PLATINUM BUSINESS MAGAZINE - ISSUE 26 - SUSSEX

The widest-read business publication in the South East

PLATINUM

SUSSEX EDITION . ISSUE 26 . 2016

CYBER CRIME

The Battle

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS for start-ups

OSLO

PLATINUM

A Cool Place for Business

ROUTE 66 Focus RS Audi TTS

THE BIG STORY

JCW Mini Rivervale Birchwood

MAYDAY A Profile of our New PM

READ ALL PAST ISSUES AT WWW.PLATINUMBUSINESSMAGAZINE.COM

Be More Successful DMH Stallard has been working in partnership with businesses for over 40 years, helping them become more successful.

We focus on your business critical success factors and deliver commercial solutions to effectively manage your: • Customer and supplier agreements

• Intellectual property

• Property and employees

• Shareholders and Directors

• Finance, borrowing and insurance

• Environmental issues

Having the right strategic approach to effectively manage these factors can positively impact your bottom line.

Don’t leave this to chance.

Contact us now for your completely free business self assessment pack.

Email: david.paling@dmhstallard.com

DMH Stallard Corporate Law Firm of the Year 2016

London | Gatwick | Guildford | Brighton | www.dmhstallard.com

Strength in depth Kreston Reeves has merged with Spofforths to create a firm offering a broader and deeper range of services to meet the needs of personal and business clients across Sussex, London and Kent.

To find out more about the full range of accountancy, business advisory and financial services that help our clients achieve their personal goals, please contact: Shirley Smith, Partner, Gatwick office T: +44 (0)1293 776 152 E: shirley.smith@krestonreeves.com Bryan Elkins, Partner, Horsham office T: +44 (0)1403 253 282 E: bryan.elkins@krestonreeves.com

www.krestonreeves.com

WELCOME

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A new dawn, a new Prime Minster. A new female

THE BIG STORY THERESA MAY PBM profiles our new Prime Minister

Prime Minister to be precise and, at Platinum Towers, we can not think of a better gender choice. The Glass Ceiling is well and truly shattered and Maarten gets hot under to collar about it in Anger Management.

In the first issue under new leadership we profile Theresa May whilst the country holds its collective breath for a successful Brexit outcome. Many businesses are hurting as this was always going to hurt in the short term but it is the medium and long terms that matters. We are a strong country with centuries of stable tradition, and the 5th largest economy on earth, so the wise move is to think positive, ignore the media scare stories, roll the sleeves up and graft. The country needs to get to work, reduce corporation tax to 12.5%

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and whip all the global corporation business currently in Ireland. Low tax, high yield.

RAWLISON BUTLER The horror of a Dawn Raid

In addition, DMH Stallard discusses cyber crime, Penham Excel looks at how to get it back when you’ve lost it and Lombard looks at IT technology. ACES tells all about the Best4Biz conference and Maarten cuts loose with a rally bred Focus RS - and locates the Drift

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button. When he broke it they sent him an Audi TTS. Oh

DIGITAL MARKETING Why email still matters

Lord‌ Rose was freezing her unmentionables off in Oslo and discovers a very cool place for business travel.

And John Burroughes, MD of Uniglobe Travel, finds an airline with stewardesses in bikinis! Ian has already departed for the airport.

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The new 66 registration numbers plates will be with

OSLO

us in September so we have extended the Motoring Section with news, reviews and features with Rivervale

Scandi charm and stunning

and Birchwood. We even called it Route 66 to be

scenery

kitsch.

We hope you enjoy this issue and the start of your new

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life under Mrs May - upwards and onwards.

ROUTE 66 With the new plates due, we present an extended motoring section

Maarten & Ian Platinum Business Magazine August 2016 All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept

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responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend

BEN HAYNES Meet the new GM at Hotel du Vin

any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher.

No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

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

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Issue 26 - 2016

The Team

Maarten Hoffmann – Director maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com 07966 244046

Ian Trevett – Director ian@platinumbusinessmagazine.com 07989 970804

Amanda Menahem Food & Drink Editor

Amanda Spicer Senior Designer

Rose Dykins Travel Editor

AT A GLANCE 6

Local News

60

Motoring History of BMW

10

NatWest

62

Motoring Birchwood

12

Entrepreneurial Spark

14

Sussex Business Awards

65

Motoring Reader Review

16

Lewes Business Awards

67

Motoring Focus RS

19

National News

69

Table Talk

24

Theresa May

72

Review - Mango Tree

30

Kreston Reeves

74

Chef Profile Tom Griffiths

32

Rawlison Butler

76

Interview Ben Haynes, Hotel du Vin

34

Digital Marketing Identity

37

IT News

78

Wine Masterclass

39

Business Travel

79

Best Place for a Curry

81

Platinum Club

40

Uniglobe

83

Young Start-up Talent

42

Travel - Oslo

88

BAHBAs

48

Debt Recovery

92

Personal Branding

57

Motoring John Cooper Works Mini

94

Chambers of Commerce

58

Motoring Audi TTS Roadster

104 Platinum Style 106 Institute of Directors

Julia Trevett Accounts Manager

Lauren Psyk Event Photographer

The old Top Gear presenters’ reaction to hearing that Evans had been fired.

5

NEWS

LOCAL NEWS SOLAR RETURNS Ferry Farm, a new solar farm already generating electricity on the outskirts of Selsey, is looking for corporate investors seeking socially responsible investment.

The solar farm construction is complete and connected to the grid but local businesses are being invited to invest in a share offer over a 20-year period, with better returns expected than cash or banks can currently offer. This scheme is one of the last in the country to benefit from the Government feed-in tariff, making returns more positive for investors. Once running costs and investors’ returns have been covered, any profit arising from the sale of power to the grid will be made available to community groups through a locally managed fund. Businesses are already investing with a view to supporting the local community as part of their corporate social responsibility programme.

Director of Ferry Farm Community Solar Ltd, Ben Cooper, commented: “We are delighted to see this scheme in action. With over 150 support groups operating in the Selsey area, the town

Compiled by Ian Trevett

GREEN LIGHT FOR CRAWLEY Outline planning permission for the high-quality development on the site of the Overline House office building and Crawley railway station has been granted.

The scheme promises to transform the Crawley gateway area into an attractive, inviting and safe environment, truly reflecting the town’s opportunities as a place to live and work.

The plans include a new, modern station building with a completely new station entrance, ticket hall, footbridges and multi-storey car park. The development will also have a coffee shop, retail kiosk and a small start-up business hub, all designed to support Crawley Borough Council’s ambition to create a network of business hubs and enable small and start-up enterprises in the town.

The Arora Group are also making significant financial contributions that will fund enhancement of local sports pitches, play areas and allotments. There will also be an educational contribution, which will provide for primary, secondary and sixth form school improvements.

has a real sense of community, but the groups are often short

Surinder Arora, Founder and Chairman of the Arora Group said: “We are fully

of funding to realise more effective initiatives. The quicker the

committed to this complex development and look forward to working with all

set-up and running costs are recouped, the quicker we can make

involved, including Network Rail, as we work towards improving the town for

available a pot of funding for these groups to tap into, in order to

everyone.”

bring community-based projects to fruition.”

Councillor Peter Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic

Companies interested in investing and supporting local good

Development, added: “I’m so happy these plans have been given the green light

causes can find more information about the project and download the share offer document at www.ferryfarmsolar.co.uk

as it will make such a huge difference to the town centre. This application is also a great example of the council working with the private sector to encourage the right kind of regeneration.”

READ AN ENTIRE BOOK IN 20 MINUTES A new service has launched in the UK, Joosr (www.joosr.com) – providing book summaries that can be read in just 20 minutes. The subscription-based app offers top quality summaries of popular non-fiction, business and self-help titles, written by a team of highly-trained writers and specially designed for mobile devices.

Each book provides all the key information of the original title but without all the pages. What’s more, it can easily be read in a lunch hour or even on the way to work. The Joosr library includes more than 150 titles, with 240 new books added every year.

Founder and CEO Darren Boyd-Annells said: “Finding time to keep up with reading and learning is a real challenge in the modern world. We found that 6 out of 10 people said they were simply too busy to read as much as they would like. So the beauty of Joosr is you can access all the key information from a book in just 20 minutes.” A 15-day free trial is available, to find out more visit: www.joosr.com

“An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere.”

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NEWS

“When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators.”

MIDNIGHT BOUTIQUE

VOTING OPEN FOR SUSSEX FOOD & DRINK AWARDS Over a hundred Sussex food and drink business leaders

The managing director of one of the South East’s leading PR

gathered at the Sussex

agencies, Caraline Brown of Midnight Communications, has

Food and Drink Awards

been elected to the board of PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI).

The PRBI is a global network of 38 boutique PR firms in 12 countries. Midnight, which celebrates 21 years in business this year, is the UK representative.

Caraline, who joins a team of elite international PR practitioners on the board, says, “PR Boutiques International enables Midnight to offer its clients a truly international network of like-minded agencies that we can send into action at very short notice. I am delighted to represent the UK and to have been elected to the board by my colleagues overseas.

“The network is a great way to develop and share my own knowledge with other owner-operated boutique PR firms.

“PRBI is a growing, exciting organisation, having added three new members – from Southern California and Tokyo – in just the first half of 2016. I look forward to serving on the board as it celebrates its tenth year –one that is set to be the best yet.”

Big Reveal event held at Ridgeview Wine Estate in Ditchling to hear the 60 finalists announced in six out of the ten categories this year.

Paula Seager and Hilary Knight, co-directors of Natural Partnerships CIC, who run the awards as a not-for-profit scheme, are urging the public to now get voting for their favourites by 24 September. Nominations for the remaining four categories, Sussex Street Food, Sussex Young Chef, Farmer and Newcomer, will remain open throughout the summer with a closing date of 8 September.

Paula said, “We are so grateful to Ridgeview for allowing us to host the event at their stunning premises and officially open the public voting in this year’s awards.

“The quality is consistently high in this competition, with yet another impressive set of finalists this year, so we are urging people to visit them and try out the produce in order to vote for their favourites to win. The public vote is a vital part of the judging process and the top three will become grand finalists, so please do get voting!”

For more information about all the categories and how to vote or nominate for your favourite visit www.sussexfoodawards.biz

CRAWLEY’S £44M RADIOTHERAPY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE A new £44m radiotherapy centre of excellence is being built in Crawley, West Sussex. Believed to be one of the largest office deals in the M25 area in the last five years, the 110,000 sq ft centre has already been prelet to Elekta, a global oncology business.

The new building is currently under construction and will adjoin Elekta’s existing manufacturing and research and development operations. It is expected to be completed and ready for occupation in November 2017.

Law firm Gordons advised London-based Bridgecore Developments on the construction and fitting out of the facility.

Gordons’ Kate Johnson, said: “We are very proud to have worked with the Bridgecore Developments team on such an important project. It allowed us to demonstrate our integrated approach to commercial development, and we are very pleased that Elekta will soon have a new facility in which to carry out its extremely important work.”

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NEWS

LOCAL NEWS A SEASIDE TSAR? A Seaside Tsar

THE CULTURE TRAIL FILM CHALLENGE Business support service

should be

Philip Johnson and Jessica Courtney Bennett

Locate East Sussex is

appointed to help

backing a competition

Britain’s

to celebrate the unique

forgotten

creative offering along the

seaside

East Sussex coast.

towns

The 2016 Coastal Culture

fight back

Trail Film Competition has

from decades of decay, according to new research which paints a

been launched to promote

grim picture of the problems facing many coastal communities.

the East Sussex coast’s unique contemporary art journey and its wide

The report, commissioned by the British Hospitality Association

appeal throughout the country. The winning film maker will receive £1,000 to

(BHA), says that people living in seaside towns are more likely

cover costs and will also get a year’s membership of Towner Art Gallery in

to be poorly educated, unemployed, unemployable, lacking in

Eastbourne, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and Jerwood Gallery in Hastings.

ambition, claiming benefits and living in multiple occupation

Designed to challenge perceptions and increase awareness of the arts and

housing.

culture offerings in the area, the trail also aims to highlight other points of

Nine out of the 10 most deprived neighbourhoods in England

interest, like the natural beauty of the South Downs, historic attractions, and

are seaside communities, but in the South-East 116,000 people

local food and drink, encouraging visitors to discover their own Eastbourne,

are employed in the hospitality and tourism industry, which

Bexhill and Hastings.

contributes £400 million to the region’s economy.

The search is now on for a film maker to create a one-minute promotional

Among the recommendations in the report, Creating Coastal

film for the Coastal Culture Trail. Individuals or small groups can enter.

Powerhouses, are the setting up of Coastal Enterprise Zones

The deadline for initial story board submissions is Sunday, July 31.

and the appointment of a Seaside Tsar to coordinate a coherent response across all departments and spending.

For more details, visit www.coastalculturetrail.com/film or on Twitter, using the hashtag #MyTrail

THE CRAZY ROCKINGHORSE SPORTATHON The Crazy Rockinghorse Sportathon is an all new sporting and team-building fundraising event in aid of Rockinghorse children’s charity, for up to 40 corporate teams from the Sussex business community.

A fun all-day challenge, designed and directed by Laughton & Co, the event will feature teams of six staff competing against fellow businesses, undertaking a series of 20 different sporting activities during the course of the day. These include; pole walking, Bhutanese darts, wellington boot throwing and a sumo suit relay race. Teams are targeted to each raised £1,000 for Brighton-based children’s charity Rockinghorse.

Taking place at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove (home of Sussex County Cricket Club) on Friday 23 September from 9am-6pm, team entry is £250 which includes; all challenge activities, BBQ lunch, refreshments, live entertainment from compere Tom Foolery, medals and trophies for winning teams, a glass of wine or beer after the event, plus team insurance and networking opportunities.

Spectators are also welcome to attend with entry via a donation into the charity buckets on the day (£5 per person).

To enter a team in the Crazy Rockinghorse Sportathon, email info@vividmarketing.co.uk or call Gemma King from Vivid Marketing on 07809 524072. www.rockinghorse.org.uk.

“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber” 8

NEWS

“When you wake up at 6 in the morning, you close your eyes for 5 minutes and it’s already 6:45. When you’re at work and it’s 2:30, you close your eyes for 5 minutes and it’s 2:31.”

DOMESTIC & GENERAL LAUNCHES INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Appliance care provider Domestic & General has opened applications for its annual paid internship program. This year sees the company offering it’s largest-ever intern program with a total of 21 paid internships available across its UK operation. For the first time the program includes internships within the company’s contact centres in Brighton and Nottingham.

Head of Contact Centre HR, Brona Ratcliffe, commented on the opportunities Domestic & General offers young people.

She said: “The internships are a great way for people to gain experience working alongside experts on real projects while learning on the job and developing their own business acumen.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to open our intern scheme within our Brighton office and I’m delighted we’re now able to offer such structured career development opportunities in the area. For those interested in working for one of the city’s largest employers, this is a clear pathway in.”

The four-month structured internships are offered across various areas of the business, including marketing, technology, HR, commercial finance and contact centre projects.

To apply visit http://careers.domesticandgeneral.com/interns/ For updates on job vacancies follow @DandGjobs on Twitter and Facebook.

MAYOR BACKS GATWICK The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has thrown his support behind Gatwick Airport’s campaign for a second runway.

Khan said, “Gatwick is the front door to London for millions of visitors to our city and I salute their decision to spend another £200m on improvements to the airport. They have put together a formidable plan that is a fantastic display of their confidence in London.

“The new Prime Minister has a very important decision to make regarding new airport capacity, and I urge her to rule as swiftly as possible in favour of a second runway at Gatwick, which would bring substantial economic benefits.”

Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate commented, “It is now clear that only Gatwick can deliver the runway Britain needs to boost international competitiveness and trading links at a time when it is most needed, and we can do that before 2025.

“Our total investment since coming into private ownership now stands at £2.5 billion as we operate the world’s most efficient single runway airport.”

Gatwick has already completed work to transform Pier 1 in the South Terminal – including a state-of-the-art baggage system and early-bag store – and the ongoing North Terminal development programme has resulted in the opening of the world’s largest self-service bag drop and check-in area this year.

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ASSET FINANCE

TAKING THE PAIN OUT OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT How Lombard’s specialist team can make it easy to buy, maintain and dispose of IT kit

The constant replacement, management and disposal model of computer and other technology equipment creates unique challenges, explains Keith Nowland, Head of Sales at Lombard Technology Services, Commercial & Private Banking, RBS

How can Lombard help with technology asset management?

We make asset funding facilities available for technology, but we do so much more than

How do you support companies when they need to buy new equipment?

When you use Lombard’s specialist team,

managing their equipment, getting them into a cycle of maintaining and replacing kit. That cuts out the hidden expenses that can crop up when a business owns its own technology, and

that. We can procure equipment, sourcing it

instead of making the purchase yourself

it also protects them from depreciation. Our

effectively thanks to numerous accreditations

you have all the usual benefits of a funded

online Lease and Asset Management software

with tier-one manufacturers; we can maintain

investment — it frees your cash up for other

helps companies manage their technology

the items we have funded; and we can also

things, for example — but we also help

portfolios effectively, by keeping track of when

collect and safely dispose of the assets.

customers become more disciplined about

equipment needs to be refreshed, improving

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ASSET FINANCE

“There is a lot of legislation around disposal. Your business will want to have confidence that it is complying with the rules and that its partners operate to the highest industry standards, particularly when it comes to handling data during disposal.”

financial and strategic decision-making.

business and what they’re

Over time, technology becomes outdated,

trying to achieve. We need to

software is no longer supported and the costs

learn about their long-term

of maintaining, managing and hiring old kit

ambitions — there’s no point

become more expensive — it’s like running an

in us making assumptions

old car. In this market people need to keep up

about what is required. Our

with improvements to stay ahead, and to give

specialist team understands

them a competitive edge.

the importance of technology

Why should a business consider Lombard for managing its maintenance?

to business, so once we know

Many companies rely on product warranties, but look at the small print; a lot of these guarantee to take something away and look at it, but not necessarily to fix it. There are separate maintenance firms in the market but the advantage of using us is that we’re a one-stop shop — we can provide bespoke multi-vendor maintenance as part of our overall support package, so you don’t have to negotiate and manage multiple manufacturer relationships.

How can Lombard make the tricky task of disposing of technology assets easier?

There is a lot of legislation around disposal.

Your business will want to have confidence

what their position is we can provide the appropriate solution.

Does Lombard offer anything for firms that create new intellectual property (IP)?

Innovation is vital and we are always looking for new areas where we can offer our expertise. We have developed the Software Licence Solution, which allows us to offer funds to a company that has invested significantly in

I don’t believe any bank other than Royal

solution, and it has created a lot of interest. It

a specialist team like ours within its company,

isn’t traditional in asset finance to put a value

with the depth of knowledge we have, that’s

against something you can’t see or touch, but we get security in our investment by linking

its partners operate to the highest industry standards, particularly when it comes to

Do you think UK businesses realise how much growth technology can drive?

data. We are also the only Adisa (Asset Disposal

Is this a service other banks provide?

Bank of Scotland (which owns Lombard) has

generates.

— we understand the importance of handling

manufacturers.

only company currently offering this type of

the funding to the revenue that the software

large banking group — Royal Bank of Scotland

projects that have multiple suppliers and

software IP. As far as I am aware we are the

that it is complying with the rules and that

handling data during disposal. As part of a

We are “vendor agnostic” — we can manage

Everything we see suggests an increasing

and Information Security Alliance) certified

awareness of the importance of technology.

technology finance company in the country,

In a survey we conducted recently, two thirds

which means we’re audited to the highest

of businesses felt a greater investment would

industry standards.

improve efficiency and productivity.

How do you pick the right solutions for each customer’s business strategy?

Why would a business come to Lombard rather than going to a manufacturer?

It may sound obvious but the important thing

When you go directly to a manufacturer, you

is to listen to the customer, to understand their

tend to be tied to their hardware and services.

available to UK customers.

What is the most unusual asset you have financed and managed?

At the moment we are providing funding to a business that puts pitch-side digital advertising boards around premiership rugby grounds.

These used to be fixed in place, which could cause injuries when rugby players collided with them. Now the screens are spring-loaded — they won’t get damaged and they will keep players safe.

To find out more about Lombard’s specialist technology team, go to www.lombard.co.uk/asset-finance/ technology.

Security may be required and product fees may apply.

11

BUSINESS EVENT

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR START-UPS Budding entrepreneurs put through their paces by some of the UK’s most successful start-ups

S

ussex County Cricket Club hosted a day of inspiring speeches, seminars and a business-pitching competition from

some of the county’s most promising new companies.

Organised by NatWest, Entrepreneurial Spark, Cobb Digital, Brighton & Hove Chamber, Angels Den and the University of Brighton,

First up was Penina Shepherd, founder of Acumen Business Law and author of “The Freedom Revolution.”

Penina encouraged the audience to join the ‘Revolution,’ which sees people building businesses that follow their passion, while being financially viable.

She talked about her background as a

themselves: “What’s the best that could happen?”

Pennina shared her top tips: • Pursue your passion - you will thrive • Give something back to the community, without working out what you will gain in return • Overestimate yourself - most people don’t

the event was developed for people involved

corporate lawyer - introducing the term

• Take full responsibility

in or interested in supporting the South East

“entreprewhore” to describe her previous

• Have a positive mindset and attitude

of England’s start-up, early-stage and SME

pursuit of climbing the ladder, rather than

• Be extraordinary/remarkable

business sector.

following her dreams. “Money shouldn’t be the

• Never give up!

driver,” she said. “If you follow your passion,

• And enjoy the ride and the revolution!

After an introduction from Tim Boag, the RBS/Natwest MD of Corporate & Commercial

you’re more likely to be financially successful.”

Marc Koska OBE is the Founder of Star

Banking for London & South East, delegates

With the fear of failure holding so many

heard two inspiring stories of start-ups who

people back, she encouraged the audience

that designs, develops, and licenses K Safety

became highly successful companies.

to turn the old question on its head and ask

Technology (KST) for disposable medical

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Syringe Ltd, a medical technology company

BUSINESS EVENT syringes. As the founder of Star Syringe and SafePoint Charity, and as the inventor of the K1 Syringe, Marc had a mass of experience to share about being an entrepreneur and an investor.

Marc spoke about the impact his invention has had across the globe. The syringe has been credited by the World Health Organisation with saving over 10 million lives since 2001. Marc invented the K1 AutoDisable syringe to target the deadly re-use of injection equipment, which is the world’s 9th largest cause of death, being responsible for 1.3 million deaths and 22 million new cases of hepatitis per year.

Marc recalled his personal business journey and left the audience with a simple-but-powerful piece of advice: “An entrepreneur must really understand the problem first before concentrating on the solution.”

The latest example of this was presented to the audience, with Marc now on a mission to stop vaccines being distributed in bulky glass phials, which makes the accessibility very difficult in remote areas. He has now developed an ingenious and versatile plastic blister which will revolutionise the distribution of vaccines.

After such an inspirational start the event continued with seminars, a pitching competition and networking over lunch.

Fiona Anderson, Entrepreneurial Development Manager at NatWest, said: “NatWest is delighted to be supporting Opportunity Knocks to showcase the entrepreneurial talent in Brighton and the South East.

It is exciting to see pioneering events like this emerge when the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem partners come together.

“This conference was particularly unique as it gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase their businesses as well as providing them with knowledge on the alternative methods of finance available to them.

“Entrepreneurialism and entrepreneurship are key to the future success of businesses in the South East, and all of us at NatWest are keen to help give new start-ups all the support they need to turn their ideas into realities.”

Lucy-Rose Walker, Chief Entrepreneuring Officer at Entrepreneurial Spark said: “Since opening our Brighton Hatchery last year we have been blown away by the calibre of start-ups in the region. Our expert enablement programme focuses on helping entrepreneurs to develop and grow their businesses, allowing them to become credible, backable and investible. Events such as Opportunity Knocks build on this by providing businesses and the individuals interested in supporting them with a platform from which to connect and learn how to work together.”

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BUSINESS AWARDS

28TH SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS The twenty eighth Sussex Business Awards are now open for business. Celebrating business excellence across Sussex, the Awards are the longest established scheme of its kind in the county and is the one everyone wants to win!

There are seventeen trophies to be won this year three new categories The Sussex Graduate of the year (University of Sussex); The Best Employer (Morgan Sindall) and The award for Leisure and Tourism (Southern Rail).

Says Adrian Alexander, Partner at Mazars: “Having supported the awards for the past three years, we are delighted to be involved once again and sponsoring the ‘Sussex Company of the Year’. It is a fantastic honour to be the sponsor of the main award.”

SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS 2016 CATEGORIES & CRITERIA

Sussex Company of the Year Sponsored by Mazars

Best Employer in Sussex Sponsored by Morgan Sindall

Economic output from Sussex is in the range of £37b – 2.2% of the UK total.

This Award is open to businesses with more than £2 million turnover which are based in, or conducting most of their business from, Sussex and will be made to the most outstanding business in the region.

This award is open to employers of any size or type in Sussex who have achieved excellence in providing an environment where employees can develop their full potential, achieve outstanding success for the business and really thrive! With 1m people working in the region and employment set to grow by 5% over the next ten years this Award is more important than ever. You are welcome to support your application with staff testimonials.

Small Business of the Year Sponsored by Sussex Chamber of Commerce This Award is open to any business that has a turnover of less than £2 million and has been trading for at least two years. The business must be based in, or conduct most of its business from, Sussex.

International Business of the Year Sponsored by HSBC Sussex has a foundation of strong growth in international trade – the UK's second international airport, a skilled workforce and a predominance of sectors with high propensity for internationalisation. Exporters contribute 60% to UK productivity (UKTI) and those new to exporting experience an average 34% increase in productivity in the first year.

This Award is open to any business based in, or conducting the majority of its overseas business from, the county of Sussex.

Entrepreneur of the Year Sponsored by Platinum Business An entrepreneur is a person who takes an idea for a product or service, considers the risks, gathers resources, and plans and implements the idea. This Award will recognise those Sussex entrepreneurs who have turned their business idea into a reality and have been trading for at least two years. The judges will be looking for evidence of professional motivation, communication skills, practical skills, resilience, leadership, maturity and integrity.

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Sussex Graduate of the Year Sponsored by Sussex University With 93% of Sussex graduates working in professional or technical jobs, the judges will be looking for someone who has a graduated from the University of Sussex in the past three years and who has made an impact on a Sussex business. The judges will be looking for evidence of professional motivation, communication skills, practical skills, resilience, leadership, maturity and integrity.

Best Customer Service Sponsored by Checkatrade.com Excellence in customer service is a key means of differentiating your business from its competitors. They say those with a positive experience will tell two or three others about the company whilst those a bad experience will tell up to 20! Great customer service leads to repeat business and direct benefits to the bottom line. This award will be made to the business most successfully demonstrating quality customer care and innovative customer service.

BUSINESS AWARDS The Award for Leisure & Tourism Sponsored by Southern Rail There are an estimated one thousand places to visit in Sussex. From lively resorts to quiet coastal walks, from ancient castles to archaeological sites and nature reserves to theatres, cinemas, museums and art galleries – Sussex has surely got it all! This award will be made for the most outstanding achievement in the Sussex leisure and tourism industry.

Innovation in Business Sponsored by Sussex Innovation Centre According to a recent survey in the Greater Brighton and West Sussex area, 64% of businesses are engaged in some sort of innovative activity and the South East is identified as being more innovative than both the UK as a whole and London.

This Award will be made to the business best demonstrating outstanding innovation either by developing a new product or by introducing a new process or system to an existing business. The Award is open to any business based in, or conducting the majority of its business from, Sussex.

The Best Place to Entertain Your Clients Sponsored by Title Sussex Entertaining clients offers an excellent opportunity to develop relationships and increasingly plays a crucial role in business. You want to impress, but keep matters informal and still get the business done! Judges are looking for a business or venue - it may be a restaurant, bar, sports venue, hotel or even networking event - which offers an unforgettable experience and leaves a lasting impression on your clients.

The Professional Services Award Sponsored by Vantage Professional Risks Most businesses in Sussex call upon the support of the professional services in some capacity or the other - from accountants and actuaries to business consultants, recruiters, law firms and marketers. Professional services accounts for around 20% of business in the Sussex area and it is growing faster than anywhere else in the UK. Who is the best in Sussex? The judges are looking for regulated companies which work to a code of conduct. Entrants must demonstrate excellence in business management under-pinned by a strong financial performance.

Sussex Businessperson of the Year Sponsored by Heart FM This award will be made for outstanding achievement by a businessperson who is contributing to the success of a business based in Sussex. Directors, owner managers and senior executives are all eligible and entrants will also be automatically drawn from the submission made for company and small company of the year.

The Most Promising New Business Sponsored by Coffin Mew Around 9k new businesses set up in Sussex last year – and that figure is growing every year. But which one will be the most promising for 2016? For

the most promising new business in Sussex. The Award is open to any company based in Sussex that has been trading for at least six months and for no longer than three years.

The Responsible Business Award Sponsored by Checkaprofessional Across Sussex there’s a growing trend amongst businesses to encourage collaboration amongst colleagues, customers and others to make a meaningful difference in the county. In this way they are inspiring and creating real behaviour change around the things that people care most about – and delivering positive change for themselves and their communities.

Corporate social responsibility takes many forms - employee volunteering, mentoring, youth support, civic leadership, sponsored activities or simply charitable giving.

This award will be made to the company or organisation that has made the most impact in their community.

FREE TO ENTER The Award for the Most Sustainable Business Sponsored by Wealden District Council It has been estimated that low carbon activities in Sussex generated £2.7bn in sales and supports around 21,000 jobs and 1,550 businesses. This award will be made for outstanding achievement by those businesses for whom the protection or enhancement of the environment is placed at the core of their activities, or whose products or practices have resulted in significant beneficial environmental impact.

FREE TO ENTER The Healthiest Workplace Award Sponsored by Natures Way Creating and sustaining a healthy workforce benefits everyone. It makes sense for people in our organisations to gain and maintain good health, avoid illness, recover quickly when ill, and feel good about themselves and their work environment. This Award will go to the organisation that can best demonstrate how it has worked to sustain the health and well-being of its workforce to the mutual benefit of the staff and the organisation.

FREE TO ENTER The Greatest Contribution to Sussex Charity Sponsored by The Argus Who do you think has made the greatest contribution to charity in Sussex? Tell us why!

Sussex companies have until 31st August 2016 at 5pm to prepare their submissions. There is a small admin fee of £50 (ex vat) to enter one award or £100 (ex vat) for up to three entries. You can also make nominations for the Healthiest Workplace, Most Sustainable Business and Outstanding Contribution to Sussex Charity free of charge.

Winners will be announced at The Grand Brighton on Thursday 1 December 2016. www.sbawards.org.uk @SussexBizAwards

15

BUSINESS AWARDS

WINNERS OF 2016 LEWES DISTRICT BUSINESS AWARDS ANNOUNCED www.lewesdistrictbusinessawards.co.uk

T

he winners of the 2016 Lewes District Business Awards were announced in July at Lewes Town Hall. The Lewes

District Council event was attended by 160 people, including 27 finalists, with trophies presented by former Countryfile presenter, Juliet Morris.

Cheesmur Building Contractors was the big winner of the night scooping two awards - Company of the Year and Business Growth.

Other winners included Wave Leisure

The Winners COMPANY OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Santon North Street WINNER: Cheesmur Building Contractors FINALISTS: Burleys, Cleankill Environmental Services

Trust, named Best Employer, Richard Soan of Richard Soan Roofing Services, who is the newly-crowned Businessperson of the Year, Ringmer Community College, which won the Green Business award, and Boom Boom Label, the 2016 Small Business of the Year.

Now in its third year, the Lewes District Business Awards was launched to highlight excellence in the District’s business community – and to provide a fantastic opportunity for companies of all types to

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Swindells WINNER: Boom Boom the Label FINALISTS: Front Room, Plants4Presents

join together and celebrate the success of the area’s business talent.

The winning businesses were chosen by a panel of well-respected judges including Harvey & Son Ltd, Santon North Street, Cheesmur Building Contractors, Veolia, Swindells Accountants, Cavendish Communications, Brooklyn Hyundai, Richard Soan Roofing Service, LEAP, Basepoint, Viva Lewes and Platinum Business Magazine.

Commenting on this year’s winners Councillor Andy Smith, Leader of Lewes District Council, said: “Congratulations to all our winners and finalists - it was fantastic to celebrate so many of our great local businesses.

“The Lewes District Business Awards demonstrates the breadth and scope of businesses in the District. Those honoured last night are truly deserving of the titles they have been awarded and it was a truly inspirational occasion. I would like to say well done to all those involved.”

16

BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR Sponsored by Cheesmur Building Contractors WINNER: Richard Soan, Richard Soan Roofing Services FINALISTS: Richard Light (Fundraising Auctions), Victoria Young (Front Room)

BUSINESS AWARDS BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

BUSINESS GROWTH

Sponsored by Brooklyn Hyundai WINNER: Burleys FINALISTS: Pells Pool Community Association, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare

Sponsored by Platinum Business Magazine WINNER: Cheesmur Building Contractors FINALISTS: Fundraising Auctions, Industrial Construction Sussex

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

HOSPITALITY, LEISURE & TOURISM

Sponsored by Cavendish Communications WINNER: Community Transport for the Lewes Area FINALISTS: Budding Sensations, The Charleston Trust

Sponsored by Harvey & Son Ltd WINNER: Front Room FINALISTS: Lewes Castle & Barbican House Museum, Pells Pool Community Association

BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Viva Lewes WINNER: Cheese Please FINALISTS: Chalk Gallery Ltd, W.E. Clark & Son Ltd

Sponsored by LEAP WINNER: Tracey Horan, Dolly Fixtures FINALISTS: Jennie Hallett (Beacon Health & Safety Services Ltd), Natalie James (Stitch of Broad Street), Phil Rawson (Created and Made), Liz Rose (Elizabeth Rose)

GREEN BUSINESS Sponsored by Veolia WINNER: Ringmer Community College and Sixth Form FINALISTS: Burleys, Cleankill Environmental Services Ltd

BEST EMPLOYER Sponsored by Richard Soan Roofing Services WINNER: Wave Leisure Trust Ltd FINALISTS: Caburn Hope, Industrial Construction Sussex

17

Are you looking to start or grow a business?

Apply now for a Coast to Capital Business Growth Grant before funding runs out.

Grants of between £15,000 to £100,000 are available to small and medium businesses.

The grant is to pay for capital expenditure only, for example: machinery • catering equipment • furniture and fittings • ICT equipment and infrastructure • buildings • business vehicles • tools and essential equipment • security equipment.

For further details visit: www.businesswestsussex.co.uk/businessgrowthgrants www.coast2capital.org/Helping-business-growth/grant-funding or email: businessgrants@westsussex.gov.uk

WS31555 07.2016

Have you just been turned down for funding?

NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS 597 MILLION POUNDS Discount chain Poundland has agreed to a £597m takeover by South African retail group Steinhoff International.

Steinhoff said Poundland would be a “complementary fit” to its expansion plans in the UK and the rest of Europe.

Poundland operates more than 900 stores across the UK, Ireland and Spain, and employs 18,000 people, but recently announced falling profits. Steinhoff owns 40 retail brands in 30 countries, including Bensons for Beds and Harveys in the UK.

THE VERBAL PASSWORD How often do you ring your bank and forget the special dates, places or names needed just to get through security?

Apparently, it takes us 45 seconds on average just to confirm who we are.

Now that might not seem very long, but if you’re a global bank like Citi receiving 35 million calls a year in Asia alone, that adds up to 437,500 hours of staff time a year.

That’s a lot of money.

But by using computers to identify our voices, this authentication process can be cut to 15 seconds on average, saving the bank pots of cash and us lots of hassle.

Citi has just begun rolling out this kind of voice biometrics authentication for its 15 million Asian banking customers, starting in Taiwan, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Whereas fingerprints give you fewer than 20 points of measurement and comparison, voices offer more than 1,000, says Brett Beranek, director of voice biometrics product strategy at Nuance Communications. Rory Bremner is going to make a fortune.

WHY THE UK MUST LOWER CORPORATION TAX Ireland’s economy expanded by more than three times the previous estimate last year, posting growth of more than 26% following a flurry of foreign investment.

The Irish economy grew by 26.3% in 2015, compared with the expected rate of 7.8%, after foreign companies that switched their base to Ireland were included in the value of its corporate sector, pushing up the value of the state’s balance sheet.

The process of switching tax domicile after a merger or acquisition, known as an “inversion”, has increased in recent years, and Ireland has become a popular end destination in these corporate manoeuvres because of its low corporate tax regime.

Several US companies, including drugs maker Allergan, security systems provider Tyco and medical technology specialist Medtronic have domiciled in Ireland by buying a smaller Irish-registered rival and “inverting” into an Irish corporate structure. A surge in aircraft imported into Ireland by leasing companies that send the jets out on loan to airlines was also among the main reasons for the economic growth. Lease operators based in Ireland account for about 20% of the global market, with sales of €7.8bn (£6.6bn).

PwC TO BE INVESTIGATED MPs investigating the demise of BHS want one of the City’s leading regulators to broaden its own inquiry into the scandal.

The chairmen of the joint parliamentary committee have called for the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to investigate the work done by the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on auditing BHS and the rest of Sir Philip Green’s retail empire.

The FRC announced last week that it plans to explore the conduct of PwC during its audit of BHS’s accounts in the year to August 30th 2014, the last full year it was controlled by Green. However, MPs want the regulator to examine the previous years, when PwC audited BHS and the accountancy firm’s audits of other companies in Green’s empire that were interlinked with the collapsed retailer.

The investigation is likely to focus on why PwC signed off BHS as a going concern when it was reliant on support from its parent company, Taveta, which is the Green family’s investment firm.

“Some people are like clouds. When they go away, it’s a brighter day.”

19

NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS NATIONAL LIVING WAGE Employers have responded to the new National Living Wage (NLW) by raising prices or reducing profits rather than cutting jobs, according to a survey from the Resolution Foundation.

The wage, which requires employers to pay staff aged 25 and over at least £7.20 an hour, was introduced in April. This report is the first snapshot of how firms have reacted to the NLW. It comes after the Office for Budget Responsibility predicted it would lead to 60,000 job losses by 2020.

Five hundred companies, covering a range of UK businesses, were questioned just before the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, of which 215 said that the new NLW had impacted their wage bill. Some 36% of those affected by the NLW said they had put up their prices to compensate for the higher wage cost, while 29% said they had reduced their profits. Despite reports of some employers cutting back on staff terms and conditions, the survey found that only 8% had cut paid breaks, overtime or bank holiday pay.

TANKING BANKING There was mention during the referendum build-up of a huge black hole in the Euro banks balance sheets but many cast it aside as part of the ‘project fear’ campaign - but perhaps not.

Deutsche Bank shares hit a new record low. Its value has halved since the beginning of the year. So is it now the most dangerous bank in the world? According to the International Monetary Fund - yes.

Last week, the IMF said that, of the banks big enough to bring the financial system crashing down, Deutsche Bank was the riskiest. Not only that, Deutsche Bank’s US unit was one of only two of 33 big banks to fail tests of financial strength set by the US central bank earlier this year. The other was Santander.

It’s not hard to get scared when you look at a few numbers. In simple terms any bank is worth the difference between what it’s owed and what it owes.

In the case of Deutsche Bank that means the difference between assets of 1.64 trillion euros (yes, trillion) and liabilities of 1.58 trillion euros. Its net value is 60 billion euros. Sounds like a lot. But the value of what its owed doesn’t need to move by much to wipe out its value completely.

Italy’s banks are the latest trouble spot for the eurozone. They are struggling with a burden of bad debt, loans that are unlikely ever to be repaid fully.

They are a potential flashpoint in an economy that has for some time been seen as posing wider risks to the EU’s currency area.

Meanwhile, the Italian government is considering a banking sector bailout which could breach European Union rules.

It’s the size of the Italian economy and its government debt that makes the country a smouldering financial volcano. The risks are aggravated by the political situation.

It’s the third-largest economy in the eurozone. The government debt burden, depending on which figures you look at, is certainly one of the largest in the eurozone, indeed the largest by one measure.

One of the roots of the problem is Italy’s two decades of dismal economic performance. Measured by total economic activity (gross domestic product or GDP), the economy remains about 8% smaller than it was at the onset of the international financial crisis. It is roughly the same size as it was at the turn of the century.

That has made it harder to generate the tax revenue needed to keep the debt burden down. It has also increased the chances of businesses getting into difficulty and being unable to maintain their loan payments.

The result: Italian banks are weighed down with a massive problem of bad debts, or non-performing loans (NPLs), worth €360bn (£307bn), equivalent to about a fifth of the country’s annual economic activity.

“If Monday had a face... I would punch it.”

20

NEWS

“I know the voices in my head aren’t real..... but sometimes their ideas are just absolutely awesome!”

PASSION TO PROFESSION Over 1.3 million Brits dream of starting their own business in the next year Almost one in five potential entrepreneurs would like to launch a foodrelated start-up such as a bakery, sandwich shop or cafe. Over half (51%) of those wanting to start a business state lack of capital as the biggest stumbling block followed by lack of direction (32%) New analysis from Direct Line for Business reveals that over 1.3 million Brits dream of starting their own business in the next twelve months.

Interestingly, the type of businesses we’d like to start shows more people are choosing to follow their hearts and launch bakeries, cafés and craft shops.

third admit they wouldn’t know where to begin planning a new business.

Lack of direction is more apparent amongst women with nearly double (43%) citing this as the main barrier compared to men (20%).

PRIMARY REASONS FOR NOT STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS Primary reason for not starting a business % Lack of capital 51% I don’t know where to start 32% I don’t have the confidence 30% I can’t afford to lose my salary 29% Fear of losing job security 25%

When asked what type of business they would set up, 5% said that they would set up a shop, with ambitions ranging from books and music to mobility scooters and Wiccan products. The most popular choice was a café or tea room, selected by one in 20 respondents (6%), while arts and crafts – either from home or in a shop – were cited by 2% of Brits. Restaurants, business consultancies and animal-related professions were all commonly cited, showing that there is no limit to the professional passions of the British public.

TOP FIVE MOST DESIRABLE START-UP SECTORS Type of business % Food 18% Retail 16% Manufacturing 7% Leisure 6% Technology 6% Lack of capital is cited as the biggest reason that people don’t want to start their own business (51%). Funding is not the only barrier, almost a

LIES DAMN LIES Academics at Cass Business School have designed an algorithm that can detect lies in emails. The research team have designed and developed an algorithm that can detect deception within digital text.

The algorithm works by identifying linguistic cues of deception found within a computer-mediated communication (CMC) system such as emails.

The team applied automated text analysis to an archive of emails to assess the ability of word use (micro-level), message development (macrolevel), and intertextual exchange cues (meta-level) to detect the severity of deception being perpetrated within a business framework.

Their findings indicate that: • Deceitful e-mailers avoid the use of personal pronouns and superfluous descriptions such as unnecessary adjectives.

• Deceitful e-mailers over structure their arguments.

• Deceitful e-mailers minimise self-deprecation but include more flattery and pattern the linguistic style of the recipient across e-mail exchanges, because they want to make themselves appear more accommodating and likeable.

Dr Tom van Laer, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Cass, said: “This research opens up the possibility of fraud prevention and deception detection technology across lots of in-person domains, not just e-mail. Our approach comes from big data - combining statistics with natural language processing patterns that tip us off to deception. Authorities and companies will now be able to figure out the plausibility of fraud and identify lying individuals.”

While the research does not offer insight into how to deal with deceivers, the software can help organisations streamline their investigations into fraudulent communications and modify their auditing processes for messages that have been automatically pre-classified as potentially severely deceitful.

21

CYBER CRIME

ARE YOU DDoS READY?

Joanna Potbury, Associate at DMH Stallard LLP and Graham Fox, Director of Redspam LLP, both Gatwick-based organisations, discuss the risks businesses currently face regarding Cyber Crime, and steps which can be taken by businesses to protect themselves.

JOANNA POTBURY Cyber crime is an epidemic, affecting more individuals and

data as well as exposure to civil liability from third parties whose

organisations than ever before. It now takes many forms including

data has been stolen. It is critical

hacking, identity fraud, denial of service attacks, harassment by

that organisations have plans in

electronic means or phishing.

place to protect data, systems and

While media headlines focus on hack attacks on big brand names, the threat is very real for the smaller business, who often may not have

client information.

Businesses also need to be aware

the knowledge, time and resource to implement the processes and

and alert to the risk that cyber

technology solutions required to reduce the risks of a cyber attack and

crime in the form of data theft may

the resulting damage.

not always be an external threat

Earlier this year, the Daily Telegraph reported that a poll of British businesses suggested that only 28% had reported an attack, citing fear of reputational damage. That is of course only one aspect of the risk

but may come from within the business itself: from disaffected or departing employees. We have acted in several cases where employees have taken business critical and confidential data to use for their own

associated with an attack. Even if you do not report externally, you

purposes or for rival businesses who are in competition with their

need to be able to demonstrate that you have taken effective measures

employer.

internally to resolve and contain the breach, particularly when personal

We have extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of cyber

data is involved. Such attacks can lead us into the realms of data

crime and prevention. We are also sensitive to the reputational risks.

protection regulation, where we see risks of prosecution the loss of

You can contact us at any time for a confidential discussion.

22

CYBER CRIME GRAHAM FOX DDoS protection and learning how to protect from DDoS attacks must be at the core of a successful cyber-security strategy, because distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks have become one of the primary cyber-security threats facing enterprises today – and it’s only set to get worse. DDoS attacks are attempts to make a computer resource (i.e. website, e-mail, VoIP, or a whole network) unavailable to its intended users - and/or as a distraction to help them attack you/ steal data from you through other means. Overwhelmed with massive amounts of unsolicited data and/or requests, the target system either responds so slowly as to be unusable or crashes completely. Whatever the outcome effective denial of service protection can eliminate or minimise downtime from a DDoS attack and just as importantly allow you to concentrate on other tasks/risks.

Organised cyber-attack groups, such as Anonymous and DD4BC, frequently launch politically or financially-motivated denial of service attacks to cause website downtime for big brand corporations, financial

Your DDoS protection strategy DDoS protection is a cyber-security response to stop a DDoS attack – it seeks to prevent a DDoS attack from damaging the operations of your enterprise. A DDoS protection service is designed to detect, monitor and stop DDoS attacks (monitor, manage and mitigate).

Given the growing number and scale of DDoS attacks, planning for DDoS attack protection is a critical IT security function. The USA, France and Great Britain are the main targets for attacks over 10Gbps (Altas Report H1, 2016).

It’s virtually impossible for an individual business to build out a sufficiently large DDoS protection infrastructure to scale in response to a large DDoS attack. RedSpam, a cloud-based DDoS protection service, offers protection both nationally and internationally with builtin scaleability combined with advanced DDoS detection techniques,

services companies, and even governments. Yet every day there are hundreds of other unpublicised DDoS attacks on e-commerce companies and web-based service providers of all sizes, there are over 124,000 attack events recorded each week (Altas Report H1, 2016).

Every organisation with a valued web presence needs to know how to protect against DDoS attacks.

Protection is needed for all types of DDoS attacks - Different types of DDoS attacks can affect specific IT network elements and require different DDoS mitigation techniques for denial of service protection.

Attackers know this and will identify the weak links in a DDoS attack protection strategy and chose the DDoS attack they determine will cause the most damage.

“Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks have become one of the primary cyber-security threats facing enterprises today – and it’s only set to get worse.”

specialised DDoS protection software, and DDoS protection experts who know how to protect against DDoS attacks – 24/7/365

Big data and DDoS protection Hundreds of millions of data points in multiple streams pour into a DDoS protection network in real time during an attack. Automatic DDoS protection software with decision-making algorithms based on data analytics for DDoS protection are helpful but are prone to false positives. DDoS protection experts in our Security Operations Centre (SOC) quickly make sense of the deluge of data and make precise decisions as to which data/traffic to allow and which to block. Using big data, our SOC engineers can customise your DDoS defence using specialised knowledge of how to protect against DDoS attack types observed as the attack happens – we can also contribute a large

REDSPAM is the provider of True Dynamic Mitigation™ a unique combination of industry-leading hardware and patent-pending software that offers unprecedented protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to ensure continuous uptime of your online business assets.

As a cloud-based transparent service, whatever the level of attack, you only pay the price agreed for the service. RedSpam does not charge for size, number of, or duration of attacks and provides same-day, fixed price quotations for the protection level required.

amount of valuable data on attacks and attackers, including for IP reputation.

DMH STALLARD is

How to protect from DDoS panic

an award winning law firm providing strategic and operational legal advice. From cyber crime protection, corporate finance and M&A advice, to resolving commercial disputes or putting safeguards in place, our lawyers focus on delivering success to help clients protect and grow their businesses. www.dmhstallard.com

A best practice for DDoS protection is the creation of a playbook or operations procedure that details a planned response when a DDoS attack occurs. Working with RedSpam we will help you to create a bespoke template and set up a number of protocols that will trigger aggressive countermeasures to attacks. This will help you to see the best way to manage internal and external communications when confronted with a DDoS attack and leads to optimisations that can be developed to ensure a rapid, repeatable and predictable plan for DDoS survival moving forwards.

Should you have any further questions regarding the above, please do contact Joanna Potbury on 01293 605596/ Joanna.potbury@dmhstallard.com or Graham Fox on 07968 444068/graham.fox@redspam.com

23

THE BIG STORY

THE WEEK OF THE LONG KNIVES They say a week in politics is a long time, but currently, a day in politics is a very long time.

Since the shock referendum result, turmoil has been the order of the day and the British public are aboard a ship from which the Captain, and half the crew, have jumped overboard. We need a saviour who will steer HMS United Kingdom to safer waters, and, since Boris stabbed Dave and Gove stabbed Boris, the coup de grace was performed by Theresa May, our new Prime Minster.

So who is Theresa May?

by Maarten Hoffmann

M

ay has been Home Secretary since 2010, MP for Maidenhead since 1997 and was made the first female

Chairman of the Conservative Party, and a member of the Privy Council. This vicar’s daughter was born in Eastbourne in 1956 and, after a spell in state schools, she won a place at Holton Park Girls’ Grammar School and then went on to St Hugh’s College, Oxford, where she achieved a BA in 1977. She is married to banker Philip May, whom she met at Oxford during a Conservative Association dance, where they were introduced by Benazir Bhutto,

So here is a lady who was not privately

“She sure as hell couldn’t do any worse than them, even if she had a lobotomy the day after taking office. ”

educated, is the daughter of a clergyman and therefore not born into wealth and privilege, and who has nevertheless risen to the very top of the political elite. She seems to have made few enemies, not put a foot wrong and is now the 81st Prime Minster of the UK and the second female to land the job. The only blot on her copybook is that she was, quietly, a Remain supporter, and it is felt in some circles that the new PM must be a Leave supporter. She also got caught up in Cameron’s daft pledge to bring down immigration to the tens of thousands

later to become President of Pakistan, where

when she made that promise, on his behalf, in

she was killed in 2007.

2010. The number actually rose from 298,000

24

THE BIG STORY to 634,000 per year. Worse still, she fully

promise right now that all EU nationals living in

EU nationals living in Britain as a “negotiating

supported Blair’s invasion of Iraq.

Britain should be able to stay indefinitely. The

point” if she attempts to maintain access to the

reason for that is, if we did that the same rights

single market with restrictions.

On 30th June, 2016, May formally announced her candidacy for party leader to replace

would have to apply to any EU national who

David Cameron. May emphasised the need for

comes to Britain before we leave

unity within the party, regardless of positions

the EU.”

about leaving the EU and said she could bring

“If we made that

“strong leadership” and a “positive vision” for

promise you

the country’s future. She insisted that there

could

May, the longest-serving Home Secretary in 100 years, hedged her bets as the “unity” candidate in the Tory leadership

would be no second referendum about the UK remaining in the EU: “The campaign was fought and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door.

Brexit means Brexit,” she said, adding that Article 50 (the formal notification of Britain’s exit from the EU) should not be filed until the end of 2016.

On the issue of immigration, she agreed that there was a need to regain more control of the numbers of people who come to Britain from Europe. Under questioning, she conceded that it would not be possible to totally eliminate immigration to the UK. Wisely, she has also stated that there can be no guarantee of EU nationals staying in the UK until there has been negotiation regarding UK nationals living within the EU. The other contenders are all shouting that this must be confirmed now, but why on earth would we do that until we have the assurance the other way round? This demonstrates her negotiating nous and the popularist attitude of the others.

May described herself as a candidate who will unify the party after a divisive referendum, and was the favourite among the public in a Sky Data Snap Poll; 47% of the people who were polled on June 30th, 2016 said May was their choice to replace David Cameron, who had resigned the previous week. By July 1st, May had received considerable support from within

just see a huge influx of EU nationals,

the Conservative Party, including endorsements

who would all want to come here

from over 100 MPs, far more than her nearest

while they have that chance.” The

rival Andrea Leadsom. Her supporters included

source also made clear that the

a number of cabinet members, such as Amber

issue was a “negotiating point.”

Rudd, Justine Greening, Jeremy Hunt, Michael

They added: “It would just be a

Fallon and Patrick McLoughlin. By July 13th,

bad negotiating position, because

she was Prime Minister.

we shouldn’t guarantee the rights

May is known for her no-nonsense style,

of EU nationals without having

attention to detail and steely demeanour. She

any guarantees the other way

will need all of this and more to deal with the

about British nationals living

Brexit negotiations and has refused to rule out

in EU member states.”

the deportation of EU nationals living in Britain

Mrs May said during her

after the country leaves the European Union,

leadership campaign that

amid fears that guaranteeing their rights at this

there was no mandate

stage could lead to a “huge influx” of migrants

to accept the free

during the Brexit negotiation phase.

movement of people in

A source close to May told The Independent: “She [Mrs May] was saying it’s unwise to

its current state. She could, therefore, use

25

THE BIG STORY

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

26

XERO AWARD WINNER 2016

THE BIG STORY approval will be forthcoming if he/she gets the

contest, said: “What’s important is, there will be a negotiation here as to how we deal with that issue of people who are already here and who have established life here and Brits who have established a life in other countries within the European Union. The position at the moment is as it has been, there’s no change at the moment, but, of course, we have to factor that into negotiations. As part of the negotiation, we will need to look at this question of people who are here in the UK from the EU.” This entire issue, and the foremost complaint from the Leavers, will be dealt with by a new Department for Brexit, a Department that one Tony Blair is vying for. I believe he has as much chance as my cat and should actually be thanking his lucky stars that he is not on trial following the Chilcot Report. Fortunately, that post has gone to arch euro sceptic, David

“So here is a lady who was not privately educated, is the daughter of a clergyman and therefore not born into wealth and privilege, and who has nevertheless risen to the very top of the political elite”

Davies.

We should thank our lucky stars that Andrea Leadsom was ‘talked out’ of continuing her

job done and secures our future.

Mrs May has also taken the opportunity to talk about her private life and how she dealt with the heartbreak of not being able to have children. “Of course, we were both affected by it. You see friends who now have grown-up children, but you accept the hand that life deals you. Sometimes things you wish had happened don’t, or there are things you wish you’d been able to do, but can’t. There are other couples in a similar position.”

Mrs May said she and Philip drew comfort from their happy marriage and all the other things they were ‘blessed with.’

Has it affected her outlook as a politician?

“I don’t think so, it’s an impossible question, because you can’t tell what you’d have been like if you’d been in a different position.”

hands full with Mrs May.

Did they look at other families and wish they could be the same?

candidacy as it sped up the transition in one of

One of the important statements May has

the most volatile times this country has seen in

made is that she will not join the vanity project

many years. Installing May into No. 10 rapidly

of calling a snap general election to seek

allows us to move onto the complex issue

her own mandate and this, l believe, is of the

of untangling ourselves from the EU and we

utmost importance. The last thing this country

need a strong and no-nonsense PM to do it. In

needs is another six months preparing for a

May, l think we have it and she will need to go

vote whilst Rome, or London in this instance,

toe-to-toe with Angela Merkel, a women who,

burns. The new PM needs to get his or her

it is said, intimidates every male politician she

sleeves up and deal with the current crisis and

friends, stubborn and stuffy by enemies, but no

comes across. I have a feeling she will have her

not seek approval from the electorate. That

one has ever accused her of self pity.

“Yes, but I’m a great believer that you just get on with things. There are lots of problems people have. We are all different, we all have different circumstances and you have to cope with whatever it is and try not to dwell on things.”

Mrs May has been called stoic and steely by

27

THE BIG STORY At her leadership launch, she credited her clergyman father Hubert Brasier for inspiring a sense of public duty in her.

“He was hopeless at cooking or mending a plug but hugely respected for his pastoral work. He visited one family and heard scrabbling noises in the house before the door was opened. When he sat down he put his hand over the armchair straight into a bowl of jelly and ice cream. They had been sitting eating and tried to clear it away before the vicar came in.”

It is easy to see where she gets her sense of propriety: her father banned a teenage Theresa from canvassing for the Tories in the village to avoid claims of political bias against him. Instead, she stuffed envelopes in the Conservative office, out of sight.

But he backed her when she rebelled against a decision by the head at her school to ban girls from joining a boys-only school trip to an international rugby match.

“There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door, and no second referendum. The country voted to leave the European Union, and it is the duty of the Government and of Parliament to make sure we do just that.”

Rev Brasier complained and Theresa went to the match. Her father was killed in a car crash in 1981. She recalls: “I got a phone call saying he was in intensive care. I saw him before he died, but he wasn’t able to speak.”

The health of her mother Zaidee, who had multiple sclerosis, deteriorated rapidly and she died a year later.

After that distressing year, she took even more solace in her marriage and one can only imagine how close she and Philip are and quite how much advice he departs.

But all remains tranquil at home in sleepy Sonning, where her neighbours include George and Amal Clooney, ex-footballer Glenn Hoddle and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

She will need plenty of stamina to negotiate Britain’s exit from the EU but insists she is not deterred by Brussels’ refusal to open talks before Article 50 is signed – a daunting, irreversible decision that will fall to the new PM. “I’m very clear we need to determine our negotiating position before we invoke Article 50.”

But isn’t the EU stating that they will not do that, asked the Guardian’s Political Editor, Ashley Cowburn. “Sometimes the practice one is able to undertake in negotiations is different… it’s possible to have informal discussions,” she says, trailing off with a meaningful

28

THE BIG STORY glance, as if to say “They would say that, wouldn’t they? Wait till I get to grips with them.”

She bats away the claim by her rival Mrs Leadsom that as a Remainer she has no right to be PM after being on the losing side in the referendum. “The Government cannot just be consumed by Brexit, there is so much more to do.”

“Brexit means Brexit. The campaign was fought, the vote was held, turnout was high, and the public gave their verdict. There must be no attempts to remain inside the EU, no attempts to rejoin it through the back door, and no second referendum. The country voted to leave the European Union, and it is the duty of the Government and of Parliament to make sure we do just that.”

“There should be no general election until 2020. There should be a normal Autumn Statement, held in the normal way at the normal time, and no emergency budget. And there should be no decision to invoke Article 50 until the British negotiating strategy is agreed and clear – which means Article 50 should not be invoked before the end of this year.”

“We should make clear that for the foreseeable future there is absolutely no change in Britain’s trading relationships with the EU or other markets. And until a new legal agreement is reached with the EU, which will not happen for some time, the legal status of British nationals living or working in Europe will not change – and neither will the status of EU nationals in Britain”.

“While it is absolutely vital that the Government continues with its intention to reduce public spending and cut the budget deficit, we should no longer seek to reach a budget surplus by the end of the Parliament. If before 2020 there is a choice between further spending cuts, more borrowing and tax rises, the priority must be to avoid tax increases since they would disrupt consumption, employment and investment. These are all measures that will be taken by a Conservative Government I lead, and they offer stability and certainty to consumers, employers and investors for the foreseeable future.

And I want to reassure foreign governments, international companies and foreign nationals living in Britain that we are the same outwardlooking and globally-minded and big-thinking country we have always been – and we remain open for business and welcoming to foreign talent.”

Theresa May is an impressive character. Yes, she is very politically

If you can speak English, and you can get a place on a proper course at a proper university, you can come to study in Britain.

Theresa May

correct, and yes, she does lack dynamism and charisma, but do we want another Tony Blair? Style over substance, or, at this time of huge political turmoil, do we want a steady hand on the tiller who is more concerned with getting the job done than grandstanding and constantly checking on their popularity ratings?

There is one very large elephant in the room that l will take on in full in my Anger Management column on page 52, and that is, she’s female. It is time for men to take a step back and let women have a go at running the global economy, and indeed, the UK. Male politicians have totally screwed it up time and time again with raging egos, childish public-school point-scoring and future-nest-feathering, and if we look around the world, with Merkel running one of the most powerful countries in the world and Clinton soon to be running the most powerful country in the world, l think May would be in good company. It is time men put their egos away, rolled up their sleeves and started grafting for a female boss. She sure as hell couldn’t do any worse than them, even if she had a lobotomy the day after taking office.

She gets my vote all the way.

29

BREXIT

BREXIT

The lion has roared, time to hold steady

By Shirley Smith, Partner, Kreston Reeves

N

erves need to be held as we enter uncharted seas to an uncertain destination. The referendum result,

despite convulsing markets, at this stage changes only sentiment and certainty. We remain in the EU, and the process of leaving will take at least two years to negotiate.

Sterling’s currency devaluation will translate into tangible costs; straight away for travellers

interest that may, at least in the short term,

look for opportunity from the uncertainty. The

dwindle.

worst reaction would be to be mesmerised into

Businesses that want to locate in the UK from overseas in order to have access to the

inactivity.

We must expect that however long and hard

EU single market are likely to pause or switch

the process, the Government will work to open

to another member state.

new markets as well as secure a workable

Keep calm and carry on Yet we must hold steady. The UK is today still

arrangement with the EU. It can do no less.

There can now be no greater priority for the country.

but soon for businesses that import. Those that

the world’s fifth largest economy and what we

export will benefit, but perhaps only before

always have been: a trading nation with great

the position of the City of London as a global

longer term uncertainty about tariffs and

expertise, as we have within Kreston Reeves, in

financial centre – and a centre of funding for

markets sets in.

building connections with other countries. Half

businesses seeking to expand.

Aside from pressure on property investment

of that trade is with the EU, making it hard to

funds, there are also damaging implications

see why renegotiated arrangements would be

for inward investment, which may take its first

punitive.

visible form in falling London property prices.

These have risen in large part due to overseas

30

Our message to all Sussex businesses is that they should simply carry on, but also

A particular effort will be needed to protect

This is the time to think carefully about your business and finances, to take guidance from professional advisors who will now be putting huge, inventive energy into minimising the impact on clients.

BREXIT

“We can hope that the professional investment funds sitting on large cash piles until the result was clear now finally invest, giving a boost to the economy.”

The referendum was a certainty for a long time. As a result, many investors will already have drastically reduced their equity holdings in the UK and moved much of their portfolios

If you have any opportunities,

abroad.

concerns or issues you would like

Until the longer term position becomes clearer, it is likely people will still keep their assets away from what may become a very volatile domestic investment market. Others will find

to discuss regarding your business

investing opportunities from the same volatility.

or personal finances, please

Taking the long-view

speak to one of our Sussex team:

History suggests that whatever the initial shock, markets return to steady, long-term averages with remarkable speed. We might therefore expect history to repeat itself.

It does however look as if we should be prepared to accept this is just one further stage in the gradual erosion in the value of Sterling against the Dollar to a new, lower, level.

BRIGHTON Alex Spofforth

01273 811000

Meanwhile, our economy continues to grow, with reasonable construction and trade figures anyway this year despite the looming referendum. We created 55,000 new jobs nationally in the last quarter even with the introduction of the National Living Wage.

CHICHESTER Simon Webber

“A particular effort will be needed to protect the position of the City of London as a global financial centre – and a centre of funding for businesses seeking to expand.”

We can hope that the professional investment funds sitting on large cash piles until the result was clear now finally invest, giving a boost to the economy. They need to see opportunity, too.

Considering your business options Many businesses have strong balance sheets and want to grow their enterprises. That will

01243 787627

GATWICK Shirley Smith

01293 776152

HORSHAM Richard Spofforth 01403 253282

WORTHING Steve Kirkham

01903 828728

www.krestonreeves.com

not alter. The desire to trade internationally is not diminished because of a vote driven by political, not economic, arguments.

Brexit will also be an opportunity to review regulations and ensure that they strike the right balance between rights and obligations. Perhaps we will finally see a bonfire of ‘red tape’ to ease burdens for many.

We are a competitive, inventive economy well equipped to battle for market share on the basis of quality not protectionism, so let us expect to flourish. We have the advantage of language, location and legal system. Our tax system is favourable. These remain in place. We should be stimulated by the prospect of extraordinary change.

31

COMPANY INVESTIGATIONS

PREPARING FOR A DAWN RAID

by Clive Lee and Liane Simmonds at Rawlison Butler

A

dawn raid by regulatory authorities may seem like something that would never happen to your business, but it could.

Being prepared for this eventuality is crucial

investigation, in order to obtain incriminating

or competition issues is a potential target for

evidence as a precursor to regulatory

dawn raids – regardless of size. As the dawn

proceedings.

raid is often the first step in an investigation,

Often the dawn raid actually taking place

for all businesses – particularly as there will

is the first time you will know about the

be no prior warning and the sanctions for non-

suspicions or investigation. Regulatory

compliance can be severe. Do you have an up-

authorities which might carry out dawn raids

even allegations which ultimately prove to be unfounded could still potentially give rise to a dawn raid.

Examples of the types of issues which could

to-date dawn raids policy and would you know

include the European Commission, national

arise include allegations of abusing a dominant

what to do in the event of a dawn raid?

Competition Authorities, the Competition

position and other anti-competitive practices

So what is a dawn raid?

A “dawn raid” is a surprise inspection carried out by the officials of a regulatory body or authority (whether UK or EU based) at the premises of a business under suspicion or

32

& Markets Authority, the Financial Conduct Authority and HM Revenue & Customs, as well the Serious Fraud Office in extreme cases.

Who could be affected?

Any company which could face regulatory

(ie price-fixing, cartels etc) or allegations of fraud, market abuse, insider dealing, bribery or corruption. Issues could also arise in respect of the administration of tax and duties or in relation to imports and exports.

The types of companies which might be

COMPANY INVESTIGATIONS

“As the dawn raid is often the first step in an investigation, even allegations which ultimately prove to be unfounded could still potentially give rise to a dawn raid.”

particularly at risk include: • Companies in regulated industries, such as

Preparing for a dawn raid There are various ways you can prepare

mock dawn raids as part and parcel of the training and preparation of your staff • enter into an agreement for dedicated “on-

the financial services sector, which may be

in advance of a dawn raid so that you have

investigated by the FCA

everything you need to hand in the event of a

call” lawyers who you can call immediately

raid and are not caught unprepared.

upon the officials arriving at your premises

• Companies which occupy a large market sector, and arguably hold a dominant position, could be investigated by

Here are some of the key pointers: • draft a comprehensive dawn raids policy in

competition authorities for anti-competitive

advance, setting out procedures for how to

practices

deal with a dawn raid on the day of the raid

• Companies which import and export goods

itself

in the event of a dawn raid • put procedures in place to make sure that you keep a good record of the documents and information taken by the officers during the raid for subsequent review of your position. This will help you and your lawyers

could face investigation by tax authorities

to evaluate the merits of any case against

• Companies involved in competitive tendering,

you and to devise an appropriate strategy

especially if there is a risk that collaborative tendering (ie tendering that involves the partnering of one or more businesses) could actually be collusive tendering • Retail companies, including manufacturers of retail goods, could face allegations of price fixing or cartel membership • Companies doing business overseas could face allegations of bribery or corruption

“Any company which could face regulatory or competition issues is a potential target for dawn raids – regardless of size. ”

that your staff are fully briefed, because there will be no prior warning of a dawn raid. By preparing in advance, you can think about how best to handle any negative consequences of the dawn raid (both internally and externally).

There are very heavy fines for noncompliance on the day of the dawn raid.

Companies have in the past been fined millions for delaying the start of an investigation by less than an hour, whilst Eon was fined €38m for breaking a seal fixed by Commission officials during a raid in May 2006.

Dealing with the dawn raid in the correct

afterwards to examine the grounds for the investigation and consider your position.

By handling the dawn raid correctly at the outset you will see tangible benefits and this will enable you to avoid penalties for noncompliance. The key to dealing with dawn raids to date policy as part of advance preparation and ensuring that you have good legal support

• prepare associated documents to be

available – both on the day and afterwards. At

available for use on the day such as crib

RB, we offer a specialist dawn raids service,

sheets, emergency contact lists and template

based on our experience of helping clients in

internal/external statements so you can

this area, and we provide a dedicated on-call

communicate promptly with staff and even

service for emergency support if required on

the press

the day and in the weeks that follow.

• train your staff on your dawn raids policy and what to do in the event of a raid • train those

For further information, please contact Clive Lee or Liane Simmonds in RB’s Commercial Disputes Team.

individuals in critical roles; for example, instructions can be given to reception staff as the first point

manner can also have an impact on any

of contact and your

subsequent proceedings brought by the

IT department can be

regulator. For example, you should ensure

given guidance on the

that you maintain any available privilege in

kind of requests that

documents which could be detrimental to your

might be made by

case by lawfully preventing their inspection by

officers

dawn raid officials on the day.

A dawn raid will probably signal the start of a lengthy investigation, so there will be time

appropriately and effectively is to have an up

Why is it an important issue?

It is important to be prepared and to ensure

going forwards.

• consider conducting

33

DIGITAL MARKETING

SPECIAL DELIVERY Why Email Is The Number One Business Marketing Tool

by Shea Bennett, Head of Digital Marketing at Identity

A

s a business leader and decision maker, you know that it’s important to be kept informed about the latest trends

channel that provided the best ROI, beating paid search, content marketing, mobile marketing and social media.

Email Marketing Best Practices As with any digital marketing tool to get optimal results from an email newsletter

in digital marketing. By positioning yourself

campaign there are a series of best practices,

right on the edge of the information curve

rules and guidelines that should be followed.

you’re always up-to-date on the top platforms

1. It Started With A List

and tools, staying one step ahead of your competitors.

So here’s a simple question: which digital marketing tool consistently delivers the best return on investment (ROI)?

“79% of agencies and 66% of companies rated email as the marketing channel that provided the best ROI”

Your website? It’s a fantastic resource for

fantastic for raising awareness of your business, building an audience and generating engagement, but they aren’t as effective as

messages from you and have been kept highly engaged and informed in all of your

email addresses, catch-all email addresses

found that two-thirds of consumers had gone

(the “info@” variety) or acquired email

on to make a purchase online as a direct result

addresses – either purchased from a third

of an email marketing message, and their 2015 study found that more than seven in ten

conversion rates.

consumers say that email is their preferred

campaigns can generate a fantastic sales

have opted into receiving marketing

The worst email lists are made up of old A 2013 Direct Marketing Association report

this (seemingly old-fashioned) medium for Paid search? Used intelligently, paid search

best email list is made up of people who

from you – they’re looking forward to it.

and of itself it probably won’t generate new Social media? Facebook and Twitter are

the list of people it is being sent to. The

marketing. They are not only happy to hear

promoting your products and services, but in business without a lot of help.

Any email campaign is only as good as

method of communication with brands.

Snapchat is cooler. Facebook is dominating

party or “borrowed” from somebody else.

Finally, when you initiate your campaigns, unless you’re losing huge numbers of people with every send, don’t concern yourself too much with unsubscribers. It’s far better (not to mention more economical)

return, but there’s another marketing stalwart

the world. And Google makes billions of dollars

to have a small or medium-sized email

that has got them beat.

from search. But when it comes to generating

list with high engagement rates than a

new business – and specifically getting a

huge list where nobody really cares. So

So who’s the king? Email. A 2015 eMarketer study revealed that 79% of agencies and 66%

prospect to sign on the digital dotted line –

of companies rated email as the marketing

none of these are as effective as email.

(unless you’re being really obnoxious) anytime somebody unsubscribes from your email database you should think of it as a positive, as it is actually purifying your list.

2. Invest In An Email Marketing Platform The emails you send at work are all managed by a software client, such as Microsoft Outlook. These are perfect for everyday use, but to send campaigns you need to invest in a dedicated online email marketing solution. Not only will these services allow you to send huge numbers of emails with a single click, they offer design templates, list management, reporting and analytics. At Identity, we like and recommend MailChimp, which is a great starting point for any business, but other platforms are available.

3. A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words The best email campaigns are designed

34

DIGITAL MARKETING

to quickly capture the attention of the

all content interesting and relevant. And if

a newsletter you need to figure out its

reader. The look of your newsletter should

you are going to write about the past, focus

primary goal, and that is what takes pride

be consistent month to month (to build

on customer successes and case studies

of place. Everything else is secondary.

recognition and trust), and the design

instead of old news.

Indeed, the most effective email campaigns

should be clean and elegant. Any good

5. It’s All About The Call To Action – What Do

usually have just one single CTA, and

email marketing platform will have a

You Want Your Reader To Do?

nothing else. And because the reader then

number of off-the-shelf templates that you

The call to action (CTA) is the focus point

only has one option, that is what they’ll

can use and customise, but you still need

of your newsletter. It’s the one, main thing

take.

to have a good eye (and invest time and

that you want the reader to do above

resources) to make your newsletter really

anything else. For example, clicking on a

6. Analyse, Review & Improve To get the most from your email marketing

zing. And if design isn’t your bag, it’s worth

campaigns it’s essential that you take the

spending the money on somebody who

time to analyse the data after each send.

really knows their stuff.

4. Don’t Share News – Share Knowledge Wait a minute: it’s called a newsletter, right? What else are you supposed to write about? Here’s the problem with news: it’s out of date as soon as you’ve shared it.

This should include monitoring basic (but

“Anytime somebody unsubscribes from your email database you should think of it as a positive, as it is actually purifying your list.”

critical) metrics such as opening rates and clicks, but also broader metrics that require a little more detective work.

For example, how does your data stand up against industry averages? Is that CTA

If your newsletter goes out at the end of

getting all the attention it deserves? Was it

January, telling people what happened

clear to the reader what you wanted them

at the Christmas party is the fastest way

to do? If not, how could you better position

to get them to click on the “unsubscribe”

new product image to go to that page on

the CTA image or change the wording

button. It turns a newsletter into a

your website. While your newsletter will

around it for next time?

snoozeletter.

likely have multiple stories, the call to

Really deep dive into the data and study

Instead, write about what’s coming. What’s

action must go right at the top and be given

who exactly is clicking on your links, which

on the horizon for your business? What

all of the attention, both in terms of design

links they’re clicking and what they’re

new products and services are being

and placement.

doing when they get to your website. Not

launched? What events are you attending?

Without a clear CTA, readers will be

only is this the whole point of doing email

Most people sign up for newsletters to

unsure about the next step. Give them

marketing in the first place, it’s a fantastic

receive information, so strive to keep them

too many options and you’ll lose them to

way to generate a list of ready-made leads

informed about developments and make

choice paralysis. Whenever you’re building

for your sales team.

Biography: Shéa has managed the digital campaigns and marketing solutions for both B2B and B2C brands across a variety of industries, including retail, finance, education, healthcare, charity, sports and events. A recognised authority within the digital space, he has published two books and written thousands of articles about social media, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post and the BBC. Identity specialises in the manufacture and implementation of corporate branding, with over 30 years’ experience in the industry.

A major supplier of digital marketing, events management and commercial signage across the UK and Europe, Identity is a multiaward-winning company with a very experienced team of industryrespected individuals.

Email: sb@identitygroup.co.uk, Web: www.identitygroup.co.uk

35

MANUFACTURING

METALL LAUNCHES WITH A SELL-OUT FIRST EVENT Chris Coopey, Head of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Group at Carpenter Box, reports on the first meeting of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Alliance (METALL) held at Roffey Park near Horsham.

I

because resource is tight and money is

particularly grant funding is not always well

tighter. There are advantages to being small.

signposted and sometimes the application

Smaller businesses can make decisions more

process may not appear to be worth the effort.

within the Gatwick Diamond) joined my

quickly and take advantage of opportunities

In a straw poll of the businesses attending

colleagues and I from Carpenter Box, together

without having to jump through the hoops

METALL, many had not previously heard of

with fellow sponsors asb law and CBSbutler for

that big corporates often have to do. One of

Innovate UK nor the help it was able to offer in

the first METALL event.

the points made by Robert Pearson is that by

both funding and advice terms. Zoe Webster’s

collaborating, small businesses with big ideas

presentation shone a light on some of the

‘Innovation’ and the keynote speakers, Dr

can achieve amazing results around innovation.

options, but in the Q&A session afterwards

Robert Pearson of Cobham Antennas and

Of course there are practical worries when

other organisations such as Coast to Capital

Dr Zoe Webster of Innovate UK, each did a

smaller businesses collaborate with larger

also talked about the various funding options

fantastic job of explaining what innovation

ones. There are concerns around the ownership

they could offer. We will gather together as

looks like, how it can be achieved and how

of intellectual property and who ultimately will

many threads as we can in relation to all of

it can be funded. There were a number of

benefit the most. These are best dealt with

the help available and make sure it sits in

takeaways from the session:

by making strong relationships, developing

the resource area of the www.metall.org.uk

trust and by buttoning down expectations as

website.

n July, over 30 manufacturing, engineering and technology businesses (who between them employ over 5,000 skilled personnel

The subject for the inaugural meeting was

Passion Innovation is born of passion. Passion to solve a problem and provide a solution can drive a project from concept to realisation and

much as possible at the outset in a clear and transparent written agreement.

Collaboration starts by conversation, which

when harnessed effectively, it can become a

is why joining all of the elements together

massive and unstoppable force. We English

was such an important aim for METALL. These

are not known for our fondness of the word

elements include the businesses themselves,

‘passion’, but our place as one of the most

those who can help fund them and those that

innovative nations shows that we have it tucked

can give the practical and academic help to

away somewhere in our psyche!

take innovation forward.

Collaboration

Funding

We used to be seen as a nation of small

Researching and developing innovative ideas

shopkeepers. That may not now be the case but

takes money and all too often businesses are

we are certainly a nation of small businesses.

not well equipped to understand their various

Sometimes that mitigates against innovation,

options. It’s also fair to say that funding,

36

The subtext to this first METALL meeting was of course around the possible effects of Brexit and the challenges it will pose. Consensus in the room was that it is far too early to predict how our departure from the EU will affect the sector, but there were obvious concerns around currency fluctuation, possible trade tariffs and the difficulty of finding skilled and motivated staff if restrictions on recruitment from overseas becomes a reality.

I’m pleased to say that METALL is already forming into a community and that a LinkedIn group has been established to carry on the conversation. For more on METALL check out www.metall.org.uk

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

CLOUD TALK DUAL SIM MOBILE PHONES

WINDOWS 10 PRODUCT ID

Do you have a separate work and a personal smartphone, or use different numbers when travelling abroad? If yes, then you may want to consider looking at a smartphone that can take two SIMS. These devices are now becoming mainstream and rumour control has it that Apple may be introducing this as a feature in the new iPhone 7 allowing two different numbers and profiles. If you would like to read a review on the current best UK dual SIM phones take a trip to www.pcadvisor.co.uk/ and type ‘20 best dual-SIM smartphones’ in the search bar.

In order to activate Windows 10 it generally uses what’s referred to as an activation digital signature, and does not require a 25-character product ID key. I say generally as this is when you upgrade for free from Windows 7 / 8.1 or purchased a Windows 10 / Windows 10 Pro upgrade from the Windows store. If you purchase Windows 10 from an authorised retailer or have a Volume Licensing Agreement, then a product key is required.

HOW SAFE IS YOUR DATA? If a hacker with resources wants your data they will invariably find it irrespective of whether it is on a server in your office or in the Cloud. The majority of data thefts are however, by disgruntled employees; late 2015 a client of ours lost an employee to a competitor start-up taking confidential company data with them.

This data was on a local server and taken without the owner’s knowledge, until it was too late. Following this we retired the old server and migrated the client to an Office 365 cloud environment and set up data loss policies (DLP) to prevent confidential data leaking outside the business. DLP helps a business to identify, monitor and protect sensitive information across their Office 365 environment and is certainly something all businesses should consider.

This is all good stuff, however what if you have issues with Windows 10 or want a copy of it, yet don’t have a Product key as you upgraded or purchased from the Windows store? To find this key navigate to Control Panel (press the Windows key and X or right click on the Windows 10 Start button) and select System. Your 25-character Product ID key is displayed under Windows activation.

RUNNING WINDOWS ON YOUR MAC CONTINUED… Last month I mentioned Apple’s Boot Camp and the third party application Parallels to run Windows on your Apple computer. If you are looking to run Windows inside your OS X environment, aside from Parallels, also take a look at VMware Fusion and VirtualBox. With VMware Fusion and Parallels you pay however VirtualBox is free. Parallels is in my opinion the best, and easiest to setup for nontechnical users, but don’t discount the others.

WINDOWS 10 FULL SCREEN START MENU If you find the Windows 10 start menu too small why not make it a full screen affair?

To do this right click on your Windows 10 desktop and select Personalise. In the personalisation windows click Start. Now slide the Use Start full screen bar to On, and close the window.

Now when you click on the Windows start menu it fills your display making it far easier to work with the live tiles.

The Cloud Consultancy Europe are authorised Office 365 resellers

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

uk.linkedin.com/in/shawjamie 37

DELIVER BALANCED GROWTH FOR BRITAIN A second runway at Gatwick will give airports across the UK greater opportunity to grow, which means more competition and balanced growth for the whole country. Let’s make it happen so all of Britain can get the benefits.

gatwickobviously.com @LGWobviously

TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT

PLATINUM

Welcome to Business Travel. Rose has been busy in the Norwegian capital Oslo to discover the delights of this fascinating City that seems to be growing rapidly. Uniglobe Travel MD, John Burroughes, brings us the latest news in the airline sector with a few surprises from the latest Vietnamese airline and talk of a permanent baggage tag. If you are planning to visit Oslo for business or pleasure, this is the guide you need.

PLATINUM

THIS MONTH:

OSLO

Travel IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

by John Burroughes Managing Director, Uniglobe Preferred Travel

British Airways lead the way British Airways, in conjunction with IATA, are leading the way in the development of the permanent luggage tag. Extensive development work has been taking place to establishing an industry standard for the tag that would have a generic interface, for use by any airline as well as being interlinable, meaning it could be used for up to three destinations. It looks at all aspects of the permanent tag - the e-link display, the 2D barcode, the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and the NFC (Near Field Communication) interfaces.

Although baggage mishandling has reduced by over 50% since 2007 and only 1% of the worldwide baggage is now mishandled, this is still costing the industry $2.58 bn (£1.62 bn) every year.

Baggage quality measurements have recently been defined, which enable airlines and airports to refer to a clear list of measurable processes - such as the time taken for a passenger to successfully process a bag at self-service bag drop stations - and therefore identify where improvements can be made. After recent attacks at airports there is an industrywide drive to streamline and speed up the customer experience at checking. I will be watching with interest and keep you updated on this and other progress.

Sci-fi or reality?

Well Mr Putin certainly doesn’t think this is fiction. It is unknown if he is a Capt Kirk fan although in the early days of the mobile phone era he certainly was, allegedly, captured holding what looked suspiciously like the famous Star Trek flip phone.

Yes we’ve all had them.

Well, now the Kremlin has backed a multitrillion pound (£1.4 trillion) strategic development programme drawn up by, yes you’ve guessed it, Vladimir Putin himself to seek the development of teleportation by 2035. It sounds fantastic today but there have been successful experiments at modular level. Western governments also believe that Russia has leveraged its computing talent and is making significant progress on many fronts. I will be watching this space to understand if this is the end of air travel as we know it and in closing I will simply say “Beam me up Vladimir”.

40

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Could this be the future look of the European aviation industry?

In the highly competitive aviation industry we are all used to inventive attempts to grab the headlines, be it stories about having to pay one euro to use the on-board facilities or certain budget airlines experimenting with standing room compartments. Or from the other spectrum, the famous red high-heeled shoes of one of our most flamboyant airlines.

Time to move over Mr Branson, I think even you have been out manoeuvred in the headline grabbing escapades of Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, who is poised to become South East Asia’s first self-made female billionaire.

Thao made her first million by trading latex rubber and fax machines(!), with the initial public offering of Vietnam’s only privately owned airline, Thao is set to have a net worth exceeding $1 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making her the country’s first female billionaire.

VietJet is known for its young and attractive flight attendants who wear bikinis on inaugural flights to beach locations and featured similar models on its calendars, which Thao says are empowering images in Vietnam’s conservative culture.

“Our flight attendants have the right to wear anything you like, either the bikini or the traditional ao dai,” she said, referring to the traditional long tunic worn over loose pants.

“We don’t mind people associating the airline with the bikini image. If that makes people happy, then we are happy.”

VietJet will probably surpass national carrier Vietnam Airlines as the nation’s biggest domestic carrier this year, according to CAPA Centre for Aviation. Vietnam is expected to rank among the world’s 10 fastest-growing aviation markets in the next two decades, according to the International Air Transport Association.

“You have to take the lead and take calculated risks,” she said. “As a businesswoman, I have a responsibility to contribute to the economy and to push for positive changes of the country and in the society, in light of the international integration that’s happening.”

On a personal note I would like to say that I have not flown on VietJet (yet) and I can’t help wondering how many other Asian airlines require their flight attendants to wear, what is clearly, regulation DVT stocking.

41

Travel Shake hands in...

OSLO

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, choose Oslo for incredible architecture, epic scenery and world-class museums, says Rose Dykins

A

s the metro glides along, the fierce sun scans the forest as if it’s a barcode, forcing its way through the gaps in

the spruce trees. I look to my left and see dark wooden residences resembling quaint

has fallen, and an army of trees surround it, standing to attention.

It’s hard to believe I’m not a two-hour drive up the Alps right now, rather than a mere

Chances are, you probably know less about Oslo than other European cities. “A lot of people still haven’t really discovered Oslo and what a unique corporate destination it is, which makes each event here feel very new and interesting

children’s playhouses, their roofs thatched

20-minute metro ride north of Norway’s capital.

with bright green grass. Then, to my right, a

In comparison, the natural beauty of my North

of Conventions at Visit Oslo. “People are

sapphire fjord stretches out like a piece of sky

London suburb is beyond disappointing.

amazed at how compact the city is. Everything

Oslo Fjord

42

for visitors,” says Annie Kristi Korsmo, Director

Travel top-notch facilities, with a dash of Scandi excellence when it comes to design. “We have recently been told we’ll be getting a new conference centre in the middle of the city, which will hold 2,500 delegates,” says Korsmo.

“At the moment, we can do congresses for up to 8,000 delegates, and we currently have 13,000 rooms. Many of our hotels are being renovated, and one of the largest hotels in the city is expanding and reopening in 2018 to become the biggest hotel in Norway.”

And it sounds like the rooms are needed.

“Each month, our number of visitors are increasing,” says Korsmo. “Our strongest markets are the UK, Germany and Scandinavia, but we’re seeing that there are more travellers coming from the Far East, Dubai and China,” There’s no doubt that Oslo has, in part, been opened up to the rest of the world by the rapid global expansion of its national airline.

Norwegian is now the third-largest low-cost carrier in Europe (tenth globally). Its UK base at Gatwick Airport has aided its growth, and, in July, the airline celebrated its second anniversary of flying from the UK to the US, flying in the face of sceptics of its “low-cost, long-haul” business model. The latest figures reveal the airline is enjoying a 13% growth in passenger numbers compared with this time last year.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump is in immediate distance, it’s very easy to move around, and all our venues are easily accessible.”

like a stairway to heaven, was broadcast across the globe earlier this year when Oslo hosted the X Games for the first time.

Just one third of Oslo is urbanised, while the rest is covered by parks and woodlands. At this time of year, its citizens are subject to 19 hours of sunshine each day, and a large proportion of them own boats, setting sail along Oslo Fjord at weekends and mooring at emerald green islands for picnics.

Of course, it’s true that there are grittier parts of the city, particularly around Central Station. And it’s also true that grabbing a quick snack in Oslo can set you back more than expected – though the Norwegian krone has weakened somewhat, visitors will feel the burn more than other European cities (although, I suppose it depends when you’re reading this).

But if you’re looking for value for money, you won’t be disappointed.

When the snow arrives later in the year, winter sports spring up across the city. Around 2,600 km of cross-country skiing trails lead from the centre into the nearby forest and, 20 minutes from town, the Holmenkollen ski jump may tempt the thrill-seekers – the world’s newest ski jump, which shoots up to the clouds

Next April, Oslo Airport will open its new Terminal Two, which will boost its capacity from 23 million to 28 million. “Oslo is a highquality airport, ideal for business travellers so expansion will only help our busy operation in Oslo,” says a spokesperson for Norwegian Air. “Business travellers will also have reduced walking distances making their journey more efficient. As Norwegian continues adding more passenger services, the increased terminal capacity will help improve the overall travel experience for our customers.”

Oslo’s strengths for welcoming international visitors lie in its breathtaking nature, its Englishspeaking population and its

43

Travel Another significant development for the city is the renovation of its Grand Dame hotel. Steeped in history, the five-star Grand Hotel Oslo hosts the Noble Peace Prize dinner each year, and its former Palm Garden – now a refined restaurant – was once the watering hole of playwright Henrik Ibsen. Keen to keep its proud Bohemian past alive, the property’s revamp celebrates its cultural legacy in a way that look forward to the next generation of cutting edge artists and thinkers – for example, Tracey Emin’s take on Munch’s The Scream, hangs above the new, sleek lobby bar. “The main part of the renovation is complete, and the banquet area will be done by the end of August – It is really looking great!” says Angelica Montez de Oca, Commercial Director of the Grand Hotel Oslo.

Grand Hotel Oslo Lobby

Grand Hotel Oslo Spa

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Grand Hotel Oslo

Travel FIVE AMAZING OSLO MUSEUMS FOR A MEETING/EVENT Norsk Folkemuseum This one-of-a-kind outdoor museum comprises more than 150 buildings that show how Norwegians have lived since the 1500s. Set amid woodland, you stroll from building to building and meet actors in traditional costume. Its grounds are available for hire, and there’s also an open-air arena surrounded by wildflowers. norskfolkemuseum.no/en

Fram Museum Housing two historic Norwegian expedition ships – Fram and Gjøa, which set sail for the South Pole and the North West passage, respectively – this award-winning museum tells the tales of Norway’s extraordinary maritime achievements. It makes an atmospheric setting for receptions, and it’s possible to arrange dinners on board the ships’ decks. frammuseum.no

Norsk Folkemuseum

The Mini Bottle Gallery Home to the world’s largest collection of miniature bottles (53,000 in total) this quirky three-floor museum has a retro cocktail bar, and can hold 350 guests for a party. It also has a smart boardroom for meetings. minibottlegallery.com

Fram Museum

Astrup Fearnley Museum Designed by Renzo Piano, the architect behind Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the contemporary event and exhibition spaces of this striking modern art museum – with permanent exhibits from Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons – can host all kinds of occasions, and group guided tours are possible. afmuseet.no

COMING SOON: MunchMuseum A major development for Oslo, the existing museum dedicated to the Norwegian expressionist artist is moving to a downtown waterfront in an iconic glass structure designed to “bow” to the rest of the city . Scheduled for completion in 2020, it will have four times much exhibition space, along with an east-facing VIP room for hire, and galleries designed to host events. munchmuseet.no/en

Astrup Fearnley Museum

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Travel NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH: VULKAN City regeneration doesn’t get much more impressive than this. Open officially since 2014, Vulkan is set in a former industrial area on the bank of the river Akerselva, and it has become one of the most desirable areas of Olso thanks to its enticing recreational activities. It’s home to two hotels – one of which only employs and trains ex-prisoners – apartments, schools, a dance academy with a performance centre and office space. There’s also a huge focus on sustainability, and Vulkan runs on its own energy centre complete with geothermal wells.

The main draw is Mathallen, Oslo’s first ever food hall. Housed in a converted factory, its central waited tables surrounded by the smorgasboard of food and produce stalls are occupied by students, tourists Mathallen Food Hall and businesspeople alike. In the galleries overlooking the food hall, there is a restaurant complete with a show kitchen. Here, it’s possible for guests to take cookery classes, where they can be taken shopping around the food hall beforehand to select the ingredients they need. Upon my visit, I sampled succulent cuts of regionally-reared meat, cheese and garnishes, doughy Chinese dumplings, technicolour vegan food and fragrant coffee brewed masterfully. Mathallen places a strong emphasis on quality products and showcasing new businesses, and its sense of dynamism makes it a buzzy place for a lunch meeting. vulkan,no; mathallenoslo.no

SPARE AFTERNOON

Doing business in the Norwegian capital? If you only have enough time to see one or two things, here are recommendations from the experts: Annie Kristi Korsmo, Director of Conventions at Visit Oslo,: “I would walk around Tjuvholem, where you have the Astrup Fearnley Museum. Built upon reclaimed land, the area is a very new architectural feature of the city, and one of my favourite parts, with lots of urban, trendy restaurants, and there’s such a great atmosphere.

“If the weather’s nice, head to the roof of the Oslo Opera House, for an unusual perspective and soak in the city from there. Or, head to Ekenberg Park to people watch, it’s such a unique place with great restaurants. It’s full of sculptures, and it’s a very new Opera House ‘must-do’ thing in Oslo.”

Tryvann

46

Angelica Montez de Oca, Commercial Director of the Grand Hotel Oslo.

“Take the tram to the Tryvann, a local mountain area, for some lovely hiking in the autumn or spring, or for sports in the winter – it’s just 15 minutes from the city centre. And, in summer, take one of the local ferries around the Oslo Fjørd.

“Kick back with a Norwegian brewed beer at any of the wonderful outdoor cafés near the harbour or Eight Rooftop Terrace Bar, overlooking the city centre and fjørd.”

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DEBT RECOVERY

WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS TO YOUR DEBT AND INVOICE RECOVERY?

U

nless you are a business that takes payments up front for your product or service you are likely to have an unpaid bill or invoice at some point. Maintaining a good cash flow is often a challenge, but absolutely essential for the growth and success of every business.

The job of recovering unpaid invoices typically sends most people in to a cold sweat and invariably gets pushed down the ‘to do’ list until it fails to make it on to the list at all and gets forgotten.

Why is this - and what are the barriers?

One of the main reasons for failing to pursue an unpaid invoice is a lack of resources or suitably trained staff to deal with this task.

We frequently see this job being passed down to a secretary or receptionist who has been offered little or no training and typically does not have any background in debt recovery or speaking to customers in this regard. The job

48

of debt recovery requires a certain set of skills and a junior member of staff may simply make a quick phone call or send a standard letter which might not be enough to provoke payment.

Another main reason debt recovery is overlooked is the fear of losing a customer or having that customer “bad mouthing” your reputation.

Far too many companies fail to understand how a good debt recovery procedure can help your cash flow, reduce stress and only result in a loss of a customer when YOU decide.

Everybody has to reach a point where you draw a line in the sand and say future business with this company or individual is too risky.

It is important that within your debt recovery procedure your staff understand what that trigger point is.

What is a good debt recovery procedure?

The first and most important thing is the accuracy of the customer details. When setting

Alan Wood up an account or starting a quote for a job think of what information you may need at the end of the process should they decide not to pay. This may sound obvious but includes things such as:• A full postal address including unit or house number

DEBT RECOVERY

The job of recovering unpaid invoices typically sends most people in to a cold sweat and invariably gets pushed down the ‘to do’ list until it fails to make it on to the list at all and gets forgotten.

• A full name or names of those who are being billed • Senior personnel not just a company name • Landline, mobile phone numbers and email addresses • Date of birth (if appropriate) and if you can’t obtain a date of birth a rough age can be really helpful when trying to trace someone where father and son have the same name.

Depending on the type of credit being offered, you may wish to run some of your own checks as to your customer’s ability to pay or some sort of address verification. We might be able to help you with that.

“The judicial process in this country is pretty easy as long as you can demonstrate the debtor has been given time and notification to pay. ”

part of any debt recovery process. Over what period are you prepared to send these forms of communication before passing it to your solicitor or an enforcement agent?

Sending random letters with vague threats of further action will prod the odd person into paying but for your more hardened non payer they will quickly learn these are typically empty threats and in our experience won’t generally pay until a third party specialist is involved.

Much of this is down to client relationships, you spend a lot of time and sometimes money building client relationships and your late or non-payers will play on that relationship giving never ending excuses and promises to pay.

Create an effective debt recovery procedure tailored to your exact needs and stick to it!

One of the biggest and most frequent issues when recovering unpaid invoices is a lack of communication early on in the process. We have been amazed over the years how many companies fail to set out at the point of sale or quotation their payment terms. A customer will always think they have 30 days plus and a kitchen fitter for example might be expecting payment on completion. This misunderstanding is often the flash point for what turns in to a breakdown in customer relationships and potentially non-payment.

Establishing a procedure is simple enough, you need to allow for an escalation from “gentle reminder” to “final notice before court action” and set out how many letters you feel are appropriate. Will you supplement these letters with text messages and emails? Both of which are rapidly becoming an essential

Can I take someone to court and will it cost the earth?

The judicial process in this country is pretty easy as long as you can demonstrate the debtor has been given time and notification to pay.

Whether you do this yourself via Money Claim Online (www.moneyclaim.gov.uk) or via your solicitor obtaining a County Court Judgement (CCJ) it is straight forward. Court papers are issued to your customer, they have 28 days to pay or they get a chance to stand in front of a judge and present their case. If after this the judge is satisfied your debt is due and the debtor has still not paid a CCJ is awarded and you can then instruct a County Court

enforcement agent or for a small court fee (currently £60) the case can be transferred to the High court for enforcement and allocated to one of our High Court Enforcement Officers to oversee the enforcement process. This is likely to be much quicker, and, in our experience will be more proactive as we have access to software for tracing, address verification, asset checking and investigation work.

But is that a little heavy handed?

Since April 2014 all enforcement action now comes under, and is regulated by, the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2007 and requires a Notice of Enforcement letter to be issued to the debtor giving them 7 clear days to contact the Enforcement Agent with an offer to pay before the enforcement agent attends.

This 7 days does not include the day of posting, the day of delivery or bank holidays so in reality it is 10 days plus before any door step enforcement action can commence.

Should you require help setting up your own debt and Invoice recovery procedure or would like to know more about the best debt recovery solution for your business we offer a free no obligation consultation and free training.

Contact alan.wood@penhamexcel.co.uk.

Or visit our stand at LAWBizTech Show at London Olympia on the 25th & 26th October 2016.

www.penhamexcel.co.uk Tel: 07825 971799

high court enforcement officers & enforcement agents

49

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ANGER MANAGEMENT

ANGER MANAGEMENT

by Maarten Hoffmann

GLASS CEILING SHATTERED I wonder if it has escaped your notice that our political classes are in a bloody awful mess?

I wonder if you have noticed that our

political classes are predominantly male?

It is time that men took a step back, a long way back, and let the ladies have a go. Let’s face it, they could not possibly do a worse job of it than us. Even saying ‘let them have a go’ is insulting and condescending, as if they need our permission. But that is indeed the case to date.

It is time the old-school-tie boys’ brigade went out and got real jobs and stopped screwing up the country whilst at the same time keeping female politicians down. Margaret Thatcher was the first female PM and now we have the second in Theresa May. The public school boys in her cabinet were in awe of her and feared her a little, as if Matron would soon tan their backsides for being naughty, and she went to Brussels, fought for a deal and actually brought it home.

The world is changing and we are, thankfully, seeing the rise of the strong female politician.

Hillary Clinton will, in all likelihood, be the first President of the USA; Nicola Sturgeon is

ruled by their libidos and thus able to make

“It is time the oldschool-tie boys’ brigade went out and got real jobs and stopped screwing up the country whilst at the same time keeping female politicians down.”

first female Mayor of Rome and Baroness Scotland is the Secretary General of the Commonwealth. Even looking closer to home, we have our regional Chambers of Commerce run by strong women - Sarah Springford (CEO Brighton), Tiny Tilley (CEO, Worthing), Ana Christie (CEO, Sussex), Christina Ewbank (CEO, Eastbourne) and Louise Punter (CEO, Surrey).

Christine Legarde has an interesting take

more cool-headed judgments, she said.

Mrs Lagarde, in the running to be France’s

next prime minister, said: “Women inject less

libido and less testosterone into the equation.

It helps in the sense that we don’t necessarily project our own egos into cutting a deal, getting our point across, convincing people, reducing them to a partner who has lost in the process” The world’s 43rd most powerful woman (according to Forbes) continued, “It’s probably overgeneralised what I’m saying, and I’m sure there are women who operate exactly like men.”

Testosterone certainly seems to play into this. The indiscretions, the career-crashing ones that make the news, are all committed by male politicians. You don’t read about female politicians baring their breasts in snapshots and sending them to admiring male suitors while their cuckolded husbands are home taking care of the kids. You don’t hear about them soliciting sex in a restroom on their way to a speaking engagement, or charging their credit cards for an hour with a stud who subsidises his acting career by servicing older

taking no prisoners in her fight for Scotland;

on the situation, having said that her 30-year

women.These are exclusively male forms of

Christine Legarde is the head of the IMF; Janet

career as a high-flying lawyer and the world’s

political career-crashing.

Yellen is the Chair of the US Federal Reserve;

most powerful female finance minister left her

Leanne Wood is the leader of the Welsh Plaid

convinced that men’s sex drive, testosterone

interesting facts. More than 90 years after

Cymru party; Marine Le Pen might well be

and ego made them prone to taking decisions

the first woman was elected to Congress,

in charge of France within the decade; Beata

personally and to humiliating people. Most

female politicians still hold less than a fifth of

Szydlo is the Polish PM; Virginia Raggi is the

women in power, on the other hand, were less

all national seats, and do only slightly better

52

Research in the US has thrown up some

ANGER MANAGEMENT

at the state level. But that’s more than just a

that held regardless of party, geography,

blow for diversity and equality, according to a

committee position, tenure in office, or margin

forthcoming study in the American Journal of

of victory). The spending jump was found within

Political Science - because women also rank as

districts, too, when women moved into seats

the most effective lawmakers in the land.

previously occupied by men, and the cash

The research is the first to compare the performance of male and female politicians nationally, and it finds that female Members

was for projects across the spectrum, not just ‘women’s issues.’

Women sponsored more bills, co-sponsored

of the House rout their male counterparts in

more bills, and attracted a greater number

both pulling power and shaping policy. Between

of co-sponsors than their colleagues who

1984 and 2004, women won their home

use the other loo. These new laws driven by

districts an average of $49 million more per

women were not only enacted but were more

year than their male counterparts (a finding

popular. In a pair of additional working papers,

❝

Whether women are better than men I cannot say - but I can say they are certainly no worse Golda Meir

❞

“Testosterone certainly seems to play into this.

The indiscretions that politicians commit, the career-crashing ones that make the news, are all committed by male politicians.”

researchers tracked every bill introduced between 1981 and 2009, and found that those sponsored by women survived deeper into the legislative process, garnered more press attention, and were more likely to be deemed ‘important’ overall. All of which leads the authors of the paper to conclude that it’s the women themselves, specifically, their skills at ‘logrolling, agenda-setting, coalition building, and other deal-making activities,’ that are responsible for the gender-performance divide.

Move aside guys, as the girls are coming, and thank God for that.

53

MOTORING

DO IT THE RIGHT WAY, DO IT THE RIVERVALE WAY

Architect impression of Rivervale’s new premises

R

ivervale Leasing has a long and illustrious history within Sussex and is obviously set for greater things looking at the plans for their brand new building that is rising rapidly from the soil of Portslade in Brighton.

Located next to many major main dealers such as BMW, Mercedes and Ford, they offer a superb service that is being selected by an ever growing band of wise motorists who wish to get into the car of their dreams without paying the earth. I caught up with the Head of Operations Vince Pemberton, whose passion for the business shines through and who

has been with the company since 2009 when

at the site next door, currently the home of

he merged his company Eagle Oak Vehicle

Mercedes-Benz Brighton, and went on to

Contracts with Rivervale.

dominate the motor dealer scene for many

The site is owned by Endeavour Holdings, the owners of the famous Endeavour Motor Group, a Ford dealer that once employed over 1,000 people in Sussex. Endeavour is owned

by Tommy Sopwith, the son of Sir Thomas Sopwith, CBE who invented the iconic Sopwith Camel aircraft, a WW1 single-seat biplane introduced on the Western Front in 1917 and attributed with changing the course of the war.

Rivervale started life as a Mercedes dealer

years. The growth of Rivervale Leasing has been astounding as they refine their offering to customers and consumers who wish to lease their vehicle. Many younger customers view their car acquisition as they do their smart phone acquisition. Lease it, use it and then give it back when the contract is over and get a new one. This has led to an explosion in business as the company has expertly tapped into this market and offer a range of cost effective and simple leasing solutions for any car or van imaginable. The leap from a traditional main dealer selling just one marque of car to a leading leasing company that can provide any make of car or van anywhere in the country, is obviously a shrewd move and one that is paying dividends.

Having outgrown their existing location, and with Endeavour owning the site next door, they are in the advanced stages of construction of a magnificent new, purpose built building that will house Rivervale Leasing. But that’s not enough for Vince and the team. They are determined to ensure it is totally unique and will be adding a service centre therefore allowing them to not only supply the customers vehicle but to conduct all the manufacturers servicing requirements.

Along with a used vehicle division that will allow the customer to trade in their current car at the same time they acquire their shiny new one.

But, of course, that is still not enough. Rivervale will be the first such company of its kind in the

54

MOTORING Sopwith Camel biplane

Vince Pemberton drive, Rivervale is set for an exciting future.

The new building will open in September and Vince assures me that there will be reference to Endeavour somewhere in the building. Vince even sought out the famous Endeavour Racing Yacht, built by Sir Thomas in 1934 to challenge for the America’s Cup. When he found it was for sale at $17 million, he thought better of it. left to chance here and an offering that is totally

“The growth of Rivervale has been astounding as they refine their offering to company and private buyers who wish to lease their vehicle.”

unique.

The team is one of the most important facets

As the world continues to regard high value purchases as a leased item rather than a outright purchase, Rivervale is bang on trend

of any business and they score here too. Many

and the key will be keen pricing and exemplary

of the top team have been with the company for

service. And with such a high level of service

over 10 years and share Vince’s passion for the business. When l visited, the smart company shirts, busy vibe and general hubbub all around the office lays testament to the happy team

with everything under one new roof, it would be a fool that bet against their total domination of the sector.

environment. There are also a lot of family members involved in the business which is always a good thing. They all believe in the motivational strap line “Do it the right way, do

country to have a high street branded coffee shop on-site along with high speed broadband.

This means that a customer can sell their old car and obtain a cracking deal on the new car and when the time comes for the routine servicing, they can return to Rivervale for that service, and

it the Rivervale way” and this is a slogan that is followed through from start to finish by the entire team.

Tommy Sopwith, although in his eighties, is still involved in the holding company alongside Managing Director Neil Chapman and fully supportive of the company’s plans and Vince

with a high speed turnaround, they will be able

speak very highly of this much loved mentor

to wait for the car in comfort with a Skinny Latte

as one of the most inspirational figures he has

and a biscotti whilst working. There is not much

ever encountered. Allied to Vince’s passion and

Endeavour Motor Company

Rivervale Leasing Unit 8, Victoria Road Industrial Estate Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1XQ T: 01273 433480 W: www.rivervaleleasing.co.uk 55

BMW Business Partnership

A FLEET OF BENEFITS. AWARD-WINNING, SIMPLE FLEET MANAGEMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. If you manage a fleet of fewer than 50 company cars, the award-winning BMW Business Partnership has been designed specifically for you. The full range of BMW models are available to order, along with compelling contract hire rates and comprehensive service and maintenance packages.

For more information, contact Dean Eaton, Local Business Development Manager, on 0800 915 4700.

Vines of Gatwick, Stephenson Way, Three Bridges, Crawley RH10 1TN 0800 915 4700 www.vinesofgatwickbmw.co.uk/business

AWARD WINNING. • The BMW Business Partnership Programme voted ‘Best SME Company Car Programme’ at Business Car Manager Awards 2015

PROGRAMME BENEFITS. • Compelling contract hire rates • Your own dedicated Local Business Manager • Comprehensive service & maintenance packages available

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW range: Urban 13.8-72.4mpg (20.5-3.9l/100km). Extra Urban 30.4-91.3mpg (9.3-3.1l/100km).

Combined 21.1-470.8mpg (13.4-0.06l/100km). CO2 Emissions 325-0g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

MOTORING

JOHN COOPER WORKS MINI

by Maarten Hoffmann, Motoring Editor

I

t seems to be hot hatch month for this issue but if they send em, l will drive em.

This 228 bhp JCW model is the fasted Mini ever produced. It reminds me a tad of an old Wood & Picket 1275cc Mini l had back in the day. It was fast, furious and an absolute hoot to dart around London. The quick Minis have always been fun as with good power attached to such a tiny frame, fun was always going to be the order of the day. 30 years later, we have the Works and it certainly, well, works!

It’s a great engine with a rich baritone sound emanating from the central fat twin pipes and you need that noise as with the tiny rev counter, the exhaust note tells you when to change up. This little rocket will hit 62mph in around 6 seconds and will roar onto 153 mph. The crackle from the exhaust is a little like a box of Rice Krispies being shot at with a Purdy 12-gauge.

The new 330mm Brembo brakes do their job well with special intake vents in the cars face flooding them with air and they are impressively progressive and although the ride is a little firm, there are optional adaptive dampers that you would be well advised to select especially is you plump for the larger 18 inch rims.

A new electronic front diff sends the power to where it is needed and assists in avoiding the toque steer that causes the horrid front wheel scrabble as you try to get off the line, and with 228 horses to contend with, it’s just as well.

You do have to play around with the drive settings to get away from the hard ride at the same time as avoiding the skittish behaviour and this is best achieved by popping the dampers into their soft mode and the engine into Sport. You are then rewarded with a decent ride and a peppy engine that seems to be just right.

The starting price is fair but there are many options that you should really have and that can push the price north of £30,000 and then we are stepping into Focus RS and Audi S1 territory. Although there are many reasons to chose the other models mentioned the Mini gets by on the one thing that cannot be created if it’s not already there - and that is character.

TECHNICAL STUFF Model tested: John Cooper Works Mini Engine: 1998 cc, 4 cylinder, turbo-charged Power: 228 bhp Performance: 0-62 mph 6.1 seconds Top Speed: 153 mph Economy: 49.6 combined Price from: £23,155.00

The Mini has a hyperactive personality all its own and is quite unique and if that’s your thing, this is the hot hatch for you.

Vines of Gatwick Vines of Guildford

57

MOTORING

AUDI TTS ROADSTER

by Maarten Hoffmann, Motoring Editor

T

he TT has always divided opinion - some love it and some deride it as a hairdresser’s car. Shorthand for camp guys that wouldn’t know a good car if it whacked them around the head but just want to cruise through Kemptown posing for all they are worth, but this is totally unfair as it has always been a great car.

Its funky, fast, great looking and, OK, the early models were a tad camp but that is all in the past as the new model, that l first drove a while back in hard top form is so much chunkier and better is every respect.

Now we have the TTS convertible, which is the most rapid variant, and it retains great looks and adds a dynamic drive to boot. This third generation of the TT looks sensational with the roof up or down and to ensure your comfort, there is a pop up wind deflector and an air-scarf that seductively blows hot air against the back of your neck. The electric roof is down in a 10 second jiffy and stows away neatly and what is most impressive here is the amount of boot space you are left with. We travelled to the Lets Do Business Exhibition in Eastbourne, fully loaded with 8 boxes of magazines and assorted pull up banners and, amazingly, it all went in without having to jump up and down on the boot lid.

The drop top market is in the doldrums with global sales halved over the past five years so one might think it brave to pump out this new model but then the TT was always designed to be a drop top and l for one, think it is a great option. It’s easy to forget the thrill of driving roofless especially on a dark chilly night, flying under the trees along a B road with the heated seats blazing and Heidi Klum blowing hot air onto your neck. It is also surprising how much more you see with the lid off.

It does feel more energetic than previous models with wider wheels, tauter springs and magnetically controlled dampers, higher boost pressure, and a more pronounced willingness to rev. All this

TECHNICAL STUFF Model tested: TTS Roadster 2.0 TFSI Quattro Engine: 1984cc, 16v turbo Power: 306 bhp Performance: 0-62mph 4.9 seconds Top speed: 155 mph Economy: 32.2 mpg Price: £40,450.00 As tested: £48,815.00

58

helps, as does the switchable quad-tailpipe exhaust and sound actuator, which fills the cabin with a sonorous full-bore roar.

It has a whiff of the R8 about it but possibly its baby brother and there is very little to dislike. The drive is as rapid as you would like it, in Quattro guise it is glued to the road and the low centre of gravity would make even Julian Cleary secure in chucking it around. I also love the SatNav that takes up the entire dash with the ability to alter the position and size of the digital dials Again, a proper manual gearbox although the six-speed dual clutch S-tronic auto box is not to be sniffed at and with 306 bhp at your fingertips, this thing will really fly. The electric rear spoiler pops up at 75mph which, sadly, gives Plod all the indication he needs to pull you over.

Admittedly, its not as quick as, say, the Porsche Boxster but it’s cheaper to buy and cheaper to repair and with the Boxster, there is always that feeling that everyone knows that you couldn’t afford the proper 911.

The only thing better - the TTRS is coming and for your delight and delectation, l will put myself out and review it for you.

LET MINI DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS. If you run a business, MINI has a range to suit your needs. With compelling monthly rentals, unrivalled design and first-class performance, it’s time to find out which MINI works for you.

To find out more please contact our Local Business Development Manager, Dean Eaton, on 0800 915 47500 or visit www.vinesofgatwickbmw.co.uk/business

MINI Business Partnership Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI Range: Urban 27.2-72.4 mpg (10.4-3.9 l/100km). Extra Urban 47.9-91.1 mpg (5.9-3.1 l/100km).

Combined 37.7-83.1 mpg (7.5-3.4 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 175-89 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

MOTORING

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

BMW

The famous German automobile maker is 100 years old this year and what better time to look back over the illustrious history of one of the worlds most successful car manufacturers.

B

MW can trace its roots back to Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto. In 1916, the Flugmaschinenfabrik Gustav Otto company was merged with Bayerrische Flugzeug-Werke AG (BFW) at the governments behest. Elsewhere, in 1917, the Rapp Motorenwerke company became Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH, which was duly converted into an AG (public limited company) in 1918. BMW AG subsequently transferred its engine construction operations - including the company and brand names - to BFW in 1922. The date of BFW’s founding, March 7th 1916, has therefore gone down in history as the foundation date of BMW. The company announced its first motorcycle, the R32, to great excitement in 1923. The basic concept of the original Motoread motel - a boxer engine with longitudinally positioned cylinders and shaft drive - continues to be employed in the their motorcycles to this day.

Early production of the R32 The company didn’t become an automobile manufacturer until 1929 when it purchased a company called Dixi that built Austin Sevens under licence and the BMW engineers progressively developed the car into 6-cylinder luxury cars and, in 1936, began production of the BMW 328 sports car.

During the war, and against the wishes of its Director Franz

60

MOTORING 2002, which is now wholly owned by BMW. The cars are produced at the plant at Goodwood in West Sussex and sales have gone from strength to strength. The only left-over from the less than successful takeover of the doomed Rover Group in 1994 was the Mini, which is now an important part of the group. This gave the company entrance into the small car market and is still built in the UK.

Bristol Dixi Josef Popp, BMW turned their attention to the development of aircraft and this stopped car development in its tracks.

After the war the Allies banned the company from making cars and it survived by making pots, pans and bicycles. This was largely pointless as the Allies had bombed much of their production facilities into rubble. In 1948, they restarted motorcycle production and it was not until 1952 that the company began building cars in earnest, with the BMW 501 luxury saloon and, to supplement the little income derived from cars, the company began building Isettas (better known as Bubble cars) under licence. With profits marginal the decision was taken to sell the company to Daimler-Benz until Herbert Quant became involved and took a controlling interest in the company and its future. As the margins increased, the company grew and eventually acquired the Rover Group and the licence to build cars under the Rolls Royce marque.

Isetta In the west, the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC) inspected the factory, and returned to Britain with plans for the 327 model and the six-cylinder engine as official war reparations.

Bristol then employed BMW engineer Fritz Fiedler to lead their engine development team.

In 1947, the newly formed Bristol Cars released their 400 coupé, a lengthened version of the BMW 327 that featured BMW’s double-kidney grille.

With a rapidly expanding reputation for producing fast luxury cars, BMW Motorsport was created in 1972 and won countless trophies and much of the racing technology found its way into their road cars. Warming to

this theme, the company created BMW Technik where some of the best brains in the business, engineers, designers and technicians, were placed away from the everyday operation to be set free to develop the cars of tomorrow. The first major project was the Z1 Roadster, which started production in 1988.

One of the concept benchmarks of BMW was the launch of the X5. This was the first SUV that actually drove like a car and was the catalyst for the wave of such cars that followed from just about every manufacturer.

Bringing the story right up to date is the launch of the first all-electric BMW, the i3 followed by the barnstorming hybrid i8, that can reach 155mph and attain 62mph from standstill in 4.4 seconds.

If BMW’s vision for the future is as technologically advanced as their past, we can look forward to another 100 years of motoring innovation and evolution.

Vines of Gatwick Vines of Guildford

Motorsport

The creation of a plant in the USA in 1989 underscored its position as a global player and is the current production plant for the Z3 and the X3, X4, X5 and X6 models for export across the globe Further evidence of the company’s roaring success was the outright purchase of the iconic British marque, Rolls Royce in

i8

Rolls Royce Ghost

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MOTORING

THE BIRCHWOOD GROUP “We have over 200 employees and have locations throughout Sussex with our Head Office based in sunny Eastbourne.�

to be a tremendous way forward in bringing new staff into the company and maintaining our strong community links to the area.

I

f you want to buy a Ford in Sussex, there tends to be only one business to visit and that is Birchwood Ford in Eastbourne, Hastings

and Halland.

But not just Ford as now you can also visit them for Skoda, Kia and Mitsubishi. Maarten Hoffman asked their Marketing and IT Director, Paula Kemp about the Group MH: So Paula, how long have you been with the company?

PK: I have been with the company for 8 years and l love every minute of the job. It is such a forward looking company and happy place to work that the years have just flown by. Birchwood have been operating for over 20 years in Sussex but over recent years has undergone a complete operational restructure, enabling our expansion with new franchises and specialist outlets such as our Ford Transit Centre and FordStore status.

MH: Where did the restructure all all start?

PK: From our solid base as a longstanding Ford franchise, we have added Skoda in 2008, Kia in 2009 and Mitsubishi in 2016 which are all great brands that sell very well indeed.

MH: How large is the company now?

PK: We have over 200 employees and have locations throughout Sussex with our Head Office based in sunny Eastbourne. We have a purpose built Transit Centre that came on-line in 2014 to sell and service the complete Transit

62

family, which remains the best selling van in the country. Our Transit Centre Manager Bradley Harris, works hard with the sales

MH: I have yet to review the Ford Vignale range - what is different about it?

PK: The Vignale range is really very special

and aftersales team to ensure that we keep

and customers will eventually be able to

our vans on the road therefore ensuring that

choose from the Mondeo, S-Max, Kuga SUV

any servicing downtime does not affect the

and the new Edge SUV in the Vignale range.

customers business. With overnight servicing

Each model comes with the exclusive Vignale

and late night opening our service departments

grill, hand-stitched premium leather seats,

are able to offer a friendly, flexible service for

redesigned bodywork, unique paint, special

all our customers. We also invest in apprentices

alloy wheels and a long list of interior extras.

from Sussex Downs College which has proved

It is the premium end of the Ford range and

Birchwood FORD

Birch Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6PX T: 01323 407101 www.birchwoodford.co.uk

MOTORING

“In 2015, we were appointed by Ford UK as the only FordStore in the whole of Sussex, which is a huge honour.” is quite easily on a par with the German premium brands. The range

the customer would recommend Birchwood to a friend or whether they would purchase their next vehicle for them, which is one of the highest ratings on the site.

Birchwood certainly seem to have it all, are embedded into the community, employ over 200 local staff and offer

also comes with Ford’s latest SYNC 3 infotainment centre with an 8

a superb service on a great range

inch touchscreen and voice control. Simply say ‘ I need a coffee” and

of cars.Birchwood certainly seem

the Sat Nav system will automatically guide you to the nearest coffee

to have it all, are embedded into the

shop. In 2015, we were appointed by Ford UK as the only FordStore in the whole of Sussex, which is a huge honour. This means we were first in the county to offer the entire Ford range, including the Focus RS and the new Mustang. All of these fantastic vehicles

community, employ over 200 local staff and offer a superb service on a great range of cars.

are displayed in a cutting edge showroom environment with helpful technology and features to help you discover more about the Ford range along with all of our products and services.

MH: Do you cater for businesses looking to purchase?

PK: We certainly do. We offer attractive leasing and contract hire deals therefore removing any concerns about future value and can offer that over 1 - 4 years. For example, business can get into the new Focus for only £199 per month or the premium Mondeo Vignale for only £274 per month which is remarkable value. We can also take care of all the servicing and offer support throughout the contract.

I did a little independent research and found that the reevoo website notes that Birchwood customer satisfaction is 92% when asked if

63

MOTORING

READER REVIEW This Month: Richard Pollins I am constantly asked if people can review cars for me but it is always based on “please give me a supercar to review” - if l am getting a supercar, you will only get it out of my dead cold hands! So here we go with a new feature whereby readers review their own new cars. First Richard Pollins, Managing Partner of leading law firm DMH Stallard on the delivery of his new pony.

S

o picture the scene, back in July last year. My Audi S5 was getting on a bit, and I needed a change before anything too nasty and expensive went wrong. I fully intended to play it safe again with some more German efficiency and safety. I am after all Managing Partner of DMH Stallard and, as a lawyer, hard-wired to be sensible. But where does sensible end and boring begin? I am 50 next year for goodness sake - was now the time to think radical and take a bit of a risk?

So with that in mind, and some encouragement from my kids, I duly placed an order for a brand new Ford Mustang available now in the UK for the first time in its 52 year history in right hand drive.

I could have gone for the safe (and somewhat boring) 2.3 eco-boost option but that wouldn’t be any fun would it? So I went for the full fat option, and opted for the monster 5-litre V8, and after 11 months and 3 weeks my new Mustang duly arrived last week, all the way from Flat Rock, Michigan, USA. First impressions were promising. It was clean and shiny, and the colour options a real winner – magnetic grey with black alloys.

Sporty but a touch classy too - a bit like a certain Mr Hoffmann!

Sitting in the car I immediately realised how big this thing is. The long bonnet was imposing from the driver’s seat. And underneath that

64

bonnet, lurked a beast. With a touch of the start button I unleashed the monstrous growl of the V8. Things were looking good.

“I’m used to driving a V8, but the Mustang’s acceleration is truly impressive, as is the handling”

For a car with a list price of around £36,000 you certainly get a lot for your money. It’s very well kitted out and looks the part – a few cheap plastics but on the whole very good. Heated and cooling seats as standard - the latter takes a bit of getting used to but is surprisingly effective. There is a rear camera which is very useful - but strangely no front sensors annoyingly. Great connectivity as you would expect via the Ford SYNC system. Texts by voice command were particularly useful, and the shaker pro sound system boomed loudly and brought home the true magnificence of Highway to Hell by AC/DC on the journey home back from the dealer.

The car is crammed full of technology – different driving and steering wheel modes, and loads of data available for track days.

The car has two rear bucket seats but at over 6 foot, for me it can

only really accommodate 3 people comfortably.

It certainly has a big boot for a coupe – fit for a couple of golf bags if that’s your thing, or a decent load up from Ikea.

Now this is where I have to make a confession. During the order process I reverted to type and went with the auto box – a 5 litre V8 without a stick shift I hear you say? I know, very boring on paper but in the flesh this has done nothing to lessen the enjoyment of driving the Mustang. It’s been widely reported that this is the best Mustang ever – both in terms of performance and looks. Even Clarkson likes it.

Independent rear suspension makes the whole driving experience so much more rewarding and although unfashionable for some now, so very European. I’m used to driving a V8, but the Mustang’s acceleration is truly impressive, as is the handling. Brakes are thankfully sharp too. Now according to my wife I drive a bit like Miss Daisy, so fuel economy is bearing up quite well for the first 400 miles – around 21 mpg, which is somewhat better than my Audi.

Now on the face of it, there is something inherently wrong about owing an American Muscle car in the UK. Our roads are narrow, parking spaces tiny, fuel expensive - but there’s something about this car – it works perfectly.

It really is an absolute blast, and I now drive around with a smile on my face. How well it will cope with the British winter remains to be seen, but for now I am going to enjoy the weather, and my new toy.

Introducing the

New Ford Edge

Sitting at the pinnacle of Fords SUV range, the New Ford Edge is the epitome of modern refinement.

Potent performance, cutting-edge styling and state-of-the-art technologies put this car ahead of the crowd. With a bold and impressive road presence, this vehicle is more than just an SUV, it’s a confident statement of intent.

Available now at Birchwood Ford from ÂŁ29,995

Birchwood Ford

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

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Team entry is £250, this includes: All activities • BBQ lunch • Refreshments All day live entertainment from compere Tom Foolery • Medals and trophies for winning teams Glass of wine or beer after the event • Insurance • Networking opportunities A fun and crazy all-day challenge, designed and directed by Laughton & Co (specialist people development and event management business www.laughton.co) will feature teams of 6 staff competing against fellow businesses, undertaking a series of 20 different sporting activities during the course of the day. Teams are encouraged to each raise £1000 for Rockinghorse children’s charity.

Challenge activities to include: Melon shot-putting • Pole walking • Egg catching • Crazy cricket challenge Sumo relay race • Bucking bronco • Bhutanese darts • Wellington boot throwing Extreme table tennis • Hunt the hare • Blind golf Sponsorship opportunities available - for more details email: info@vividmarketing.co.uk

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MOTORING

FOCUS RS

by Motoring Editor, Maarten Hoffmann

S

ince l grew up and put on long trousers, l have not been a great fan of the hot hatch, with all that front wheel scrabble and horrible oversteer. But l think that is all about to change since Ford sent me the new Focus RS and then had to prise my hot sweaty hands off the wheel when they came to collect it.

It is remarkable.

First the steering. Direct is not the word for it as just the slightest hand movement sends the nose exactly where you want it. Although that can become a problem if you are not paying attention, as with a bump in the road, your hands will inevitably move and then that bus coming the other way slightly weakens your resolve to live another day, but hell it was fun.

The engine is divine with great pull all the way through the range and with a small car and 350bhp - you get the idea. 62 mph arrives in 4.7 seconds and with all-wheel drive, it goes like greased lighting and corners on rails. There are a few cars in this sector that could keep up such as the Merc AMG45, Golf R and Honda Type R but if they ain’t got AWD, this will take them in the corners every time.

Over 3000 folk ordered it without even seeing it and at £30,000 it’s not cheap but l also know of a few people who have ordered two - one to drive and one to put into storage as they feel sure it will be a future classic. They are not wrong.

The Signature RS Recaro seats hold you like glue, it’s as easy to drive at full chat as in traffic and it has a real, honest to god 6-speed manual gearbox. You recall that stick we used to have on the left hand side of most fast cars before some twit came up with flappy paddles?

The 2.3 litre turbo-charged engine is derived, but considerably developed from, the engine in the Mustang but there the

comparison stops. Switches in the cockpit change the engine mode with sport, track, drift and launch control. Sorry, drift? Not sure who on earth is paying £30,000 for a car with the intention of drifting it but it certainly does work as the black marks all over the A23 Pease Pottage roundabout can attest. New tyres please.

The RS is as close as you can come to a road ready Group B rally car and it screams at you to drive it fast. I am nothing if not totally obedient and l did what it told me to do. The Focus RS is a game changer in the hot hatch market and in my fantasy seven car garage (one for each day of the week) there would certainly be a place for it.

TECHNICAL STUFF

Model tested: Focus RS Turbo Engine: 2.3-litre turbo Power: 350 bhp Performance: 0-62 mph 4.7 seconds Top Speed: 167 mph Economy: 29.7 mpg combined Price: £30,000

Birchwood FORD

Birch Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6PX T: 01323 407101 www.birchwoodford.co.uk

67

Central CentralSuSSex SuSSexCollege College apprentiCeShipS apprentiCeShipS

nikos Kirykos is just one of many nikosatKirykos just oneFoods of many employees JeanieisMarshal employees at Jeanie Marshal developing his skills through an Foods developing his skills through an apprenticeship. “i joined Jeanie Marshall apprenticeship. “i joined Jeanie Foods two years ago. shortly after iMarshall Foods two given yearsaago. shortly after i started, i was position in the started, i was given a position in the kitchen where i was able to demonstrate kitchen where i was able to demonstrate my cooking skills. Despite working in itself on providing high-quality catering When specialist food production my cooking skills.

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care services, recruit externally. southern Adolescent care services, recruit externally. hpc engineering, Lifestyle Ford and culinary Director for Jeanie Marshal hpc engineering, Lifestyle Ford and culinary Director for Jeanie Marshal international Logistics Group, to name Foods, Gerry Mccorriston said, “As international Logistics Group, to name Foods, Gerry Mccorriston said, “As but a few. culinary Director, i wanted to find a butapprentice a few. culinary Director, i wanted to find a An can help you develop training partner that had the flexibility An apprentice canbusiness help you develop training partner that had the flexibility the specialist skills your Jeanie Marshal Foods first met with to understand our business, a partner the to specialist skills your business Marshal Foods firstAdvisers met with to understand our business, a partner needs grow, and because they are centralJeanie sussex college’s skills could work with us, support us needs totogrow, andin because they are 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of their to increase them. college has been apprentices add value to your business short courses to nearly half of their to increase them. the college has been visit centralsussex.ac.uk/apprenticeships existing workforce. open to adapting in our ever changing visit centralsussex.ac.uk/apprenticeships existing workforce. open to adapting in ourcontribute ever changing or contact a skills Adviser on the company formed in 1993 and business and has helped to or 155 contact skills Adviser on the company formed in 1993 and business and has helped contribute to 0845 0043a (press 4) or email led by a team of award-winning chefs the success we have had so far with 0845 155 0043 (press 4) or email led by a team of award-winning chefs the team success we have had sotheir far with employers@centralsussex.ac.uk. with more than 100 collective years’ all our members fulfilling employers@centralsussex.ac.uk. with more than 100 collective years’ all our team members fulfilling their experience gained 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Table Talk

MY FOOD DIARY

By Amanda Menahem

A

fter last month’s full-on foodie onslaught, June has been

about my favourite topic

relatively low-key by comparison.

– wine. Plateau just never

One of the highlights was a remarkably good lunch at Hotel du

disappoints.

Vin. The hotel was always my fail-safe bistro but having recently gone

I finally got round to trying

through various management changes, it lost its fail-safe status for a

the spring menu at the Curry

while but for the astonishingly good value Sunday Brunch with 4-courses

Leaf Café the last week before

for £24.95 - the second of which is an all you can eat buffet of delicious

it changed to the summer

pates and seafood. If you have not been you MUST.

menu. Delicious tandoori lamb

And so to lunch, with my wonderfully eccentric and entertaining friend

chops, pakoras, and whole

Jasmine. I chose a lamb breast dish – two rolled lamb breasts that had

marinated tandoor cooked

been pan seared, creating a combination of the melting, slow cooked meat

sea bream were among the

and a charred edge. This came with a rich jus, peas and buttered carrots.

delights - oh and a whole bottle

A Californian Pinot Noir was a perfect accompaniment. Simply a delicious

of Ridgeview shared with the lovely Becky.

plate of food.

Plateau

I’ve also been enjoying a good few lunches at Moshimo – the best place for sushi in Brighton. The salmon sashimi, chicken Gyoza, pork belly teriyaki and healthy salads are my staples. In the summer the outside space is great.

This month you can read my review of Mango Tree – a great Victoria destination for all you commuters needing a refuge from the horrors of the train system. Jonny talks all things Rose and I share my recommendations for the best places for curry.

Our chef profile this month is one to keep an eye on - a real rising star, Tom Griffiths, who is cooking up a storm having been recently praised by Jay Rayner in The Observer.

Hotel du Vin

As I type I am just back from an excellent foodie weekend destination – you’ll read about it next month.

On another visit, feeling the need to be healthy, I tried their superfood salad – also delicious and plentiful. Hopefully this is a sign of a return to

I hope you enjoy the section – please do email me with any suggestions of what you’d like to read about in future sections.

glory, especially following the extensive refurb of the bistro. I must admit

Amanda

I’m a bit worried about this – an early look revealed bleached wood and pale walls – all a bit IKEA /airport lounge as opposed to French bistro intimacy which was so core to their appeal. There’s a new GM too in Ben Haynes whose enthusiasm should see the return of the HDV that we knew and loved and l will review the new restaurant next month.

My second highlight: a totally delicious impromptu dinner at Plateau.

Veal sweetbreads with roast Jerusalem artichoke followed by cannon of lamb and lamb breast (I think my love of all things pig and cheek has now extended to breasts. There’s a joke there but I won’t make it). A rich yet light dish accompanied by borlotti beans and charred baby gem. I ate at the bar chatting to the delightful bar

Sushi at Moshimo

manager Johan who is incredibly knowledgeable

71

Table Talk REVIEW

Mango Tree

By Amanda Menahem

R

egular readers know of my love of

few years and it’s consistently good. Now

attentive and eager to please, and everything

London and in particular the restaurant

when I say good I mean enjoyable, tasty, good

was prompt without feeling rushed.

scene. I religiously follow all the new

quality, a nice environment and pretty good

This restaurant is a slick operation, and has

openings, accolades, bloggers and reviews and

service. I don’t necessarily mean bang-on

have a never-ending list of targets to visit. The

authentic like you’d get in Thailand itself. I do

highly acclaimed Ledbury (always featured in

get fed up with those people who have been

the world’s best 50) is coming up in July and

to Thailand and drone on about how you can

I’m particularly looking forward to that – review

never get authentic Thai food anywhere outside

to follow.

that it serves genuine Thai dishes from each of

Thailand. Well I have also been to Thailand and

the four main culinary regions: rich and mild

I disagree. And anyway the regional food is so

dishes from the north, spicy food from the east,

experiences, however, there’s a fair smattering

diverse I don’t know how anyone can proclaim

mild dishes influenced by the Chinese cooking

of early casual dinners with London friends.

such expertise. If any of you are that person, go

style from the central region, and hot and spicy

These mean I need to get the Victoria –Brighton

to Som Saa in Shoreditch – widely acclaimed as

food from the south.

train home. So, like the recently reviewed

the most ‘authentic’ Thai restaurant in London.

In amongst my high-end culinary

Iberica restaurant (see back issue of Platinum on-line or find it on peopleplacesfood.co.uk),

Back to the Mango Tree. It’s a smart

a number of other outposts, the original being in Bangkok and others in Harrods and various other spots across London. You can imagine the standards, therefore. The restaurant proclaims

We started in the bar area. This was the only low point. The bar feels like a bit of a

restaurant, as you’d expect in Belgravia. And

waiting room – not a nice environment to have

it’s huge, so don’t go there if you’re looking for

a drink in. The bar staff are not up to scratch.

cosy intimacy. Despite its size, the acoustics

My gin and tonic came in a short glass with a

This time it was the Mango Tree, a well

are good. Conversation was easy and they have

measly two half melted ice cubes and the tonic

known Thai restaurant in Belgravia. I’ve been

created a good ambience. The waiting staff are

completely poured in. It’s never good when you

there a couple of times before over the last

superb - this is what I remember the most. Very

have to explain to a barman how to make a

last week I chose a venue just a stones throw from the station.

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Table Talk

❝

For mains, a red curry was more refined than you would probably find elsewhere, with a richly flavoured and smooth sauce, but not hot enough for me

❞

don’t come here if you’re one of those people.

Next time I come (and I will) I will have either the Baked Black Cod Served in a Rich Red Choo Chee Sauce with Sweet Basil and Pea Aubergines, or the Roasted Corn-Fed Poussin, Marinated in Coconut Milk, Lemongrass, Galangal, Turmeric and Lime Leaves, served with Papaya Salad and Mango Tree Signature Spicy Sour Sauce.

The wine list is very good. A great range and helpfully divided into styles. We chose a Muscadet at £23.50. The best thing was the price. They regularly do 50% off deals through Open Table, which was what we did on this evening. I think our bill for drinks, wine and two courses came to about £30 per head. In Belgravia! gin and tonic. This is basic stuff and was made

powder and the tamarind sauce was spicy and

worse for the fact that I had just come from

refreshing.

the bar at The Goring where they really know what they’re doing. The Goring is an excellent place to hold business meetings, have predinner drinks and to dine. It has a lovely lounge (old school London hotel charm) and outside terrace. Highly recommended.

But back to the Mango Tree again! The

For mains, a red curry was more refined than you would probably find elsewhere, with a

bass with sweet, sour and spicy sauce dressing

underestimated - there are nuts and there are

batter, but it was smothered in an over-sweet

nuts. As we were shown to our table we were

sauce. My friend loved it so it was probably just

immediately brought prawn crackers. They

me. My Pad Ka Pow, a stir-fried minced chicken

were good. The menu is comprehensive and

dish with fresh chilli, garlic, snake beans and

enough. Chicken Satay was a little dry but the satay sauce was dangerously addictive. I think I might have been spooning it out of the pot by the end (I do that with peanut butter too – it’s a problem). Crab fish cakes were spongy and crabby and a bit too sweet for my taste. Barbecued pork was sticky and rich – beautiful. A green papaya salad with cherry tomatoes, snake beans, peanuts, dried shrimp

back. Recommended.

is not one of those places). A deep-fried sea

pineapple was a good piece of fish with crisp

spring rolls were crisp and light and nice

in Sussex or Surrey and needs to get the train

for these things ‘how the Thai’s have it’ but this

quality, salted and roasted. This is not to be

We chose mixed starters to share. Vegetable

perfect for anyone dining in London who lives

enough for me (oh I know you’re meant to ask

topped with mixed peppers, sweet basil and

interesting sounding dishes.

environment with great service. Its location is

richly flavoured and smooth sauce, but not hot

nuts served with the drinks were very high

enticing with all the bases covered and some

This is smart cooking in a swanky

holy basil leaves, had good sharp and sour flavour and was quite similar to Laab, one of my favourite Thai dishes but interestingly not similar to an authentic Pad Ka Pow. As I said,

Mango Tree 46 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7EQ info@mangotree.org.uk 0207 823 1888 020 7838 9275 www.mangotree.org.uk

73

Table Talk THE ONE TO WATCH - CHEF PROFILE

Tom Griffiths

By Amanda Menahem

seafront (at the bottom of Preston

T

cook with care and simplicity. He has spent a

Street) became a firm favourite of mine

great amount of time understanding innovative

as soon as it opened. I was so impressed with

cooking techniques and likes to experiment

the American style gourmet ‘dirty food’ with a

with ferments, pickles and sauces. His food

refreshing ‘edge’. Little did I know that the chef

is British with a Nordic slant – unintentionally

responsible for this was Tom Griffiths, who is

has to be some real clean Asian food or a great

bang on trend. I recently met Tom at the

now garnering much attention with his pop-up

classic brunch with mates.

fantastic Food Lab event at 64 degrees and was

restaurant Flank at the Cow, previously at the

struck by his focus. I managed to get some

Regency Tavern.

time with him.

he New Club restaurant on Brighton

Tom’s passions and skills are all things gastronomy. He’s been in the food industry for over 12 years. Growing up in Sussex

Tom’s vision is to work sustainably and

What’s important to you?

My integrity and believing in what I’m doing. I

he relocated to London to work for some top

like to cook with my heart rather than just

restaurants, honing his skills in cooking and

follow trends. I’ve worked in environments

menu development. Later he returned to

where I’m told what I can and can’t cook and

Brighton and opened the New Club to great

that’s not for me!

acclaim. Tom spent over two years establishing a strong reputation before going on to launch FLANK in late 2015. Since then FLANK has

Where do you get your inspiration?

Firstly my team – they inspire me to push

become a notable brand generating numerous

harder. Travelling and visiting new places can

accolades including a largely positive review

also be inspiring as you see things through a

from Jay Rayner in the Guardian on the 3rd

fresh pair of eyes. I am inspired by chefs who

July.

push boundaries like Rene Redzepi (of Noma

74

fame) he did things that had never been done before, he didn’t follow trends.

What do you cook at home?

I am not home that much! But when I am it

Guilty pleasures?

Ice cream every time! – I love what Seb does at Boho Gelato, especially his unusual flavours like Jasmine. My girlfriend bought me an icecream cake from there for my birthday – it was perfect.

Table Talk

❝

I like to cook with my heart rather than just follow trends.

❞

What do you think of the local food scene?

I think its’ incredible, in the last year Brighton and Sussex has grabbed the food scene by the horns and gone for it and its very exciting to see and be a part of. For 64 degrees to achieve number 16 in the top 100 restaurants list is huge for Brighton. We do need that elusive Michelin star next though.

Where do you like to eat out?

Bincho Yakatori in Preston Street, Lyles (London), The Curry Leaf Café in Ship Street and The Little Fish Market (Upper Market Street, Hove)

Which celebrity chefs do you admire?

Rene Redzepi and Claus Mayer (both of Noma) Magnus Nilsson (of Faviken in Sweden)

What’s next for you?

I have lots of exciting plans and potential projects in Brighton. Watch this space!

75

Table Talk INTERVIEW

A New Chapter Ben Haynes, the new GM of Brighton’s Hotel du Vin tells Ian Trevett about his plans to revive a highly regarded landmark destination

C

ontinuity cannot be overstated. Caretaker

great hotel it is. So I come to it now and I pinch

Wokingham, Surrey, and stayed with the

managers can come in to steady the ship

myself almost every day. This is my hotel, and I

group for six years before spending five years

and apply the benefit of their experience

get excited every time I come through the front

in Marriott hotels in London.” He went on to

door.

work for Thistle, De Vere (including a stint at

to keep things ticking over, but nothing beats a General Manager who comes in to make a venue his or her own. Someone with a longterm vision always trumps the temporary fixer.

Under the leadership of Simon Maguire, the

“It is such a great product, and I have got such a great team here - from the chef through to the housekeepers and the reception team.

There are so many committed people. There

The Grand in Brighton) and stepped up to his first GM role at Holiday Inn. He also branched out for a period with events management at Ascot Racecourse and as a Corporate Account Manager at the serviced-office company, Regus.

last long-serving GM, the Hotel du Vin built up

are people who have been here for such a long

an enviable reputation for quality and service.

time, and they really do treat this as their home

For a while, the hotel lacked a permanent

and care about it, and for me, that is gold dust.

if you learn from your experiences, and this is

leader, but now ambitious, young hotelier, Ben

It’s really hard to find that, so its just about

something Ben prides himself on.

Haynes, has arrived, and he is in no rush to

nurturing this approach and making sure that it

move on. Having lived in Brighton for many

grows across all of the hotel.”

years, and now settled with a young family, Ben is fully aware of the hotel’s potential.

“I always used to eat in the restaurant as a customer and I really loved being a customer here. I’ve always been very envious of the people who worked here, thinking what a

76

Virtually all managers will compliment their staff, but Ben can claim to have plenty of knowledge on how to judge the quality of a team; he has experience in an exhaustive list of major hotel brands, as he is happy to recall: “I started at my local Hilton hotel in

An impressive CV, but a CV is only of any use

“I learnt very early on, from my days at Marriott, that you have to look after your people, and then they will look after your customers. I always try and follow this mantra.

“I’m a parent now, but even before that I was taught to remember that the young people we employ now are someone’s son or daughter, being sent out into the world to get their first

Table Talk

❝

It is all about the continuity and making sure we are known for being one of the best hotels, restaurants and bars in Brighton.

job. Whether they are from this country or from another country, we have to look after them, make sure they are inducted properly, given the right uniform and ensure they are the best they can be.

“The Marriott philosophy is to have a person ready to go in every role. If somebody goes, for whatever reason, you have the opportunity to

the floor as people arrive.

❞ “Now it is all about the continuity and making

“Andrew is constantly pushing the envelope, and that is why he has managed to maintain a team there for so long. He must have been there for six or seven years now. I aim to build something similar at Hotel du Vin.” One of the most pressing jobs for Ben is

sure we are known again for being one of the best hotels, restaurants and bars in Brighton.

When people go out for dinner, we have to be one of the places they are thinking about.

“We’ve just refurbished our Bistro, and we’ve got a new menu going in there. We’ve employed a Bistro manager recently from Cote. He is

to quickly reinforce the high standing of the

really raising the game in the Bistro. Our menu

hotel in the city. Earlier this year, a temporary

is the best its been in two years; one of the best

opportunities, because they see people being

problem with the kitchen flooring resulted in

we’ve had.

promoted. If you are just bringing people in, you

a lower inspection rating than usual, which

lose this.

was picked up in the local press. The issue

myhotel. He’s making some great cocktails and

was resolved instantly and five-star rating was

doing some amazing things.

immediately re-instated.

“It’s really exciting times for us, and I just want

move everyone up one level. If you start doing that, everyone gets really excited about the

“Tim Price, the GM at De Vere Belton Woods Hotel, was very keen on such an approach, and in the two years I was there, we managed to promote nine people from within; that really energises the staff as they can see that, if they work hard, something happens.”

“The lesson is that PR is so important, says

“We’ve got a new bar supervisor from

to share with everyone in Brighton that we are

Ben. “We have just spent a lot of money on

here, this is what we are all about, and we are

refurbishing the hotel and restaurant, but you

back to our best.”

need to ensure people know about it.

www.hotelduvin.com/brighton

The other GM who has inspired Ben is Andrew Mosely at The Grand, where Ben originally joined as a Sales Office Manager.

“Andrew has probably been the most influential person in my career. I worked with Andrew for just over three years, and in the subsequent three years he has been supporting and guiding me.

“Andrew is an example of a GM who is the face of the hotel. You can’t be sat in the office.

You need to be out and about, seeing it happen and being involved every day. I really enjoy it; there’s no point in getting stuck behind a desk looking at spreadsheets and responding to emails. I try to spend as little time as possible in the office. It’s more about going out, seeing what the chef is cooking, making sure the front

❝

I pinch myself almost every day. This is my hotel, and I get excited every time I come through the front door.

❞

desk is okay. On Friday afternoons I’ll be out on

77

Table Talk

Wine Masterclass IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT ROSÉ

by Jonny Gibson The classic and most elegant rosés are from Provence, a wine region that has been specialising in rosé wines for over 2,000 years.

They take rosé seriously here and it accounts for 88% of wines produced in the region. The dry, delicately fruity taste and pale colour are achieved by the juice of a blend of usually Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre grapes macerating on the skins for between 2-20 hours before fermentation continues in a

Lourmarin

separate tank. Areas to look out for on the label are Cotes de Provence AOP, Coteaux Varois

and Chase vodka fame is making some lovely

AOP and Coteaux d’Aix en Provence AOP. The

rosé at Chateau Constantin just outside the

latter area allows a small amount of Cabernet

ridiculously pretty village of Lourmarin. I was

Sauvignon in the blend. My local Majestic store

in the Luberon and Coteaux d’Aix en Provence

manager tells me that Majestic sell almost half

regions earlier this month researching wine

of all Provence rosés in the UK and given the

estates and this was in the top 20% of the many

osé now accounts for around 11% of

wide range available I can believe him. Magnum

rosé wines tasted. You can buy the 2015 closer

wines sold in the UK. Although growth

formats are particularly popular as indeed they

to home at The Secret Cellar for £14.50.

has been flat for the last year or so we

are in France. My recommended picks are AIX

R

Other southern Rhone regions that do

are still talking about 175 million bottles, a

in magnum at £19.99 or Chateau de Berne Rose

rosé very well are Tavel AOP and Lirac AOP.

statistic that was unthinkable 20 years ago. To

2015 at £9.99 if you buy two bottles.

Further west along the mediterranean in the

put it into perspective, rosé outsold sparkling

Still within Provence but technically from a

Languedoc and beyond the dependable good

wines in 2015 by 35 million bottles and that is

wine region point of view in the southern Rhone

value Pays d’Oc IGP rosé wines I would look

despite the huge rise in popularity of Prosecco.

is Luberon AOP, a green hilly area north of the

out for rosés from Minervois AOP, Saint Chinian

Durance river made famous for holidaying

AOP and Cotes de Roussillon AOP. Many of

reflecting the power of brands like Blossom

Brits by Peter Mayle and his Year in Provence

these are available in M&S, Oddbins, Waitrose

Hill and Echo Falls, the country on the march

book. Wine estates are thinner on the ground

and Sainsbury as well as the two stores

is France with strong sales growth last year.

here but there are some excellent producers

mentioned above. Happy hunting.

I have always enjoyed the dry, pale coloured

of rosé, red and white wines. They are harder

rosés from the south of France. I have a

to find in the UK but William Chase of Tyrells

Whilst a third of rosé wine sold is from USA,

particular affinity with them from years of summer holidays camping in the south of France and a previous job importing wines from small producers in the Languedoc. They work well as aperitif wines and are good food matchers so you can happily carry on drinking them with your barbecue grilled meats, fish dishes and summer salads. Olives, garlic,

Jonny Gibson is a wine educator and runs regular tastings and courses including WSET Levels 1-3 with Sussex Wine School at Hotel du Vin in Brighton.

tomatoes, goat’s cheese and lamb are all good partners with a south of France rosé. And sunshine of course, something we seem to enjoying more of in UK summers these days.

78

www.sussexwineschool.com

Table Talk

Best Places for........

THE BEST CURRY

by Amanda Menahem

N

othing quite beats a great Curry and here are my top tips for locations across our region:

SUSSEX Raipur at Pevensey Bay. Bangladeshi Chef Sarwar Chowdhury has an impressive CV and brings excellent modern and traditional Indian cuisine to the local residents of Pevensey near Eastbourne. This is a real hidden gem. When I worked in the corporate world we would often bring VIP guests from the city and they were

BRIGHTON

always impressed.

In addition to my favourite; the Curry Leaf Cafe in ship

SURREY Kayal, branches in Leamington Spa and West Byfleet.

Kayal is a bit of an institution, having provided authentic South Indian Keralan cuisine for years. Their original Leicester branch was made famous my he Haory bikers

street (read my review in issue 22 and online) here are my other top picks: Chilli Pickle – multi award winning and still one of the best. Great ambience – a buzzy atmosphere and fresh, highly flavoured cuisine.

but don’t let that put you off. The food and service is

Indian Summer. This modern Indian restaurant has stood

excellent. The menu is a comprehensive bible to Keralan

the test of time, their Deliveroo menu is delicious

cuisine, which tends to be lighter with an emphasis on seafood. This no frills establishment focuses on quality.

Highly recommended.

Deea, Kingston-upon Thames. A highly recommended Bangladeshi restaurant with familiar and unusual dishes on the menu. The restaurant prides itself on using fresh produce and taking great care to create distinct flavours.

Azaro, Hove – The best onion Bhaji in Brighton (huge, crisp and non-greasy) and their tandoori platter is excellent quality, each type of meat carefully matched with a different marinade.

The Eastern Eye – London Road. Despite being a bit out of the way and housed in a somewhat grotty looking venue, there is some great authentic regional Indian cuisine here

LalAkash, New Malden An authentic Bengali restaurant

with amazing flavours. I recall black pepper king prawns

priding itself on high quality ‘royal flavours from the

as a particular highlight. Great value too.

culinary kitchens of the Nawabs and Mughals’ with a good on-line take away service.

Have you been? What do you think?

Get in touch at Amanda@platinumbusinessmagazine.com

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K N O C KO U T

EVENTS

P RO U D LY

PRESENTS

k c i w t a G & y Crawle Sponsored by

FRIDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2016 In Aid Of

Charity Sporting Lunch in aid of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity - THREE COURSE LUNCH - RAFFLE - AUCTION

Special Guest Speaker Former England and Arsenal footballer and Sky Sports Pundit –

Paul Merson Hosted by

12pm in the Ascot Suite, Hilton London Gatwick TABLES OF 10: £750 - TO BOOK CONTACT RYAN HEAL ryan.heal@rockinghorse.org.uk - 07852 285238 Co-sponsored by

Aaron James

BUSINESS SCENE

THE PLATINUM BUSINESS CLUB BRIGHTON & GATWICK

The most effective networking club in the region met again this month with a great turnout of business leaders from a vast array of companies.

As our usual haunt, The Grand Hotel, was sold out for an exclusive use contract, Sascha Koehler, GM at the Hilton Metropole, kindly hosted the event and his team did a sterling job. The Platinum Club is now into its 7th year with non-stop growth in providing a platform for Directors to develop long terms relationships and forge new business links.

1.

For information on joining the most exclusive, effective and enjoyable networking event in the region, contact Maarten Hoffmann at maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com or call 07966 244046

2.

4.

5.

3.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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Alison Addy & Susie Howells (Gatwick Airport) and Viki Faulkner (University of Brighton) Maureen Edwards (Partner, Burt Brill & Cardens) and Carl Flinn (Director, MacConvilles Surveying) Clive Gordon (CEO, Gordon House Promotions) and Tom Easton (Allied Irish Bank) Gary Chown (Director, NatWest Bank) and Jeremy Burbidge (CEO, Ticketmedia) Lee Hills (Partner, Mayo Wynne Baxter) & Val Caye (Castle Fine Art) Dave Shay & Tara McDonnell (South Downs Introductions), Jayna Shah (CEO, JPS Wealth Management), Tim Sadka (Partner, Rawlison Butler) Katherine Walker (Director, White Label), Maarten Hoffmann and Amanda Menahem (Editor, Platinum Food and Drink) The Platinum Ladies Sascha Koehler, Hilton GM Paula Seabourne (Founder, Mind Matters Today), Andreas Schillinge, (CEO, Lotus Labels), Caraline Brown (CEO, Midnight Communications) Robbie Vella (Brighton University) with Tariq Sayfoo (Rix & kay) Paula Seabourne (Founder, Mind Matters Today), Maarten Hoffmann and Faiza Shafeek (Director, Carrot Events)

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YOUNG START-UP

FIVE YEARS YOUNG

T

he business world is heating up for 16-25 year local businesses, schools and aspiring young entrepreneurs from the area already olds in the Brighton and Hove area as Young Start-up Talent (YST) prepares to launch its fifth becoming involved in the initiative. All the contestants will be in with a chance of annual entrepreneurial competition in region. winning the £50k prize fund for the first year This year’s launch took place at Jurys Inn of business.

Waterfront Hotel, with several influential speakers Claire James of Pivotal Moment said, “I including Entrepreneurial Spark’s Fiona Anderson think it’s fantastic, I really see how much it’s and Dan Simpson of Hartley Fowler, who commented impacting the young people who go through that being part of the initiative was “a truly humbling

the programme. After being a sponsor last year, I’ll certainly continue to do so this year and beyond because I think that the contribution that it’s making is absolutely invaluable and I think that making this kind of influence at the start of someone’s career leverages their talent in a way that is very difficult to do later in their career.”

www.youngstartuptalent.co.uk

experience.”

He continued “If this year’s entrepreneurs bring a similar level of entrepreneurship, care and skill as others have done in the past couple of years I think we’ll do very well.”

Guest speaker and previous Brighton and Hove winner Nick Musto, founder of RADAR, said “The help, advice and direction I have had from the YST sponsors has been invaluable.”

The project has been running successfully across several other regions for the past six years and will continue to scout for the best business minds in the area. Alan White of long standing sponsor, Fastsigns said, “It’s really rewarding being able to work with these young entrepreneurs and develop their ideas and try and help them solve some of their problems.

It’s something we thrive on as a business, we like to try and help them achieve their goals” Guest speaker Fiona Anderson was enthusiastic by the opportunity YST provides, stating that, “The initiative very much manages to retain the talent in the regions it works in, meaning these young entrepreneurs are actually contributing back to the local economy.”

This year is set to be as thrilling as ever, with

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CHARITY NEWS

BIG HEART AUCTION 2016

T

he Big Heart Auction, a very special charity art auction, raising money for Chestnut Tree House children’s

hospice and Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival’s Umbrella Club, held a Gala event in July to celebrate and show off the complete collection of over 200 donated artworks. The event was attended by celebrity guests including actors Carol Cleveland and Chris Ellison, Heart FM newsreader Marcella Whittingdale, as well as Brighton & Hove Mayor Pete West and many of the artists who have generously donated their works to the auction. Local street artist Cassette Lord also created a live art work on the night which generated huge interest and was bought via silent auction on the night.

The Big Heart Auction included a wonderful range of donated art from professional local and national artists, illustrators and photographers including the likes of Sir Quentin Blake, David Armitage, Barbara Burns, Alan Rankle, Bill Bate, Cassette Lord and Pippa Blake, plus many local artists attended our Gala event on Monday 4 July including celebrity artists Carol Cleveland and Chris Ellison (aka DCI Burnside).

Other celebrity donations including include actors Julie Graham and Hugh Bonneville, as well as musician Gregory Porter and comedian Johnny Vegas. The full catalogue is available to view at www. bigheartauction.org.uk.

Sarah Arnold, Head of Fundraising Development at Chestnut Tree House, commented, “I’m overwhelmed at the generosity of Sussex’s artistic community and very proud of the artworks we have in our Big Heart 2016 collection. Please visit our website to view the full catalogue and get bidding!”

The 2016 Big Heart Auction took place with the generous support of headline sponsors Green People and Classic Consulting, both of whom have been long standing supporters of Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

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CAPTIONS: (left to right - from top) - Photos by Graham Franks Linda Perry with the Chestnut Tree House team; Lindsey Brett and the Skyfall Restaurant team; Gemma King, Vivid Marketing; Kathy Caton, Brighton Gin Company; Clare Hearsey and Viv Fotiadis; Brighton Dome team Sarah Shepherd, Micha Leach, Graham Cameron and Donna Miller; Juliet MacPherson and Actor and artist Chris Ellison; Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton and Hove - Pete West and Geraldine Keenan; Atist Lizzie Brookes with Lia Timmins from St Johns School and College; Denny and Becky Rose; Artist Chloe Boarer with father Paul; Carol Cleveland; David Hill and Lukas Wojcik, E3 Group; Chestnut Tree House Patron Ambrose Harcourt with Sarah Arnold; Artist Alexandra Kay; Charlotte Vohtz, Green People with the CEO of Chestnut Tree and St. Barnabas Hugh Lowson; Rob Reeks and Lindsey Brett from Skyfall Restaurant with artist Cassette Lord; Phil and Tony Clark, ECE Architecture.

STUDENT AWARDS

REWARDING FUTURE TALENT

T

he University of Brighton is launching a new student prize scheme, the Breakthrough Awards.

Businesses and other organisations are being invited to sponsor awards for students on a wide variety of courses across the whole university. Sponsoring an award gives businesses the opportunity to support a student with a potentially life-changing, as well as career-changing prize.

By pledging £1,000 per annum for three years, a new annual Breakthrough award worth £500 will be set up for the subject area each sponsor feels most strongly about, with the award being named in consultation with the sponsor. The remaining £500 of the contribution will be directed towards one of the university’s student experience projects such as the Student Support Fund or one of the many student scholarship programmes.

There will be an annual celebration event in November, where businesses will be able to share in the winning student’s success, along with other award winners and their guests. Businesses will also have the opportunity to network with other supporters and receive membership of the university’s Ambassadors’ group.

For more information about the Breakthrough Awards, contact Nikki Mason at n.f.mason@brighton.ac.uk.

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Are you a local business looking to gain new clients or maybe a start-up in need of some real business advice? Whatever the reason, the Target Business Expo and gdb Speakers Conference should be the most important date in your diary.

This business to business exhibition is a unique event bringing together organisations from a range of sectors from Insurance to HR to Design and Vehicle leasing.

Over 140 exhibitors will be available to discuss their products and services directly with you.

Purchase a ticket for the gdb Speakers Conference, hear from three outstanding speakers and have the opportunity to meet and discuss your business issues over lunch.

DAILY EVENTS NETWORKING BREAKFAST (Tickets available from gdb in advance)

08.15 NETWORKING BREAKFAST | Hosted by Gatwick Diamond Business

FREE SEMINARS 10.45 The March of Technology Seminar | By John Berry of TimelessTime 13.00 Speaking in Public Seminar | By Ges Ray

gdb SPEAKERS CONFERENCE

(For the full conference timetable, please see the event website. Tickets purchased in advance through gdb)

11.30 Lara Morgan

12.15 Geoff Meade

13.45 Rt Hon Lord Andrew Adonis

Target Business Expo is free to attend to all visitors and offers a wealth of information and advice, products and services to all businesses large and small.

Please book your stand early to avoid disappointment.

THE TARGET BUSINESS EXPO

Tickets for the Networking Breakfast and gdb Speakers Conference must be purchased through gdb in advance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL TARGET IN 1

Gatwick Diamond Business | 01293 440088

AND gdb SPEAKERS CONFERENCE. K2, PEASE POTTAGE HILL, CRAWLEY RH11 9BQ

20TH OCTOBER 2016

01293773021 targetbusinessexpo.co.uk

www.gatwickdiamondbusiness.com

Charity supported by Target in 1 Limited.

From visibility to credibility, exhibiting has hundreds of benefits for your business.

Establishing a presence, whether big or small, an exhibition gives you a powerful platform for meeting new customers, reaching out to your existing clientèle, and building a more established and reliable brand.

With the right strategy, every exhibition you attend is an opportunity to drastically expand your company’s customer base. The people who attend trade shows tend to be motivated, interested in the products or services your company offers, and are often ready to commit to what you have to offer.

THE EXHIBITOR PACKAGE INCLUDES Your choice of stand, according to the floor plan and availability

A logo and 30 words to be included within the show guide.

A company listing on the Target Business Expo website.

For further details and booking information, please visit www.targetbusinessexpo.co.uk or call 01293 773021

BUSINESS AWARDS

BEST OF BRIGHTON The 2016 BAHBA shortlist has been announced

Now in their eleventh year, the Brighton and Hove Business Awards (in association with The Argus) are firmly established as the city’s premier and independent business awards scheme.

Designed to raise awareness and to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of Brighton & Hove, the Awards acknowledge those companies, organisations and individuals who are helping to build the Brighton brand.

2016 marks a record year for entries, with a 35% increase on last year. With hundreds of applicants whittled down to just thirty three finalists, this year is set to be a hot contest to receive one or more of the fifteen trophies up for grabs.

To get all the latest news and updates, visit www.bahba.co.uk

THE SHORTLIST IN FULL The Business in the Community

The Creative Industries Award

Bevendean Community Pub

The Award for Best Customer Service

LoveLocalJobs.com

Blanch House

Pretty Eccentric

Brighton and Hove Bus Company

Flowers Unlimited

Ticketmedia

The Chinese Room

The Grand Brighton

The Best Place to Visit Curry Leaf Cafe Sea Life Brighton The Sewer Tour, organised by Southern Water

The Best Event in the City Brighton Fringe Burning of the Clock, organised by Same Sky Carousel The Sussex Beacon Half Marathon

The Green Business Award The Big Lemon Green Mop Recharge Cargo

The Award for Best Place to Work The Big Lemon Madgex Switched On

The Award for Business Beyond the City Brighton Gin Madgex Stelfox Ticketmedia

The Award for Best Independent Retailer

The Professional Services Award Classic Consulting LA Law Magenta Associates

The Managing Director of the Year Jeremy Burbidge, Ticketmedia Heidi Carroll, MEERKATworks Danielle Plowman, Ellie Ellie

The Fastest Growing Business Award Ellie Ellie Hyve Managed Hosting Sawyer & Co

Flowers Unlimited

The Best New Kids on the Block

Pretty Eccentric

Brighton Gin

Small Batch Coffee Roasters

Circulate Digital

Whirligig Toys

Curry Leaf Cafe

The judging was chaired by the Editor of The Argus, Mike Gilson and included representatives from Allied Irish Bank, Brighton and Hove Buses, Cardens Accountants, City Cabs, Dental Health Spa, Graves Jenkins, Martin Searle Solicitors, RBS, Robinson Low Francis, TSS Facilities, Yelo Architects, Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce, Brilliant Brighton, the Brighton & Hove Tourism Alliance, Title Sussex and Platinum Business Magazine.

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BUSINESS WOMEN EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2016 - SUSSEX EDITION

T

he Business Women Excellence Awards – Sussex edition stretch across the whole of the county and are staged specially to celebrate the success of today’s very best females in business. Whether we like it or not, many companies today still remain maledominated despite the progress that has been made over the years to change that.

These awards seek to highlight the best businesswomen or the best businesses owned or co-owned by women. From the number of entries received this year and the massive interest shown, the awards are set to be a feature of the Sussex calendar for many years to come. As we looked through the hundreds of nominations it made us realise the talent, success and sheer determination of so many women across Sussex.

Of our eight local Sussex MPs five are female. Our police and crime commissioner is Katy Bourne. And the headline sponsor of the Business Women Excellence Awards is Penina Shepard, the Founder and MD of Acumen Business Law. Penina has just launched her new book, ‘The Freedom Revolution' which can

be bought via Amazon.co.uk.

Receiving an accolade for outstanding work achievements brings successes to light, opens doors to new opportunities and builds a positive path for other women to follow.

Women have made so much progress in business over the years that many awards programmes have been designed to highlight and recognise their exceptional skills and talents.

The awards will be held in two segments starting with the Semi-Final cocktail event which will be held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on the 28th September and will be a tremendous evening of networking night at which the 2016 Business Women Excellence Awards – Sussex finalists will be announced.

Then on the 25th November the black tie Gala final for the 2016 Business Women Excellence Awards – Sussex will be held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole which promises to be a magnificent affair, a super glittering

red carpet evening of celebration filled with glamour, super food, wonderful entertainment, amazing networking and huge accolades for all the winners. These awards will have similar heats in Surrey, Kent and Hampshire in early 2017 and winners of all the heats will automatically go through to the regional finals which will take place in Brighton late 2017.

Entry is free just go to: businesswomenexcellenceawards.co.uk and review all of the categories available and determine which are appropriate to you, your business or business person you wish to nominate. You can enter in up to three categories. The Closing date for email entries is the 5th September 2016. So hurry and enter NOW!

The Categories are: New Business/Start-Up Of The Year Award Small Business Of The Year Award (under 10 employees) Medium Business Of The Year Award (10-50 employees) Large Business Of The Year Award (over 50 employees) Business Woman Of The Year The Business Innovation Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Digital Woman Of The Year Award Woman In Education

Woman In Uniform Woman In Arts/Music/Dance/Media Employer Of The Year Award Employee/s Of The Year Award Contribution To The Community Award Mentor Of The Year Award Women Of Courage Lifetime Achievement Award Overall Business Or Business Woman Of The Year Award

The Sponsors are: Headline sponsor: Acumen Business Law

Media Sponsors: Platinum Magazine More Radio The Argus Sussex Style

PLATINUM MAGAZINE

Category sponsors: Sussex Downs College Aces Identity Digital Duvacourt Construction Duvacourt SA On Line Ticket Seller The Best of Brighton & Hove Neva Consultants Hilton Hotel Cavendish Hotel Let’s Do Business Pro Star Services

Organised by Carrot Events

ENTER NOW

http://businesswomenexcellenceawards.co.uk/ Closing date 5th September 2016

HOW IS YOUR PERSONAL BRAND PERCEIVED AT NETWORKING EVENTS? An insight into personal branding and how this could be impacting upon your networking success.

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

JANE MATHER www.janemather.co.uk (formerly Image Trees) How would you describe personal branding?

Personal branding is all about deciding what impression you’d like to make, or need to make, on a day-to-day basis, and then changing your image to achieve this. Your image should make the right impact to support your success as an employee or selfemployed individual. You can elevate your impact and personal presence with strong personal branding.

P

ersonal branding typically refers to the way people package themselves. It’s all about you presenting a consistent visual impression to accurately reflect your personality and professional messages.

If business networking is an important marketing channel for your company, you need to ensure that your personal brand is right.

It’s another step towards giving yourself a competitive advantage.

Do you look the part? Of course some people can look the part and not deliver the goods, but people make assumptions based on clothing and mannerisms. You can’t stop that, so it’s worth taking some time to think about this.

I spoke to three Sussex personal branding, colour and style experts to get their thoughts.

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How can it help when you are networking and representing your business?

When representing your business at a networking event you want your first impression to be a lasting one - for all the right reasons! It’s important to think about how you can use colour and the style of your clothing (and accessories) to reinforce this.

• Wearing the right colours makes you look and feel better and • gives others the impression that you are confident and creative.

Don’t let your personal image let your business brand down or undersell what you offer.

Who should go through the personal branding journey?

It will benefit anyone who has concerns (even if it’s just a niggling doubt) over their personal image. I have worked with men and women at all stages in their careers in large corporates and SMEs. Sometimes they have received direct feedback in an appraisal meeting, or are returning to work after maternity leave, or want to be confident they are representing their business in the best possible way.

NETWORKING ALISON BROWN www.aeracuracolour.co.uk How would you describe personal branding?

Personal branding could be described as packaging. Think of yourself as a product that you want to present in the very best way to potential buyers. You need to find the USP for yourself in just the same way as you would in your business offering.

How can it help when you are networking and representing your business?

We all know that people buy from people, so a good, polished and personal presentation when you are networking can be just as important as the service/product you are selling. If you choose the colours and styles that work with your skin colouring and body shape you can effortlessly and confidently look your best. This leaves you free to focus on interacting with people attending the event.

Who should go through the personal branding journey?

Almost everyone benefits from a personal image overhaul from time to time. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. In just the same way as you would update your company website, it’s good to update your look. I enjoy helping clients through a transitionary period. For example, people who have left a corporate environment and moved into a smaller more personal business, or those that have been promoted and need a more formal image. Plus start-ups where the person is building a brand and women returning to work after having a baby.

JANINE QUINN www.sassystyle.co.uk How would you describe personal branding?

There are a few elements involved to the whole branding process and many assume, quite rightly, it’s about the name, website, design of logo, business cards and so on. Many people get all these elements brilliantly, but then they miss a vital link in that chain - themselves! Make sure you don’t forget to look at how you come across.

How can it help when you are networking and representing your business?

Branding is key to getting your business noticed and remembered. You will stand out if your styling represents your brand. If, for example, you are a start-up or rebranding a beauty therapy business, think about your colour theme in respect to your skin, not just the logo and decor. Choose the best shade of a colour for a uniform that suits you - you don’t want to look washed out every day!

Who should go through the personal branding journey?

Any small business owner, male or female, could benefit - but they need to be clear on what their business is about. If you are unclear on this, then how can you get that message across to others? I help people that feel they need to “up their game”, make sure they are happy with their “business look” or choose a new brand colour that suits them.

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CRAWLEY

HELP AT HAND FOR LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS WITH AUTO-ENROLMENT Local Crawley businesses have been encouraged to look towards new automatic enrolment pension schemes by a leading pension provider. By David Marriott

T

he Crawley Chamber of Commerce members met at Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday to discuss the possibilities that The People’s Pension and other automatic enrolment workplace pension

schemes can offer as the new Government legislation takes effect.

Launched in 2011, The People’s Pension is the largest private sector

don’t recommend anyone, but for as little as £300 (plus VAT, subject to terms and conditions) this really can provide a great offer for small businesses”.

Whether businesses choose to use The People’s Pension is up to them as other automatic enrolment providers are available. However,

multi-employer pension scheme in the UK, boasting over 2.1 million

all employers must comply with their staging date given by the pension

members and over 38,000 accounts under management nationwide.

regulator if they are to avoid heavy fines. The meeting proved vitally

Their members come from a wide range of businesses, from big national high street retailers to small local firms.

Founded by not-for-profit organisation B&CE, based in Manor Royal,

important in informing employers of the options that are available to them ahead of their staging dates.

the scheme was created to offer a platform for employers of all shapes and sizes to tackle the auto-enrolment program first implemented in 2012.

The People’s Pension provides businesses with help to comply with the new Government regulations. These laws state that all employees aged 22 and earning more than £10,000 a year must be placed into a pension scheme. Employees earning more than £5,824 per year but under £10,000 and aged 16 to 74 can opt in. Those of the same age earning less than that figure can also ask to join a pension scheme, but the employer is not obliged to pay into their pension pots. All of these employees must be given an option to opt out of the scheme, but they will be re-enrolled in three years’ time.

The People’s Pension provides savers with seven different investment funds to choose from. The cost to sign up to their high support solution is £500 plus VAT with a 0.5% AMC for members (Annual Management Charge). Employers who sign up through an intermediary such as local accountancy firm Kreston Reeves can

CHAMBER NEWS

access a reduced rate of £300 plus VAT.

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Many local business owners were present to pose their questions about the new system.

William Finch, Payroll Intermediary Relationship Manager at The People’s Pension, said: “There is no reason why employers can’t use The People’s Pension as a normal pension for their staff, but many find our inbuilt auto-enrolment software capabilities useful to have. We currently have over £1 billion in assets under management, which is a massive achievement considering we began from a standing start in 2012”.

Mr Finch also went on to insist that The People’s Pension will be able to handle the sudden influx of clients stating: “we feel very confident that we have a scalable business with enough capacity in staff to cope with the new surge of customers”.

Paul Roe, President of Crawley & Gatwick Chamber of Commerce and Partner at Kreston Reeves, added: “Today is a day that you should take away and tell your friends about. Normally as a business we

William Finch B&CE & Paul Roe - President of Crawley & Gatwick Chamber

For more information please visit www.thepeoplespension.co.uk or www.crawleychamber.co.uk

Don’t miss your opportunity to attend, speak, sponsor or exhibit at

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YOUR EXHIBITION SPACE FROM AS LITTLE AS £295 To enquire about exhibiting call 01273 862370 or visit b2bexpos.co.uk

SUSSEX CHAMBER

BRIDGING THE GAP

by Ana Christie, Chief Executive, Sussex Chamber of Commerce

T

he British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) campaign ‘Bridging the Gap’ is a

positive call to action to help businesses find the talent they need, and boost the career prospects of young people. We believe it is a shared responsibility between business, education and government to address this. The campaign aims to: • Increase collaboration between education providers and businesses, through the chamber network and our annual Business and Education Summit • Support young people to gain exposure to business, through our Young Chamber membership aimed at schools and colleges • Influence government education and skills policy, to ensure

CHAMBER NEWS

young people develop the skills,

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experience and attitude to make

for delegates to make new connections

a successful transition into work

and engage with the latest best practice

Education Summit in 2015 brought together

The 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce

through expert speakers, panel debates and

key political and business people to exchange

have a growing number of education

informative breakout sessions, which will

ideas, sparking lasting collaborations and

providers in membership, including 1,700

lay down concrete steps towards identifying

identifying effective policy solutions to better

schools and colleges. Chambers across

effective policy solutions and spark lasting

the country help them connect with their

prepare young people for work. Speakers

collaborations to ‘bridge the gap’ between

local business community. We think it is

included; Sir Michael Wilshaw, Chief

educators and business.

Inspector, Ofsted, the former Secretary of

vital to increase collaboration between the business community and education providers to improve young people’s transition from schools, colleges and universities into the workplace.

Join the Sussex Chamber of Commerce, the Accredited Chamber Network, and leaders from the business and education sector on Tuesday 20th September 2016 at the BCC Business and Education Summit.

The Business and Education Summit is an inspirational and interactive forum to explore issues and will provide the opportunity

At a time when youth unemployment is

The inaugural BCC Business and

State for Education Lord Kenneth Baker and

three times the adult average, it is vital to

Professor Alison Wolf, King College London

increase collaboration between the business

and Government Advisor.

community and education providers to

To book your tickets: http://www. bccbusinesseducation.com/businesseducation-summit/

improve young people’s transition from schools, colleges and universities into the workplace. The day will focus on three key themes: • 21st Century Skills and Education • Technology and Education • Higher Education and Higher Apprenticeships

Sussex Chamber members benefit from discounted tickets to the summit.

Please contact the Sussex Chamber of Commerce on 01444 259 259 in order to receive the discount access code before booking your tickets online.

Please contact the Sussex Chamber of Commerce for all of your exporting needs.

Tel: 01444 259 259 or visit our website: www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk

BRIGHTON & HOVE

AGM FUN

By Nigel Stock from Agile Strategy Design Ltd

I

am well into my second year as a Member of the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce. In my experience there is no

such thing as a bad Chamber event.

I have been to the monthly breakfasts at

good at events. But how to spice up a dreary sounding Annual General Meeting (AGM)?

Firstly, pick a night when no-one has an excuse that it clashes with something else – i.e. Monday. Secondly, limit the AGM bit to 40

The membership is skewed towards small and medium enterprises but I guess this largely reflects the business demographics in the area.

I thought I had gone to a lot of their events

Carluccio’s, pop-up breakfasts at the New

minutes max. Thirdly provide food. Fourthly

but Carol reported that the Chamber ran over

Club and several others, bite-size learning

provide a glass of wine. Finally, make it a pre-

80 events across 10 different types in the last

events at the Hub and the Sussex County

cursor to a challenging but interesting pub-

year. Wow!

Cricket Ground, Creative Hub sessions on

quiz on the Brighton and Hove area; history,

intellectual property and behind the scenes

landmarks and people.

tours to the Ridgeview Wine Estate and to Brighton’s Sewers (yes really!).

And, of course, the annual Summit in October 2015 was just amazing!

Now, I am not fan of pub quizzes really

Carol also reported on a wide range of campaigns, service contracts and city events that the Chamber had supported during the

as my general knowledge is hopeless but it

year. I’m impressed by the foot-print the

was another entertaining way to meet new

Chamber has.

people including a marketing executive from

Chris Ford (Board Member), who joined

But I don’t have time to go to everything

a local casino and an overseas property

and I had looked at the Chamber AGM event

the Chamber team during the year, gave his

finance expert. And that is another thing

(20 June 2016) at Grand Central and turned

report on the Chamber finances for 2015 and

about Chambers events; You always meet

the page. I have been to a few AGMs and I

budgets for 2016.

interesting and nice people!

have never found them entertaining or social so I was happy to pass this one by. That is until I was asked if I would write a blog of

quick run-down on the results of a recent

Carol Lewis has been President for a year

membership survey – all very positive.

the event for all those that (like me) were not

and it has been a good one:

going to make it. I took the challenge and I’m

• 223 new members during the year

very glad I did.

• A switch to rolling monthly Direct Debits

The Chamber Team are basically just really

Julie Roff (Vice-President), gave a

So, what can I tell you about the AGM?

for membership subscriptions

So, another fun and social event – not so many AGMs can claim that.

Thank you to the whole Chamber team. You do a great job.

CHAMBER NEWS

To join Brighton Chamber, get more involved, sponsor an event, find out more – contact us on 01273 719097, membership@businessinbrighton.org.uk or see www.businessinbrighton.org.uk

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ACES

CHAMBER NEWS

BEST4BIZ IS BETTER THAN EVER! A fter last year’s successful East Sussex business conference, this year is set to be even bigger and better.

Best4Biz is from 8.30 for 9am on Friday 14th October at the iconic De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill and will examine new and more efficient ways of working.

ACES and East Sussex County Council (ESCC) are bringing you terrific keynote speakers this year including: Allister Frost, former Head of Digital Marketing at Microsoft.

Allister will open the conference and talk about making the most of digital marketing. A global conference speaker, Allister works with businesses as diverse as Sony and Anglo American Mining and will talk about digital ways of working today and in the future.

Alex Storey, Head of SME Partnerships at Google will let you into some Google secrets and help you find the best way to use the internet to grow your business. Alex has worked as a senior manager with Google in Africa, Australia, the Middle East, Europe and the UK and speaks internationally to help businesses make the most of Google.

Rupert Clubb, Director of Economy, Communities and Transport at ESCC will welcome you to the conference and host our ‘Question Time’ style expert panel at 11am. This year it will include MPs Caroline Ansell, Maria Caulfield, Nus Ghani and Huw Merriman alongside Malcolm Diamond MBE Chairman of Trifast and T R Fastenings, plus Allister Frost and Alex Storey.

Meet over 300 business leaders and decision makers from across Sussex including many leaders of the various local authorities in the county.

Lunch is included with a B2B exhibition and is followed by interactive breakout seminars including: • Google Garage • Social Media – so what if it goes wrong?

• The fastest ways to grow your business • Cyber Attack – SMEs are the target now!

If you would like to find out more or book your place, visit www.acesalliance.org/best4biz-conference-2016 Tickets will be allocated to business people on a first come first served basis. There is no charge for the conference however, non-attendance without at least 48 hours notice will attract a small charge as places are limited.

Amber Rudd

Alex Storey

If you would like to sponsor Best4Biz or exhibit at the B2B exhibition call ACES, care of Edeal, on 01323 641144.

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Battle Chamber of Commerce www.battlechamber.org.uk

Bexhill Chamber of Commerce 01424 842892 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk

Crowborough Chamber of Commerce www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk

Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce 01323 641144 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk

East Sussex County Council 01273 481570 www.eastsussex.gov.uk

Federation of Small Businesses 01424 754686 Reg Office: 01323 482018 www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex

Hailsham Chamber of Commerce 01323 310531 www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Hastings Chamber of Commerce 01424 205500 www.hastingschamber.co.uk

Heathfield Chamber of Commerce 01435 865858 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk

ACES

BEACON HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES – Leaping forward!

S

Jennie found the business start-up programme was the boost she needed. She said “The workshops and mentoring offered by Edeal’s subject experts have been terrific and given me the confidence needed to launch Beacon Health and Safety Services.”

Jennie recently spoke to Danny Pike on BBC Sussex radio about the LEAP programme and Beacon Health and Safety Services. “Jennie was terrific on the radio, really bubbly and full of enthusiasm for the LEAP programme and for her new business” said Stephen Holt of Edeal. “Danny was so impressed that he talked to us for over ten minutes and invited us back to talk about the scheme once the LEAP winner has been announced.”

For a Free one hour consultation contact Jennie Hallett on 07944 220196 or visit www.beaconhands.uk

Join your local Chamber from those listed below and you will automatically become an ACES member with access to 4,000 businesses across East Sussex. Join up for great networking events and business support. You will also be able to place your news on these Platinum ACES News pages which is free of charge to Chamber members. www.acesalliance.org

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

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

Locate East Sussex 0844 415 9255 www.locateeastsussex.org.uk

Newhaven Chamber of Commerce 0800 107 0709 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk

Peacehaven Chamber of Commerce 01273 586222 www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk

Seaford Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 www.seafordchamber.co.uk

South East Local Enterprise Partnership 01245 431469 www.southeastlep.com

Uckfield Chamber of Commerce 01825 722607 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk

Wealden District Council 01323 443322 www.wealden.gov.uk

CHAMBER NEWS

et up by Lewes District Council in 2013, LEAP (Local Enterprise & Apprenticeship Platform) is dedicated to championing new enterprise within the Lewes District and has so far supported 45 local people through an intensive training programme to help them with their plans to start new businesses.

In March, 15 candidates were selected to participate in the LEAP Entrepreneur Programme 2016 which involved attendance at a series of workshops followed by expert one to one mentoring and a chance of winning £2500 to help them launch their business.

We recently spoke with one of this year’s LEAP Programme finalists Jennie Hallett about her new business. She told us, “I have travelled the world during my 17 year career in Health and Safety and enjoyed high levels of success with some of the world’s market leaders, for example Caterpillar. During this time I have developed vast knowledge and experience across many business sectors and now, I feel, it is time for me to take the next step, to go it alone and provide businesses with a cost effective and expert health and safety service.

“I understand that keeping employees safe and productivity levels up whilst meeting the requirements of Health and Safety legislation can be demanding and time consuming for companies, so I provide all the functions of a full time H&S Advisor but at lower cost. Every business is different in its needs and so the service can be tailored to suit.”

When asked about the Beacon H&S USP she told us “I have buckets of passion and enthusiasm for the subject and a friendly down to earth approach covering all subjects from risk assessment to highly interactive training. Training feedback is always great and delegates refer to training sessions as being like a breath of fresh air; they find them not only informative but highly engaging”.

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EASTBOURNE

GOOGLE APPROVED

Not many UK digital agencies are approved by internet giant Google, but BarkWeb, established in 1999 in the centre of Eastbourne by Julian Perrott, is one of very few Google Partners in Britain.

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he business creates hand-coded websites which are completely bespoke to each client and never look like an off the shelf site with the background colours changed! As a Google approved full service digital agency they also help clients achieve the best SEO marketing and results and so over the last ten years the business has grown to become a unique agency offering clients expertise and knowledge in creative web design, web development, website optimisation and digital marketing.

CHAMBER NEWS

Having a wide range of clients the team work with small and large businesses alike across many different industries throughout the UK. Golf clubs, nursing homes, jewellers and accountants as well as blue chip companies receive a dedicated and seamless service.

BarkWeb as one of the few agencies in the South East to have achieved Google Partner status. Google has recognised the team as having the skills and experience to run effective and successful PPC and Adwords campaigns, something they are very proud of.

A keen artist in his spare time, Julian steers his employees to take both a creative and technical stance where unlimited thinking and endless enthusiasm for learning is both encouraged and essential.

Creative inspiration can lead to innovation and that is an integral part of the ethos of the company.

To Design, Develop, Optimise and Promote your business contact BarkWeb on 01323 735800 or visit www.barkweb.co.uk

Join Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce from as little as ÂŁ59.00 plus vat, per year! This will give you the opportunity to include news items on this page about your business without charge. You will also have access to 4,000 other members via ACES, the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex which gives you a loud voice with policy makers locally, regionally and centrally.

Can you afford not to join??!! www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk

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WORTHING

MAKING THE MOST OF CHAMBER CONNECTIONS card and asking them to buy is unlikely to bring much success. Offering a variety of events we encourage our members to attend them regularly and get to know people, whether you are a small start-up business or a large business focusing towards the strategic outlook we have something to suit everyone.

So what events can you join us on over the coming six months?

NETWORKING BREAKFASTS September 23rd looking at the changing face of tourism and local success stories.

October 21st breakfast will be at Shoreham Airport with Alex Bailey Chief

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t’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2016. We have already organised over 30 events which have seen over 1400 attendees, pretty impressive! Now we are planning for the second

half of the year so be warned – this article uses the C-word!

After the hugely successful Better Business 2016 show we can now announce we are planning for 2017 and the date for your diary is Thursday 2nd February. We will once again take over the Worthing

Exec of Adur and Worthing Council and Andrew Swayne Chair of AWBP talking about Greater Brighton and what it means to us in Adur & Worthing.

18th November will be a panel of experts to guide you through futures, finance and funding, that leads us nicely onto the Christmas Social on 7th December!

How can you make the most of your membership? Do you know

Assembly Hall with what will be an even bigger and better show. Early

someone that should be a member and isn’t? Come along to the Meet

Bird stand booking will open very soon.

the Chamber event on 5th October, bring a guest or 2 and hear from

Our recent special events have included visits to both Shoreham Port and Brighton and Hove Albion’s training ground. Shoreham

our exec committee and ambassadors.

Chamber Hub is our informal and free lunchtime networking and

Port commented “Thank you to all who attended. We had a fantastic

runs from August through to December on the 2nd or 3rd Friday of the

evening and thoroughly enjoyed showing members of the Chamber

month.

around the Port. We are proud to be members of the Worthing & Adur

We also have a new season of Let us Entertain You, with exclusive offers for members to enjoy. These events are designed with busy

events.” Secondly Brighton and Hove Albion Training Ground welcomed

business people in mind, so networking is at the forefront, but with

members for an exclusive and very rare tour of its training ground

a twist! As a member you also have access to an extensive range of

which is recognised as ‘one of the best in the country’ and it included

offers and discounts for many of the shows at Worthing Theatres. Have

the unexpected announcement of a major development on adjacent

a look at the website for more details.

land which will be a significant investment for our area.

If you didn’t join us for these events you really missed out. We plan to do more of these exclusive tours so keep an eye out for more information!

Networking is mostly about connecting with people, building

12th September – Networking, Drinks and a private movie screening of Eye in the Sky 15th December – Pantomime evening for members, friends and family to include pre show drinks and a post-show event.

So get involved with Worthing and Adur – there’s so much going

effective relationships with them. Many people think it’s just about

on! Email info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk to sign up to our

selling, it’s not! People buy from people they trust, giving a business

newsletter and get advance notice of our forthcoming events now.

Shoreham port visit

Brighton and Hove Albion visit

CHAMBER NEWS

Chamber of Commerce and look forward to meeting more at future

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E k RE OW! co.u F e N s. rib line tion c n ca bs Su ead o ubli p d r olio n a rtf .po w ww

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CHICHESTER

SHOULD DIGITAL BE PART OF YOUR COMPANY DNA? Asks Jason Miller, Board Director, Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Director of SteadyGo, the Creative Digital Agency

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he UK online market (and beyond) is growing exponentially.

People want stuff, information and answers more and more on their mobile phone, at that very moment of thinking about

it. Is your digital profile giving people what they need? Will your business be the one that people find online and return to, or will it be a competitor that wins their hearts?

As a creative digital agency, we get businesses contacting us

refers to how best to look after and care for existing customers. How a visitor perceives a business online at each of these stages will have a major impact on whether they choose to become a customer or go to a competitor.

Your digital presence should therefore become part of your USP: central to your business thinking. For instance, there’s a growth in new banks who have developed their entire offering around how

regularly wanting to improve how online works for them, but are not

people want to bank today and in the future. They want to access their

willing to invest in it. For them, their website is like a print brochure:

bank on their phone. So everything these banks do is via an App. In

it’s there but no-one is looking after it and nurturing its potential. They

five years’ time, these disruptors will have become major players

might even know it has to work on a mobile device, but they don’t see it

because they’ve put their customer’s digital experience at the very

as core to their brand, communications and growth plans.

core of their thinking. That’s the ‘Care’ part.

For instance, a recent enquiry was along the lines of: ‘we need a

There are exceptions of course. I have some friends who own a

new website. It has to generate us lots of lovely new customers. Our

bespoke conservatory business. They don’t want to trade outside of

inspiration for it is rollsroyce.com and we’ve got £1500.00 to spend.’

their local area because of the travel and hassle involved. All of their

What struck me about this enquiry was the mismatch between what

business comes through local recommendation: so they don’t need to

they want to achieve and the investment they can make.

compete online.

According to Ofcom, the UK is now a smart phone society. By 2015

But for most businesses, there needs to be a shift of thinking and

around 66% of UK adults owned a smartphone, and this rose to a

investment in digital. That’s where the market is and instead of it being

staggering 90% for 16-24 year olds!

an add-on, successful businesses moving forward will embrace it and

There’s a lot of buzz in digital marketing around ‘the mobile

make it part of their company DNA.

moment’: that moment when people will look something up, find a business or service on their phone as soon as they are thinking about it. They’ll not around online before making a decision: visiting different information sources, returning maybe a few times before making a decision.

Google refers to this as ‘See, Think, Do, Care’. A ‘See’ website visitor is there for the first time and will probably leave in less than 5 seconds. A ‘Think’ visitor has gone away, searched around and come back with a greater intent: they need more information. A ‘Do’ visitor has the greatest intent to contact the business. ‘Care’

For information about Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or any of the above initiatives, please visit www.chichestercci.org.uk or contact office@chichestercci.org.uk

CHAMBER NEWS

want to wait. And they’ll shop

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style PLATINUM

BRING BACK Elegance

Samantha Wilding Tel: 07833 084864 Email: Samantha@styleandgrace.eu Website: www.styleandgrace.eu Twitter: @alwayschicUK

Our regular style columnist, Samantha Wilding, regrets the loss of elegance in today’s busy world.

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recently worked with the team at The Grand in Brighton, supporting the rollout of their gorgeous new Gresham Blake-designed uniforms, which are inspired by 1940s elegance. And it got me thinking. What is

elegance? Who has it, and why? Can you ‘learn’ how to be elegant? And why does there seem to be so little of it around these days?

What is elegance?

Elegance is defined as being ‘graceful and stylish in appearance

Notice that many of the women are older; designer Bruce Oldfield once said that elegance comes with age: women in their 50s and 60s wear ‘simple good quality clothes… they just get it right’.

Dressing up to go out When I was a child, it was an unspoken rule that if we were going to the theatre or out for dinner, that I would be dressed appropriately. Which usually meant a dress and some patent Mary Jane-style shoes. That

or manner’.This is quite a feminine definition, but I firmly believe that

habit has stuck with me (dressing appropriately – not the Mary Jane’s !).

elegance can apply equally to men. Nevertheless, it certainly describes

Mr W and I went see Cosi Fan Tutti at the Royal Opera House a few years

something that is intangible. Elegance is not just about what you wear,

ago and I was horrified to see a considerable number of people in casual

but how you wear it and, even more importantly, how you behave while

clothes – including jeans. I think this shows disrespect to the performers

doing so.

and undermines the sense of occasion. If we dress the same way all the

It’s telling that when we talk about elegance, we often cite icons from the past, rather than our contemporaries. Now it’s true, there are incomparable men and women (particularly from the mid twentieth

time, how can we tell when it’s a special event?

Comfort rules supreme Why has this happened? Well, I think we have followed the Americans

century) who practically embody the word (Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn,

down a very slippery slope – comfort and convenience over any sense

Cary Grant, James Mason, Katharine Hepburn… I could go on) but there

of style. Texan designer Tom Ford recently said ‘Men don’t wear fashion

are plenty of modern examples too. Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba are

any more except in Italy and London. Americans have lost that.’ Please,

elegant. Mark Ronson has abandoned youthful trendiness for grown-

let’s not lose our sense of style completely and venture too far down

up elegance. Mr Beckham certainly has it. And so do the Duchess of

that path. I see more and more people in loose, baggy clothing (including

Cambridge, Joanna Lumley, Catherine Deneuve and Aung San Suu Kyi.

huge t-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuits) presumably because it’s

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style PLATINUM

‘comfortable’. But I agree with Karl Lagerfeld, who once said. ‘Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You’ve lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.’ Stop ! Take back control before it’s too late !!!

Life today is the opposite of elegant But let’s face it, modern life is not exactly conducive to appearing or, for that matter, behaving elegantly. It is all about comfort and convenience. Eating on our sofas in front of the television. Not engaging in meaningful conversation as a result. Table manners neglected – are there such things as sofa manners?

And it’s not just at home. You see it on the street, every day, wherever you go. People hunched over phones not paying attention to where they’re going (never mind the traffic). Food is available everywhere, at any time of the day or night, which means we are subjected to appalling manners and pungent smells on the street or on public transport. It’s not a pretty picture, is it?

Now I’m not suggesting we return to the stiff formality of years gone by. But in these uncertain and divisive times, wouldn’t it be nice to restore a bit of old-school propriety?

There are some simple things we can all do to up our elegance stakes. See the box for my suggested eleven steps to effortless elegance, everyday.

ELEVEN STEPS TO EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE 1. Wear clothes that fit properly – without a good fit, you will never achieve elegance 2. Get things altered if you need to, to make them fit (modern high street sizing is erratic and inconsistent) 3. Keep it simple – less is always more – particularly when it comes to accessories 4. Women: if you can’t walk in high heels, don’t 5. Think about ‘polish’ rather than ‘flash’ – covering yourself in designer logos does not suggest elegance – in fact it indicates the opposite 6. Remember that clothes that are cheap, look cheap – buy less, but buy better 7. You don’t have to be dressed up to the nines to look elegant – a crisp white shirt and dark jeans often does the trick (for both men and women) 8. Make an effort: pay attention to the way you dress (and behave) 9. Watch your manners – going out of your way to make others feel comfortable will ensure that you are too 10. Always be gracious: courteous, kind and pleasant - and finally…

11. Retain an air of mystery. Don’t reveal everything (literally and figuratively).

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INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS

LEADERSHIP R

By Dean Orgill Chairman of Mayo Wynne Baxter www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk • www.iod.com

ecent events have probably caused many of us to ponder on leadership, what it is, who has it, and perhaps what currently

remain to be convinced that there is an equal amount of competence.

One of the themes that comes across

seems to be lacking at a national level. My feelings on this are instinctive, I accept, so I thought that before writing I would look into the topic and seek some guidance from those with greater experience and wisdom on the subject than I could hope to claim.

If, as Henry Kissinger is reported as saying, “the task of a leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been” then our current crop of leaders on the national

“Example is leadership” said Albert Schweitzer, and that example will of course need to be visible to carry any weight.

rest of us would probably quite like to know However, despite that view it does not feel to me as if we are being especially well served by our supposed leaders. Friends have indicated to me that they felt that certain characters would lead us well because they have charisma. I confess that my response on that was that an awful lot of the worst dictators and despots the world has seen undoubtedly had charisma, and my own preference would probably be for dull competence. However it seems to me at the moment there is quite a lot of dullness about on the political stage, but I

106

One point made can be used as a negative comment, but also in a business context it can be a positive, as it shows that time for thought

stage have succeeded spectacularly (albeit the just where we have ‘not been’ actually is).

weight.

can be valuable, particularly I suggest if you wish to be a disruptor. That concept from JeanPaul Sartre is included as “just a thought”.

But if you look for the encapsulation of how to behave as a leader then my own preference for how to approach it, and what it means for you in terms of approach, was beautifully set out by Nelson Mandela – and what better example could you listen to - “it is better

from looking at various thoughts is that true leadership comes with a degree of humility, and that this humility needs to come when leading, not being humble after being humbled.

One version of the concept, which I have seen expressed in various forms is Andrew Carnegie’s, ”no man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it”.

That does not necessarily mean hiding one’s light under a bushel – “Example is leadership” said Albert Schweitzer, and that example will of course need to be visible to carry any

to lead from behind and put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership”.

JUST A THOUGHT Only the guy who isn’t rowing has the time to rock the boat.

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