Platinum Business Magazine issue 31

The widest-read business publication in the UK

PLATINUM

ISSUE 31. 2017

THE BIG STORY Farage the Kingmaker

BRIGHTON MOTORSHOW Exciting new event

PLATINUM CEO FIGHT CLUB

THE HORROR OF FRAUD NatWest Bank

BUSINESS TRAVEL Hong Kong

FOOD AWARDS The winners announced

READ ALL PAST ISSUES AT WWW.PLATINUMBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM

Award winning business, tax and wealth advice To find out more about the full range of accountancy, business advisory and financial services that help our clients achieve their business and personal goals, please contact:

Bryan Elkins, Partner, Horsham office T: +44 (0)1403 253 282 E: bryan.elkins@krestonreeves.com Shirley Smith, Partner, Gatwick office T: +44 (0)1293 776 152 E: shirley.smith@krestonreeves.com

Offices across London, Sussex and Kent www.krestonreeves.com

PROFESSIONAL

SERVICES 2016

A R C H I T E C T S

Welcome to Yelo. We are a contemporary architectural practice specialising in innovative, high quality design in Brighton and across the South East.

Founded in 2010, we have built a reputation based on approachability and a genuine passion for architecture which has led to a number of awards.

We can design, manage and fully oversee the construction of the whole process on your behalf. Contact us for all your architectural needs.

hello@yeloarchitects.com www.yeloarchitects.com

01273 608 444

Welcome

18

THE BIG STORY MARMITE MAN Is Nigel Farage the new kingmaker?

14 24 38 50 58

THE HORROR OF FRAUD How to avoid being scammed

SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS All the big award winners

THE CITY OF LIFE Business Guide to Hong Kong

CEO FIGHT CLUB Why goals don’t always work

At a Glance 6 11 14 17 18

Local News

24 29 30 32 34 36 38 46 48 50 51 52 55 56 58 60 62 64 66

The 28th Sussex Business Awards

68 71 72 74 77 78 83 87 88 90

Table Talk – Small Bites

National News NatWest Gatwick Diamond Business Awards Nigel Farage – Mr Marmite or Kingmaker?

Rivervale House Revealed Kreston Reeves Carpenter Box Rawlison Butler DMH Stallard Travel – Shake Hands in Hong Kong Travel – Uniglobe Travel – Croatia CEO Fight Club Cloud Talk Coast to Capital Motoring – Platinum Classics Motoring – Mondeo Mania Brighton and Hove Motorshow Ten2Two Recruitment Mannings Heath Table Talk – And so to Food Table Talk – Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Awards

Table Talk – Wine Masterclass Business Women Excellence Awards Chestnut Tree House – Snowball Better Business Show 2017 Chambers pages Manor Royal Conference Pearce Marketing – Network Review Anger Management Institute of Directors

BRIGHTON MOTOR SHOW Look out for an exciting new addition to the calendar

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 owned and published by The Platinum Publishing Group.

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Issue 31 - 2017

A word from the Editors The New Year is upon us and life is still a mystery. What effect will Trump have on our lives, will Brexit ever materialise, will Southern Trains ever run again, will Nigel Farage end up with more power than our own PM? As we cannot answer any of these questions, let’s move on and look forward to the New Year. Daryl Gayler from NatWest explains the horrific results of corporate cyber crime and what we can all do about it, Kreston Reeves discuss the problem with pensions, Rawlison Butler look at the changes to the immigration act and John Burroughes gets all hot and bothered about the trains. On that subject, Anger Management gets a little more than hot and bothered about the unions wilful destruction of the South East’s economy and recommends a firing squad as the answer.

We proceed apace with our expansion with the launch of the new publication for the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex, that is currently in circulation, and the exciting new Surrey Chambers magazine that launches in mid-January.

And finally, we are delighted to announce that the Platinum Publishing Group has been appointed as the official Media Sponsor of the Brighton and Hove Motor Show. This exciting new event will take place in June and will bring together top dealers and manufacturers from across the region at the Amex Stadium for a weekend of wonderful wheels. Entry is free so see page 58 for all the information.

Happy New Year to you all.

Maarten & Ian Platinum Business Magazine January 2017

The Team

Maarten Hoffmann – Director maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com

07966 244046

Ian Trevett – Director ian@platinumbusinessmagazine.com

07989 970804

Lesley Alcock

Amanda Menahem

Kate Morton

Business Development Director

Food & Drink Editor

Copy Editor

Rose Dykins

Julia Trevett

Sarah Walker-Bennett

Amanda Spicer

Travel Editor

Accounts Manager

Event Photographer

Head of Design

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News

LOCAL NEWS TAXING TRIUMPH FOR MAZARS Mazars has been awarded the Top 50 Tax Team of the Year award at the 2016 British Accountancy Awards held in London.

The judging panel recognised that the team from Mazars “looks to deal with the major challenges of delivering a modern-day tax service, that of transparency and ethics. The team also illustrated their success with impressive fi gures.”

Tim Davies, partner and UK Head of Tax at Mazars, commented: “On behalf of the team, we are delighted to have won this award. To be recognised for our thought leadership, commitment to clients, innovation and growth is true testament to our culture and commitment, as well as our expertise.”

From left to right: Richard Karmel, Jac Berry, David Prestwich, Melanie Orriss, Stephen Brown, Tim Davies, Alistair Fraser, Michael Tripp.

LLOYDS LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL TRADE PORTAL

BRIGHTON TOPS START-UP LEAGUE Brighton is the best place to start up a small business in the UK according to research compiled by Informi.co.uk, a website offering free practical advice and support for small businesses.

Lloyds Bank has launched a new International Trade Portal, which will help them to identify the international opportunities that have the most potential for their product or service. It will also allow businesses to focus their efforts and identify prospects to grow overseas and the potential pitfalls they may face.

• access market reports, trade shows and events for their chosen sectors and countries

Informi studied information from 65 UK cities on a number of factors that can be important for smaller company survival, including the density of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the area, the quality of digital connectivity, and house prices. Brighton came top of the list due predominantly to its superfast broadband penetration rate, low pollution levels and high number of business startups.

• view sanction checks on potential trade partners

THE TOP FIVE

• use an import and export calculator to optimise shipping costs

1.

Brighton

• view live foreign exchange rates

2.

Cambridge

Andrew Bester, Group Director and CEO of Commercial Banking, said: “More of our businesses are trading internationally than ever before, or looking to do so for the fi rst time, and they are telling us they want practical support and guidance from their bank to help them explore new markets and opportunities overseas. Our International Trade Portal can make a real difference.”

3.

Leicester

4.

Bristol

5.

Northampton

The interactive online tool will allow businesses to: • search for suppliers and buyers to work with as trading partners • view information on trading requirements and conditions for specifi c markets • look for real-time public or private tender opportunities around the globe

Jo Harris, Managing Director, Retail Business Banking, said: “Our smallest business customers stand to gain the most from the opportunity to trade internationally. The new portal will put a world of new opportunities at their fi ngertips.”

www.lloydsbanktrade.com.

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❝

I intend to live forever.

So far, so good.

❞

News

MORE MIDNIGHT AWARDS PRESIDENT KATIE Midnight Communications has taken home a silver award for the best Corporate and Business Communications Campaign at the recent CIPR PRide Awards 2016.

The consultancy has been recognised for its outstanding work in the South of England and Channel Islands region for its work with law fi rm, Thomas Eggar.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to have been recognised in this hotly contested category. B2B PR is at our core and this award is testament to the team’s exceptionally hard work and success in the legal sector” said Managing Director, Caraline Brown.

The CIPR PRide Awards recognises the outstanding talents and achievements of public relations practitioners across the UK’s regions and nations. They are the most prestigious and rigorously judged awards of their kind.

At the same time, Senior Account Executive Tommy Handley, was named Young Communicator of the Year. The judges commented: “Tommy impressed us with his ability to build great relationships with clients, colleagues and journalists alike. His creativity, commitment and ability to tailor his approach has earned him ringing endorsements and led to outstanding campaign results.”

This was the 12th year in a row that a member of the Midnight team has been recognised for young achievement.

Meanwhile, Midnight’s managing director, Caraline Brown was celebrating the company’s 21st year by receiving the Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award at the Business Women Excellence Awards 2016.

Tommy said: “To win an award on the same night as Caraline was special. It refl ects not only her own exceptional achievements in PR but the time, effort and skill she has invested in helping so many others reach their full potential over more than 20 years.”

Katie Presland, an investment manager at the Tunbridge Wells offi ce of Wealth manager Charles Stanley has been elected as President of the South East branch of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI).

The CISI is the leading professional body for wealth management and fi nancial planning professionals. The CISI is dedicated to professionalism and has a global community of around 400,000 members in 116 countries. Last year more than 40,000 CISI exams were sat in 80 countries.

The CISI recently hosted the fi rst ever annual dinner for the CISI’s South East branch at the Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells. Over 90 guests attended and over £1,800 was raised for the Hospice in the Weald.

❝

Accept who you are unless you’re a serial killer

www.midnight.co.uk.

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THINK GLOBAL Young Start-up Talent (YST) marked Global Entrepreneurship Week 2016 with a series of workshops across the South East to help budding young entrepreneurs. Lorraine Nugent, Founding Partner of Young Start-up Talent commented, “The interest in the initiative was extremely inspiring and incredible to witness.”

After hosting a drop-in session and workshop at the University of Sussex, YST then presented a business workshop at the Crawley Campus of Central Sussex College. The turnout was incredible with over 450 enthusiastic students attending the seminar. YST was extremely disappointed to have to turn away over 150 more students, as there was simply no more room!

YST was joined at the workshop by sponsor, Chris Lyle, Business Growth Enabler for NatWest. Chris spoke about her connection to Entrepreneurial Spark, the world’s largest free business accelerator for early stage and growing ventures.

If you would like the chance to win a prize fund of business products and services worth £50,000 to help you kick-start your business, then apply now on the YST website at youngstartuptalent.co.uk/enter/

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News

LOCAL NEWS

THE GENEROSITY AWARDS

£100K FIGHT NIGHT CHEQUE

Time is fast running for businesses to enter the third biannual Chestnut Tree House Business Awards 2017.

The Awards recognise and reward many Sussex businesses and individual employees who have been outstanding in their support of the children’s hospice over the last couple of years.

Alice Lisher (Action Medical Research), Louise Hearn (Skerritts), Phil Hodkinson (Chair of Action Medical Research), Heidi Skerritt, Richard Skerritt and Paul Hearn (all from Skerritts) In Local News we recently featured a charity boxing evening organised by Richard Skerritt, MD of Skerritts Chartered Financial Planners. The evening raised over £100,000, and Richard and his wife Heidi recently presented the cheque to Action Medical Research at a ceremony in London’s BT Tower.

The funds will be used to support vital research into life-threatening and life-limiting diseases that affect thousands of babies and young children in the UK each year. A total of £15k will directly support a project into epilepsy.

Richard said, “The people of Brighton have been incredibly generous in their support for Action Medical Research. The charity does fantastic work to help develop new treatments and cures for sick babies and children and I hope the money will help make a real difference.”

Around 400 people attended the boxing event and Richard put on his boxing gloves for the fi rst fi ght of the evening - and won.

BOEING BOOST Gatwick Airport is in discussions with Boeing to build a commercial aviation maintenance hangar at the airport. The proposed facility, subject to local authority planning permission, will add engineering capacity to support the Gatwick airline community’s immediate operational needs to continue its record growth in both short and long haul services and will support more than 100 jobs at the airport. It would also support Boeing’s European GoldCare customers.

Utilised by more than 60 airline customers around the world, GoldCare is a fl exible set of fl eet engineering, materials and maintenance services tailored for airlines and managed by Boeing.

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Terrina Barnes, Corporate Fundraising Manager for Chestnut Tree House said, “We are inviting businesses to nominate themselves, or name individuals in their organisations who have put in extraordinary effort to support us in so many ways.

Nominations close on Friday February 3rd and the 2017 Award ceremony will be held on March 9th at South Lodge Hotel near Horsham.

The award categories for 2017 are as follows: • Outstanding Individual Fundraiser • Fundraising Team of the Year • Most Innovative Fundraising Idea • Outstanding Voluntary Project • Outstanding Long-term Supporter • Outstanding SME Supporter • Outstanding Small Business • Outstanding Corporate Supporter

To enter a business or individual, go to www. chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/businessawards or call the Fundraising Team on 01903 871849.

Platinum Business Magazine is very proud to be a media partner and judge for these inspiring awards.

❝

If you hit the target every time it’s too near or too big.

❞

News

UNIVERSITY STARS CELEBRATE SUCCESS

A WARMING BEDTIME STORY

Over 100 student and staff award-winners had the chance to meet the donors who sponsored their awards at a University of Brighton event celebrating a wide range of academic and extra-curricular achievements.

A number of donors - including celebrity alumni such as DJ Norman Cook, author and illustrator Cressida Cowell and events promoter Harvey Goldsmith - joined University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debra Humphris and the Mayor of Brighton & Hove to formally recognise the achievements of all of the prize winners.

Gavin George (a former Business School student of the university and Chief Executive of the Laine Pub Company) told the audience why he chose to give and commented: “It was very moving to hear from recipients about just how much difference the awards and the university have made to their lives”.

Harvey Goldsmith, who studied Pharmacy at the university and unsurprisingly was a very active Entertainments Offi cer during his student years, said: “This is a great innovation for the University of Brighton that gives students a chance to follow their dreams.” Harvey has set up a prize to encourage and reward new ideas for student enterprises.

Norman Cook is supporting two prizes – one in Digital Music and Sound Arts and another in Television and Digital Media Production. Norman spoke about how inspired he was in hearing directly from the student prize winners: “It was great to meet the students in person and hear about life at my former university today.

It means a lot to me to be able to create a prize like this.”

VC Debra Humphris said: “As a university we are blessed with a dedicated, diverse and passionate community of students, staff and alumni. The continued involvement of our alumni, friends and partners will be key to the university’s ongoing success.” Debra has herself funded a prize for health practitioners and was able to meet her scholar in person during the event.

If you are interested in fi nding out more about the University of Brighton’s prize schemes and how they make a difference, contact giving@brighton.ac.uk.

There are few more inspiring corporate stories than that of Sussex Beds. Just two years ago, the high street business was in grave danger of total collapse. The fi nancial crash combined with growing online purchases mounted to years of poor trading and substantial losses.

The 35-year-old family run business was on its knees and in 2014 went into liquidation.

“It was a dark time”, said Steve Pickering, MD of Sussex Beds. “My parents set up the business in 1981 and I’ve been working for the company since I was a teenager. To face losing everything – not to mention having to lay off my 36 fantastic staff – was horrendous. We completely restructured and introduced new branding and management systems. It was far removed from anything we’d ever done in the past but I felt we had nothing to lose.”

The last ditch attempt worked and as a result the company experienced soaring footfall and profi ts to match. Sussex Beds is now planning an ambitious expansion programme for 2017.

The unprecedented turnaround of Sussex Beds was recently recognised when they scooped the National Bed Retailer of the Year Award.

“After all the diffi culties the company had faced I couldn’t believe we’d won,” says Steve. “We were entirely honest in our entry about being near to closure but the judges said the efforts we’d put in to transform the business had contributed to us being chosen.

“Winning the award was a very emotional time for all of us, who’ve worked tirelessly to turn the business around to the success it is today. I’m so proud of the team.”

www.sussexbeds.co.uk

❝

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.

❞

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News

NATIONAL NEWS PFIZER FINE

WEALTH DISTRIBUTION

Drugs giant Pfi zer has been fi ned a record £84.2m by the UK’s competition watchdog for overcharging the NHS for an anti-epilepsy drug.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) also fi ned distributor Flynn Pharma £5.2m for the 2,600% overnight price increase for the drug in 2012.

NHS spending on the capsules, used by 48,000 UK patients, rose from £2m a year in 2012 to about £50m in 2013.

Pfi zer rejected the fi ndings and said it would appeal against the decision.

UK prices for the drug were many times higher than in Europe, the CMA said.

Philip Marsden of the CMA said: “The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients.

These extraordinary price rises have cost the NHS and the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds.”

Before 2012, Pfi zer manufactured and distributed the drug, which was branded Epanutin.

Pfi zer then sold the UK rights to distribute the phenytoin sodium capsules to Flynn Pharma, which de-branded the drug.

That allowed the fi rms to charge more for the drug because it was no longer subject to a pricing scheme agreed between the NHS and the drugs industry, the CMA said.

❝

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.

❞

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has warned that people will reject free and open markets unless something is done to help those left behind by the fi nancial crisis and globalisation.

In a speech, he said: “Globalisation is associated with low wages, insecure employment, stateless corporations and striking inequalities.

There are staggering wealth inequalities in many advanced economies” he added.

He told his audience that politicians and central bankers must act to ensure people do not lose faith in the current system.

“Turning our backs on open markets would be a tragedy, but it is a possibility, and can only be averted by confronting the underlying reasons for this risk upfront.” Mr Carney was giving the Roscoe Lecture at Liverpool John Moores University.

MASSIVE BANK FINES The European Commission has fi ned three banks £413m for rigging a key European benchmark rate. The Euribor rate is used to calculate the value of many fi nancial products worth billions of euros.

HSBC, JPMorgan and Credit Agricole illegally exchanged sensitive Euribor information to make a profi t on those products, the Commission said. JPMorgan and HSBC have denied wrongdoing, and says they may appeal against the decision.

Barclays, Deutsche Bank and Societe Generale all settled with the Commission over the case in 2013.

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News

ASTONISHING FAILURE

YOUTUBE CASH

TalkTalk’s handling of a wi-fi password breach is being criticised by several cyber-security experts. The BBC has presented the company with evidence that many of its customers’ router credentials have been hacked, putting them at risk of data theft.

YouTube has said it has paid the music industry $1bn (£794m) in royalties this year - but record companies have responded by claiming it is not enough. The spat began when YouTube’s chief business offi cer Robert Kyncl posted a blog highlighting the site’s contribution to the industry.

He said YouTube had distributed $1bn in advertising royalties alone, arguing that “free” streaming was as important as subscription sites like Spotify. But record labels were not impressed.

“Google has issued more unexplained numbers on what it claims YouTube pays the music industry,” said a spokesperson for the global music body, the IFPI. “The announcement gives little reason to celebrate, however. With 800 million music users worldwide, YouTube is generating revenues of just over $1 per user for the entire year.

The UK broadband provider confi rmed that the sample of stolen router IDs it had been shown was real.

But it is still advising users that there is “no need” to change their routers’ settings. A cyber-security advisor to Europol said he was astounded by the decision. “If TalkTalk has evidence that signifi cant numbers of passwords are out in the wild, then at the very least they should be advising their customers to change their passwords,” said the University of Surrey’s Prof Alan Woodward.

“To say they see no need to do so is, frankly, astonishing.”

PRODUCTION DROP Industrial production fell sharply and unexpectedly in October, dealing a blow to hopes that the UK economy will end 2016 on a high. A surprise 1.3% drop in production over the month followed a 0.4% decrease in September, according to the Offi ce for National Statistics, and was the biggest monthly fall in four years. Economists had forecast a 0.2% rise for October.

❝ Life is like a sewer… what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.

❞

Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Markit, said the fi gures were “an appreciable blow” to prospects for the UK economy in the fourth quarter. The economy was stronger than expected in the months immediately after the Brexit vote in June, growing by 0.5% in the third quarter.

Archer said: “We had believed that there was a good chance that UK GDP growth in the fourth quarter could match the resilient 0.5% growth in the third quarter.

October’s drop in industrial production puts a signifi cant dent in prospects.”

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News

NATIONAL NEWS IRELAND BOOM Ireland’s central bank has reported a substantial increase in the number of inquiries from UK-based fi nancial services companies to operate from Dublin in the wake of the Brexit referendum.

Applications for an Irish base can take up to a year and deputy governor Cyril Roux said that several overtures had moved from preliminary inquiries to the pre-application or application phase.

“Since the UK referendum, there has been a material increase in the number of authorisation queries from UKauthorised entities,” he said.

Dublin is vying with other European cities, including Frankfurt and Paris, to lure banks and other London-based service companies concerned about the potential loss of fi nancial passporting – the ability to operate across the continent – when the UK withdraws from Europe.

TOP COMPANIES Expedia has been named as the best company to work for in the UK, beating other corporate giants including Google and Unilever for the second year running.

MORE RAIL FIASCOS

The travel company has been ranked number one according to the jobs website Glassdoor, which ranks businesses with more than 1,000 employees according to feedback received over the past year.

Internet conglomerate Google, which has long been trumpeted as king of employee perks and working environment, now fi nds itself languishing in 13th place, two years after it was knocked off the top perch by the online travel website.

THE 10 BEST PLACES TO WORK 2017 Rank

Company

Rating

1

Expedia

4.3

2

ARM Holdings

4.3

3

HomeServe UK

4.3

4

Mott MacDonald

4.3

5

Hays Plc

4.3

6

Peninsula

4.2

7

Unilever

4.2

8

Salesforce

4.2

9

Screwfi x

4.2

10

First Derivatives

4.2

Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, has been accused of putting party politics above the interests of commuters, after a leaked letter showed he once opposed devolution of suburban rail routes in case it put them “in the clutches of a Labour mayor”.

❝

I’m bored is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored.

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The transport secretary this week blocked a request by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to hand control of the Southeastern commuter route to City Hall and Transport for London (TfL), saying there was no need for a massive reorganisation. However, a letter leaked to the Evening Standard shows Grayling wrote to former London mayor Boris Johnson in 2013 opposing the idea of devolution for fear that a future Labour mayor would gain control of the transport links.

Some London MPs were furious about the letter, with Bob Neill, a Conservative former minister, saying Grayling should step down for prioritising party politics over the interests of his constituents.

News

SKYFOX US media giant 21st Century Fox has made a takeover approach for Sky that values the UKbased satellite broadcaster at £18.5bn.

The proposed offer is worth £10.75 a share in cash, a premium of 36% to the closing price on 8 December.

Sky shares jumped 32% in late trading in London following the announcement.

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch controls 21st Century Fox, which already owns a 39.1% stake in Sky. Sky said that the independent directors of both companies had "reached agreement on an offer price" of £10.75 a share, but added that "certain material offer terms remain under discussion".

According to Reuters' calculations, Fox will pay £11.25bn for the stake in Sky that it does not already own.

Fox chief executive James Murdoch was named chairman of Sky this year, fuelling speculation that the US media company would make a bid.

BREXIT BURGER McDonald’s has moved the base for its non-US operation from Luxembourg to the UK after coming under attack from EU regulators over its tax arrangements.

While the move away from Luxembourg appears politically motivated, McDonald's signalled that the choice of the UK as the destination was a vote of confi dence in the UK after the Brexit vote.

“McDonald’s selected the UK for the location of its new international holding structure because [of the] signifi cant number of staff based in London working on our international business, language and connections to other markets,” it said in a statement.

The burger chain’s tax arrangements in Luxembourg have been under intense scrutiny by EU antitrust offi cials and trade unions and tax justice campaigners have alleged that it avoided more than €1bn (£840m) in taxes in Europe between 2009 and 2013.

REGULATION CROWDS IN Crowdfunding platforms need tougher rules and restrictions in order to protect investors, the Financial Conduct Authority has said.

The fi nancial watchdog has raised concerns about loan-based businesses, which allow borrowers and lenders to join up without involving banks, and investment platforms, through which members of the public invest in a business or campaign directly.

The FCA said it was diffi cult for investors to compare crowdfunding investments with other assets given it was often unclear exactly what was being offered.

As a result, investors struggle to assess the risk and returns of giving their money to crowdfunding platforms, and there were some confl icts of interest that were not being managed properly.

Additionally, crowdfunding schemes did not always meet the FCA’s requirements to be “clear, fair and not misleading”, it said.Firms’ plans for winding down in the event of their failure were also insuffi cient to allow for repayment of loans, it warned.

The FCA said it would consult on strengthening rules for wind-down plans, and tighten restrictions on cross-platform investment.

❝

People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.

CASH COW

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The amount of money councils in England generated from parking charges and fi nes has risen by more than £60m in the past year, research has found.

The RAC Foundation said local authorities made a surplus of £756m in 2015/16 - 9% higher than in 2014/15. Director Steve Gooding said the "eye-wateringly large" amounts refl ected growing competition for parking spaces. Yet the Local Government Association insisted councils did not make a profi t from parking!!!!

The surplus fi gure was calculated by looking at the income councils received from on- and off-street parking charges and penalty notices, minus their running costs. Income was up by 4% and costs fell by 2% in the past year, according to the RAC, while the surplus fi gure was 34% higher than in 2011/12.

The largest surpluses came from London, with its 33 local authorities accounting for 44% of the country's total. The biggest amount outside of the capital was the £20.1m surplus in Brighton and Hove, followed by Nottingham's £13.6m. Brighton and Hove Council said the surplus refl ected the fact Brighton was a large city and that nearly all of its surplus from on-street parking was used to buy bus passes for the elderly or disabled people.

Evidence that this cash, as prescribed by law, has gone directly back into local transport was, oddly, not available.

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Cyber Crime

DON’T LET YOUR BUSINESS BE A VICTIM OF FRAUD!

By Daryl Gayler, Regional Director, Corporate & Commercial Banking, RBS Almost six million fraud and cyber crimes were committed last year, according to the Office for National Statistics’ Crime Survey for England and Wales*. In this article, NatWest’s Daryl Gayler highlights some of the most common cyber scams and the simple steps you can take to protect your business.

What could falling victim to fraud mean for your business?

• A financial loss that could lead to pressure on cashflow • An adverse impact on morale within your business • Lack of confidence with your suppliers/ customers • Regulatory issues, especially where clients monies are impacted In addition to computer viruses, the frauds primarily affecting business customers at present are as follows:

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‘Bogus Boss’ or CEO Fraud - A payment request, usually urgent and/or one-off, is received by one of your finance team, purporting to come from a senior person within your organisation (email addresses can easily be spoofed). The recipient assumes the instruction is genuine and pays the requested sum to the beneficiary account quoted in the email.

You must: • Ensure that you and your staff challenge and question what is received - do not take things at ‘face value’

• Contact the sender of the email independently to verify the request • Not use any contact details within the request Invoice Redirection Fraud – Fraudsters pose as a supplier, sending a fake but realistic email or letter which claims that their bank details have changed. You are tricked in to updating the sort code and account number you have on file for that supplier, meaning that the next payment you make will go to the fraudster’s account instead.

Cyber Crime Summary Financial fraud increased by a quarter to £399.5 million in the fi rst six months of 2016^.

Businesses from all sectors and of all sizes have been targeted by the scams outlined in this article, so please remain vigilant at all times.

Banks’ security systems continue to prevent the majority of fraud attempts, but employees who use online banking services and other fi nancial products on behalf of their employers also have a key part to play in the battle against cybercrime.

Further information can be obtained from the following sources: Little Book of big scams business edition – www.met.police.uk/ docs/little_book_big_scams_business_edition.pdf Action fraud - The national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre -www.actionfraud.police.uk/

NatWest Security Centre - www.natwest.com/security

References / sources: * Crime Survey for England & Wales - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ uk-36854413

You must: • Be vigilant - challenge and question any amendments to account details • Contact the supplier independently to verify the request

^ Financial Fraud Action UK - https://www.financialfraudaction.org.uk/ news/2016/10/12/scams-and-online-attacks-drive-fraud-increase-figuresshow/

• Not use any contact details within the request Overpayment Fraud – A new customer places their fi rst order with you, for say £5k. Payment is made direct in to your bank account for a much larger sum, say £50k, using a counterfeit cheque. An urgent request is then received to send back the £45k overpayment. You make the refund using an immediate electronic transfer, but then the cheque bounces, leaving you out of pocket.

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Businesses from all sectors and of all sizes have been targeted by the scams outlined in this article, so please remain vigilant at all times.

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You must: • Undertake due diligence on any new customer • Check to see if the payment has cleared – victims are lead to believe the cheque is actually an electronic payment • Be wary of pressure to make the refund – the fraudster knows the cheque will be returned Insider Fraud – an employee with access to internal fi nancial systems or banking services exploits their privileged access and knowledge to steal from the company. You must: • Ensure you have a robust pre and post-employment screening process • Have clear segregation of duties, particularly for staff dealing with payments • Regularly reconcile bank statements and other accounts to help uncover irregularities

15

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND As we celebrate the best of business 2017

TH E GAT WI CK DI A M O N D B U S IN E S S AW A RD S 16 TH MAR CH 2017 Join us in the Millennium Suite of the Copthorne Effingham Park for a pre-dinner reception hosted by Irwin Mitchell, before taking your seat for a sumptuous three course dinner with wine.

Our presenter for the evening will be the acclaimed actor Stephen Mangan, who has appeared in some of the UK’s best TV comedy of recent years, including Episodes, with Matt LeBlanc.

This Strictly Black Tie event will see the very best of the Gatwick Diamond Business community come together in celebration of the World-Class businesses operating in this World-Class destination.

6.30pm - Evening starts with Pre-Dinner Reception Sponsored by Irwin Mitchell 7.15pm - Take your seats for Dinner 9.30pm - Stephen Mangan 10.00pm - Presentation of the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards 11.00pm - After-Show Party 01.00am - Carriages

For more information and to download an entry form, visit:

WWW.GATWICKDIAMONDBUSINESSAWARDS.COM

Gatwick Diamond Sponsors

GATWICK DIAMOND BUSINESS AWARDS Meet one of the Headline Sponsors Alison Addy - Head of Community Engagement, Gatwick Airport Why did you decide to be a headline sponsor of the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards?

We are delighted to be a sponsor of the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards again this year. It provides a really valuable way of helping promote business excellence and innovation, and is well respected as an awards programme in the region.

What makes these awards special?

The fact that the event brings together such a diverse range of businesses from across the area, celebrating excellence in business and sharing what it takes to grow and succeed. The awards process is very rigorous and the awards event itself is always spectacular.

How important is it for the airport to be involved and support the local business community?

Gatwick Airport is an important focus for the South East region’s economic activity and is a major employment site, generating over 21,000 direct on-airport jobs and a further 10,000 jobs in the area.

We participate in regional activities through active membership of economic groups and partnerships, working together to build a strong local supply chain; boost business and to strengthen opportunities for employment and skills development. Last year we spent £74.1m in the Gatwick Diamond area, about a third of our total procurement spend.

Local businesses are therefore very important to us, and we promote opportunities through networking, targeted events and sponsorship.

Gatwick Airport has had significant growth over the last few years, can you outline some of the big milestones and achievements?

The airport has experienced a period of unprecedented growth since we came into new ownership in 2009 – just in the last 12 months

we have handled over 42 million passengers. We are half way through a £2.5bn capital investment programme which combined with an absolute focus on service and efficiency has helped to transform the experience for passengers travelling through Gatwick.

Gatwick now serves more than 220 destinations in 80 countries and over the last year has secured over 20 new long haul routes. This makes Gatwick Europe’s fastest growing airport for long haul growth and takes us into the premier league of airports serving more than 50 long haul destinations. We have also set out our ambition to be the UK’s most sustainable airport through our Decade of Change commitment focusing on ten key sustainability criteria over ten years. Despite Gatwick’s rapid passenger growth Gatwick is proud that this growth has been accompanied by rapid reductions in carbon; energy and water use. As we continue to thrive we want to see our local communities thrive too, and in September 2016 we were proud to announce the new Gatwick Foundation Fund, established to provide £300,000 in annual grants to local charities and other non-profit organisations. Funds are evenly distributed by the Community Foundations for Kent, Surrey and Sussex. We have already awarded grants to 31 worthy projects across the three areas and look forward to working with them and other successful projects in the future.

This £300,000 annual fund is on top of Gatwick’s existing charitable donations, including the independent Gatwick Airport Community Trust.

What does 2017 have in store for Gatwick Airport?

Next year will see the highest level of capital investment in the airport’s history with £250m worth of infrastructure projects planned for delivery, part of the £1.3bn capital investment plan that we will deliver over the next 6 years. Our most ambitious project takes place in January 2017, with the Airlines Moves programme. This will see British Airways move it’s entire operation to the South Terminal and easyJet consolidate all its operations in the North Terminal. Virgin will also move to the North Terminal. These moves take place on 24th, 25th and 26th January, following two years of intensive planning, investment and testing.

www.gatwickdiamondbusinessawards.com

17

The Big Story

MR MARMITE OR KINGMAKER?

by Maarten Hoffmann

N

igel Farage’s slogan during his 20-year campaign to take the UK out of the European Union was “I want my country back”.

The face of Euroscepticism in the UK for getting on for two decades, Farage helped turn UKIP from a fringe force to the third biggest party in UK politics in terms of votes at the 2015 general election, and he helped persuade more than 17 million people to vote to leave the EU.

Few politicians have been more closely identifi ed with the party they lead. Much of that success has been a product of his straight talking, everyman image, a picture editor’s dream when snapped grinning with pint or cigarette (sometimes both) in hand.

His “man in the pub” image and disdain for political correctness left him free to attack rivals for being mechanical and overly onmessage. This inspired affection and respect among those who agreed with him on core messages about cutting immigration and leaving the EU and true to his image as an outspoken saloon bar philosopher, he got into plenty of fi ghts.

During the general election campaign, one such fi ght was over TV debate comments he made about migrants using the NHS for expensive HIV treatment. They drew an angry rebuke from Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, who told him: “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

But despite widespread condemnation from opponents, reports quoted UKIP insiders saying the comments - dubbed “shock and awful” - were part of a carefully planned move to appeal to the party’s base. One senior aide was quoted as saying his remarks would be welcomed by “millions and millions” of working-class voters.

So how did a stockbroker’s son become a mouthpiece for the disaffected working class?

Nigel Paul Farage was born on April 3rd 1964 in Kent. His alcoholic father, Guy Oscar Justus Farage, walked out on the family when Nigel was fi ve. Yet this seemed to do little to damage the youngster’s conventional uppermiddle-class upbringing. Nigel attended feepaying Dulwich College, where he developed a love of cricket, rugby and political debate.

He decided at the age of 18 not to go to university, entering the City instead.

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At first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win,” speaking - after Mahatma Gandhi - in April 2015 about UKIP’s election chances

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With his gregarious, laddish ways he proved popular among clients and fellow traders on the metals exchange. Farage, who started work just before the “big bang” in the City, earned a more-than-comfortable living, but had another calling - politics.

He joined the Conservatives but became disillusioned with the way the party was going under John Major. Like many on the Eurosceptic wing, he was furious when the prime minister signed the Maastricht Treaty, stipulating an “ever-closer union” between European nations.

Farage decided to break away, becoming one of the founder members of the UK Independence Party, at that time known as the Anti-Federalist League.

In his early 20s, he had the fi rst of several brushes with death, when he was run over by a car in Orpington, Kent, after a night in the pub. He sustained severe injuries and doctors feared he would lose a leg.

Grainne Hayes, his nurse, became his fi rst wife.

He had two sons with Ms Hayes, both

18

The Big Story

now grown up, and two daughters with his current wife, Kirsten Mehr, a German national he married in 1999.

Months after recovering from his road accident, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He made a full recovery, but he says the experience changed him, making him even more determined to make the most of life.

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“It took me six hours and 15 minutes to get here... because of open-door immigration and the fact that the M4 is not as navigable as it used to be,” his excuse for being late for a meeting in Wales in December 2014

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The young Farage might have had energy and enthusiasm to spare - but his early electoral forays with UKIP proved frustrating. At the 1997 general election, it was overshadowed by the Referendum Party, backed by multimillionaire businessman Sir James Goldsmith. But as the Referendum Party faded, UKIP started to take up some of its hardcore anti-EU support.

In 1999, it saw its fi rst electoral breakthrough - thanks to the introduction of proportional representation for European elections, which made it easier for smaller parties to gain seats. Farage was one of three UKIP members voted in to the European

Parliament, representing South East England.

The decision to take up seats in Brussels sparked one of many splits in the UKIP ranks - they were proving to be a rancorous bunch.

He scored a publicity coup by recruiting former TV presenter and ex-Labour MP Robert Kilroy-Silk to be a candidate in the 2004 European elections, but the plan backfi red when Kilroy-Silk attempted to take over the party.

It was a turbulent time for UKIP but in that year’s elections it had increased its number of MEPs to 12. In 2006, Mr Farage was elected leader, replacing the less fl amboyant Roger Knapman. He was already a fi erce critic of Conservative leader David Cameron, who earlier that year had described UKIP members as “fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists”. Mr Farage told the press that “nine out of 10” Tories agreed with his party’s views on Europe.

Asked if UKIP was declaring war on the Conservatives, he said: “It is a war between UKIP and the entire political establishment.”

At the 2009 European elections, with Mr Farage becoming a regular fi xture on TV discussion programmes, UKIP got more votes than Labour and the Lib Dems, and increased its number of MEPs to 13.

But the party knew it could do little to bring about its goal of getting Britain out of the EU from Brussels and Strasbourg - and it had always performed poorly in UK domestic elections.

In an effort to change this, he resigned as leader in 2009 to contest the Buckingham seat held by House of Commons Speaker John Bercow.

19

The Big Story Farage decided he wanted to become leader again and was easily voted back after Lord Pearson resigned. His party’s fortunes rose again as Europe, and particularly migration to the UK from EU countries, continued as a fast-growing political issue with the increased numbers following enlargement to include former communist states from Eastern Europe in 2004.

He increased UKIP’s focus on the immigration impact of EU membership, referring to Britain’s “open door” causing congestion on the M4, a Romanian crime wave in London and a shortage of housing, healthcare, school places and jobs for young people.

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Farage was one of three UKIP members voted in to the European Parliament, representing South East England

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It led to repeated accusations of racism, described by Farage as “grossly unfair”. His strategy had long been to distance the party from the far right - its constitution bans former BNP members from joining.

He gained widespread publicity in March 2010 - two months before the election - when he launched an attack in the European Parliament on the president of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, accusing him of having “the charisma of a damp rag” and “the appearance of a low-grade bank clerk”.

It raised Farage’s profi le, going viral on the internet, but made little difference to his Westminster ambitions. He came third, behind Mr Bercow and an independent candidate.

His chosen successor as leader, Lord Pearson of Rannoch, was not suited to the cut-and-thrust of modern political debate and presentation, and UKIP polled just 3.1% nationally.

But there was a far greater personal disaster. On the day of the election a plane carrying him crashed after its UKIP-promoting banner became entangled in the tail fi n. He was dragged from the wreckage with serious injuries.

After recovering in hospital, he told the

20

London Evening Standard the experience had changed him: “I think it’s made me more ‘me’ than I was before, to be honest. Even more fatalistic. Even more convinced it’s not a dress rehearsal. Even more driven than I was before.

And I am driven.”

Rather, he aimed to be seen as tribune for the disenfranchised, not just the older, comfortably-off middle classes alienated by rapid social change caused by mass immigration, but working-class voters left behind in the hunt for jobs and seemingly ignored by the increasingly professionalised “political class”.

Despite facing vocal protests, which in one high-profi le case led to him having to take

The Big Story

refuge from what he called “supporters of Scottish nationalism” in an Edinburgh pub in 2013 and on another occasion saw him being chased by “diversity” activists in London in 2015, his efforts saw UKIP’s infl uence increase.

After winning more than 140 English council seats at the 2013 local election - averaging 25% of the vote in the wards where it was standing - it gained 161 in 2015.

More signifi cantly, the party won the UK’s European election outright, gaining 27.5% of the vote. The momentum gathered pace when Tory defector Douglas Carswell forced a by-election to secure UKIP’s fi rst parliamentary seat, with colleague Mark Reckless following suit shortly afterwards.

Despite gaining 13% of the vote at the general election, with nearly four million people casting a ballot for the party, they only managed to return one MP, Douglas Carswell, with Mark Reckless losing his seat. Farage failed in his bid to win South Thanet, losing out by 3,000 votes to the Conservatives.

Having said during the campaign that he would be “for the chop” if he didn’t win, he duly announced his resignation as party leader on the morning after polling day. However, he left the door open for a possible return by saying he might stand in the leadership contest after he had had the summer off.

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“I want the EU to end but I want it to end democratically. If it doesn’t end democratically I’m afraid it will end very unpleasantly,” during a Euro election debate with Nick Clegg in April 2014

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Then he surprised some in the party by announcing that he had changed his mind after being “persuaded” by “overwhelming” evidence from UKIP members that they wanted him to remain leader - insisting that

he wanted to stick around for the referendum battle ahead.

That decision was vindicated, with Farage playing a key role in the bruising campaign that followed despite being shunned by many Conservatives on the same side of the argument.

His focus on immigration was not to everyone’s liking - a UKIP poster featuring a line of refugees with the words ‘Breaking Point’ caused widespread anger - but the fact that it became a defi ning issue in the campaign was in no small measure down to him.

The UKIP leader was the fi rst to celebrate victory with an emotional speech in the early hours of the morning - before the sensational result had been declared.

Following the historic EU Leave vote, it was thought that we had seen the back of this divisive fi gure and that now the job was done, he would retire to the pub and in years to come be found slumped in the corner

21

Call Worthing: 01903 234094 Call Gatwick: 01293 227670 Email: info@carpenterbox.com

XERO AWARD WINNER 2016

The Big Story

regaling anyone within earshot about who he used to be and what he did for the country. But to write off Farage in this way is the mistake that everyone in politics has made for years – it would appear that you cannot write off Nigel Farage as, just when you do, he pops back up and redefi nes himself.

Now the Marmite Man is in line to become the Kingmaker under the tutelage of President Donald Trump, another man who has been written off time and time again but has the knack of engaging the man in the street; a man who against all political scripts, has made the people believe that he will change lives, smash the political elite, bring wealth and prosperity and breathe fresh air into the stale apocalyptic environment that is global politics today.

Farage, it could be claimed, is the catalyst for the total rejection of the status quo around the world with the electorate waking up the fact that this is not how it has to be. A difference can be brought about if only they can fi nd that man or women who will be brave enough to stand up and be counted. Who will bounce back from every vicious attack. Who will survive the media onslaught into their background and come up smelling of roses. Does this remind you of anyone?

History will record these lone fi gures rising from the swamp – Farage, Trump, Le Pen – as more and more independent individuals rise up to challenge the elite and despite what you or l might think, ultimately this will be a good thing for the world. Ignore the person, look past their foibles and you will see a revolution taking place across the world.

Communism didn’t work and, following the grizzly deaths of millions, fell by the wayside.

❝

“I don’t want to be rude...

Who are you? I’d never heard of you, nobody in Europe had ever heard of you,” his greeting to President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, in February 2010

❞

Democracy isn’t working as the West gets more and more hedonistic and the leaders blindly see their way of life as the only way of life and see fi t to impose it on all in sundry. Just think of the term ‘regime change’.

So what’s left to turn to in the 21st Century?

Shocking as it might be, Trump, Farage and Le Pen are the future of politics and it is about time the political establishment recognised this,

accepted it and got on with it.

Like it or not, Trump is going to change the world and will cause such upset that we will barely be capable of accepting it. Farage has kicked off a tsunami across Europe that will resonate for generations as that great democratic superstate falls by the way side as France, Italy, Holland and others vote to leave and Brussels returns to having all the power of the Isle of Man parish council.

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“This man is not a cartoon character, he isn’t Del Boy or Arthur Daley, he’s a pound shop Enoch Powell and we’re watching him,” Russell Brand on Question Time in 2014

❞

Such jumped up low-grade bank clerks such as Donald Tusk, Herman van Rompuy and Jean-Claude Juncker, who hijacked the Euro Gravy Train to ensure their own malignant powerbases, will be ground into the dust of history – having dragged down the entire European continent with them and given rise to the new generation of world leaders.

The Farage master stroke was to pump Trump’s ego and ingratiate himself with the potential leader of the free world and, as the only British politician in line to kneel and kiss the ring of the victor.

His fi nal masterstroke, to date, is that he is the only British politician that Trump will talk to and, like it or not, Farage will be foisted onto the British government as the Trump go-between and l sense l can hear his braying laugh from here.

Through gritted teeth, one has to admire the man. He has weathered constant battenings, arduous and vindictive media assaults, near death experiences, foul insults from all sides of the political class, European attacks and yet, through it all, he not only remains standing as those around him fall but is set to become the most important British politician within the United States and, if Trump has his way, Nigel Farage will carry the title Her Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States of America and if he dies, it will be from splitting his sides laughing.

23

Business Awards

Sussex Success Stories

THE 28TH SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS 2016

F

ive hundred of the county’s leading business people, including the Mayor of Brighton and Hove and Peter Kyle MP, gathered at The Grand, Brighton to celebrate business excellence across the region, with 17 awards presented by comedian, Simon Evans. The winners were drawn from 42 finalists representing 27 Sussex towns.

The big winner on the night was Stelfox who won International Business and the Best Employer.

The accolade of Company of the Year was awarded to International Logistics Group (ILG) who were one of five on the shortlist, whilst last year’s winner of the Small Business of the Year, Ridgeview Wine Estate, was named as “One to Watch” in the International Business category.

A number of individual awards were presented to some well-known business faces including Darren Fell, founder and CEO of the innovative Crunch Accounting, who was named Sussex Businessperson of the Year.

Popular businessman Andy Cheesman from City Cabs received the award for the Greatest Contribution to Sussex Charity. Andy sponsors a wide range of events from ‘The Best of British’ to ‘Paddle Round The Pier’, ‘Pride’ and ‘Dragon Boat Racing’ and works tirelessly behind the scenes to help others. He has been a long-standing supporter of Downs View School, Downs View Link College and Chestnut Tree House.

A new category for 2016 was the Sussex Graduate of the Year to recognise the achievements of a graduate who has made an impact on a Sussex business. This award was presented to Chris O’Hare, the MD of Hare Digital, a digital strategy company that he has built from scratch and now employs 11 people.

Mike Herd, Executive Director of the Sussex Innovation centre and chairman of the judges commented: “This year was a record year! With the amount of entries received, the judging process proved a difficult task. The exceptional quality of the entries really shined through, and many worthy winners were chosen.

Congratulations to all the winners!”

www.sbawards.org.uk @SussexBizAwards

24

Business Awards

THE WINNERS

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

16.

14.

17.

15.

WINNERS - CAPTIONS: 1. Neil Laughton, Laughton & Co 2. Andy Cheesman, City Cabs 3. Yelo Architects 4. Legal & General 5. ILG 6. Darren Fell, Crunch Accounting 7. Sussex Cricket 8. LoveLocalJobs.com

9. PULSE.AERO 10. Boom Boom the Label 11. Chris O’Hare, Hare Digital 12. Stelfox 13. The BaseSkate Park CIC 14. Burleys 15. Dental Barn 16. Opun 17. Stelfox

25

Business Awards

2016 WINNERS

The Best Place to Entertain Your Clients - Sponsored by Title Sussex WINNER Sussex Cricket

The Responsible Business Award Sponsored by Checkaprofessional.com WINNER LoveLocalJobs.com

The Award for Professional Services Sponsored by Vantage Professional Risks WINNER Yelo Architects

The Award for Healthiest Workplace Sponsored by Natures Way Food WINNER Legal & General

The Small Business of the Year Sponsored by Sussex Chamber of Commerce WINNER Boom Boom The Label

The Sussex Company of the Year Sponsored by Mazars WINNER ILG

The International Business of the Year Sponsored by HSBC WINNER Stelfox

The Award for the Most Promising New Business Sponsored by Coffi n Mew WINNER Opun

The Sussex Graduate of the Year Sponsored by University of Sussex WINNER Chris O’Hare, Hare.Digital

The Award for Leisure & Tourism Sponsored by Southern Rail WINNER The BaseSkate Park CIC The Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by Platinum Business Magazine WINNER Neil Laughton, Laughton & Co Ltd The Award for the Most Sustainable Business - Sponsored by Wealden District Council WINNER Burleys

The Award for Innovation in Business Sponsored by Sussex Innovation Centre WINNER PULSE.AERO

The Greatest Contribution to Sussex Charity Sponsored by The Argus WINNER Andy Cheesman, City Cabs

The Award for Best Employer Sponsored by Morgan Sindall WINNER Stelfox

The Sussex Businessperson of the Year Sponsored by Heart FM WINNER Darren Fell, Crunch Accounting

The Award for Best Customer Service Sponsored by Checkatrade.com WINNER The Dental Barn Ltd

FOCUS ON THE WINNERS Neil Laughton of Laughton & Co (winner of Entrepreneur of the Year), Jane Middlemiss of ILG (winner of Company of the Year) and Craig Raine of OPUN (winner of Most Promising New Business) explain what the awards mean to their business

CRAIG RAINE - OPUN HOME IMPROVEMENTS What does the Sussex Business Award mean to you as a company?

It's a real honour to win 'Most Promising New Business' as the team has worked so hard this year to deliver great results for every home improvement project in Sussex. The award really gives us the opportunity to talk about what makes the business different in a county that has supported us from the beginning.

Why do you think your entry impressed the judges?

There's a few things that make us stand out. Everything we do is fully warrantied for 5 years and Opun handpicks and vets the best Trade Partners who undertake the UK's most stringent supplier accreditation programme .

Our customers get a dedicated and experienced Home Improvement Expert from project start to end, so we're with customers every step of the way. The Opun portal is so easy to use at home and on the go through our free iPhone and Android apps, this is why Aviva, the UK's largest insurer has invested in Opun and why we caught the judges eye.

Looking for a new bathroom, kitchen, loft conversion or extension? Visit opun.co.uk or call 0800 048 8743

26

Business Awards

MIKE STEPHENSON - ILG What does the Sussex Business Award mean to you as a company?

We were absolutely delighted to win Company of the Year and to be shortlisted for two other awards, particularly given the wealth of exceptional businesses in our county. 2016 has been a challenging year for ILG and the team has risen to the challenge of unprecedented demand for our delivery and fulfilment services, the opening to two new warehouses, with another opening in East Grinstead in early 2017, and a 20% increase in the workforce. Receiving this award is testament to the accomplishments, hard work and dedication of the whole team.

Why do you think your entry impressed the judges?

Impressive growth combined with a culture that puts employees at the heart of the business, excellent customer feedback and a CSR strategy that was highly commended by the judges were the features that we think resulted in ILG’s success.

For further information about ILG’s delivery and fulfilment services visit www.ilguk.com or telephone 0844 264 8000

NEIL LAUGHTON What does the Sussex Business Award mean to you as a company?

For Laughton & Co, these awards are the most prestigious as they represent the best organisations in our county and local community.

Therefore winning “Entrepreneur of the Year” is a fantastic accolade for the work we do helping business leaders and their teams improve their strategic thinking, leadership skills and team-working abilities.

We do this via 1-2-1 coaching, group workshops and keynote speaking engagements.

Why do you think your entry impressed the judges?

They may have been impressed by the innovative approach we take to training and development, in that we encourage use of the brain, interactive communication and experiential learning exercises. This helps individuals and teams to quickly develop and cement good leadership practices that will in turn benefit both employee and company. Laughton & Co also organises a number of exciting corporate team building days such as the Crazy Sportathon and Great Sussex Bath Race which raises circa £25,000 a year for charity.

Neil Laughton, Business Coach, Team Trainer & Keynote Speaker neil@laughton.co 01903 815635 / 07973 289552 www.laughton.co

27

The Platinum Publishing Group are proud to announce the launch of four new titles across the South East. Along with the largest circulation business publication in the UK, Platinum Business Magazine, we now have a 92% penetration of all SME’s in the region and are the only publication that can boast this coverage.

ACE S The official magazine for the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex

ussex

Issue 1. 2016

AMBER RUDD Hastings’ own Secretary of State

SURREY CHAMBERS OF COM MERCE

WHAT CAN THE CHAMBER DO FOR ME?

M

The Official Surrey Chambers of Commerce

SOVEREIGN HARBOUR

PROFILE:

Tim Cobb PR

PLATINUM PUBLICATIONS

ACE S

The official magazine for the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex

ISSUE 1. 2016

A27

Is it on the move?

Better Business 2017 showcase Worthing’s best Entrepreneurs What does Brexit mean for Worthing?

AMagazineZ

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THEO PAPHITIS Exclusive profile of the Weybridge Entrepreneur

The official publication for the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex. OUT NOW

Profile of

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BRIGHTON MARINA

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THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

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N

Motoring Event

RIVERVALE HOUSE REVEALED Rivervale House, the UK’s first high street leasing showroom officially open

R

ivervale’s new showroom, officially launched in November, is the first of its kind in the UK as it brings vehicle leasing to the high street.

Traditionally leasing transactions are performed over the phone and internet, meaning developing longstanding relationships with customers can be difficult.

One of the USP’s of the new showroom is that customers deal with experts face-to face with the added bonuses of being able to take a test drive and have their vehicle looked after in the onsite Bosch approved service and MOT facility - and enjoy a Starbucks coffee whilst there. The company is ranked number 1 in their industry on review site Trustpilot, it seems that this formula is a wining one.

Rivervale’s history spans some 60 years through Endeavour, their holding company. The name Endeavour is a familiar one locally, as for years they held the lion’s share of Sussex motor trade activity, predominantly through Ford in the early years, evolving to brands such as Mercedes and Porsche. Today the group holds two sites on Victoria Road, one with manufacturer representation through Mazda and MG, the second being Rivervale House where the leasing, used vehicles and after-sales divisions have been brought under one roof.

Divisional Director at Rivervale Contract Hire and Leasing, Vince Pemberton said, “The business has grown year on year since 2009. The plan was to create a one-stop shop that included leasing, a used vehicle division and an after-sales/service facility. I am delighted we have reached this point and look forward to taking things to the next level.”

www.rivervale.co.uk

29

Money Matters

THE SELF-EMPLOYED AND RETIREMENT As a professional adviser, we advocate the building up of value within savings for the future. This is important for everyone - but I have particular concern for the self-employed, says David Hurst, Partner at Kreston Reeves.

T

he latest Offi ce of National Statistics (ONS) report indicates that the number of self-employed people in the UK increased to 4.6 million in 2015. While this strong performance is one of the defi ning characteristics of the UK’s economic recovery, the recent rise in self-employment continues a trend started in the early 2000s.

Members of the growing army of selfemployed workers are more likely to be part

30

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It is important to think about pensions right from the start of a business enterprise or when first choosing selfemployment

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time than full time. Part time self-employment grew by 88% between 2001-2015, compared to 25% growth in the numbers of full-time self-employed.

A growing problem Whilst in control of their respective careers, full or part time self-employed workers’ matters can be sadly lacking in retirement provision. Employees traditionally have had the

Money Matters

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With the erosion in people’s confidence in pension arrangements stemming from recent issues such as the funding of the BHS pension scheme, pension contributions are not seen as a priority

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potential benefi t of joining their employer’s defi ned benefi t/defi ned contribution pension scheme, or in more recent years the opportunity to take part in auto-enrolment, whereas the self-employed have no such benefi t. Instead they must make their own provision, which can create diffi culties in relation to cash fl ow and prioritising for that eventual retirement day - all whilst continuing to run a successful business.

own responsibility for delivering income at retirement. It is hardly ‘rocket science’, but the earlier one starts saving for retirement, and the greater the level of contributions paid, then the higher the overall value at retirement.

As a ‘rule of thumb’ and depending on growth etc, an individual who decides to delay making contributions to a pension plan for fi ve years will need to double their contributions when they do start, in order to achieve the same

an independent fi nancial adviser to plan for a specifi c date when these benefi ts are required.

With the erosion in people’s confi dence in pension arrangements stemming from recent issues such as the funding of the BHS pension scheme, coupled with the public’s general suspicion of how these investments work, pension contributions are not seen as a priority. It is only with the advent of auto-enrolment that a consistent process is now in place to ensure that the employed save towards their retirement. Unfortunately, unless business owners are incorporated then the same process is not available for the self-employed, thus leaving them in a more vulnerable position.

level of pension fund value at retirement age. If we then add in the fact that the selfemployed are more likely to be involved in manual occupations, then the requirement to receive monies earlier rather than later due to the loss of, for example, physical strength, becomes even more important.

We are also able to provide extensive advice across a range of your personal advisory needs: our multidisciplinary Wealth Management team’s members would be pleased to advise you on tax planning, investments, fi nancial planning, that takes into account your immediate and long term work and life plans.

It is important to think about pensions right from the start of a business enterprise or when fi rst choosing self-employment. The state pension entitlement is worsening in relation to the benefi ts available and the age at which these can be drawn. Successive governments have recognised that a reasonable standard of living cannot be delivered through this route and have continually looked to reduce future state commitments in favour of the private sector provision. This is set to continue with the eventual ‘means testing’ of state pension entitlement as a possibility.

Need advice?

For advice and further information about retirement for the self-employed, please contact David Hurst, Partner at Kreston Reeves and Director of Kreston Reeves Financial Planning, by phoning 01403 253282 or emailing david.hurst@krestonreeves.com

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Whilst in control of their respective careers, full or part time selfemployed workers’ matters can be sadly lacking in retirement provision

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It’s your responsibility

The self-employed should save towards retirement through using a combination of regular contributions that works with an individual’s cash fl ow, together with lump sum contributions at the end of the accounting year. Not only will this provide tax relief for the individual with a steady stream of investment but it will also maximise contributions if profi ts allow.

This therefore leaves individuals, and especially the self employed, with their

As always, professional advice is a must and the self-employed should work closely with

This material is for general information only and does not constitute investment, tax, legal or other form of advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.

Kreston Reeves LLP (Registered number in OC328775, registered office: 37 St Margaret’s Street, Canterbury CT1 2TU) is registered to carry on audit work and is regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. A list of members ‘ names is available at our registered office and details of the licensing bodies for our insolvency practitioners can be found at our website. Kreston Reeves Financial Planning Limited (Registered number 3852054 , registered office: 37 St Margaret ‘s Street, Canterbury CT1 2TU) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. All of the above addresses are registered in England.

31

Wealth Management

STORMY FINANCIAL WEATHER AHEAD? With the inauguration of Donald Trump and the continuing fallout from the Brexit vote, it’s fair to assume that we are heading for uncharted waters both nationally and globally, writes Simon Fox of Carpenter Box Wealth Management LLP (CBWM).

I

f there’s one thing we know about uncertainty, it’s that it makes businesses and financial markets nervous. For investors, it makes life much more complicated because the all-important balance between risk and return is much harder to call.

On the face of it, 2017 is likely to be a year where low interest rates and volatile stock markets remain the order of the day, but only

32

a fool would pretend that they have 2020 forward vision in any economic climate, let alone the current one.

In terms of interest rates for instance, there are other competing issues to be considered such as OPECs recent decision to cut oil production (which will see the cost of oil rise). Add this to the increasing cost of living consequent on the fall in value of the pound

and we can predict that there will certainly be inflationary pressures building up. The usual tool to limit inflation is to increase interest rates, which the Bank of England may not want to do because it will damage confidence in what is already a fragile system. You can see the problem…

Bringing this back home to the personal means that investors are likely to find it more

Wealth Management Autumn Statement 2016 – important changes to the VAT Flat Rate Scheme. Be in the know!

There were some interesting and slightly obscure elements to the Autumn Statement, one of which concerned the VAT fl at rate scheme which is a concession by HMRC to help smaller businesses simplify their obligations around accounting for VAT.

diffi cult to devise a strategy to build long-term wealth, at least in the short term!

Your personal invitation to our Investment & Tax Seminar

Whatever the vehicle, be it a pension, an ISA (tax-friendly Individual Savings Account) or the various other types of savings account, investors are going to have to brace themselves against market falls impacting on their investments, whilst looking to take advantage of any upsides that may present themselves.

Pensions and investment experts from CBWM, together with Chartered Tax Advisers from the Tax Services Group at Carpenter Box, will be holding a seminar in the late afternoon of 7th February at South Lodge Hotel near Horsham to look at some of these issues. The seminar is aimed at helping individuals to navigate their way through the plethora of opportunities and confusion around pensions and investments, whilst giving tips to help make sure that any investments made are as tax effi cient as possible.

Pensions In our view, pension savings should remain high on the list of possibilities. This is an area where getting good advice is key. In our case, we work closely with the tax advisers from our sister accountancy practice to make sure that the advice given takes into account the individual’s tax position, as well as the return on the pension investment itself. The favourable tax advantage that pensions can offer may not be around forever, so whilst we’d never advise making a hasty decision, time and the tax-man may not be as generous in the future. Indeed, an overhaul of this generous tax incentive was looked at earlier this year by the government with a view to reducing the £20billion annual net cost to the Treasury. Luckily for the investor, the overhaul was shelved after a backlash from so called ‘middle England’.

Easy wins There are some easy wins such as making sure to use all the available tax allowances, which means taking advantage of the annual ISA allowance which stands at £15,240 in the current tax year. ISAs can be used to save in cash or invest in shares and funds. There is also a specifi c ISA allowance for children of £4,080.

Of course we mustn’t forget that basic rate taxpayers can also earn up to £1,000 of deposit interest a year tax-free – the limit for higher rate taxpayers is £500 with the new personal savings allowance.

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The usual tool to limit inflation is to increase interest rates, which the Bank of England may not want to do because it will damage confidence in what is already a fragile system

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They will be talking about the best way to consider asset allocation by looking at the balance between risk and return. They will also be considering the advantages and disadvantages of pension self-investment, whether that be through a SIPP (Self-Invested Personal Pension) or a SSAS (Small SelfAdministered Scheme) as well as looking at other tax effi cient investment models.

The Chancellor announced that the scheme is to be modifi ed to counter what he views as abuse of the concession. This will certainly impact a number of businesses in the region and potentially reduce the benefi ts of using the fl at rate scheme from some businesses.

Normally a business would deduct the VAT charged on what it buys (the inputs) from the VAT charged on what it sells (the outputs).

Under the Flat Rate Scheme (FRS), that two stage process is simplifi ed to one step. When the scheme was set up, it was done on the assumption that HMRC would collect roughly the same amount of VAT from the FRS as ordinarily, but the concern is that this hasn’t been the case because there is scope for abuse.

From 1 April 2017 therefore, FRS businesses must determine whether they meet the defi nition of what is termed a limited cost trader (“LCR”) and, if they do, then a new rate of 16.5% will need to be used. The new approach will disproportionately affect fi rms providing services who currently use the VAT Flat Rate Scheme but spend very little on goods, such as raw materials.

An LCR is defi ned as one whose VAT inclusive expenditure on goods is less than 2% of their VAT inclusive turnover, or where it is over 2%, the value is less than £1,000.

In addition to this change there are also a number of excluded items to take into account as well as some so-called anti-forestalling measures to help to counter further abuse.

If you think you may be affected and would like to discuss your options in more detail then please contact our VAT expert, Dan Hobbs on 01903 234094.

Anyone wanting to sit down with an adviser to look at their own personal situation will be able to arrange a further meeting following the seminar.

You can sign up for the event by visiting www.cbwm.co.uk or by contacting CBWM on 01903 534587

33

Overseas Recruitment

IMMIGRATION CHANGES Tessa Robinson in RB’s Employment Team looks at the impact of some changes to the Tier system introduced in November 2016

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any businesses in the UK will have employees who are not UK nationals, whether because they can’t fi ll vacancies from the UK labour force or because, due to the global nature of their business, their employees are seconded from subsidiaries located abroad.

nationals, the most common route is via Tier 2 of the UK’s immigration system. This tier allows businesses to employ ‘skilled workers’ from outside the EEA who have a job offer in the UK. Tier 2 is broken down into two subcategories: Intra-Company Transfers and a more General route.

The UK currently operates a tiered points based system which determines who can stay and for how long. Whilst citizens from EU members’ states are not subject to this system and may come and go as they please, it is anticipated that this will change when we leave the EU. Until then the current system is likely to remain in place, subject to changes that are made periodically.

Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfers

When businesses choose to hire non UK

34

As the name suggests, Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) provide a mechanism to allow global companies to move employees between overseas subsidiaries. It does require that the employer becomes a sponsor, but the effect is that the company is then able to grant its own certifi cates of sponsorship.

Following a review by the Independent Migration Advisory Committee, four changes came into force on 24th November for those certifi cates of sponsorship assigned by Tier 2 sponsors on or after this date: • Increasing the Tier 2 (General) salary threshold for experienced workers to £25,000 (with some exemptions).

• Increasing the Tier 2 (ICT) salary threshold for short term staff to £30,000.

• Reducing the Tier 2 (ICT) graduate trainee threshold to £23,000 and increasing the number of places to 20 per company per year.

• Closing the Tier 2 (ICT) skills transfer subcategory.

Overseas Recruitment

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It is clear that the government is placing more and more restrictions upon organisations to ensure they recruit settled individuals before looking overseas”

Under the Tier 2 (ICT) skills transfer subcategory, employees did not have to be employed by their employer overseas for a set period of time. Employees under the remaining Tier 2 ICT sub-categories need to have been employed by their overseas employer for at least 12 months (from April 2017 those earning more than £73,900 will be exempt from this requirement), must be paid a prescribed salary and can only be transferred for a role that can’t be fi lled by a new UK recruit. This is far more restrictive than the previous skills transfer sub-category.

Individuals currently in the UK under the Tier 2 (ICT) skills transfer sub-category will be able to remain until their visa expires.

Those companies wishing to bring individuals to the UK for less than 12 months under a Tier 2 (ICT) visa should start the process soon or look into alternative options.

Tier 2 General No changes were made in November to this visa category, however it is therefore envisaged that Tier 2 (General) visas will be increasingly used by organisations if the minimum employment period for a Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) visa cannot be met.

However, the qualifi cation requirements and procedure for this sub-category are more restrictive and onerous than a Tier 2 (ICT) visa and so employers should be aware of the additional processes which must be followed.

Under this category, employers must carry out a Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT).

This test essentially shows that there is no

suitable settled worker available to fi ll the job.

It therefore protects the settled workforce in the UK. Employers are therefore usually required to advertise the job in two places and for 28 days each (either continuously or in two stages).

Employers must be able to show they did not fi nd a suitable worker. Guidance published by the Government states, “If you fi nd that you have more than one candidate with all the necessary skills and experience that you advertised for, where one is a settled worker and the other is a migrant, you must appoint the settled worker even if the migrant is more skilled or experienced.”

Last November a new suitability criteria for organisations wishing to hold a sponsor licence was added. This was whether the employer can offer a genuine vacancy which meets the criteria of the category it is applying for. The RLMT must therefore be genuine, and an overseas employee should not be offered the job before the test is carried out.

Employers wishing to recruit from outside the EEA will need to ensure the advert under the RLMT is drafted with skill and care to meet their wishes, and that extra time is factored in to the visa application process to ensure the minimum advertising period is met. They should also be aware of the increased salary requirements and budget accordingly.

Future Changes Employers should note that further changes to Tier 2 (ICT) category are in the pipeline for

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April 2017. The health surcharge will become payable (this category is currently exempt from making this payment). A date for this change will be announced in due course. It is also expected that from April 2017, the Tier 2 ICT short term sub-category will be abolished, meaning employees coming to the UK via an ICT will need to transfer for 12 months or longer. In addition there will be an increase to the minimum salary threshold for experienced workers under Tier 2 (General) from £25,000 to £30,000.

The fi nal change which is due in April 2017 is the introduction of the Immigration Skills Charge of £1,000 per year, per migrant. This charge is to encourage employers to invest in training workers from the UK, as opposed to recruiting from outside the EEA. It is clear that the government is placing more and more restrictions upon organisations to ensure they recruit settled individuals before looking overseas. With more changes to come following Brexit, employers should take the opportunity now to audit their workforce, and assess whether there are any individuals which could be affected by any changes which are announced in due course.

Our immigration specialists provide advice and assistance to businesses wishing to recruit from overseas. From advising on the best and most appropriate tier to use, to guiding and assisting them through the process required.

Our specialists also provide advice and assistance when changes are announced to ensure organisations continue to be compliant with all legislation. We also work with partner law fi rms around the world to provide quick and effective solutions to problems on a global scale if needed.

If you would like any further information on Business Immigration and how we can help your business, please contact Tessa Robinson for a free initial chat (trobinson@rawlisonbutler.com or 01293 558553).

This document is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this document.

35

Legal

HOT UNDER THE COLLAR Christine Gannon, Associate in DMH Stallard’s employment team explains what you can do if you have an employee who’s out of control at work.

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t was recently Anger Awareness Week and the British Association of Anger Management has some sobering statistics on its website about anger in the work place, including that 65% of offi ce workers have experienced offi ce rage and 45% of staff regularly lose their temper at work.

And you may have seen the recent press about a rather tragic case involving violence at a Christmas party. In that incident, the Managing Director of a recruitment company got into an argument with an employee (who was also a childhood friend) whilst

36

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In a case where anger completely escalates out of control into verbal or physically aggressive behaviour or violence, for example to colleagues, it would be appropriate to treat this as a disciplinary issue

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drunk back at the hotel after their Christmas party. The Managing Director punched the employee twice, knocking him to the hotel’s marble fl oor, leaving the employee with brain damage. In that case, the court held that the argument did not take place in the course of the employee’s employment, so the employee could not claim damages on the company’s insurance.

So what should an employer do if an employee (even the Managing Director) is out of control at work? As is often the case, prevention can be key. Recognising potential

Legal anger issues and dealing with them promptly before they escalate into something more serious, should be the goal. It is important to step back and recognise that anger in the workplace can be a symptom of other issues, including possible workplace confl ict, dissatisfaction with work, an underlying illness such as stress or depression, or feelings of not being heard.

This means, you should: • Train managers to look out for the warning signs of anger, such as negative outbursts, and train managers in ways of resolving confl ict.

• Act promptly if there are any early warning signs of anger, so an early private quiet word with the employee, or an informal discussion to see whether there are any underlying issues and/or if anger management counselling may be appropriate.

• Develop policies which clearly set out the standards of behaviour expected from staff and the types of behaviours that will not be tolerated, such as verbal or physical aggression to others.

• Ensure that your workplace culture supports and encourages the right behaviours, and that you deal robustly with employees who act in any way aggressively.

• Ensure that staff are fully aware of the internal procedures available for resolving issues and complaints, such as your grievance procedure or bullying and harassment procedure.

In a case where anger completely escalates out of control into verbal or physically aggressive behaviour or violence, for example to colleagues, it would be appropriate to treat this as a disciplinary issue.

What immediate steps should you take if an employee is out of control at work?

If the incident has the potential to lead to a signifi cant risk of harm to your staff, including the employee who is ‘out of control’, you should consider involving the police and/or contacting the employee’s emergency contact to seek to diffuse the situation.

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Recognising potential anger issues and dealing with them promptly before they escalate into something more serious, should be the goal

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Should we suspend and how do we investigate?

Due to the possible risk of further harm, normally, yes. Where anger steps over the line into verbal or physical aggression in the workplace, this is potentially gross misconduct.

Whilst the employee is suspended, you must investigate promptly, impartially and in an even-handed way. What level of investigation is required will depend on the individual circumstances, including: • Is the conduct admitted by the employee in question?

• Were there witnesses from whom statements can be taken?

• Is there any other evidence such as CCTV footage?

What

action should we take against the employee?

Even if you are satisfi ed that the employee has been verbally or physically aggressive, having followed your disciplinary procedures, you should not automatically conclude that the employee should be dismissed. Each case must be considered individually and factors that you should take into account when deciding whether to dismiss or not, include: • Are you as an employer able to show that you take a consistent approach on these types of incidents – is there a zero tolerance policy, or could the employee point to an employee in a similar situation that was not dismissed?

• Does the employee have a clean disciplinary record?

• Are there any mitigating factors, such as work or external pressures. Does the employee have very long service?

• Was there provocation? This would not, of course, excuse any aggressive behaviour, but might mean for example, that it would be reasonable to impose a fi nal written warning instead (possibly with a requirement for the employee to undertake anger management counselling).

• Was there a potential underlying medical reason which may have some bearing on the outburst? If so, it may be appropriate to get a medical opinion to get a better understanding of the employee’s health situation. Failure to do so could lead to a discrimination claim.

If your business has an employment issue you would like to discuss please contact Christine Gannon in the employment team at DMH Stallard at Christine.gannon@ dmhstallard.com.

DMH Stallard’s specialist employment team advise employers from a wide range of sectors on issues such as contracts, policies and procedures, tribunals and disputes, insourcing, outsourcing and TUPE, executive recruitment and termination, as well as other strategic or operational issues.

37

Travel - Hong Kong

Shake hands in...

HONG KONG Rose Dykins heads to the City of Life to discover its incredible past, its present challenges and its future business prospects.

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ust downhill from Hong Kong’s achingly cool PoHo district in Sheung Wan – away from the craft beer bars, pop-up fashion stores, and a (rather intimidating) glass-walled yoga studio – an unassuming square, Pak Tsz Lane Park, marks one of the most important places in modern China’s history. It is the original site of the Furen Literary Society – who spread ideas of revolution against the Qing dynasty and established a republic in China.

Hemmed in by alleyways caked in graffiti and grimy high-rise buildings, with a discreet brown monument at its centre, its surrounds

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are surprisingly gritty. However, my guide Danny Fung, points out they were chosen for a reason: “If the revolutionaries needed to evacuate the area at short notice, they could disappear down one of these alleyways.”

Danny takes me on a fascinating and well-curated three-hour walking tour of the Hong Kong Intrepid’s Urban Adventures series (urbanadventures.com) – ideal for time-pressed business travellers who only have a spare afternoon to get to know a city once their meetings are finished. We’re led from leafy Possession Street, where the British

claimed Hong Kong as a colony in 1841, all the way to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where Hong Kong was officially handed back to China in 1997, and the red starry flag was raised in ceremony.

The transition from the incense-filled Taoist temples and Chinese medicine shops of Sheung Wan, to the glinting gargantuan buildings lining Victoria Harbour is extremely striking, and it’s amazing what a difference 114 years makes.

In July, Hong Kong will celebrate 20 years of independence from British rule.

Travel - Hong Kong Part of Hong Kong’s appeal for the international business community has always been that it offers the best of both worlds. Having semi-autonomy from the red tape and legal system of Communist-run mainland China, while also being a gateway to its booming economy, has made it a solid investment prospect for some time. Its stability has also been a key confi dence booster for entrepreneurs. It will be interesting to see how the current political tensions play out, particularly if separatist sentiment gains momentum, as it did here in the UK. Major plans are underway for a super highspeed rail service that will connect Hong

Duddell Street Steps

The Hongkongers I spoke to were unsure how the occasion will be marked, although some mentioned that the government was allocating bigger budgets for annual cultural festivals. (For example, the budget for the internationally acclaimed Hong Kong Arts Festival has been boosted by 9% this year.)

During my visit in November, a different kind of independence was on some citizens’ minds. Beijing’s increasing infl uence over Hong

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Part of Hong Kong’s appeal for the international business community has always been that it offers the best of both worlds

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Kong has been a bone of contention ever since President Xi and the Communist Party of China came to power in 2012. However, while I was in the city, the news broke that Beijing had banned two legally elected pro-independence Hong Kong lawmakers from entering offi ce, for insulting China during their oaths they took while being sworn in.

Feelings of frustration and contempt for mainland China were strong – 40,000 protestors took to the streets demanding independence for Hong Kong. (Some people also expressed anger towards the two lawmakers, believing they threw away a chance to secure Hong Kong’s future for the sake of making a statement.) What’s more, the Chinese government is also launching legal challenges against even more proindependence politicians, adding fuel to the fi re.

Man Mo Temple Sheung Wan

39

Travel - Hong Kong from the popular time slots at Gatwick, and this will mean they can still easily connect to other destinations on the network.”

Graffiti near Pak Tsz Lane Park Kong with mainland China. Costing $11 billion, the project involves building a train station on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, with 26 km of track connecting it to Shenzhen, and is due for completion in late 2018. While the development won’t sit well with Hongkongers that reject further integration with China, it’s likely to be welcomed by business travellers.

In terms of investment activity, Hong Kong has been ranked as the world’s freest economy for 21 consecutive years by the Heritage Foundation, and placed second globally (after mainland China) for infl ow of foreign direct investment in 2014, which totalled US$ 103 billion. Its taxation is low and simple, its infrastructure is world-leading, and its workforce is skilled and English literate, with a strong international outlook.

A slew of companies that have recently set up headquarters in Hong Kong include travel tech company Kayak, travel app Trip Guru and German music tech company Soundbrenner.

This year, it was reported that internationally, 1,926 start-ups are operating in the city, a

large number of which were engaged in the Fintech sector – including fi nancial software, cybersecurity, foreign exchange and anti-fraud services – which is unsurprising given Hong Kong’s roots as a banking powerhouse.

A fi nal attraction of Hong Kong – just in case you’re tempted – is its enviable lifestyle. It offers the cosmopolitanism, culinary diversity and colourful heritage of London, while its chaos is far more organised, its metro system much more modern, and its days are sunnier, with plenty of attractive public spaces to enjoy them. At the weekends, residents take ferries to the Outlying Islands to enjoy hiking, beaches and festivals, or kick back with a Beaujolais Nouveau in one of the city’s hidden hipster enclaves. There’s always something new to see, do and taste in the aptly nicknamed “City of Life”.

On a more local level for Platinum Business readers, Cathay Pacifi c recently re-introduced its direct fl ights from Gatwick to Hong Kong for the fi rst time in 23 years. It’s the fi rst route that the airline has operated with its new A350-900 aircraft, which is designed to offer a wider, quieter cabin with a new in-fl ight entertainment system.

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The transition from the incense-filled Taoist temples and Chinese medicine shops of Sheung Wan, to the glinting gargantuan buildings lining Victoria Harbour is extremely striking

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“We are delighted to return to Gatwick Airport with a non-stop service between Gatwick and Hong Kong,” says Paul Cruttenden, marketing and digital sales manager for Cathay Pacifi c.

“The route will offer more choice, convenience and connectivity to both business and leisure travellers when travelling to North and Southeast Asia, China and the South West Pacifi c.

“The new Gatwick route complements our existing fi ve-times-daily service from Heathrow, bringing six daily fl ights to the London and the Southeast. Those living in the area will benefi t

40

Tai Ping Shan Street

CREATIVE QUARTER: PMQ Housed in a converted former Police Married Quarters in PoHo (hence the name PMQ), this regeneration project really captured my imagination. Home to more than 100 entrepreneurs and designers, PMQ is a hub for creativity; a non-profi t organisation that aims to nurture Hong Kong’s young talent. It has welcomed more than three million visitors since it opened in 2014, who are free to browse the open studios and boutiques of the entrepreneurs, making purchases and interacting with the people behind the products. The potential for collaboration and business partnerships with visitors is huge. I visited in the evening and perused the long corridors of the fi ve-fl oor building. I found avant-guard jewellery, ground-breaking gadgets, artisan crafts and tantalising food concepts. PMQ also stages regular events, workshops and exhibitions, and was the host venue for the inaugural Hong Kong Fintech week last November.

pmq.org.hk

More destinations than any other UK airport

Source: OAG schedules 2016

For All Your Business Travel Needs UNIGLOBE Preferred Travel, based in Brighton & London with globally connected offices in more than 60 countries. We truly deliver local service with Global Solutions.

If you're serious about Travelling for Business we should be talking, give us a call today.

0845 180 7817 sales@uniglobepreferred.co.uk www.uniglobepreferred.co.uk

6103

Travel - Hong Kong

TOP FOUR EVENT SPACES HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE Protruding out to sea in the Central Business District, this cutting-edge 91,500 sqm venue hosts hundreds of conferences and events each year. hkcec.com

➠ HULLETT HOUSE Set on the edge of Kowloon in a landmark colonial building, this special hotel has individually designed suites, and offers a ‘heritage meeting experience’ with themed coffee breaks. hulletthouse.com

➠ UPPER HOUSE HOTEL With just 17 rooms, this original luxury property – with design inspired by nature – has a secluded open air terrace in the heart of the Central district, which has space for 100 guests.

➠ JUNK EXPERIENCE Set sail on the South China Sea on board a beautiful teak ship for the best way to experience Victoria Harbour. A range of catering options and extra activities are available. new.hongkongjunks.com.hk

➠

upperhouse.com

43

Travel - Hong Kong

Where to Eat

Cafe Gray Deluxe, Upper House Hotel

Featuring warm decor and glittering views of Victoria Harbour, the exquisite menu of this refi ned eatery presents original fusions of fl avour, and is headed up by Gray Kunz. upperhouse.com

Aberdeen Street Social Part of the PMQ complex, Jason Atherton’s modern brasserie-style eatery has a verdant garden terrace and an award-winning pastry chef. jasonatherton.co.uk

Stables Grill, Hullett House Hotel Perfect for entertaining a client, this sophisticated grill restaurant offers privacy and atmosphere within its restored wooden walls. Each dish is served with its signature black garlic imported from Switzerland. hulletthouse.com

Brass Spoon Recently awarded a Michelin Bub Gourmand award, this understated Vietnamese restaurant in the lesser-known Star Street district allows you to customise your pho to the max – from the amount of coriander to the type of beef oil – with delicious results. thebrassspoon.com

GETTING THERE Cathay Pacific now offers a choice of three routes between the UK to Hong Kong, and onwards to over 190 destinations globally. These include five flights daily from London Heathrow, and four flights per week from both Manchester Airport and Gatwick Airport. The new Gatwick route exclusively features the new A350.

For further information, visit www.cathaypacific.co.uk or call 0208 834 8888.

Brass Spoon

44

Clients choose me for the same reason I choose my bank.

Expertise Expert guidance and support for professional businesses Our Relationship Managers are specialists in business banking.

Their in-depth knowledge of the professional services sector means they understand your challenges. From office moves or IT upgrades to supporting expansion, they will work with you, giving you the financial guidance and tools you need to succeed.

Call us 0800 694 0042 Minicom 0800 404 6161 or contact Rachel Cundall, Business Banking directly on 07920 089 199 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (excluding public holidays).

Calls may be recorded.

45

Travel

PLANES, TRAINS AND… LESS TRAINS From one transport extreme to the other

by John Burroughes Managing Director, Uniglobe Preferred Travel

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n 1947 Qantas airlines created what became known as the Kangaroo Route from London to Australia. In those days the journey took four days with a total of nine stops en route, a far cry from the modern aviation world we currently live in.

We live in a world of super fast technology, a world where robotics play an ever increasing role in our day-to-day lives, a world where we can control the temperature of our house, and which lights are switched on or off, all from our mobile phone on the other side of the world. Indeed the infamous world of driverless cars is just around the corner.

And then sadly, we live in the world of Chris Grayling. In case you are unaware the Right

46

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Unfortunately I have to report that our Right Honourable Secretary of State appears, on the face of it, lily-livered and certainly not on song with the Prime Minister

❞

Honourable Chris Grayling MP, is the Secretary of State for transport, as such whether you are travelling by road, air, space or attempting to make a journey by Southern Rail, he is (or rather should be) your go to man.

Unfortunately I have to report that our Right Honourable Secretary of State appears, on the face of it, lily-livered and certainly not on song with the Prime Minister who declared on her entrance to Downing Street, that she would “Govern the country for everyone”. I do not recall the Prime Minister excluding any members of the public who happen to travel on Southern Railways.

The Secretary of State for transport last week declared he found the RMT unions

Travel

actions “very frustrating” and I’m told, that next week he will describe the unions actions as “annoying” and he has certainly not ruled out the possibility of escalating his rhetoric to becoming “very cross” - what planet does this man live on?

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has accused the government of abandoning passengers of Southern Rail, and called on the unions to cancel the planned strikes.

Nick Herbert, the Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs, reported in the Daily Telegraph, that one of his constituents had a job offer withdrawn when the prospective employer realised she would have to use Southern Rail to get to work. He has received numerous requests for help and has reported some commuters have lost their jobs or become sick with worry.

Then we get to the leadership of the RMT, the General Secretary Mick Cash. I think by now we are all aware this strike has nothing to do with safety, in the early rhetoric of the unions they kept quoting safety issues at “the passenger train interface” i.e. the doors. It has since been pointed out that numerous other train services run on a driver only basis,

without any safety issues coming to the fore.

According to details published by Southern Rail, Mick Cash’s members have been offered job and salary security without any loss whatsoever until 2021. There is a hell of a lot of commuters that, because of Mick Cash’s members’ actions, don’t have job security until the end of the year.

❝

The Qantas announcement reminded me very much of the current situation on Southern Rail, a situation caused by the introduction of new technology

❞

Each train would still have an RMT operative with a new title of ‘On Board Supervisor’ - I guess with the job reclassifi cation, it could

result in said operatives actually having to render a positive customer experience!

Which brings me nicely back to Qantas airline, who this week announced that starting in March 2018 they will become the fi rst airline to offer a non-stop, 9,000 mile journey in a single 17 hour stint, with direct non-stop fl ights between London and Perth, Australia.

They will be using the brand new Boeing 787/9 Dreamliner planes which will carry 236 passengers.

What is the connection I hear you ask? Very simple, the Qantas announcement reminded me very much of the current situation on Southern Rail, a situation caused by the introduction of new technology. It is new technology that will allow the non-stop 17 hour fl ight, and coincidently 17 hours and 20 minutes is exactly the time that Google maps says it will take to walk from Brighton to London, which is exactly what we will soon end up doing unless the Right Honourable Transport Secretary gets a grip of the situation!

Give me a call or email me on John@Uniglobepreferred.co.uk

47

Travel - Croatia

Lights, camera, Croatia...

Rose Dykins finds blockbuster-worthy scenery in Dubrovnik, then escapes to its serene surrounding islands

W

e are on a Game of Thrones tour of Old Town Dubrovnik, and we’re standing at the top of the ivorycoloured stone steps where the seminal ‘walk of shame’ scene was filmed. I won’t spoil it for you if you’re several episodes behind, but apparently the scene is frequently recreated late at night by tourists drunk enough to strip naked. Like some 8.9 million other people, I’ve been hungrily devouring episode after episode of the HBO series – which returns for its final season this summer – parts of which were filmed in Croatia.

We traipse around winding alleys, conquer never-ending steps and stare up at the swarms of twittering swallows veering from turret to turret. It’s easy to see why Old Town Dubrovnik is a gold mine for film location scouts. Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, the moon-white UNESCO Heritage site has

48

the fortress-like presence for a historic drama – blending Medieval, Baroque and Gothic architecture – and an exotic, other-worldly quality that could set the scene for science fiction. In fact, it has, as part of the next instalment of Star Wars was filmed here last May. We stop by a temporary exhibit, roughly translated as “Quiet please, Dubrovnik and Film Love Each Other” and learn about all the flicks filmed in the city over the past century including The Secret Invasion (1964), Captain America (1990) and Casanova (2005). Keep an eye out for Robin Hood: Origins, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx, filming will commence in Dubrovnik next month.

Later that day, we catch a ten minute ferry ride over to the inhabited island of Lokrum. Shortly after we’ve docked, whilst hiking over mossy woodland paths, we’re

joined by curious rabbits and greedy families of peacocks – they sidle up to us as pigeons would back home, hoping for some food. The island’s scent of the pine trees warming in the humidity is reminiscent of a sauna. Having exerted ourselves traversing the island’s rugged cliffs and running round the maze of the abandoned Benedictine monastery, we’re grateful when we stumble upon the island’s “dead lake”. Linked by the Adriatic Sea, it’s salty emerald water makes it an inviting place for a quick dip to cool down – as we do, the peacocks circle our belongings that we’ve left on the rocky bank, still in hope of a snack.

After three days in Dubrovnik, we’re itching for some beach time and to see more of the famous Dalmation Coast. A one hour ferry journey – or 30 minute speedboat ride, as we learn on the return journey – brings us to the sleepy island of Lopud. Comprising little more

Travel - Croatia

TO DO LIST • Private Game of Thrones walking tour of Old Town Dubrovnik: visit dubrovnik-tourist-guides.com and ask for Ivan Vuko. He’s one of the original GoT tour operators, with excellent historical knowledge and a collection of his own photography from during the filming of the HBO series. Reserve a tour with him well in advance.

Lopud Beach than cyan-streaked waters, humble sandstone cottages, and a smattering of tavernas blooming with peach-petaled hydrangeas, the pedestrian-only island is an oasis of calm.

We hop off the ferry, and it’s not long before we’re basking on the pebbly beach, clasping frosty bottles of Ozujsko beer. Those desperate for a sandy beach after Dubrovnik’s largely rocky coastline will find it on Lopud island – the golden stretch known as Sunj beach lies on the opposite side of the island from the main strip (a 25-minute walk away).

At dusk, Lopud is perhaps at its most captivating. Feeling sun-drunk, we head for a romantic dinner at the French-inspired Dalmar

restaurant at Lafodia Resort, currently the only hotel on Lopud other than a few guesthouses. The waitress offers to add “something extra” to my order of scallops, and they arrive served in shells, marinated in white wine, black pepper and garlic and covered in satisfying coating of melted cheese – the latter was her addition and, being a huge cheese fan, I’m delighted.

We clink wine glasses and tuck in as the sky explodes with rich pink light that tinges everything it touches. By the time the pink has faded to black, our plates are empty, our bellies are full and our minds are more than content.

WHERE TO STAY

• Sushi fans should dine on the terrace of Takenoko, which offers views of Old Town Dubrovnik and excellent sashimi takenoko.hr • Elafiti Islands cruise: Hop on and off boats to picnic on the peaceful shorelines of Lopud, Sipan and Kolocep.

• Mljet National Park: Go kayaking in its natural salt lakes and enjoy sublime views.

• Day trip to Montenegro: Just over an hour’s drive from Dubrovnik, it’s home to sights such as the beautiful Bay of Kotor, which features a fjord flanked by mountains.

Villa Dubrovnik’s Restaurant Pjerin

VILLA DUBROVNIK Built into the cliff-edge, a ten minute drive from Old Town Dubrovnik, this sleek five-star boutique hotel has a private feel, with only 56 rooms. Its minimalist spaces and high design are impressive. The allwhite contemporary Restaurant Pjerin’s menu takes you on a journey throughout Croatia. villadubrovnik.com

RADISSON BLU RESORT & SPA HOTEL DUBROVNIK SUN GARDENS Situated a 15 minute drive from Old Town, the vast resort feels like a destination in itself, and offers sweeping views of the Adriatic Sea. It boasts seven restaurants, five bars, three pools, a spa, a beach and a diving centre. Well-suited for families, there are several kids’ and teenagers’ clubs, and there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. radissonblu.com Radisson Blu Resort

LAFODIA RESORT Set at one end of Lopud’s main strip, Lafodia Resort adds a touch of luxury to the otherwise undeveloped island. Its rooms and suites are airy and comfortable, and its facilities include a beach with jet ski hire, two outdoor pools, a concierge for arranging excursions, three restaurants, and a stunning spa with sea views. The resort’s open air beach bar is an excellent place to relax with a cocktail, or head for a night cap after sunset. lafodiaresort.com

49

CEO Fight Club

CEO

EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT GOALS IS PROBABLY WRONG

By Si Conroy, owner of Scarlet Monday

B

en Horowitz is co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, the US venture capital fi rm and one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs. He bought and then sold Skype to Microsoft for a $5.75 billion profi t within 20 months. His book, ‘The Hard Thing About Hard Things’ contains chapters like “If you are going to eat shit, don’t nibble”, prompted the title of this column.

In 2000, as CEO of Loudcloud, he nearly lost $186 million of other people’s money and 600 employees when the dotcom crash of 2000 took it from one of the hottest startups to having just three weeks worth of cash before bankruptcy. No private investor would give them money.

Ben’s solution?

In what BusinessWeek billed ‘The IPO from Hell’ he got Board backing to go public and eventually raised another $162.5 million. This was while the market was losing 93% of its value.

Ben succeeded after setting a specifi c, diffi cult goal because he had to. The outcome was however predicted by the second of two

core fi ndings of goal setting science (over 1,000 empirical studies over 50 years).

Specifi cally, diffi cult goals lead to higher performance than abstract goals such as “do your best.” (Latham & Yukl, 1975) This may not come as a ground shaking surprise to a number of you although the fi rst core fi nding might rock you a little more.

There is a linear relationship between the degree of goal diffi culty and performance, with the performance of participants with the highest goals over 250% higher than those with the easiest goals (Locke 1967, 1968) In fact, even though ability is one of the things that limits this relationship, humans put in place a learning goal to develop the skills and knowledge required to achieve their original specifi c, diffi cult goal.

If the science of goal-setting is this straightforward, why do people seem to perpetually set and fail to achieve goals?

Whether sales numbers, weight loss targets or marathon training sessions most of us have experienced abject failure. What’s the answer?

As the comedian David Walliams slipped into the English Channel on the morning of July 4th

2006 his coach reminded him of why he was there. A year earlier he made the commitment to train – as an occasional swimmer – to swim the English Channel to raise money for Sport Relief after being introduced to systematically abused girls in Ethiopia. After nine months of training he swam the 22 mile stretch in the 167th fastest time. He became the fi rst person ever to raise £1m in a solo, one-off challenge.

Self belief is one of the most frequentlycited psychological terms in goal setting study results. Goal commitment is however the magic ingredient, which has self belief as a primary driver. The goal setting equation is therefore roughly: Specifi c, diffi cult goal + Commitment + Self belief = 250% increase in performance So, for 2017 and beyond, can we agree to get past the SMART acronym (yes, goals have to be specifi c, measurable, actionable, realistic and timely), and join me in this column in getting sexy with some leadership psychology?

Oh, and Ben sold Loudcloud – renamed Opsware – to HP seven years later for $1.6 billion in cash.

Si Conroy specialises in helping business owners set and achieve stretching goals: sales, profit & capital/ dividend value realisation.

Trained at PwC and owner of www.ScarletMonday.com and www.ConstantMentor.com, Si practises what he preaches across a number of businesses in which he has invested. si@scarletmonday.com @siconroy

50

Technology News

CLOUD TALK Happy New Year and welcome to 2017. Trying to keep up-to-date with technology seems to get harder, not easier, so I am going to continue to try and highlight relevant snippets of information which I hope you will find useful. I will therefore concentrate on the Cloud services we specialise in namely Office 365, Dropbox Business and Cloud PBX.

MICROSOFT TEAMS – HOW TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL TIME ZONE QUICK START GUIDE TO YOUR OUTLOOK 2016 CALENDAR

What are Microsoft Teams? A chat and collaboration platform for Microsoft Offi ce 365 customers designed to simplify group work. In its simplest form the service allows users to set up Teams, each of which is essentially a hub for group chat rooms, called channels.

This is a handy feature for us when working with clients abroad i.e. Madrid. In Outlook 2016 go to the File menu and select Options. Select Calendar and scroll down to Time Zones. Check Show a second time zone and select the zone you want, in this case (UTC+01:00) Brussels, Copenhagen, Madrid, Paris. Give this time zone a label i.e. ‘Madrid’, name your local time zone ‘UK’ and click OK. Now when you launch your Outlook 2016 calendar you’ll see your UK & Madrid time zones.

Why do Microsoft Teams matter? Alongside chat-based communications, Teams’ integration with other Microsoft services allows for shared fi les, calendars, collaborative editing and the ability to easily switch between voice, video and text chat.

Who does Microsoft Teams affect? Teams will be available to Business Essentials, Business Premium, E1, E3 and E5 Offi ce 365 subscribers. Teams will be available for Windows, macOS, iOS Android and the web.

When will Microsoft Teams be available? Teams is currently available in Preview and will be launched as a generally available service to Offi ce 365 subscribers in January 2017.

OUTLOOK LARGE ATTACHMENTS UPDATE Microsoft are rolling out an Offi ce 365 update that allows you to attach large fi les to Outlook emails using ‘OneDrive For Business’ (ODFB). In the past you had to send a link to your fi les stored in ODBF, now you can choose to upload a fi le ODFB in the Outlook menu you normally use to attach a fi le to your email. The recipient then receives a link to that fi le allowing them to download it without clogging up their inbox.

MICROSOFT PSTN UPDATE Microsoft have now enabled PSTN calling for France with Skype For Business Cloud PBX. Microsoft PSTN Calling gives users real PSTN phone numbers from Microsoft directly in the Offi ce 365 Cloud with no local infrastructure.

The Cloud Consultancy - Online & Creative Services . If you need help with a website or would like a company show reel with a difference why not consider us? We build responsive websites using WordPress, have drones with gyro-stabilised 4k cameras and our pilots are BNUC-S qualified. To find out more check out our website at www.thecloudconsultancy.eu/online-creative-services The Cloud Consultancy Europe are authorised Office 365 resellers

If you would like help and advice with your IT infrastructure call me. t: 00 (44) 1342 716873 e: jamie.shaw@thecloudconsultancy.eu w: www.thecloudconsultancy.eu

uk.linkedin.com/in/shawjamie

51

Coast to Capital LEP

TEAM PLAYERS Supporting the skill set of our future workforce

by Senior Enterprise Coordinator, Georgina Angele

I

n the last issue, I introduced you to the new team of Enterprise Coordinators and since then we have been continuing to develop the existing Enterprise Adviser Network and engaging with our region’s stakeholders, schools and businesses.

❝

The aim is to create a better and more relevant skill set amongst our young people, create work ready employees for our businesses and embed a strategy of careers and enterprise in our education system

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As the EA Network continues into its second year, funding from the Careers & Enterprise Company matched funded by Coast to Capital is enabling the fast growth of the network into 100 schools and colleges. We are working closely with our neighbouring LEP region colleagues to offer a connected employer

engagement strategy for national and regional

for success in the world of work into the

organisations, who are actively involved with careers and enterprise education in their local schools.

curriculum, and create pipelines of talent in jobs that will support economic growth across the LEP region.

The foundations of the EA Network are our much valued Enterprise Advisers; senior leaders from the region’s private and public sector organisations, who are volunteering and working alongside the senior leadership teams in our schools and colleges, to create careers strategies and enterprising curricula. It has been a pleasure to be able to share with you some of their stories over the past few months. Take a look back at previous issues to read about how Parafi x, URT Group and Southern Water are benefi ting from the EA Network and how their engagement in schools are inspiring the workforce of the future.

The team and I are also working collaboratively with stakeholders in order to support and strengthen the careers and enterprise education across the region; organisations such as Sussex Learning Network, Coastal West Sussex Partnership, Gatwick Diamond Business and Gatwick Diamond Business, local and regional chambers, Local Authorities, the Universities and Further Education colleges. Together we are creating robust partnerships to support, connect and embed the skills needed

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We are working closely with our neighbouring LEP region colleagues to offer a connected employer engagement strategy for national and regional organisations,

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Continue reading to the next page to learn more about the launch of a pilot programme of CPD sessions for teachers around embedding enterprise into the curriculum.

We are actively engaging with the business community and inviting businesses to participate in the EA Network. If you are interested in becoming involved, either as an individual or as a whole organisation, please do get in contact with me on 07879 980444 or georgina.angele@coast2capital.org.uk

To find out how you and your business can join the Enterprise Adviser Network and inspire the workforce of the future, contact Georgina Angele, Senior Enterprise Coordinator on 07879 980444 or georgina.angele@coast2capital.org.uk

52

Coast to Capital LEP

A BRAND NEW EDUCATORS PROGRAMME LAUNCHES

The Greenpower group

W

e have launched a new pilot in Coastal West Sussex. Educators from a range of education centres including Alternative Provision, Special Education Needs & Catherine Brentnall Disabilities (SEND) and mainstream schools and colleges are attending CPD sessions to develop closer links between subject teaching and the world of work and business. The ‘Embedding Careers and Enterprise in the Curriculum’ programme will involve teachers integrating more careers and enterprise learning through existing teaching and practice, enabling young people to learn about, and be inspired by, the employment opportunities in the region.

The pilot has been made possible by a partnership involving the Coastal West Sussex Partnership, Coast to Capital, West Sussex County Council, the University of Chichester and the Sussex Learning Network.

The work has been an ambition for some time after a study on work experience and enterprise in the curriculum commissioned by the Coastal West Sussex Partnership. We know that we are not starting this project

with a blank canvas; there is lots of great practice happening in our schools and colleges, however research has shown there isn’t a common approach and the impact isn’t always investigated. Now is a great time for this pilot as we have the recently formed Enterprise Adviser Network to support this work, and link more people from the world of work and business into schools and colleges. Nationally, through the wider work of the Careers and Enterprise Company, there is now more of a joined up focus on this element of young people’s learning.

The pilot is being run in partnership with Ready Unlimited, a training provider which helps teachers embed careers and enterprise in the curriculum. Four professional learning sessions will take place over the academic year, which will help staff to strengthen and develop their approaches to embedding careers and enterprise in the curriculum. Catherine Brentnall, founder of Ready Unlimited, said: “We focus on developing the knowledge, skills and imagination of educators so that they are able to design learning opportunities that connect with ‘what’s out there’ and challenge and motivate young people to succeed. We take this approach because we recognise that teachers are best placed to understand and respond to the needs of their own students and their own community. By building the capacity

of educators, we are also equipping them to sustain and strengthen entrepreneurial learning themselves. The long term multiplier effect of working with educators, rather than directly with students, means that Ready Unlimited has affected the practice of hundreds of teachers who in turn, have inspired and developed thousands of young people.”

As well as educators, there are a number of Enterprise Advisers taking part in the sessions. Their role within the school or college is strategic, and an understanding of how to practically embed careers and enterprise in subject teaching will help them to create diverse strategic plans.

The pilot is being delivered at University of Chichester’s Bognor Regis campus and as a partner in the project, the university is also observing and evaluating the pilot. The pilot will support schools and colleges to move from the strong reliance on enthusiastic members of staff, to a more systematic way of communicating expectations, building capacity and monitoring and evaluating careers and enterprise in the curriculum.

53

MORE TIME FOR BUSINESS

T H E F O R D M OTO R CO M PA N Y P R E S E N TS

D E S I G N E D TO G I V E YO U T H E LU X U RY O F T I M E

Birchwood Ford

Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, BN23 6PX 01323 407099 Eastbourne Road (Nr Uckfield), Halland, BN8 6PS 01825 700737 Sedlescombe Road North, St. Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7SQ 01424 230865 www.birchwoodford.co.uk SEARCH

FORD VIGNALE

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Mondeo Vignale range: urban 27.2-100.9 (10.4-2.8), extra urban 47.9-68.9 (5.9-4.1), combined 37.2-67.3 (7.6-4.2). Official CO2 emissions 176-99g/km.

The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

Motoring

PLATINUM CLASSICS I nvestment in the classic car market is a better investment than wine, antiques, gold, art or cash. And you can’t drive and have weekend fun with a bottle of wine or a painting!

The price of classic cars has soared by an average 8.4% in the first half of 2015 as investors increasingly turn to alternative assets. A study published in March by property firm Knight Frank estimated that art

Ferrari 250 GTO

prices had risen by 252% in a decade, beaten only by classic car values, up by 487% with 15 models exceeding 30% in the past year.

Last year, a new record was set when a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $38m (£24m) at an auction in California.

The Lamborghini Countach LP400S Coupe was also a strong performer, up by 42% from £210,050 to £298,500.

Lamborghini Countach LP400S Coupe

But its not all supercars. Humble Ford and VW’s, in pristine condition, are great investments and and this grid shows the model gain in only 12 months: MODEL

2015 PRICE

2016 PRICE

GAIN

Fiat Dino 2000 Spider

£45,000

£65,050

45%

Fiat Dino 2000 Coupe

£21,675

£30,900

43%

Lamborghini Countach LP400S Coupe

£210,500

£298,500

42%

Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina Berlinetta

£79,750

£112,625

41%

Maserati Bora 4.7 Coupe

£57,975

£81,725

41%

Lamborghini Espada II Coupe

£40,175

£55,463

8%

Maserati Merak SS Coupe

£35,600

£48,950

38%

Ferrari 512 BB Standard Berlinetta

£120,400

£163,750

36%

Audi Quattro Sport Coupe

£149,000

£202,000

36%

Lamborghini Espada I Coupe

£44,800

£60,600

35%

Porsche 911 SC 3.0 Targa

£23,200

£31,275

35%

Ford Lotus Cortina Mk II 2dr Saloon

£21,200

£28,175

33%

Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk I 1.6 Hatchback

£7,890

£10,463

33%

Jensen FF Standard Coupe

£74,200

£97,700

32%

Volkswagen Type II

£28,100

£36,750

31%

Porsche 911 SC 3.0 Targa

VW Golf GTi MkI 1.6

55

Motoring

MONDEO MANIA

By Motoring Editor, Maarten Hoffmann It is tough to keep up with the events in the motoring world with new models appearing in every sector at quite a rate of knots.

Ford have always proceeded with sure footed stealth and ploughed their own furrow, continually producing cars that sell by the truck load and do exactly what it says on the can. They rarely seem to be threatened by other manufacturers and continue to produce models for every sector, with great aplomb.

But l think the Germans have got to them at last with premium models that offer the Ford reliability but with that dash of excitement and quality that have been stealing sales.

Ford’s answer is the Vignale luxury range.

One presumes this is encouraged by the fact that many of the company’s models, such as the Kuga and S-Max, are purchased in their range-topping trim demonstrating that Ford customers love the brand but want more luxury, increased spec and something a little more bespoke.

Enter the Vignale range.

The Vignale is what Ford terms a “new ownership experience”, available across several

56

other models as well as the Mondeo. It comes with all sorts of bells and whistles, including its own website and magazine. The standard Mondeo is a very good car and therefore it’s brave to fi ddle with it but the fi ddling that has been performed is excellent. The deep quilted leather seats are superb, the fi t and feel of every panel is excellent (and very Germanic) and it has a more aggressive stance, with its angry grill and smart 18-inch alloy wheels.

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The Vignale is what Ford terms a “new ownership experience”

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They have given the engine range a makeover too with the additional of the excellent S-Max engine offering a 2.0 litre bi-turbo engine with 180PS and, with the addition of some very effi cient dampers, it really is an

excellent and involved drive. They have also worked hard on the noise cancelling devices, leaving barely a whisper from the power plant at speed and near silence on the motorway.

And then they have gone to the nirvana of modern road cars – all-wheel drive. Audi have been one of the only companies to recognise this simple life-changing feature, offering it across the range for years but add it to any car and life in all weather is just better. We don’t want to romp through dales but simply a more sure-footed drive in rain, ice and snow and although you suffer the weight gain, it’s worth every gram. There is also a Hybrid electric model available so that you can go anywhere and be smug at the same time.

The engine also offers a lovely tsunami of torque ushering you to 62mph in a little over 9 seconds and onto 140mph. Once up to cruising speed, there is a smorgasboard of tech bits inside to keep you amused such as the SYNC infotainment 8” touchscreen system, power seats, active park assist, reversing cameras, satnav of course and a lot more besides. So there is little doubt that Ford have got to within a gnats whisker of the Germans.

Motoring

And then there is the elephant in the room. Price and sector competition. This spec Vignale starts at £32,745 with the BMW 3-series at £25,160, the Merc C-Class from £28,454 and Audi A4 from £26,350. This is not the fairest comparison as when you spec the Germans the prices rise considerably but the Vignale sits amongst august company. It holds its head high and only badge snobbery and resale value might prevent it from rising higher.

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TECHNICAL STUFF Model tested: Vignale 2.0 TDCi Powershift AWD Engine: 2.0 litre

And then they have gone to the nirvana of modern road cars – all-wheel drive

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The Vignale range can only be purchased through the 70 or so Ford Stores but this means that they have specialists on-hand and can offer the full premium service and fi rst-class backup.

I like the Mondeo Vignale and, once you have crunched the numbers, l think you will too.

Your local Ford Store is Birchwood Ford, Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 6PX on 01323 407105

Power: 180 PS Performance: 0-62mph 9.3 seconds Top Speed: 140 mph Economy: 53.3 combined Price from: £32,745.00 As tested: £33,420.00

57

We are delighted to announce the Platinum Publishing Group sponsorship of the exciting new Brighton Motorshow at the Amex Stadium on June 10th and 11th of June 2017.

Having long lamented the demise of the annual London Motorshow, we are delighted that this event will be returning – and in Sussex. The weekend will be packed with events, the latest 2017 models, family zone, motorsports, classic cars, leasing zone, motorbikes, go-karting, test drives and an innovation zone that will give visitors a first-hand glimpse into the future of motoring.

It will truly be a day out for all the family and anyone with an interest in cars and an enjoyable day out.

Entry is totally free once pre-registered and this can be done here: www.brightonandhovemotorshow.com With over 15,000 visitors expected over the two days, there are still limited exhibition space available and to find out how to get involved contact: info@brightonandhovemotorshow.com

58

www.brightonandhovemotorshow.com

The Brighton & Hove Motor Show 2017 Positioned over 13,000m2 of both internal and external space, the event will house nine topical themed zones and multiple exhibitors. On offer to visitors are a variety of activities including a Go-Karting track, Motorcycle zone, Family zone and Innovation zone. Unlike most motor shows visitors will have the ability to test drive some of the latest models on display.

The team at Brighton and Hove Motor Show are keen to make this an annual event therefore admission this year is free via registration on the official website. Event Director Bud Johnston says ’Brighton and Hove deserves an annual motor show. It’s been a goal of ours to re-ignite the once prestigious Brighton Motor show events of over 10 years ago. Now we have a perfect location, official city status and a local motor industry that is booming.’

To find out more or to register for free entry visit www.brightonandhovemotorshow.com or search Brighton and Hove Motor Show on Facebook @BTNMotorShow

SPONSORS PLATINUM PUBLISHING G R O U P CHANDLERS

BRIGHTON | HAILSHAM WORTHING

59

Recruitment

2017. THE YEAR OF FLEXIBILITY

by Emma Cleary, Director , Ten2Two Sussex emma@ten2two.org www.ten2two.org

T

he arrival of a new year is often a time for renewal. It’s a time for planning and making resolutions about how we’ll approach our lives differently. When it comes to the workplace, it can also be a good time to re-evaluate our careers and focus on how we can achieve our goals. So what would you do differently this year?

For the 1.5m women in the UK who want to take on more hours than they currently do, this could be the year to do it. However, the issues around getting more women into work continue to be unresolved.

60

We’ve heard that the UK is missing out on up to £170bn worth of economic benefi ts by not having enough women in employment.

To match the output of countries like Sweden, more has to be done to create fl exible work for women.

Taking flexible working seriously Until more companies offer roles with parttime or fl exible hours, many working mothers will fi nd it too challenging to increase their output. The lack of affordable childcare is just

one of the challenges facing parents – but it’s still very much a female issue.

Around 75% of working women with children are the primary carers, so until the recent shared parental leave legislation matures and workplace attitudes change, this isn’t set to change any time soon. It’s incredibly frustrating but there is a solution, if more employers get on board with fl exible working. Yet just 6% of UK job adverts include fl exibility in their descriptions.

Recruitment

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Research also shows that the millennial generation expect flexibility as a natural part of their job. They can connect and work from anywhere and are demanding a greater balance between work and play.

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Flexible and part-time jobs for mums Many parents’ situations alter when their children start full-time education: mums who’ve taken time out to start a family begin to turn their attention to making a return to the workplace. The predictable hours, boosted by a widening range of breakfast and afterschool activities, creates more space for work.

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We’ve heard that the UK is missing out on up to £170bn worth of economic benefits by not having enough women in employment.

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satisfaction, retention and business effi ciency as fl exibility means a closer match of hours and salary to the requirements of a job.

You can also improve business effectiveness through supporting seasonal or business peaks and troughs.

Greater flexibility for everyone This certainly isn’t about ‘doing a favour’ to working mothers who want to take on more hours and continue their careers in a rewarding and meaningful way. It’s about harnessing the wealth of experience and skills that parents can offer to an organisation to drive British businesses and the economy towards a brighter future.

Research also shows that the millennial generation expect fl exibility as a natural part of their job. They can connect and work

from anywhere and are demanding a greater balance between work and play. And this is catching on across the generations. And it’s why our fl exible recruitment agency exists.

Here at Ten2Two, our fl exible recruitment agency connects career professionals with local businesses seeking to fi ll part-time and fl exible roles. We provide a full end-to-end service, handling every step of the recruitment process for employers whilst supporting our Members in their search for greater fl exibility. We also run free professional development events such as CV writing, presentation skills, social media and networking.

If you think we can help you achieve your goals this year, please get in touch. To fi nd out more, contact us at www.ten2two.org or email emma@ten2two.org We wish you every success for the New Year.

For over six million women in the UK, fl exible working is the perfect solution.

And for women with professional skills and experience, fl exible and part-time jobs for mums allow them to re-enter the workplace and continue their career, whilst caring for their families – a situation many didn’t think possible. But these opportunities need to be further reaching.

Arranging working hours around the school day hours, or working several full-days a week with less childcare support, makes work a viable option. Many parents in this situation also prefer to work locally, so fl exible or parttime jobs for mums need to be close to home.

A very real business opportunity There’s a clear business case for employers offering greater fl exibility generally. Reducing working hours of a role cuts the salary requirement by 40% or more – and a lot can be done in 20-25 hours a week by an experienced person.

There’s also an increase in employee

61

Golf & Wine

A SPIKE IN QUALITY

M

annings Heath Golf Club & Wine Estate, Horsham, December 2016, is excited to announce the opening of its brand new spike bar. With a beautiful South African theme it has brought what was once a traditional spike bar into the 21st century.

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This was a damp, dark cellar only a few months ago and now we have a warm, inviting environment

â?ž

Set within the striking 100-year-old Clubhouse the brand new spike bar looks out over the golf course set amongst acres of beautiful English countryside. It is the perfect place to unwind after a long day at work, meet friends for a bite to eat or relax after a round of golf.

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Golf & Wine with friends whilst enjoying some good food or wine.”

The Spike Bar is one of many upgrades to happen to the golf club as it currently undergoes one of the biggest changes in its 100 year history. The new owners have converted one of the two 18-hole courses into a 9-hole course to plant a vineyard on the 500 acre estate. Over the next three years a winery and wine tasting centre will be built and by 2021 they will be producing their very own English Sparkling wine.

The new owner, Penny Streeter, CEO of Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate is a Zimbabwe born British entrepreneur who has turned Mannings Heath into the UK’s fi rst Golf and Wine venue. Set on the ocean’s edge of the Southern Coast of South Africa, Benguela Cove is known as a leading wine producer in a country famous for their award-winning wines. With the estate’s unique location and optimum climate conditions it results in the ideal viticulture. The south-easterly sea breeze is chilled by the Benguela current fl owing up from Antarctica, to cool the grapes at night after the warm summer days, irrigated by above-average rainfall. This is the perfect terroir to produce grapes of superior quality and result in award-winning wines suitable for even the most complex palate.

If you would like more information please contact enquiries@

The Spike Bar is open to the public 7 days a week, serving a delicious bar menu alongside Benguela Cove wine tasting experiences.

manningsheath.com

Visitors can enjoy a South African style wine experience, with fi rst hand tastings of the wines produced by Benguela Cove as well as wine tasting experiences which include wine & chocolate pairing and cheese & wine pairing.

All of the Benguela Cove wines are available to take home at “cellar door prices”.

Adam Streeter, General Manager said “The Spike bar had been closed for almost a year and was one of the fi rst areas that we wanted to refurbish. The transformation has been spectacular and the feedback from members and the public has been extremely positive. This was a damp, dark cellar only a few months ago and now we have a warm, inviting environment where people can relax

63

Table Talk

And so to food

By Amanda Menahem

The interior at Park Chinois

N

ovember started in the most hipster of fashions, with a day trip to London to visit Climpson’s Arch, an artisan coffee

the Michelin starred Peruvian restaurant. I

and the other a chocolate, both housed within

had been once before with my foodie friend

a chocolate avocado shaped shell. Totally

(and ex) Andy. Peruvian cuisine is joyously

delicious, as were the pisco sours.

roaster housed within an arch in Shoreditch (of

unfamiliar, novel and delicious. We started

course).

with a sea bass ceviche and Lomo steak beef

impromptu lunch at Food for Friends. Being

❝

both starving and indecisive on this particular

After the tour and a tasting, I began to wonder whether the recruitment policy discriminated against those without copious facial hair until I spotted one young clean shaven chap. “Oh he’ll be fi red soon” was the response when this anomaly was mentioned.

After this entertaining visit, I headed (with my colleagues) to Lyles – the epitome of hipster dining and with a recently awarded Michelin star. The décor was a bit stark and industrial for my taste but then that’s hipster for you. The food, however, was excellent. I

For dessert an avocado and chocolate mousse proved divine and, I suspect, not at all healthy

❞

Back in my beloved Brighton I enjoyed an

day I greedily ordered two starters as well as a main (which was only salad so that’s ok right?).

First up, tempura fried courgette fl ower stuffed with goat’s cheese mousse. Perfectly cooked and excellent in both taste and texture. Crisp (but not greasy) batter giving way to light tangy mousse. Then a superb dish of king oyster mushroom with yolk and celeriac puree – autumn on a plate. Finally,

loin with yellow Ají sauce and coriander

halloumi salad with cashews, mango and

cressbeef (both £14). For mains I just had

avocado, it sounded a strange combination

buttermilk and followed with mallard duck.

to have the suckling pig with chicharron,

and I was curious. It totally worked. One

My colleague’s mushroom carpaccio starter

sesame seeds, celeriac and elderberry (£28

negative from a really good lunch - the

was stunning with intense depth of fl avour.

but so worth it). For dessert an avocado and

service was a bit offi sh on this particular day.

The only disappointment was a rather dry and

chocolate mousse (£9) proved divine and, I

Hopefully a temporary issue.

ordinary frangipani tart.

suspect, not at all healthy. Interestingly the

Dinner the following week at Semolina

avocado had been made into two types of

was at fi rst superb and then disappointing.

mousse – one purely a sweet green avocado,

A starter of scallops and celeriac puree was

started with a dish of pumpkin, chestnut and

Later that week I returned to London for a lunch date. My companion and I chose Lima,

64

Table Talk

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Usually I have overindulged so much on a Friday and Saturday, that Sundays are a rather puritanical affair

sublime, but my pork belly was undercooked meaning that the fat hadn’t rendered away and the crackling was not crisp. I managed to forage a couple of forkfuls of meat amongst the fat before giving up on it. I know this is unusual as I have eaten superb food here before. I will be back soon to review it properly and feel confi dent it will be a good experience.

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Also in November I got back into Sunday lunch. Usually I have overindulged so much on a Friday and Saturday, that Sundays are a rather puritanical affair but for various reasons I have been off the booze for a bit, so Sunday can be a funday and indeed it was. I went further afi eld than normal for Sunday lunch, this time in the glorious Sussex countryside, to The Bull in Ditchling. This lovely venue has recently won pub of the year at the 2016 Great British pub awards.

A starter of pigeon breast, granola, shallots and blackberries got things off to a fi ne start. A main of caulifl ower and truffl e with sorrel and cured egg yolk was a welcome diversion from the usual heavy roast meat affair (two courses for £21). It was nice to end lunch without feeling the need to lie down.

The suckling pig at Lima

This wasn’t the case the following Sunday when I enjoyed one of the best Sunday lunches I have had for a long time at the Foragers in Hove (£12.50) washed down with a glorious glass of French Syrah. All the components were spot on.

As the month drew to a close, I enjoyed a rather decadent Saturday in both Brighton and London. First up, a light brunch of smoked salmon and blinis with a glass of Pol Roger at the perfect Riddle and Finn in the Lanes, followed by a late lunch at the Market; the broccoli, crispy kale and tahini dish remains a favourite and you must try the current chicken dish – braised but crisp chicken thigh with chestnuts and marsala, a beautiful, warming autumnal dish.

Finally a late dinner at the swanky and glamorous Park Chinois (the latest venture from Alan Yau; the man who started Wagamama). The place was pure opulence with high-end Chinese food and prices to match. I would recommend for a very special occasion.

Dim Sum at Park Chinois

In this month’s issue, read all about the winners of the Brighton and Hove Food Awards, as well plenty of food and wine news. I am researching January detox trips as we speak…

Smoked salmon and bilinis at Riddle and Finns

Halloumi salad at Food for Friends

65

Table Talk

Foodilicious Finals Announcing the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Award winners 2016

T

his month we are delighted to announce the winners of the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Awards 2016. The Grand Final, which took place in November, didn’t disappoint in delivering an

all-round great celebration of our vibrant food and drinks scene. Hosted at Myhotel in Brighton, the awards evening was presented by Andrew Kay of Latest, and Allison Ferns of BBC Sussex. Drinks were sponsored

by Ridgeview Wine Estate, Blackdown Artisan Spirits and The Beer Collective.

Director of the awards, Nick Mosley said, “For a city of our size, we have a hospitality sector that is unmatched in the UK, and is the envy of towns and cities across the country.”

We’re excited to see what their plans hold for 2017…

1.

THE WINNERS Best Food & Drink Producer

Best Food Pub

Food Hero

(PHOTO 1)

Sponsored by Cardens accountants

(PHOTO 7)

Sponsored by Wobblegate apple juice

Gold: The Ginger Dog, College Place

Sponsored by Mayo Wynne Baxter solicitors Gold: Kanthi Kiran Thamma, Curry Leaf

and cider Gold: Brighton Bier

Best Sunday Lunch

Café

Sponsored by Yelo architects

Best Family Dining

Gold: The Earth & Stars, Windsor Street

Sponsored by Whizz Bang Pop Gold: Food for Friends, Prince Albert Street

Best Cocktail Bar Sponsored by Blackdown Artisan Spirits

Best Place to Sleep

Gold: The Cocktail Shack, Regency Square

(PHOTO 5)

Best Burger

Sponsored by Midnight

Young Chef of the Year

(PHOTO 2)

Gold: Artist Residence, Regency Square

(PHOTO 8)

Sponsored by Griffith Smith Farrington Webb

Sponsored by BrightonAndHoveJobs.com

LLP solicitors

Best Place to do Business

Gold: Burger Brothers, North Road

Sponsored by Cobb Digital Gold: Curry Leaf Café, Ship Street

Best Café

Winner: Roman Mikulica, Curry Leaf Café

Best Restaurant (PHOTO 9)

(PHOTO 3)

Best Newcomer

Sponsored by Ridgeview Wine Estate

Sponsored by Radio Cabs 204060

Sponsored by Hensby Law

Gold: The Set, Regency Square

Gold: Egg & Spoon, St George’s Road

Gold: Egg & Spoon, St George’s Road

Sustainable Food Business

Best International Cuisine

Sponsored by Deliveroo

Sponsored by Style accountants

(PHOTO 6)

Michael Bremner, 64 Degrees

Gold: Infinity Foods, North Road

Sponsored by Baobab Developments

Special Recognition

Gold: The Chilli Pickle, Jubilee Street

Best Food/Drink Shop (PHOTO 4)

Best Pub

Sponsored by Hilton Brighton Metropole

Sponsored by The Beer Collective

Gold: Butler’s Wine Cellar, Queens Park

Gold: The Basketmakers Arms, Gloucester

Road and St George’s Road

Road

66

Table Talk

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

67

Table Talk

Small Bites

by Amanda Menahem New Bar School for Brighton & Hove

experience in selling fresh produce through their fi rst company, the award-winning Fin and Farm, established in 2009.

New Rooms Above The Ginger Pig

I was lucky enough to sample one of the hampers, tailored to my tastes, featuring the excellent Blackdown Gin and Vermouth so that I could make martinis. A high quality and beautifully presented hamper, this would make a great gift for a foodie.

Brighton-based Mixology Group has announced the opening of a larger, new improved Bar School in Brighton and Hove, due to launch in January 2017. This expansion will provide an opportunity for an enhanced

If you’re considering one of these as a corporate gift or as a present for friends and family, visit their brand new website for more details:

The Gingerman Restaurant Group is currently in the process of converting the upper fl oors of their pub, The Ginger Pig, having secured the freehold to the site in

training schedule to increase all course sizes.

www.thesussexhampercompany.co.uk

Hove last year. “The building was originally a

The new Bar School promises a bespoke

Personalised Gin Kit from 3 Blonde Bears

coaching inn dating back to the 1750’s and it

training space, utilising some of the most cutting edge equipment and glassware. Since 2010, the group has delivered a whole host

was always our intention to restore it back to its former glory,” says co-owner, Ben McKellar.

The conversion will provide 11 double,

of cocktail services for individuals as well as

ensuite bedrooms, while also creating a private

businesses; their courses include introductions

Orangerie-styled space, for breakfast and

to cocktails and Mixology as well as the

dining, at the back of the building.

more advanced Flair training and Molecular

The Ginger Pig is one of four restaurants

Mixology.

owned by The Gingerman Group, who started

www.mixologygroup.co.uk

back in 1998 with their fl agship restaurant,

Luxury Hampers from The Sussex Hamper Company

The Gingerman. In anticipation of their expanded offering, Ben McKellar added: “We have run a successful business at the Pig for 10 Talking of Gin (who me?!), as part of their ‘Brew Your Own’ collection, 3 Blonde Bears brings us the ‘Personalised Brew Your Gin Kit,’ containing the botanicals and tools you need to transform any bottle of vodka into delicious homemade gin.

Recently launched, The Sussex Hamper

As 3 Blonde Bears specialise in personalised

years, but hotels offer the greatest challenge of offering hospitality 24 hours and that is a challenge we are excited about.”

As we eagerly await these two launches, I recommend visiting the award-winning Ginger Pig, or any of their other three restaurants for that matter.

Company offers 15 different hampers of

gifts, there is a choice of four print colours

www.thegingerpigpub.com

luxurious Sussex produce. Selections include

and the option to add a name to the brewing

www.gingermanrestaurants.com

premium wine, beer and spirits, handmade

bottle’s label. Also, there’s a selection of three

chocolates and sweets, luxury biscuits,

botanical blends to choose from: Berry Burst,

preserves, condiments and dips.

British Blossom or Warm Spice. I have to admit,

Passionate about our local producers, co-owner Nick Sandford says: “We want our hampers to be a truly rewarding and exciting experience, showcasing the best that Sussex has to offer.”

This latest venture refl ects owners Nick and Muir’s love of fi ne food, as well as their

68

it was very cool to see my name on a bottle of gin of my own making. For further details and to peruse their other collections visit:

www.3blondebears.co.uk

Finally, our very own Steven Edwards, Sussex based Masterchef the Professionals winner 2013, is fi nally opening his own restaurant under his brand ‘Etch’ in the New Year. Read our interview with him in issue 22 (April 2016). Watch this space…

69

Just Rock Up

Drop in and enjoy one course and a glass of fizz

£15

only

Wednesdays 5.00pm – 6.30pm - no need to book

The Grand, Brighton, 97-99 King’s Road, Brighton, BN1 2FW

Call 01273 224 300 - www.grandbrighton.co.uk

70

Table Talk

Wine Masterclass IT’S ALL IN THE NAME

by Jonny Gibson

T

he best wines and foods in Europe, with the highest reputations, have long been protected in law. This means that you know what you are buying and what you expect to get in terms of taste and style. It is a guarantee of origin and quality if you like.

The EU even has a set of terms and standards for it under the umbrella PDO (Protected designation of origin) scheme.

The French led the way on the labelling of these protected products and you’ll be familiar I’m sure with the term Appellation d’Origine Controllée. There are nearly 500 AOC wine regions in France and a similar name of cheese AOCs too. In Italy they use the terms DOC and for the very best (think Barolo, Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino etc) it is DOCG for their wines. Parmesan cheese, Parma ham and balsamic vinegar from Modena are also protected in the same way.

We are no strangers to this approach in the UK either. Stilton cheese, Cornish clotted cream, Jersey Royal potatoes, East Kent hops, Lakeland Herdwick sheep, Yorkshire forced rhubarb and many more products are protected under the PDO system. When it comes to wine we have a catch all PDO - English Wine - which was set up in 2011. In essence you need to make wine in England from

grapes grown in England at under 220m above sea level and stick to a set of rules about adjustments to the grape juice. There is a similar PDO for Welsh wine.

Another dimension is that some of the bigger producers source grapes from outside the county for their contract winemaking. These wines could not be labelled as Sussex Wine under the new PDO.

Now a group of Sussex wine producers led by new kid on the block Mark Driver at Rathfi nny Estate (left) have been pushing for a Sussex Wine PDO for still and sparkling wines. This implies that there is a special distinctiveness

Ultimately there would be a cost to pass on to the consumer.

Are you ready to pay an extra few pounds a bottle to drink a wine labelled as Sussex Wine rather than English Wine?

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Are you ready to pay an extra few pounds a bottle to drink a wine labelled as Sussex Wine rather than English Wine?

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in the wines made from grapes grown in Sussex compared to say Kent or Hampshire. Participating producers (there are about 70 in Sussex currently) will have to pay a levy if they want to label their wines as Sussex Wine rather than English Wine, and conform to stricter analytical standards than the English Wine PDO – SO2 levels and Volatile acidity to name just two. Quality assessment would be more rigorous and there is concern about how to police this and what to do with failed wines.

The UK government and the South East Vineyards Association are both backing the idea and Defra formally applied to the EU last month for the Sussex PDO. It will take at least six months but maybe a year or more to hear. Watch this space as they say.

Sussex Wine School runs regular wine tastings and courses inc WSET courses at Hotel du Vin Brighton.

Find out more at www. www. sussexwineschool.com

Jonny Gibson is the head tutor and owner of Sussex Wine School, an independent company that runs regular tastings and courses including WSET Levels 1-3 in Brighton, Lewes and Tunbridge Wells.

www.sussexwineschool.com

71

Business Awards

GIRL POWER The Business Women Excellence Awards celebrates the success of today’s females in business. Here we announce the first year award winners for 2016.

T

he first ever Business Women Excellence Awards 2016 - Sussex Edition took place at the Hilton Brighton Metropole with over 350 attendees at the black tie gala final. This truly glittering red carpet affair was filled with glamour, superb food, wonderful entertainment, amazing networking, much filled with huge accolades and standing ovations for all the 2016 runners-up and the winners, all of whom are now thorough to the Regional Finals which will take place at the Brighton Hilton Metropole Hotel in September 2017.

The headline sponsors were Acumen Business Law headed by Penina Shepherd who said: “It was an amazing night made even more so as we were celebrating so much of our local talent. So many of the business women in the country of Sussex are so empowering and inspiring, and it was such an honour to have so many of them recognised this evening.”

www.carrotevents.co.uk

OVERALL BUSINESS/BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2016 Sponsored by: Acumen Business Law Winner

Ridgeview Wine Estate

www.businesswomenexcellenceawards.co.uk

NEW BUSINESS/START-UP OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Best of Brighton and Hove Winner

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Let’s Do Business Group Winner

MEDIUM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Pro Star Services Winner

Brighton Gin

Millie’s

Ridgeview Wine Estate

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Independent Heating & Cooling Winner

THE BUSINESS INNOVATION AWARD Sponsored by: Neva Consultants Winner

BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Spofforths part of Keston Reeves Winner

Propellernet

Arabian Tent Company

Tamara Roberts of Ridgeview Wine Estate

72

Business Awards

DIGITAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Identity Digital Winner

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Natwest Bank Winner

WOMAN IN UNIFORM Sponsored by: Neva Consultants Winner

Nikki Gatenby of Propellernet

Katy Jobbins of Sussex Permanent Makeup

DCI Tracy Edwards

WOMAN IN ARTS/MUSIC/DANCE/DESIGN/MEDIA

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD Sponsored by: Pier Recruitment Winner

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel Winner

Debbie Hackett of the Trapdoor Theatre School/ Trapdoor Productions/RAPA

The Base Skate Park

Melanie Callister of the Agora Gynaecology & Fertility Centre

CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY Sponsored by: The Argus Joint Winners

MENTOR OF THE YEAR Sponsored by: The Missing Piece Winner

WOMAN OF COURAGE Sponsored by ACES Joint Winners

Jo Ivens of Impetus Imelda Glackin of the Martlets

Nicola Huelin of Mpower Mastermind Groups/ CEO Mums

Ann Sandeman Katie Cornhill of Fire and Rescue Service

BUSINESS WOMEN EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

WOMAN IN EDUCATION

SPECIAL REGOGNITION AWARD

Sponsored by: Metro Bank and SIA/DUVACOURT GROUP Joint Winners

Sponsored by: Ansacom Winner

Chief Superintendent Dianne Roskilly Caraline Brown of Midnight Communications

Rebecca Whippy of Embrace East Sussex

Sponsored by: Creative Pod Winner

Sponsored by: Platinum Business Magazine Recipient

Eleanor Harris, CEO of Brighton British Airways i360

Thanks go to the 2016 sponsors: Acumen Business Law, NatWest Bank, Neva Consultants, Sussex Chamber of Commerce, Pier Recruitment, Duvacourt Group, Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel, The Argus, More Radio, The Missing Piece, Creative Pod, Metro Bank, Bartercard, Best of Brighton & Hove, Platinum Business Magazine, Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce, ACES, Identity Digital, Sussex Downs College, Online Ticket Seller, Independent Heating and Cooling, Ansacom, Let’s Do Business Group, Pro Star Services, Spofforths part of Keston Reeves and Sussex Downs College. Many thanks also goes to the Brighton Academy of Performing Arts, The Sundaes and Acting Moon Events for the evenings wonderful entertainment.

Photos by Sarah Walker-Bennett of Artemi www.artemiphotography.com

73

Charity News

SPECTACULAR NIGHT AT THE SNOWMAN BALL

C

hestnut Tree House’s Snowman Spectacular Ball in December raised an incredible total of £532,314 on the night.

The Ball, which is the highlight of the Brighton social calendar and one of the leading charity events outside London, was hosted this year by Danny Pike. The 540 guests enjoyed an exclusive evening of magical entertainment in a winter wonderland setting inspired by the charity’s Patron, Raymond Briggs’ iconic Snowman. Music was provided by songstress, Julia Birkinshaw, gospel choir, the Armonia Singers, Incognito Artists and party band, Candy Apple Blue.

Students from Brighton Academy of Performing Arts

The ultimate highlight of the evening was the heartfelt speech by Victoria Ramm who sadly lost two babies, three years apart and found the services of the hospice a lifeline at such a traumatic time. At the end of Victoria’s speech, the guests were visibly moved by her story and all stood to applaud her and her courage at sharing her story.

Following Victoria’s speech was the Spectacular Auction. Construction company, Willmott Dixon, not only fulfi lled their pledge at last year’s Ball to raise £100,000, presenting the charity with a cheque for £103,820.86, but the company also made a new pledge as part of this year’s fundraising total on the night, to raise £143,850 and pay for an incredible total of three weeks care over the next year.

Gogglebox’s Stephen Webb and Chris Steed

Sarah Arnold, Head of Fundraising Development, said, “We are so grateful to our wonderful guests at this year’s Snowman Spectacular Fundraising Ball for their overwhelming support and generosity. “£532,314 is an incredible sum and will pay for over 11 weeks of care provided by Chestnut Tree House both at our children’s hospice and in families’ own homes across East and West Sussex.

The number of children who need our care is increasing, our care costs continue to rise and fundraising has proved extremely challenging this year. To put it into perspective, this year’s Ball raised twice as much in one evening as our annual grant from central government, so this really will make a huge difference to the children and families in Sussex who so desperately need our help. Thank you so much to all our guests for their incredible generosity. www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

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Singer Julie Burtenshaw

Actress Julie Graham

Charity News

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

CAPTIONS:

12.

13.

1.

Debbie and Robbie Raggio

2.

Zara Quinlan with Derek and Helen Steel

3.

Gemma King, Leslie Alcock, Ian Trevett, Michelle McCarthy and Rose Dykins

4.

Jacquie and Barry Hinves with Lauren Nutt and Josie Harrington

5.

Paul and Verity Craig with Chris Goodman

6.

Dave Day, Mike Holland and Mike Mendoza

7.

Gavin Graimes and guests

8.

A cheque from Wilmott Dixon

9.

Paul and Annette Jones

10. Lewis and Victoria Ramm 11. Carla Sharman and Toni Pickles from Get Waisted 12. Nicky Chapman and Rowena Humphrey 13. Marcella Whittingdale

14.

15.

14. Rockin’ at the Snowman Ball 15. Chestnut Tree House volunteers

75

#betterbiz2017

THE BUSINESS EVENT FOR 2017 Worthing Assembly Hall 2nd February • 10am to 4pm Keynote speakers

✓ B2B Exhibition 80+ stands ✓ Google Digital Garage ✓ FREE Business support ✓ Network and mingle ✓ Meet the Buyers FREE ✓ Expert Zone ENTRY ✓ Food Court ✓ FREE PARKING

Shaa Wasmund

Darren Gearing

Gillian Fielding

Don’t miss out – register now! www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk SUPPORTED BY

MAIN SPONSOR

Business Show

BETTER BUSINESS SHOW 2nd February 2017 10am – 4pm An event not to be missed – FREE to attend

T

he Better Business show will take place on Thursday 2nd February from 10am-4pm at Worthing Assembly Hall. This event is collaboratively delivered by Worthing and Adur Chamber and Adur & Worthing Business Partnership. With a strong focus on ‘Buy Local’, this event is a must in the 2017 business calendar for all businesses in Worthing & Adur, both large and small.

Make the most of the day, learn from the experts, be inspired by the speakers, connect with the local business community, snap up the show offers and leave with a wealth of information - and those all-important connections to build your business for 2017.

The whole day is FREE to attend with FREE parking at Teville Gate – Register Now at www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

What can you look forward to as a delegate?

• A B2B exhibition with over 80 stands - meet, network and introduce your business. You’ll fi nd everything from local transport companies, health and fi tness providers, a wide range of professional services, local manufacturing and food providers offering a great lunch!

• Free business support for start up and growing businesses including information about grants and fi nance. Come along and meet the Business Navigators and Enterprise First.

• Local procurement teams will be on hand to discuss opportunities including Adur & Worthing Council heads of department. There will also be the opportunity to meet procurement teams from other local businesses.

• Be Inspired - The keynote speakers will share their journeys to success - Gillian Fielding, Chamber Patron, fi nancial entrepreneur

and ‘Secret Millionaire’ will talk about how she started from humble roots in London’s East End and discovered and used her own resources to eventually achieve fi nancial freedom. Shaa Wasmund was recently named as one of the ‘Top 20 most infl uential Entrepreneurs in the UK’ and currently runs several businesses which were all profi table from day one. Darren Gearing is an international deluxe hotelier working for the Shangri-La hotel at the Shard and featured in the TV programme ‘A Hotel in the Clouds’.

• The Expert Zone will offer advice on fi nance, marketing, PR, branding and legal. Kindly sponsored by the Business Navigator team.

Come along and meet them and see how they can help you.

• Meet and mingle with other businesses over lunch at the Sussex Food Court.

• Network and share experiences at the B2B exhibition with both new and established businesses.

• Find out how to make your business more visible online with the experts from Google at Google Digital Garage.

Be part of the exhibition and showcase your business. Network with the best organisations locally, get involved and get noticed. To promote your business at this unmissable day, book your stand now, there are only a few left.

For more information on how to book a stand, attend the show, and keep up-to-date with the developing programme, visit www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

COME AND MEET US AT THE BETTER BUSINESS SHOW BMW | MINI Business Partnership

CHANDLERS WORTHING. A FLEET OF BENEFITS.

If you manage a fleet of fewer than 50 company cars, the award winning BMW I MINI Business Partnership has been designed specifically for you. The full range of BMW and MINI models are available to order, along with compelling contract hire rates and comprehensive service and maintenance packages.

Visit our brand new state of the art retailer in Rustington, to view the latest range of BMWs and MINIs. For more information on the latest business offers at Chandlers Worthing please contact your Local Business Development Manager, Bob Andrews, on 01903 25957 or email bandrews@chandlers-bmw.co.uk.

CHANDLERS WORTHING Manor Retail Park, Rustington, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN16 3FH 01903 259572

www.chandlers-group.co.uk

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ACES

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HAWES EXPANDING INTO DIAMOND DRILLING

awes Building Ltd, contractors covering East Sussex and the South East for both domestic and commercial new builds and renovations, celebrated the opening of their new offi ces in Polegate High Street with a grand event. Guests were given a tour of the building, which was previously a bank, including viewing of the high-security vault and safe where money and other items of value were stored. Attendees included architects, structural engineers, project managers, interior designers and material suppliers.

Hawes is another Sussex success story, the new premises being required to house an expanding team as well as providing meeting and storage facilities. Having only started just over three years ago, recent projects have included work at the Shepham Wind Farm, high-end executive houses near Uckfi eld and in London, refurbishment works at Crawley Hospital, a school in Shoreham plus structural work at a supermarket in Rye. Hawes Building Ltd is owned and managed by Bruce and Sarra Hawes, both of whom previously worked for Llewellyn’s in Eastbourne, and where they both met! Bruce had worked his way up to Contracts Manager and Sarra was the company’s fi rst female site manager. Sarra said: “We are really pleased with the opportunity for this expansion and to have a presence on the high street where Hawes’ customers and potential clients can pop in.”

Hawes also used the occasion of the opening event, with cutting the ribbon performed by Stephen Lloyd, to announce the formation of a new division, Hawes Diamond Drilling. With signifi cant experience in concrete cutting, sawing and drilling, Bruce and Sarra have formed a new specialist arm to offer this service across the South East and into the London area.

Visitors are very welcome to pop into the new Hawes offi ces at 41 High Street in Polegate with easy access from the A27 and A22 and parking outside. Further information can be found at www.hawesbuilding.co.uk, www.hawesdiamonddrilling.co.uk or call 01323 483085.

MUST-HAVE LANDLINE BLING

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orget smartphone bling, this season is all about landline bling as Elizabeth Rose reintroduces telephone tables to the 21st Century.

CHAMBER NEWS

Having just fi nished a successful debut show at Design Junction as part of the London Design Festival, Elizabeth Rose launched six collections of beautifully upholstered mid-century chairs in collaboration with contemporary UK designers. Her unique capsule collections included a team-up with Brighton designer Lou Taylor, whose playful yet stylish approach to design transformed a trio of telephone tables to stunning effect.

Elizabeth said: “Telephone tables, known as ‘gossip chairs’ in America, started to appear in the 1950s when telephones no longer needed to be fi xed to a wall. In turn, they themselves gradually went out of fashion when cordless phones became commonplace - but I’m on a mission to bring them back!

“Some of the shapes and designs were gorgeous and, anyway, aside from the aesthetics, I think it was a far superior way to have a conversation. There was no multi-tasking, no cooking dinner or making a cup of tea at the same time, you just sat down and had a good old chat! Some even have a little pull-out desk where you could jot down numbers and addresses.”

“I love Lou’s designs and was so excited when she agreed to add her sense of fl air to these telephone tables. I can’t pick a favourite as I love them all but I know Lou’s favourite is her ‘Dali Dial’ fabric, which was inspired by her all-time favourite telephone, the Lobster Telephone designed by Salvador Dali in 1938. This is such a glamorous piece and I even managed to use the original gold braid to fi nish, it is a showstopper.”

Elizabeth worked on putting together her Design Junction collections over the last year. All of her mid-century chairs are carefully sourced and curated before they are expertly restored and reupholstered. www.studioelizabethrose.com

Battle Chamber of Commerce www.battlechamber.org.uk

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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

ACES

BOOMING BUSINESS RENTALS and workers in the area, Exclusively Short Lets looks after people escaping from major refurbishments at home, or those who fi nd themselves with a gap between the sale of one property and purchase of another.

“We currently have properties spreading from Friston through to Pevensey Bay, but I’ve no doubt we can and will expand geographically to meet the increasing demand.”

There is a friendly and effi cient support team, with excellent local knowledge, providing seven-day-a-week service and personal check-ins. This has created a loyal following amongst some of the larger employers locally who regularly bring in consultants. Property owners also appreciate the impressive occupancy levels and careful property management which keeps their accommodation in great condition.

D

emand for short term accommodation, such as corporate lets and serviced apartments, has exploded in recent years in response to shifting demands from business people. Whilst a hotel room might suffi ce for a night or two, regular travellers often tire of eating out, and the lack of space and self-catering facilities can become frustrating and restrictive over longer stays.

Visit www.exclusivelyshortlets.co.uk, ring the team on 01323 406090 or email hello@exclusivelyshortlets.co.uk if you need short term accommodation in the area or to discuss the short let potential of your own property.

A brand new website has just launched to provide accommodation for this growing niche market - www.exclusivelyshortlets.co.uk.

Building on the success of the Exclusively Eastbourne holiday homes platform, which caters for more affl uent, often international travellers to Eastbourne, co-founder Carl Stanger explains: “We provide attractive, well-equipped properties in the most desirable locations, ranging from one-bed apartments close to the train station, through to family homes, and even an eight-bed house which goes down well with workers on major construction projects locally.”

The official magazine for the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex

ussex

Issue 1. Dec 2016 - Jan 2017

AMBER RUDD Hastings’ own Secretary of State

OVERVIEW Autumn Statement

PROFILE Cobb PR

TRAVEL Going Dutch

BRUFORDS The Art of Rolex

SUSSEX SKILLS SOLUTION

PLATINUM PUBLISHING G R O U P

The Institute of Directors 0207 766 8866 www.iod.com

ACES

The official magazine for the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex

Lewes Chamber of Commerce 07919 382316 www.leweschamber.org.uk

We are very proud to announce the launch of our brand new magazines for ACES. The new magazine is currently being distributed all over East Sussex. Make sure you pick up your copy.

For more information about advertising and editorial sponsorship, contact info@platinumbusinessmagazine.com or call 07966 244046 and we have discounted members rates. The first issue will be out at the end of November and then bi-monthly and will be in general distribution around the region.

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

CHAMBER NEWS

ACES

As well as providing a homefrom-home for business people

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EASTBOURNE

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS IN EASTBOURNE

Since taking over thebestof franchise in Eastbourne, David Ruddle has put ‘buy local’ and the community at the centre of all his efforts.

Over the years he has been recognised both from within thebestof and externally, winning a number of business awards for his work with the community.

David Ruddle says: “Putting people at the heart of all we do ensures we are more than just an advertising platform but a community asset that benefits Eastbourne as a whole.”

With the introduction of ‘Win £595 Marketing Support’ David has seen two great local businesses benefit from his help. First was Ambience Catering Solutions who stayed on as a business member and more recently Copylink Digital, but he has not stopped there and 2017 sees the launch of another initiative to help local businesses.

The #AskTheExpert event invites start-up businesses, growing businesses and businesses looking to benchmark their existing suppliers. On the 9th November business members of thebestof Eastbourne are giving up their time to answer your questions. You need to book an appointment slot as this will be a focused time for you to bring your business questions to local experts to help you find the answers.

Don’t worry if you think the question is silly, our business members have heard most things and aim to give you the peace of mind that business owners deserve.

Katy Bourne, David Ruddle and Mina O’Brien in the bestofselfie

Visit www.thebestof.co.uk/eastbourne and search for #AskTheExpert

NATIONAL AWARD FOR RESTRUCTURING FIRM

C CHAMBER NEWS

ompanies who are struggling in the current, uncertain economic climate would do well to call this award winning company. Eastbourne Insolvency Practitioner firm, Herron Fisher, has been named UK Corporate Restructuring Firm of the Year 2016.

Over recent years, they have been seen as trailblazers in the area of corporate restructuring and insolvency, undertaking many high profile appointments and delivering optimum results for their clients. They managed the administration of the much loved and world famous Fairfield Halls in Croydon, as well as other theatres in the UK. Other high profile engagements include being the administrators of Vinance PLC, an investment wine broker that had over 1,000 UK creditors, the vast majority of which were wine investors - many of whom had all of their wine TRI Awards 2016 Nicky Fisher and Chris Herron (centre) and TV presenter repatriated to them and where this was not possible they Daisy McAndrew on the right still received distributions of 25p in the pound. put so much back into the profession and its communities. The entry With offices in Croydon, South London and Eastbourne, shows that the business is going above and beyond expectations on Herron Fisher beat off stiff competition to scoop the award at the both counts.”

National Turnaround, Restructuring and Insolvency (TRI) Awards.

Chris Herron and Nicky Fisher of Herron Fisher said: “Winning As one of the most important dates in the UK industry’s calendar, this award is a great honour and a testament to the hard work and the TRI Awards celebrates and honours best practice in the expertise of the entire team at Herron Fisher.” profession.

The judges of the award said: “Herron Fisher was a clear winner.

Clearly, the company punches above its weight – its dedicated staff

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For more information visit: www.herronfisher.co.uk

BRIGHTON AND HOVE

MONEY TALKS: WHY THE LIVING WAGE WORKS FOR BUSINESS

by Alice Cuninghame from Cuninghame Copywriting • 44% said that employee retention has improved.

Simon Callaghan www.simoncallaghanphotography.com

• 23% said they now spend less on recruitment.

• 9% noticed that absenteeism has decreased.

But costs are a challenge for some. Some smaller and newer businesses found that joining the Living Wage meant they had less money for other things, like buying in new stock. This could have meant that they grew slower than they might otherwise have done.

This is perhaps the biggest challenge that the Living Wage campaign faces: how can we make sure that smaller businesses and their staff can reap the benefits of the Living Wage without compromising their growth plans?

Are you interested in the Living Wage?

T

In the lead-up to Living Wage Week, we thought we’d find out how the businesses that have signed up have found it. We wanted to know what impact paying the Living Wage has had on the businesses and their staff. 124 businesses responded to our survey and the findings were overwhelmingly positive. 70% of businesses said the Living Wage had either a positive or very positive impact and 30% said it had no impact (as they were already paying the Living Wage).

The key to ethical business Paying the Living Wage is an opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to paying their staff well, and can be a powerful statement of their values.

One business said: “I already paid the Living Wage so the impact isn’t there.

However, I joined because I wanted to make a commitment to my staff that I would always continue to pay a good salary.”

Another said: “Being a Living Wage employer is a key differentiator between us and our rivals.”

35% of businesses said that consumer awareness of their commitment to being an ethical employer increased when they joined the Living Wage campaign.

Money talks?

It’s clear from our survey that paying the Living Wage can have wide-ranging effects on both staff and a business. Well-paid staff feel more valued, and tend to stay longer in their jobs. This has benefits for the business, with lower recruitment costs and higher productivity.

Of the businesses surveyed: • 56% said that staff morale improved.

• 23% said that staff productivity and quality of work has improved.

If your business isn’t yet part of the Living Wage campaign, we’d love to have you on board. We’d also love to hear from you if you’re able to contribute ideas on how we can make it work for all Brighton and Hove businesses.

Sign up for free online and see the full survey results at http://www. livingwagebrighton.co.uk/ or contact us on 01273 719097 or campaigns@ businessinbrighton.org.uk The Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign is led and managed by Brighton Chamber, with funding by Brighton & Hove City Council.

CHAMBER NEWS

he 30th October to 5th November was Living Wage Week, a national celebration of the Living Wage movement, and the new UK Living Wage rate was announced during the week as £8.45 per hour. Brighton Chamber has run the local Living Wage campaign since 2012 with success and over 300 businesses are now signed up.

81

CHICHESTER

CHAMPIONING CHICHESTER Promoting local business issues by Shelagh Legrave, CCCI Vice-Chair and Principal & Chief Executive, Chichester College

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CHAMBER NEWS

hichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry has just held its AGM in the impressive surroundings of the Novium Museum. This was a time of refl ection on achievements for the year and challenges for the future. The Chamber exists to bring local businesses together for mutual benefi t, and as an infl uencer on business matters with both local and national government and other key stakeholders. It offers support through training, workshops, networking and expert sessions.

So what have we achieved this year? Early on in the year, the Chamber rebranded itself with a fresh logo and colours and then launched a new Chichester business magazine. Businesses can advertise to a wide readership, which brings in revenue for the Chamber as well as publicising forthcoming events, and so far the magazine has been well received. New events have also been introduced such as ‘Ask the expert’ and ‘Behind the scenes’. Two of the memorable behind the scene visits have been to the Stagecoach buses and to Waitrose. Experts such as the Global Corporate Communications Manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the founder of Montezuma Chocolates have shared their journeys and approaches to business consolidation and growth.

As the voice of Chichester business, the Chamber has lobbied government on the Southern Rail fi asco, asking them to intervene to end the industrial dispute which is having a massive effect on local businesses. Sadly, no intervention has yet to take place so we will continue to pressure. As part of the A27 consultation the press asked for comments from the Chamber, and initially the message was of delight that the problem was being addressed. All local businesses struggle with delays due to constant congestion around Chichester and to the East towards Worthing and it affects anyone trying to trade locally. Subsequently we consulted members and the majority supported option two (64% of respondents) which will involve a series of fl yovers being built over existing roundabouts. A minority voted for option three or indeed a rethink and consideration of the Northern bypass. Members have also been briefed on the potential for growth at Gatwick Airport and a scheme to develop the Southern Gateway of Chichester which is currently home to the bus station and Courts.

The Chamber, with its mission to promote and protect the economic prosperity of its members, also began a new relationship as Routes to Market partner with Business Navigator, the organisation

82

fi nanced through Coast to Capital LEP to provide advice to new and existing businesses to encourage growth. A number of members have benefi ted from this service. In pursuit of the same objective, the Chamber is a delivery partner for the University of Chichester Hothouse programme which provides training and support for business start-ups.

For 2017, a key partner in supporting local businesses will be with Chichester Business Improvement District (BID) which has just been elected for a second fi ve year term. It is vital that we all work together to encourage new businesses to relocate to Chichester and support those already here, and to work together to build employment and job opportunities for current and future generations.

JOIN US Join Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry from just £99 Membership benefits include: • Events and networking • Policy and public affairs • Workshops and training • Business advice and services • New business opportunities Join us now at www.chichestercci.org.uk/join

Business Conference

BIG BUSINESS Manor Royal BID Conference debates The Big Issues

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ore than 150 representatives from companies across Manor Royal Business District packed Crawley’s Sandman Signature Hotel on 9th November for a business conference organised by the Manor Royal BID. Chairman of Manor Royal BID, Trevor Williams hosted the event, which was organised by Prowse & Co. Chaired by Dr Julie Grail, a national expert on business improvement districts and place management, the event included sessions on the local economy, Brexit and transport. Dr Grail spoke about the characteristics of successful BIDs and their future challenges.

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive of Gatwick Airport, spoke at the conference reinforcing Gatwick’s commitment to the area. He said Gatwick still has a bright future despite the government’s decision to expand air capacity at Heathrow, and that he plans to develop Gatwick’s supply chains to bring sustainable growth for the benefi t of local companies.

❝

Gatwick still has a bright future despite the government’s decision to expand air capacity at Heathrow

❞

Nick Smales, West Sussex County Council’s newly appointed Director of Economy, Planning and Place, talked about the unprecedented levels of change taking place within local government, set against a backdrop of increasing demand pressures on services.

Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership chaired a panel debate on economic matters, featuring representatives from Grant Thornton, Vail Williams and the Gatwick Diamond Initiative. A session was also held to debate transport issues, chaired by Jeremy Taylor of Gatwick Diamond Business.

Steve Sawyer, Executive Director of the BID, revealed the fi ndings of a recent BID business survey during the event and said: “This was an important event for Manor Royal BID at a time when we are both refl ecting on the progress the BID has made to date and looking forward to our future priorities in uncertain times.

“Events like these enable us to debate important issues, listen to the views of local business leaders and engender a stronger sense of community across Manor Royal Business District.”

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SUSSEX CHAMBER

TRADING PLACES What better time is there? To export…, asks David Sheppard, Chairman of the Sussex Chamber of Commerce.

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ere we are with the pound at historically low levels and exporters, we are told, doing very nicely thank you. Well, if input costs are stable and especially if sourced in the UK, then exporters are over 20% more competitive than a year ago or alternatively 20% more profi table.

If that isn’t sending you to the “me too” export counter then you must be fat, dumb and happy... or just lazy… or just not well informed.

CHAMBER NEWS

Of course, not every business has export potential, but most have if only you would spend some time thinking laterally and doing a bit of research. Exporting is not just the domain of manufacturing but is applicable to the service sector as well, as many companies throughout Sussex have proven. Sometimes export success creeps up on a business by accident through a chance contact or referral, but there are rich rewards to be had with a carefully planned and targeted approach.

So, at fi rst sight exporting seems full of pitfalls to catch the unwary business out. Language, culture, legal jurisdiction, approvals, fi nances, tax, documentation to name a few. But the UK, as a historically great trading nation, has steered through these issues for years and there is a mountain of experience out there to call upon.

Remember “brand UK” is still a powerful force in international trade and forms a key part of our government’s industrial strategy.

Mind you, government never fails to make things more complicated than it needs to be for business. Witness the recent metamorphosis of UKTI (Department of UK Trade and Industry) into DIT (Department of International Trade) and the uncertainty on the role it is expected to play. Suffi ce it to say that despite the confusion, there are a cadre of experts out there to guide you through the process and provide invaluable insight. If there were any doubt, and to prove his commitment, additional support for exporters was one of the few business

84

benefi ts coming out of the Chancellor’s autumn statement in 2016.

You might be surprised at the levels of export support available throughout the world and the passion those overseas agents have in helping you, the potential exporter.

DIT have traditionally used the support of the commercial desk of the UK Embassies, but more recently the British Chambers of Commerce have accredited over 40 overseas chambers from Chile to Singapore who can provide active and immediate support, whether it is fi nding desk space, bank accounts, customers, agents, distributors or any other aspect of getting to grips with a new country or culture.

So, if you want to make hay while the sun shines, get on with it now. The terms of trade are in your favour, the government wants you to do it and there are customers out there who don’t particularly care a damn about Brexit.

It has proven unbelievably diffi cult to get Sussex businesses engaged in exports. DIT, the Chambers of Commerce, local authorities, LEPs have all tried to get businesses out on wet and windy Sussex evenings to provide information and guidance on exporting, generally to little avail. There would be a better turn-out to a knitting class for construction workers!

To counter the apathy, the Sussex Chamber of Commerce and DIT are supporting the Sussex International Trade Forum (SITF), to provide an informed opportunity to investigate the why’s and wherefore’s of exporting by holding events throughout the county. Great speakers and venues are being laid on to provide an honest view of what it takes to be a successful exporter, borne principally from other companies’ experience and knowledge.

The SITF is chaired independently by Brett North of Elekta and is widely supported by representatives from the LEPs, universities, businesses and the Chambers of Commerce.

The 2017 plan is advertised on the Sussex Chamber of Commerce website www. sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk and has tempting insights into different countries, regions, ways of starting out and how companies large and small, have exported - successes and failures.

So if the UK is the limit of your ambition then fi ne, miss out on a great opportunity.

But if not then put some time aside to do some research and fi nd out for yourself whether exporting is an easy way to grow your business and potentially make it more profi table. Don’t let the weather put you off, you’ll receive a warm welcome from the SITF.

WORTHING

SPHERE BUSINESS CENTRE

T

he most exciting business growth opportunity at the moment is the new Sphere Business Centre, based in Northbrook College, Broadwater Road, which is proving to be a big hit with all those who have been to see it so far. Two-thirds of the offices have been let and the ‘hot desking’ offer is also being increasingly taken up. The centre is also hosting a regular “Try it Tuesday” for those who want to come and find out more.

So what can the Sphere offer you?

Within the centre you can expect: • Business space for those looking for anything from a single day hot desk through to those looking for full time desks in shared offices, as well as private offices.

• Private meeting room available for sphere members, with a video conferencing facility, that can also be rented separately.

• Excellent quality broadband and wifi.

• Secure swipe access to the centre, lockable offices and lockable storage space.

• Business development support from experts from Worthing and Adur Chamber plus opportunities to train through the Chamber’s WiseUp2 programme.

• Free tea and coffee.

The centre is based within the Broadwater campus of Northbrook College and so also benefits from a subsidised canteen and health club, Starbucks, communal break–out areas as well as being a stone’s throw from the busy Broadwater shops.

Companies are encouraged to come and be part of a community that will build and grow with the businesses themselves. The aim is to actually get them to outgrow the centre in two years.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2017 AT THE CHAMBER? 2017 is already shaping up to be a very busy year. We are busy planning the networking events for this year and will be starting on 13th January with the free Chamber Hub - easy and informal networking and a great way to get back into the swing of business for the New Year.

Are you looking for an Apprentice? Join us for lunch hosted by Northbrook College on 20th January to hear about the changes to the Apprenticeship Scheme. These changes could make a big difference to the way you source and employ an apprentice, along with the changes in the funding. We then move onto The Better Business show on 2nd February. The show is really gathering pace so make sure you save the date and come along and meet some of the best businesses in our area, along with our fantastic keynote speakers

who will be sharing their inspirational stories with you.

We have some exciting tours planned later in the year including Chandlers BMW, Shoreham Airport and possibly the Houses of Parliament… watch this space!

We also are looking forward to the launch of our new Chamber Magazine. Chamber Connect will be a 36 page glossy magazine full of all the current and local business news. The magazine will be mailed to all our members, available at our events and local pick up points.

Keep in touch with us on our website www. worthingandadurchamber.co.uk for further news and event information.

CHAMBER NEWS

Prices start from just £12 a day. More information can be found on the Sphere website at www.spherebusinesscentre.co.uk or call 01903 681001.

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Award-winning pest control services

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The Business Network

NETWORK REVIEW Hailsham Chamber

By Emma Pearce, Marketing Consultant – marketing planning, outsourced marketing and social media training www.pearcemarketing.co.uk

Emma Pearce talks to Andrew Rannie about networking with the Hailsham & District Chamber of Commerce

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ndrew is one of the Board members of the Hailsham Chamber and has been running the popular monthly breakfast networking event for 5 years now.

But the breakfast event is not all that the Hailsham Chamber offers in terms of networking.

As well as regular Chamber meetings, there are also: • evening networking events at a wine bar • events with The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex (ACES www.acesalliance.org) • regular joint events (including curry nights) with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and • special events such as ‘Share the Knowledge’ early evening training seminars.

I asked Andrew why he thought the breakfasts were so well attended. “They have a relaxed approach but prove really worthwhile for businesses. Everyone gets a chance to give a short pitch and make announcements.

We always seem to have a great range of

business-to-business and business-to-consumer companies come along. Plus a good mix of new faces and regular members each month. ”

Key Facts

The format of the meeting

• Frequency: Monthly - first Thursday of every month

• 30 minutes open networking with everyone attending the event • Sit down for breakfast • 30-60 second round - (don’t forget - try to be memorable and have a clear call to action) • Listen to a speaker for 10 minutes and time for Q&A • Quick event announcements from members and Andrew Rannie • More open networking if you wish to stay.

The Chamber also has a monthly email newsletter and invites all members to send in stories and news to be included.

Andrew added, “We are moving our breakfast meeting to the newly extended Chapter 12 wine bar in the early 2017. It’s a great venue that is right on the High Street.”

• Location: Chapter 12 Wine Bar, High Street, Hailsham BN27 1BJ (check first!)

• Size: average of 30 attendees (41 the day I attended!)

• Time: 7 am - 8.30 am • ock out: No • 1 Minute Round: Yes, slightly less if very big turnout • Speaker slot: Yes (10 mins) • Cost: £8.50 for members and £10 for nonmembers

Find out more at www. hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk or email Andrew at ajr@dawson-hart. co.uk.

The Hailsham & District Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1984 and welcomes businesses of all types from the town and surrounding area who have an interest in trading in Hailsham. Hailsham is just north of Eastbourne. It is the largest of the five towns in the Wealden district of East Sussex.

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Anger Management

ANGER MANAGEMENT

A COMPANY GETS THE UNION IT DESERVES

by Maarten Hoffmann

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ike me, you are probably wondering how the hell Southern Rail have managed to hang onto their franchise? The service is beyond parody, is slowly crippling the economy of the South East, raiding their customers’ bank accounts with extortionate fares and offering a service, even without the strikes, that is a world class joke.

Firstly, the RMT and Aslef union leaders should be, fi guratively speaking, taken out and shot.

They have called the longest-running strike since the railways were privatised in 1966, having walked out in April over who closes the doors! Independent safety experts say it is safe. Over a third of trains across Britain operate in this way and have done so for 30 years or more. This is about protecting jobs, pure and simple, as technology is changing the way the entire world runs and trains are no different. The problem here is that the union bully boys are making their last stand and cannot back down without losing face, even though 99% of conductors have now accepted the new roles. It’s as if the original motive for a local strike has been pushed aside in a bigger fi ght against the government.

Everyone realises Southern is simply doing as it is told by the Department for Transport.

Neither side can back down with honour intact.

Insiders tell me ministers will tough it out, overseeing long-overdue modernisation of working practices - as they see it. The unions believe safety will suffer. If they lose,their grip on the railway they will be weakened. Stuck in the middle, passengers are powerless to intervene.

The Department of Transport has a duty to intervene on behalf of the electorate. The

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South East has a GDP of £460 billion and is the economic powerhouse of the country but Transport Secretary Chris Grayling responded

❝

Now, l suggest you get a firm hold on something to prevent you from falling over when l tell you that Chris Grayling now plans to give train operators control of track maintenance!!

❞

saying he did not think it was right for him to get involved in a strike which was “politically motivated. This is not a dispute between me and the unions,” he said. “I have actually met Aslef, I’ve met the TUC and I’ve met other

unions but I don’t think it’s right and proper to insert myself into negotiations between a private company and a trade union.”

Wakey wakey Chris – we are citizens of the country and voted your sorry backside into offi ce and do not deserve to be held hostage between a rubbish train operator and a union that is a throwback to the dark old days of a few under educated morons holding the entire country to ransom and destroying our industrial base.

Now, l suggest you get a fi rm hold on something to prevent you from falling over when l tell you that Chris Grayling now plans to give train operators control of track maintenance!! That means that Southern would not only screw up the trains but would wreck the rails too.

I was a judge at the Sussex Business Awards last month and Southern Rail was a sponsor.

It was interesting to hear the entire room of 500 black tied business leaders boo when their logo came up on screen. Needless to say, no

Anger Management

one from the company had the guts to appear and it was left to a local MP to do the honours. I have rarely ever heard such condemnation from business leaders at a public event. This strike is killing business and deeply affecting our lives.

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Tosh Mcdonald, President of Aslef, called Jeremy Corbyn "The Messiah"

Firstly, the RMT and Aslef union leaders should be, figuratively speaking, taken out and shot.

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Once the union leaders have been dealt with, we should turn to the company. There is a saying that a company gets the union it deserves and never can there be a more accurate saying than in this instance. I have talked to countless Southern Rail employees and not one of them has a good word to say about the way they are treated by the company.

Southern, which has admitted to parliament that it does not have enough drivers to operate its timetable, has told customers it expects services “to be severely disrupted on every day from December 6th until further notice.” THIS IS NOT BLOODY GOOD ENOUGH. Their service was pretty damn poor before the strike with cancelled trains and timetables that read like the Beano comic book. The long-standing dispute has reached the point where even a group of Church of England bishops has attempted to intervene. In a letter, the bishops in Sussex called for an end to the “circle of blame”, saying the dispute was threatening the economic health and development of communities.

As l write, l hear that all parties have agreed to mediation at ACAS. Regardless of the outcome, nothing will get back our 6 months of hell and nothing but the immediate removal of Southern’s franchise, and a head or two rolling, will sate commuters anger or excuse the governments abject failure to protect our economy.

Shame on the unions, shame on the operating company and shame on the government – and a shame for commuters and all businesses in the region as we continue to be pawns in someone else’s pathetic game.

SOUTHERN RAIL STATS

165 million

40%

The number of passenger journeys served by Southern per year

The increase in sick leave amongst Southern conductors in one month during the dispute

39 The average number of Southern conductors calling in ill each day at the height of the dispute, according to the company’s chief executive

350 The number of trains cancelled per day on an emergency timetable introduced in July 2016

0 The number of times the company’s 7.29am Brighton to London Victoria service arrived at its scheduled time in 2014

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Institute of Directors

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? We cannot complain that 2016 did not forewarn us of things to come.

L

By Dean Orgill Chairman of Mayo Wynne Baxter www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk • www.iod.com

ast year began with the loss of several heroes and icons in quick succession, and we then saw several more seismic changes on the political landscape, leading to some signifi cant uncertainty. Internationally the US Presidential election, nationally the Brexit outcome and locally the airport runway capacity decision are all huge factors which will have impacts on our businesses that are next to impossible to predict.

Whether you sought to predict the events of 2016 using ancient methods of reading entrails, the traditional skills of reading of the tea leaves - a la Hilda Ogden (Jean Alexander one of the icons we lost) - or using the modern ‘science’ of polling, your predictions were likely to have been equally unsuccessful.

So how on earth can we see what we are headed towards in the coming year? It is a rule in advocacy not to ask a question to which you do not know the answer, but it is a rule that I have just broken.

I cannot see how anyone at this stage can

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possibly predict precisely where we are headed as a country or as an economy. When, or indeed if, Article 50 is triggered the result from any subsequent negotiations and whether that deal is then endorsed both remain far too uncertain for my liking.

But clearly an echoing of these comments above may be valid but achieves nothing in terms of moving our businesses forward. Our economic and political landscapes may not be the ideal we would wish them to be, but then when have we ever encountered that particular Utopia?

One of the strengths of our business base in this country and, I would suggest, particularly in this region is our adaptability. As I have mentioned previously, most businesses in the region that I have spoken to in respect of Brexit favoured Remain. However, following the result I think most are now equally clear that we need to ‘get on with it’. There is little optimism that the UK will manage to negotiate a sparkling advantageous deal. But there is a desire to fi nd out what it will be as

soon as possible so that we can then all get on and make the best of it.

Ultimately the only certainty will always be uncertainty. We can never confi dently predict what we are going to be faced with in a few months time – last year showed that emphatically. However, that simply reminds us that we need to plan with fl exibility and with resilience and agility in our businesses. It looks like we may be in for a bumpy ride in the next couple of years, and those “interesting times” are going to continue for the foreseeable future. But given the undoubted talent in our region I believe that we can buckle up, commit to the journey and make the most of our opportunities.

JUST A THOUGHT What is the most critical goal your business must achieve this year?

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