Platinum Business Magazine - issue 51

PLATINUM BUSINESS MAGAZINE The Largest Circulation Regional Business Publication in the UK.

MAMBO LAMBO

The Huracan reviewed

WHY AN MBA MATTERS University of Sussex EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT CHRISTMAS PARTY VENUES

IMRAN KHAN Pakistan’s new Prime Minister

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ISSUE 51. 2018

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21st November 2018 THE ARORA HOTEL, CRAWLEY

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Welcome

THE BIG STORY IMRAN KHAN Often called Taliban Khan, is this a poisoned chalice or a brilliant opportunity?

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TRAVEL

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EDUCATION FEATURE

73

VENUES

84

MOTORING

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SPORT

SHAKE HANDS IN QATAR A great MICE venue and the home of the next World Cup.

Head of Hurst, Tim Manly, talks about the weight on children’s shoulders.

We take a look at the best Christmas event venues.

Is the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder as good as they say?

Platinum Sport talks to female rugby star Stacey White.

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34 37 39 40 43 44 48 50 51 52 54 56 61 63 67 68 69 70 73 75 78 81 82 83 84 86 88 89 92 94 95 97 98 100 102 103 105 106 109 110 111 112 114

Local and National News Lloyds Bank CEO at breakfast briefing The Big Story – Imran Khan NatWest – PMI Report DMH Stallard – Reform of Leashold ownership LMS Group – Plug into the cloud Sherrards Employment Law Solicitors – Break the chains Kreston Reeves – Business potential Rix & Kay Solicitors – Recruiting on the right side of the law MHA Carpenter Box – Where do you go when the banks say no?

RSE Group – Staff engagement White Space – Expert Panel CEO Fight Club – Stop believing the lies Adur & Worthing Business Awards Travel – Shake hands in Qatar Travel – A future in Aviation Travel – Check-in Travel Insider Travel – Namibia Sussex Innovation Centre Interview – Headmaster of Hurstpierpoint College, Tim Manly Plumpton College apprenticeship news Interview – John Luiz, MBA Course Director, University of Sussex Business School Gatwick Diamond Meet the Buyers Women in Business Awards Mid Sussex Business Expo 2018 Hilton Brighton Metropole – My dream job Christmas Events Seaside Sophistication at the Harbour Hotel Luxury at the Lansdowne Brighton Summit 2018 Brighton & Hove Buses Charity News – Chestnut Tree House Motoring – The Lambo Mambo Motoring – Z Cars Network Review Chamber Listings Anger Management Institute of Directors Platinum Sport Sport News Profile of Anthony Joshua The Float Spa Network my Club Motor Sports – Track Days Football – Bridging the Gap Rugby – an interview with Stacey White Whitehawk FC – ‘The People’s Club’ When Business Meets Sport – Daryl Gayler When Business Meets Sport – Simon Nicholson Active Sussex - Sussex Sports Awards View from the Sofa – Leave or remain?

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 51 - 2018

A word from the Editors Stand by your beds as we realise that summer is over and Christmas is coming! I jest not, as in this issue we feature the best Christmas venues. I know, l know, but don’t shoot the messenger and September is the peak booking month.

You might have noticed that there was no Anger Management column in the last issue as l simply was not angry at anything as l was sunning my buns in the tropics. I have been back a few days now and l am bloody furious at the admission from Mark Zuckerberg that facebook actually IS a publisher. Read about it in Anger Management.

I also got my hands on the new Lamborghini Huracan Spyder before l left and l fully review the little rascal in this issue.

We also run our regular Education Supplement and our big story is Imran Khan who has just been sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan - great opportunity or poisoned chalice? Quite what this ex-Sussex Cricketer and ex-London playboy will bring to that particular party is anyones guess, but just escaping assassination will be a triumph.

In Platinum Sport, Laurence profiles our world champion, Anthony Joshua and talks to another two business people about their sporting passion. In Travel, Rose has been swanning around Qatar with a look at MICE travel and the next World Cup venue and then, as that tired her out, she popped over to Namibia for a break. (Give me a break!)

And finally, year 30 of the Sussex Business Awards is upon us and is open for entries. Don’t delay and take the chance to become an award winning company today.

Maarten & Ian (on vacation!)

Platinum Business Magazine September 2018

The Team

Maarten Hoffmann – Director maarten@platinumpublishing.co.uk

07966 244046

Ian Trevett – Director ian@platinumpublishing.co.uk

07989 970804

Lesley Alcock

Fiona Graves

Laurence Elphick

Kate Morton

Rose Dykins

Business Development Director

Events Director

Head of Sport

Copy Editor

Travel Editor

Amanda Harrington

Poppie Sharman

Amanda Menahem

Steve Elford

James Morrison

Head of Design

Events Manager

Food & Drink Editor

Head of Web Development

Head of Web Design

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Local News

Local News Chop chop Metro Bank has announced that it has provided leading Asian quick-service restaurant chain, Chopstix, with a £2 million debt facility to support its expansion programme across the UK. Chopstix will use the capital injection to open restaurants across the UK and has recently opened a new site in Bluewater, Kent.

Mark Stokes, managing director Commercial Banking at Metro Bank said: “Chopstix is marking its territory as a strong-performing business in the fast-food market, and we’re thrilled to be on this journey with the company. Our customer-focused service combined with our extensive industry knowledge has enabled us to create another tailor-made funding solution, which will take Chopstix to the next stage of their growth ambitions. We look forward to supporting their future strategic plans with additional resources over the years to come.”

The busiest single runway on the planet Gatwick Airport recorded year-on-year growth in their long-haul business of 20.8% in July. The good news doesn’t stop there with China Eastern announcing a new service to Shanghai offering over 70,000 seats and 3,700 metric tonnes of available cargo from December 7th. Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport said: “I’m looking forward to the start of this vital new link to Shanghai which is undoubtedly one of the world’s most important cities.”

Just imagine what the airport could do with a second runway!

Established in 2004 Chopstix is a noodle bar take away restaurant with over 80 sites across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The chain has over 400 employees who provide its affordable, fresh and tasty Asian cuisine in food courts, motorway services and high street locations.

More nightmares Just as the M23 undergoes updates to become a smart motorway causing inevitable delays, passengers travelling on the Brighton Main Line are set for major disruption and are being urged to plan their journeys carefully as a nine-month programme of improvement works starts. Most of the closures planned will take place at weekends, but in February the line between Three Bridges and Brighton and between Three Bridges and Lewes will be closed for nine days straight causing massive disruption for commuters.

“What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out.”

Christmas expands Bennett Christmas, an underwriters and risk management consultant, has bought community insurance brokers Cardale Assurance Facilities based in Horley. The existing members of Cardale staff will join the Bennett Christmas team in Burgess Hill. The team will continue to operate from its Horley base which will become a satellite office for Bennett Christmas. They will be joined by the BC risk management team which will relocate from Burgess Hill.

Ikea stalled The plan for an Ikea store and 600 new homes on a site in Lancing have been deferred after a council meeting.

Councillor Stephen Chipp has made a proposal to defer a decision on the application on the grounds that IKEA in its current format does not protect and enhance the environment. IKEA were told they should come back with further mitigation measures, he stated. It was pointed out that there was ‘extreme risk’ if the council proceeded with these reasons for refusal. He added that it would leave the council vulnerable to costs at appeal. With these homes being urgently needed and a giant Ikea store coming to the region, perhaps councillors should stop fiddling around and get approving before the store goes elsewhere.

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Local News

Local News Forever linked

Ciao Alfresco

Husband and wife entrepreneurs who moved from London to Hastings to set up their own businesses, have become the faces of an international advertising campaign for the professional networking service, LinkedIn. Katie and Tom Philipson tell their story in a short film which is being shown online and at cinemas in the UK, Germany and France. They also feature in adverts on billboards and taxis for LinkedIn’s ‘In It Together’ campaign.

The couple were chosen for the campaign following their recent success in Natwest’s Business Builder project run by Let’s Do Business Group, a course for entrepreneurs culminating in a Dragon’s Den style pitch for a £1,000 award. Tom’s mobile wood-fired pizza business, Tommy’s Pizzeria, was the overall winner, while Katie’s business, One Small Shop, was the runner-up.

The Business Builder programme has helped Tom and his business partner Mark Edwards to develop the mobile business into a pop-up restaurant, specialising in sourdough pizzas and fish caught by the local fishing fleet. Tommy’s Pizzeria opens on July 13th in the former Simply Italian unit in Hastings’ Old Town.

An Italian restaurant on Brighton seafront is set to be taken over by a pub chain. The lease for the historic Milkmaid Pavilion, which is currently the home of Italian restaurant Alfresco, has been bought by the City Pub Co, which owns the Lion & the Lobster and the Walrus in Brighton and Hove as well dozens of other pubs across the south. The building, next to the i360, is owned by Brighton and Hove City Council, and the premises was originally built as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951.

The leasehold has been sold to City Pub Co, which was founded in 2011 and runs 46 pubs in the southern half of England and Wales. The transaction was brokered by leisure property specialists Fleurets, and the leasehold sold for an undisclosed sum.

“At the worst, a house unkempt cannot be so distressing as a life unlived.”

Fastest growers Fast-growth firms in Surrey and Sussex contributed over £3bn and more than 17,000 jobs to the UK economy in the last year, according to new research published today by accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO LLP. BDO’s second annual Best in Business report, which identifies the top 113 private mid-market companies in the region with the fastest growing sales and profits, reveals these high-growth businesses generated revenues in excess of £3bn and provided jobs for more than 17,000 people last year.

The report, which ranks the top 20 performing mid-sized businesses (those with a turnover between £10m-£300m), by annual sales and profit growth over three accounting periods, reveals these Surrey and Sussex companies grew sales by an average of 60% and profits by an average of 161% in the last year.

These ambitious companies represent the rich diversity of businesses across the region, from well-established family-owned companies in traditional industry sectors, such as manufacturing and construction, to market disruptors in creative media technologies and cyber security.

Companies boosting growth and their contributions to the local economy include W T Lamb in Billingshurst, which has been making bricks and architectural ceramics for five generations and the world’s longest serving Aston Martin dealer, HWM, in Waltonon-Thames. Among the many relatively new entrants to the market are motorcycle insurance and claims management agency and the world’s largest motorcycle repair centre, Egham based 4th Dimension Innovation and AIM-listed Inspiration Healthcare now based in Crawley, a growing centre of excellence for the pharmaceutical industry.

Sussex’s top performers Sussex’s top 20 businesses saw growth of 28% in sales, generating £871m and employing 3,164 people.

The top profit- performers reported a staggering increase of 120%. Occupying the number one position in the sales league table for the second-year running is Horsham-based medical strategy and evidence communications company, Envision Pharma, with a CAGR of 52%. Independent builders’ merchant, Chandlers Building Supplies in Lewes achieved a staggering 117% growth in profits.

Surrey’s top performers Surrey’s top 20 businesses reported an impressive combined growth last year of 33% in sales, generating revenues of £772m and employing 5,238 people. The top 20 profit performers reported an increase of 211% in profits. Taking the top spot for sales is popular restaurant chain Giggling Squid with a combined annual growth rate in revenue (CAGR) of 61%. Michael J Gallagher Contractors, one of the country’s leading in-situ concrete frame contractors, recorded the highest growth in profits of 147% across both Surrey and Sussex. Both businesses have head offices in Guildford.

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National News

National News Sun of a Gun

Print is Mint National newspapers and print media in the UK are experiencing the best start to a year in almost a decade, thanks to a combination of factors including an advertiser backlash against Facebook and Google.

Print display advertising in the national newspaper market rose 1% to £153m in the first quarter of 2018, the first time there has been an increase since the last quarter of 2010.

“There is a renewed optimism and verve sweeping through the publishing market for the first time in many years,” said Adam Crow, the head of publishing investment at WPP-owned media agency MediaCom. “The market is a hive of activity from an advertiser investment perspective.”

A number of factors have fuelled the improved performance in print media, including a view among advertisers that they have pushed too much of their ad spend into social media.

Credit Card Crime

“If I tell you I want to be a door-todoor salesman, don’t knock it. “

US space agency Nasa has launched its mission to send a satellite closer to the Sun than any before. The Parker Solar Probe rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida and is set to become the fastest-moving manmade object in history. Its data promises to crack longstanding mysteries about the Sun’s behaviour.

It is the first space craft to be named after a living person - astrophysicist Eugene Parker, 91, who first described solar wind in 1958. The probe aims to dip directly into our star’s outer atmosphere, or corona. It will zip past Venus in six weeks and make its first meeting with the Sun a further six weeks after that.

Viva Vienna Almost five million people had money stolen from their bank or credit card account last year, at a cost of around £840 each, according to new figures. More than £2bn has been snatched from about one in 10 British adults, new data from Compare the Market has revealed, and online payments are the weakest link.

More than a quarter of frauds took place online last year and 27% of victims don’t know or remember how they were hacked. The level of cyber fraud in the UK has fallen over the past 12 months, but the amount of money stolen has increased.

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The Austrian capital, Vienna, has beaten Australia’s Melbourne to be named the world’s most liveable city. It’s the first time a European city has topped the rankings of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) annual survey.

The worldwide league table ranks 140 cities on a range of factors, including political and social stability, crime, education and access to healthcare. In the survey, Manchester saw the biggest improvement of any European city, rising by 16 places to rank 35th. Manchester’s rise puts it ahead of London in the rankings by 13 places, the widest gap between the two cities since the survey began two decades ago. At the other end of the scale, war-torn Damascus in Syria was ranked the least liveable city, closely followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh and Lagos in Nigeria.

National News

Beer Buddies A new survey has revealed the professions which are most likely to socialise with their colleagues outside of work. Farmers topped the list, meeting 12 times a month on average. By contrast, those who work in sports and leisure are least likely to see colleagues outside of work hours, meeting less than once a month. Other findings from the survey include plumbers, who are shown to be the happiest profession, with 55% saying they are ‘very happy’ in life.

The research, conducted by Boundless, an experiences company with a 95year heritage, aims to discover the factors which contribute to individual happiness, both in professional and private lives. Ian Holmes-Lewis, director at Boundless, said: “Striking a healthy balance between home and work life is key in any industry. Socialising with colleagues outside of work hours allows for workmates to get to know one another and see each other from a new perspective, which can help make work life less tense and more fun. We know from our survey the happiest people are those who make time to socialise with friends and family.”

Face to Facebook

Out of the Spotlight

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled a dating service among other new products at his firm’s annual F8 developers conference in San Jose, California. He told his audience that the match-making feature would take privacy issues in mind and would launch “soon”.

Female characters are outnumbered two to one by their male counterparts in the most successful Hollywood films, a new report shows.

“There are 200 million people on Facebook who list themselves as single,” said Mr Zuckerberg.

“And if we are committed to building meaningful relationships, then this is perhaps the most meaningful of all.”

Shares in the dating business Match Group fell after the announcement and closed more than 22% below their opening price - the firm owns Tinder, a dating app that sources its profile information from Facebook.

According to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Sex Roles, authored

by US academics Conor Neville and Phyllis Anastasio of Saint Joseph’s University, just over 32% of characters in 50 of the US’s top-grossing films of 2016 were women. When the analysis was narrowed down to lead characters, the proportion dipped even more, to just over 31%. Female characters also suffered when it came to on-screen portrayals of leadership: 26% of female characters were portrayed in leadership roles, as opposed to 57% of male.

“I broke my finger today. On the other hand, l am completely fine.”

Ballroom brings Business Arthur Murray International Inc., one of the world’s largest dance brands, has announced news of rapid global expansion, and plans to extend its franchise operation in the UK with franchise opportunities available in Sussex and the south of England.

The company, headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida was founded by the late Arthur Murray. Teacher to the stars, Murray and the company he formed, have enjoyed enormous success since he set up his first dance class in 1912 and garnered a glittering student roster that included Marilyn Monroe, Eleanor Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller and the Duke of Windsor.

Tom Murdock, VP at Arthur Murray International Inc., and the board have appointed American TV’s Dancing with the Stars All Access judge Gary Edwards to spearhead the drive to increase the franchise network in the UK and Ireland.

Tom said: “We will be bringing to the UK - one of our most important markets - capital, experience, enthusiasm and a solid franchise support structure to assist new franchisees to set up their businesses and capitalise on the company’s market-leader status in the dance franchise category.”

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Clients are our business Dedicated to your success DMH Stallard is a full service, award-winning law firm that is passionate about winning and passionate about client care. It’s not by chance that we have one of the highest levels of repeat business in the industry.

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Banking Breakfast

A Grand breakfast with António Horta-Osório The Lloyds Banking Group CEO spoke at a Lloyds breakfast briefing at The Grand Hotel, Brighton in July

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ntónio Horta-Osório joined the Lloyds Banking Group as an executive director in January 2011, becoming CEO on March 1st of the same year.

He joined as the bank was seeking to re-establish the confidence of investors and the public after the impact of the financial crisis. By October 2008, taxpayers owned a 43.4% stake in the bank, a result of a bail-out to save the bank from potential collapse.

Under Horta-Osório’s stewardship the bank has been turned around to create a group with a differentiated business model of a digitised, simple, low risk, customer focused, UK financial services provider.

In May 2017, the UK Government sold off its last remaining stake, meaning that the bank was free from state ownership for the first time in almost a decade.

From at one stage operating in more than 30 countries, Lloyds is now focused largely on the UK, which accounts for around 97% of its business. The bank has over 20 million current account customers and is also the largest digital bank with 13.8m digital customers, including 9.8m mobile users, while Lloyds Banking Group commercial banking has approximately 74,000 customers and over one million SME customers (including social and community organisations).

During his speech to the assembled guests in Brighton, Horta-Osório expressed his guarded optimism that the UK will reach a deal with the EU, largely because the option of a ‘no-deal’ would be detrimental to all parties.

He also outlined four main factors driving change for financial services over the next few years.

The first is customers’ legitimate demand for a more personalised, efficient and frictionless service.

Secondly, technological innovations, such as digitalisation and robotic

process automation, are making it increasingly possible for those demands to be met, in a cost-effective way.

Thirdly, these technological innovations are themselves opening the door for new and varied sources of competition.

Finally, regulators are demanding that banks take the action that will allow such choice and competition to flourish.

Horta-Osório said: “The Harvard Business Review says that the number one most important factor in customer loyalty is reduction of customer effort. They want maximum convenience.”

“As we look to the bank of the future, it will need to meet, if not exceed, the expectations of increasingly tech-savvy customers.”

Whilst in the area, António Horta-Osório also visited a local company.

We will share details of that visit with Platinum readers next month.

For information on how Lloyds Commercial Banking can help support your business call Alan Harber on 07919 211 592 or email him at alan.harber@lloydsbanking.com

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The Big Story

Taliban Khan

The Prime Minster of Pakistan

by Maarten Hoffmann

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mran Khan, the Oxford-educated former playboy cricketer, is roaring along the Pakistani campaign trail in his armoured car. Horns honk. Crowds yell. Super-fans on motorbikes race after him. Thousands line the road with his flags. Hysteria grips the small Punjabi city of Mandi Bahauddin. Khan, however, is miles away. “British politics,” he intones. “It’s such boring politics. If I had to be in British politics, after two months I would just … commit suicide.”

Imran Khan is the former international cricket star who has promised a “new Pakistan” and an end to corruption after claiming victory in the 2018 general election. The charismatic captain who led Pakistan to a World Cup victory in 1992, and played for Sussex from 1983 - 88, has long shed his celebrity playboy image and now styles himself as a pious, populist, anti-poverty reformer.

“His pin-up looks and private life have ensured he’s been a favourite of the world’s media for decades.”

Mr Khan, 65, struggled for years to turn popular support into electoral gains. He launched his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 1996 but he was the only candidate in the party to win a seat in 2002. The PTI boycotted the 2008 vote.

Although he has long been one of Pakistan’s best-known faces internationally, he spent years on the political sidelines. That led to teasing - for some Imran Khan became “Imran Khan’t”. It took until the last general election in 2013 for his party to emerge as a serious player, when it narrowly missed becoming the second largest party nationally.

But five years on, he has won an election

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The Big Story in Pakistan, a nuclear-armed Islamic republic and a potential flashpoint because of its rocky relations with India and Afghanistan. During the campaign, Mr Khan faced accusations, which he denied, that he was the military’s favoured candidate and that its intelligence service was working behind the scenes against his key rivals. He needed an electoral swing of epic proportions to finally bring his political dreams to fruition.

“If I had to be in British politics, after two months I would just … commit suicide.”

Oxford-educated Mr Khan had an illustrious career in international cricket spanning two decades from the 1970s. He also developed a reputation as something of a playboy on the London nightclub circuit, though he denies that he ever drank alcohol or engaged in any activities that may be considered inappropriate for a conservative Pakistani Muslim.

Many say his subsequent forays into the fields of philanthropy and politics were fuelled by a desire to put to use the leadership qualities and goodwill he acquired as a cricketer.

His pin-up looks and private life have ensured he’s been a favourite of the world’s media for decades. Of course, it didn’t hurt his

chances in every direction when in 1995, the 43-year-old married heiress Jemima Goldsmith, the daughter of one of the world’s richest men, Sir James Goldsmith. The marriage produced two boys but was dissolved in 2004.

A second marriage in 2015, to journalist Reham Khan, lasted less than a year. The former BBC weather presenter alleges she was bullied by his supporters and has written a tell-all memoir. It has been making waves in Pakistan, where its publication was, conveniently, put on hold by the courts in the run-up to the election.

Mr Khan wed again in 2018 in a low-profile ceremony in Lahore. His third wife Bushra Watto, a mother of five, was described as his spiritual adviser, and observers say the match plays well with his public shows of devotion to Islam.

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The Big Story Nawaz Sharif was ousted from the office of prime minister in 2017 and is now behind bars, sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti-corruption court. The Sharifs maintain the charges are politically motivated.

With his main rival down but not out, Khan redoubled his efforts to woo politicians with dependable votes to his camp. Critics say many of the so-called “electables” were coerced into defecting, charges the military and PTI deny.

Mr Khan has rejected persistent claims that the powerful military manipulated the poll in support of his campaign. He told the BBC in May: “The current military chief, General Bajwa, is probably the most pro-democratic man we have ever seen.” How he might get on with the military in the longer term remains an open question.

“Khan admitted to a little ball tampering in his day.”

If he really wants to tackle some of Pakistan’s root problems, he may find himself on a collision course with the establishment, as previous governments have discovered.

Khan’s route to power has been plagued by problems. He upholds liberalism but at the same time appeals to Islamic values and anti-West sentiment, especially when it comes to perceived interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. He campaigned vocally against US drone strikes against militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas as part of the “war on terror”.

He has criticised some of the Taliban’s violence but last year his party’s government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province gave $3m (£2.3m) to the notorious Haqqania madrassa.

Its head, Maulana Sami-ul Haq, is known as the “father of the Taliban”. Khan has had to fight off taunts he should be called “Taliban Khan”.

But it’s his campaign against corruption and dynastic politics in Pakistan, and a promise to raise a whole new class of “clean” politicians, that seems to have chimed with his supporters.

He has sought to ride a wave of disillusionment at Pakistan’s old political order, particularly among the urban middle class and young voters, who are tired of living in

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a country with an economy and currency on the slide, and water and power supplies in constant crisis. The main target of his anticorruption campaign has been his arch-rival Nawaz Sharif. The Panama Papers leak in 2015 revealed several of Mr Sharif’s children had links to offshore companies which were allegedly used to channel funds and buy foreign assets.

“Khan has had to fight off taunts he should be called “Taliban Khan”.”

That moment provided Imran Khan with his big chance - and he seized it. His campaign against the Sharifs saw him threaten to blockade the capital with his supporters.

Imran Khan was born in 1952 in Lahore, Punjab and educated at Aitchison, Worcester and later at Keble College, Oxford. His first love was cricket which he started playing at the age of 13. After playing for Worcestershire Cricket Club, he made his debut for the Pakistan National Team during the 1971 series against England at Edgbaston. Whilst at Keble, he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics, graduating with honours in 1975. This marks his interest in his current role from an early age with cricket being a fun side-line whilst waiting for the Pakistani political scene to move in his favour.

Khan admitted to a little ball tampering in his day. In 1994, Khan admitted that, during Test matches, he “occasionally scratched the side of the ball and lifted the seam.” He had also added, “Only once did I use an object.

When Sussex were playing Hampshire in 1981 the ball was not deviating at all. I got the 12th man to bring out a bottle top and it started to move around a lot. In 1996, Khan successfully defended himself in a libel action brought forth by former English captain and all-rounder Ian Botham and batsman Allan Lamb over comments they alleged were made

The Big Story

by Khan in two articles about the abovementioned ball-tampering and another article published in an Indian magazine, India Today.

They claimed that, in the latter publication, Khan had called the two cricketers “racist, illeducated and lacking in class.” Khan protested that he had been misquoted, saying that he was defending himself after having admitted that he tampered with a ball in a county match 18 years ago. Khan won the libel case, which the judge labelled a “complete exercise in futility”, with a 10–2 majority decision by the jury.

Such ball tampering might stand him in good stead to be a politician as playing by the rules is not a phrase that troubles any of our global leaders and certainly not in the aggressive rough and tumble of Indian and Pakistani political circles. A number of opposition parties have alleged “massive rigging” in Khan’s favour amid allegations of military interference in the general elections. Nawaz Sharif and his PML-N party, in particular, claimed that a conspiracy between the judiciary and military had influenced the election in favour of Khan and PTI. The Election Commission

of Pakistan, however, rejected allegations of rigging and Sharif and his PML-N later conceded victory to Khan, despite lingering ‘reservations’ regarding the result. Two days after the general elections were held, the chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Pakistan, Michael Gahler confirmed that the overall situation of the general election was satisfactory.

“Khan’s ideas and affiliations since entering politics in 1996 have swerved and skidded like a rickshaw in a rainshower.”

On March 18, 2012, Salman Rushdie critiqued Khan after Khan refused to attend the India Today Conference because of Rushdie’s attendance citing the “immeasurable hurt”

that Rushdie’s writings have caused Muslims around the world. Rushdie, in turn, suggested Khan was a “dictator in waiting.” In 2011, while writing for The Washington Post, Richard Leiby termed Khan as an underdog adding that he “often sounds like a pro-democracy liberal but is well-known for his coziness with conservative Islamist parties.” Ayesha Siddiqa, in September 2014, writing for The Express Tribune, claimed that “while we can all sympathise with Khan’s right to change the political tone, it would be worthwhile for him to envision how he would, if he did become the prime minister of this country, put the genie back into the bottle.”

Declan Walsh in The Guardian newspaper in 2005 described Khan as a “miserable politician,” observing that, “Khan’s ideas and affiliations since entering politics in 1996 have swerved and skidded like a rickshaw in a rainshower... He preaches democracy one day but gives a vote to reactionary mullahs the next.” Khan has also been accused by some opponents and critics of hypocrisy and opportunism, including what has been called his life’s “playboy to puritan U-turn.” Political commentator Najam Sethi, stated that, “A lot of the Imran Khan story is

19

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20

The Big Story about backtracking on a lot of things he said earlier, which is why this doesn’t inspire people.” Author Fatima Bhutto has criticised Khan for “incredible coziness not with the military but with dictatorship” as well as some of his political decisions.

It’s not hard to see why Imran Khan’s stunning victory in the Pakistan elections attracted global media coverage. The story of a cricketing hero and former playboy turned political superstar and scourge of the establishment that spawned him was too good to miss.

Given Pakistan’s history of army coups, Khan’s rise to power seemed like a modern parable foretelling the triumph of people’s democracy over the dark-suited, sunglassed forces of “deep state” military control, manipulation and repression.

Beguiling though this storyline is, it did not really happen that way.

Indeed, Khan owed his success, in part at least, to the covert meddling of those same shadowy spooks and generals, according to EU poll monitors. Yet who governs Pakistan, and how, is still a matter of high international importance. Take female suffrage. Equal voting rights are absent in some Muslim countries. But Pakistan, where women comprise 44% of eligible voters, has made exceptional progress. Veiled female residents of conservative tribal areas such as South Waziristan made history last Wednesday when they cast votes for the first time.

“Pakistan matters because, with its youthful population of more than 200 million (66% are under 30), it is a country of vast potential handicapped by endemic poverty, illiteracy and inequality.”

Pakistan matters because, with its youthful population of more than 200 million (66% are under 30), it is a country of vast potential handicapped by endemic poverty, illiteracy and inequality. It is also, not coincidentally, a battleground pitting anti-western Islamists, schooled in international jihad in Saudi-funded madrassas, against the secular, anglophone elite. It is central to the “war on terror”. Its stability and security, or lack of it, has a potentially global impact. For the British, Pakistan exercises an abiding fascination, rooted in the Raj’s disastrous part in its bloody 1947 birth and in continuing, close ethnic and cultural ties. For the Americans, self-anointed heirs to empire, Pakistan plays the dual role of indispensable ally and duplicitous villain in their endless Afghan drama. For many in India, Islamabad is the nuclear-armed bogeyman next door. For expansionist China, Pakistan is a key link in its grandiose Belt and Road trading franchise, reliant on Beijing’s loans, investment and goodwill.

How the untested Khan, wholly lacking in governmental experience, will approach these complex issues and historical burdens is open to question. What is clear is that he has changed radically since his hellraising West End days. Launching his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, meaning “movement for justice”, in 1996, a newly earnest Khan, now 65, made doing God’s will and fighting corruption his main aims in life. “Far from being the Islamic welfare state that was envisaged, Pakistan is a country where politics is a game of loot and plunder,” Khan

Chancellor of Bradford University - 2005 - 2014

wrote in his memoir, Pakistan: A Personal History. His new party, he said, would strive to “end exploitation and ensure a society based on honesty, merit and integrity”.

Khan espoused a conservative religious outlook, favouring sharia law and controversially backing radical anti-blasphemy laws. His criticism of US drone strikes earned him the nickname “Taliban Khan”. And he rediscovered his family’s Afghan roots and Pashtun tribal identity.

Coincidentally or not, this won him support among conservatives.

Likewise, courting populist opinion, Khan turned against Pakistan’s western-educated ruling class, despite graduating from Oxford university. Colonialism had wrought lasting damage across the subcontinent, he wrote, by destroying self-esteem. “The inferiority complex that is ingrained in a conquered nation results in its imitation of some of the worst aspects of the conquerors, while at the same time neglecting its own great traditions.”

Pakistan’s generals are accustomed to exercising sole control of foreign and security policy. Challenging them can be a career or even life-ending experience. So if Khan, for example, wants to break with the US, befriend India, or talk to terrorists, he had better watch his back.

Whatever the popular storyline says about democracy redux, the hidden hand on the new prime minister’s shoulder is real. It will be hard to shake off.

21

Economics

Business confidence at fivemonth high while output growth cools Embargoed until 0101 UK (0001 UTC) 13 August 2018

NatWest South East PMI Stuart Johnstone

®

NatWest Managing Director, London & South Business activity growth cools to East, Corporate & Commercial Banking

three-month low Key Findings Output growth eases to moderate pace Employment broadly unchanged since June Business optimism improves

South East Business Activity Index The Key Findings • Output growth eases to moderate JUL pace

53.3

• Employment broadly unchanged JUN: 54.6 since June • Business optimism improves Private sector output growth in the South Last six months SE v UK East of England cooled to a three-month low in July, according to the latest NatWest PMI® data. The data also revealed a slower increase in inflows of new business and broadly no change in employment, with some firms noting a lack of available skilled staff to replace leavers. Nonetheless, firms remained optimistic towards future growth prospects, signalled by business confidence reaching a five-month high.

The headline NatWest South East Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors –

22

© 2018 IHS Markit

Private sector output growth in the South East of England cooled to a three-month low in July, ® according to the latest NatWest PMI data.

The data also revealed a slower increase in inflows of new business and broadly no change in employment, with some firms noting a lack of available skilled staff to replace leavers.

Nonetheless, firms remained optimistic towards future growth prospects, signalled by business confidence reaching a five-month high.

The headline NatWest South East Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – was at 53.3 in July, down from 54.6 in June.

That said, the figure remained above the 50.0 no-change mark and signalled a moderate rise in business activity across the South East's private sector. Growth at manufacturing businesses outperformed service-providing oncedown again from in July.54.6 in June. was companies at 53.3 in July,

ThatDemand said, the figure remained above the 50.0 no-change mark and signalledonce a moderate Client demand improved again in July, extending the current rise thereby in business activity across the Southphase East’s of expansion to two years. Although the rate of private sector. Growth at manufacturing growth softened to a three-month low in July, businesses outperformed service-providing it remained solid overall.

Some firms linked higher inflows of newinbusiness companies once again July. to new products.

growth was the slowest over this period.

Employment was largely flat across both the manufacturing and service sectors in July.

Some companies reported difficulty in hiring replacement staff.

Prices July data signalled sharp price pressures across the South East's private sector. The rate of input cost inflation eased since June, but remained steep overall. According to anecdotal evidence, businesses faced higher wage and fuel bills. Reflecting higher average cost burdens, firms increased their selling prices at a solid pace.

Outlook Respondents in the South East reported the strongest degree of optimism since February during July. Business confidence in the South East's private sector was stronger than that Client demand improved once againmonth in seen at the national level for the second running.

According to the anecdotal July, thereby extending current evidence, phase of new product launches and planned business expansion two years.positive Although the rate expansion to underpinned sentiment.

of growth softened to a three-month low in July, it remained solid overall. Some firms linked higher inflows of new business to new products.

Capacity Backlogs of work increased for the third month running during July. However, the rate of

South East Business Activity Index sa, >50 = growth since previous month

70 60 50 40 30

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'99

'01

'03

'05

'07

'09

'11

'13

'15

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Economics

Backlogs of work increased for the third month running during July. However, the rate of growth was the slowest over this period.

Employment was largely flat across both the manufacturing and service sectors in July.

Some companies reported difficulty in hiring replacement staff.

“Client demand improved once again in July, thereby extending the current phase of expansion to two years”

business expansion underpinned positive sentiment.

Comment Stuart Johnstone, NatWest Managing Director, London & South East, Corporate & Commercial Banking, Stuart Johnstone, commented: “The latest survey data signalled a slowdown in growth across the South East’s private sector. Capacity pressures continued to bite in July, signalled by another rise in work outstanding, although softer new order growth gave a partial respite. Notwithstanding difficulties in hiring new skilled staff and easing growth, confidence among local companies picked up to a five-month high amid planned business investment.”

About the PMI survey July data signalled sharp price pressures across the South East’s private sector. The rate of input cost inflation eased since June, but remained steep overall. According to anecdotal evidence, businesses faced higher wage and fuel bills. Reflecting higher average cost burdens, firms increased their selling prices at a solid pace.

The NatWest South East PMI® is compiled

by IHS Markit from responses to questionnaires

sent to participating South East companies.

The headline figure is the Business Activity Index. This is a diffusion index calculated from a single question that asks for changes in the volume of business activity (at service providers) or output (at manufacturers) compared with one month previously. The indices vary between 0 and 100, with a reading above 50 indicating an overall increase compared to the previous month, and below 50 an overall decrease.

Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) surveys are now available for over 40 countries and also for key regions including the eurozone. They are the most closely watched business surveys in the world, favoured by central banks, financial markets and business decision makers for their ability to provide up-to-date, accurate and often unique monthly indicators of economic trends. To learn more, go to https://natwestbusinesshub.com/ content/regional-pmi-update-july

Respondents in the South East reported the strongest degree of optimism since February during July. Business confidence in the South East’s private sector was stronger than that seen at the national level for the second month running. According to anecdotal evidence, new product launches and planned

23

Legal

Radical reform of leasehold ownership: what you need to know

Vanessa Joll

Lauren Kirby

The Government has published proposals which, if implemented, will fundamentally change the landscape of the leasehold property market.

Real Estate Partner Vanessa Joll and Lauren Kirby Associate FCILEx, explain the changes envisaged and their likely impact.

Background In December 2017, the Government published the results of its consultation to tackle unfair practices in the leasehold market.

The consultation itself was a reaction to a number of high profile developers being identified in the press as having sold plots on new sites on long leases with onerous ground rents. In many cases, the new plots were houses which could have been sold on a freehold basis but were sold on a leasehold basis to allow the developer to retain the value in the freehold interest as a separate asset to be sold at a later date.

“Ground rent incomes have always been a valuable to developers.”

In response to the practice, a number of mortgage lenders published new lending criteria placing a cap on the levels of ground rent they would accept in a lease as good security, and the value of these leases plummeted. This threw the leasehold market into turmoil and forced developers to try and negotiate reductions of ground rents in existing leases at their own cost; new buyers

24

refused to buy properties with ground rents which were anything more than nominal.

Following the consultation, the Government is committing to new legislation to tackle a wide range of issues with leasehold ownership, including limiting the sale of new build leasehold houses and simplifying the process for leaseholders extending their leases or buying their freeholds.

The proposals • Statutory limits on ground rents The Government has stated a clear commitment to ensuring that all new leases of flats and houses have ground rents set at a peppercorn (no monetary value). Its aim is to extend support to all those affected by the onerous ground rents in existing

leases granted in recent years (although it is not certain how they will do this) and to provide leaseholders with comprehensive information on how to seek redress.

• Limit the sale of new build leasehold houses There are also plans to limit the sale of new build leasehold houses unless there is a justification for why the houses should be sold as leasehold instead of freehold, such as the developer itself only owns a long leasehold interest.

• Preventing long leases from becoming assured tenancies A lease with a ground rent exceeding £250 pa (or £1000 pa in London) is treated by law as an assured tenancy and therefore capable of termination by possession proceedings if

Legal rent is more than two months in arrears. In these circumstances long leaseholders could lose their property – and its substantial capital value – as a result of low levels of rent arrears, and have no right to have that lease reinstated. As a result, these leases are now treated as inadequate security for lenders. The Government proposals include closing this loophole (undoubtedly an unintended consequence of the new levels of ground rent) to ensure that long leases can never be classed as assured tenancies.

• Simplifying the process for lease extensions and buying your freehold The Government wants to see a quicker and cheaper process available to lessees wanting to extend their leases or purchase their freehold. How this will be achieved is not yet clear, but scaled premiums and the removal of the need for valuations and Tribunal applications to determine premiums are strong possibilities.

“The Government has stated a clear commitment to ensuring that all new leases of flats and houses have ground rents set at a peppercorn (no monetary value).”

• Freeholder rights to challenge estate management charges The Government will introduce legislation to give freehold owners who are liable to pay estate management charges towards the maintenance of common parts of an estate the right to challenge the reasonableness of those charges, just as leaseholders can challenge service charges payable in respect of the maintenance of common parts under the terms of their lease.

How has the market reacted?

The proposals are at an early stage, but the market reaction has been startling. Buyers are refusing to buy new build leasehold properties where there is a ground rent of more than a peppercorn, leading to a reduction in the number of completions on leasehold properties. We have also seen lenders refusing to accept leasehold properties with valuable ground rents as security on resale.

Developers are finding themselves faced with part-sold developments where they will end up with differing ground rent provisions within the leases granted on the same development.

What happens next?

There is a risk that the proposals will create a two-tiered system of leasehold ownership, with new leases with minimal ground rents being worth more than older leases with more onerous ground rent provisions.

If the Government progressed its proposal to limit the level of ground rents in existing

leases, freeholder investors face the possibility of legislation wiping out the value of their investment portfolios. In light of this, we are already seeing freeholders offering to ‘sell’ the value of escalating ground rent at a discounted premium in order to recover some value from the tenant where they may be prevented from doing so in future.

Conversely, leaseholders are also seeking early statutory lease extensions in order to avoid having to pay ‘marriage value’ when a lease falls below a term of 80 years and, at the same time, resetting their ground rent to a peppercorn.

Ground rent incomes have always been valuable to developers. However, building leasehold houses to capitalise on ground rents in an extended period of low interest rates has proved so controversial that the entire leasehold system is now under the microscope, and likely subject to wholesale reform to give leaseholders security and control of their homes.

To contact DMH Stallard please call 03333 231 580 or visit www.dmhstallard.com

25

Technology

Plug into the cloud Being told you need to replace your server? Time to move to the cloud says LMS Group, an awardwinning IT and communications provider.

I

f you’re calling your IT team in to make repairs far too often; if your applications have become outdated; or if your system is running too slowly to keep up with your business, you may be thinking that it’s time to retire your current system – but with what?

An increasing number of businesses are taking to the cloud. They’re leaving behind physical server hardware and exchanging it for greater security, flexibility, and scalability with the cloud.

What exactly is the cloud?

‘The cloud’ is one of those terms that you hear a lot these days but few really seem to really understand what it is and the potential

26

it offers. The cloud is a dedicated online server hosted on the internet rather than on physical hardware. Your computer systems live in a shared virtual environment managed 24/7 by your chosen cloud hosting provider like LMS Group. The main advantages of moving to the cloud are as follows:

Complete scalability With a physical server, you’ll know exactly what the limits to your system are and, should your company grow, you may even need to buy a second or third server to provide enough capacity for staff to use your IT network.

Even if you get a server capable of supporting a future influx of staff members as

you grow, this might mean that you’re paying for a significant amount of server power you may not even need for another five years – by which point the technology could be out of date or need replacing once again.

On the other hand, if you were to choose a cloud server, you’d only ever use exactly what you need. Cloud hosting allows you to pay per user so you can scale your IT up as needed.

Reduced risk Having your own servers on site is a significant risk to both data security and business continuity. All of your backed-up data could be wiped in an instant given an event like flooding, a major power outage, or fire.

Technology These risks are completely preventable with cloud technology.

When you switch to the cloud, your information is stored online rather than in one physical place meaning there’s no risk of losing everything should disaster strike. We’ll even make backups of your data regularly for you so, in the very rare instance something did happen to your cloud server, an up-todate copy of information would be instantly recoverable.

Constantly up-to-date The world of technology is constantly changing and it can seem complicated and expensive to make sure your company keeps up. By the time you’ve conducted all your research and decided on an upgrade for your server, a newer version will have already been released.

Unlike your physical hardware, cloud IT systems are updated all the time. Give us a call or send us an email – we can increase your storage space, add extra apps, or add another user. This is possible because we’re always investing in our IT infrastructure to make sure you get the best possible perks as part of your subscription.

“The world of technology is constantly changing and it can seem complicated and expensive to make sure your company keeps up.”

run an IT system. It’s not just the initial cost of purchasing the servers, there are monthly costs on top post-installation.

On your cloud platform, the cost of IT support from LMS Group’s expert team is already built into your monthly price.

That means you won’t need to waste your employees’ time and effort maintaining the server themselves.

A concern many business owners have about the cloud is the security of their company’s data when stored in an online system. With us, you have your own private cloud server which is both encrypted and monitored 24/7 by our cyber security team.

You won’t have to worry about any data breaches or security threats. Should anyone attempt to access your data, our experts notice it right away and add further protection to your information.

24/7 IT support as part of the package Many businesses choose to replace their servers rather than switch to the cloud since they see it as a one-off cost as opposed to a monthly expense. When you have your own physical servers on site, you have only two options. You can either: • Hire internal IT staff full-time to keep things running smoothly.

• Outsource all problems and maintenance of your servers to a specialist IT company.

On a commercial level, this means that your staff are able to visit clients onsite with full access to the information they need, increasing engagement and building stronger relationships with your clients.

“When you switch to the cloud, your information is stored online rather than in one physical place meaning there’s no risk of losing everything should disaster strike.”

Improved productivity Because the cloud is online, it allows your staff to access their stored files from anywhere. This gives your company additional flexibility to exploit the many new opportunities presented by remote working staff.

Your employees can connect to your IT systems and work from anywhere and from any device; meaning they don’t have to be at their desk to work efficiently. They could spend this time with clients, suppliers, and other key business stakeholders.

Is it time to move to the cloud? Whether you’re a start-up or you run a business experiencing ongoing and sustainable growth, LMS Group designs optimal cloud solutions bespoke for the individual needs of every enterprise.

To find out more about how cloud technology could benefit your business, call us today on 0330 088 2565 or email sales@lms-uk.com

Both of these options are expensive ways to

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Legal

Break the chains Ending the practice of modern slavery in business and in supply chains, by Harry Sherrard, Principal at Sherrards Employment Law.

T

heresa May has described modern slavery as the greatest social injustice of our time. The UK is (so far) unique in legislating on this subject, with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA).

The MSA requires all commercial organisations, with a financial year ending on or after March 2016, that operate in the UK and have an annual turnover above £36m to produce a Slavery and Human Trafficking statement each year. It’s important to note that this applies to businesses with an establishment in the UK that turn over £36m worldwide; the UK operation could be small, but still will be caught if global turnover of the business is over the threshold.

Levels of compliance to date have not been spectacular. Transparency in Supply Chains (TISC) is a charity committed to ending the practice of modern slavery and they actively monitor the number of companies that are required to publish a statement in compliance with the MSA. As of today, TISC are reporting that 8,727 out of 18,930 companies required to produce a statement are currently in breach of that obligation.

The Government has not yet moved to impose financial penalties, nor to “name and shame” transgressors, but this could happen in the near future. The risk of reputational damage is considerable.

Your business doesn’t turn over £36 million annually so you don’t need to worry about this? Not correct. While it’s true that the legislation only impacts directly on larger businesses, if you are a supplier or service provider to such a business then they may well be getting in touch asking you to confirm that there are no modern slaves working for you (or indeed anywhere in your supply chain).

Increasingly, larger businesses put conditions in their standard contracts that deal expressly with modern slavery. Clauses requiring potential suppliers to comply with their anti-slavery policy, and/or include in its own supplier contracts clauses that compel businesses in the supplier’s supply chain to comply with modern slavery policies are becoming more and more common. Some of your larger customers may even wish to visit your site unannounced to satisfy itself that you are complying with their modern slavery policy. Many are even reserving the right to make such unannounced visits in their standard contracts. Most onerously, customers often reserve the right to terminate the contract immediately if the supplier is in breach of its obligations in relation to modern slavery.

The best advice is to always stay ahead of the curve. If your business provides services or other supplies to larger businesses, then you should start thinking about modern slavery and how to make sure that you will be in compliance with legislation (should it be extended to include smaller business) or your customer contracts.

At Sherrards, we’ve been working with clients on their supply chain analysis and in drafting their modern slavery statements, and we’re happy to assist businesses to comply with this important legislation.

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Finance

Polish your business to realise its full potential Daniel Grainge, Tax Partner at Kreston Reeves, talks us through how to prepare when selling a business.

S

elling a business can be daunting. For many people, selling their business is something they’ll only do once and is the culmination of their business life. It is critical to make sure that you are well prepared to maximise the value you realise and minimise the tax you will pay.

“Make sure you know what you want to sell, and the tax implications, before you enter into negotiations.”

Planning for a sale We all know if you’re trying to sell a house you give it a spring clean, bake bread and brew coffee to make it as attractive as possible to a buyer. In the same way, if you’re going to sell your business you want it to look its best.

You should plan for as far in advance of the sale as possible.

For example, if you are selling on the basis of the future profits of the business you need to be able to demonstrate that you can budget and forecast with accuracy. If you have never prepared budgets and forecasts in the past, how can a buyer rely on them?

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We would recommend having budgets, and management accounts showing budget vs actuals, together with explanations for any significant differences. If you have these over a period of time the buyer should have confidence in the figures when assessing the potential future performance of the business.

What are you going to sell?

If you are trading as a limited company, are you going to sell the shares in the company, or the trade and assets the company owns?

If you sell the trade and assets you might have a double tax charge – once in the company, and once when you extract the funds from the company.

If you sell shares in the company the buyer is likely to carry out more due diligence because they are taking on the company’s history and any potential liabilities. This may make the sales process take longer and be more expensive (although spring cleaning your business in advance can make this quicker, less painful and less expensive) but it should result in only a single tax charge.

Make sure you know what you want to sell, and the tax implications, before you enter into negotiations. It can be very difficult to renegotiate the key structure of a transaction once this has been agreed.

Finance

How are you going to be paid?

You might be paid in a combination of cash on completion, deferred consideration (which may be dependent on the future results of the business) or equity in the buyer. Each of these has different risks and rewards and tax treatments.

If you wait for some of your money you might get more, but will the buyer be able to pay you? If the amount is dependent on the future results of the company, will you be able to influence this? If you are going to receive shares, who will you be able to sell them to and when can you realise their value?

All of these questions need to be answered very early in the process so that fundamental issues are not discovered after time, effort and cost has been incurred.

We would strongly recommend taking professional advice at the Heads of Terms stage because this can save significant difficulties, and prevent renegotiations, when the final Agreement is being drafted.

What tax are you going to pay?

When you’re selling your business you want to qualify for Entrepreneurs’ Relief. This gives a reduced rate of tax of 10% on gains of up to £10m per person.

If you are selling shares in a company to qualify it must be a trading company, you must be a director, company secretary or

employee, hold at least 5% of the shares, and satisfy all these conditions for at least the 12 months leading up to the sale.

Many people transfer shares between family members for good reasons, but they may not satisfy all the conditions for Entrepreneurs’ Relief and so they will pay 20% tax instead of 10%.

“We all know if you’re trying to sell a house you give it a spring clean, bake bread and brew coffee to make it as attractive as possible to a buyer.”

With planning in advance of a sale it may be possible to pay 10% tax on the gain that is realised. If you do not plan well in advance of a sale you could be faced with a much bigger, unwelcome tax bill that could have been prevented.

Other tax considerations If you currently run a trading business it’s likely that the value of that business is exempt from Inheritance Tax as a result of Business Property Relief. As soon as there is a binding contract to sell the relief is no longer available, and you then have a potential 40% Inheritance Tax exposure on the value.

You should consider the possibility of both pre and post-transaction Inheritance Tax planning to minimise the Inheritance Tax that could be payable on your estate.

Conclusion Preparation is key to maximising value, making the transaction run as smoothly as possible, and minimising your tax. By planning ahead for an exit you can realise the full potential of your investment in your business.

For further information on selling your business contact Daniel Grainge, Tax Partner at Kreston Reeves daniel.grainge@krestonreeves.com T: 01403 253282 www.krestonreeves.com

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Legal

Recruiting on the right side of the law Whilst the recruitment process might seem straightforward, for many it becomes a time consuming and costly exercise. Rix & Kay’s Employment Team highlight some simple steps that can help employers get it right first time, whilst also ensuring they stay on the right side of the law.

T

he modern recruitment market is one of the most challenging issues facing regional businesses today and with growing competition, it is becoming harder to find and secure the right candidate for the job.

“In terms of the job description, use an appropriate job title (avoiding gendered terms such as ‘shop girl’ or ‘office boy’)” Victoria Regan and Amy White lead Rix & Kay’s Employment Team.

Step 1 – Identify the Vacancy Vacancies arise in various ways – you might be looking for a replacement following a departure or to fill a vacancy that’s arisen because of a reorganisation. Whatever the reason, you should give a little thought to how the successful candidate will be engaged.

Will they be an employee, self employed or a casual worker? In coming to a decision, turn your mind to the substance of the working relationship you’re going to need to have with the successful candidate and don’t attempt to impose a label that bears no resemblance to reality.

You’ll also want to think about the nature of the role. Will it be full time or part time?

Is there scope for job sharing? Don’t be too quick to conclude that the role must be performed full time by a single employee -

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critically consider whether there might be ways to share the role or perform it flexibly. Insisting on full time working will not only exclude people from the recruitment process, such as mothers who combine working with childcare, but could also be discriminatory.

necessary to perform the role. To avoid (inadvertently) including discriminatory criteria, make sure you can justify anything you suggest is necessary or desirable. For example, rather than specifying a particular qualification, refer to equivalent levels of skill or knowledge.

Step 2 – Job Description and Person Specification

Step 3 – Advertising

In terms of the job description, use an appropriate job title (avoiding gendered terms such as ‘shop girl’ or ‘office boy’) and describe the tasks the role will involve accurately, so potential applicants can make informed decisions about whether or not to apply.

Crucially, don’t include irrelevant tasks, as this might put off suitable candidates.

Where the person specification is concerned, set out the skills, qualifications and experience

You might prefer to recruit internally, rather than considering external candidates.

Remember that doing so will limit the pool from which you’re recruiting and, in turn, the diversity of your workforce. If you’re advertising externally, be sure to place your advertisement in a variety of forums so as to reach the broadest range of candidates.

Remember also, to bring vacancies to the attention of employees who are absent from work, such as those on maternity leave.

Legal offer of employment. You may want to make the offer subject to certain conditions, such as the provision of satisfactory references and confirmation of the right to work in the UK. You should make any relevant conditions clear and confirm the consequences of failing to satisfy them.

It’s also worth considering whether you will give feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

It’s generally considered to be good practice and can assist if an applicant is considering challenging a recruitment decision.

Conclusion

Take care when drafting your advertisement. Be guided by the job description and person specification and avoid discriminatory language - don’t use ‘waitress’ when you could use ‘waiting staff’!

In the advertisement, set out how interested candidates go about applying. Use a standardised process, such as submitting a CV or completing an application form, as that will ensure applicants compete on equal terms.

If you use application forms, make sure you can provide them in accessible formats, such as braille or large print, if called upon to do so.

“From a legal perspective, avoiding a discrimination claim is key and you should therefore be sure to provide training to staff who are likely to be involved in recruitment.”

around the relevant candidate’s CV or application form, as well as the job description and person specification, so they’re conducted objectively and consistently. Irrelevant questions must be avoided, particularly if they relate to the protected characteristics (such as age or disability) - don’t ask a candidate whether they’re planning to start a family any time soon!

When setting up interviews, be flexible about the arrangements, including where they will take place and when. You may need to consider adjustments to assist candidates with sight, hearing or mobility impairments. Ask candidates to let you know in advance if they need any reasonable adjustments in order to attend and participate in an interview.

Step 5 – Success!

Hopefully, having completed the selection process, you’ll have found the perfect candidate. If so, you’ll need to make them an

Staying on the right side of the law when recruiting can be tricky. From a legal perspective, avoiding a discrimination claim is key and you should therefore be sure to provide training to staff who are likely to be involved in recruitment. You should also make sure you document the recruitment process so you’ve got a paper trail in the event of a challenge.

It’s also really important to ensure you’re compliant with GDPR. Do you have a candidate privacy notice you can issue to applicants? What do you do with the personal data you collect from applicants? How long do you keep such data and do you have systems in place to ensure its timely deletion?

Victoria Regan and Amy White are specialist employment lawyers and members of Rix & Kay’s Employment Team who support businesses across the South East. Email victoriaregan@rixandkay.co.uk or amywhite@rixandkay.co.uk for more information.

Step 4 – Selection Depending on the size of your organisation, this might involve shortlisting, selection tests and interviews. Whichever methodology you adopt, you need to make sure it’s carried out fairly and results in the appointment of the best person for the job.

Both shortlisting and interviewing should be carried out by a panel, if at all possible, as that will help to avoid overly subjective decisions being made. Interviews should be structured

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Finance

Where do you go when the banks say no?

Alternative lending options for the construction industry.

The Construction and Real Estate team at accountancy association MHA, led by MHA Carpenter Box partner Robert Dowling, release a quarterly Real Estate Matters series; these provide a national outlook on the issues facing the construction market.

Funding gap in the construction market Since November 2016, as part of the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, the UK’s nine major banks are legally required to refer SMEs they refuse to finance to an alternative provider.

The last figures published in August 2017 for the first nine months of the scheme were quite unimpressive: less than 3% of small businesses referred to alternative lenders via the bank referral scheme were funded. Therefore, only £4m worth of funding deals were completed in the first nine months of the scheme.

“Previously, everybody knew their local bank manager and scheduled a meeting when needed. Today the reality is rather different, with the bank manager on the verge of extinction.”

to a recent survey by the National Builders Association, availability of finance is the single greatest issue many SME property developers face. Bank of England data shows that bank lending to SME construction companies amounted to £6.6bn in 2017, only modestly up from £6bn in 2016.

The government’s targets of building 300,000 new houses per year over the next five years, with an assumption of £80k per house, equates to circa £20bn per year needed to achieve the target. Current lending from mainstream banks leaves a big gap in the property finance market and traditional lenders cannot deliver. This is where the new breed of lenders and Fintech firms come into play.

Changing environment The funding gap is nowhere more evident than in the construction sector: according

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Previously, everybody knew their local bank manager and scheduled a meeting

when needed. Today the reality is rather different, with the bank manager on the verge of extinction. Business owners need other avenues to access the finance required to grow their businesses.

We have seen this across several of our recent cases. The borrower is an experienced developer operating in a niche market and traditional lenders are no longer active due to changes to their criteria. Peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders can successfully fill in the gap and support SMEs.

Peer-to-peer lending The key is to understand that both traditional lenders and P2P platforms have their own unique strengths and are better off working together as partners to deliver the products or services that meet that customer’s needs.

Being declined by the mainstream does

Finance not mean that the SME is too high-risk; it is likely that these lenders are merely changing their requirements. There is also an important message to peer-to-peer lenders: higher return does not always mean higher risk.

“Being declined by the mainstream does not mean that the SME is too highrisk; it is likely that these lenders are merely changing their requirements.”

Fintech has already been harnessing a force for good, enabling positive change in industries such as retail, banking, trade, health, employment and education. Now the establishment of a strong P2P investment framework and associated technological platforms is enabling a conductive environment for financial inclusion of SME property developers.

A broker may be your best option Using a commercial finance broker is proving to be more of a successful avenue for businesses. According to the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB), business lending via brokers has increased by 20%.

Adam Tyler, Former Chief Executive of the NACFB, said: “Availability of funds is no longer the issue, but there are still significant barriers facing SMEs who are looking for finance.

Foremost among these is awareness. Small businesses don’t have to rely on their high

street bank for credit, but few are aware of the full range of alternatives out there – or that an independent broker will be able to match them with the best lender for their needs.”

How we can help MHA Carpenter Box has a wealth of experience in advising on funding opportunities for construction and property projects. For more information, please get in touch with Robert Dowling on 01293 227670. Don’t forget to sign up to our monthly newsletter service at www.carpenterbox.com/newsletter

Calling all manufacturers and engineers!

Take part in the MHA Manufacturing and Engineering Survey and have your voice heard

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long with our colleagues across our national association MHA, we are running our annual Manufacturing & Engineering Survey. This industry report helps to compile a picture of the sector across England, Scotland and Wales, with a dedicated focus on South East businesses. It has grown a reputation as the go-to report for the SME sector, and is used by the banks, lobbying organisations and even by the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group as a reference on what is going on in the sector.

Your views will help our specialist advisers gauge where the sector is heading and what can be done to support it through what may be an uncertain few years. We will again be focusing on a number of core areas: your views about Brexit, business confidence and growth, funding, and energy/sustainability.

The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete. Everyone who takes part will receive the full report detailing the findings with case studies and commentary from industry experts.

Fill in the survey today. To take part, visit: www.carpenterbox.com/manf-survey

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Media partners:

Sponsors

Recruitment

Staff Engagement Are your employees RIP? Asks RSE Group’s Managing Director, Mandy Brook.

Y

es RIP - you did read that right - it’s not a typo! By this, I mean Retired in Post! They come in most days, they are at their desk or work station but they really aren’t engaged in their work, they are less than productive, they might talk too much, they might not talk at all, they could be disruptive to your team, they could be the disgruntled employee that sits in the corner bringing everyone down. RIP, also known as presentism, means they are in work physically, there is a body at the desk but mentally they are 1000s of miles away.

We all know them; we all have them at some point in our company. It’s not ideal, they are miserable; they invariably bring the staff around them down, or worse still to their level of unproductiveness. In addition, do you know whose fault it is? YOURS!

“RIP, also known as presentism, means they are in work physically, there is a body at the desk but mentally they are 1000s of miles away.”

Are your team engaged? Staff engagement ensures your employees contribute to the team as a whole but it also ensures the below; • Twice the net profit • 2.5 times the revenue growth • 12% higher customer satisfaction • 59% more innovation and creativity – essential for business success in today’s ecology

• 18% higher productivity • 40% lower employee turnover • 35% more efficiency • 38% fewer accidents – downtime Who doesn’t want an outstanding team, performing at its optimum output, in an office, in engineering, manufacturing or a retail environment?

We have a responsibility as the employer to look after our people. That means putting them in the right job, in the right team, in the right environment mentally and physically where they can perform to their very best whatever might be going on in their personal lives. You are kidding yourself as an employer if you think you can separate the two. That employee might end up moving departments, they may end up leaving the company, ideally,

they will re-engage, but what will happen is that you have a team that is left fully engaged and working 100% – Win: Win. If I told you we could help with your staff’s engagement, their absenteeism, their contribution to the team, their happiness in the workplace, their performance and mental well-being at minimal cost and minimal disruption as well as the above would that be worth an hour of your time?

We can show you a significant return on investment with one no pressure conversation.

Call us on 01424 830000 or email me at mandy@rsegroup.agency Stats taken from “The Thrive Report”: – Government 2018

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We are a Brighton based creative agency specialising in design, web and marketing.

Founded by three passionate creatives.

whitespace.studio

Creators of the Platinum Publishing Group website

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Expert Panel

Expert Panel James Morrison, Creative Director at Whitespace, answers your web design questions.

We are looking to plan a web build from scratch. What are the key considerations we should take into account?

It is a good question as it is quite a daunting prospect. The things to consider when planning a web build are: • Who is your main competition and how are you different?

Firstly, make a list and outline the main points of difference and features that sets you or your business apart. These will be useful areas to highlight and summarise in the design. For instance, are you family-run, do you offer free delivery or have green credentials? It’s also a good idea to list a few websites you like, find interesting or engaging, or are similar to what you hope to achieve.

• What is the site’s primary purpose?

If it’s a new site then Its important to identify exactly what the site needs to do for you and create strong calls to action to

support this. If it’s a redesign then what do you want the site to do that it doesn’t already.

“You need to be certain that the navigation is clear and intuitive and the user journey has been well considered. ”

• How can it best serve your business?

You need to be specific. You want your site to work hard for you. If your goal is to generate enquiries, how do you want to do this? Do you want to drive users to email

you, encourage them to pick up the phone or direct them to a contact form? Once this is established you can structure your site accordingly and maximise the opportunities.

• Don’t assume people will enter your site via the homepage Visitors could potentially end up on any page of your site depending on what they have searched for. The user needs to know exactly where they are without hesitation.

You need to be certain that the navigation is clear and intuitive and the user journey has been well considered.

Avoid any ‘dead ends’ and the need to use the browser ‘back’ button. Ensure every page invites users to explore other parts of the site or has a strong call to action.

If you have a question for James, please email ask@whitespace.studio www.whitespace.studio

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CEO Fight Club

CEO

Stop believing the lies

By Si Conroy, owner of Scarlet Monday

S

omething always happens to me in September. I think it’s a ‘starting a new school year’ thing, but I find my mind moving into future mode. My ambition starts to incubate plans for the coming year and I begin my gentle self-flagellation for any goals missed so far.

This is ok. I’ve been through the years of pain to know that ‘incubate’ and ‘gentle’ are the keys to the above. Google X’s CBO, Mo Gawdat’s www.solveforhappy.com equation is in play.

I now know that by keeping my expectations of how life should behave at a realistic level and by being as positive as possible about the events in my life (without sticking my head in the sand) I get to be happy most of the time.

Unfortunately the world of business is like any of the ‘glamorous pursuits’. Whether you’re shooting for the top as an entrepreneur, athlete, artist in music or in front of the camera, you’ve probably already been sucked into the myth machine. The artists feel like they are failures if they haven’t achieved the critical acclaim and commercial success. For the professional athletes being placed second best feels like last. The musicians without the record deal and marketing support question their own talent.

You know the feeling as an entrepreneur or business leader; someone you know sells their business for £xm or becomes 5x bigger after an acquisition and continues to apparently deftly manage their profitable growth. Yes, you smile and congratulate them. Inside a little hidden bit of you gets eaten up with envy and a sense of personal failure because you’ve not yet achieved that.

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We are bipolar when it comes to the success and failure of business, with very little in-between and a set of significant shared blind spots in relation to the reality behind the myths. There are major forces at play to feed this bipolarity. The business press only reports on the gravity-defying successes (think Instagrams and Slacks) and the bottomscraping failures. Why? Because it makes juicy reading of course.

But it distorts our sense of reality tremendously and perpetuates our human belief in superheroes and villains. We ignore everything in between these polar extremes because the press ignores them. Yet the figures tell a different story. Harvard’s infrequent survey of the value added in corporate transactions shows that the vast majority of sales, mergers or acquisitions are value destructive - 2+2=3 over 75% of the time over a five year period.

The value actually created by all the SMEs that don’t fail significantly outstrip the ‘heroes’. And you know the villains aren’t wilfully bad. Most just lucked-out or weren’t skilled enough in the game of business (this time around).

CEO Fight Club Let’s pop a couple more myths for the new school year: 1. The super-CEO. The individual who seems to have it all. The looks, body and health, the superb leadership and business, great friendships and the perfect family. James Clear is a blogger who is very clear on this myth and even has a model called the 4 Burners http://jamesclear.com/fourburners-theory. I’ve always tried to dispel his theory, but I know there’s normally something slightly out of balance, and I’m good at balancing. In my experience those super-CEOs are normally just very good at faking a burner. If they don’t seem to be an unhealthy bag of sh*te chased by the Rottweilers of imminent business failure without a friend to lean on, they’re normally the ones with the secretly dysfunctional family. One business owner I know regularly works late to avoid the hassle of interacting with the perfect family he frequently uses as evidence in presentations that you can ‘have it all’.

Another admitted that her post-divorce relationships with her family were better because at least they were no longer all living a lie.

The Four Burners Theory says that “in order to be successful you have to cut off one of your burners. And in order to be really successful you have to cut off two”.

2. Pivots and Product. Damn, business people love to bandy those words around with wanton abandon. Current business failing? Don’t worry, we’ll pivot.

Frustrated with services and time and

materials? Continually feeling inferior in those networking meetings when the new kid on the block turns the rest of the room into ring-seeking Gollums in a Lord of the Rings pursuit for the superprofit of product? What is rarely discussed are the actual businesses that have ever successfully pivoted. Equally rare is the sharing of the huge sums of money required to even get a product to market to start to earn the relatively paltry sums per transaction compared to the time and materials projects that seemed like such a dead weight before. In one business I was involved in we were fortunate enough to have a ‘sugar-mummy/daddy’ client who invested c.£0.5m in a product they wanted us to build. It took us another £1m to

actually finish the product we could sell at scale before we made a penny. And we weren’t in a complex space.

So, the next time you read another article on the super earnings of a business, just pause and look behind the shiny shop front. Is their market significantly more favourable than yours? You can’t try and emulate Google’s working practices if you’re trying to ship a physical product with a couple of margin points.

Growth looks amazing after that massive fundraising round? Just quietly do the maths on the dilution that the founder had to suffer and how amazing that growth will have to be to get her back to the same place financially in five years had she not sold her soul to the corporate finance devils.

Si Conroy specialises in helping business owners remove their blockers to profitable business growth; be they strategy, marketing & sales, people, finance or systems/process. Trained at PwC and owner of Scarlet Monday (www.ScarletMonday. com) and www.ConstantMentor.com, Si practices what he preaches across a number of businesses in which he has invested. si@scarletmonday.com

@siconroy

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www.citycarsbrighton.co.uk

Business Awards

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Why winning an award matters

emini Print picked up no fewer than three awards at the 2017 Adur & Worthing Business Awards. Gemini’s Marketing Director, Suzanne Heaven, explains why this was such an important achievement for the business.

Which awards did Gemini Print win at the 2017 Adur & Worthing Business Awards?

All the team at the Gemini Print Group were very proud to win: • Large Business of the Year (50+ Employees), sponsored by Worthing Pier, Southern Pavillion • Young Achiever of the Year, sponsored by Lancing Preparatory School at Worthing: BEN GRIGGS • Overall Business of the Year, sponsored by Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd

Why are these awards important?

The printing industry has had a very tough few years. Now businesses have learnt to recognise the power of print and paper again, and its significant position of trust and responsiveness compared to digital only. It is a business that demands a lot of skilled people and significant capital investment to ensure clients are gaining the best value and standards of results, so it has to be a courageous team that does an MBO during this time! To have the recognition from peers in the region was a significant accolade for all the team! It is also exciting that these wins automatically make you eligible for the Southern Business Awards this autumn.

Is it particularly pleasing that one of your young staff members was recognised?

When you have a company that is led by a man who has risen “from van driver to CEO”, it is clear that career development and opportunities

for all to progress are part of the culture. Ben Griggs is a young man who needed to make a change in job function following an accident, and he has continued to excel while he is learning the intricacies of a complex industry. Every printing project is bespoke, so the multitude of options demand great attention to detail, patience and a focus on delighting the customer. Ben’s colleagues were very pleased for him but had no sympathy for the pain of his hangover following the award event celebrations!

What advice would you give to people thinking of entering this year?

As the saying goes: “If you’re not in it, you can’t win it.” The process of writing the entry is good at alerting you to the things to be proud of and the opportunities to improve aspects of what you do – things that can easily get forgotten when you are busy day to day focussing on your work. Enjoy being proud of what you do! Please feel free to ask me for any input or help. Email me s.heaven@gemini-print.co.uk.

Why is Adur and Worthing a good place to do business?

Shoreham by Sea, where our head office and the main production units are based, is an excellent position – sitting midway between Worthing and Brighton while still being within the Gatwick Diamond.

Clients like the fact that they can visit without getting snarled up in a city centre. The region has so much to offer with the high standard of the workforce, the wonderful area for the teams and their families to live in plus the huge selection of attractions that provide extra motivation for clients to enjoy spending time at Gemini Print.

www.gemini-print.co.uk Entries are now open for the 2018 Adur & Worthing Business Awards.

To enter go to https://awbawards.com. Don’t hesitate, the deadline is Friday September 21st 2018.

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TRAVEL

Shake Hands in

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Qat

tar

All eyes are on the Emirates as Qatar prepares to host the next World Cup, but what will it mean for business travellers?

Rose Dykins reports

Doha’s corniche dazzles in the piercing sunlight. The Qatari capital’s palm-lined promenade hugs the peaceful blue waters of Doha Bay, where traditional wooden dhow boats cast delicate silhouettes against the skyscrapers that appear through the haze. Like a collection of ornaments lined up on a shelf, the buildings’ glaring idiosyncrasies somehow making them complete each other together.

In just over four years’ time, this laid-back walkway will be teeming with football fans from all over the world. It’s inevitable that when an international sporting event ends, we turn our attention to the next host destination and assess “how ready” they are. And, with the controversy surrounding Qatar’s winning bid for the 2022 World Cup, it’s unsurprising that people are eyeing the nation with extra scrutiny.

Pearl-Qatar island in Doha through the morning fog

For the first time, the dates of the World Cup will be moved to the months of November and December to counteract Qatar’s blistering summer temperatures. The working conditions for the migrant task force behind Qatar’s staggering architecture is troubling to the international community. And the cultural clashes between a nation where drinking alcohol is forbidden (apart from in licensed restaurants and bars) surely won’t sit well with the celebratory crowds that have gathered in the public spaces of any World Cup host thus far.

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TRAVEL

At the same time

this unprecedented situation makes for interesting viewing from the outside, as we see how Qatar approaches each of these challenges. It’s times like this where paradigms are challenged and innovation can potentially come to the fore. And, for international conferences and events, we should see some cutting-edge infrastructure emerge for welcoming delegates to the centre of the world.

For example, Qatar maintains its intention to become the first-ever carbon neutral World Cup. One of the steps in this so far is the groundbreaking air conditioning of 40,000-seat Khalifa Stadium, which was launched last year. Using technology that is 40% more sustainable than existing cooling systems – co-designed by engineers from the University of Sheffield – Khalifa’s air conditioning keeps temperature on the pitch and in the spectator areas at 20 and 23 degrees Celsius, respectively, while outside the stadium, the temperature is 37 degrees.

After 2022, we should see corporate hospitality packages and hire options

emerge at the emirate’s eight planned World Cup stadiums, complete with their up-to-the-minute facilities.

For corporate travellers, perhaps the most relevant part of Qatar’s $200 billion World Cup plans will be the influx of new hotels that will materialise in Doha by 2022. Although its luxury sector is already well-served, it seems the vast majority of the city’s planned new hotels will be four or five-star (great news for event planners, not so much for football fans on a budget, who may be relegated to desert camps and cruise ships according to some reports…) Between 2013 and 2017, the number of hotel rooms in Qatar

The Qatari capital’s palm-lined promenade hugs the peaceful blue waters of Doha Bay

Traditional dhow boat

The bay of Doha

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TOP

Qatar Airways’s QSuite

PLACES

for a meeting or event

Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre

For corporate travellers, perhaps the most relevant part of Qatar’s $200 billion World Cup plans will be the influx of new hotels that will materialise in Doha by 2022.

Open since 2015, this shimmering venue in the heart of Doha’s financial district has five exhibition halls totalling 29,000 sqm of event space. decc.qa

Mondrian Doha Last year, the opening of Mondrian Doha caused quite a stir thanks to its gaudy, maximalist interiors designed by Marcel Wanders. Its show-stopping 2,000 sqm ballroom has a 24-karat lift that connects directly to one of the hotel’s suites. morganshotelgroup.com

Sheraton Grand Doha increased by 64%, and there are no signs of this slowing pre-2022. In order to keep up occupancy rates after the World Cup, Qatar hopes to bolster its tourism sector, which is steadily growing, despite its long-standing reputation as a business destination.

The rapid expansion of Qatar’s national carrier has played a large part in this. Named the world’s best airline in 2017, Qatar Airways connects to more than 150 destinations from its Doha hub. And, in May, the carrier began flying to London Gatwick again for the first time in seven years. The twice-daily flights from Gatwick to Doha enable passengers in Southeast England to fly onward from Doha to cities in Asia and Australia, including Bangkok, Colombo and Perth.

Corporate travellers can also benefit

from another recent innovation from Qatar’s legacy airline. In April, Qatar Airways became one of the first airlines to offer suites in business class. Each of the carrier’s A350-900 aircraft has six QSuite “quads” – groupings of four seats – two facing backwards and two directed forwards. Dividers slide open to connect each quad, so four passengers can dine, relax and even have a business meeting together.

All in all, the next four years will see a nation the size of Yorkshire bend over backwards to host a global event. It’s a mammoth challenge, but one that will transform the face of the emirate forever – and hopefully leave it with facilities that will lure international conferences there long after the final whistle in 2022.

This pyramid-shaped five-star property was the first hotel to open in the Qatari capital in 1979. Set along West Bay, it has almost 8,000 sqm of event space. sheratongranddoha.com

Qatar National Convention Centre Offering 35,000 sqm of exhibition space, this imposing venue designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki is filled with artwork and sleek facilities. qncc.qahilton.com

St. Regis Doha As well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool and two Gordon Ramsay restaurants, this luxury hotel has the largest ballroom in Doha that has natural light (it can hold 1500 people for a reception). stregisdoha.com

TRAVEL

A Future in Aviation

Inspiring, informing and investing in the workforce of tomorrow is at the heart of Gatwick Airport’s education programmes.

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round 24,000 people currently work at Gatwick Airport in a wide variety of companies and diverse roles. It is an exciting place to work and as the airport continues to grow it’s important to build a pipeline of talent for the future.

Gatwick’s comprehensive education programme aims to inform, inspire and invest in young people, opening up the world of opportunity that the airport offers to everyone and helping them to develop the right skills for the right job.

INFORM – Informing students about the wide range of careers at the airport, raising aspirations and illustrating this with real life examples.

INSPIRE – Inspiring students about the importance of STEM subjects and how these skills are used specifically at the airport in a variety of roles.

INVEST – Investing in our future workforce by creating employment opportunities and routes into employment through our apprenticeship and graduate programmes.

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Gatwick is actively involved in partnerships and sponsoring events that encourage young people to get involved in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

STEM support Gatwick is actively involved in partnerships and sponsoring events that encourage young people to get involved in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), which form the basis of many of the core skills needed for IT, engineering and construction jobs at an airport.

Gatwick is the headline sponsor of Crawley STEMfest which gives 20,000 local young people the chance to learn about STEM career paths. This culminates with the Big Bang Fair South East in Ardingly, the largest regional event, where more than 9,000 students from 200 schools come along and learn about science through activities, shows and workshops.

Gatwick has been headline sponsor of the Big Bang South East event for the past two years and a sponsor since 2013. With the airport’s added support, the event expanded across two days for the first time this year and as headline sponsor, a ‘Gatwick zone’ was set-up offering more than 16 interactive airport-related activities, supported by a range of airport teams, including Airfield, Terminals and Engineering and various partner organisations including easyJet. Gatwick Airport’s Head of Engineering, Tony Yates, said: “Engineering skills are critical to our business and we want to be at the forefront of inspiring young people to join us and to be part of our continuing future growth and success.

We are delighted to be the headline sponsor for both Crawley STEMfest and the Big Bang, where we will be able to connect with thousands of local students.”

Furthermore Gatwick has partnered with the Gatwick Aviation Museum and the Royal Aeronautical Society to host a year-long series of ‘Cool Aeronautics’ events, whereby students from local schools are introduced to careers in aerospace engineering, space and the aviation industry.

Learn Live broadcasts In the past two years, Gatwick has partnered with ‘Learn Live’ to bring airport life direct and live to classrooms across the country. Each episode covers a different theme and introduces students to the wide variety of careers on offer at Gatwick. It also includes videos and live interactive sessions where students can ask employees questions about their roles and careers.

These can be re-watched at any time via the Gatwick website. In 2017 the broadcasts reached 20,000 students across the whole of the UK. To complement the Learn Live broadcasts, Gatwick has produced a free to download resource pack for teachers, designed for them to help inspire students, providing key facts and information about each role and the skills and qualifications required. The

Each episode covers a different theme and introduces students to the wide variety of careers on offer at Gatwick. pack also contains questions relating to roles at the airport for students to think about and discuss.

Graduate positions and Apprenticeships Gatwick has a proud history of providing three year programmes for graduates to gain valuable experience and skills working at the airport, using it as a foundation for a successful future career.

The sheer breadth of projects and work at Gatwick means there are a wide variety of opportunities to explore a career in design, engineering, project management and construction, to name a few. Each programme is tailored to provide support and encouragement along the way and help the graduates achieve highly sought after industry skills.

The airport also runs a four year engineering apprenticeship programme, which offers budding engineers a chance to earn while they train and get a nationally recognised qualification at the end of the course. Gatwick’s engineers work around the clock, 365 days a year and are essential to the smooth running of the airport.

Lastly, Gatwick has been involved with the ‘Be the Change’ programme for the past two years, in partnership with other businesses in the Gatwick Diamond, and brings together young people from Crawley schools and inspirational business volunteers to help build their confidence, communication and employability skills. The programme takes place over three to four months and comprises large scale conference, 1:1 sessions and workplace visits.

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check-in Month-to-month changes shaping your travel, by Rose Dykins

Gatwick gains direct flight to Shanghai C

hina Eastern will launch a thrice-weekly service between Gatwick and Shanghai’s Pudong airport from December.

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “I’m delighted to welcome China Eastern to Gatwick and look forward to the start of this vital new link to Shanghai which, like London, is undoubtedly one of the world’s most important cities and business hubs.”

Airbnb sees business customers triple in a year

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he number of corporate travellers using Airbnb for business trips is rapidly on the rise. Last month, the home-sharing business revealed that 700,000 companies have enrolled and booked accommodation via its corporate travel portal – triple the amount since last year. Of this number, 43,000 businesses are UK-based. Airbnb rebranded its Airbnb for Business service to Airbnb for Work in February.

Heathrow scanner tests could end liquid ban British passport holders to get their own lane after Brexit

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heresa May reportedly wants to introduce separate lanes for British passport holders at UK ports and airports after Brexit. Overruling Home Secretary Sajid Javid, May is said to want British citizens to have a tangible symbol of the UK’s departure from the European Union. Javid previously voiced concerns that separate lanes would lead to bigger queues for UK nationals than for foreign visitors. Based on current proposals, separate lanes would be created at the end of 2020.

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ew security scanners are being trialled at Heathrow that could end the hand luggage liquid ban. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the trials, which started in June, will last for up to a year, with some passengers being asked to leave their liquids in their hand luggage at the airport’s security checks. A DfT spokesperson said: “If successful, this could lead in future to passengers no longer needing to remove items from hand luggage for screening.”

TRAVEL INSIDER

AIRPODS

AND FLYING CARS In our new monthly column, our secret travel mole gives us the latest insider info, breaking news and travel facts that you need to know.

“electrical vertical take-off and landing” (EVTOL) vehicle, which could carry 4 to 5 people and travel at speeds of up to 250 mph for approximately 500 miles, good bye M25 car park, although landing once you get to Heathrow could be a problem!

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irPods are to be introduced to European airports before the end of the year, described as a place to relax, work, sleep or entertain yourself while waiting for the next flight.

The single pods are made in Slovenia and are designed for people to rent out for any period of time.

AirPods come equipped with all the technical essentials a traveller may need including, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, Netflix, charging ports, work station, regular updates on flight departures and of course a comfy chair that converts into a bed. Beta testing is currently underway and the pods are expected to be rolled out in the autumn of 2018.

Two very famous names Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin have recently unveiled their plans to solve the huge congestion on the M25 and other connecting motorways. I talk, of course, of the flying car.

Before you dismiss this claim as a PR stunt think on. Those of you in my age bracket will remember how in our youth we looked on with great affection into the

A concept aircraft was recently unveiled at the Farnborough air show, the threeseater hybrid electric vehicle will be a vertical take-off and landing craft and the consortium hope to have a flying version ready for the next show.

The number of aviation and technology firms chasing to make this a reality keeps growing. futuristic world of Star Trek where they had an amazing device called a flip phone, we have probably all owned one and have moved on several iterations to our current phones that have more computing power than the IBM computer that guided Apollo 11 to the moon, incidentally Saturn V rocket which powered Apollo 11 was developed

by Boeing.

For those of you thinking this sounds very James Bond, think back to the 1983 Bond film Octopussy which stared Roger Moore, he flew a fighter jet with folding wings that appeared out of a horsebox, a great stunt, but no more outrageous than the flip phone was in Star Trek.

The age of personalised electric transport is a fast-developing area which is why the number of aviation and technology firms chasing to make this a reality keeps growing including Airbus, Uber, and a Google backed firm called Kitty Hawk, watch the insider column for further news.

But I digress, Rolls-Royce have already designed a propulsion system for a flying taxi which it says could take to the skies as early as next decade.

The British firm has said it’s drawn up plans for an

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amibia has been calling out to adventurous types for centuries.

The haunting shipwrecks along the aptly named Skeleton Coast is a testament to this – Portuguese sailors nicknamed this region “the Gates of Hell” due to the thick fog shrouding the coastline. The nation is home to the world’s oldest, driest desert, Namib, which often goes years without rain, and is an irresistible draw for intrepid souls. Travellers are

Some exciting design-led resorts are popping up in Namibia right now. This summer saw the launch of Shipwreck Lodge, the first accommodation built on the dunes of Skeleton Coast. The resort’s 12 cabins (two of them for families) are designed to look like sunken ships upon the sand, and come with decks and outdoor tubs. From here,

Aside from the mysticism of its extreme environments, Namibia attracts visitors thanks to the richness of its wildlife. lured to Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by towering ruby-coloured dunes, neighboured by Deadvlei, where dead camel thorn trees sprout from white clay pan terrain – it would look like Mars if it weren’t for the belt of azure sky above it.

Aside from the mysticism of its extreme environments, Namibia attracts visitors thanks to the richness of its wildlife. It’s where you’ll find the largest population of black rhino (almost half of the 5,000 or so left on the planet). And sites like Etosha National Park – to the northwest of the country – exemplify why Namibia is touted as one of Africa’s greatest conservation successes. Compared to other safari destinations, where visitors can drive for hours without seeing a single creature, Etosha is said to offer one of the most consistent wildlife-spotting experiences there is.

Elephants, zebras, giraffe, wildebeest and antelope are everywhere, while dawn and dusk are the best times

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it’s possible to take day excursions to see Mowe Bay seal colony, or to drive to shipwrecks and explore their eerie remains.

In addition, one of the most remote desert camps in Southern Africa is set to open in Namibia this month following a rebuild. Set along the banks of the Kunene River in the desolate Hartmann’s Valley, Serra Cafema resort’s new design incorporates the natural beauty of the surrounding desertscape, while emulating the structure of a typical village of the region’s Himba people, and is also now 100% solar-powered.

Connected by walkways, the camp’s eight guest rooms feature canopy beds and both indoor and outdoor showers (there is one family room).

Meanwhile, an oval-shaped seated area at the heart of Serra Cafema is perfect for socialising and gazing at stars as they burn bright against the impossibly dark sky.

BUCKET

for spotting rhino, lions, cheetahs and leopards. The best time of year to visit Namibia for a safari is between approximately May and October, encompassing the winter months, which are drier, causing animals to gather en masse around watering holes.

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LIST:

LUXURY TRAVEL

Otherworldly scenery and thriving wildlife abound in the SubSaharan destination.

Rose Dykins reports

Shipwreck Lodge

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Photos: Denzel Beszuidenhout (main picture) and Shawn van Eeden

Namibia

Mowe Bay Seal Colony

Sussex Innovation Centre

Sussex Innovation welcomes fifth Catalyst team Sussex graduates and placement students are having an impact on growing local businesses.

The Catalyst Team

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his summer, the Catalyst programme celebrated a significant milestone as Sussex Innovation welcomed its fifth intake of recent graduates and placement students from the University of Sussex.

assistance but didn’t have the time to find and train employees. They couldn’t commit to employing someone full time.

The scheme has become an integral part of the incubation network’s offering since it launched in 2014, with the aim of bridging the gap between young people looking for meaningful, full time work and business owners looking for practical support without the expensive recruitment and training costs.

To date, the team has worked on over 300 projects for 160 clients.

project has a real strategic purpose to the business, and a tangible outcome. Companies only take on the Catalyst team member for the amount of time that they need to carry out these defined projects, so the student gets a real experience of working with a range of different, innovative and exciting young businesses.”

“We identified a major problem, says Mike Herd, Executive Director of Sussex Innovation.

“Brighton and Sussex are full of talented and willing young people, who were struggling to find work that would accelerate their careers. At the same time, we were finding that our early stage companies often needed

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“By taking that burden of training and support off their hands and bringing it into our own team, we ensure that every Catalyst

The programme was initially supported with a grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), with the threeyear funding period ending last summer.

The success of the initiative was judged on economic growth and job creation – and the Catalyst scheme far exceeded its targets on all counts.

The aim was to support companies to create 60 new jobs, help increase revenues by £1.5m and increase investment by £300,000. Over three years, Catalyst clients have created 148 new jobs, made more than £9m in additional revenue and received more than £4.5m investment.

The programme has moved towards financial sustainability through income from projects, and despite the HEFCE funding ending, has carried on with support from the University of Sussex Careers and Employability Centre, and the University’s Business School.

“It’s been great that we’ve been able to prove that Catalyst works, and to measure the impact it’s having on the students and the businesses,” says Lucy Paine, Catalyst Programme Manager. “Catalyst has evolved with every year, and we’re now starting to see some real economic growth, which is fantastic.

It’s a scheme that works for everyone.”

Sussex Innovation Centre

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: CATALYST ALUMNI SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES Owen Bray, Catalyst Alumni 2016-2017 Owen came from a social sciences background, graduating from his Masters in 2016. He joined the Catalyst team as he had little experience of the working world, and was excited by how varied the opportunity looked.

“I’ve always wanted to do something intellectually challenging, and which leaves a positive impact on the world, whatever that may be,” says Owen. He was given many projects throughout the year - ranging from desk-based research to content writing and analytics but the one that stood out for him was managing a funding bid for a proposed new business incubator in Brighton. “It was my final project, and I took on a lot of responsibility, which really showed to myself how much I’d developed over my year in the Catalyst team.”

“I think the fact that SINC is a local regional resource, and it’s linked to the University of Sussex, you immediately

Since ‘graduating’ from the Catalyst programme, Owen has gone on to join another graduate scheme at the prestigious Imperial College London. His time with Catalyst has left him with many transferable skills. “It’s given me a lot to talk about in an interview context. I’ve tried my hand at so many things during my year with Catalyst, which has been invaluable. I’ve also developed more confidence and an ability to manage relationships much better - that’s been a key asset.”

sense that it’s going to be good quality people with good quality operations - and that’s what we found. I would heartily recommend Catalyst. If you are looking to bring someone in who’s got graduate experience, who understands the environment in which you’re operating, and you want that person to grow into your business, it’s

Chris Foulerton, Operations Director, Shadow Foundr

a route to find good employees.” –

“The Catalyst team has been a big part of Finder’s growth.

It’s an ideal solution when we’re launching a new project and need more resources. To be able to phone up and get really good graduates from a really good university is fantastic. We’ve gone on to hire one of them, Noi, full time – an excellent outcome.” – Jon

Ostler, CEO (UK), Finder.com

Paul Eggleton, Catalyst Alumni 2016-2017 A Mathematics graduate, Paul joined the team in 2016, attracted to how the role presented a unique opportunity to explore the operations of businesses in a variety of sectors. Prior to joining, he was unsure of what he wanted to do in his career, he imagined himself “crunching numbers, perhaps doing some statistics work” but lacked the experience to know where to get started. “[Catalyst] gave me opportunities to apply and expand my capabilities, while learning about the impact these abilities can have on small businesses,” he reflects. “I grew to appreciate the flexibility and trust [in me], I hadn’t expected to sit in on brand workshops, which I enjoyed.”

Now studying for his MSc at Sussex, Paul still regularly visits the Innovation Centre to do freelance work for some of its member companies. “Catalyst helped my career in that I now understand better how all my abstract skills can be applied in the real world. I got an idea of what I might like to do, while also realising what I definitely don’t want to do!”

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Interview

The weight of expectation Do teenagers and young people face too much pressure to succeed? As Headmaster of Hurstpierpoint College, Tim Manly has witnessed the challenges and the weight of expectation that is carried by ‘Generation Z’. Interview by Ian Trevett

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s always, when I interview Hurst’s Headmaster Tim Manly, the first questions came from him rather than myself, and he starts by asking about my family and how my son did in his A-levels. When I say that my son has decided to work and travel for a year before going to university, Mr Manly is instantly animated, and it sparks a conversation about the pressure faced by our young people.

“Why not bag those results, take a year of what used to be known as ‘finding yourself’?” asks Mr Manly. “The challenge facing this generation is very different to previous generations. Most of us didn’t worry about what results everybody else had achieved.

There was not the same level of expectation and the vast majority did not go to university.

What has changed hugely is a sense of competition in all aspects of life.

“I’m increasingly focused on seeing school not just as an end in itself and worrying about positions in league tables, but in how

Tim Manly

the students will be able to thrive within the future environment. Do they have the selfknowledge, skills, qualities and resilience to know what is right for them?

“As a society, there is a danger that we’re developing anxiety within youngsters, which is not healthy. Our task as educators and parents is to develop our children so that they recognise pressures for what they are, and to make them robust enough to navigate their way through a very different landscape.

There is also the interesting, but slightly toxic, vortex of social media and an uncertain world, plus a feeling of ‘I’ve got to compete’. It can sometimes tip into the Putin/Trump idea of: “For me to succeed other people have got to fail and do less well than me, because it’s a competitive race.”

“Young people feel increased pressure and it’s written very large. You only have to look at the universities and the worrying statistics for depression and suicide. Part of that pressure seems to come from the expectations that

anything less than perfection is worthless, which is wrong. It’s a nonsense.”

Listening to the concerns of Mr Manly, it makes me believe my son has actually made the most sensible decision. Is a year off the way to go?

“The general view amongst the pupil body here was that Brexit was a closing in on ourselves, quite insular and the result of a demagogic lowest common denominator approach.”

I ask if Mr Manly would recommend that his pupils take a year out after A-levels.

“It depends entirely on what they’re going to do with it,” he replies. “It can be a positive experience if they’ve got a good plan which ideally involves doing some work, conforming to a workplace set of norms, learning the value of money and to get them out of their particular little cultural bubble. It is also an opportunity to do some travelling and to look at doing something which benefits other people.

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Interview “Universities are very keen to recruit students at the moment. I suspect, up and down the country, there are a many universities that want to nail in this year’s and the following years’ cohorts as they fear that the days of charging £9,000 a year may soon be over.

“The whole fees scheme is not sustainable.

Interest rates are going to rise at some stage, and a student loan is already on about 6%.

Sooner or later something’s going to have to give and I’m not entirely sure what it will be.

But there will be change. You could argue, in a couple of years, the fees might well feel a downward pressure.

“They do seem to be a clean-living generation, much more so perhaps than previous generations.”

“Also, what really struck me when I recently visited some universities is the number of overseas students. That’s a radical shift from 10 or 20 years ago. You’re competing at the top end, and not just against your UK cohort but also with students from Germany, Australia, even the US, Asia, or wherever. That’s changed and, of course, non-EU applicants are paying even higher fees.

“Our challenge is to enable our students to secure a place at the best possible university for them - assuming, of course, university is

right for them. In my view, the recent rise in apprenticeships has been a very good thing, hugely attractive in all sorts of ways.”

The young people coming through now are known as Generation Z. Do the attributes associated with this generation fit with your view of the young people here?

“There is a certain stereotyping going on, with probably an element of truth, in the same way that when you look back at the 1960s generation, not everyone was living on the King’s Road. What strikes me about this generation is how the technological aspect to their lives has become dominant. Learning how to control that is a big challenge.

“However, they do seem to be a cleanliving generation, much more so perhaps than previous generations. They don’t seem to smoke or drink as much. There is, though, the whole ‘pharmaceutical’ side of life, which is a bit of an unknown and quite hard to gauge.

“There’s an element of truth in whether they are more risk-averse. They’re certainly more aware of the future and are anxious to get things right. GCSEs are very important in the way that our generation did not regard O-levels as particularly significant. Getting that internship or getting to the right university take a priority position in their minds.

“As a society, there is a danger that we’re developing anxiety within youngsters, which is not healthy.”

“They do have a more open view of the world, as shown during the Brexit vote. The general view amongst the pupil body here was that Brexit was a closing in on ourselves, quite insular and the result of a demagogic lowest common denominator approach. Whether that’s right or not is obviously open to debate but I think most of the pupils, and youngsters generally, are more open to the world and the free flow of people and see similarities with those in other places rather than differences.”

If the characteristics of the pupils are changing, then, I ask Mr Manly, does the Headteacher need to change too?

“The biggest change is how we manage the technology and we’ve drastically reduced the amount of time they can have their mobiles and screens in the evenings. I don’t want to ban them entirely because they have to learn how to manage these tools - and they can be educational.

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Interview

“For many years, we have had St John’s House, which is a co-ed, pre-university house for Upper Sixth formers, where they get used to the idea of living with other people and spending time away from home. We’ve also introduced life coaching for our Sixth Formers to ensure that they develop into fully functioning human beings.

“There is always a danger that we are developing a sat nav generation which is waiting for “travel forward, turn left, then travel forward, turn right” and we have mapped their lives out. We need to be looking very much more at individual development.”

“We are constantly looking to engineer situations for students to step outside their comfort zone, often through traditional methods such as sport, community service, internships or the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

We always ensure that each child is involved in something which is physically challenging, sport or otherwise, as well as creative, for example being up on stage, or communal. We also run a very good internship programme, which is one of the best in the country. In the modern world we cannot let them go from here to flounder around and find out the hard way. We have to prepare them for life beyond Hurst. It all helps to build their character, as we used to say.”

Is ‘building character’ a term that is no longer used?

“That whole sense of character sounds slightly old school,” replies Mr Manly, “but quite simply it is what will carry you through life when things get tough or things don’t quite go your way. Or if an opportunity arises and you hesitate about whether you should go for it or not? It’s you and your character with the selfknowledge and feeling of “this is right for me.”

“There is always a danger that we are developing a sat nav generation which is waiting for “travel forward, turn left, then travel forward, turn right” and we have mapped their lives out. We need to be looking very much more at individual development.”

Changing the subject, Mr Manly has overseen a great deal of change and growth in his time at Hurst. Will this pattern continue?

“We have doubled in size in my time here, and are now fully co-ed, have weekly and flexi boarding, but have moved away from full boarding and overseas boarders. We are now in a period of consolidating the scale of the place, but having said that, we’re opening a new theatre in September, and we’re revitalising our co-curricular quadrangle with a new pool and a new sports complex.

“One should never get too carried away by buildings as they’re there to fulfil a function.

We’re at a stage now where we almost have the campus just as we want it to be. I don’t know how many schools can say that. We’re very lucky but we’re not going to expand further. I think we’ve got the right number of pupils now - if we get much larger, it becomes too Darwinian. We’re going through a period where the next few years will see incremental improvement.”

And how about Mr Manly himself? Is he still enjoying the challenges?

“Yes, very much so. I’ve had a discussion with the governors to make sure I’m not slipping or getting complacent. The next few years I can see us continuing to build on what we’ve done, enhancing what we offer, maintaining and developing the culture which is pretty much embedded in this place.

I believe we are a good school, though not perfect and we do, of course, need to keep developing what we do.

“We are fortunate that our location is in the Gatwick - Brighton corridor. The region will probably see a huge increase in terms of housing, economic activity and wealth generation and we appear to be in a part of the country which seems set fair for the next few years.”

Last time we entitled the piece: “A quiet success story”. Does that still apply?

“I like that description. I want people to buy into this place because they believe this is a school with integrity that has real quality but does not feel the need to shout about it, because ultimately the school is about the children and the families who are within it. We’re not about playing some sort of reputational game on the national stage.

Perhaps naïvely I believe that if we get it right, they will come, and that seems to be the case. I would never claim that we are working some mysterious alchemy here. We are very fortunate to be in this place, in a competitive market, but they do seem to come and it does seem to work!

hppc.co.uk

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ACHIEVE ACHIEVEMORE MORE Come andand bebe inspired atat one Events Come inspired oneofofour ourInformation Information Events SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018 SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018 TH 13TH OCTOBER 2018 SATURDAY SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2018 SATURDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2018 SATURDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2018

9.00amto to12.00pm 12.00pm (Plumpton (Plumpton Campus) 9.00am Campus) 9.00am to 12.00pm (Netherfield Campus) 9.00am to 12.00pm (Netherfield Campus) 9.00amto to12.00pm 12.00pm (Plumpton (Plumpton Campus) 9.00am Campus)

so much on offer in land-based the land-based sector from agricultureand andanimal animal management, management, to There’sThere’s so much on offer in the sector from agriculture toequine equinestudies studies and arboriculture. It’s an industry full of exciting opportunities. and arboriculture. It’s an industry full of exciting opportunities.

We’ve got full and part-time courses from school leaver and adult courses, through to University courses. We

We’vehave got full and part-time from school leaver adultbus courses, to University courses.

We excellent facilities oncourses our 800-hectare estate and and our own servicethrough which offers pick up and drop off have excellent facilities on our 800-hectare estate and our own bus service which offers pick up and drop covering areas from Worthing to Hastings up to Crowborough and across to Crawley and Horsham. off covering areas from Worthing to Hastings up to Crowborough and across to Crawley and Horsham.

We have free parking on site, no need to book, join us for personal tours of our first-rate campus.

We have free parking on site, need to book, usgive for personal tours of890454 our first-rate campus.

If you’d like no more details beforejoin then, us a call on 01273 or emailIfus at admissions@plumpton.ac.uk or visit www.plumpton.ac.uk for more information. you’d like more details before then, give us a call on 01273 890454 or email us at admissions@plumpton.ac.uk or visit www.plumpton.ac.uk for more information.

facebook.com/PlumptonCollege 60 facebook.com/PlumptonCollege

twitter.com/plumptoncollege

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Education

Plumpton College apprenticeship news New overseas Veterinary Nursing Programme Independent Vetcare and Plumpton College is delighted to announce a further investment in Nurse Development with the launch of a new Overseas Nurse Programme. Plumpton College will be working in partnership with Vetcare to offer an intensive training course to upskill nurses from overseas and support them in gaining their Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) status with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK. Building on the knowledge and skills gained from existing qualifications from their current country of residence, the Overseas Nursing Programme offers the opportunity for students to study for a qualifications with the RCVS. The Overseas Nurse Programme can offer these team members the opportunity to develop existing skills while gaining new skills and knowledge through registration.

Avoiding the lengthy PSA (Period of Supervised Adaptation) process and need to a Clinicl Coach, the programme is designed as an intensive course to reduce the time it takes to enter the register. Delivered in partnership with Plumpton College, the programme consists of online

New Food Standards launched Plumpton will be launching a range of food production courses starting this September including a full time Level 2 Diploma in Food Industry Skills and, to complement the apprenticeships already running in butchery, a Level 2 apprenticeship in bakery, and a Level 2 apprenticeship in food and drink processing. This will offer a good introduction to anyone who would like to work in food industries, as it can be applied to a range of products. A range of short courses for those already in the industry will also be offered.

learning, a two-week residential course with practical and theory training, one-to-one tuition, mock examinations and concludes with the RCVS practical Objectively Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE).

Upon completion of the programme and registration with the RCVS, newly registered Veterinary Nurses can then join the IVC Nurse Academy to further support and develop the essential skills, knowledge and professionalism required as an RVN in practice.

Plumpton will be hosting a pop up event at Brighton Community Kitchen on Saturday 22nd September, 10am-4pm where you can pop in, learn more about our apprenticeships, watch demonstrations and get involved in activities. You will also be able to sample our range of Plumpton Estate produce including our award-winning wine.

Plumpton works with a range of local artisans to provide state of the art facilities to train in, including our butchery kitchen near Ockham, and the partnership for the bakery apprenticeship with Sugardough, based in Hove. Artisan baker and owner of Sugardough Kane McDowell says: “We’re genuinely excited about this apprenticeship and getting more people properly trained in the artisan end of the market,” he says.

“Apprentices will learn the art of baking from scratch, and largely by hand, which fits in perfectly with what Sugardough is about. There’s currently nothing like this scheme in the area, and fundamentally it’s really important for the sustainability of independent, traditional bakeries like Sugardough.”

For more information about food apprenticeships, please contact Vicki Orbell, Business Development Team: Victoria.Orbell@plumpton.ac.uk 07464 821621 For more information about our apprenticeships or other courses available at Plumpton, visit www.plumpton.ac.uk or call us on 01273 890454.

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BLUE SKY LEARNING

JOIN US FOR OUR

SEPTEMBER OPEN MORNING Saturday 15 September 2018 from 9.00am till 1.00pm

BOOK YOUR PLACE ONLINE www.eastbourne-college.co.uk An HMC independent boarding and day

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school for boys and girls aged 13 to 18

Education

Why an MBA matters Professor John Luiz, MBA Course Director, University of Sussex Business School answers the commonly asked questions…

What does having an MBA qualification mean for business today?

From an individual’s point of view, the MBA is the most significant qualification for catalysing your career. Whether it is taking your career to the next level or completely reinventing yourself and changing course, the MBA equips you to do so.

From a company perspective, in an era of disruption where we are confronting the realities of the fourth Industrial Revolution, an MBA provides invaluable tools and insights into the new world of work, organisations, and the economics of innovation.

For employers, investing in high quality human and creative capital is the most important component of a winning company strategy especially during high levels of disruption, where the ability to adapt and be agile is quintessential.

What type of people are ideally suited to the Sussex MBA? Our students come from a multitude of different disciplines and economic sectors including finance and insurance, engineering, services, oil and gas, and the charity sectors.

The diversity extends to its multinationalism with our current intake being roughly half British and the other half made up of 18 different nationalities extending from Japan all the way through to Colombia and in between.

All our students have a minimum level of management experience as we want to create an environment of action learning, where students can draw on their experiences and contribute to the learning process. This is facilitated by world-class faculty drawing on cutting-edge research.

When we are reviewing applications we

are looking at what candidates will bring to the mix and how it will enliven the learning environment as a whole. In addition to this, we recognise that business is not conducted in a vacuum and that we need to create leaders that recognise the role of business in society and want to make a difference, as that is part of the Sussex ethos.

What does the Sussex MBA offer to managers in the Sussex area?

Having a high quality MBA is important for the regional economy as it provides the sorts of human and creative capital which is essential to the development of the Sussex area and the creation of new innovative sectors. We work closely with leading organisations in the region and are always looking for opportunities to create meaningful partnerships that deliver. We have a journey

philosophy with our partners and this is reflected in our key strategic partners who have supported our MBA for many years by sending us their key next generation leaders as part of talent management processes. We take this responsibility very seriously.

Doing an MBA at Sussex offers graduates the opportunity to network with other key leaders in the area, as well as nationally, and internationally and to capitalise upon the reputation of the University of Sussex worldwide.

Our accreditation and partnership with the Chartered Management Institute means when you complete the course, you’ll be eligible for a CMI Level 7 qualification in Strategic Management and Leadership.

And the University of Sussex Business School has wide acclaim – we’ve been ranked 50th

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Lancing College Preparatory Schools, Senior School & Sixth Form

Open Mornings Saturday 6 October 2018 10.30am – 1pm

Saturday 13 October 2018 10am – 12 noon

Lancing College

Lancing Prep Hove The Droveway, Hove East Sussex BN3 6LU

Broadwater Road, Worthing West Sussex BN14 8HU

T 01273 465 805 E admissions@lancing.org.uk

T 01273 503 452 E LPHadmissions@lancing.org.uk

T 01903 201 123 E LPWadmissions@lancing.org.uk

Lancing West Sussex BN15 0RW

Registered Charities Lancing College & Lancing Prep Hove 1076483. Lancing Prep Worthing 1155150

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Saturday 13 October 2018 10am – 12 noon Lancing Prep Worthing

Education

in the World for Business and Economics by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2018, and 3rd in the UK for annual research income (Chartered Association of Business Schools 2016/17).

So we offer global reach but important local relevance too.

How has the Sussex MBA made a difference to people’s careers?

We have seen the Sussex MBA make a difference in so many different ways. For some it has expedited the process of promotion in leading multinational companies, whilst for others it has provided the confidence to change careers or to start their own businesses. For example, a former pilot started his own business as an advisor to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union. A different student recently got promoted to Vice President in a large multinational in financial services whilst still in the process of completing our MBA!

How do your students fit an MBA around their busy professional lives?

The Sussex MBA is structured around the

recognition that we are dealing with busy professionals who are go-getters and we provide a supportive environment for such people. Our MBA has a flexible modular structure of two blocks of two days per module (on Fridays and Saturdays). On average this entails only taking two Fridays off a month from work to attend lectures and then accessing e-learning tools to reinforce that learning. We have a collaborative ethos where students learn through classroom teaching, group work, e-learning, and individual support from faculty members.

Participants will be challenged in real-life and highly interactive simulations, case studies, role plays, and presentations. We pride ourselves on being accessible at all times to our students and providing a personalised approach.

Tell us about some of your teaching staff and their experience?

We have leading faculty which is diverse in its expertise and experience. Our faculty comes from different countries and with industry and consulting experience and many are engaged in world-class cutting-edge research.

Just to mention a few key areas of expertise of our faculty which is appreciated by our students: manufacturing procurement, risk

management, supply chain innovation, digital transformation, resilience, virtual teams, worklife balance, emerging markets strategies, diversity management, biotechnology, diagnostics, financing innovation, healthcare, intellectual property, managing change, financial markets, performance management, sustainable development, design innovation, entrepreneurship policy and firm growth, and the list goes on.

Given the unique structure of the University of Sussex Business School we believe that the School can ‘vertically integrate’ in a way no other UK business school can. The school can take organisations through the policy issues that confront them, modelling options that arise from developments in the policy landscape – and then suggest organisational responses based on the latest research.

For more information about the Sussex MBA visit www.sussexmba. com. You can study either part-time or full-time, so you can tailor the MBA around your interests and learn in a way that suits you. Starts end of September, or for part time, choose a start date that suits you.

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Gatwick Diamond

Meet the Buyers workshops

T

he Gatwick Diamond Meet the Buyers 2018 programme of events kicked off in June with the first of eight supporting free workshops, held at Welland Medical on Manor Royal, Crawley. “Breaking New Markets in a Post Brexit Britain” was delivered by Nick Broom of PVL and Tamara Roberts of Ridgeview Wine Estate.

Attendees at this workshop gained valuable insight into the changing face of international trading as Britain approaches Brexit, from the perspective of these two award-winning UK businesses. Nick and Tamara spoke about the countries their companies export to and the challenges they’ve faced before a ‘Question Time’ session chaired by Rosemary French OBE, Executive Director of The Gatwick Diamond Initiative. With first-hand experience, Nick and Tamara were able to answer a range of questions including useful resources for exporting, changes to EU regulation and the effects on businesses, and the pros and cons of a stronger or weaker pound.

In July, the second Gatwick Diamond Meet the Buyers workshop, held at Canon (UK) Ltd, Reigate, saw Anya Ledwith, Managing Director of Eshcon and Sandra Norval of Catalicity give attendees the space to think about the bigger picture around issues like single use plastic and air pollution; subjects currently high in people’s minds, and highlighted the importance for businesses to reflect the needs and expectations of their customers.

“Opportunity Knocks – Growth through Innovation” encouraged business owners and managers to think of their customer first and what their needs and wants might be, and to look at effective management systems and efficient processes, innovative products and materials and identify new markets and opportunities.

Anya, who attended last year’s Gatwick Diamond Meet the

Buyers as a supplier said: “I found the Gatwick Diamond Meet the Buyers programme very useful, both the main event itself and the learning workshops beforehand. It is unusual to be able to meet with the people directly responsible for procurement. Having just ten minutes of their time, I prepared well to understand how I could best help them.

My pitches focussed on ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems and ESOS energy audits. Having matched meetings with organisations that were specifically looking for environmental support was particularly useful. Of the five, I have work agreed with two businesses and another in the pipeline. Between meetings over coffee, I also made some good connections with other suppliers and exhibitors. It was a valuable day for my business.”

With six more workshops planned throughout September, October and November, there are still plenty of opportunities for businesses to take advantage of these free learning sessions.

• Situation Awareness and Crisis Management • Planning for Growth • Maximising the Gatwick Opportunity for Kent Businesses • Digital and Social Media Marketing • Developing your Presentation and Public Speaking Confidence • Following up and Following on - Making the Most of Every Conversation

To find out more about the remaining workshops or for information about how to be a Supplier or a Buyer at this year’s main event on 21st November, please visit www.gatwickdiamondmeetthebuyers.com

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Women in Business

Awards open for ENTRIES! Will you be one of our formidable women winners at this year’s Women in Business awards?

NOW!

SPONSORS ON BOARD SO FAR ARE:

We at the Business Women Excellence Awards want to recognise the success and worth of women and we know that The Sussex Business Women company and multi award-winning there are so many formidable business women in Sussex. Are Excellence Awards 2017 is preparing entrepreneur, business lawyer and you one of them or know some of them? If so, don’t just sit there, for a bigger and even more exciting author of the inspirational bestseller enter or nominate them! It’s easy to enter or nominate at www. event this year. We are already book ‘The Freedom Revolution’, businesswomenexcellenceawards.co.uk and select the regionsaid: of Sussex receiving many wonderful email “It’s fantastic to see so many talented entry deadline is 29th October.

entries and the hype on social Faiza Shafeek, Managing Director of Carrot media, andrun at business Events who the awardsnetworking said: “Women events electric. can trulyisdo it all. It’s all about the will and

PLATINUM PUBLISHING

GROUP

W If ENTER so, enter or nominate NOW!

e women all know that 2018 celebrates the 100th anniversary of women earning the vote in Britain.

More and more women are climbing through the ranks of the corporate world and more female entrepreneurs are being recognised. It is an amazing time to be a woman.

7

Sussex business women gaining the recognition they deserve. Celebrating the achievements of successful business women across the region is truly inspirational”

“I am often asked why should we enter awards and what determination and great vision. Whether in are the benefits to me or business, entertainment or receiving tech, women Remember ladies, that antoday my business. My reply is still continue face outstanding challenges in nearly accolade fortoyour workevery that winning a business or industry.

These awards allow us to celebrate achievements brings your successes The Sussex Business Women women’s successes over the previous year, to personal award will raise to light, and builds a positive path for Excellence Awards will take place honour the work of the inspirational women of your profile, the profile of other women to follow. Women have on the 24th November at the Hilton Sussex, and to draw attention to the obstacles made so much progress in business Brighton Metropole Hotel. your company, enhance your and challenges that they have overcome.” over the years, and these awards reputation, instil trust to your 2017 had some amazing women and their have been designed to highlight and customers and attract new companies winning the top awards. We want recognise exceptional as many of their you amazing women skills as possible to enter the 2018 awards. You know you are worth it. If you business, which will ultimately and talents.

Thewhy awards headline don’t enter then not nominate as many of the Sussex’s enterprising Business women that you know, make you more profitable. sponsor, BUSINESS LAW, is You or they will in turn help shine the light by encouraging so that weACUMEN can celebrate their achievements.

In short, it will prove you are the next generation women with your or their real-life success stories. We know that there are so one of the ‘Top 50ofGround-breaking many women whoLaw haveFirms overcome diversity, women who have stood up against the odds, women who better than your competitors.” and Innovative in the have achieved so much.

UK and Europe’ (Financial Times).

Penina Shepherd, founder of the

Faiza Shafeek of Carrot Events The Business Women Excellence Awards providesorganisers of the awards its sponsors with a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities and superb benefits, allowing you to connect with other professionals who also value this opportunity to get involved within the heart of the business community and connect directly with the area’s business leaders. We can work together to customise a sponsorship package that will compliment your company’s objectives across the board and optimise both your investment and return. For more information, please contact Faiza Shafeek at fs@carroteventsco.uk Supporting Sponsors

Category Sponsors

Media Partners

Headline Sponsor

Sponsors on board so far this year are:

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, please contact Faiza Shafeek on 01323 461298 / 07540 406685 or email fs@carrotevents.co.uk

businesswomenexcellenceawards.co.uk

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,

Business Expo

Mid Sussex Business Expo 2018 Preview by Sonny Cutting

S

ummer has flown by; the suncream scent still lingers in your kitchen, the football brought the country together and memories of your holidays with loved ones are still fresh enough to make you laugh. Now? The kids are back to school with optimism for the new school year and business is back to usual.

But just because summer has ended doesn’t mean the fun has to as well. Net XP are holding their third business exhibition of 2018 on September 27th at the South of England Showground in Ardingly for that perfect postsummer pick up of business entwined with games. With 100+ exhibitors this free-to-attend event will feature a golfing theme on the day, with enticing competitions and interactive prizes to engage both exhibitors and visitors.

The running order of the day is sure to impress starting with the unique ‘early bird’ speakers conference showcasing three local keynote speakers: Sam Knowles of Insight Agents, a Corporate and Brand Storyteller, Dan Maund, a Detective Constable with SEROCU (South East Regional Organised Crime Unit) Cyber Security Division and Matt Hunt, the Co-founder of The Protein Ball Co. The conference begins at 7.45am giving the chance to both exhibitors and pre-registered

guests to sit down, relax, grab that much needed caffeine boost and a pastry or piece of fruit and listen to local guest speakers before the expo begins. Designed with our guests in mind, our ‘early bird’ conference means everyone gets to enjoy the keynote talks before the expo kicks off at 10.00am.

Sam Knowles

Later in the day, the coveted ‘Best in Customer Experience’ Award will be bestowed upon its winner. Created by the founder of Net XP himself to harness, encourage and recognise the power of customer service, Sonny Cutting worked for nearly a decade in sales, marketing and customer service and wanted to see if the incredibly high value he personally had placed on customer service was still at the core of businesses across Sussex.

Our previous expo winner for the ‘Best in Customer Experience’ Award was won by Acumen Business Law at the West Sussex Tech Expo in Chichester in July. All the exhibitors are contacted by Insight6 with a mystery shopping campaign to test their level of customer service two months prior to the expo, and then a winner, runner-up and special mention are nominated for prizes to be given at the end of the business exhibition at the Awards and Presentations Ceremony.

Dan Maund

Network Xpress – or Net XP to our friends – is on a mission to change British B2B trade shows.

We want to make them fun, engaging, enjoyable and memorable, so please do come along on the 27th September to the South of England Showgrounds in Ardingly, immerse yourself in the Net XP experience

Matt Hunt

and meet companies from across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire for a business tradeshow with a games twist!

Summer may have ended but you can still join the PAR-TEE with Net XP. Register your interest today at netxp.co.uk

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Interview

My dream job Kurt Cutajar explains why the role of Executive chef at the Brighton Hilton Metropole is his ideal position.

T

he Brighton and Hove Business Awards held in July at the Brighton Hilton Metropole were a great success and a memorable night out. A major factor in the night’s success was the excellent quality of the food and service on the night, and enormous credit is due to the executive head chef, Kurt Cutajar and his team.

Ian Trevett spoke to Kurt about the art of catering for large corporate audiences.

Kurt Cutajar embraced Brighton and Hove as soon as he landed a college placement in the city back in 1999. Born and raised in Malta, his first break came at a well-known fast food chain, which was a bigger deal than one might expect. Kurt recalls: “I left school with no qualifications at the age of 16 in 1995 and first job I applied for was with McDonald’s, which had only just opened. As it was the first McDonalds on the island, locals treated it like it was working for a Michelin Star restaurant! It was just crazy - typical island mentality. Everyone wanted to work there and this experience in the kitchen ignited my passion for food. Luckily I was then given the opportunity to start a three year fulltime course at the island’s catering college.

This course had an emphasis on hands-on experience, with placements in five-star hotels on the island. In the last year, we each had to find a position in a kitchen abroad, similar to an apprenticeship. We were lucky as we could choose anywhere in the world - I chose Brighton. I arrived here in 1999 and decided instantly it was the place where I wanted to live.

In Brighton, Kurt found himself in the kitchens at the Metropole, albeit at a far more junior level than he is at now. “I started as an apprentice at the Metropole and worked my way up to a sous-chef. In 2005 I moved along to a sister hotel (now the Holiday Inn), I then worked in various other hotels in the city which include The Grand Hotel and Hotel Seattle (now Malmaison Brighton). I then returned to the Holiday Inn where I spent two years as a chef, before being given the opportunity to step away from the kitchen for a few years

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and became the Operations Manager.

“Finally, three years ago, the Hilton Brighton Metropole were recruiting for the position of Executive Head Chef. I knew I had to apply as this was my dream job, it has been ever since I was an apprentice in the kitchen.”

The position was keenly contested with the job widely advertised across Hilton’s international network. Kurt believes his local experience held him in good stead: “I knew Hilton wanted to improve and expand the banqueting element of the business. I think my experience within other hotels in Brighton worked in my favour, I had plenty of ideas and inspiration about new concepts, trends and how to offer something a little different and a bit more Brighton to the guests. Having worked at The Grand, which has extremely high standards, and the Seattle which had a good banqueting reputation, these gave me insider knowledge of what other hotels were offering.

With banqueting a key element of the role, I asked Kurt what is the secret of great banqueting?

“Most important is to be calm and keep the team calm,” he replies. “The minute you get flustered or anxious, everything you wouldn’t want to happen will! It’s about keeping steady and making sure that everybody on the team is as fully focused as you are. It’s preparation more than anything; making sure that everybody is ready and raring to go.

It’s also about ensuring everyone has a good experience, guests enjoy the dishes we cook and the team enjoys their work. The demand for dietary options is getting more frequent, especially gluten-free. I have recently introduced a new banqueting menu where the majority of main courses are now gluten-free.”

For vegetarians I like to create a vegan dish which will fully complement the main course and retain the quality - we won’t just offer the usual risotto.”

Interview I ask Kurt what he would choose as his signature dish: “I enjoy cooking game; that’s one of my strongest areas. I cook a lot of rabbit, rabbit is my favourite meat to prepare. Game is so diverse and there are so many different ways of cooking it. We used to have a cooking station at the Food and Drink Festival on Hove Lawns where I would demonstrate how to cook rabbit.

“I am also proud of our slow cooking. We have quite a big selection of slow cooked meats, which ensures they are tender, such as the lamb which is slow cooked at just 60° for long periods. The beef for Sunday lunch goes in 5.30pm on Saturday and we take it out at 1pm on Sunday.”

Team work in the kitchen really is the key then?

“A very important factor to me is looking after my team. We work long hours together, day in day out so we have to get along well and we have to rely on each other”. Currently we have two apprentices working with us.

As a business, we like to employ chefs after they have completed their apprenticeship as they have been working hard all year and achieved so much and, as I enjoy mentoring them, I don’t want them to leave with just a reference. Hilton appreciates how hard the apprentices work and as a reflection they are paid above the standard apprentice wage. Our apprentices work to the same high standards as another chefs in the kitchen.

“I am also extremely proud that Hilton Brighton Metropole is also involved in community initiatives and charity fundraising.

It is fantastic that the hotel has been recognised and won awards for all of these efforts with raising monies for many local charities. At the moment, I am working with the MET College in Worthing, where I mentor students to create a 4-course menu for an event ‘Cooking with the Starrs’. In addition to mentoring the students, money is also raised for the Starr Trust where guests pay to eat and score the menus the students have devised and cooked. Next year’s event will be held here at the hotel.”

Working in a big hotel means no two days are the same, but what are the biggest challenges?

“The biggest event for us is always the Labour Party Conference, especially when they were in government. During the conference we would be catering for 1,200 or 1,300 people constantly – breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also the support staff, media, police and security teams - we were feeding 500 to 600 police alone in a shift.”

With Kurt spending so much time in a restaurant environment, does he eat out himself?

“I have a few friends who have restaurants, including Isaac At. Isaac started at The Grand with me and now he’s probably one of the best chefs in Brighton. He’s a big talent. I like The Ginger Pig as well.”

And where will Kurt be in five years?

“In Sascha’s chair,” replies Kurt quickly and with a smile (Sascha is the GM). This is my dream job. People have asked me whether I wanted to start my own restaurant, but it’s a lot of pressure and responsibility. I like baking cakes, wedding cakes and birthday cakes, any kind of cake! A cake business might be something I’d do in the future, but at the moment I am very happy in the heat of the Hilton Brighton Metropole kitchen.

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EST IN 1864 UNVEILING IN 2018 #grandmoments

www.grandbrighton.co.uk

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TheGrandHotelBrighton

@GrandBrighton

@thegrandbrighton

Christmas Events

’Tis the Season to be Planning

By Julia Trevett-Smith

I

t may feel slightly surreal, but taking the time in the summer months to book your Christmas party will mean you’ll have a slick, well-organised, festive celebration.

Here are our six top tips to help you get ahead of the game:

1. Planning ahead is key: the best venues, and even the best deals, can be snapped up with an early booking. It also allows you to spread the cost if you are paying some of the bill up front.

It’s a daunting prospect sifting through the hundreds of venues and menus and finding the right one for your company. Ask your staff, get a feel for what your colleagues would like. You can’t please everyone, but you can work with a general consensus. You might be surprised by some inventive suggestions.

2. Setting the date early is a good way of ensuring most people are available to attend. Check out the consensus on a few possible dates with staff first and go with the majority for maximum attendance. Sending a ‘save the date’ email out early will help to ensure a good turn-out.

3. Work out your budget and stick to it. If the budget is tight, you might want to consider venues offering shared parties. A table at a bigger event may be a good way of offering some entertainment without blowing the budget. Maybe you can buddy up with other companies in the same building to create a bigger event with a shared cost. It’s always good to save a bit of the budget for any unexpected costs.

Consider the food and drinks bill. Be clear about what is included. Is there free wine with a meal and a pay bar after that? Make sure staff know, and remember that a big part of the offering is a thank-you to staff for their hard work throughout the year. It won’t boost morale if you ask for a contribution. It’s better to do something less fancy, but cover the cost.

4. Food and drink: Festive drinks to get your crew in the party spirit are a great way to kickstart the evening. If you are worried about a certain contingency using up the drinks budget with excessive rounds of Jäger bombs from the off, consider drinks vouchers, or limit freebies to wine and beers.

Food is usually expected at the Christmas do, so do organise a menu tasting prior to booking so you can sample the quality of the food on offer. Consult with the chefs and your staff to ensure there are vegetarian options and that other dietary requirements can be catered for.

The food is an important part of the event, so making sure the venue is used to catering for large numbers is another must. There’s nothing worse than the whole evening falling flat because the food and/or service is awful.

5. Entertainment can make or break your event, so some carefully planned surprises can lift your teams’ spirits and add to the party atmosphere, plus it’s a great way of ironing out any awkward small talk. Musicians or magicians working the room, circus acts, casino tables and giant games are but a few of the many options for adding some entertaining sparkle to your event. You’ll want to consider music, too. A small dance floor is always a plus.

6. Thank-you speeches and awards: The Christmas party is a great time to let your staff know how well they’ve been doing. Pick some serious and funny awards to present to staff to let them know how much they are appreciated.

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Book your Christmas party package at Brighton Harbour Hotel - packages from ÂŁ30 per person.

Quote Platinum Business Magazine and get a complimentary prosecco reception.

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E: brighton.events@harbourhotels.co.uk T: 01273 323 221 W: www.harbourhotels.co.uk/hotels/brighton

Christmas Parties

Seaside Sophistication Why not celebrate Christmas by the sea this year at Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa? If you’re looking for Christmas lunches, dinners, Christmas parties, or even a festive break, we’ve got you covered.

W

ith an unrivalled location on the iconic seafront and just moments from the bustling lanes, our luxurious Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa is bold, bright, and right by the beach.

The 79 bedroom hotel embodies Harbour Hotels’ signature relaxed style, with tasteful interiors providing a modern contrast to the exquisite 19th century period exterior. With panoramic views across Brighton Pier, dine in our award-winning Jetty restaurant and enjoy inspired and innovative cocktails in ‘HarBAR’, Brighton’s ultimate destination bar.

Our HarSPA provides a welcome retreat from the sights, sounds and shops of the city. The unique, underground spa features indulgent treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, Scandinavian hot tubs and a hydrotherapy pool - the ultimate relaxation retreat.

The Marine Room is the perfect backdrop for festive fun, located on the ground floor with stylish décor, period features and natural daylight throughout. The Marine Room boasts its own private bar and space for a DJ and dancing into the night - it’s the ideal venue to

party with friends, family or colleagues!

The room will be dressed with a beautiful full-sized Christmas tree with festive novelties adding to the celebratory atmosphere, and should you wish to bring your own decorations or additional entertainment, there is plenty of

space to create and decorate (we can put you in touch with our preferred suppliers). Please note that we have minimum numbers of 20 for this space.

For more intimate festive celebrations, the Snug offers the perfect setting for Christmas gatherings for groups from 10 – 18 guests.

Located within the HarBar, the Snug is a private space on the ground floor with homely informal décor, natural daylight, and an inviting wood burning stove – wonderful for cozy winter nights.

To arrange your party package please contact our friendly and experienced events team on: Brighton.events@harbourhotels.co.uk or telephone 01273 323 221 (option 3).

We have a ‘Taste of Christmas’ Event at the hotel on the 19th September which is your opportunity to see the space dressed for Christmas – don’t miss out!

Quote ‘Platinum Business Magazine’ to get your complimentary prosecco reception for your guests included with your booking.

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our 2018 calendar PRICES FROM £35PP INC VAT

FRIDAY 30TH NOV

SUNDAY 9TH DEC

FRIDAY 21ST DEC

• DJ Festive Party

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FRIDAY 14TH DEC

• DJ Festive Party

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SATURDAY 22ND DEC

• ‘The Get Down’ Party

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SATURDAY 15TH DEC

SUNDAY 23RD DEC

• DJ Festive Party

• Santa Sunday Lunch

SUNDAY 2ND DEC • Santa Sunday Lunch FRIDAY 7TH DEC

• ‘The Get Down’ Party 18TH & 19TH JAN 2019

• DJ Festive Party SUNDAY 16TH DEC SATURDAY 8TH DEC

• January Nights

• Santa Sunday Lunch

• DJ Festive Party • George Michael Tribute

FOR DETAILS OR TO BOOK: 76

CALL: 01273 878272 | EMAIL: EVENTS@BHAFC.CO.UK WWW.EVENTSATBHAFC.CO.UK

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01424 842281 thecoodenbeachhotel.co.uk COODEN SEA ROAD, BEXHILL-ON-SEA, EAST SUSSEX TN39 4TT

Blanch House welcomes you to the festive season Looking for somewhere just a little bit special to book for a Christmas dinner or lunch in Brighton?

We welcome parties of 20-40 guests for a truly gourmet festive dining experience.

Whether it's for an office Christmas lunch or dinner, an intimate family gathering or to celebrate with a group of friends, Blanch House is a uniquely special venue for your celebration, complete with just the kind of warm and seasonal atmosphere for the perfect event.

For further information and to book please call Kerry on 01273 603504 or email kerry@blanchhouse.co.uk

www.blanchhouse.co.uk

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Pre-Christmas Lunches and Festive Vintage Afternoon Tea’s Festive Lunches

30 November to 23 December served between 12.30pm and 2.30pm th

£20.00

rd

3 course lunch with coffee and mince pies

Festive Vintage Afternoon Tea th

30 November to 22

nd

£19.95

December served between 2.30pm and 5.30pm

Full Lansdowne Tea including a selection of sandwiches, festive cakes and pastries, A warm scone with jam and clotted cream, Tea or Coffee. All served on our Vintage Crockery

Festive Vintage Afternoon Tea with ‘Steve Williams’ Swing & Rat Pack Sunday 9th December served at 3.00pm £25.95 Full Lansdowne Tea including a selection of sandwiches, festive cakes and pastries, A warm scone with jam and clotted cream, Tea or Coffee. All served on our Vintage Crockery

Festive Wreath Making Afternoon Tea - NEW for 2018 Sunday 2

nd

£25.95

December served at 3.00pm

Full Lansdowne Tea including a selection of sandwiches, festive cakes and pastries, A warm scone with jam and clotted cream, Tea or Coffee. All served on our Vintage Crockery

Party Nights Friday’s - 80’s Theme Disco th

th

th

£35.50

st

30 November, 7 , 14 & 21 December - Sit down 7.45pm, dancing till midnight 3 course festive dinner and 80’s theme disco

Friday’s - 80’s Theme Band ‘Sound of the Crowd’ th

£37.95

st

7 & 21 December – Sit down 7.45pm, dancing till midnight 3 course festive dinner and 80’s theme band

Saturday’s - Traditional Disco st

th

th

1 , 8 , 15 & 22

nd

£35.50

December – Sit down 7.45pm, dancing till midnight

3 course dinner and Traditional disco

Christmas and New Year’s Eve Christmas Day Lunch 5 course lunch

Boxing Day Vintage Afternoon Tea – NEW for 2018 Full Lansdowne Tea including a selection of sandwiches, festive cakes and pastries, A warm scone with jam and clotted cream, Tea or Coffee. All served on our Vintage Crockery

New Year’s Eve Extravaganza

£77.95 £29.95 £77.95

5 course dinner, champagne at midnight and entertainment till 1.00am To book your place please contact our events team, a deposit payment will be required on booking

Tel: 01323 725 174 or email: events@lansdowne-hotel.co.uk

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Christmas Party Venues

Luxury at the Lansdowne

T

he Lansdowne Hotel set along the beautifully historic Victorian Eastbourne Seafront has been in the same family for 106 years and has recently been undergoing some wonderful refurbishment.

Catherine Clifford, 4th generation, has been leading the refurbishment programme and has a good eye for style and design. Her newly refurbished function rooms are stylish and in keeping with the traditional feel of the hotel but with a contemporary twist. The bedrooms retain the great character of the hotel with unique pieces of furniture but sumptuous soft furnishings. Being kind to the history of the hotel was important to Catherine. She has however created some fantastic bedrooms generous in size, with a contemporary and luxurious style.

The true beauty of this Hotel is its unrivalled location. Many bedrooms and function rooms provide views of the glorious South Coast and Downs.

If you are looking for a venue for an event or meeting, take advantage of these wonderful surroundings. Directly opposite is the picturesque Eastbourne beach as well as the Western Lawns, an extensive event field that can be hired for additional outdoor activities or team building activities. A dedicated and experienced Event Manager is also on-hand to help deliver a successful and memorable event. Executive Chef, Lee Roberts, came on board in 2015 and himself and his team have created some fantastic menus, all using locally sourced food which is important to the ethos of the hotel.

With Christmas fast approaching The Lansdowne Hotel certainly know how to cater for Office Parties. Popular local Band, Sound of the Crowd are back by popular demand with places selling fast. Traditional and themed party nights offering a 3-course Dinner and DJ are also available to book and enjoy.

The attention to detail and great customer service that the hotel provides, certainly makes you feel properly cared for. The hotel won the Customer Service Award at the Eastbourne Business Awards in 2016 and the staff and family continuously go that extra mile to make sure each guests has a memorable experience.

So, if you are looking for your next seaside get-away, organising a conference or want to book a special celebration, Eastbourne’s Lansdowne Hotel comes highly recommended.

Contact our team today on: 01323 725174 events@lansdowne-hotel.co.uk www.bw-lansdownehotel.co.uk

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GLITTER BALL

Conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects.

Celebrate the festive period in style at our shared Glitterball Christmas Parties!

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Lunch ÂŁ30+VAT or dinner ÂŁ44+VAT per person Book online: BritishAirwaysi360.com/Christmas

Brighton Summit

Brighton Summit takes on “must not miss” status

A

s Brighton Chamber’s sixth annual Summit gets closer – and it’s less than two months away now – we’re confirming vibrant speakers, hands-on workshops, and out-of-this-world events at a rate of knots. The theme for the 2018 Summit is Look Up, reflecting the go-getting attitude so often found in those who do business in and around Brighton.

Two new speakers – Stephen Boobyer, the driving force behind World of Books, and Chris Middleton, one of the UK’s leading writers and thinkers in business technology and the editor of The Internet of Business. Actually, make that THREE new speakers - in his talk on “Joining up the future”, Chris will be joined by his intelligent robot sidekick, Stanley Qubit.

Since our last update, we’ve added the following to the line-up for our day-long event on 12th October:

Our third keynote speaker – Claire Mason, Founder & MD of strategic ideas company Man Bites Dog and pioneer of the gender #SayGap movement.

In the hour before lunch, the Brighton Summit features the Event Horizon Hour, a set of inspiring sessions designed to challenge your perspective, change your mind on what you thought were established truths, and make you look at the world in a new way. This includes a Summit special Escape Room developed by GAMIFICATION+ to challenge problem solving skills, critical thinking, communication, creativity, team work, and time management.

The more sessions we confirm, the more convinced we are that Brighton Summit will be, without doubt, the best day you’ll spend out of the office all year.

Claire joins fellow keynotes, author Misha Glenny, and former head of the UK Space Agency, Katherine Courtney.

Misha’s addressing what’s next after McMafia, while Katherine’s talk – “Bitten by the space bug” – explores what she calls New Space. Expect to learn as much about new frontiers in data and digital as you do about rockets and satellites.

Find out more and book your ticket today at www.brightonsummit.com

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Transport

Buses are the new disruptors – again

by Martin Harris, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Buses

F

orget the gig economy and video streaming services, buses have a history of being the great disruptors - whether we’re talking about Brighton’s first motorbuses in the 1900s or electric trolley buses running on overhead wires down London Road in 1913.

Transport has changed a fair bit since we began running horse-drawn buses as the Brighton, Hove and Preston United Omnibus Company in the 1880s. Back then, we operated 30 buses from our Conway Street garage - still our head office today - and housed 150 horses in our stables.

Along with Metrobus, we now have a fleet of 430 buses serving 3,000 bus stops across Brighton and Hove, Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

One-third of our Brighton & Hove fleet is almost-emissions-free; what’s more, we’re on track to be completely emissions-free by 2030.

But we need to tackle the congestion which has blighted our communities. A jammedup city holds back the economy, stunts job growth and makes buses less reliable by slowing down journeys. It also makes the air we breathe dirtier as vehicles stop and start.

The smartest – and cleanest - way to reduce congestion is to encourage people to leave their cars at home and use sustainable transport, whether that’s walking, cycling or bus travel.

We’ve worked closely with Brighton and Hove City Council to speed up bus travel using measures like priority bus lanes. This partnership has also been crucial to improving

air quality in the city, beginning with the 2015 Low Emissions Zone (LEZ), which covers 98% of the city’s bus movements.

In January 2019, the city will become one of the first UK cities to introduce an Ultra Low Emissions Zone, when the LEZ threshold will be raised so bus companies must run nearlyemissions-free Euro 6 micro hybrid buses throughout by 2024.

Euro 6 buses have dramatically reduced emissions with their smaller engines, lower fuel consumption and ability to drive many components in pure electric mode using regenerative breaking. We’ve already invested millions in 82 of them and we’re poised to buy 30 more.

We’re exploring electric buses and alternative fuel buses too. We have a bid for a government grant to help us achieve the first commercially-operated fleet of fuel cell electric buses in Europe under our Metrobus brand, with a decision expected in September.

We’ve used a seismic shift in the minimum standards our passengers expect to innovate and to drive standards up.

They want buses to be frequent, safe, reliable and accessible and now they can also expect free WiFi, audio-visual bus stop announcements, USB charging points, clean engines and smart ticketing.

Boarding the bus is quicker thanks to our key cards, mobile ticketing and multi-operator tickets. Contactless bank card payments begin in January.

Mobility as a Service is the next leap

forward, enabling travellers to use an app to plan and pay for journeys across different modes of transport, be it by bus, train, taxi, car hire or city bike. It’s natural bus companies should lead on this, since daywe local already pursue multi-modal transport, customer integrated ticketing and the provision of support real-time travel information through our partnership with the council, other local bus operators and rail.

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The level of technological and environmental change has been dizzying but we have kept pace with it. Buses must continue to disrupt and innovate to keep our city moving and the economy buoyant.

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number of passe

Charity News

Join Chestnut Tree House for a night of celebration

C

hestnut Tree House’s 15th Birthday Gala Celebration takes place at The Cooden Beach Hotel on 13th October and you’re invited!

Hosted by DJ and Chestnut Tree House patron Ambrose Harcourt, and with live music from Phonic Boom, the night promises to be a memorable one. Tickets include a drinks reception and three course meal and there will be a raffle, silent auction and live auction on the night.

So why not gather some colleagues, friends or business partners and join Chestnut Tree House in celebrating 15 years of children’s hospice care in Sussex.

Tickets cost £60 each with a table of eight costing £480.

Contact fundraising@chestnut-tree-house.org.uk for more information or to book tickets.

Phonic Boom

Chestnut Tree House – See it for yourself

A

s part of its 15th birthday celebrations Chestnut Tree House, the children’s hospice for Sussex and South East Hampshire, is opening its doors and inviting everyone to see for themselves what a difference Chestnut Tree House makes to local children and their families.

The charity cares for around 300 children with life-shortening conditions and their families, helping them live for the now. From providing a few hours respite from the round-the-clock responsibilities of caring for a sick child to supporting families through their toughest moments, Chestnut Tree House provides care at their purpose-built hospice near Arundel and in families’ own homes.

On Friday 5th and Saturday 6th October the hospice building will be taking a break from caring for children and families and instead opening its doors to the public.

“This is a rare opportunity to explore the house and grounds” says Janet Parsons from Chestnut Tree House. “People are often surprised at what a homely, comfortable and fun place the hospice is, and we would love to show it off to as many people as possible. There will be tours of the house, where you can see our wonderful care facilities and explore our beautiful gardens, including our wheelchair-accessible Woodland Walk. And there will be a chance to meet the Care Team who do such a wonderful job looking after the children and families.”

The hospice can be found on Dover Lane, just off the A27 at Poling. It will be open from 10am until 4pm on both days (there is no need to book) and parking and refreshments will be available to all.

For more information call 01903 871820 or visit www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk.

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Motoring

THE LAMBO MAMBO F

or a company that started out building tractors, haven’t they done well?

Created by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, the story of his legendary battle to beat Enzo Ferrari on track was the incentive that created the company and led to the world enjoying these stunning cars today. The flag really went up when he produced the awesome Miura model which established rear mid-engine and rear wheel drive as the standard for all high-powered cars of the era. Who can forget every boy’s pin up car, the Countach? The company ran into trouble during the 1973 financial crisis and after changing hands many times it ended up in the clutches of Volkswagen and now sits under the Audi banner. With Audi at the helm, money was pumped in and the range expanded past mad sexy cars that were a nightmare to drive to full-fledged world-class supercars that carry a panache that is tough to rival.

“The first rare item of note is the naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine.”

So here on my drive sits their latest offering – the Huracan Spyder. This replacement for the Gallardo will need to come fully armed as it sits within a highly

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competitive sector, up against the likes of the McLaren, Audi R8, assorted Ferraris and Porsche models.

The first rare item of note is the naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine (no turbo lag here) and it will see you hit 201mph with a serious kick in the rear from the 610bhp and the all-wheel drive system and, with the roof down, you get the raw, savage howl of that wonderful power plant. The Ferrari’s and McLaren might sound good but this is epic and ensures that no tunnel is ever left undriven – several times. It never gets old.

Admittedly, forking out an extra £20,000 for the privilege of not having a roof is a tad strong but at these prices, l guess it’s just one of many optional extras.

There is no whiff of body flex on whatever surface you find yourself and if you dial it all down, this really can be driven every day. The powertrain is a delight to use in everyday stuff or in more spirited use. Flip the huge manual paddles and you feel instantly in charge of the gearbox, as it quick-fires up or down a gear, letting you make the most of the V10 with its joyous lack of inertia and free-revving nature.

Maybe there isn’t the detonation of gut-wrenching mid-range acceleration that you get with the turbocharged McLaren 570S or Nissan GT-R, but there is real, deep satisfaction in using the long, concerto rev range of this engine. And whatever you compare it with, give it the beans in a

Huracán and it feels savagely, hilariously fast.

Inside, the instruments are all liquid-crystal and housed in a 12.3in display, with several display modes on offer. You can have large, centrally positioned speedo or tacho dials, or a large navigation display.

“Lamborghini is at pains to point out that its latest V10 models are neither intimidating nor difficult to drive.”

Regrettably, there’s no mode that displays both an analogue rev counter and an analogue speedo, alongside a fuel gauge and a temperature gauge. However, having seen this same system used so amicably on the latest Audi TT, the configurable nature of essentially a redressed version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit makes it a joy to use. All the infotainment is controllable through the 12.3in screen, which does take a bit of time to get used to, but is complete with satnav, Bluetooth, DAB radio and USB connectivity.

The seats hold you well and there is an array of buttons and dials and more than a few have a distinct Audi whiff about them. The bright red fighter pilot flip up start button

Motoring

rounds off the overall feel of preparing to launch.

If the company has suffered from anything over the years it is the impression that Lamborghini is a rough, tough seat of your pants drive and therefore not conducive to relaxed everyday driving. As Lamborghini courts the lifestyle supercar buyer it finds itself in a challenging position as it’s precisely that image that has been putting off many non-enthusiast buyers.

Lamborghini is at pains to point out that its latest V10 models are neither intimidating nor difficult to drive and l can confirm they have got it spot on. A little like the Audi R8, it can be a calm and pleasant cruiser that your Granny could drive. Play with the switches and open the taps and Granny will have last been seen with a look of abject terror on her face, whilst screaming. Oh the joy.

“If you are a retiring wallflower that does not like to draw attention, go buy something else.”

In conclusion, this is a well-rounded incredibly fast supercar that carries the marque into the next decade. One point to note is that if you are a retiring wallflower that does not like to draw attention, go buy something else. You will never drive or park this thing anywhere that does not draw a crowd and considerable drooling from every schoolboy you come across.

TECH STUFF Model tested: Huracan Spyder LP-610-4 Engine: 5.2 litre V10 Power: 610bhp Performance: 0-62 – 3.4 seconds Top Speed: 201mph Economy: 15.1mpg combined Price from: £186,550 As tested: £225,100

Your local dealership: LAMBORGHINI CHELMSFORD Eastern Approach, Chelmsford, CN2 6PN Tel: 01245 924920

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Motoring

Z Cars

By Mark Tofts

N

ext year the Nissan Z car will join some of the biggest names in vehicle model history when it reaches the milestone of 50 years of production. It will sit alongside the Jaguar XJ, Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, Mercedes SL, Volkswagen Beetle and, perhaps slightly less illustriously, the Toyota Corolla.

Nissan released the original Z car in 1969 and sold it domestically in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z. For the overseas markets Nissan released the car as the Datsun 240Z, a brand name they would use for the model right up until 1985. With America being a key overseas market, it was thought that using the Nissan brand could harm sales due to the company’s involvement in the manufacture of military vehicles only 15 years prior.

The original 240Z

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In 2001, for the launch of the then newly released 350Z Nissan, President Carlos Ghosn referred back to the original 1969 Z as a “two-seat sports car that revolutionized the automotive world at the time. It had European styling, American muscle, Japanese quality and global desirability”.

two seats and a V6. With wide meaty rear tyres, flared wheel arches and a more dynamic shorter wheelbase - aesthetically it certainly continues in the footsteps of its predecessors.

The original Z proved to be a winning formula with Nissan selling 168,000 of them by the end of 1973 before increasing the engine size to create the 260Z in 1974 and again in 1975 with the 280Z. By the end of the first generation production run in 1978 Nissan had pumped out over 459,000 vehicles, cementing its reputation as a mainstay for years to come.

When inside the car one can sense that there are some elements leftover from its starring role in the Fast & Furious movie franchise. What looks to be boost gauge housing on the dashboard actually includes a temperature gauge, a clock and a battery monitor. The car strangely comes with two temperature gauges, a digital one in the binnacle for the Gran Turismo generation and the analogue one on the dashboard for those who aren’t sure what Gran Turismo is.

Now in its sixth generation, the car that arrived on my driveway was the most recent of the Z cars, the 370Z, made with the same headline formula as the original;

On the note of gauges, the speedometer goes all the way up to 180 mph, despite an utterly respectable top speed of 155 mph. It might look impressive, but it makes going past 30mph speed cameras rather nervy as the

Motoring

TECH STUFF Model tested: Nissan 370Z

Top: 155mph

Engine: 3.7-litre V6

Economy: 32.0 mpg combined

Power: 323bhp

Price from: £29,185

Performance: 0-62 – 5.3 seconds difference between 30 mph and 40 mph on the gauge is insignificant. The interior is largely untouched from the 2009 launch, functional and modern without being cutting edge.

The 3.7 litre V6 engine with 323bhp and 363 Nm of torque is the main talking point of the 370Z pushing the car to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds. One can’t help but feel that this could be the last hurrah for the V6 Z car - concerns over emissions and the environmental impact of vehicles means that manufacturers are following a trend of using lower capacity engines with forced induction. Even the Porsche Cayman, a vehicle that was apparently

used for performance benchmarking the 370Z, is now available in a small capacity turbo option. Whilst the old-school V6 setup does provide the irreplaceable growl, it comes at a cost - fuel efficiency; throughout my week with the car the MPG display stayed consistently in the 23 to 27 range.

There were times during the week when the 370Z would display glimpses of sparkle, a view into the window of what is possible with this car. An s-bend on a deserted national speed limit A-road did just that, but unfortunately the opportunity to exploit the brilliance of the car, the power of the engine and the poise

of the chassis were too few and far between going about my daily life.

This is the car to buy for the Sunday morning blasts to blow the cobwebs off, to tour the Route Napoleon in France and complete in occasional track-days. For the rest of the time, the car is more than happy to plod about daily life whilst teasing you with what it could do if you gave it the chance. As the external environment conspires around it, this could be the last chance to buy a proper Z car that harks back to the original. One with two seats and a stonking great V6.

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The Business Network

Network Review

Business Builder Forum for Entrepreneurs - Eastbourne

By Emma Pearce Marketing Consultant – marketing planning, outsourced marketing services and social media training www.pearcemarketing.co.uk Emma Pearce gives a more detailed insight into a learning and networking meeting for entrepreneurs

T

he Business Builder Forum is definitely not your regular networking group. It is a monthly “development” event for business leaders who are keen to grow their operations. But of course, that inevitably leads to networking opportunities with likeminded entrepreneurs in the local area.

Michael Ogilvie started the Business Builder Forum 17 years ago because “the day you stop learning is the day you stop earning”. He admits that this is a bit of a cliche, but the fact is it’s true.

The event was originally for his business clients at OBC The Accountants, but it has been open to anyone who wants to grow their business for some time now.

Each meeting involves interactive discussions and practical problem solving, facilitated by a speaker who shares knowledge and practical advice on a business topic. But that’s not all – because “leaders don’t just take notes… they take action”. Attendees are encouraged to take away action points from each session to make a positive difference to their business.

Before the speaker begins, there is time for everyone to briefly introduce themselves and, if they wish, report back on what they achieved in the last month to develop their business.

Michael comments: “About 30% of our meetings have external speakers, I facilitate a number of sessions and members bring their expertise too.”

Topics tackled by the group include marketing and sales, negotiation, branding, profit robbers, leadership, motivation and

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goals, pricing and value, system improvement and managing teams. Michael is able to combine his expertise as a Profit Coach and International Conference Speaker to introduce and challenge members to increase their profits.

Meeting Format The agenda for each event is: • Brief networking session with a delicious breakfast (fruit, pastries and bacon toasties) • Welcome from Michael and ‘round the table’ introductions and feedback

December) • Size: 20 attendees

• Speaker and interactive session with refreshment break

• Time: 7.50am-10am

• Close and further networking

• USP: Learning forum for entrepreneurs to grow their business. Each member can take up the offer of a complimentary 1-2-1 session with Michael for support and signposting. Plus there is a “guarantee” if you don’t feel you have received value, you can advise what you think it was worth and be refunded the difference.

Members of the group remarked on how they enjoy taking time to learn and refresh their knowledge, along with working ‘on’ their businesses, rather than ‘in’ it.

The group has about 30 members - with an average of 20 at each meeting, which is a workable number for the format it takes. They are derived from manufacturers, property specialists, banking, healthcare, the Let’s do Business Group, exhibition and building contractors, BMX retail and the surveying, architecture, legal, marketing and insurance sectors. Some work internationally, others nationally and many are more regionally focused.

Key Facts • Location: The Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne • Frequency: Monthly (except August and

• Lock out: No

• Minute round: Brief introduction and feedback on achievements since last month • Speaker slot: one hour learning and interactive session with a speaker • Cost: £55 inc VAT per month for annual membership paid by standing order. Bring a guest for free. Opportunities to gain a free annual membership, or free lifetime membership by referring new members.

To find out more, please email Pippa Prichard at pp@obcaccountants.com.

Chamber Listings

Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce BITE-SIZED LEARNING: UNLOCK YOUR STRENGTHS AND MAKE GAINS IN YOUR BUSINESS Date: Wednesday 12th September Time: 9:30am-11:30am Venue: Spaces, Mocatta House, Trafalgar Place, Brighton Price: £44-54 During this session, you’ll learn how to discover and use your strengths to boost your business and help your team perform better.

THE ‘NOT-SO-SCARY’ POP-UP BREAKFAST Date: Wednesday 19th September Time: 9am-11am Venue: The New Club, 133-134 Kings Road, Brighton Price: £20 Andy Croll will be talking about the transitory nature of his career in software, and how that has helped him make good decisions in both life and business.

BITE-SIZED LEARNING: BRAND IDENTITY - ACHIEVE THE RIGHT LOOK FOR YOUR BUSINESS Date: Thursday 20th September Time: 9:30am-11.30am Venue: The Werks, 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton Price: £44-54 When it comes to business, brand identity is everything. This workshop will help you create the ideal look for your business, to accelerate your growth and gain the loyal customer base you deserve.

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE REGENCY TOWN HOUSE (MEMBERS ONLY) Date: Tuesday 25th September Time: 5:30pm-7pm Venue: The Regency Town House, 13 Brunswick Square, Hove Price: £15 Join us to explore one of the very special historical properties on Brighton seafront, and (of course!) sample some comestibles from the period.

LATER THIS YEAR BRIGHTON SUMMIT: LOOK UP Date: Friday 12th October Time: 8:30am-6pm Venue: The Clarendon Centre, 47 New England Street, Brighton Price: £95-£115 The Summit is for anyone in and around Brighton who wants to evolve and grow their business. It’s relevant for all kinds of enterprises from SMEs to start-ups; from multinationals to social enterprises and charities; and whether you’re a business owner, a CEO or a manager, an entrepreneur or an employee. Discount code for Platinum Magazine readers: For £10 off your ticket, enter the code Platinum at the checkout.

T: 01273 719097 E: events@businessinbrighton.org.uk W: www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/events

Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry NETWORKING CHAMBER MONTHLY MEETING Date: Monday 10th September Time: 6pm-8:15pm Venue: Vicars Hall, Chichester Cathedral Enterprises, Chichester Price: FREE Join us at our regular Networking Chamber Monthly meeting which includes a presentation.

THE CHICHESTER BUSINESS BREAKFAST IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHICHESTER COLLEGE Date: Wednesday 12th September Time: 7.30am-9am Venue: Chichester College, Westgate Fields, Chichester Price: Members £12.00 | Non-members £13.50 This monthly breakfast (includes full English breakfast) provides a friendly, relaxed and informative environment for local businesses to network and improve your business profile locally, with a guest speaker.

EXCLUSIVE NETWORKING LUNCH Date: Wednesday 19th September Venue: Crouchers Restaurant, Bar & Country Hotel, Birdham Road, Chichester Time: 12pm-2pm Price: Members £18.50 | Non-members £20 Come and join us for lunch at the beautiful award-winning Crouchers Restaurant, Bar and Country Hotel. Situated on farmland close to the City of Chichester, the Goodwood Estate and the stunning sandy beach at West Wittering.

“DROP IN FOR DRINKS WEDNESDAY” Date: Wednesday 26th September Time: From 5pm Venue: Chichester Harbour Hotel, North Street, Chichester A great opportunity to relax after work, buy yourself a drink and meet fellow members in an informal environment.

All places for events must be booked via the CCCI website. For more information visit www.chichestercci.org.uk

T: 01243 531765 E: office@chichestercci.org.uk W: www.chichestercci.org.uk

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Chamber Listings

Sussex Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce & Industry EDEAL FIRST FRIDAY BUSINESS NETWORKING Date: Friday 7th September Time: 12.30pm Venue: The Cavendish Hotel, 38 Grand Parade, Eastbourne Price: Free to attend The First Friday Network is a monthly free to attend business networking event. An informal gathering in a welcoming environment where people feel relaxed and are free to present a 60-second elevator pitch.

BLOOMING LATE BREAKFAST Date: Thursday 12th September Time: 9am Venue: The Bloom Factory, 87 Seaside Road, Eastbourne Price: £10 This unique venue provides an informal environment for attendees to make new business connections or catch up with existing contacts.

Breakfast includes sausage or bacon rolls, pastries and fruit.

CHAMBER BREAKFAST Date: Tuesday 18th September Time: 7am Venue: The View Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne Price: £10 Breakfast Meeting with guest speaker Prital Moskal. A choice of full English or Continental breakfast and an opportunity to network and showcase your business.

BIKE NIGHT ORGANISED BY EDEAL ENTERPRISE AGENCY Date: Wednesday 26th September Time: 6pm Venue: Terminus Road Eastbourne Bikers from across the region are invited to attend from 6pm as the seafront end of Terminus Road is closed off to normal traffic.

Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy live music and a bite to eat in some of the best restaurants in town. The event is sponsored by Shaw Harley Davidson and Swintons.

MAXIMISE YOUR MEMBERSHIP Date: Tuesday 18th September Time: 8am-11am Venue: The King’s Church, Burgess Hill Price: Members only FREE Meet the Sussex Chamber team and our providers to ensure you are taking advantage of every aspect of your membership.

BUSINESS NETWORKING BREAKFAST – POWER OF THE CLOUD Date: Thursday 20th September Time: 8am-10:30am Venue: Field Place Manor House, Worthing Price: Members £19 I Non-members £26 (prices exclude VAT) Transform your business by implementing very simple technologies.

GROW YOUR CONNECTIONS Date: Tuesday 25th September Time: 6pm-7.30pm Venue: Harwoods Jaguar Land Rover, Crawley Price: Members and non-members FREE Join us at our purely networking event designed to give you an opportunity to meet other businesses, share best practice, grow your connections and widen your own network of customers and suppliers.

CONNECT WITH SUSSEX CHAMBER Date: Wednesday 26th September Time: 9am-11am Venue: Freedom Works, Worthing Price: Non-Members only FREE Meet one of our Membership Executive Team members and explore the benefits of membership.

CONSTRUCTION FORUM LAST FRIDAY LUNCH Date: Friday 28th September Time: 12pm Venue: Mamma Mi, 18 Grove Road, Eastbourne £20 for two courses and a complimentary glass of wine or soft drink.

Popular networking lunches are held regularly at various locations around Eastbourne.

T: 01323 641144 E: info@eastbournechamber.co.uk W: www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk/events-networking/

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Date: Friday 28th September Time: 7:45am-10:30am Venue: Hilton Avisford Park, Arundel Price: Members £25 I Non-members £35 (prices exclude VAT) Our Construction Forum is designed to inform our sector members of local supply chain opportunities, specific issues and potential barriers to growth whilst networking with like-minded businesses.

T: 01444 259259 E: info@sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk W: www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Chamber Listings

Worthing Chamber of Commerce & Industry BUSINESS AWARDS TIPS NIGHT Date: Wednesday 12th September Time: 5:30pm Venue: Freedom Works, Worthing Join us for an insight on entering the Adur & Worthing Business Awards. You will find out top tips from judges and people who have written successful applications on how to submit an awardwinning entry including selecting the right category, storytelling and demonstrating experiences.

NEW STYLE BREAKFAST CHAT Date: Tuesday 18th September Time: 7.30am-9am Venue: Arundel Restaurant, GB MET, Durrington Price: £8 +VAT to include bacon baps (veggie option) tea and coffee Join us for the launch of our new monthly networking breakfast. Use this chance to promote your business in a room full of like-minded business people. This event is a new style, informal networking breakfast.

CHAMBER HUB Date: Friday 21st September Time: 12:30pm-2pm Venue: Impulse Leisure, Lancing Price: Free Spend your lunchtime enjoying some informal networking with like-minded business people.

Chamber Hub is a well-established, popular networking event which attracts a vast selection of local businesses.

NETWORKING BREAKFAST WITH TIM HAGUE, DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT AT SHOREHAM PORT Date: Friday 28th September Time: 7:30am-9am Price: Members £14 +VAT I Non-members £19 +VAT Includes a full English breakfast, tea, coffee and juice. A networking breakfast with Tim Hague, Director of property and development at Shoreham Port. Tim will be telling us about the Port’s rich history as well as how it operates today as a commercial Port. He will also explain the current and planned development projects.

CHAMBER QUIZ NIGHT Date: Thursday 4th October Time: 7pm–10:30pm Venue: Care for Veterans, Gifford House, Boundary Road, Worthing Price: £10pp to include a jacket potato with either chilli or cheese and beans.

Don’t miss out on the Chamber Quiz Night! We will be raising funds for Care for Veterans. Teams can be of up to six people and we are also making up a couple of Chamber teams that you are welcome to join.

Awards & Expos MID SUSSEX BUSINESS EXPO Date: Thursday 27th September Venue: South of England Showground, Ardingly www. netxp.co.uk

SURREY BUSINESS AWARDS Date: Thursday 4th October Venue: Epsom Downs Racecourse www.surreybusinessawards.com

SURREY

BRIGHTON BUSINESS EXPO Date: Thursday 11th October Venue: Brighton Racecourse www.b2bexpos.co.uk/brighton

BRIGHTON CHAMBER SUMMIT Date: Friday 12th October Venue: The Clarendon Centre www.brightonsummit.com

SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS Date: Thursday 29th November Venue: Grand Hotel Brighton www.sbawards.org.uk

T: 01903 203484 E: info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk W: www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

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Anger Management

ANGER MANAGEMENT

At long bloody last

by Maarten Hoffmann

T

hat arbiter of all things digital and the destroyer of our newspaper industry, Facebook have FINALLY admitted they are actually a publisher.

The problem here is that Facebook have always strenuously denied that they are a publisher and therefore not subject to the rule of law like the rest of us. Their claim was that they were merely a platform onto which anyone could place content. We all knew this was utter nonsense but with so much power, money and high powered lawyers, few dared to challenge this assertion. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, traditional publishers such as newspapers and this magazine are liable for what appears in their pages and therefore have fact checkers and legal teams poring over the pages to ensure we do not distribute fake news or defame anyone with no proof.

Not so the internet giants who can publish anything they damn well please and this is sucked up by all in sundry as the truth. It is, in the main, not and yet if you are defamed you have no one to approach for

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compensation or an apology or a retraction. This allows them to carry links to terrorism, paedophile sites and assorted libellous content.

In a US court last month, Zuckerberg attempted to squirm his way out of the Cambridge Analytica debacle by claiming that FB is a publisher and therefore protected by America’s First Amendment. That might get him out of that mess but it has now launched him into a new and far larger and more important mess. Admitting that the company IS a publisher and therefore must henceforth take responsibility for what is on the site.

He acknowledges that FB has a responsibility for its content, but insisted that ‘we do not produce it’. FB and other tech giants are not treated as publishers under US and UK law but politicians have threatened to change the law if the firms do not regulate themselves effectively. Last month FB repeatedly stressed it is a publisher as it defended claims that Zuckerberg developed a malicious and fraudulent scheme to exploit users personal data.

Six4Three, an app developer, claims he deliberately created a loophole

Anger Management enabling app developers to access the data of users friends. The loophole enabled Cambridge Analytica to obtain data of tens of millions of FB users without their knowledge. Sonal Mehta, for Facebook, said in a California court that it’s decisions about data access were a ‘quintessential publishers function’ and should be protected under the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of the press. She went on ‘decisions about what not to publish should be protected because the social media giant is a publisher’. At last, there it is - finally the admission.

Would Trump have got into power were it not for the distorted online views fed to his brain dead followers? Did Russia distort the US election with disinformation spread by pay per click advertising where no one takes any responsibility or are even paying attention to who places what? Did Russia distort the Brexit vote with the same tactics as rumoured?

The only way to know is for some good old fashioned journalists to get on the case and dig. Alas, the national papers are so crippled by debt that there is no longer the budget for ‘proper’ journalism and therefore we might never know. Nor will we know if it is still going on in more assiduous ways right now.

Corporate disruptors are nothing new and, in the main, can be very good at keeping companies on their toes but the likes of Facebook did far more than that. They came along with zero responsibility and destroyed a vital industry, newspaper publishing. The world’s newspaper industry is what holds those in power to account. It has always stopped those in power from going too far, from getting away with disgraceful behaviour and shone a light into the dark recesses of the political and business world to locate the buried skeletons. Local newspapers have been all but destroyed and national papers have suffered a terrible loss of readers and revenue as the public, in their blind lemming-like droves, clamber to the internet for their news.

Trouble is this is NOT news - this is a platform

for vile views, biased idiots and political disinformation. News it is not.

And then to add insult to injury, Zuckerberg has now launched a new PRINTED business magazine for the UK entitled Grow. Leaving aside that Grow is the name of the marijuana

industry magazine in the US, this is a classic.

Debase and destroy an industry and then launch your new product into the void and start to claim you are a publisher after all. Print is back in a major way but Zuckerberg should be allowed no part of it.

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Institute of Directors

So, what do you know?

R

eaders of a certain vintage may well be tempted to respond “not a lot”, and even those whose memories do not go back to particular Saturday evening TV variety magic shows may have been tempted to respond along similar lines with a “not much” or similar response.

It is relatively symptomatic of our national psyche to downplay any expertise we may have, to not want to be accused of “showing off”; to not shout about ourselves or even to celebrate success too ostentatiously.

In reality however, most people in business have acquired a huge amount of experience and often wisdom. Many would be unlikely ever to use the word “wisdom” but if we consider the definition from the Oxford English Dictionary i.e. the “Capacity of judging rightly in matters relating to life and conduct; soundness of judgement in the choice of means and ends; sometimes, less strictly, sound sense, esp. in practical affairs” we can quickly see that it might apply to qualities that are possessed by more people than we

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By Dean Orgill, Chair of Sussex IoD and Chairman of Mayo Wynne Baxter www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk www.iod.com

first thought, maybe even (dare we say it) ourselves.

Many of us as we find our years of experience totting up are then placed in roles of mentoring, either officially or frequently (but no less valuably) unofficially. Then we are passing on what we have learned in the hope that others will either emulate our successes or at least learn from our failures.

Often we can remember those we looked up to at the start of our careers, but somehow cannot think that maybe we are now (or we will be shortly) in the position that those senior people were then, and that others may be “looking up” to us now. Whilst we will happily pass on comments about how to deal with issues or people to those with less experience, somehow we struggle to see that this will be viewed as wisdom by those receiving it in the same way that we did in the past.

Just take a moment to reflect though. Why should your wisdom and the benefit of your experience be of any less value to someone else now compared to that which helped you

in your formative years? Even if your advice helps someone towards a differing view to yours it still has a value (a philosophy that I think would undoubtedly benefit the quality of our national debates at the moment).

Then, I would suggest, many of us could take a further moment and listen to our own wisdom. What we may tell others in circumstances where there is a problem may well be worth listening to for ourselves. Talking to ourselves and articulating that advice may well lead us to a solution that internalising in our heads does not. It is a truism that no-one has all of the answers, but you may have more of them than you think, if you listen to your own wisdom.

JUST A THOUGHT What advice do you give others that you should also follow yourself?

When BUSINESS meets SPORT PROFILE OF BOXER

ANTHONY JOSHUA

INTERVIEW WITH RUGBY LEAGUE’S

STACEY WHITE

SUSSEX SPORTS AWARDS MOTOR SPORT TRACK DAYS

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SPORTS NEWS

SPORTS NEWS FOOTBALL The Hove Curry Club have announced that Seagulls boss Chris Hughton will be the guest speaker at their monthly networking lunch on November 15th held at Memories of India, Brighton Marina. As well as some fantastic auction prizes, the event will be hosted by Sky Sport’s Pete Graves who will also be auctioning off a trip around the Sky Sports Studios. Money raised will go to Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. Limited tables and sponsorship are available for this mustsee event. For more info, visit www.thecurryclubuk.com

HORSE RACING Battaash eased to victory to become the first horse to claim back-to-back wins in the Group Two King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, while last month Brighton Racecourse hosted the Marathonbet Festival of Racing over 3 days, which saw Brighton’s richest race, The Bombardier Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy won by 16-1 Pastoral Player ridden by Charlie Bennett.

“Julian Dicks is everywhere.

It’s like they’ve got eleven Dicks on the field.”

Metro Radio Commentary

CRICKET While Sussex (at the time of writing) are second in Division 2 of the County Championship and through to the quarter finals of the T20 Blast, last month saw over 200 business people attend the 1st Central County Ground Photo courtesy of Sid Lawrence in Hove to hear former Liverpool Goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar speak about his career and his infamous goal line antics during the penalty shoot-out victory over Roma in the 1984 European Cup final.

GOLF The 42nd Ryder Cup Matches between Europe and the USA will be held in France from September 28th - 30th 2018 at the Albatros Course of Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, a suburb southwest of Paris.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Ali Gibb, a 51-year-old amateur golfer achieved the remarkable feat of hitting hit three holes-in-one as she defended her club championship title. One dreams of hitting one hole-in-one, but three on the same day is extraordinary!

DARTS Top class darts is returning to The Brighton Centre this month as the PDC Champions League of Darts returns to the south coast venue.

New World Champion Rob Cross, who hails from Sussex, will step out on his ‘home’ stage in the 2018 Champions League of Darts, while 2017 World Grand Prix winner Daryl Gurney is also set to make his debut in the event. They will join reigning champion Mensur Suljovic, world number one Michael Van Gerwen and Scottish duo Peter Wright and Gary Anderson, while the world’s top eight also currently features Dave Chisnall and Simon Whitlock.

“During the warming-up training before play I prayed. Not for victory, but that my hairpiece wouldn’t fall off.”

Andre Agassi

ATHLETICS Last month’s European Championships in Glasgow and Berlin saw Great Britain finish second in the Medals table behind Russia, having secured 74 medals including twenty-six golds. The highlight of the track events was surely Dina AsherSmith becoming the first British women to win three gold medals at the same European Championships, having secured the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay titles.

FORMULA ONE After the announcement that Spanish two-time World Champion, Fernando Alonso is to retire at the end of the season and that Carlos Sainz will be his replacement from next year, this month sees the Italian, Singapore and Russian Grand Prix’s take place with Lewis Hamilton currently in pole position in the drivers’ Championship, ahead of second placed Sebastian Vettel with over half the season gone.

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Our AJ

A

nthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua OBE is one of the nicest guys to ever try to murder people – in the ring that is. To many he is a reincarnation of Muhammad Ali. Disarmingly pleasant, funny, astonishingly confident whilst striking fear into the hearts of those stupid enough to get into the ring with him.

Many people have wandered away from boxing with no charismatic boxers on the horizon for some years. AJ has reversed that trend with box office up, TV audiences up and betting up – AJ has single-handedly revitalised the sport.

Brit boy Joshua now holds three of the four world boxing titles – IBF since 2016; WBA since 2017; WBO since 2018. As of February 2018, this former bricklayer from Watford is ranked as the world’s finest heavyweight boxer.

He benefits from a tremendous 82” reach, 6’6’ height, 113kg weight, 47” chest and the incredible power behind his punches has left many opponent considering retirement. At 28 years old, he has many years left in him yet to dominate the sport. He is also unbeaten in 21 professional fights with 20 knock outs. And he still lives with his Mum. A forthcoming major fight will be against Tyson Fury, the undisciplined street fighter who packs quite a punch. Fury likes to trash talk and that is not AJ’s style: “Fury has nothing good to say so that’s why I don’t really entertain him” he said. “If I give Fury respect and he gives it back, people will say, ‘Oh, these guys are really elite champions of the world.’

But instead Fury says, ‘Joshua’s a bum and I’ll knock him out’ - It’s good to be confident but not cocky.”

For Fury, a long road stretches ahead before he can think about sharing the same ring with Joshua. Joshua has moved way out of his league and with the recent win over Joseph Parker, he has moved even further out of his orbit. Fury is trying to climb up off the floor. Joshua is reaching for the stars.

AJ’s next scheduled fights are against Alexander Povetkin on September 22nd followed by the 2019 unification showdown against WBC world champion Deontay Wilder, both at Wembley Stadium.

BOXING PROFILE AJ will put his three world heavyweight belts on the line against the tough Russian Alexander Povetkin at Wembley.

If Joshua is to achieve his dream of unifying the division by taking Deontay Wilder’s WBC belt, he must first despatch Povetkin, who comes into the fight as the mandatory WBA and WBO challenger Joshua added Joseph Parker’s WBO belt to his collection in Cardiff at the end of March this year in his most recent fight by comfortably beating the New Zealander on points at a soldout Principality Stadium. After cementing his superstar status with an unforgettable 11th Round knock-out of Ukrainian legend Wladimir Klitschko in April 2017, and then a 10th Round stoppage of the brave Carlos Takam in Cardiff in October, Joshua’s focus is on unifying the division. On the undercard on the same night as the Parker fight, his opponent Povetkin stopped Britain’s David Price with a stunning K.O. in Round 5, underlining his dangerous power, and potential to upset Joshua. The durable 38 year old Russian has suffered only one defeat in his career, against Wladimir Klitschko, losing unanimously on the judges’ scorecards. His record of 34 wins in 35 fights, with 24 knock-outs is impressive, and Joshua will need to be at his very best to deal with the “White Lion”. Anything but a victory will deal a huge blow to Joshua’s ambitions, and a packed Wembley is sure to witness a very special night.

Big fight hospitality is available including a pre-fight three course meal, complimentary bar, and analysis from David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye, a post-fight buffet, and your choice of superb seats for the fight! For more information on VIP Hospitality Packages or tickets, please contact the Platinum Sports Group sales team: sales@platinumsports.uk or call 0203 205 7149.

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WELL-BEING

THE FLOAT SPA

Stressed? Don’t let the stress win!

by Camille Pierson, Managing Director of The Float Spa

W

e’ve all heard sports commentators saying that a sportsperson ‘buckled under the pressure’ and we all know people who thrive in a pressurised environment, but there’s a world of difference between acute stress caused by an immediate challenge and the long drawn out nagging stress that keeps you awake at night. No one thrives under that. Just like that sharp intense stress can cause people to underperform in the moment, longer term stress can wear away at your ability to perform to the best of your ability whether that’s in sport or in business. Sadly, we seem to have accepted this sort of stress as a fact of modern life, but we can, and should, fight back.

How Stress Affects Performance • Mentally Acute stress can sharpen the mind. Most people know that feeling of being hyper-aware in a sudden stressful situation and this can be very helpful in sport and in decision-making in general. However, long term stress results in the build up of the stress hormone cortisol and this can have a negative effect on attention, memory and decisionmaking. Poor decisions can be equally disastrous in sport and in business so there’s no way we should just accept that we simply have to live with stress.

• Physically Stress can have some very serious physical effects over time such as cardiovascular problems and weakened immune system but, even in the short term, it has physical effects which can hamper an athlete’s performance. Muscle tension is the obvious one here. If an elite athlete is tense, they aren’t moving as freely as possible. Tense muscles and tight connective tissues are also more prone to injury.

Not only that but stress can also affect healing so injuries stick around for longer too.

• Tackling Stress With stress having such a negative effect on sport and personal performance in all areas of life, it’s shocking that we seem to have come to accept it. Brighton was recently reported as being the most stressed city in the UK due to the sorts of factors – like high property prices, low wages, long commutes – that ruin sleep and wear people down over time. There isn’t much we can do about these things, unfortunately, but we can combat stress. Most of the services we offer at The Float Spa are great for relieving stress.

Floatation, yoga and massage are all good ways to get stress under control, but the important thing is that you take the time to actively do something about stress and you do it regularly whether that’s meditation, aromatherapy, long hot baths, reading, gardening or whatever relaxes you. Taking even five minutes everyday to just stop, disengage from the world and concentrate on your breathing will help to reduce your stress levels.

Once you’ve found a way to reduce stress that works for you, you should find yourself getting back on form quite quickly but make sure you keep at it to stay at your peak performance level. If you’d like to try one of the methods that we offer at The Float Spa call 01273 975680.

8 Third Avenue, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2PX www.thefloatspa.co.uk

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NETWORKING

NETWORK MY CLUB

Another sell out month for Network My Club!

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ho said networking was dead in August?

At what is supposedly the quiet time of year for networking, both of Network My Club’s Sussex based business clubs at the Amex Stadium and the Goodwood Estate enjoyed sell out events in August.

Firstly, the Network Albion Business Club welcomed over 120 businesses to the iTalk Lounge at the Amex Stadium for a morning of networking, breakfast and to hear from Brighton & Hove Albion FC Executive Director, Martin Perry.

Martin spoke following the football clubs first ever season in the Premier League, the work that followed having remained in the league and the ambitions for the upcoming season. Reiterating how lucrative financially not just playing in the league is to the club, and the local economy, but also the global reach it brings to the city, with the club alone having a combined worldwide TV audience of over 102 million people across 198 countries! Martin explained that survival in the Premier League was worth £100m to the club annually through television revenue and prize money, compared to just £4m the club would receive in the divison below.

Find out more about the Network Albion Business Club at www.networkalbion.co.uk.

August also saw Network My Club host their growing Network My Club at Goodwood group, which this month took place at world famous Goodwood Motor Circuit! Over 50 businesses were in attendance to meet new like-minded contacts in the West Sussex area and enjoy a hearty breakfast as well as hearing the latest from new members and Goodwood Estate personnel itself.

Jamie Williams, Sporting Sales Executive at Goodwood, explained to guests that the recent Qatar Festival racing fixture was one of their most successful to date, with increased attendees and revenues.

Network My Club at Goodwood offer members more than just monthly networking events, but also exclusive member benefits. which include: two free tickets to a raceday of choice, discount on hospitality, discounted golf membership and much more! Find all the information regarding the benefits of joining via www.nmcgoodwood.co.uk.

To find more information about Network My Club and see where they’re hosting events near you across the South and in London, visit www.networkmyclub.co.uk.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS • Network Albion Business Club - Brighton & Hove Albion FC Thursday 6th September • Network Hampshire Business Club (Match Day Networking) – The Ageas Bowl – Tuesday 11th September • Network My Club at Goodwood - Goodwood Motor Circuit Thursday 13th September • Network Pompey Business Club - Portsmouth FC - Thursday 20th September • Network Oval Business Club (Match Day Networking) – The Kia Oval – Wednesday 26th September

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MOTOR SPORTS

TRACK DAYS

Keep on Track

I

f you are looking for a great day out, a track day cannot be beaten.

Whether you use the track supplied cars or take your own under the ‘run wot you brung’ banner’ it really is an unbeatable day out.

There are countless locations available and things like Red Letter Days where you can purchase a gift for a loved one and a special note about Palmer Sport. Developed by ex-racing driver Jonathan Palmer, this purpose-built track is superb with an array of stunning cars to drive and it is an entire day out.

But looking at our closest racetrack, Goodwood, there are a variety of great track days available. It in one of the only tracks to have the entire BMW M range available and the John Cooper Works Mini for that real go kart feel.

Goodwood is the only classic race track in the world to remain entirely in its original form. Here you can follow in the footsteps of such racing heroes as Jim Clark, Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart. The historic two-and-a-half-mile circuit, with its famously long and demanding sweeping curves, provides a real challenge for any driver who loves the

feeling of high speed.

The Performance Track experience costing £349 provides the chance to drive the full range of high-performance BMW M models and MINI John Cooper Works. It is also a rare opportunity to unleash the revolutionary BMW i8, the extraordinary 357bhp hybrid sports car.

You receive two and a half hours and this includes a 30-minute driver briefing and approximately 45 minutes behind the wheel which is broken up into three 15-minute sessions.

Goodwood also offers Hot Laps with a professional driver where you get the chance to learn the ropes and to realise quite how good these guys are. They also offer spin and slide sessions where you are taught how to master power slides, handbrake turns and J-turns. And of course, you can take your own car onto this legendary track without concern of speed cameras and plod waiting around every bend.

Track days are great for a leisure day out and but are increasingly being used for corporate team building days and your staff will love you for it.

Platinum Motor Sport

sponsored by Sherrards Employment Law Solicitors 4 Albourne Court, Henfield Road, Albourne, West Sussex, BN6 9DB. Tel: 01273 834120 Website: www.sherrardslaw.com

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Sponsorship and advertising opportunities For information on sponsorship and advertising opportunities for the 2018/19 Premier League season, or to receive a copy of our sponsorship and hospitality brochure, please email commercial@bhafc.co.uk or call 01273 878 278.

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NEW SEASON

FOOTBALL

Bridging the Gap

W

ith the World Cup a distant memory and the domestic season now underway, there are so, so many questions on the lips of football fans right across the country, with the priority seemingly around ‘How will my team perform this season and will the new players we’ve signed be any good?’

I’ll come onto that in a moment, but was it just me that thought England’s performance in the World Cup was average at best? I understand the team did well to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1990 but the draw was very favourable, the teams we played were weak and when the Three Lions came up against anyone half decent, we were found wanting (Belgium twice and Croatia!). Quite frankly I was disappointed with England (again!) but for me the tournament was one of the best in terms of excitement, especially with the VAR decisions, some of which still prove that despite the input of 4 people, this isn’t the answer. And again, was it just me or did seeing the previous holders Germany knocked out in the Group stages just hilarious?

Anyway, let’s have a look at matters a little closer to home….

Will Arsenal TV still provide us with comedy moments as Gunners fans expect more highs and lows under new Manager Unai Emery? How will Chelsea adapt to life under ex Napoli Boss Maurizio Sarri and how much longer will Man Utd put up with moaning Mourinho? And will Liverpool finally deliver some silverware after spending a whopping £177 million on only four players this summer? And what about Zinedine Zidane?

Will he become a Premier League Manager after leading Real Madrid to a hattrick of consecutive Champions League titles (the first Club to ever achieve this feat!) after which he inexplicably resigned, presumably because he wanted to quit while he was on top, and how will the Spanish giants cope without their pin up talisman Cristiano Ronaldo?

Losing the Super Cup to Madrid rivals Athletico last month wasn’t the start they were hoping for!

Talking of Ronaldo and thinking about his sale to Juventus for £99 million, I started to pontificate about how ridiculous transfer fees are

Chelsea’s KEPA the most expensive goalie

GAP Solutions Managing Director, Greg Bradley and his son Theo now. Records had been broken every year with no cap in sight until this season, when Premier League clubs spent a total of £1.26bn, down on the £1.4bn that was paid out last summer. Although the total spend wasn’t as high as in previous seasons there were some significant signings, with the record transfer fee for a goalkeeper being broken twice in two months (£66 and £71 million spent on goalkeepers for Liverpool’s Allison and Chelsea’s Kepa respectively). For the first time since 2010, spending was down and clearly this was influenced by the transfer window shutting earlier than the rest of Europe. However more than £200m has been spent on bringing goal keepers to the Premier League this summer, the first time that more money has been spent on goalkeepers than on strikers!

Even closer to home Brighton and Hove Albion saw the most additions with 14 new players through the door as well as having 15 departures.

Congratulations to new Lounge Sponsors GAP Solutions by the way.

Is all this spending worth it? Last Year Man U paid £89 million for the services of World Cup Winner Paul Pogba who is rumoured to be unhappy after only one season, but do you remember when the first million-pound player was announced and who it was? Answer: Trevor Francis, from Birmingham City to Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in January 1979; nearly forty years ago? If you remember it, how old does that make you feel?

Trevor Francis

Platinum Football

sponsored by Gap Solutions Unit B5 Enterprise Estate, Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton, BN1 8AF Tel: 01273 550050 Email: info@gapsolutions.co.uk

www.gapsolutions.co.uk

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INTERVIEW

In a Rugby League of her own 33-year-old Stacey White, from Eastergate Chichester, played Rugby League for Super League Champions Bradford Bulls, was part of the England Squad at last year’s World Cup Down Under and she plays Rugby Union for Harlequins. Laurence Elphick talked to Stacey about what rugby means to her and how she views the future of the women’s game.

How did you first get into rugby?

I have always been a keen sportswoman and participated in many sports at school and whilst growing up. My parents would always encourage my brother and l to be active, having spent hours playing with us in the garden and at the park. I was particularly strong at team games and excelled in netball, hockey and athletics during my secondary school though I didn’t pick up a rugby ball until my second year at university! My degree was in physical education and as part of the course we had to learn to teach several sports. One of these was rugby and it was when we were playing and I’d flattened my male counterparts that I came across this wonderful game. From that moment on it was full steam ahead. I joined The University of Chichester Womens rugby Team and never looked back.

You’ve played 7’s, Rugby Union and Rugby League, which format do you prefer?

I really enjoy playing them all, but I think my physical attributes best suit rugby league which requires more carries and tackles during a game.

I thoroughly enjoy these elements of performance and find rugby league very physically demanding. Having said that, rugby union was where I started out and I am currently with Harlequins. I have played under current coach Karen Findlay for a few years and I’ve experienced successful league and cup title wins under her management. The support and confidence she has in me has had an invaluable impact on my development and progression. Harlequins are at the forefront of women’s rugby, so it’s very exciting to be part of this period of change.

It’s no secret that funding for women’s sport is below par, but the time and investment Harlequins are committing to the women’s game is fantastic.

You were part of the Bradford Bulls rugby league team that won the inaugural Super League last year, what was the key to this success?

It was down to several factors. Firstly, the passion and commitment from the players and the coaching staff involved who went above and beyond throughout the season. Secondly the support from Bradford

Bradford Bulls celebrate winning the Super League Bulls as a club who provided vital support and funding for the women’s team. Thirdly the support from the fans which was outstanding. I also feel a key part to the success was that ten of the Bradford Bulls players including myself were part of the England Squad selected to go to the Women’s Rugby league World cup last year in Australia. This allowed us a lot of time together when training for England and we were successfully able to replicate this on the pitch and use it to our advantage during games.

What did being part of last year’s England Rugby League squad at the World Cup mean to you?

It was the epitome of everything I had worked so hard for and it made all those life choices and personal sacrifices easier as well as fulfilling my ambition and potential. I was proud to represent my country and perform at the highest level which also made my friends and family proud. It was amazing being part of something huge in terms of women’s sport going forward and helping to inspire the next generation of players to fulfil their potential. Playing rugby is what I love doing.

Platinum Rugby

sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP

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With offices in Ashford, Brighton, Seaford, Sevenoaks and Uckfield, please visit www.rixandkay.co.uk and ensure you are supported by a winning team

RUGBY What does the future hold for Women’s rugby both in England and Sussex?

England World Cup Rugby League Squad

Apart from the World Cup, what’s been the highlight of your career?

Getting my first cap for England in a test match against France. Receiving that first call up was a real feeling of achievement, and of course, singing the national anthem and getting goose bumps for the first time is something I will always remember. My rugby career has also taught me a lot of life lessons and shaped me as a person. As a PE teacher I have seen first-hand how sport can influence young people and their lives. It’s taught me resilience but also that failure is feedback and that life is about opportunities. I’ve realised it’s not always the best that get there but the one that wants it the most. In other words, anything is possible!

You’ve played in Australia, how different was this compared to playing in the UK? I was lucky to have support from my headteacher and governors at The Angmering

Scoring a try for Harlequins.

School and be granted a six-month sabbatical from work to go and live in Australia to develop my rugby league skills. I had the opportunity to train and play alongside several of the Australian Jillaroo squad where I learnt lots of new skills and tactics. I developed my understanding of the game and positions I could play in, but I had to develop my fitness and adapt to the temperature and humidity as well. I found playing in Australia was a lot quicker and the skill level, particularly the handling, was much higher due to their touch football backgrounds. It was also very different with the women I was competing against.

I’m not small but the sheer size, strength and physicality of some of the women out there was a real education. I think I was sat down a fair few times which was something that hadn’t happened to me before. Women’s Rugby League in Australia is held in very high regard, so I found the provision and status out there much better.

The 2021 Rugby league World Cup is being hosted in England. It will be the first time the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair competitions will be staged at a single event, culminating in a Finals Weekend to crown the champions of each. Leading up to this, the RFL have been working to develop the women’s game establishing the recent women’s Super League thus providing an excellent competition platform and pathway to elite levels and hopefully success in 2021. In terms of the South, there are teams centred at Brixton Bulls and Sussex Merlins Rugby League clubs for southern players who are interested. I have also represented the GB Womens Teachers side on several occasions and am looking to be part of the leadership for this in the south.

How much of a challenge does women’s rugby face to keep growing?

Women’s rugby has shown significant progress over the last few years and is heading in the right direction. The change I have seen from the start of my career to now is very exciting and I really feel the British public want to see women in sport rise to the platform they deserve.

In your opinion why are the Southern Hemisphere teams better?

I guess the Southern Hemisphere teams get the best pick of the athletes whereas in England, other sports (football) get first pick. They also concentrate on a lot of touch football at school (basic handling skills early on) whereas in England football tends to dominate the curriculum. I personally feel they have more freedom to play how they want to which makes for a quicker, more unpredictable game. They also like to keep the ball alive.

No one can doubt England’s passion and commitment and recent results show we are dramatically upping our game and challenging more and more.

English and proud!

Platinum Rugby

sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP With offices in Ashford, Brighton, Seaford, Sevenoaks and Uckfield, please visit www.rixandkay.co.uk and ensure you are supported by a winning team

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FOOTBALL

WHITEHAWK FC

Welcome to ‘The People’s Club’ Kevin Miller, new Head of Commercial at Whitehawk Football Club, looks forward to a new season and a new vision.

I

walk through the well-worn galvanised steel gates of the Terra Pura (Enclosed) Ground - home of Whitehawk Football Club - on another hot, sunny early July morning, eager to start a new chapter in my career, having enjoyed four and a half years having a blast at Lewes FC (Redundancy, eh?), and I am welcomed by Keith, Groundsman of 38 years, and his dog Belle.

“Morning Kevin!” He growls. “There’s a cup of tea for you in the main stand!” As I walk towards the ageing main stand — the full vista of the stadium now in view, I look behind me…Sitting within are five people, Groundsman, (38 years a volunteer) assistant Groundsman (10 years), General Manager (15 years), Club Secretary (49 years) and Assistant Secretary (15 years), sipping tea and ruminating on life in Non-League Football. Two static sprinklers create lush green patches on the brown parched pitch, and as I sip my tea, I notice lines of text painted on the steps of the stand over the yellow lines; ‘Love,’ ‘Peace,’ ‘No Racism,’

‘No Sexism,’ ‘No Violence’ ‘No Homophobia’. I think to myself, “This is fantastic!”

Later in the week I meet the ‘Whitehawk Ultra’s’, an ever growing collective of passionate fans, who cherish and help to formulate the club’s values (it was one of the Ultra’s who painted the text on the steps), who set up foodbank collections, and work with many charities within the city. And they bang the drums. Loudly!

After my first week, I started to formulate a plan. ‘The Peoples’ Club’…

The hard work, dedication, passion that this club has, needs to be shared around the city. Eighteen months ago Whitehawk played in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup in front of 2,500 people. The audience is there, so let’s tell the region that we’re open for business.

Let’s work within the amazing communities of Brighton & Hove, celebrate the richness and diversity of this incredible place, and create a real destination for people to share. A place where the traditional values of sport still thrive, but where a new generation can sample a new experience at a match. Standing on the terraces with a pint for a tenner are three things that the expensive Premier League can no longer offer, and whilst the multi million-pound players in that league are superstars, here there are honest hard working aspirants, in IT, marketing, or sport & fitness, still dreaming and still able to play a decent level of football within a true community environment.

Within a month we announced a pioneering shirt sponsorship deal with the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College - The MET - which will offer students the opportunity the chance to gain valuable experience and new life skills.

We also welcomed back the GMB union, a long term shirt partner, offering businesses within the chance to advertise around the ground and so much more.

It’s the 75th Anniversary of ‘The Hawks’ next season - I would love to see new business, new fans, and a real sense of community take hold, so that we can celebrate that anniversary together.

A true ‘Peoples Club’ - Look forward to seeing you there… kevin.miller@whitehawkfc.com 07833 736234

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EVENTING

WHEN BUSINESS MEETS SPORT

Daryl Gayler Regional Director, London & South East, NatWest Bank

“Why I enjoy Eventing” Daryl Gayler tells us why he banks on the skill of Eventing.

Q&A 1. Have you ever ridden a horse?

I have never ridden a horse competitively, only for fun. I leave the competing to my daughter.

2. Who is your favourite rider of all time?

It has to be Charlotte Dujardin, the Olympic Dressage Champion and World Number 1. Who could forget her performance on Valegro at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

3. Which discipline is your favourite?

Dressage is the discipline I admire the most as it is so technical, and the smallest of mistakes can cost you, but cross-country is the most exciting to watch.

4. Is Show Jumping the expensive sport that people perceive it to be?

A good horse costs good money and whilst you can buy a young horse with potential there are still the vet bills, insurance, shoes, tack and equipment, livery costs and entry fees to consider!

It’s money well spent though because it teaches your kids to be disciplined and manage their time well. It also ensures they spend a good portion of their time being active outside in the fresh air and it teaches them the importance of taking responsibility as they own an animal which relies on them for everything.

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venting represents the ultimate challenge for a rider. Rider and horse need to be disciplined and technically skilled to score well at dressage, bold and accurate to go clear at show jumping and then have the stamina and bravery to complete the cross-country course within the optimum time.

To be successful at Eventing you need to be strong and consistent through all three disciplines and this requires years of training with the horse and rider working together in harmony as one team. There are many riders and horses who prefer to focus on just one element of Eventing and there is nothing wrong with that, but it is the requirement for you to be a complete all-rounder which makes Eventing so challenging and so exciting to watch. The venues across the South East are often picturesque and varied and make for a great day out. The allotted time slots for each of the three disciplines for Eventing is also a big plus as it means that it is realistic to complete all three within a 2-3 hour timeframe – this is often how long it takes to complete just one class of Show Jumping at the larger bespoke jumping venues!

The other attraction of Eventing is that it has a very diverse range of participants with young and old, male and female, experienced and inexperienced all competing against each other. You often have professional Olympic riders on younger horses competing against grass roots amateur riders – how many other sports provide an opportunity for keen and enthusiastic amateurs to compete against their heroes on a regular basis? The ultimate challenge for amateur grass roots eventers is qualifying for Badminton whereby amateur riders get to compete at the same venue over the same week as the international professional riders. Although the course is understandably different to that jumped by the professionals on their first choice horses, it does give the grass roots riders the chance to feel part of a major sporting event and the atmosphere and sense of occasion is fantastic. One of my proudest moments as a dad was watching my daughter Elise complete and do well at Badminton in the Mitsubishi Challenge, having qualified from over 80,000 riders. The excitement, the adrenalin and the emotions of the 2 days we spent at Badminton has created memories that will last forever.’

KARTING

WHEN BUSINESS MEETS SPORT

Simon Nicholson

MIEx

Branch Manager at Handelsbanken Brighton

“Why I love Karting” Simon Nicholson tells us all about his passion for karting and It’s not all about the speed!

I

came to karting relatively late. Most top line drivers start very young and as an example I have recently been coaching 8-year olds who have been racing for 2 years already. I get enormous satisfaction coaching young drivers and I think it’s a wonderful sport to teach them lots of life skills.

To an outside observer it looks a very simple sport but as with everything the devil is in the detail. Firstly, a full race kart on fresh rubber will be pulling 3g in the corners (in other words your head effectively weighs 30kg) so the physical aspect of being able to drive is very significant. Fitness is incredibly important and requires constant work and an eye on diet.

Discipline and control are paramount because there is no such thing as a perfect weekend and you need to learn to set frustrations aside and control any anger. It’s all about maintaining your focus and if you make a mistake you must move on from that immediately and concentrate on what happens next. Determination and persistency can really pay dividends and it is often not the fastest driver who wins.

Detail is everything as although karts are simple machines the different setup possibilities are endless and you are normally chasing 10ths of a second over a 1-mile lap (1psi of tyre pressure can be 1/10th second). A tenth of a second around a minute-long track is five or ten positions.

Mental attitude, kart setup and fitness all come into play.

The process is fiendishly nuanced, and every driver at karting’s top level is using it to chase hundredths of a second. This is partly equipment parity, partly the sport’s approachability.

Unlike in car racing, where high running costs can side-line talent, karts are relatively attainable, which means fewer fast drivers get kicked out because they can’t afford a seat.

It’s a simple sport which in a way is full of complexities which is what I love about it. You can’t really buy your way to the top, so it is about getting all the little details right and never ever giving up. Many of the top drivers in the world still regularly race karts as it has a real purity about the sport and there is no better way to keep your racing skills sharp.

Ayrton Senna said this about his karting days: “It was pure driving, real racing - and that makes me happy”

Q&A 1. Why karts not cars?

Money really. I started karting years ago but then life and family came along and the karting took a back seat. I love seeing youngsters coming into the sport and learning about the discipline and focus that is needed, there are a lot of life lessons that you can take from the approach that is required.

2. Do you have a need for speed?

Yes absolutely. Although I tend to keep it to the track. I did ride motorbikes for a few years but had to stop really as I felt sure it was going to end badly!

3. What’s the scariest moment you have ever had?

There’s probably a couple that spring to mind. I did have a brake failure at Teesside Autodrome in a rotary kart, I hit the brakes at the end of the main straight when travelling at 100mph and nothing happened, that wasn’t fun although I did avoid an accident.

I also had a nasty accident in testing where the throttle jammed open and I went head on into the tyre wall, I was thrown clear of the kart and landed in the middle of the track, it took a while to recover from that.

4. Have you ever suffered any injuries?

Yes a few, in the accident above I broke a few ribs and was generally quite battered and bruised. I think the worst injury was probably caused by wear and tear over several years which resulted in neck surgery to repair damaged vertebrae and replace a couple of discs with titanium spacers.

I couldn’t put it better myself.

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ACTIVE SUSSEX

COMMUNITY

Eddie the Eagle guest speaker at 2018 Sussex Sports Awards

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enowned for his exploits on the ski slope and his dogged never say die attitude, Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards is this time set to take to the stage to host the 2018 Sussex Sports Awards. Now in its 16th year and hosted by Active Sussex, the Sussex Sports Awards is the chance to celebrate all the great and good that Sussex sport has to offer, and the achievements made by both the county’s elite athletes and those at grassroot levels.

Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics where he became the first competitor since 1928 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping, finishing last in the 70m and 90m events. He also became the British ski jumping record holder, ninth in amateur speed skiing , and a stunt jumping world record holder for jumping over 6 buses. Since then, Eddie has even had his own biopic blockbuster movie made, charting his journey which featured Hollywood A-lister, Hugh Jackman.

Eddie is set to motivate and inspire up to 400 attendees with tales of his journey which epitomises what the Sussex Sports Awards are all about – promoting a ‘never say die’ attitude, believing in your abilities, and simply attempting to achieve great things even when the odds are stacked against you.

The black-tie Sussex Sports Awards event will this year take place at The Grand Hotel, Brighton on Friday November 23rd.

Hope Powell with Emily Nemeth, winner of the Coach of the Year award in 2017

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Nominations for this year’s awards will open at 9am on Monday September 3rd and close at 12pm (noon) on Friday October 19th.

Active Sussex believes that sponsoring an award not only helps celebrate and promote the county’s sporting success stories, it also creates deep links amongst Sussex sports stars of the future and local business communities.

Sadie Mason MBE, Active Sussex Chief Executive comments: “The awards are really important to help us spread the word about the amazing sporting community on our doorsteps; it recognises those people who take part and help make sport happen but also highlights to local residents what they can be a part of. The awards give sponsors an extra connection and association with the local sporting community and we can also help them make links with other organisations and programmes we run over the course of the year.”

Sponsorship opportunities remain available, including award category sponsorship. The remaining categories available for the 2018 Sussex Sports Awards are: • Coach of the Year • Special Recognition Award

which is £600+VAT if these are purchased by September 28th.

Corporate tickets include a drinks reception, a three-course meal with wine, tea/coffee, entertainment throughout the evening, and of course, front row seats for the awards presentation, stories from Eddie the Eagle and an after-show party.

For more information or to book please contact ebartram@activesussex.org or 01273 644103.

• Club of the Year • Young Volunteer of the Year The price of Corporate Tickets are £75+VAT and Corporate Tables are £675+VAT. Active Sussex, organisers of the event, are doing an Early Bird Discount on Corporate Tables,

Sports Personality of the Year 2017 Katie-george Dunlevy

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THE VIEW FROM THE SOFA

OPINION

Leave or remain?

Laurence Elphick asks is it acceptable to get up from your seat and leave a match early?

T

his question all came about after a rather frank discussion with the Editor, who happens to be (according to his son), a particularly vociferous and vocal ‘Gooner’ at the Emirates! I have always had some sympathy with those that leave early, whether it’s cricket, rugby or where it’s more commonly associated, at football grounds.

Yes, I think it’s ok, let me tell you why.

“So, what’s wrong with this, particularly if they pay for their ticket?”

The leavers may be elderly and need to avoid the thronging masses, or they may have somewhere else they need to be after the game or they may have children that need to be at school the next day if it’s an evening match. So, what’s wrong with this, particularly if they pay for their ticket - they have a right to stay or leave as they deem fit, don’t

team, there is no point prolonging it. Inside the stadium, there is unlikely to be any animosity directed at the fan who makes this choice.

After all, everyone else is thinking the same thing, but some fans choose to always stay until the end. Right or wrong that’s their prerogative and we all have that option.

they? Especially more justifiable if their team is getting thrashed and has no chance of winning. However, where it becomes unacceptable is when the match is evenly poised and could go either way and people then get up to leave. I still err on the side of sympathy though because let’s be realistic, getting away from any stadium when there are more spectators than one man and his dog can be horrendous…you’ve got both the queue on the concourse followed by the inevitable huge delays at the train/tube station and or the car park because 20,000 plus people are all leaving simultaneously. I certainly don’t begrudge people wanting to avoid the chaos that ensues at the end.

If you’re already enduring a miserable day/evening because of your

Despite my allegiance siding with those that remain rather than leave (where have I heard that before!?) I myself must confess that I left an England match at Wembley twenty minutes before the end!! Not only was my view from the back, high up in the Gods, where the expected gladiatorial event was more like voyeurism at an ant farm, but the game was an exceedingly dull friendly. But anticipating the ninety odd thousand all leaving at the same time, myself and my mate decided to vacate our seats and make our way to Leicester Square for a muchneeded libation or three. We weren’t alone, but let’s just say many hundreds of us missed a last-minute goal, (England won 2-0)! Still we didn’t care because we had a top night in the West End – I think!

My editor asks the very simple question; would you leave the cinema early not knowing the ending? Well yes, I would if it was a **** film and the ending was predictable AND I had somewhere else to be after… any way is that the time - must dash!

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