Somerset Voice - August/September 2017

The Official Magazine of Somerset Chamber of Commerce

August / September 2017

Hinkley Point C: Building a Somerset Legacy 18 | FEATURE

6 | CHAMBER NEWS

New manager appointed for Hinkley Supply Chain Team

10 | FOCUS ON: MARKETING & PR

Chamber Members discuss elements of their sector

32 | BUSINESS NEWS Citizens rights following Brexit

Creating opportunities to connect – stimulating business growth for Somerset

Get in touch to find out how we can help your business grow

Become a member today - membership packages starting from as little as ÂŁ150 per year

somerset-chamber.co.uk T: 01823 444924 E: membership@somerset-chamber.co.uk

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CONTENTS First Word Patron News Chamber News Focus On Members Area Feature #WellConnected The Big Interview Members News

4 5 6-9 10-11 12-17 18-21 22-23 24-25 26-31

Business News Town Chamber News

32-33 34

Disclaimer The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Chamber. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format (including, but not limited to, any online service, any database or any part of the internet), or in any other format in any media whatsoever, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in the magazine, Somerset Chamber do not accept any responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies it contains.

Somerset Chamber of Commerce Equity House Blackbrook Park Avenue Blackbrook Business Park Taunton, Somerset TA1 2PX

Editorial and advertising: E: marketing@somerset-chamber.co.uk T: 01823 444924 Printers: Print Guy, Somerset Design by: Thoroughbred Design & Print, Somerset

18 | FEATURE

HINKLEY - A SOMERSET LEGACY

5 | PATRON NEWS

10 | FOCUS ON

34 | TOWN CHAMBER NEWS

12 | MEMBERS AREA

We are social @chambersomerset

Watch us on YouTube

Find us on LinkedIn

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FIRST WORD We all live in what appears to be an ever-increasing paced life, with technology at the heart of change. If you look at the number of years certain products took to gain 50 million users, it was 62 years for cars, 12 years for mobile phones and Twitter just under 2 years.

This will, no doubt, continue to accelerate.

So, sometimes it is good to get off the treadmill and reflect on what has been achieved. For the Chamber, the last 12 months have seen us re-defines ourselves in terms of our brand, our vision, our objectives, our values, how we communicate, and I thank my growing team for their efforts in helping us to develop to benefit our members and Somerset. Our members now employ over 30,000 staff, compared to 22,000 just over 12 months ago, which includes our growing network of affiliated town chambers.

Get in touch Marketing

Scarlett Scott-Collins Marketing Supervisor

T: 01823 444924 E: scarlett.s.collins@somerset-chamber.co.uk

Membership

Alistair Tudor

Membership Sales Manager T: 01823 444924 | M: 07912 054195 E: alistair.tudor@somerset-chamber.co.uk

Events

Also I remember back in May 2016 there were only a few hundred working at Hinkley Point C. Today the site bears little resemblance, with good progress being made and approaching 2,000 workers on site. Whilst many opportunities have and will be presented to South West businesses, we recognise the impact the project will have on the local and wider economy of Somerset, and as such we will continue to work to mitigate them to create a positive legacy.

Loren Gray

I would encourage all Somerset businesses who have not entered the Somerset Business Awards so far to do so before the deadline of 21st August. I am looking forward to the Awards evening on the 20th October, which promises to be another highlight of the Somerset business calendar.

T: 01823 444924 E: brooke.gilbertson@somerset-chamber.co.uk

Dale Edwards CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Events Manager

T: 01823 444924 | M: 07821 950379 E: loren.gray@somerset-chamber.co.uk

Brooke Gilbertson

Advanced Business & Administration Apprentice

Hinkley Supply Chain

Chris Langdon

Hinkley Supply Chain Project Lead T: 01823 443425 | M: 07771 791736 E: chris.langdon@hinkleysupplychain.co.uk

Sam Evans

OUR PATRONS Contact us to find out what benefits Somerset Chamber Patrons receive.

T: 01823 444924 E: membership@somerset-chamber.co.uk

Hinkley Supply Chain Business Engagement Manager T: 01823 443425 | M: 07525 809274 E: sam.evans@hinkleysupplychain.co.uk

Alan Windsor

Hinkley Supply Chain Data Coordinator T: 01823 443425 E: alan.windsor@hinkleysupplychain.co.uk

General Enquiries T: 01823 444924 E: manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk

PATRON NEWS Somerset Patronage announcement Weston College is an Ofsted outstanding college of further and higher education in Weston-super-Mare, providing education and vocational training to nearly 30,000 learners across the South West and nationally.

The College is regarded as one of the top FE colleges in the UK and won both “College of the Year” and “Overall Further Education Provider of the Year” at the 2015 Times Educational Supplement Further Education Awards.

The College’s higher education provision, University Centre Weston has recently been award a Gold rating following the national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), which places the College in the top 20% of university providers in the UK. In September 2017, the College will be opening a new Law and Professional Services Academy in the historic Winter Gardens in Weston.

Dave Crew, Director of Business Growth, said, “We are delighted to become a Patron of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce as we feel it’s extremely important to be part of the business community across Somerset.

Dale Edwards, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, commented, “I am thrilled to welcome Weston College as the latest Patron to Somerset Chamber of Commerce, which has an excellent reputation.

The College and the Chamber share the same passion for providing the facilities and environment to develop our future talent in order to help create a vibrant Somerset economy, particularly as we currently have a skills and labour shortage in Somerset and the South West. We look forward to working in partnership with the college over many years to come.”

The College is entering an exciting phase as we invest in new skills training provision for law and professional services, health, construction and civil engineering.

Our patronage with Somerset Chamber will offer new partnership opportunities for the College and we look forward to hearing the latest member news, supporting Chamber events and sharing our successes”.

5 A-Plant Wins Hire Company of the Year Award A-Plant was recognised as the Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of the Year (over £10million turnover) at the prestigious Hire Association Europe (HAE), Hire Awards of Excellence.

CEO at A-Plant, Sat Dhaiwal commented, “We are extremely proud to win Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of the Year at the HAE Awards. The HAE does a lot of important work for our industry so to win this award from them is a fantastic honour for A-Plant. What’s more it is great recognition for the hard work our people put in day in and day out, as such this award belongs to them.”

Sat continued, “In the last 12 months we’ve continued with a period of significant growth, our service centre network has grown, we’ve employed more people and we’ve invested record breaking levels in new equipment and services so our customers can hire the youngest, safest and most environmentally efficient equipment available.”

Weston College has strong relationships with employers across the region, providing a highly-skilled workforce for industry and by strengthening our links in Somerset through the Chamber, we will continue to develop partnerships with employers.

Defence Minister Visits Leonardo Helicopters Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin visited Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil 3rd July to hear how Ministry of Defence (MOD) research and industrial partnerships with Leonardo are supporting UK jobs, exports, and rotorcraft capability.

The visit also marked a year of the innovative Strategic Partnering Arrangement between Leonardo Helicopters and the MOD, which lays out shared commitments to cost effectiveness, jobs, and exports, recognising the key role both parties play in building national prosperity through exports, sustaining employment and specialist skills,

and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the supply chain, many of which are in the South West.

During her visit, Mrs Baldwin was briefed on the progress being made on the second phase of a jointly-funded £8 million Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System (RWUAS) concept demonstrator; cross-Government efforts to support the export of the AW159 and AW101 helicopters; and company plans for continuous improvement and to underpin design engineering capabilities that are vital to ensuring the continued safety and airworthiness of the MOD’s Merlin, Wildcat, Apache and Sea King helicopter fleets.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin, with Marcus Fysh, Yeovil MP; Daniele Romiti, Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters; John Ponsonby, UK Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters and members of the team working on the Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System concept demonstrator.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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CHAMBER NEWS

Somerset business leaders gather for annual Chamber dinner Around fifty of the county’s leading business people gathered in Taunton on Thursday 15 June for the annual Business Leaders’ Dinner, organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce.

Held at the Castle Hotel, the event is one of the highlights of the Chamber’s events calendar, attracting many of Somerset’s most successful businesses and biggest employers. It provides an opportunity for the county’s influential business people to network over dinner, as well as getting an update from the Chamber on key business issues.

Chamber Chief Executive, Dale Edwards, reviewed some of the highlights of the past year, including Somerset Chamber’s successful reaccreditation to the British Chambers of Commerce; the influencing work that has been undertaken with key members of the government such as Business Secretary Greg Clark; the ‘green light’ for the Hinkley Point C project; and the launch of a new Business Manifesto for Somerset.

He referenced the new Somerset Chamber logo, which was introduced following a review of the Chamber’s vision and values by the internal team.

He also mentioned the introduction of new Chamber communication channels this year, as well as a number of new additions to the Chamber staff – a team that continues to grow, with plans to recruit another apprentice in the near future.

Following the meal, guest speaker Jeremy Hyams, founder and CEO of Claims Consortium Group, addressed the room, sharing his experience and views following over 25 years in business. Having started out as sole trader in 1991, he has grown the business organically and now has four offices (two in Somerset), over 300 staff and a £45million turnover. Jeremy and his team have won numerous prestigious awards and accreditations, including being listed in The Sunday Times Top 100 Companies To Work

For, recognised as one of the LSE’s 1000 Companies To Inspire Europe, and receiving a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation – the highest official UK award for a British business.

While Jeremy remarked that he had never seen so much uncertainty and volatility across so many different industries as there is today, he does not believe the economic climate is the main risk to business at this time.

Rather, he feels the single biggest threat is understanding the digital revolution and the phenomenon of the modern day customer, saying: “I truly believe that unless we get a grip of the digital revolution and understand what the modern day customer wants, they will destroy businesses and possibly even bring down industries.

“I need to evolve my business fast enough to keep up with the technological advances and all the extra demands from the customer that the digital revolution brings. I need to stop another company coming in and disenfranchising my services, Uberfying me, and making me irrelevant.”

Jeremy outlined his belief that the traditional hierarchy structure for business doesn’t work in this fast-paced

business world.

Instead he has created a bottomup process, so the people dealing with the customers have the tools that enable them to change the systems and procedures within the business.

This not only helps staff to feel valued and empowered, but also means they are consistently evolving as a business. This, he says, is key to creating an agile and dynamic business, able to best serve the needs of the modern customer.

EDF Energy was the sponsor of this year’s Business Leaders’ Dinner. Chris Squires, the company’s Lead Supply Chain Engagement Manager for Hinkley Point C, summarised the work that has been done with Somerset Chamber and other partners over the past seven years to help local businesses get involved in the project.

He said it fills him with an enormous sense of pride when he goes on site and sees so many local businesses involved in the project. However, he said work is only just starting on the heavy civil engineering part of the construction, so there are years of activities ahead where local businesses can still be involved in the project.

Somerset Chamber of Commerce is one of only five accredited Chambers in the South West and 52 in the whole of the UK. It works closely with the British Chambers of Commerce to make sure Somerset businesses stay well connected at both a local and national level, and that the voices of the Somerset business community are heard at all levels of government.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

CHAMBER NEWS

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New manager for Hinkley Supply Chain Team Sam joined the Hinkley Supply Chain Team in January 2014 and has been instrumental in developing the local supply chain database for the Hinkley Point C project, which now comprises more than 3,800 Somerset and South West businesses.

Her promotion will see her taking on a more senior operational role and will include the line management of the existing Hinkley Supply Chain Team, as well as a new apprentice currently being recruited.

Commenting on her promotion, Sam said, “It’s really good to be acknowledged for the hard work and commitment I have put in over the last three years, and to be given the opportunity to grow with the project. I’m particularly looking forward to the work we’re now delivering through the LEP-supported Hinkley Supply Chain Programme, working with SWMAS and Business West, to help local businesses understand, prepare for and win business within the supply chain for Hinkley Point C. This is a huge project, right here on our doorstep, and we want to help as many local businesses as possible take full advantage of it.”

Chris Langdon, the Project Lead for the Hinkley Supply Chain Team, said, “I am delighted to see Sam’s career progress. She has earned the respect of many suppliers and stakeholders with her knowledge of the project and her enthusiasm to ensure effective supplier engagement. She has also built strong relationships with the key people from EDF Energy, Tier 1 contractors and suppliers.”

Somerset Chamber offers members boardroom for free hour hire Somerset Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce we will now be offering use of our boardroom to members free of charge. Located on the Blackbrook Business Park just off Junction 25, the conveniently located Equity House is available to Somerset Chamber members who wish to hold short meetings for up to an hour at a Taunton venue.

The Chamber hope that this will be another tangible benefit to our members of all sizes, and will provide further opportunity to have better engagement with members.

For meetings lasting longer than one hour, the boardroom, which holds 12 people comfortably, remains available to members for half-day hire at £50 + VAT, and full day at £100 + VAT. Non-member rates available on request.

To book a slot, please call the office line on 01823 444924 or email manager@somerset-chamber.co.uk.

All bookings are subject to availability and terms and conditions.

We look forward to seeing you!

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive, Dale Edwards, added, “Sam’s experience and skills have grown considerably over the last 18 months and her promotion to the senior management team of the Chamber is well deserved.

The Chamber is committed to developing its staff for the benefit of its members and commercial strategic partners, and I look forward to growing the team further over the coming years.”

The Somerset Chamber of Commerce manages the Hinkley supply chain portal for the South West and is the first point of contact for Somerset and South West businesses wishing to engage in the construction of the nuclear new build project. For information on registration, work packages and much more, visit www.hinkleysupplychain.co.uk.

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CHAMBER NEWS

The Benefits of Work Experience for Students This summer, Somerset Chamber of Commerce welcomed Amelia Crowther, a bright university student seeking work experience within a local SME. Amelia, 21, spent a week at Equity House in Taunton, meeting and getting to know staff and members, in a bid to gain some knowledge in what the real ‘world of work’ is like, outside the lecture hall. Amelia shadowed all departments throughout her stay, including Chief Executive, Dale Edwards, as he visited members and attended meetings and networking events. At the end of her time at the Chamber, Amelia wrote a short piece about the value of work experience; this is what she had to say.

Having just finished my second year studying Geography at the University of Leeds, with a long summer ahead, organising work experience during this time was top of my list. It is widely known that gaining experience in the professional business world whilst still in education gives valuable insight to what working life is really like. An obvious value of work experience is the opportunity it gives students to build up their CVs and improve on a range existing skills learnt at school and university, such as time management and organisation, in turn making them more employable. During my time at the Chamber I created a LinkedIn profile and connected with everyone who I had met, this is a huge benefit as students can start building up a profile of networks and contacts. It is the perfect chance to be introduced to multiple departments and grasp their different roles within the company, whilst also being given responsibility to perform tasks.

I believe the main benefit to students is the opportunity it gives to discover an engaging field of work which you may not have given previous thought to.

Cele b

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5 yea rs

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CHAMBER NEWS

Celebrity host announced for Somerset Business Awards 2017 National television personality, Alex Lovell, has been confirmed as the celebrity host of this year’s Somerset Business Awards, returning for the second time.

As a familiar face across the nation’s TV screens, Alex will host this year’s Awards evening with an anticipated audience of 400 VIP guests, announcing each of the 14 Award winners. With many years of experience across a wide variety of television programs from ‘BBC Points West’ to ‘The Bill’, Alex brings knowledge, charisma and kudos to the Somerset Business Awards for 2017.

Commenting on her involvement, Alex says, “I’m really delighted to have been asked to host the Somerset Business Awards for another year. The range of businesses in Somerset is incredible. We hear of world renowned family firms that have been running for several generations and the industrial, mechanical and medical innovations that are born here. It’s really important to recognise best practise, innovation and ambition in new and established businesses” Dale Edwards, Chief Executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce – organisers of the Awards – adds, “It is a great honour to welcome Alex back to present for a second year.

The celebratory evening is a time of celebration and success, and we are thrilled that Alex can join us again to commend Somerset’s vibrant business portfolio. The Somerset Business Awards are open for entries and we look forward to another record-breaking year.”

Now in its 13th year, the Somerset Business Awards attract a wide variety of entrants from all sectors within the Somerset business community. This year’s Awards ceremony will be held on Friday 20th October 2017 at Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton – where over 400 guests come together to celebrate the outstanding business in Somerset.

The Awards officially opened for entries on 1st June 2017 and will close on Monday 21st August 2017, at midday. For entry details and to apply online please visit:

www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk.

The Somerset Business Awards is active on Twitter, please follow @SomBizAwards for all the latest news and updates with #SBA2017.

For more information about Alex Lovell, please visit: www.alexlovell.com.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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FOCUS ON: MARKETING & PR

Sponsorship – more than just a logo?

Many organisations are regularly approached to get involved with sponsorship opportunities, so it’s important to make sure that businesses understand how to identify the right partnerships and leverage the best return on investment. The most beneficial sponsorships work best when both parties work together for the success of each other, rather than simply publishing a logo on a website or email signature.

When looking at sponsorship options, it’s critical to remain focused on your target audience and what you are trying to achieve. From brand positioning to targeting new sales environments, increasing social media engagement to highlighting corporate social responsibility, understanding how your business will connect and engage with the audience is critical.

about the number of appearances at events or wearing branded apparel, and whilst it is important to get these elements agreed, the best sponsorships are partnerships – a team who are committed to getting the best from their relationship and have a clear understanding of how they are working together.

Social media channels are increasingly important today as traditional advertising mediums are replaced by peer to peer reviews. Many “fans” or followers are likely to be active across social networks, so delivering targeted

campaigns, creating competitions, and sharing content that is interesting and relevant will mean your business gets a share of online conversations and an opportunity to boost engagement.

As sponsorship agreements are activated, take time to regularly check that the activity taking place meets the objectives originally set out and the agreed key messages are still current and relevant.

For more information about ADPR, please visit: www.adpr.co.uk or call us: 01460 241641

For each and every sponsorship proposal and agreement you receive, it’s important to review these in detail and if it’s something of interest, negotiate hard to secure the elements which matter most to your business. First and foremost, discuss and agree how you will measure success.

Sponsorships are more than transactional agreements (Left) Helly Hansen, (Above) Mark Lloyd and Helly Hansen

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

FOCUS ON: MARKETING & PR

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Marketing in a mobile world The marketing world is running to keep up with the changes in consumer behaviour, with big search engines like Google and Bing fuelling expectations. And just in case you hadn’t heard, Bing has jumped back on the ‘VERY IMPORTANT’ list again as it is now powering Siri and Edge voice searches - predicted to be the next game changer in search engine optimisation work.

Google’s clever algorithms and massive databases are second thinking our every move. Put in a search query into Google and it will predict from your browsing history just what you may want; and they will be localised to you because your phone or tablet has told Google where you are in the world!

So what does this mean for your company?

According to Google Insights Research (March 2017), internet users are now 36% more likely to use a smartphone when they look for availability of an item in a local store, than just a year ago. Add to that,

every second lost in mobile page load can drop your conversion rate by up to 20%. It is not hard to see the potential problem if your website is not fully optimised for speed and user experience. The evidence is all pointing to a heightening of brand expectation; we are becoming intolerant of websites that don’t fulfil our expectations, those that seem not to care about their visitor; it has become personal.

What can you do?

89% of people are likely to recommend a brand after a positive experience on mobile.

Number one rule is to be honest about your website. Is it really as good as it might be? When was the last time you checked your site’s download speed and performance or ventured into your Google and Bing analytics to see where your visitors are coming from, and how? It is all there, the information that will make your site effective is waiting for you. There are even free programs that will test the speed of your site

and record visitor’s movements so you can see if the flow and user experience is right.

The importance of mobile has been made even clearer by Google’s recent announcement. Sometime in 2018, Google will switch to a mobilefirst index. For the first time, Google will determine rankings based on the quality of the mobile version of your site instead of the desktop version. A new Googlebot will crawl your mobile site and determine if its performance, content and user experience are up to scratch. If it fails, other sites will be higher ranked.

Even if you’re not focusing on mobile you will still be judged by your mobile site, so now is the time to take action.

Good marketing is all based around understanding what your customers want, so be brave and view your site with fresh eyes and meet the mobile challenges of today – it will help your bottom line tomorrow.

Understanding the Customer Do you really know who your customers are?

You may not know them personally, but it is an important and often overlooked element of strategic marketing. I ask this question often in my work with clients, not as bluntly as this perhaps, but I always want to be 100% confident that they have really explored and truly understand who their current and potential customers are, and what motivates these customers to engage with a business. After all, how can you really tell if your website, advertising or social media, for example really work to their fullest potential?

Have you ever wondered why an advert doesn’t make sense to you?

The wording used doesn’t make sense and turns you off, and the imagery is not too your taste. If so,

then it is likely that the advertising agency is not communicating with you as you are not their target market. They have done their research getting to understand their client’s customer, as it is vital to their client’s success and saves wasting client’s money on communicating with people or businesses they don’t want to sell to.

By really understanding who your customers are and how to best engage with them and reach them saves time and marketing budget, supporting business growth, but it doesn’t stop there. Transfer this greater understanding by checking your marketing tools (website, branding, social marketing, advertising and so on) communicate effectively to these customers in a language or route that they understand and for comfortable with!

If you engage agencies to deliver

your marketing, this is information to share with them, so you get an effective result.

Marketers use different research to help understand customers, but a team brainstorm asking a number of straight questions about each customer type, is a simple but effective start point (B2B and B2C).

I am known to use the stickman diagram to generate a visual of the customer type in some detail with the team, creating a visual picture, listing interests and motivational details together with marketing tools that fit with this customer type.

Don’t forget to include your customer’s customer too. Your business success may rest on this end customer being kept happy!

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BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE NEWS BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY ECONOMIC REVIEW AUGUST 2017

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The results of the Q2 2017 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) pointed to sluggish growth in the second quarter of 2017. The balance of firms in the service sector reporting increasing domestic sales fell from +22 to +19 (see Chart 2). In the manufacturing sector, Services the balance of firms reporting rising domestic sales held steady at Manufacturing +20. The latest balances show a continued pick-up in export activity Services for both service sector firms and manufacturers. The survey also Manufacturing recorded steady business confidence in the second quarter, but that Source: BCC QES, Q2 2017 Services rising cost pressures remain a key concern.

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2008 Q2 Quarterly GDP Growth % Q4 GDP Growth % Quarterly 2008

Monthly headlines: • UK GDP growth up slightly in Q2, boosted by stronger service sector output Chart 1: UK Real GDP Growth 4 • Inflation slows in June, while the UK jobs market goes 1.5from strength to strength Chart 1: UK Real GDP Growth 1.0 • IMF downgrades its UK growth forecast as latest BCC QES points to subdued economic activity 2 1.5 4

Source: ONS Retail Sales, June 2017

Production Services Construction Agriculture UK retail sales rose by 0.6% in June 2017 as the warmer weather Source: ONS Preliminary GDP estimate, 2017 helped boost sales of summer clothing. In annual terms salesQ2were up by 2.9%. On a quarterly basis, retail sales increased by 1.5% in Q2 2017, compared to a drop of 1.4% in the previous quarter (see Chart 4). Average store price growth in annual terms slowed to 2.7% in June, from 3.2% in the previous month. Despite the recent improvement, trading conditions in the retail sector are expected to become more challenging in the coming months as rising inflation dampens consumer spending.

Chart 5: UK Full Time and Part Time Employment

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Source: ONS Retail Sales, June 2017

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Source: ONS Retail Sales, June 2017

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250 BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE NEWS Source: ONS Retail Sales, June 2017 Chart 5: UK Full Time and Part Time Employment

200

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Source: ONS labour market data, July 2017

Full me Part meJuly 2017 Source: ONS labour market data,

-150 Source: ONS labour market data, July 2017

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UK CPI inflation stood at 2.6% in June 2017, down from the 2.9% rise recorded in the previous month, but is still above the Bank of England’s 2% inflation target (see Chart 6). Falling fuel prices were the main driver behind the fall in the inflation rate last month.

Fuel prices dropped by 1.1% in June 2017, the fourth successive monthly decline. While inflation is likely to resume its upward trend in the coming months, there is some evidence that inflationary pressures in the supply chain are starting to ease. If this trend BoE Inflation Target continues inflation is likely to peak sooner rather than later.

3

Jun-01Jun-07

0

4

Chart 6: CPI inflation

BoE Inflation Target Source: ONS Consumer Price Inflation data, June 2017

BoE Inflation Target

Jun-17

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CPI Inflation

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Jun-11

Jun-10

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Jun-07

Jun-06

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Jun-03

Jun-02

Jun-01

Source: ONS Consumer Price Inflation data, June 2017 -1

Chart 7: Public Sector Debt as a % of GDP Chart 7: Public 100 Sector Debt as a % of GDP

ONS Consumer Price Inflation data, June 2017 …it still weakens the UK public Source: finances…

100

90 80 100

80

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%

50 40 30 20

40 30

Chart 8: UK Exports vs Imports

6.0

60

60

Jun-97 Apr-98 Feb-99 Dec-99 Oct-00 Aug-01 Jun-02 Apr-03 Feb-04 Dec-04Jun-97 Oct-05Apr-98 Aug-06 Feb-99 Jun-07 Dec-99 Apr-08Oct-00 Feb-09 Aug-01 Dec-09Jun-02 Oct-10Apr-03 Aug-11 Feb-04 Jun-12 Dec-04 Apr-13Oct-05 Feb-14 Aug-06 Dec-14Jun-07 Oct-15Apr-08 Aug-16 Feb-09 Jun-17 Dec-09

20

70

Chart 7: Public Sector Debt as a % of GDP

70

%

90

%

Public-sector borrowing (excluding public-sector banks) showed a 90 deficit of £6.9 billion in June, £2 billion higher than in June 2016. The 80 increase was due to recent rises in inflation pushing up the cost of index-linked bonds for the government. Between April and June 70 2017, public sector net borrowing was £1.9 billion higher than in the 60 same period in the previous financial year. Public sector net debt 50 stood at 87.4% of GDP in June 2017, almost three times pre-crisis levels (see chart 7). With the slowing UK economy likely to weaken 40 tax revenues, deficit reduction is expected to prove the increasingly 30 difficult over the near term.

Oct-10 Aug-11 Jun-12 Apr-13 Feb-14 Dec-14 Oct-15 Aug-16 Jun-17

5

3

Annual inflation rate %

6

4

…while inflation slows…

4

Source: ONS Public finances data, June 2017 Jun-97 Apr-98 Feb-99 Dec-99 Oct-00 Aug-01 Jun-02 Apr-03 Feb-04 Dec-04 Oct-05 Aug-06 Jun-07 Apr-08 Feb-09 Dec-09 Oct-10 Aug-11 Jun-12 Apr-13 Feb-14 Dec-14 Oct-15 Aug-16 Jun-17

20 Source: ONS Public finances data, June 2017

3 months %

5.0

...as UK’s trade deficit widens further...

4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 May-17

Apr-17

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-1.0

Exports Sources: ONS UK trade data, May 2017

Apr-17

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Part me

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Jul-16Oct-14

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Chart 6: CPI inflation

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-1

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Chart 6: CPI inflation

6

Chart 5: UK Full Time and Part Time Employment

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000's

100 In the three months to May 2017, UK employment rose by 175,000, mainly driven by a 133,000 rise in the number of full time workers 50 (see Chart 5). UK unemployment dropped by 64,000 over the 0 same period. These figures suggest the UK’s jobs market is edging -50 to closer to full capacity. UK labour market conditions may start moderate over the coming months as uncertainty over the-100 impact of Brexit and the burden of upfront business costs takes its-150 toll on jobs growth. However, the UK jobs market is likely to remain a source of strength for the UK economy.

000's

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…UK labour market remains resilient...

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Apr-12

-2.5

6

13

Chart 5: UK Full Time and Part Time Employment

-2

Oct-14Jan-13

-2.5

The UK trade deficit in goods and services was £3.1 billion in May Source: ONS Public finances data, June 2017 2017, a widening of £1 billion from April. In the three months to the end of May, the deficit widened to £8.9 billion, from £6.9 billion.

The widening in the deficit was driven by a 1.0% rise in imports, which was only partly offset by a 0.5% increase in exports over the same period (see Chart 8). There remains little evidence that the drop in the value of sterling since the EU referendum is providing a net boost to UK exporters. That said, with economic conditions in key trading markets improving, we forecast that UK exports will grow by 3.1% this year, up from 1.8% in 2016.

Bottom line: Overall, the latest data suggest that UK economic conditions are becoming more challenging. It is therefore vital that as well as reaching a comprehensive agreement with the EU, longstanding domestic issues, including the multitude of upfront business costs that continue to undermine the UK’s long-term growth prospects, are addressed.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

14

MEMBERS AREA

MEMBERS AREA: UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday

Annual Charity Golf Day

16

August

We are delighted to welcome golfers of all levels to our 11th Annual golf day, this year in aid of chamber members reminiscence learning. The day comprises of a relaxed golfing tournament followed by a two course dinner, auction and raffle with the aim of raising much needed funds for the chosen charity.

Time: 10.00 – 20.00 Venue: Taunton Pickeridge Golf Course Cost: £60 per golfer £240 per team of four

(breakfast and dinner included)

Tuesday

Annual Bank of England Breakfast

5

September

Join us for our Annual breakfast with the Bank of England, joined by Geoff Harding Deputy agent for the South West who will provide a summary of the bank’s views on the prospects for the British economy over the next two to three years.

Time: 07.30 – 9.30 Venue: Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton Cost: £20.00 (members) £40.00 (non-members) Sponsored by

In association with

Sponsored by

In aid of

Thursday

Somerset Young Professionals

Ladies Afternoon Tea & Networking

September

The Somerset Chamber ladies’ events provide the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded business women in a relaxed setting.

Join us for an afternoon of tea, cake and networking at the Castle hotel.

6

In your 20s and 30s and want to expand your network? Why not attend our next Somerset Young Professionals event with Guest Speaker Joolz Lewis of Enlightened Business who will be discussing professional development in the workplace.

Time: 18.30 – 21.00 Venue: Westlands Leisure Centre, Yeovil Cost: £20.00 (members) £40.00 (non-members)

Sponsored by

14

Wednesday

September

Time: 14.00 – 16.30 Venue: The Castle Hotel, Taunton Cost: £20.00 (members) £40.00 (non-members)

In association with

MEMBERS AREA

15

*All costs include VAT unless otherwise stated

Tuesday

Hinkley Point C Site Tours

19

September

The Somerset Chamber have partnered up with EDF Energy to deliver a number of free site tours of Hinkley Point C whilst under construction. If you are interested in seeing how the build is progressing or to understand more about the infrastructure involved in the build, book now. Spaces are very limited and on a first-come first served basis.

Time: 09.30 – 12.00 Venue: Hinkley Point Power Station, Bridgwater Cost: FREE (members only)

Friday

Meet the Expert: Financial Planning

6

October

In need of comprehensive financial planning advice? We have teamed up with Blackdown Financial planning for our next Meet the Expert event.

Book your free 1-2-1 appointment for sound advice on an array of topics including investment management, tax planning, retirement planning and more.

Time: 09.00 – 13.00 Venue: Somerset Chamber Offices, Taunton Cost: FREE (members only)

In association with In association with

Friday

Tuesday

Business to Business Dinner, Ilminster

10

October

Our next Business to Business Dinner takes place in Ilminster. Join us for a three-course dinner in a friendly and relaxed setting with multiple opportunities to network throughout the evening.

Time: 19.00 – 22.30 Venue: The Monks Yard, Ilminster Cost: £30.00 (members) £60.00 (non-members)

Sponsored by

Somerset Business Awards

20

October

The Somerset Business Awards is an annual awards ceremony recognising the best of business across the county. With around 400 guests, this is the Chamber’s largest and most prestigious event of the year. Priority tickets are issued to finalists and sponsors but additional tickets can be purchased subject to availability.

Time: 18.00 – 23.30 Venue: Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Taunton Cost: £65.00 (one place) £650.00 (table of 10)

Main Sponsors

In association with

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

16

MEMBERS AREA

New Members Welcome to our newest members of the Somerset Chamber.

Queenswood Natural Foods Food & Drink Ms Lisa Jones T: 01278 726613 E: lisa.jones@queenswoodfoods.co.uk Sancom Services Property Services Mr John Compton M: 07824 506091 E: john.compton@sancomservices.com Bidfood Food & Drink Mr Richard Carswell T: 01752 897535 www.bidfood.co.uk E: RichardCarswell@bidfood.co.uk bmi regional Hotel and Tourism Mr David Bond M: 07980 704488 www.flybmi.com E: david.bond@bmiregional.com Hinkley Point Training Agency Skills and Training Mr Neil England M: 07732 712446 hinkleytraining.co.uk E: neil.england@hinkleytraining.co.uk Glastonbury Chamber of Comm.

Chambers Mr Chris Marshall T: 01458 835678 glastonburychamber.co.uk E: office@glastonburychamber.co.uk WSP Group Ltd Construction Mrs Hannah Goodenough M: 07958 488533 E: hannah.goodenough@wspgroup.com Somerset Sight Charity Miss Holly Sutton T: 01823 333818 www.somersetsight.org.uk E: holly.sutton@somersetsight.org.uk Devon & Somerset Law Society Law Mr Tony Steiner T: 01392 366444 www.dasls.com E: tony@dasls.com

Haynes International Motor Museum Leisure and Tourism Miss Wendy Birch T: 01963 442783 www.haynesmotormuseum.com E: wendy.birch@himm.co.uk

Prioryfield House Office Services Mrs Louise Walker T: 01823 323363 www.prioryfield-house.co.uk E: rurallivingshow@gmail.co.uk

CBS Precast Manufacturing Manufacture Ms Chris Jarrett T: 01275 874508 cbsprecastconcrete.co.uk E: chris@cbsprecast.com

Superduper PR Co Marketing / PR Miss Caroline Balmforth T: 0800 083 3093 www.superduperpr.co E: caroline@superduperpr.co

Learn Direct Skills and Training Mr Peter Best M: 07733 315017 www.learndirect.com E: Peter.Best@learndirect.com

Dispute Resolution Service Business Consultancy Mr Peter d’Ambrumenil T: 01278 723016 E: airdoc@btconnect.com

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Charity Mr Bill Sivewright T: 01823 669604 www.dsairambulance.org.uk E: bill.sivewright@dsairambulance.org.uk Lanes Hotel Hotel and Tourism Mr Tim Turner T: 01935 862555 www.laneshotel.net E: tim.turner@laneshotel.net Juice Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Miss Jenny Gray T: 01225 447870 www.juicerecruitment.com E: jennyg@juicerecruitment.com Cohesion Consultants Business Consultancy Mr Daniel Abbott T: 0333 0124602 www.cohesionconsultants.co.uk E: daniel@cohesionconsultants.co.uk

Journey4 Business Consultancy Mr Stuart Pearce M: 07917 532001 www.journey4.co.uk E: stuart.pearce@journey-group.com Level Up (South West) Ltd Business Consultancy Mr Graeme Crosbie T: 01458 253 366 www.levelupsouthwest.co.uk E: graeme.crosbie@levelupsouthwest.co.uk Howards Group Transport Mr Simon Jones T: 01823 273420 www.howardsgroup.co.uk E: Simon.Jones@howardsgroup.co.uk 3 Generations Ltd Leisure and Tourism Mr Nick Ridgment M: 07889 011644 E: info@windmillretreat.co.uk

Vibe Telecom ICT Mr Richard Fella T: 01278 420956 www.vibetelecom.co.uk E: richard@vibetelecom.co.uk

For more information on Somerset Chamber membership and what we can do for your business, please contact Alistair Tudor, Membership Sales Manager on 01823 444924 or email alistair.tudor@somerset-chamber.co.uk

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

17

Latest Member to Member Offers

Member Profile

As a member of Somerset Chamber, all member business employees are able to take advantage of our great range of member to member offers.

To post your own offer or to view all our member to member offers, visit

www.somersetchamber.co.uk/membership

10% DISCOUNT

30% DISCOUNT

A H Warren Trust Group

Ashtree Resourcing Ltd

Chamber members will receive a 10% discount at the Lower Coombe Garage.

Ashtree Resourcing is offering a 30% discount on the first assignment.

Call 01460 279594

Call 01278 741096

10%

10%

DISCOUNT

DISCOUNT

Channel Group

Harriet Brine

10% reduction on all Channel Adventure and Channel Training products, and more.

10% discount on all products and services for Somerset Chamber members.

Call 0845 0833000

Call 07468 515858

10%

FREE

DISCOUNT

WASTE AUDIT

TelePA

Viridor

10% discount on management fees for 12 months for all Somerset Chamber members.

Somerset Chamber members receive a free waste audit from Viridor

Call 01749 685600

Call 0345 300307

Name: Wendy Birch Company: Haynes International Motor Museum Job Title: Conference & Hospitality Manager Tell us about your business The Museum boasts one of the top conference and hospitality venues in the South West. The flexible, purpose built air conditioned rooms can accommodate as little as 10 guests, up to a maximum of 200 banquet and 300 theatre style. Add to this the unique opportunity of hiring exhibition space within the Museum as well as the landscaped external areas and you can begin to understand the versatility of our truly exceptional facilities.

What makes you special?

The experience, professionalism and friendliness of the team make us special.

Our people just make things happen. The team inspire, they go the extra mile and we continually strive to be the best that we can be. Rare I know, but it’s true.

Tell us something that our members won’t know Yes, we have state of the art conference and hospitality facilities, but we are also a motor museum. You can get married amongst the cars! We have two licenced areas for civil ceremonies, one in the American Dreams Exhibition and the other outside in the terraced area at the front of the museum.

And, did you know that all catering is provided in-house? Local produce, freshly cooked, with menus to suit all type of functions and budgets; from canapés to wedding breakfasts and gala dinners, our chef Dave and his team pride themselves on delivering simply stunning food.

What is the driving force behind your business?

We share a really positive culture and we are encouraged to take real ownership of our job roles. Whether we work in Venue Hire, the Workshop and Restoration Centre, Reception and Museum Shop, Café 750, the Collections Department, as part of the Support Services team or as a Volunteer, we are incredibly well supported by the Senior Executive Team and empowered to go the extra mile.

18

FEATURE

Hinkley Point C: Building a Somerset Legacy Inspiring Somerset EDF Energy’s Nuclear New Build ‘Inspire’ Education Programme is preparing young people in Somerset for the opportunities that will arrive with the construction and operation of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C (HPC) in Somerset. The HPC Project will require skilled workers with a good foundation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The programme began in the autumn term of 2011 and aims to inspire young people to continue to study STEM subjects - building a sustainable legacy for the future through a pipeline from education to skills and into future long-term employment.

This infographic demonstrates some great facts for the programme on its activities between August 2016 and February 2017.

9,361 pupils engaged*

115

education institutions engaged*

410

education professional engaged*

*Figures captured between September 2016 and February 2017

Challenge for Women The HPC Inspire programme recently teamed up with Bridgwater and Taunton College to deliver the latest Challenge for Women Programme, which aims to inspire girls in Bridgwater and the surrounding area into STEM related careers. The programme is designed to allow female students to learn about construction and engineering industries, aiming to encouraging women into these careers.

This year saw a group of female students return to the college for their 3rd year to ‘Build a Bungalow’. Their visit was also only days away from International Women’s Day and they gave their time to tell us what they were going to do this year to be #boldforchange.

“I feel it is so important to stand up for inequality, not just in construction but also in general, we need to celebrate men and women.” Rhianna Tester

FEATURE

A B G

F

C

Construction Update H

A: Installation of Temporary Jetty The construction of the temporary jetty is progressing well with the installation of 4 piles and cross-heads to date.

B: Permanent Aggregate Store The permanent aggregate store has been completed. This is where the materials used to produce concrete on site will be stored once delivered by the jetty.

C: Spray Concrete Batching Plant To the west of the site a smaller, specialist concrete batching plant produces spray concrete. This will be used to aid ground stability, particularly the sides of the excavations.

E D

D: Southern Landscaping Area Southern landscaping is well underway. Planting in the eastern corner will commence in this year’s planting season.

E: On-site Accommodation Campus The platform for the on-site accommodation campus has been completed. The team has now mobilised to site to begin construction of the modular buildings.

F: Construction of the East Office The East office is now being constructed on site to provide further office space for operation teams on site. It will have 700 desk spaces and a large canteen.

G: Main Excavation Works This area is where main excavation works are taking place and where the reactor buildings will stand once construction is complete.

H: Green Lane Green Lane is an ecologically protected area of the site. This will be preserved throughout the construction and operation of HPC.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

19

20

FEATURE

Somerset Infrastructure Alliance

As part of Hinkley Point C’s drive to support local businesses bidding for contracts, a number of joint ventures have been formed. One, led by Skanska with two local businesses partners, R K Bell Group Ltd and Forest Traffic Management Limited, are the Somerset Infrastructure Alliance.

In addition to the main site itself the Hinkley Point C Project includes a number of associated developments, which are key to the project’s success.

With specialist skills the Somerset Infrastructure Alliance will operate on many of these off site developments as well as future opportunities on-site throughout the life time of the project.

Read below about R K Bell Group, one of the local providers involved with the Somerset Infrastructure Alliance.

CASE STUDY – RK Bell Group R K Bell Group (Bell Group) is a family-run Bridgwater based construction business. Delivering specialist Infrastructure, civil engineering, surfacing, plant hire and waste facilities throughout the south west and south Wales, their skills are an integral part of the Hinkley Point C team.

Currently Bell Group is working on the Bridgwater road improvement project at Wylds Road and The Drove, as well as providing supporting roles on other off site projects. Focus for the alliance will continually evolve over the life of the project.

At Hinkley Point C upskilling the local workforces is a priority at every stage, for both EDF Energy and its contract partners alike: “It is a real pleasure to be involved in a project which will enable us to upskill our employees. The knowledge gained through the process to the business is, and has been, invaluable.” Nick Bell, Managing Director of R K Bell Group Ltd. Extending our overall focus on education, skills and training, and apprenticeship schemes are a perfect way for people of a range of all ages and backgrounds to retrain and build their future careers.

“As a business we have adopted apprenticeship schemes and taken on a significant number of employees. Should you wish to get involved, please do get in contact with our HR and Training manager Jo Smith- jo.smith@rkbell.com.” Nick Bell, Managing Director of R K Bell Group Ltd.

For more information about R K Bell Group Ltd or the services it provides, visit the website at www.rkbell.com.

FEATURE

21

“It was a fantastic day when we learned we were successful” According to the Chinese proverb, “a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”.

That sentiment seems appropriate to describe the moment the very first piece of earth was removed at Hinkley Point C – the first action marking a construction process that will take close to 10 years to complete at a cost of almost £18 billion.

“I’m very proud to say it was one of our excavators that dug that very first trench at the site some six years ago,” says Geoff Wyatt, project manager for Tier 2 Contractor Plantforce. “We’ve come a long way since those early days, although there’s still an incredibly long road to go.”

Plantforce was formed in 1999 and was originally based in Yatton, North Somerset, although the firm has now relocated its main headquarters into Weston-super-Mare.

company history, spending millions on almost 200 new vehicles for its fleet, much of that dedicated to Hinkley Point C. “This is a serious outlay and investment for Plantforce,” says Geoff. “But given Hinkley is now such a significant part of our total turnover it’s entirely justified and a sign of strength both of our standing in the plant hire market and towards the Hinkley Point C project.

As well as the clear direct commercial benefits of working on Hinkley, the stringent rules around health and safety have also made Plantforce, which employs about 80 people on the site, reassess the entire way it looks at operations.

“Whilst we have of course always had a focus on health and safety, working at Hinkley Point C has taken us to a whole new level,” explains Geoff.

In addition the company, which supplies everything from self-drive mini diggers all the way up to 52-tonne excavators and everything in between, has depots in Exeter and, more recently, Bridgwater at Junction 23 of the M5, just 30 minutes from HPC. “Hinkley is easily the largest construction project the South West has ever seen and, as a local company, as soon as it was confirmed as going ahead we just knew it was something we had to be involved with,” says Geoff.

“It was a fantastic day when we learned we were successful, and from that very first day we’ve now been on site for six years.”

As well as registering on the Hinkley Supply Chain website, Plantforce’s team also embedded itself into the business community in and around the site, attending seminars and networking events held by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and forging relationships with other contractors.

“Business isn’t just about numbers and figures,” continues Geoff, “it’s about meeting actual people and building trust between you and them, and we did everything we possibly could to raise our profile.”

An example of that trust is illustrated by Plantforce making the biggest purchase of new equipment in its

“Plantforce has six years’ on-site experience in the nuclear industry, with a dedicated on-site health and safety officer.

“Beyond Hinkley Point C we have embedded the health and safety lessons learned at the site into our entire company, which makes us a stronger proposition when responding to other construction invitations to tender.”

Sticking with the theme of business development, Geoff says the mere fact Plantforce is connected to the Hinkley Point C project is a huge growth-driver, adding: “Hinkley Point C is the biggest construction project in Europe, and Plantforce is proud to supply kit to the very prestigious development and it’s a great addition to our portfolio.”

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

22

#WELL CONNECTED Business to Business Yeovil

Business Leaders Dinner

p Garry Ford, Latcham Direct Limited; Julie Grant, Blueloop Ltd

p Dale Edwards, Somerset Chamber; Chris Squires, EDF; Jeremy Hyams, Claims Consortium Group; Jamie Driver, EDF Energy; Greg Saunders, Clarke Willmott

p Maria O’Sullivan, ADS Distribution Ltd; Penny Smillie, SS&L

p Business Leaders Jon Beake Wessex, RFCA; Chris Maddox, Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd

p David Woan, Yeovil Chamber; Will Tozer, ITEC; Nick Parsons, ITEC; Dale Edwards, Somerset Chamber

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

#WELL CONNECTED

Summer BBQ

23

TWEETS

@chambersomerset

Big thanks 2Somerset Chamber 4hosting a wonderful summer BBQ last night @KarenMorledgePR @dale_scoc @scarlett_scoc @alistair_scoc #burgers @ActionCoachSW

We had a great time at the #B2B dinner in #Yeovil this week. Well organised and we met a lot of new contacts, thanks everyone for coming! @ItecUK

The Annual Somerset Chamber Business Leaders Dinner went down a storm last night. Thanks to @jeremy_hyams for speaking and all who attended. @chambersomerset p Lucy Partridge, Barclays; Loren Gray, Somerset Chamber; Rachael Brannagan, Wessex RFCA; Wendy Birch, Haynes Motor Museum

A great #networking event organised by #Somerset Chamber @events_ scoc. @Costgard pleased to be there.

Great photo @alistair_scoc @costgarduk

@dale_scoc @alistair_scoc – thanks for a great evening.

Exciting times ahead. @davewoan

24

THE BIG INTERVIEW An Interview with…

Jackie Eades is CEO of Briers Ltd and Pignut.

Jackie Eades is CEO of Briers Ltd, which she founded with her husband in 1999. Located in Wincanton, Briers has grown to become an award-winning and internationally successful designer, distributer and manufacturer specialising in gardening gloves, outdoor footwear and garden giftware. Jackie is also a co-founder of the countryside-inspired interiors and fashion brand Pignut, which launched earlier this year.

Jackie was born and grew up in Salisbury before moving to Dorset in 2000, and then Somerset in 2008. She is mother to two boys aged 21 and 14, and enjoys spending any spare time she has at home with her family.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

My generation wasn’t particularly aspirational – you tended to think that you’d be a nurse or a hairdresser or a secretary. We weren’t really encouraged to have big aspirations. When I was at school I thought my best career option was to marry Donny Osmond! I mean, what could go wrong with that plan?

What was your first job?

When I first left school I went to work for a bank and then an insurance company. Then an opportunity arose for me to go and work for The Body Shop when it opened in Salisbury so I worked there for a while as an assistant manager before ending up managing the store. At one point it was the seventh most successful Body Shop branch in the UK. It was when I started working for The Body Shop that I really found something I loved doing.

Anita Roddick was an amazing inspiration – the fact that she was confident enough to do business her own way and didn’t conform to what men around her expected her to do. She was very purposeful with how she wanted her business to be run, and also very encouraging to anybody working for her who wanted to progress in their careers. She was very supportive and you started to believe in what you could actually do.

What inspired/prompted you to create Briers Ltd? When I had my first child, I found that retail and motherhood didn’t combine terribly well. That’s when I had another significant opportunity, when a friend of mine who was a bookkeeper had a job she was giving up, so I went and got the job and did a crash course in being a bookkeeper. That was an amazing point in my life because I’d always had quite a financial brain but having the opportunity to really get into management accounts and get involved in a production facility where I could make luggage and accessories was an amazing step. But I reached a point where although I was doing a lot for the company, I was still very much on the same level as the other women in the business who were working as PAs. My husband came back from China with some gardening gloves and asked whether I thought we could do something with them and I thought, why not?

What could go wrong? So again, just another opportunity and I went for it. Business is all about seizing opportunities.

There’s no such thing as luck – you make your own luck.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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To what do you attribute the success of the company?

I’m very driven. You don’t get anywhere without that drive because there are times when you just seem to have problem after problem and rejection after rejection, and you need to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and get on with it. You can’t give in to circumstances and it’s that ability to keep yourself motivated and carry on through adversity that separates out the people that succeed.

In some ways it’s difficult and in others it’s easier to work with your husband. You both get it and you both support each other, but there’s no getting away from the company. It’s not as simple as shutting the office door and going home. Work comes home with us both.

What has been the most important lesson learned in setting up your own business?

You have to take opportunities in life and don’t be frightened to push yourself or to try something new.

What was your vision at the outset?

At the time I wanted to grow a global brand but I was juggling that with motherhood. When the kids were small, our main aim was to work for ourselves and have a business that would sustain that. To achieve those things you have to be focused on positivity, cash flow and brand building, so by doing things correctly you end up growing the brand anyway.

What do you believe makes your company unique?

It’s having our own identity with how our products look, keeping the brand identity unique and crisp.

That’s actually a big investment programme for us at the moment – we are very much focused on remaining true to how we should look and feel.

It’s also down to the people in the company. We take care to maintain a really talented team, and they naturally bring enthusiasm and quality to everything they do.

It’s really important for me to maintain the level of passion throughout the company as well, because people buy into that. It’s a passionate culture we have managed to build, without a doubt.

How do you go about maintaining your company culture?

Particularly at management level, everybody needs to reflect the same values. The trouble is, life happens – you can have the right team but anyone can get hit by a bad set of personal circumstances so you can never be complacent. You must always be aware of what is happening with the team, ensuring that they feel supported, and you always have to be aware of where the next weak spot is likely to be.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

You don’t have a company without a good cash flow!

Do you have any hidden talents/hobbies?

I don’t really have time for that, to be honest! I have a couple of cats that I absolutely adore. I’m very traditional, I love cooking and being with my family. It sounds boring really but I’ve always believed you have to work hard at your hobbies and passions in order to be successful.

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MEMBER NEWS

Air-Seal Products providing a solution for the Royal Mail Group Local company Air-Seal Products Ltd is the UK’s premier tyre sealant supplier who became the sole supplier to the Royal Mail in October 2010. Initially a three-year deal which extended in 2015 and have now been awarded continuous sole supplier status since their recent privatisation.

The company supply its heavy-duty tyre sealant to the Royal Mail which has one of the largest van and truck fleets in the UK. After an initial roll-out period they now treat over 48,000 Royal Mail Group delivery vans and have made savings of over 30% on their tyre cost since using the tyre sealants and also state that roadside tyre related breakdowns have been reduced by over 70%.

Managing Director Alex Burnand says “Air-Seal Products play a major part in the Royal Mail Group tyre management and that has been well proven over the past seven years.

Supporting their needs and saving them money by reducing their tyre related downtime, and through preventing punctures and tyre pressure loss, increased fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. There is no doubt a correctly maintained tyre is made safer with our quality tyre sealant installed.

“We are delighted that the deal is continuing into the foreseeable future and we are excited to see where the partnership takes us moving forward.”

Air-Seal Products is based in Wellington and provides a unique range of eco friendly tyre sealants that are able to treat machinery and vehicles for both on and off road environments. The company has been established for over seventeen years and exports to over to thirty different countries worldwide.

32 Local Businesses Raise £1,000 for Hangers Heroes at Beach Volleyball Extravaganza More than 200 local business people dressed in feathers, masks and glitter descended on Weymouth’s sands on Thursday 27th July to battle it out in a beach volleyball contest like no other.

The annual event, which is organised by Battens Solicitors and is now in its 10th year, saw 32 teams of six players from local businesses embrace a carnival theme and take to the court to help raise £1,000 for charity.

After a fun-filled evening of back-to-back matches, New Look emerged triumphant, just pipping fellow finalists, BPL Solicitors to the post.

Matt Board, of New Look said: “New Look have supported the Battens event and its good causes since it started. We’re proud to have finally won, especially in the 10th anniversary year. Both teams had a great night and as always there was a great atmosphere off the court too mixing with all the local business teams”.

Lou Bird, Marketing Manager at Battens Solicitors said: “Today’s certainly been one to remember. We wanted to mark the tenth anniversary of Battens’ Volleyball Tournament by doing things a little differently, so we asked teams to nominate charities close to their hearts, and drew the winning charity’s name on the day. It worked really well. The atmosphere’s been electric, and I’m thrilled to say that now, since this tournament began in 2008, it’s raised £10,000 for

local causes – a phenomenal achievement anyone who has ever taken part can be proud of.”

Battens Solicitors, which also has its own charitable foundation, is an ardent supporter of community events.

Funds raised from this year’s tournament will be donated to Hangers Heroes which raises money for local charities through their Heroes Challenge Walk/Run, being their main event, with other fundraising events organised whenever possible.

Businesses that took part in the Battens Volleyball Tournament 2017, included Active Fitness Club, Agincare, Albert Goodman, ASM,BPL Solicitors, Carpets Select, Conceptai, Dorset County Council, Dorset Echo, FGP Systems, Freeman Baker, GJ Owens Electrical Contractors, Goadsby, Nantes, New Look, Old Mill, Parkers Estate Agents, Redlands Community Sports Hub, Royal Air Force, Spirare, Symonds & Sampson, The Pet Experience, Weymouth Civil Service Sports Council, Weymouth Family Church, Weymouth Lifeboat and Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MEMBER NEWS

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Green light for Coal Orchard plans PLANS to regenerate one of Taunton’s prime riverside quarters have been given outline approval by Taunton Deane Borough Council’s planning committee.

Members agreed to implement the outline proposals developed with the Council’s consultation partner, the Mace Group, at a meeting in Deane House last night.

The development respects the special character of Coal Orchard with its wealth of niche, independent shops, and will bring new vitality to the area putting the River Tone at the heart of Taunton.

The outline proposals include a mixed development of housing, workspace, restaurants and retail. Better access to the river is also planned along with careful consideration of flood defences.

St James Street Pool will be demolished but key features will be retained in the development – for example the historic foundation stone.

The area around the Brewhouse will also be protected for potential expansion of the theatre as unveiled last week.

If the ambitious proposals receive backing the revitalised theatre would feature an enlarged auditorium and a range of spaces such as studios, cinema and gallery, while making the most of the river frontage and creating the potential for pop-up performances, markets and events.

Cllr Mark Edwards, Executive Councillor for Business Development said: “I am delighted that these plans for the Coal Orchard have been approved bringing us a step closer to the creation of a fantastic riverside space for Taunton.

They are the result of careful consideration of a number of unique aspects, and points taken into account through a comprehensive consultation process.”

Cllr Roger Habgood, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transportation, said: “These approved outline plans for Coal Orchard clearly reflect our Garden Town status striking a balance between retaining our character and wonderful environment, and our growth aspirations that will make Taunton more prosperous in the future.”

Further discussions will take place with interested parties as part of the work in drawing up detailed plans that will come back to planning committee as reserved matters in due course.

The proposals for Coal Orchard are a vital link in the chain of a wider ‘Rethink’ of Taunton Town Centre which includes the regeneration of Firepool with a unifying theme that puts the River at the heart of the Town.

Find out more at: www.taunton.uk.com/ regeneration/tauntonrethink.htm

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MEMBER NEWS

School in a Bag’s Home Farm Fest Home Farm Fest, the charity music festival we hold at our School in a Bag HQ in Chilthorne Domer, Somerset and the biggest annual fundraiser for the charity, has once again smashed its previous year’s fundraising total coming in at just over £72,700 – even if the windy conditions tried its hardest to scupper the music!

Last year’s festival raised £60,000 so the upward trend of raising more each year for School in a Bag continues – and it has now raised a total of over £325,000 in its 12 year history.

This year again a few changes were made to the layout of the festival site, even introducing a sixth main stage, the Anderson Dance Tent, as well as a smaller Busk Stop on the new Village Green area. There was also the introduction of e-ticketing, and one of the most sort after items, the plastic Collector’s Cup – a pint-sized special edition Home Farm Fest 12 cup which allowed for refilling, which had sold out by Saturday lunchtime! These alongside the e-tickets, helped reduce the amount of paper and waste used during the festival.

Once again there was an international football match, England v Scotland World Cup Qualifier, which was shown to an enthusiastic crowd shown on the big screen, the ever-popular Silent Disco was back with the introduction of a children’s one as well which went down very well, and thanks to Steve at Yeovil Press, there was even the first edition of Home Farm Fest Press – a brilliant round-up of what was on including interviews with some of the bands!

With the changes from last year and the growth in popularity of Home Farm Fest, numbers were also higher over the weekend, including the most ever amount of caravans, camper vans and tents! Not only that, but with the seven stages in total, there were 139 different acts on over the weekend – 43 more than last year and a 45% increase on the amount of music and other acts on offer!

Luke Simon, Founder & CEO of School in a Bag and Home Farm Fest organiser, said: “Once again we are bowled over by the festival’s success and how much it has raised!

We watched as the ticket orders came in, and surpassed last year’s by a considerable amount. In my role as one of the Poo Patrol team, although it may not seem a glamorous job, it does mean I get to see the whole site regularly, and also chat to festival

goers, traders and volunteers alike and the feedback we get each year is just brilliant – I still find it hard to believe just 12 years ago it was one stage with three bands over one evening!”

Zoë Fox, Events & Marketing Manager for School in a Bag and Home Farm Fest Organiser said: “We did have a testing time on the Saturday afternoon with gusts of wind reaching up to 46mph that meant halting proceedings on our main stage for an hour and a half, but thanks to a lot of teamwork, the bands affected being amazing, and the wind finally subsiding, we were back on track!

Adding: “With the festival getting bigger, it means relying on more and more volunteers and we are so lucky to have such a brilliant team who help from setting everything up, being here over the festival weekend and then helping tidy up afterwards. We’re only a small team who run the charity and organise the festival, so we are truly grateful for all the help we receive.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps, from all the musicians who play for free, the sound engineers and stage managers, PlayArt who give up their time to help entertain all the children, the bar staff for pulling more pints than ever before, and the huge number of other volunteers as all this effort amounts to thousands being raised for School in a Bag.” Planning has already begun for Home Farm Fest 13 and it’s hoped that the upward trend will still continue in the forthcoming years – especially with no Glastonbury Festival next year, who knows where locals especially will turn to instead… For now though, School in a Bag is able to prosper from the gain and put it towards helping even more children gain an education through its SchoolBag initiative.

MEMBER NEWS

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Preston Primary children sweep the board In Pardoes’ Yeovil Show competition Children from Preston Primary School dominated a colouring competition run by Yeovil-based Pardoes Solicitors in the run up to, and at, the Yeovil Show winning first and second prizes in both the 0-8 year old and 9-13 year old categories.

There was also a ‘double’ with brother and sister Jamie and Sophie Lawrence submitting the winning entry in both the 0-8 year old category and the 9-13 year old category, winning family tickets to Buckham Fair, together with a photograph with Martin Clunes & sweet treats.

7 year old Sophia Bazley and 6 year old Amber Plowman were joint second In the 0-8 year old category, whilst 9 year old Mya Butcher came second in the 9-13 year old category, winning Buckham Fair T-shirts for the family and sweet treats.

Jamie and Sophie’s Mum said “I was absolutely delighted when I heard that both Sophie and Jamie had won the drawing/ colouring competition run by Pardoes Solicitors. They both spent a lot of time and put a lot of effort into their entries and were both very pleased with their finished pictures. This is lovely news that they have won and I know they will be thrilled and will look forward to their day at Buckham Fair.”

p Back row Chris Palucsis and Catherine Murton from Pardoes. Front row 0-8 year winner Jamie Lawrence and joint second Amber Plowman and Sophia Bazley at Preston Primary.

Catherine Murton, a Partner based in Pardoes Yeovil office, who presented the prizes at Preston Primary’s end of term assembly commented “ We had great fun judging the entries – the children had obviously put a huge effort into their colouring and it was a challenging task selecting the winners”. p Sophie Lawrence with her winner’s

p Jamie Lawrence with his winner’s

certificate and Catherine Murton,

certificate and Catherine Murton,

Pardoes Partner at Preston Primary

Pardoes Partner at Preston Primary

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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MEMBER NEWS

HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY WINCANTON RACECOURSE Wincanton Racecourse is commemorating 150 years of racing in Somerset and enjoys its official 150th birthday this week.

Throughout the 2017/ 2018 season, which starts on Friday, 20th October, racegoers will be invited to enjoy Wincanton’s landmark birthday, where it’s heritage and sporting history will be celebrated and remembered at the racecourse.

One of the most visually compelling additions to this celebration is the commission of a 60-page hardback book by local author, George Bingham. The book explores 150 years of racing in Somerset with a series of anecdotes, stories and photographs; and is a tribute to those that founded the racecourse and helped save it, through various crises, for future generations. WINCANTON RACECOURSE – THE FIRST 150 YEARS will be available to purchase from the racecourse office and other outlets.

For one season only, the racecourse will adopt a special commemorative ‘150 years’ birthday logo, which will be replicated in the racecard and on other commercial material and merchandise.

Huw Williams, General Manager of Wincanton Racecourse, said: “We are looking forward to celebrating and sharing the racecourse’s rich history throughout the 2017/2018 season and we hope that all our racegoers enjoy learning more about this very special rural racecourse.”

For full details about Wincanton’s forthcoming season, please visit wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk

Founded on the 1st August, 1867 Wincanton Racecourse has been uniquely synonymous in the sporting and rural communities, coupled with great racing for one and a half centuries.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

MEMBER NEWS

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McCarthy and Stone cycle for RVS McCarthy & Stone are cycling over 200 miles for Royal Voluntary Service because they want to make older people’s lives happier!

Spencer Searle, Tanya Carver-Cox, Ian Parker, Simon Andrews, Simon Mantell and Simon Gait are hosting a Cycle event to raise money for RVS, a charity that enrich the lives of older people by helping them live fuller and happier lives.

It is taking place in September, riding over 200 miles over the course of a weekend, starting on Friday 15th September in Carlyon Bay and finishing on Sunday 17th September in Abergavenny.

They are asking for help in raising as much money as possible for this amazing charity. No matter the size of donation – the message is that every little helps!

On the Saturday, the cyclists will set off from Taunton to Cheswick Village, which will take approximately 5 hours.

On the last part of this stage they will be riding through Nailsea and will pick

up the Cycle track known as ‘Festival Way’. This is where families and younger cyclists could join in. The track is 14 miles long and is suitable for all, so please join them on this part of their journey and bring as many people as

you’d like - the more, the merrier!

RVS is a great charity that really makes a difference to the older generation and any help received in raising as much money as possible would be amazing!

A remarkable honour for Karen and Plum Across the globe, within a vast amount of sectors, women continue to shatter glass ceilings and establish themselves as being a significant part of the business world. From healthcare & pharmaceuticals to aerospace &

defence, even banking to media, within these industries are the powerful women who are striving daily towards great success.

Therefore, the 2017 Influential Businesswoman Awards honour the remarkable achievements made by the strong women from a diverse range of industries. These outstanding individuals have been breaking down barriers with their hard work, devotion and innovative thinking, which is why Acquisition International believe they deserve recognition.

Managing Director of Plum Communications & PR, Karen Morledge, was anonymously nominated and was subsequently presented with the prestigious award for ‘Public Relations Business Woman of the Year’ & ‘Best Marketing & Communications Agency’ – South West England.

Karen said, “I am optimistic about what the future holds for women working in PR, the PR industry as a whole,

my future career and the continued development of my business”.

The award won by Karen was the only company in the South West of England selected as a winner within the 32 categories and only one other PR agency (London-based) was given such an award within the industry.

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BUSINESS NEWS New procurement process for apprenticeship training The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) have re-opened the tender process for the procurement of apprenticeship training provision for non-levypaying employers. The procurement process was put on hold in April 2017 as the Department for Education and the ESFA concluded that it did not achieve the right balance between stability of provision, promoting competition and choice for employers. New contracts will run from January 2018 to April 2019.

For more information about the tender, go to: www.gov.uk/government/news/update-on-procurement-for-non-levy-paying-employers

Increase in UK exports by Amazon sellers The value of UK exports made by Amazon Marketplace sellers increased by 29% in 2016 compared with the previous year to reach £1.8 billion, according to Amazon’s ‘Summer 2017 Trends Report’. The report also revealed that at the end of 2016 over 50% of Amazon products sold were ‘fulfilment by Amazon’ products, which are listed by sellers and stored, packed and delivered by Amazon.

To download the report, go to: tamebay.com/2017/07/uk-businesses-exported-1-8bn-2016-grow-29-yr-yr.html

Revised timetable for introduction of MTD HM Treasury has published a revised timetable for the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD). This is in response to criticism that the current timetable does not allow sufficient time to ensure a smooth transition to a digital tax system. Under the revised timetable, firms with a turnover above the VAT threshold will be required to keep digital records for VAT purposes from 2019. Firms whose turnover is under the VAT threshold will not be required to keep digital records or submit quarterly reports to HMRC until 2020 at the earliest.

The Treasury has also confirmed that a second Finance Bill will be introduced in autumn 2017. It will legislate for all of the measures dropped from the Finance Act prior to the General Election in June 2017.

For further information about the revised MTD timetable, go to: www.gov.uk/government/news/ next-steps-on-the-finance-billand-making-tax-digital

Inquiry into financial regulation after Brexit

Read more about the Finance Bill at:

The House of Lords EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee has launched an inquiry examining how banks and insurers can maintain access to the EU market after the UK has left the EU. The inquiry will examine how regulation of the UK financial sector can evolve to ensure financial stability. It will also consider if the UK should adopt its own financial rules after Brexit or adopt rules similar to those in the EU.

www.gov.uk/government/collections/ finance-bill-no2-2017

For more information about the inquiry, go to: parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/ eu-financial-affairs-subcommittee/inquiries/parliament-2017/ financial-regulation-and-supervision-following-brexit/

Report examines the creative workforce The Creative Industries Federation has published a report which makes a number of recommendations for Government to help support creative freelancers. The ‘Creative Freelancers’ report reveals that 47% of workers in the creative sector are self-employed (compared with 14% of the UK workforce as a whole) and that many feel they are often ignored by Government policy. The federation recommends that Government should support a UK-wide hub which signposts freelancers to specialist business advice and support services, and ensure that creative workspaces can’t be changed into residential properties without planning permission.

The report can be downloaded from:

Complex changes required to UK food policy The UK is unprepared for the complex changes that leaving the EU will have on the food sector, according to a new briefing paper published by the University of Sussex, University of London and Cardiff University.

The paper includes a number of recommendations which the Government needs to address, such as a new statutory framework for UK food and establishing a new national commission on food and agriculture.

www.creativeindustriesfederation.com/news/federation-launches-new-drivesupport-creative-freelance-workforce

To read more about the briefing paper, go to:

Source: BAD News (Business Advisers News)

www.sussex.ac.uk/broadcast/ read/40848

BUSINESS NEWS

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Citizens’ Rights: Policy Paper Factsheet For Businesses Background Since the result of the referendum last summer, the UK Government has made it absolutely clear how important it is that we secure as early as possible both the rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in EU member states.

We are now seeking to provide certainty both to EU citizens themselves and the thousands of businesses in the UK who employ EU citizens by publishing a policy paper which sets out our offer.

What is the UK Government’s Offer?

We want to ensure EU citizens continue to not only be able to live here as they do now but also to continue enjoying other important rights such as access to healthcare, education, benefits and pensions.

These rights will apply to all EU citizens equally and we will not treat citizens of one member state differently to those of another. But this is without prejudice to our special relationship with Ireland.

These rights will be enshrined into UK, not EU, law, enforceable through the UK judicial system.

No EU citizen here lawfully before the cut off date, which is yet to be agreed, will have to leave as a result of us leaving the EU. There will be no ‘cliff edge’ for businesses or individuals and we want to keep together families living in the UK. Under the Government’s offer, what would be the requirements for those EU citizens looking to remain in the UK? Our intention is that EU citizens who have been continuously resident here for five years will be allowed to stay indefinitely by getting ‘settled status.’

This means these citizens will be free to reside in any capacity, have access to public funds and services and apply for British citizenship.

EU citizens who arrived before the cut off date but haven’t been here for five years will be allowed to get permission to stay until they have accumulated five years, after which they will be able to apply for settled status.

EU citizens who arrive after the cut off date will be able to apply for permission

to remain after the UK leaves the EU under the future immigration arrangements for EU citizens.

Therefore EU citizens do not need to apply for documentation confirming their permanent residence status.

Family dependants who are living with or join EU citizens before the UK’s exit will be able to apply for settled status after five years in the UK too.

We will be asking EU citizens to make an application to the Home Office for documentation demonstrating their new settled status in due course.

How will this impact on businesses?

We will make the process as streamlined as possible for all individuals, including those who already hold a residence document under current free movement rules.

If you are a UK business that employs an EU citizen, you do not need to do anything now. There will be no change to the rights and status of EU citizens living in the UK, nor UK nationals living in the EU before exit.

As outlined above, after the UK leaves the EU, EU citizens will need to apply for documentation to prove they have permission to work legally in the UK. There will be plenty of time for them to do so and we will engage closely with businesses and others on how they will be affected by these changes.

Likewise, we understand the importance for many of flexibility in moving across the European Union to live and work - which is why we seek a reciprocal deal so those with professional qualifications obtained before the date on which the UK leaves the EU will be able to use their qualifications in the UK and EU Member States in the same way.

We also intend to protect the rights of EU nationals who arrive in the UK before the specified date to set up and run a business, and we will seek a reciprocal agreement for UK nationals in the EU. More broadly, we are working to shape the wider future immigration system and will ensure businesses and communities are given the opportunity to contribute their views.

What do employees who are EU citizens in the UK need to do now?

There is no need to do anything now. The UK will remain a member of the EU until March 2019 and there will be no change to the rights and status of EU citizens living in the UK, nor UK nationals living in the EU, during this time.

Permanent residence status is linked to the UK’s membership of the EU and so will no longer be valid after we leave.

Anyone who would like to find out the latest information, including when they will need to sign up for the new scheme, can sign-up for email updates here.

What will employees who are EU citizens need do after the UK leaves the EU? All EU citizens and their families in the UK will need to apply to the Home Office for permission to stay. This is regardless of the date of their arrival.

This will be legally required and will enable these citizens to demonstrate that they have permission to continue to live and work legally in the UK. However, there will be a grace period of up to two years to give EU citizens and their families sufficient time to make their application.

Will UK nationals in the EU receive the same assurances?

Negotiations with the EU are ongoing and the Government expects the EU and its member states to make the same commitment to British nationals living in Europe.

What about Irish citizens?

The rights of British and Irish citizens in each other’s countries are rooted in the Ireland Act 1949 and not impacted by the proposals outlined in our policy paper.

The arrangements between both countries pre-date our respective memberships of the EU. As such, Irish citizens residing in the UK will not need to apply for settled status to protect their entitlements.

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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TOWN CHAMBER NEWS

AFFILIATED TOWN CHAMBERS Somerset Chamber of Commerce is one of only five accredited Chambers in the South West and 52 in the whole of the UK. We are exceptionally proud to have the largest number of Town Chambers affiliated in the network, and are pleased that overall Town Chamber membership is growing, which is an indication of how important this countywide network is viewed.

The meeting was constructive with a number of key outcomes.

One of these was a consensus from all attendees that there should be a greater cooperation and collaboration between the County and Town Chambers, and also between the Town Chambers themselves. In addition, Greg Saunders, Chair of Somerset Chamber, assured that a strategy for affiliation would be discussed at the following Board meeting.

In June 2017, the Chief Executive and Chair of Somerset Chamber of Commerce invited representatives from the 17 affiliated Town Chambers and Business Groups to visit the Somerset Chamber offices for a round table discussion on the benefits of affiliation, and how we can work together to help Somerset become a vibrant place to do business, as well as meeting some of the Chamber team.

As a result of discussions, the Somerset Chamber Board have created a new role which will elect a current serving Board Member as a primary contact for further Town Chamber dealings. Going forward, Nigel Pearce, who represents Taunton Chamber of Commerce on the Board, will over the coming weeks make contact with all the affiliate Town Chambers and Business Groups in the county with a view to enabling further development of these important links.

Nigel would be very pleased to hear from any representatives with views that they would like to express. He can be contacted at nigel.pearce@pearcepractice.co.uk.

Affiliate Town Chambers & Business Associations Axbridge Chamber of Commerce T: 01934 733078 | E: mike.sartain@hale-events.ltd.uk www.axbridgechamber.co.uk

Levels’ Best Community Interest Company T: 01935 851280 | E: enquiries@levelsbest.co.uk www.levelsbest.co.uk

Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce T: 01278 228004 | E: talk@bridgwaterchamber.org.uk www.bridgwaterchamber.org.uk

Shepton Mallet & District Chamber T: 01749 681413 | E: alanpaulstone@gmail.com www.shepton.biz

Bruton Chamber of Commerce T: 01749 813291 | E: brutonchamber@gmail.com

Somer Valley Chamber of Commerce T: 07530 042627 | E: plenty.jon@gmail.com www.somervalleychamber.com

Burnham-on-Sea Chamber of Trade & Commerce T: 01278 238959 | E: deryk@kds-interiors.co.uk www.burnhamonseachamber.org Cheddar Chamber of Commerce & Industry T: 01934 742326 | E: mike@lanesofcheddar.co.uk www.cheddartradersassociation.co.uk Frome Chamber of Commerce T: 01749 342255 | E: president@fromechamber.com www.fromechamber.com Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce T: 01458 835678 | E: office@glastonburychamber.co.uk glastonburychamber.co.uk Ilminster Chamber of Commerce T: 01460 240554 | E: info@ilminsterchamber.org.uk www.ilminsterchamber.org.uk

Taunton Chamber of Commerce T: 01823 230898 | E: office@taunton-chamber.co.uk www.taunton-chamber.co.uk Wells Chamber of Commerce T: 01749 685236 | E: info@wellschamberofcommerce.co.uk www.wellschamberofcommerce.co.uk Wincanton Businesses Together T: 01963 34327 | E: john@wincantonbusiness.co.uk www.wincantonbusiness.co.uk Wiveliscombe & 10 Parish Business Group T: 01984 684777 | E: secinfo@10pbg.co.uk www.10pbg.co.uk Yeovil Chamber of Commerce T: 01935 804999 | E: secretary@yeovilchamber.org www.yeovilchamber.org

SOMERSET VOICE | THE MAGAZINE OF SOMERSET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017