”

work experience opportunities.

this ground-breaking initiative has led to local

Amanda Menahem, HR Director, Hastings

The engagement of business with education

government organisations and other large

is of vital importance to the continued good

Direct said ‘We are proud to be at the forefront

businesses and educational institutes working

health of our economy and with companies

of something so transformational for students

to get involved in further Be the Change

such as Hastings Direct taking the lead in the

in our community. We do a lot of work already

programmes in Sussex and beyond which is

South East, with their partnership with Bexhill

with our local schools and colleges to help

fantastic.”

Academy and the University of Brighton, these

improve employability prospects and indeed

Trudy Hillman, Head of Pastoral Care

programmes demonstrate how the businesses

a number of local students have gone on to

for Bexhill Academy concluded: “This is a

of today can positively effect the employees of

become colleagues. ‘Be the Change’ offers

great opportunity for Bexhill’s young people.

tomorrow.

71

Find out how you could benefit from up to 67% funding to help your business innovate and grow.

Haywards Heath-based marine specialists PSM Instrumentation Ltd and the University of Brighton have been shortlisted for an Engineering Excellence Award for their work to re-engineer a ceramic transmitter. The technology must operate in hostile marine environments while maintaining the reliability and accuracy that is essential for safety.

“The KTP team used their academic and commercial expertise to prove the technology base so effectively, that we were able to define a strategy for the continued development of the core product, which will future-proof its competitiveness and route to market.”

Geoff Taylor, Chairman, PSM

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership project can focus on many areas including refining or designing products, opening new markets, improving business and manufacturing systems, marketing, technology and cutting costs and waste. *On average, KTP yields £113k one-off increase in net profit during the programme and projected increase of over £1 million in annual profits before tax. *Innovate UK

Come and meet us: 20 November, 9–11am: Drop in to our coffee morning, at the Research and Enterprise Office, to discuss Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Student Placements and £5,000 Innovation Vouchers available for a limited time.

9 December, 8.30–11am: Research Insights breakfast seminar focusing on Cybersecurity. How safe is your data? Meet experts in data security, and find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP). For more information contact Susannah Davidson at S.L.Davidson@brighton.ac.uk.

For more information contact: Shona Campbell at ktp@brighton.ac.uk or on 01273 642 426

www.brighton.ac.uk/KTP

BUSINESS SCENE

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THE PLATINUM BUSINESS CLUB BRIGHTON & GATWICK

The Platinum Club takes the ‘work’ out of Networking.

Networking should be highly effective of course, but it should also be highly enjoyable with a plethora of eclectic business leaders, allied with fine Champagnes, hand-made canapés and hosts who make relevant introductions throughout the evening so that the guests can relax.

There is nothing quite like it.

To be a part of the Platinum Business Club, contact info@platinumbusinessmagazine.com or call 07966 244046

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1. Michael Wilkins, Allied Irish Bank; Emily Fletcher, Humphrey & Co; Scott Garner and Rob Ganpatsingh, DMH Stallard 2. Chris Lind, Shore Events; Gemma King, Vivid Marketing; Emma Cleary, Ten2Two Sussex; explorer Neil Laughton 3. Laurence Elphick, Mayo Wynne Baxter chatting to Nick Jenner and Hannah Flack of Square One Financial 4. Hannah Flack, Square One Financial; Emma Segal, Daisy Fitzsimmons & Emma Jones of Pier Recruitment, Cindy Cox, Roffey Park Institute and Sophie Law-Smith of ZSTA Architects 5. Cindy Cox, Roffey Park Institute; Amanda Menahem, Hastings Direct Insurance; Becky Sharp, Sharp Insight 6. Andy Percival, Chairman, PSG Southern; Dylan Whittaker, Nisos Yacht Charter 7. Kevin Smyth, Brut Brill & Cardens chatting to Alistair Rustemeyer of McMillan Williams

5.

8. Kevin Duala, Overline chatting to Samantha Wilding, Style & Grace 9. Iain Lindsay, GM, Mercure Hotel; David Sheppard, Chairman, Sussex Chamber of Commerce

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BUSINESS AWARDS

EXCELLENT EASTBOURNE

by Faiza Shafeek

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he 2015 Eastbourne Business Awards banquet luncheon at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne was a glittering affair,

with over 300 in attendance. These awards showcase the very best businesses in the town and surrounding areas. The event host this year was Danny Pike of BBC Sussex The big winner was Brewers who took home the Overall Business of the Year Award and Large Business of the Year Award. “We were lucky enough to win Large Business of the Year and the Best Overall Business of the Year, which was absolutely thrilling,” said Nick Brewer. “We did not see it coming at all. It’s so nice to be here today, with so many friends, business colleagues, and in Eastbourne which is such a lovely town to work in.”

MP Carline Ansell attended the event and said, “It’s a really nice way to have a bit of fun but also to pat on the back businesses that have really gone that extra mile over the last 12 months.”

Colin Slaughter the Chairman of Eastbourne, Lewes and Wealden Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses who were this year’s headline sponsors said, “It was a super event and great to see so many of Eastbourne and District’s businesses receive such worthy awards for all their hard work and great efforts over the past twelve months. The food was excellent too well done to the team at the Grand Hotel.”

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BUSINESS AWARDS

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Winner: Sue Mulvey of the BMI the Esperance Hospital EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR. - Winner: Michael Turner of the Enterprise Centre INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended Winner - Holly House Gifts accepted by Denise Harwood, NDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR. - Winner Watson’s News BEST START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Highly Commeded Winners: Party Enterprises and Ditzy Media BEST START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Winners: Infection Control Consultancy ENTREPRENEUR AND RISING STAR OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended winners: Entrepreneur of the Year: James Revell of Lushington Chiropractic and Rising Star of the Year : Robin Taylor of Taylor Flooring ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR - Winner : Trevor Algar of Cliffe Enterprises HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND LEISURE COMPANY OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended winners: Wyntercon and Eastbourne Rugby Club HOSPITALITY, TOURISM AND LEISURE COMPANY OF THE YEAR - Winners: West Rocks Hotel EATERY (RESTAURANT/PUB/CAFE) OF THE YEAR Highly Commended winners: Bella’s Secret and Bella’s Café and The Crown and Anchor EATERY (RESTAURANT/PUB/CAFE) OF THE YEAR Winners: The Green Almond SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended Winners: Eastbourne Tyre Co Ltd and Millie’s SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Winner: The Lockshop Warehouse MEDIUM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended Winners: McCarthy Webb Solicitors and the Chalvington Group MEDIUM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Winner: Recruitment South East LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Winner Brewers BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR. - Winner Mark Lambird of Eastbourne Motoring Center MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended winners: Colbran & Wingrove Ltd and Duvacourt Construction MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR - Winner BM Hepburn SERVICE AND SUPPORT COMPANY OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended winners: 6 Steps Ltd and Calibre Comms SERVICE AND SUPPORT COMPANY OF THE YEAR Winners: The Laptop Station QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPANY OF THE YEAR - Highly Commened Winners: The Local Cleaners TLC and BPE Business Connections EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - Highly Commended winner Sophie Curtis of Pearce Marketing Consultants

75

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HOTELS

SOFITEL LONDON GATWICK IS TEN Sofitel general manager James Berry, centre right, with the team

S

ofitel London Gatwick, the only premium hotel directly linked to the North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport, celebrated its tenth anniversary under the luxury international Sofitel brand this week.

Surrounded by clients, industry leaders, local businesses and friends of the hotel, General Manager James Berry and his team of dedicated staff celebrated with a traditional birthday party which saw the huge hotel lobby transformed with balloons and decorations whilst a live band played and champagne and canapés were served. Head Chef David Woods, himself a veteran of the hotel, having worked there for nearly 14 years, was responsible for creating the celebratory menu for over 40 guests, including the design of a stunning birthday cake to formally represent the occasion.

Since taking over the hotel in 2005, management and hotel company The Arora Group - led by Chairman and Founder Surinder Arora - has firmly established the hotel as one of the finest examples of airport accommodation, with 518 spacious guest rooms, an array of restaurants and bars from the relaxed to the fine dining, conference centre with 11 versatile meeting rooms and an impressive 8th floor executive lounge overlooking the runway alongside newly refurbished executive bedrooms.

General Manager, James Berry, commented

on the anniversary milestone, “I am delighted to be here celebrating ten years as Sofitel London Gatwick and raising a glass to our guests, clients and team today. Over the last ten years, the hotel has undergone a significant transformation, including a £15 million investment in maintaining a premium quality airport hotel, and vitally, ensuring we continue to provide exceptional service to our discerning guests, many of whom have been staying with us throughout our ten years.”

During the celebration, guests wined and dined on food and drink representative of each of the hotel’s three award-winning restaurants and vibrant bars, including the 2 AA Rosette La Brasserie, La Terrasse, a Parisian street-style bar, the Urban Café for informal dining and Kua Bar for cocktails overlooking the striking central atrium.

Sofitel London Gatwick is directly connected to the airport’s North Terminal - just a 3-minute walk via covered walkway - and only a short monorail ride from the South Terminal. The hotel also boasts an onsite car park for 565 vehicles, securing its popularity as a first-rate Park, Rest and Fly product for leisure and business travellers using the London airport.

Underlining its credentials as a leading luxury hotel group, the global Sofitel brand was voted number one in a 2014 WHICH? Customer Service Awards Survey, with the brand securing a satisfaction rating of 89% against 29 other

hotel chains on the categories of cleanliness, food and value for money.

Sofitel London Gatwick celebrated its tenth anniversary on 15th October, 2015, which also marked the building being a hotel for 25 years.

www.sofitel.com/Gatwick @SofitelLondonGA

77

BUSINESS DISTRICT “One of our success stories has been our ability to work in partnership with others to attract additional investment and drive forward infrastructure improvements, which wouldn’t happen without the BID.”

A ROYAL SUCCESS

Steve Sawyer

BID brings benefits for the region’s largest business district Manor Royal Business Improvement District has reached the halfway mark of its fiveyear term, but what has it achieved since 2013? Platinum Business caught up with Executive Director Steve Sawyer to find out.

PB: Are you able to summarise what a

We have a very open governance structure,

poor broadband speeds were a problem that a

Business Improvement District does and how

too. The BID is led by a Board and a

number businesses wanted us to get on top of,

it’s funded?

Management Group which is committed, driven,

and so we made this a priority in our business

SS: A Business Improvement District – or

and passionate about Manor Royal. Drawn from

plan. Now, every business here can benefit

BID, as most people refer to it – is a business-

a wide range of companies and representatives

from this improvement. It’s important for us to

led and business-funded body formed to

from the local authorities, they collectively take

ensure the business district remains a modern

improve a defined commercial area. In

the decisions on how our budgets are spent

and future-proofed location for business.

the UK, the majority of BIDs exist in town

and the projects we pursue in accordance with

centres; however, they are also in industrial,

the agreed plan.

commercial and mixed-use locations. There are now over 220 BIDs operating in the UK, and Manor Royal is the largest industrial BID,

PB: And do you receive funding from other sources too?

SS: Yes. At the outset the Board and

PB: What other key achievements have stood out for you over the past two and a half years?

SS: Our work covers a range of activities, from encouraging local trade to improving the local environment. This autumn we have been

covering some 550 companies and 30,000

Management Group set a target for generating

piloting a skills initiative in conjunction with

employees. It is funded by the businesses in

income from other sources to match the BID

Central Sussex College. The BID is subsidising

the BID area through a levy, which is normally

levy contribution from businesses. One of our

training for people working on Manor Royal on

set as a percentage of rateable value.

success stories has been our ability to work

a range of business courses. They are proving

in partnership with others to attract additional

popular and we hope the initiative will be

investment and drive forward infrastructure

developed further in the New Year, following a

improvements, which wouldn’t happen without

review later this month.

PB: So how you determine what the BID’s priorities are?

SS: BID’s are entirely business-driven. They deliver the improvements and projects that the businesses want, need and have identified as

the BID. For example, at our AGM in September,

We have also established a Manor Royal Procurement Hub to help companies reduce

being important. A huge amount of work goes

we were able to announce 100% superfast

their costs in the areas of energy, waste

into setting up a BID and the priorities are set

broadband across the whole of Manor Royal

management and recycling.

out in a Business Plan that the businesses vote

Business District, thanks to a collaboration

Encouraging local companies to take care of

for. Only if the majority of businesses vote in

between the West Sussex Better Connected

the environment is a key theme for us, and we

favour of the plan can the BID be set up and

project, BT and the Manor Royal Business

are practising what we preach! For example,

projects start to be delivered.

Improvement District (BID). Prior to the BID,

a highlight from last year, was the opening of

78

BUSINESS DISTRICT

the Crawter’s Brook People’s Park – another

SS: No. You’re absolutely right. Manor Royal

collaboration led by the BID, which was aided

was formally named by HRH Princess Elizabeth

by a £350,000 Kick Start grant from West

in 1950, just two years before she ascended the

Sussex County Council.

throne, so we are keeping our royal links alive!

land for companies seeking to relocate here.

PB: And looking ahead, what else is planned over the next year or so?

SS: Well, right now we are rolling out

Reflecting back to the pictures of the area

several high-profile projects which will

formerly a piece of derelict wasteland, back

then, one can see how Manor Royal has been

provide significant visual improvements to

into use by creating a new park area with

transformed from being little more than a field

the business district. We are in the process of

seating for local people to visit and enjoy some

to what it is today - a major driver in the South

commissioning a piece of public art for one of

tranquillity. It now boasts a boardwalk, decking

East economy.

the main entranceways to Manor Royal and we

We were able to bring this open space,

area, cycle paths, seating and picnic benches,

PB: Why do you think that Manor Royal has

providing plenty of space to think, work and

become such a leading business location and

play. Additional landscaping and a wildlife

home to so many global brands as well as

partnership means that the ecological value of

smaller firms?

are rolling out smart new signage across the business district.

Both of these projects will improve the overall look and feel of the area and make it

SS: Well, I believe there are a few reasons

easier for visitors to navigate around. Both of

and the park is now a fabulous local asset.

why this is the case. Of course, its proximity to

these projects have required significant liaison

We were delighted to see it win an award at

Gatwick Airport has been a large influence, as

with local highways and planning departments,

this year’s ‘South and South East In Bloom’

have our excellent road and rail connections.

but having achieved planning permission,

competition, and be recognised as a ‘best

From aircraft simulation and geophysical

they are now firmly underway and will put

practice project’ nationally by British BIDs.

exploration to printing, distribution and food

Manor Royal on the map, which is no less than

PB: I know that Crawter’s Brook was

production, we’ve got it all. This diversity is

the UK’s largest BID and the region’s largest

officially opened last November by HRH the

a huge strength as it helps businesses to

business park deserves.

Duke of Gloucester, who is first cousin to

source products and services locally, reduces

the Queen, but that’s not where the business

costs and creates new business opportunities.

district’s connections to the royal family end,

However, a big challenge resulting from this

is it?

popularity has been a shortage of employment

To discover more about Manor Royal BID, please visit www.manorroyal.org.uk.

Contact Steve Sawyer on 01293 519 415 or email steve@manorroyal.org

the site will be enhanced on an ongoing basis

79

EVENT REVIEW

AN EVENT WITH BITE

by Nathan Keeley, Partner at Carpenter Box T

he AMEX Stadium buzzed with excitement as more than 200 visitors attended the Business/Innovation/ Technology/Efficiency (BITE) 2015 event, hosted by Carpenter Box, with support from online accounting software company Xero.

Attendees were treated to valuable insights into how working in the cloud and cloud technology is transforming business efficiency and financial performance. The event combined a look at the cloud with two inspirational sessions on marketing innovation from keynote speaker Susannah Schofield, Head of New Business at Royal Mail.

Xero keynote speakers Gary Turner, Managing Director of Xero UK and Phil Beavan, Senior Account Manager, made sure that attendees all left with the clear message that the speed of technological change is phenomenal, and it’s the early adopters of cloud-based systems who will gain a

competitive advantage in the long term.

Visitors also had the opportunity to view exhibition stands featuring strategic partners of Carpenter Box, ranging from cloud software companies, to banks, solicitors, IT and marketing companies. Informative breakout sessions were also held during the day, which provided a deeper insight into specific topics, with guests Above: Nathan Keeley (right) with Phil Beavan, Senior Account having the opportunity to Manager at Xero, the principal sponsor of BITE 2015) network throughout the day.

300 leads – so, I couldn’t have asked for more!

I was really pleased with The audience certainly went away informed the delivery of BITE as the keynote speakers about how the cloud can help them to be more were all first-class and feedback has been efficient and enthused about taking their really positive. Attendance was very good and businesses forward, which is what we wanted the exhibitors collectively took away more than to achieve.

Call Worthing: 01903 234094 Call Gatwick: 01293 227670 Email: info@carpenterbox.com

80

Merry Christmas from

For help with your marketing in 2016 call us on 01273 434552 www.bigbeach.co.uk

SUSSEX CHAMBER

SO YOU WISH TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS BEYOND THE UK?

by Ana Christie, Chief Executive, Sussex Chamber of Commerce

Y

ou may already be trading overseas or may be thinking of expanding to another overseas market. Perhaps you have never thought of expanding your business globally.

CHAMBER NEWS

What steps could you take to help you on your journey?

82

The first step when thinking about starting or expanding your business is to identify those markets which offer the biggest opportunity and gather as much information as you can, either remotely or from people on the ground. The Chambers has a growing database of market snapshots, which is a great place to start for insight and data. An international directory is also available to provide contact details overseas.

Regular events are held, highlighting the opportunities for export in strategically important international markets. Many of these events take the form of short, informative seminars, delivering the maximum knowledge and insight in a concise format.

Planning is everything. Every function within your business requires specialist knowledge and skills, and international trade is no different. We can offer both classroom and bespoke training in essential elements of exporting, with a particular focus around the often complex subjects of documentation and payment methods.

• Export Readiness – as a business manager or owner, you know the time is right to broaden your business horizons. Before you embark on a global journey, you need to consider whether you have the appropriate resource, knowledge, and skills in place. A thorough and detailed assessment can be provided to include reviews of intellectual property risks, trademarks, branding, packaging, pricing, safety certification, customs regulations and relevant legislation.

• Export Finance – trading internationally brings a new dimension to business finances. Crossing borders can increase risks. Ensuring prompt payment is critical and dealing with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can make the difference between your business making a profit or loss. Foreign currency exchange services are available. We also work closely with UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, which helps exporters by providing guarantees and insurance policies that complement those on offer in the private sector.

• Getting Goods to Market – whether you are shipping physical goods or providing services, a successful export business relies on delivering in a timely and efficient manner. You also need to make provisions for insurance and risk management as well as understanding local regulations. Planning the logistics of moving physical products needs tailored advice on logistics, including shipping, air freight and overland transportation. Our team are on hand to guide you through the complex export documentation and logistics process.

• International Market Access – ensure you have the right distribution channels in place. Your business can benefit from

assistance into a new market. We work closely with UK Trade & Investment to provide support in a number of areas.

• Sales and Marketing - One of the most obvious challenges when exporting to a new market is navigating the local cultural customs and, on occasions, in different languages. Translation services are available to help you through this process.

British Chambers and our approved international business network overseas • Market Promotion – Building an awareness of the market opportunity and engaging with business support experts is an important part of planning and developing any export strategy. To make it easier for you as an exporter, our approved international business network overseas are digitally accessible on Export Britain, Open to Export and UK Trade & Investment websites and social media. They hold webinars and video conferences, too. The British Chambers network overseas can provide up to date market briefings and visit the UK regularly as well as help host overseas trade missions. This support will help you plan more effectively without incurring huge cost early on in the planning cycle.

• Market Entry – Once you arrive in market, the network are there to help you get set up with basic start up support. To make life easy, you will have access to business friendly spaces to hotdesk, network and access local business networks and informal mentoring opportunities should you want them.

• Market Development – Once set up overseas, growing and maintaining your market share is often a priority. Help is available to help you develop market opportunities and your physical presence to further penetrate the market and capture new business opportunities in cities and secondary areas.

When deciding to export, your decisions need careful consideration.

Exporting should not be treated as a quick way to boost sales figures.

The most successful exporters are both patient and proactive. They are prepared to foster relationships with overseas buyers and consumers over the long-term and are always actively looking for opportunities and seeking new partnerships.

One thing is definite: the demand for British products remains high and markets overseas want more.

FESTIVE CHEER, HILTON STYLE. For a truly memorable occasion, celebrate the festive season at Hilton London Gatwick Airport with a Deluxe Christmas Dinner served in our sophisticated Amy’s Restaurant for only £75.00 per person.

Christmas celebrations will start at 4:00pm on 25 December with a glass of Prosecco followed by a six-course gourmet meal. For the perfect end to an unforgettable night, stay with us from only £60.00 per person. To enjoy a complimentary upgrade to one of our Executive bedrooms please use the RH2015 promo code when making the reservation.

For bookings, please email events.gatwick@hilton.com or call us on +44 (0) 1293 610 809

South Terminal, Gatwick Airport | West Sussex | RH6 0LL | Facebook.com/HiltonGatwick | Twitter/HiltonGatwick ©2014 Hilton Worldwide

BRIGHTON & HOVE

FIVE SECRETS OF BUSINESS SUCCESS

As revealed at the Brighton Summit 2015

by Sophie Turton, Content Specialist at Bozboz

T

he concept of growth is multidimensional. For some it involves conquering a fear, scratching an itch.

should make life better. Yet, how many businesses have this as their defining

creating a company culture that will make

characteristic?

Freelancers, SMEs and MDs of multinationals gathered on the 16th October at The Brighton Summit: a day to grow your business. The third annual Chamber summit took attendees on a journey through

CHAMBER NEWS

Such a human concept. Of course we

For others it is nurturing those around you, life better.

84

Make life better

Nikki Gatenby, Managing Director at Propellernet, a search agency that has been regularly voted the best place to work in the UK, has built a company culture focussed on turning dreams into reality. The equation is simple, Nikki said: “Do what you love, love what you do.”

successes and failures, examining business

The first keynote speaker of the day,

growth from many angles. Here are my top

Nikki lit a fire under each of the 300-plus

five takeaways:

delegates. “Our dreams are a part of our

business plan,” she explained. “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

Do what’s important to you Start with a vision and values, be spurred on by passion, then make it happen.

“If the door is knocking, start listening,” Ruth Anslow, co-founder of HiSbe, advised.

Ruth’s journey began when she suddenly realised she was unhappy, despite her seemingly perfect life. This ignited the belief that business could be “something positive to people and communities and be connected to purpose and values.”

Find creative solutions When Helen Chesshire, Co-Founder of Brighton Gin, accidentally ordered hundreds of the wrong type of bottle, she turned her mistake into a creative opportunity.

Brighton Gin launched a city-wide competition, encouraging people to decorate and submit the bottles. These will now form a Brighton Gin art trail, “Adding to the colour of Brighton, which is very much at the core of Brighton Gin.”

Break the rules For Arjo Ghosh, Board Advisor at Brilliant Noise and Founder of iCrossing, business success is about breaking the rules and making mistakes.

He said: “I wish I had carried on breaking rules like I did when I started out. In the early days I had that entrepreneurial spirit of not

BRIGHTON & HOVE seeing any limitations, of not thinking you can

ask, ‘What are you doing for yourself on this

fail. But as my business matured I stopped

journey?’”

giving his employees space for their own

breaking the rules.”

Be kind and give employees the space to grow

growth. His policy for new employees is to

Success isn’t always a positive, Arjo added: “There’s a hell of a lot of pressure and that

“Creativity is kindness”, Andy Parsons from

For Andy, business growth is also about

treat them like butterflies: release them and watch them do their best work.

changes your behaviour. Entrepreneurial

Yelo Architects told us. “It involves giving

traits can be a double-edged sword.

people the time and support to be creative,

unique events programme see www.

and it is also about collaboration, which is all

businessinbrighton.org.uk

about kindness.”

Photos thanks to Simon Callaghan Photography

“There are a lot of entrepreneurs who drive themselves into the ground. You have to

To find out more about Brighton Chamber’s

CHAMBER NEWS 85

Official Premium Parking.

So close you can almost take off.

Book your Premium Parking direct. www.gatwickparking.com Terms and conditions apply.

See www.gatwickparking.com/terms-and-conditions for further details.

CHICHESTER

A TIME TO LOOK BACK

by Helen Reeve, Business Development Director

A

Guild Hall

Cheese tasting

a view to exporting their products, services and expertise. A huge success for our regional businesses – and for us!

• A strong voice of business. We continue to be a consultee on the A27, West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council economic development plans and Gatwick airport expansion, as well as for numerous planning applications and private developments, underpinning our position as representatives of local commerce and industry.

• Our Big Breakfast: ‘Inspiration over eggs’ events continue to be well attended, inviting local business people to share their tips for success. Speakers have included Kevin Byrne from Check-a-trade, Canine Partners’ Andy Cook, Karen Howe from More Foods and Andrew Heggadon from Sparks Yard. If you know of an inspirational speaker from a business that has achieved, let us know!

• Young Persons’ Chichester Chamber (YPCC). YPCC has a new Chairman and continues to attract the young entrepreneurs of Chichester – and the young business people of tomorrow. A vital and vibrant part of our business community.

• Continued collaboration with our neighbouring Chambers includes various joint events, ranging from speed networking to clay shooting!

• The social side of CCCI continues to grow, with a host of new and fun activities, including: Sussex cheese tasting, charity quiz night, wine & canapé evenings, curry evening, clay pigeon shoot and chocolate tasting…

Our free monthly meetings and bi-monthly breakfasts continue to attract businesses keen to stay in touch and hear about the latest commercial issues affecting the region, with at least 70 people attending our evening meetings!

For information about Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or for any of the above initiatives, please visit www.chichestercci.org.uk or contact office@chichestercci.org.uk

CHAMBER NEWS

n AGM is always a great time to look back at the year. The Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry AGM was no exception as we reflected on the events of the past 12 months at our AGM in November.

2015 has been a busy year, with numerous events delivering business support programmes and promoting the value of Chamber of Commerce membership to our members and prospective members.

Some notable achievements for this year include: • Concluding and completing on target the Navigator project with C2C, Worthing & Brighton Chambers. This project delivered finance and investment signposting to companies focused on growth and was a great example of collaborative working with our fellow chambers of commerce here on the South Coast. After all, business has no boundaries!

• Sponsorship of Chichester Observer Business Awards. For the second year, we sponsored the Large Business of the Year category in the business awards. Regular and vocal supporters of the awards, we believe it’s important to highlight the impressive achievements in our business community, and there are plenty of businesses in our region to be proud of!

• Hot House Knowledge Workshops & Peer-to-Peer mentoring.

Run in Chichester in conjunction with Chichester University, this business development programme guided organisations through their growth plans. These were very successful– a complete sellout!

• Export Event 2015. Held in collaboration with University of Chichester and Worthing Chamber of Commerce, we know a number of our regional businesses are waving the GB PLC flag with

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CRAWLEY

AN ELECTRIC BREAKFAST

CHAMBER NEWS

M

88

embers were treated to breakfast at the Tesla store in Manor Royal during the October members’ meeting. We were able to checkout the electric super-tech car, with some even going on test drives.

“Luxurious, spacious, powerful, smooth, quiet and I want one,” were the key phrases that members mentioned.

For those who don’t know, Tesla is a high-tech company that concentrates on accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable transport.

The company offers Model S, a 100% electric saloon that has been developed from the ground up as a zero emissions vehicle.

With prices starting at £50k for an entry level Model S and rising to £110k for the top spec performance car, something special is expected. Typical customers come from existing premium brands such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes. It’s a compelling offering, with no road tax, no fuel to pay, substantial tax breaks, no congestion charge in London, and even the entry level Model S is capable of 275 miles (NEDC rated). One can also travel the length of the UK or further into Europe completely free using Tesla’s network of Superchargers.

The Tesla Model S was first launched in 2012 in The States and first came to the UK in June, 2014. The Gatwick store and service centre was the third location in the UK, opening October, 2014 and so just celebrating their first anniversary.

At the meeting we were educated on the technology of Tesla and the electric car. There

are currently 29 Tesla Superchargers around the UK enabling free longdistance travel, with half a charge taking just 20 minutes. The car itself even helps to plan your journey with any stops that may be required.

In addition, there are also over 9,000 public charging stations nationwide. By the end of 2015, the government has said that all motorway service stations, including the one at Pease Pottage on the M23, will have public rapid chargers to enable all EV’s to charge.

Gatwick Airport is hoping to install eight points with free parking for four hours in the near future. If you were to purchase a Tesla, you would also have a charger fitted to your house or at your place of work if easier. The cost of charging overnight for a full 8-hour charge is approximately £10-15 per night, allowing the driver to travel the full 275 miles on the entry

level Tesla, with the higher spec being capable of 330 miles.

A huge plus is the amount of boot space, approximately 900 litres in total, including 150 litres at the front of the car due to no engine needed! Personally, I also liked the free space for hand luggage in place of the traditional gearstick and handbrake, and, of course, the huge screen for navigation and journey planning, not to mention the smooth ride!

Now available on Model S is software that enables a semi-autonomous drive – cruise control with self-steering. This assists you in driving on longer journeys, but you will thankfully still be in control for now!

To find out more visit www.teslamotors. com/en_GB Read the Platinum review of the Tesla here: http://platinumbusinessmagazine. com/the-tesla-s/

EASTBOURNE

SUSSEX BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR We are delighted to announce that Eastbourne Chamber member, Mandy Brook, MD of Recruitment South East, won the Sussex Businesswoman of the Year award in October at a gala dinner in Eastbourne. While recovering from the surprise the next morning, Mandy tweeted: “I am still in shock, quite frankly, about winning last night!! So many fab women who deserved to win! I’m truly humbled & grateful for all your amazingly kind words.”

Mandy launched Recruitment South East over four years ago from a standing start, and now leads an 11-strong recruitment team who have established a strong reputation, not only across the South East, but also nationwide and internationally.

Mandy added, “2015 has been a stunning year so far. We’ve strengthened and expanded by opening Recruitment South West and Recruitment North, having launched RSE Worldwide last year. This year the team has also doubled in size; we’ve gained our Gangmasters Licence; we’ve invested in a new software management system, and we’re going through a major rebrand. This award has been the icing on the cake and reassures me that all the hard work has been worth it. It’s so nice to be recognised by my peers and friends.”

LAW SOCIETY AWARD

(l to r): Mishal Husain, Emily Brown (Rix & Kay Later Life team solicitor), Richard Bates (head of Rix & Kay’s Later Life team), Bruce Hayter, Max Wright (Rix & Kay partner), Jonathan Smithers.

national stage and am extremely proud of our Later Life team, led by Richard Bates.

“As a result of our Later Life strategy, we have seen fee income grow, client satisfaction increase and colleagues have developed new skills. The achievement is even greater given the strength of the shortlist; many nominees are much larger law firms than ours.”

Judges were particularly impressed by the way that Rix & Kay built their offer and business development activity around detailed research that provided them with a unique understanding of the issues surrounding the care sector. This has resulted in exceptionally strong growth of business over the last two years, valued relationships within this sector and a healthy pipeline of work for the foreseeable future.

President of the Law Society, Jonathan Smithers, said: “The Law Society Excellence Awards are a celebration of the outstanding work our members do. We are immensely proud of the profession, its commitment to innovation, to first-rate client service, to business, to equality, to human rights, and, of course, to upholding the rule of law.

“I would like to congratulate Rix & Kay Solicitors on their exceptional achievement. I know that choosing the winners from such an outstanding pool of talent was incredibly difficult for the judges in every category.”

Recognised as a leading firm in the latest edition of The Legal 500 UK in 14 specialisms of legal services in the South East, Rix & Kay is one of the first legal firms to establish a Later Life team which specialises in helping people to plan for their old age and caring for the vulnerable.

Rix and Kay’s Later Life team carried out an in-depth study into the care sector entitled The Care Sector: What does the future hold?, based on the views of 80 care home owners and managers in the South East.

Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk | Tel: 01323 641144

CHAMBER NEWS

Leading Kent and Sussex solicitors and Chamber Members Rix & Kay have won a national excellence award from the Law Society.

The firm, which has offices in Brighton & Hove, Uckfield, Sevenoaks and Seaford, beat around 100 entrants to scoop the Excellence in Business Development award at a ceremony in London’s Hilton Hotel on Park Lane in October.

The judging panel comprised senior industry experts and the winners were announced at the ceremony, hosted by BBC journalist Mishal Husain.

Bruce Hayter, Managing Partner at Rix & Kay, said: “I am elated that our innovative approach and hard work have been recognised on the

Mandy Brook of RSE Group and Denise Harwood of the Enterprise Centre

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ACES

BEST4BIZ A Sparkling Success I

CHAMBER NEWS

n October, over 250 business leaders attended the BEST4BIZ conference held at the East Sussex National Hotel near Uckfield.

The conference, now in its second year, was organised by the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex (ACES) in association with East Sussex County Council.

Keynote speeches from Amber Rudd, the Secretary of State for the Energy and Climate Change and Josh Valman, founder of RPD International, focused on the topics of Innovation and Change. Josh, the 21-yearold founder of a manufacturing company established in over 40 countries, challenged delegates to change their way of business and their perceptions. His business was created using the internet and was valued at over £1 million within six months of launch.

Christina Ewbank, on behalf of ACES, commented: “Listening to the delegates, they really appreciated the chance to network with other businesses and to learn from leading experts on a range of topics, including recruitment, exporting, public sector procurement and some first-class marketing tips.”

Delegate Tim Sorensen said, “A huge thankyou for a great BEST4BIZ last Friday – really enjoyed it and a chance to network! I know how much work goes into organising an event like

this and would like to congratulate the team on the smooth running on the day.”

Christina added, “I want to thank everyone who helped make the conference such a huge success, in particular our sponsors, led by Westways Vending. With their support, we were able to make the event free to local business people. I’d also like to thank all the business leaders, local authorities and decision-makers who attended and made the day so interesting.”

The event concluded with the first Sparkling Sussex drinks reception and awards dinner, sampling some of the best ‘Sussex Sparkling’ wine available from the award-winning Ridgeview Wine Estate. The award for East Sussex Business of the Year was won by Horder Healthcare in recognition of their innovative working processes (using crowd funding and developing a valuable app), their excellent customer and staff care, along with their very impressive growth.

Diane Thomas, CEO of Horder Healthcare, commented: “It was a real honour to win the inaugural Best4Biz East Sussex Business of the Year Award. As a charity, Horder Healthcare’s key purpose is ‘to advance health to as many people as possible,’ so to receive this accolade is a true testament to the outstanding orthopaedic and musculoskeletal (MSK) services

that we provide from our hospital, The Horder Centre, in Crowborough and our outreach clinics situated in the South East.”

Amber Rudd Christina concluded: “Congratulations to all the nominees. I know the judges found it very difficult to choose a winner from the wide range of excellent Josh Valman businesses nominated by the ACES Chambers of Commerce and the FSB. The conference and awards evening really showcased the best of East Sussex and why the area is the destination of choice for so many successful businesses. If you want to get involved next year, get in contact with us on 01323 641144.”

Check out the conference video and picture gallery at: www.acesalliance.org/best4bizconference-2015

ACES – THE ALLIANCE OF CHAMBERS IN EAST SUSSEX You are automatically a member of ACES, representing 4,000 members across the county, if you are a member of the chambers listed below. This entitles you to share your news stories in these Platinum Business pages without charge.

Battle Chamber of Commerce www.battlechamber.org.uk

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce 01424 842892 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk

Crowborough Chamber of Commerce www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk

Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce 01323 641144 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk

East Sussex County Council 01273 481570 www.eastsussex.gov.uk

Federation of Small Businesses 01424 754686 Reg Office: 01323 482018 www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex

Hailsham Chamber of Commerce 01323 310531 www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Hastings Chamber of Commerce 01424 205500 www.hastingschamber.co.uk

Heathfield Chamber of Commerce 01435 865858 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk

The Institute of Directors 0207 766 8866 www.iod.com

Lewes Chamber of Commerce 07919 382316 www.leweschamber.org.uk

Locate East Sussex 0844 415 9255 www.locateeastsussex.org.uk

Newhaven Chamber of Commerce 0800 107 0709 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk

Peacehaven Chamber of Commerce 01273 586222 www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk

Seaford Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 www.seafordchamber.co.uk

South East Local Enterprise Partnership 01245 431469 www.southeastlep.com

Uckfield Chamber of Commerce 01825 722607 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk

Wealden District Council 01323 443322 www.wealden.gov.uk

WORTHING

AN EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED

T

he Better Business show will take place on Thursday, 28th January, 2016 at Town Hall and Assembly Hall Worthing.

This event is collaboratively delivered by Worthing and Adur

• What’s the Future? A range of mini workshops discussing the future of social media and the digital world, Google and business, video in business and more…

Chamber and Adur & Worthing Business Partnership. With a strong focus on ‘Buy Local’, this event is a ‘must’ in the 2016 business calendar for ALL businesses in Worthing & Adur, both large and small.

• Professional Dragon Tamer - inspirational speaker Linus Gorpe, who was recently successful on Dragon’s Den and ‘tamed’

Be part of the exhibition - don’t miss out, make sure you’re part of this exciting event. Showcase YOUR business, network with the best

Deborah Meaden, will share his journey while establishing

organisations locally, get involved and get noticed. To promote your

The Raw Chocolate Company. In 2015, Linus was listed by Salt

business at this unmissable day, book your stand now. There is a

magazine as one of the world’s top 100 compassionate business

choice of 2m and 3m stands from just £110.00.

What can you look forward to as a delegate?

The morning’s focus will be on local council procurement, business

leaders.

• Success on your doorstep - visit the Business Showcase

start-up support and connecting with experts and advisors:

area and share in the success of the large and long-established

• Get Started - a taster session of the new business start-up

companies in the Worthing & Adur area .

workshop on offer from Let’s Do Business group

• Inspire Me - Gillian Fielding – Chamber Patron, financial

• Been there, done that - Success Story Panel: Q&A session with a panel, featuring some of our area’s biggest success stories.

entrepreneur and ‘Secret Millionaire’ will talk about how she started from humble roots in London’s East End and discovered

Panel members will share their journeys, highs and lows and all-

and used her own resources to eventually achieve financial

important top tips. One not to be missed!

freedom for herself and her family. She is a qualified chartered accountant, runs several businesses and has worked in several high-profile roles in the City.

• Business Gossip - network at the Sussex Food Court, an opportunity to finish the day with a relaxed networking

• Support Me - business support providers, including Business

opportunity and light refreshments.

Navigator, Enterprise First and Business Growth, will all be present to offer help and guidance, including information about grants and finance.

Last year this successful event saw the larger companies in the

on hand to discuss opportunities with heads of department. Book

area, such as B & W Loudspeakers, Ricardo, ETI Limited and Southern

your 121 meeting and have the opportunity to put your business in

Water, come together, network and share experiences with both

front of the key buyers at the council.

• Advise Me - Expert Zone with advice on finance, marketing, PR, branding and legal – but make sure you book your session beforehand.

• Train Me - a range of mini workshops including ‘Kickstart your social media’ and ‘Marketing on a shoestring.’

• Connect Me - Networking Lunch: a fast and fun session with local businesses.

• Promote Me - meet, network and share experiences at the B2B Exhibition. with both new and established businesses.

The afternoon’s focus will be on growth, the future and local success stories.

new and established businesses. This year’s show will be bigger and better, with the addition of a larger B2B exhibition, networking opportunities, 121 advice clinics, empowering business stories and much more. The Better Business Showcase is your chance to get to know local success stories and network with some of the most proactive companies in our local area.

Don’t miss the Early Bird Offer on our website. For more information, to book a stand, buy a ticket and to keep up-to-date with the developing programme, visit: www.worthingandadurchamber. co.uk

For further details on all events visit www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk • 01903 203484

CHAMBER NEWS

• Grow Me - Adur & Worthing Council Procurement Team will be

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DINING OUT

O

GRAVETYE MANOR

By Amanda Menahem

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h, I do love a good country house hotel.

It’s something we just do so well in the UK, and this time of year is a perfect time to visit – roaring log fires, cosy panelled rooms, squishy sofas, a sense of history and grandeur combining to create a quintessential country house experience. We are blessed with some great examples in Sussex: South Lodge, Ockenden Manor and Alexander House spring to mind, and Gravetye Manor has been on my list of must-tries for quite some time. Having recently been awarded a Michelin star, I thought it the perfect venue to meet the marvellous Mr Hoffmann after a meeting at nearby Gatwick.

Gravetye is a beautiful property surrounded by woodland with a mile-long twisting drive through the woods to get to the majestic front gates. It was built in 1598 and was once owned

by William Robinson, widely regarded as one of the greatest gardeners of all time and said to have invented the original English natural garden. His legacy can be admired in the grounds and, importantly for me, on the plate.

Gravetye first became a hotel in 1958 when it was purchased by Peter Herbert following Robinson’s death. In 2010 Jeremy Hosking, a long-standing patron of the hotel, purchased the property and set about a programme of restoration and conservation, nurturing and preserving the natural history and country hospitality. He seems to be doing a great job.

The team are clearly passionate about Gravetye and take great pride in showcasing the property and all that it has to offer. The service is extremely attentive (a little too much so – more on that later) and welcoming. When we arrived we were warmly greeted by the staff and I felt instantly relaxed as I was led past the open log fire into the bar. We started with some English sparkling wine, a Seyval Blanc, from nearby Bluebell Vineyard Estates. I found this a touch too sweet for my taste; I much prefer the other local sparkler, Ridgeview.

The menu is comprehensive without being overly lengthy, and as this is my favourite time of year for food, I found it quite difficult to choose. I called over the restaurant Manager, Dominic, and asked him to talk me through the dishes. I’d narrowed it down to four! He did so without hesitation and without having to defer to the chef at any point. I was impressed! It’s one of my bugbears when front of house don’t know enough about the menu. I had intended to choose healthily. This is a constant mind battle for me at any given moment – health vs. taste/ greed - but greed won out as soon as I spotted a pig cheek ‘tart’. I love all things piggy (I’m such a bad Jew) and this sounded an interesting dish: glazed tart of pig cheek and penny bun, roasted

DINING OUT celeriac and pear sorbet.

Maarten and I ended up negotiating, as we both wanted the same starters and mains – this is not on when reviewing! I wasn’t willing to give up the pig cheek but relented on the mains and allowed him to have my first choice of charred rump of English rose veal with sweetbreads, Jerusalem artichoke, leek and gremolata. After much agonizing between pigeon, sea bass or guinea fowl, I ordered guinea fowl: roasted breast and confit thigh, cauliflower, truffle, pak choi, potato and thyme pressing and mead sauce. Maarten ordered the pressed fois gras with Madeira jelly, almond brioche and caramelized orange - my secondchoice starter.

Canapés quickly arrived as we sipped our drinks – a mini arancini, a cheese puff, and salmon tartare. These were fine.

We moved to the dining room, a woodpanelled, quite formal space, but thankfully it didn’t feel too formal or stuffy, despite the starched white table cloths. The tables are

“This was sublime, one of the best desserts I have had in a long time, ” large and round, conducive to social interaction and providing plenty of space. An amuse bouche of celeriac veloute with seeds was simple but with great richness and depth of flavour. There were two types of bread on offer; a sourdough and an onion bread. Neither were warm nor tasted freshly made, but I assume they were. For me, this was a blessing, as I was able to leave them alone.

Starters arrived. The pig cheek tart was impressive. It appeared as a slice of tart on the plate, the pig cheek encased in caramelised celeriac and with a pear sorbet on the side.

The richness of the pig cheek was cut through by the sweetness of the caramelised celeriac and then balanced with the sharpness of the pear sorbet – a perfect marriage of texture, flavour and temperature. On tasting Maarten’s fois gras I realized I’d negotiated well on this first course. Again, the combinations of flavours on the plate were well executed, caramelised orange segments and Madeira gel a good accompaniment to the rich fois gras.

However, the almond brioche lacked almond flavour and could have been more moist, and I found the fois gras a little too salty, but good nevertheless.

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“I love all things piggy (I’m such a bad Jew) ”

I lost on the mains. Maarten’s rose veal was excellent: perfectly cooked meat, and the sweetbread buttery and delicate, melt-in-the-mouth. My dish of guinea fowl was a fine example. The best thing on the plate was the confit of thigh, which had been fashioned into a cube of deliciousness. The guinea fowl was well cooked – moist and flavourful, with good, crisp skin. The accompanying vegetables and puree were also good. But given that these ingredients are quite ordinary, I would have loved something to lift the whole dish to a new level – a more intensely flavoured element to the dish, or a different texture (everything was quite ‘soft’ on the plate). I did find myself wondering about the sea bass or pigeon .... Oh, the curse of being a procrastinating foodie....

As we were both driving, our wine consumption was frustratingly limited. I chose a pinot noir and Maarten a pinot gris, both good choices.

A mango sorbet promised to cleanse the palate. I’ve always been suspicious of this concept, preferring to cleanse my palate with more wine, frankly. I am not a fan of sorbet; I find it an unnecessary sugar hit ahead of the more worthwhile sugar consumption of dessert.

Their signature dessert is soufflé, which changes with the seasons. This time it was raspberry, recently collected from the garden. This was sublime, one of the best desserts I have had in a long time, and I am not usually a fan of ‘fruit-orientated’ desserts. I am always drawn to chocolate if it’s on the menu, so when my chocolate pave arrived, it was a little disappointing in comparison to the magnificent soufflé. Chocolate desserts do need to be spot-on in order to stand out and demand the right combination of density, intensity of flavour, lightness and texture. To me, this chocolate dessert was out of balance, feeling heavy on the palate without the intensity. I spotted the caramelised white chocolate mousse at a nearby table; this looked fantastic and left me vowing to return so that I could try it (along with the pigeon... or the sea bass). Petit fours included fudge, plus a mini coconut macaroon dipped in chocolate – crisp outside and moist within.

Overall, I was impressed with the level of cooking and the combinations of flavours. Service was very good, except that we were asked if everything was okay far too often. At one point we were interrupted whilst in the depths of conversation unnecessary and a little irritating.

Afterwards we chatted with the chef, George Blogg – a charming and humble gentleman who talked passionately about the team, including the gardener Tom, responsible for providing George an ever-changing, rich bounty of produce. He talked of local suppliers and selecting only the very best. He talked at length about the menu and the intent behind the concepts of various dishes. It was good to hear first hand the level of thought and consideration that goes into creating such great food.

It’s clear that Gravetye are not trying to prove anything or be anything that they are not, resisting the temptation to ‘trendy’ the place up by adding spas or shades of Farrow and Ball greys.

It is a traditional country gem with old-school charm and very good food. A place to visit at least every season.

“Gravetye is a beautiful property surrounded by woodland with a mile-long twisting drive through the woods.....”

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Gravetye Manor Vowels Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4LJ T: 01342 810567 W: www.gravetyemanor.co.uk

NETWORKING

THE BUSINESS NETWORK

Network Review – Women in Networking (WIN)

By Emma Pearce, Marketing Consultant – marketing planning, outsourced marketing and social media training www. pearcemarketing.co.uk Emma Pearce gives a more detailed insight into the WIN network for women business owners in Buxted, near Uckfield.

T

Chloe Eason. Jane explained that, “Any profits

business to take to the floor - whether you

are reinvested into putting on a fabulous

attend the group regularly or not. The cost to

networking in, the Lewes, Uckfield, Eastbourne

Christmas party evening and general marketing

be a speaker is £50, and you will be promoted

and Tunbridge Wells areas. There is a great

costs each month.”

in the email marketing reminders to all those

his network is a non-profit-making group that hosts female business owners who typically come from, or are

mix of start-ups, growing or well-established

The group is managed by Jane Doswell and

Jane added that the reasons the group

The speaker slot is an opportunity for any

signed up to receive notifications about events,

companies represented across both business-

is popular are “The wonderful venue and

to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer

the relaxed atmosphere while still ensuring

(B2C) sectors.

that the benefits of business networking

Key Facts

are achieved.” She believes that women are

• Location: Buxted Park Hotel, Buxted, near

There is no membership fee, it’s just pay-as-

as well as on the Eventbrite booking page.

you-go via Eventbrite for a lunch at Buxted Park

usually very interested in finding out more

Hotel each month. One attendee said that they

about each other and it is this deeper level

loved the group because, “Every month has

of understanding and friendship that builds

Wednesday, plus a Christmas evening event,

a slightly different mix of people, with some

relationships that bring in business.

familiar faces, but always new people, too.”

also at the Buxted Park Hotel (17 December

The format of the meeting:

Buxted Park Hotel

• 30 minutes open networking with everyone attending the event • Sit down around the one large oval table and pass around business cards • 1-2 minute round where each person can speak about their business, what they are looking for and share knowledge (with a call to action if you are maximising this opportunity!)

• Enjoy a fabulous lunch provided by the Buxted Park Hotel • Listen to a speaker for 10 minutes, with time for Q&A • More open networking if you wish to stay, or take the opportunity to have a 1-2-1 conversation with another business owner

Uckfield • Frequency: Once per month, on the second

2015) • Size: 15-20 attendees • Time: 12.15 - 2.30 pm • Lock out: No (except for duplicate multi-level marketing organisations) • 1 Minute Round: Yes, 1-2 minutes • Speaker slot: Yes - £50 fee to be the featured speaker • Cost: £22, plus the £2.09 fee for Eventbrite

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this networking group, please contact: Chloe Eason via chloe@willinglegalservices.co.uk and 07729 458893 or Jane Doswell via jane@imagemattersltd.co.uk and 07834 769324.

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SECRET SUSSEX

GIVING A VOICE FOR THE GREATER GOOD Giving Times is a a news channel supporting social action. PBM meets the founder, Tracey Allen

C

hristmas is a time for altruism and generosity and as the nights grow darker and the John Lewis advert

social action messages out for businesses and charities alike.

In three years the company has worked

tugs at our heartstrings, we’re all reminded

with a variety of organisations on important

about doing something positive to help others

issues such as the living wage, suicide

less fortunate. However, charities and some

prevention, combating loneliness and isolation

businesses across the South East do this all

in older people, disability awareness, youth

year round but is anyone shouting about the

engagement, domestic violence and sugar

work they’re doing?

addiction to name just a few issues. SEA PR

Well, the answer to that question is yes and

work as media advisers giving a platform to

it comes under the name of SEA PR and their

third sector organisations who wouldn’t usually

newly launched news platform Giving Times.

have access to it or think that they could. And

Having worked across different media

Tracey Allen

businesses who are delivering social action

platforms for many years, Founder and

initiatives such as Brighton’s Chamber of

She says that her original idea was for it to be a

Managing Director Tracey Allen launched SEA

Commerce successful Living Wage campaign.

medium for pushing positive news information

PR in 2012 with the sole aim of ‘giving a voice

Tracey explained: “It’s no secret that all

into the public domain but what it eventually

to those working for the greater good’. Despite

sectors have been hit hard over the last few

became was so much more than just a “feel-

being in the middle of a global recession they

years. Following the recession and on-going

good press hub”.

started to use their media expertise to help

government cuts, but many organisations

raise awareness, build reputations and get

providing support to communities have faced

summer we really started to see something

closure, restructure and uncertain futures. In

powerful take shape, Tracey added. Everyone

light of this it’s more important than ever that

we spoke to had a story to tell and a survey

third sector organisations and CSR (Corporate

we conducted showed 92 per cent of people

Social Responsibility) initiatives are given the

we asked would welcome the site, but more

focus, expertise and media coverage they need

importantly, 100 per cent said that they would

to support their campaigns, raise awareness

be interested in seeing what else is going on in

and keep their issues high on the agenda, and

the third sector. This was the light bulb moment

that’s where Giving Times comes in.”

for us because we finally saw how large the

Giving Times, which launched two months

scope was and rather than just providing

ago, is the new on-line media platform for

another news source, we could provide

charity, social enterprise and business CSR

something which actually made a difference.

news in the South East. Tracey explains that

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As we worked on the concept throughout the

Social change is now at the heart of

the website is an integrated media hub with the

everything Giving Times stands for. Tracey

aim to make media and digital technology the

explains, it grew from something which had

drivers of social change through story-telling.

been born from the predicament of the third

SECRET SUSSEX sector, but the possibilities now are endless.

Tracey says: “One

We have just as many businesses and social

thing we noticed was

enterprises using our site as we do charities,

that a lot of really

and people are sending us really in-depth,

important community

social commentary pieces which are now

stories or social

being shared across public and private sector

action stories were

channels too. The ultimate goal for us, is that

confined to company

all of these different sectors, organisations,

newsletters or not

entrepreneurs and community champions

heard about at all. We

start a conversation off the back of the links we’re helping to forge across the South East. If a start-up business in Hastings see an article about Business in the Community or Social Enterprise Rocks, they immediately have access to something which could make all the difference to them in their first few years. If a charity notice a certain company who are working hard to promote their CSR work then it starts a conversation and who knows what can come out of it.

Tracey added, we feel strongly that in 2016

have a fantastic range of media providers across the county but with so many important news stories, it’s not always that easy for the charities and less sensational news to get coverage. Papers have a set remit of what they can publish based on what stories sell newspapers, but then what about all the other news which is often

business could be used more to help support solving social problems and so rather than just talk about it, we want Giving Times to be a catalyst for this. Businesses can’t support what they don’t’ know about. Our purpose is to provide ‘A Voice For Everyone’ by promoting the stories across the region but then also to take it

“Businesses can’t support what they don’t know about .”

The news provided by Giving Times is online and available to all via free subscription, with bite size weekly updates sent out to

picked up by dedicated media outlets. What we realised is that, in the same way we have music magazines and financial newspapers,

subscribers. As well as Third Sector stories

why don’t we have a resource which reports on

and business CSR updates, Giving Times will

community and social activity and especially

promote events, jobs, TV and video campaigns–

businesses working for the greater good?”

and help with networking and media

coordinated engagement strategy and open you up to new and possibly different audiences.

Having worked with charities, social enterprises and third sector groups through these uncertain times, SEA PR have maintained a focus on people over profit which they aim to continue with Giving Times.

Tracey says that Giving Times’ audience will benefit from a ‘one-stop-shop’ media resource with the capacity to extend their reach and voice across the South East of England. The

one step further and use those voices to make a difference.

charities. Your business will gain from a more

One of the key ways Giving Times hopes

news website is already gaining vital support from respected companies across the region, not only showing it is a key platform for businesses and charities but also that it is a much needed resource for communities too.

SEA PR has grown rapidly over the first three years but they hope to continue growing

engagement. Critically, businesses are given

to bring about social change is by helping

and make a difference to local charities and

the opportunity to use Giving Times to promote

businesses tell their stories. If you’re a

social enterprises as well as expanding to

their ongoing CSR and social action activity.

business, getting your story out there is

more national and international charities,

important in that it encourages

public sector groups and ethical organisations.

and inspires others to do

Their aim, with Giving Times is, to provide a

the same, and earns you

template that shows social enterprises and the

the recognition you deserve for investing in your local community. More and more it is so important to talk about the impact you make and the difference your actions bring to

public sector the value of good communication and campaigning.

Tracey Allen, Director of SEA PR, said; “The work we do is about making a difference and making it count. We feel

the areas in which you

passionate about media and digital technology

operate. Whether it’s because

being a tool for social change and giving those

you pay the living wage, employ

that work for the greater good the platform to

apprentices, or fundraise

do it. We hope Giving Times will drive social

and volunteer for local

passion in everyone”

For more information go to www.givingtimes.co.uk or send your news stories to news@givingtimes.co.uk

97

INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS

BUSINESS AND SOCIETY

By Dean Orgill Chairman of Mayo Wynne Baxter www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk • www.iod.com

W

hen visiting some other European countries recently I have been struck by the apparent differences in their

either as a way of ensuring more widespread employment or as an inefficient way of spending precious public financial resources

attitudes to the interaction between business,

which could be more effectively directed

the state and the people in their respective

elsewhere.

societies.

As a lawyer I am genetically obliged to insert

The resolution of these questions can be difficult for the public sector to resolve,

a disclaimer at this point. I should declare

although the public sector may say that it could

(though it will become obvious) that I am no

be difficult if they were allowed the “luxury” of

scholar on the topic. A quick internet search

choosing between the different models rather

will direct you to many learned tomes should

than facing the challenge of providing more for

you wish to muse further on this subject.

less.

However, I have resisted the temptation to sift

But does business need to trouble itself

through websites to extract some piercing

about such issues? If business has any moral

quotation, not least because that way I avoid the

imperative, can it discharge any obligations just

shudders of reliving my A-level studies again.

by being ethical and, to appropriate a medical

In any event, your own conclusions are

term, simply doing no harm? If a business

far more important. To what extent does

remains honest, pays a living wage and does

business have any obligation to society beyond

not pollute its environment, is its only other

incidentally providing an income for workers

obligation effectively to keep going – if that? If it

as it seeks to make profit? How far should the

does, then it sustains incomes for its investors

state go in providing work so that incomes are

and its employees. They, in turn, plough this

generated in return for labour rather than being

back into the economy for the benefit of all.

provided as benefits?

Is there any obligation to create another Port

Some of our European neighbours employ council workers in greater numbers on

Sunlight or Bournville?

Why are these points worth considering

“municipal” tasks than we are used to seeing in

now? Because our society is changing. The

this country now, and they will often be doing

public sector will not be providing services

so as direct labour. Differing views see this

in the ways that it has done traditionally.

98

Communities will need to provide more for themselves. Those needs are changing too.

Communities are perhaps becoming less placebased; even if a new model village were built, it would not necessarily fit the profile for today’s community.

Businesses are not only key economic contributors, they are often providers for activity (doing a job) and social interactions (many people attend offices to meet colleagues at some point, though perhaps less frequently, when many jobs could perhaps now be done via a remote network).

As public sector cuts bite over the coming years and lifestyles alter, will businesses find themselves collaborating more with communities? I suspect so, and CSR may mean much more direct involvement with those communities, both physical and virtual.

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