Dynamic Business Magazine - issue 33

CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

What would you tell your younger self?

The Dynamic Festival: Book now!

The gender funding gap

The investment landscape

HELP TO GROW University of Brighton WELLBEING Mineral water

Justine Roberts CBE

MUMSNET FOUNDER

REGULARS

News

8 Upfront: The top international news stories involving women in business

38 In The Right Direction: Good news stories from around the world Features

18 Wellesley

Samantha Kaye asks ‘is it time for a tax check-up?’

22 Surrey Business Park Investing in women: Navigating the investment landscape, while addressing the gender investment gap

24 University of Sussex Business Angels

Simon Chuter discusses the investment angels who are looking more at female-led companies

26 Impact International Addressing gender disparity in leadership roles

28 Kreston Reeves

Alison Jones asks, ‘What’s your motivation for running your business?’

Spotlight

40 Highlighting two overseas players for Brighton & Hove Albion women, and how their roles and lives have changed

Health & Wellbeing

42 Tanya Borowski asks, ‘is mineral water worth it, or is it a bit of a scam?’

Further Reading

44 Reviews of books by Leanne Maskell and others on neurodiversity generally, and ADHD specifically

Art Scene

46 Kellie Miller discusses the works of Jane Skingley

Travel

48 Hotel du Vin in Brighton –the last word in elegance Wine & Dine

50 In the first of a new series, Dynamic seeks out the best pub food in the South East

What’s On

52 A brief snapshot of art and culture cross Sussex and Surrey

BIG STORY

12 Justine Roberts CBE

Co-founder of Mumsnet, and keynote speaker at next month’s Dynamic Festival, we chronicle the rise of this go-to forum

❛

❛ Cinderella never asked for a prince. She asked for a night off and a dress

Kiera Cass, American writer

EVENTS

2 The Dynamic Festival 2024 Tickets are on sale. Get involved and don’t miss out

20 The Dynamic Awards 2024

The prestigious business awards for women returns for a third year in April next year. Tickets are now on sale

CONTACTS

PUBLISHER: Maarten Hoffmann maarten@platinummediagroup.co.uk

EDITOR: Tess de Klerk tess@platinummediagroup.co.uk

MOTORING EDITOR: Fiona Shafer fionas@platinummediagroup.co.uk

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Lesley Alcock lesley@platinummediagroup.co.uk

EVENTS DIRECTOR: Fiona Graves fiona@platinummediagroup.co.uk

EVENTS MANAGER: Žaneta Bealing zaneta@platinummediagroup.co.uk

HEAD OF DESIGN: Michelle Shakesby design@platinummediagroup.co.uk

SUB EDITOR: Alan Wares alan@platinummediagroup.co.uk

World-Class English Sparkling Wine.

BRINGING CELEBRATION TO LIFE.

EDITOR’S NOTE

An extra special welcome to the March issue of Dynamic Magazine.

On the eighth of this month, we will be celebrating International Women’s Day. It naturally reminds us of how far we’ve come regarding women’s rights, freedoms and power since the fi rst acknowledgment of this day in 1911. It also reminds me of how privileged we are in this country, compared to so many women across the world who still suffer intense discrimination and exclusion based on their sex. There is still much to be done – both at home and globally.

Th is year’s IWD theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. Inclusion is a powerful tool, playing a crucial role in achieving gender equality. It encourages everyone to recognise the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalised communities. I believe that we can all find opportunities in our lives to do just that, as long as we open our eyes and minds.

On top of our regular features this month, we’ve asked several inspiring women to share with us what they would tell their younger selves today. We also delve into the gender funding gap, and get advice on closing the gender leadership gaps that are still a reality in many companies today.

But there is much more. Our pages are jam-packed for your reading pleasure and I hope that you enjoy this month’s Dynamic.

Editor, Dynamic Magazine tess@platinummediagroup.co.uk

BLACK FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS ON THE RISE IN THE US

Black women may well make up less than 10% of the US population, but they’ve emerged as the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, new research from GoDaddy has found.

Between 2017 and 2020, the number of Black women-owned businesses increased by nearly 20%, far exceeding the growth of women-owned businesses and Black-owned businesses overall, the Brookings Institution reports.

“To me, the rise of Black women entrepreneurs means we’re starting to believe in ourselves more, that we’re finally recognising how limitless we are,” says Joy Ofodu, who quit her job at Instagram to become a full-time content creator and voice actor in 2022.

UPFRONT

THE LATEST BULLETINS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

SUSSEX BUSINESSWOMAN NAMED AMONG 100 TOP FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

Becci Coombes, from Wisborough Green, West Sussex, has been crowned one of the UK’s most impressive female businesswomen. Becci, who founded her company Hyggestyle.co.uk in 2017, is being profiled among 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of a campaign to celebrate the achievements of women running businesses in the UK. Becci’s company Hyggestyle.co.uk sells authentic Nordic decorations and crafts and makes many ranges in-house, while working with local artists to create exclusive designs. She has been recognised in a campaign by Small Business Britain – ‘f:Entrepreneur’ – which showcases trailblazing women who lead purpose-driven businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities such as volunteering, mentoring and community support.

EUROPEAN INSTITUTE LAUNCHES UKRAINIAN WOMEN’S INITIATIVE

Do not follow where the path might lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail

Muriel Strode, author

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), based in Budapest, has launched a new initiative, the Red Kalyna. It aims to recognise and promote outstanding Ukrainian female entrepreneurs, educators and mentors who have developed innovative products or solutions, or have transformed their businesses into innovative ones. 30 Ukrainian women were nominated for this year’s call, out of which nine remarkable individuals were shortlisted as finalists. Red Kalyna – the red viburnum (kalyna in Ukrainian) –is a shrub bearing red-coloured berries, and holds deep cultural significance, symbolising resistance to foreign dominance and political oppression. In naming the initiative, the kalyna – both hardy and resistant – can withstand the toughest of conditions, was a natural choice.

TECH MEN AND WOMEN MILES APART ON SEXISM

A study from recruitment firm Nigel Frank International polled more than 1,300 male tech professionals working across some of the world’s leading tech companies. It found four-in-five men believed men and women were treated equally in their workplace, with only 6% disagreeing. Conversely, research from the Fawcett Society found in November 2023 that nearly a quarter of women in tech have reported sexism in the workplace. The study shed light on a toxic culture that led women to feel marginalised and targeted with offensive ‘banter’. James Lloyd-Townshend, chairman and CEO at Nigel Frank International, said the prevailing male attitude contradicts years of research. “I’d love to know what percentage of the men who feel there’s no gender inequality in their organisation have reached that conclusion through actual conversations with the women in their workplace.”

I like to say it’s an attitude of not just thinking outside the box, but not even seeing the box

Safra A. Catz, CEO Oracle Corporation

It’s okay to admit what you don’t know. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s more than okay to listen to the people you lead – in fact, it’s essential

Mary Barra, No. 9 in Forbes Top

100 Most Powerful Women

MORE WOMEN ENROLLING IN BUSINESS SCHOOLS

The drive to reach gender parity on Europe’s top-ranked MBA programmes passed some significant milestones in 2023. In February, ESCP Business School (École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris; or Paris Higher School of Commerce) — with campuses across the continent — was placed eighth out of the European programmes in the FT Global MBA Ranking and recorded an equal male-female split (thus earning a maximum score under the gender criteria). Now, the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, ranked ninth out of European MBAs in February, reports that its latest intake in September was 51% female, passing parity for the first time. A few other European schools have previously recorded an equal split, but none was so highly ranked for MBAs as ESCP and Saïd.

FORBES’ TEN MOST POWERFUL WOMEN

Forbes has published its list of the 100 most powerful women in the world for the past year. The Power List was determined by four main metrics: money, media, impact and spheres of influence. The list is US-heavy, although this is partly due to the likes of Sanna Marin, Jacinda Ardern and Nicola Sturgeon losing their influence over the past year. Here is the top ten…

1. Ursula von der Leyen Germany

President of the European Commission

2. Christine Lagarde France

President of the European Central Bank

3. Kamala Harris USA

Vice-President of the USA

4. Giorgia Meloni Italy

Prime Minister of Italy

5. Taylor Swift USA Singer-songwriter

6. Karen Lynch USA CEO of CVS Health

7. Jane Fraser USA CEO of Citigroup

8. Abigail Johnson USA

President-CEO of Fidelity Investments

9. Mary Barra USA

CEO of General Motors

10. Melinda French Gates USA

Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

HELPING EVEN MORE WOMEN TO GROW

Last year, Dynamic magazine sponsored multiple places for women on the Help to Grow: Management programme to help them to grow their business and develop themselves. We are delighted that we have again teamed up with Help to Grow to sponsor more places so that a limited number of women business leaders or senior managers can attend at no cost in 2024.

This mini MBA-style programme from the University of Brighton is taught over 12 weeks, face to face and online, and includes your own business mentor. Attendees enjoy taking time away from the business to focus on the business, and all come away with an actionable growth plan.

Over 100 business leaders have taken the Help to Grow course so far.

Jacqueline Hill is Head of Sales and Marketing at Plumpton Racecourse and graduated in December 2023 from Help To Grow’s Crawley cohort. We asked her what she thought of the course, and if it has helped her.

What have you learnt from the Help to Grow programme?

“I have learnt the importance of taking time away from the business to reflect upon our strategy and growth opportunities.”

Which module was the most beneficial for you and why?

“The whole course was fantastic, but I found the organisation design particularly beneficial for my own personal career aspirations.”

Has any aspect of the programme impacted your leadership; in what way?

What would you say to a female leader thinking of enrolling on the Help to Grow Course?

“Help to Grow has given me a fresh perspective on the business and team structure. As someone new to senior management, the course has encouraged me to take a step back, and really think about the leader I want to be to my team.”

Tell us what you have changed/put into place since Help to Grow.

“We have continued to review our vision, mission and values, and how we can communicate this to key stakeholders. We have continued to embed ourselves in the local business community, which is proving to be a mutually beneficial relationship.”

“What are you waiting for?! It is a fantastic course, and you meet some wonderful people, learning a lot from other businesses in your cohort.”

What are the biggest challenges being a female leader in an SME?

“As a young female leader in a male-dominated industry, it can sometimes be a challenge for people to treat you the same as they would your male counterparts!

In one or two sentences why should someone buy your products/services?

“Plumpton Racecourse is a beautiful track, at the heart of the community. Whether you’re joining us for a day out with friends, family, colleagues or clients we pride ourselves on offering all our guests a warm welcome and always ensure we offer you the friendly VIP experience you deserve.

“As a small independent racecourse, we can be flexible to create a bespoke package to best suit your requirements. Outside of racedays, our site provides a show-stopping setting for any occasion from meetings and conferences to team-building days, parties and weddings.”

The whole course was fantastic, but I found the organisation design particularly beneficial

Jacqueline Hill, Plumpton Racecourse

MODULES

• Strategy and innovation

• Digital adoption

• Internationalisation and winning new markets

• Vision, mission and values

• Developing a marketing strategy

• Building a brand

• Organisational design

• Employee management and leading change

• Creating a high performing workplace

• Efficient operations

• Finance

The programme has been brilliant – one of my favourite elements has been stepping away from the business and learning the importance of putting time aside to think and plan. I’ve already been looking at our vision and mission to give us more direction as well as reviewing our team structure to accommodate further growth

Jacqueline Hill, Plumpton Racecourse

HELP TO GROW

● Mini MBA style content

● In person and online sessions over 12 weeks

● Open to businesses with 5+ employees

● Your own one-to-one business mentor

● Time away from work to invest in your business

● 90% Government funded

● Networking with other local businesses

● Taught by experts at the University of Brighton

● You must be a leader or senior manager of an SME which employs between 5 and 249 people to join Help to Grow.

● The next 12-week programme starts in September in Brighton and November in Crawley so sign up to secure your sponsored, no cost place now.

● Make sure you quote DYNAMIC24 under ‘Other’ when the form asks where you heard about Help to Grow.

For more information visit www.brighton.ac.uk/helptogrow or email helptogrow@brighton.ac.uk to arrange a chat with a course leader to find out if the course is right for you.

CLAIM YOUR PLACE

For more information visit www.brighton.ac.uk/helptogrow or scan here

Since 1999, Mumsnet has grown into the UK’s busiest and most influential network for parents, with over 10 million unique users per month. It regularly campaigns on issues including support for families of children with special educational needs, improvements in postnatal and miscarriage care, and freedom of speech on the internet.

Next month, co-founder and Director Justine Roberts is a keynote speaker at the inaugural Dynamic Festival in Brighton. Dynamic chronicles the rise of this understated political force

MUMSNET A GREAT BRITISH INSTITUTION

Justine Roberts CBE, born in 1967, is the co-founder and CEO of Mumsnet and Gransnet. She attended Guildford High School, a private girls’ school with a highly impressive alumni. She then studied PPE at New College, Oxford.

Before co-founding Mumsnet, Justine had worked in the corporate world as an economist - something she says she could never return to. She had also been a freelance football and cricket writer, mostly for the Telegraph. During the football games she covered, she claimed that she wasn’t really viewing nor enjoying the spectacle. An oft-told dilemma of every short-order football writer, she often hoped no-one scored in the last minute and ruined the intro to the piece she had already written.

Instead, she’d have preferred just to have watched her Liverpool team (“I’ve wasted so much of my life watching football,” she opines), and be absorbed in the game that way. In May 2013 she appeared on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Great Lives’ programme, nominating football manager Bill Shankly –well she would, wouldn’t she…?

Justine was the Institute of Internal Communication Communicator of the Year in 2014 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year London and South Winner in 2016. Justine was one of EU-Startup’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Startups and VC in 2019.

She is a mother of four and was appointed CBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to the economy.

HISTORY

Mumsnet was co-founded in 1999, and launched the following year by Justine Roberts – who came up with the idea of a website to help parents share information and advice, following a disastrous family holiday with her one-year-old twins – and TV producer Carrie Longton, whom Roberts persuaded to jump on board.

As neither of them at that time had any particular tech skills, they asked university friend Steven Cassidy to help build the platform. Mumsnet is part of the landscape now, but back in 1999 it was another tech startup.

Roberts’ idea hinged around rather than just relying on your friends for support and information, wouldn’t it be great if you could ask a wider group of people for advice –maybe on the internet?

Ah, the internet - back in the 90s, everyone could see something was happening. The main problem was ascertaining what that ‘something’ was. Tech startup companies were created out of new ideas, new media and new thinking.

The dotcom bubble, a bane of the early internet history grew out of a combination of the presence of speculative or fad-based investing, the abundance of venture capital funding for startups, and the failure of dotcoms to turn a profit. Investors poured money into internet startups during the 1990s hoping they would one day become profitable.

Sadly, the rest of the universe didn’t catch up in time, and a ‘bubble’ in the industry was formed, which soon burst, leaving many investors facing steep losses and several internet companies going bust. Companies that famously survived the bubble include Amazon, eBay, and Priceline. And Mumsnet.

It was against this background that Mumsnet

If Mumsnet didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent it

launched. The original idea for Mumsnet was to grow the business quickly and then sell it, but as the aforementioned dotcom crash took hold in the early part of the new millennium, Roberts and Longton changed direction.

For the fi rst few years of its existence, the co-founders struggled to turn a profit. What they did do, and that has stood them in good stead, was to build a community. Initially there were a lot of product reviews, but slowly the online forums emerged, where people shared advice and opinions, and it started to grow.

The earliest successes came when, as with any business, there became a need for it. To coin a paraphrase, if Mumsnet didn’t exist, it would be necessary to invent it.

To Mumsnet, and ultimately its users, the site became invaluable, especially across the open forums. Information, advice, suggestions and help were always available on tap within the community; a community that, finally, after a few years, started growing exponentially. “The forums are everything; the people are everything. They’re amazing,” Longton said in an interview in 2020.

CAMPAIGNS

For Mumsnet, the core of the business – what really mattered –was making parents’ lives easier

Despite the hours and lack of financial reward, Mumsnet received supportive emails which started to arrive from online users thanking them for the help the website offered. The membership kept growing, and Roberts and Longton were increasingly asked to appear on television programmes to deliver their opinions on the issues of the day. Something was happening.

“We did every bit of PR and media we could to grow; we were very much focused on growing, and we thought the business would come. You’ve got to focus on the core of your business because if you don’t get that right, you’re not going to make any money. For Mumsnet, the core of the business – what really mattered – was making parents’ lives easier,” said Longton.

Advertising revenues started to increase and, sensing the company’s influence with a core section of voters, politicians started to court them. David Cameron and Gordon Brown, seeing the large cross-section of voters, many of whom were floating voters, both undertook web chats on Mumsnet ahead of the 2010 General Election.

While Mumsnet is a source of information, advice and product recommendations, it also campaigns for members. “There are issues that members feel strongly about and we campaign when there is consensus. Users organise themselves well, setting up Facebook groups, writing letters and organising Twitter campaigns. It is not a topdown thing; we are there to give a platform and sometimes we do amplify that on a Mumsnet level,” Roberts explains.

Successful campaigns include attracting attention for a member, Riven Vincent, who was ready to put her disabled child into care due to a lack of respite help, and the pulling of an advertisement that proclaimed career women to be bad mothers.

The ongoing campaign, Let Girls Be Girls, against the sexualisation of young girls has seen major retailers agreeing to not stock clothing that prematurely sexualises. The likes of Tesco and Asda have sought guidance from Mumsnet as the weathervane on what is seen as appropriate and what isn’t.

“Mumsnetters are powerful when there is an issue they feel strongly about, partly because they are amplified by the media, but also because they are intelligent women and they know how to organise themselves,” Roberts adds.

MISOGYNISTIC ENVY

Mumsnet has faced fierce criticism ranging from accusations of members being smugly middle class to faux-outrage at its political clout. “There is a certain amount of misogyny,” says Roberts. “We started noticing it when we were perceived to have political influence. There was a backlash, which almost said to me, women know your place, this isn’t your territory, who do you think you are?”

Mumsnet was awarded the Online Comment Site of the Year (Editorial Intelligence Comment Awards) 2011 and 2014. Roberts was named in the Media Guardian’s 2010 Power 100. In May 2011, Justine founded Gransnet, a sister site to Mumsnet, for the over-50s.

Along with Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton, she was voted number seven in BBC Woman’s Hour’s “Power List 2013” of the most powerful women in the UK.

Conservative commentator and professional echo chamber, Toby Young, in arguing that Mumsnet users constituted a minor and insignificant demographic, commented that the website’s users were ‘Guardianreading, laptop-wielding harpies,’ and that the website was used exclusively by universityeducated, upper-middle-class women who are only “swing voters” in the sense that they swing between voting Labour, Lib Dem and Green” Well, if that’s Toby Young’s take, Mumsnet is clearly doing it right.

Nigel Farage was also true to his misogynistic self, insulting the Mumsnet demographic by agreeing with then UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom that “no self-respecting small businessman with a brain in the right place would ever employ a lady of child-bearing age.” Charming.

In 2022, the then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was invited on for a web chat, and was on the receiving end of this opening salvo from the floor – “Why should we believe anything you say when it has been proven that you’re a habitual liar?”

ADVERTISEMENT POLICY

Mumsnet is funded mainly by advertising and, while it seeks to be a profitable company, its main purpose is not the pursuit of profits.

It doesn’t follow, therefore, that Mumsnet will accept advertising from absolutely anyone who approaches them. Mumsnet’s primary mission - to make life easier for parents - won’t be compromised, meaning they won’t accept revenue from a body which runs counter to that mission.

The company cites as examples - though not limited to – payday loan companies, cryptocurrencies, pornographic content, and multi-level marketing schemes. Plus it will turn down gambling, follow-on formula milk (designed to avoid the ban on formula milk advertising), and products that it thinks make women or children feel bad about their bodies or that play on boring gender stereotypes.

TODAY

Mumsnet is the go-to forum for advice, support and help for its hundreds of millions of online users, and billions of page views. Illness in 2018 forced Carrie Longton to take a back seat, but with Justine Roberts still at the helm, the service continues to thrive.

Time may advance, policies change, technology evolves, but the need for Mumsnet and what it provides for its demographic is still rooted in the same social concern – making lives easier for parents. In a world that doesn’t stand still, that will never change.

While it seeks to be a profitable company, its main purpose is not the pursuit of profits

+ JUSTINE ROBERTS CBE IN HER OWN WORDS…

Dynamic: What does the future hold for Mumsnet - more of the same or do you have further expansion plans?

Justine Roberts: We’re in the pretty fortunate position that our users are creating around thirteen and a half average-sized novels’ worth of content every single day! That volume, combined with the fact that, on Mumsnet, we think you’re more likely to get the unvarnished truth, is a powerful source of data and insight. In the next five years, I’d like those data insights to empower more decision makers – whether they’re in government or business or, indeed, the large language models – to make sure that women’s needs and voices are prioritised as much as men’s.

And while human connection and insight is our USP, I see no reason not to use AI and automation to help our team be more productive and efficient. We’ve already made a start on that, not just with MumsGPT – our own AI insight tool – but with internal processes, and I’m excited by the productivity gains we can make.

Ultimately though, our mission is to make parents’ lives easier by helping mums to tap into the wisdom of others. I’m agnostic about how we deliver that mission as long as we stay true to it. It’s the advice and the community that matters, not the medium.

Dynamic: When you give your keynote speech at the Dynamic Festival, what will be your central message to the 500 business women in attendance, many of whom will be parents?

JR: What makes Mumsnet special is that our users are at the heart of our site. Our choices are driven by an unflinching focus on what our community is telling us. That’s true of all our decisions – from how the site works to what we choose to try and change in the world.

Mumsnet is, first and foremost, a business and we try to be a profitable one but our overarching aim is not the pursuit of profits. In my opinion, that’s why we’re a success story; not in spite of our purpose and values, but because of them.

Dynamic: What advice would you give your younger self?

JR: Don’t label yourself, or be too quick to set limits on what you might be capable of. I grew up thinking I was organised but convinced I wasn’t terribly creative because I wasn’t good at drawing! It took me a while to realise that I do have creative ideas and some of them are worth pushing forward. Try to challenge those early conceptions because they’re not always the right ones.

I’ve also learned plenty of things about growing a business that would come in useful. For starters, starting small and growing organically is just as valid a growth path as raising a load of cash and catapulting to scale. Secondly, building a business really is about the people on the bus, and so you need to put loads of effort into recruitment –there really are some ‘10xers’ (people said to be able to work ten times the capacity of others) out there and it’s worth trying to find them and doing everything you can to hold on to them. On the flipside to that, as we say in our culture deck, it’s always better to have a hole than an arsehole. I’ve learned that you need to understand your company’s values and overcommunicate them. It’s the only way you can expect your team to take the decisions you’d want them to as you scale. That technology renewal and investment isn’t optional – it’s an annual cost of doing business. Fail that and you’ll slip into ‘tech debt’, and that can hold you up for years. But perhaps the most valuable piece of advice of all – always wear trainers! It helps you get to appointments on time if you can run, and they’re so much more comfortable than heels.

Justine Roberts CBE is a keynote speaker at the inaugural Dynamic Women’s Festival, taking place on April 29th at The Grand Brighton.

For tickets or more information, go to www.platinummediagroup.co.uk/ events/the-dynamic-festival/buytickets

Our mission is to make parents’ lives easier by helping mums to tap into the wisdom of others

Taking the time to review your tax situation this spring could be rewarding on many levels, says SAMANTHA KAYE from Wellesley

IS IT TIME FOR A TAX CHECK-UP?

Spring is fi nally here! And while the traditional deep clean of your home might not be a highlight of your year, many of us would rather scrub the bathroom floor than do a deep dive into our fi nancial position.

But, by sparing an hour or two to review your fi nances, you can make sure your investments are still working for you. Th is includes making the most of the available tax allowances, reliefs and exemptions each tax year.

Ask yourself: Is your pension planning on track? How much tax will you pay on your investments? How much of your wealth could pass on to your family, free of Inheritance Tax (IHT)?

If you’re reading this before April 5th 2024, here are five things to think about before the end of the current 2023/24 tax year:

• Make use of your ISA allowance. Each year, you can pay up to £20,000 into an ISA. Everything you earn from it is free of Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Dividend Tax

• Consider making contributions of up to £9,000 per child into Junior ISAs to help them get a head start.

• Those wishing to maximise pension savings should consider fully utilising their annual allowance. Unused allowances can be carried forward, but only from the three previous tax years.

• Take advantage of your annual Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemption by realising gains of £6,000 in this tax year. Th is allowance will halve in the next tax year.

• Reduce the taxable value of your estate by using your IHT gifting exemption of £3,000 for this year. You can also use last year’s allowance if it was unused.

By sparing an hour

or

two to review your finances, you can make sure your investments are still working for you

Early use of the fresh allowances and exemptions could reap rewards over the longer term

PUTTING A SPRING IN YOUR STEP

Now’s the perfect time to refresh your tax planning –remember, it’s nearly always a case of ‘use it or lose it’.

That said, if you’re reading this after the April 5th deadline, it’s still a perfect opportunity to hit the ground running for the new tax year.

Early use of the fresh allowances and exemptions could reap rewards over the longer term. What’s more, regular tax planning can help you strike a balance across the different areas of your life, giving you confidence that, over time, you can get where you want to be.

TAX, TRANSLATED

Since tax rules are ever-changing and often complex, there’s value in seeking advice. Whether personal or business fi nances, your adviser can help you check there are no gaps in your plans and that you’re not missing out on tax allowances and reliefs that can really benefit you.

I’m here to help – contact me today for a no-obligation review!

Samantha Kaye, Chartered Adviser, Wellesley House, 50 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9LH E: samantha.kaye@sjpp.co.uk

www.wellesleywa.co.uk

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

St. James’s Place guarantees the suitability of advice offered by Wellesley when recommending any of the services and products available from companies in the Group. More details of the Guarantee are set out on the Group’s website: www.sjp.co.uk/products.

Wellesley is a trading name of Wellesley Investment Management Ltd. The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/www.sjp.co.uk/ about-st-james-place/our-business/our-products-andservices

The ‘St. James’s Place partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. Wellesley Investment Management Ltd: Registered Office: 44 The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, TN2 5TN. Registered in England & Wales, Company No. 06530147.

Surrey Research Park is leading the way in addressing the innovation gender funding gap impacting the goals of women entrepreneurs

INVESTING IN WOMEN: Navigating the investment landscape

For award-winning innovator and woman entrepreneur Shakardokht ‘Shakar’ Jafari, the COVID pandemic was an especially challenging time to be the founder of a medical start-up.

Not only did she have to grapple with the challenges faced by other business leaders, but the CEO of TRUEInvivo, a pioneering cancer technology company based at Surrey Research Park, Guildford, was confronted by a unique set of trials.

Tragically, her biggest investor died during the pandemic and, in seeking new funding, Shakar found the landscape had changed since she had established her company in 2014.

Raising investment for a start-up doesn’t come without its challenges, but it’s especially tough for women entrepreneurs.

In 2023, just 2% of venture capital funding was awarded to women

+ SHAKAR’S STORY: FROM SCIENTIST TO ENTREPRENEUR

Dr Shakar Jafari is both the technical and business brains behind TRUEInvivo. The company is innovating treatment of cancer patients through development of an efficient and lowcost method of measuring a medical dose of radiation.

Raising investment has been a focus and a challenge for the company for some time, with significant research and development costs to cover as a medical start-up. Since 2020, the economic downturn and market volatility has impacted investors’ decision-making, requiring Shakar to build resilience and re-strategise, to fund her mission to improve the

accuracy of treatment for cancer patients and reduce the time and cost to the NHS for radiotherapy treatment. “My main problem is finding the right investor,” says Shakardokht, who won a prestigious Women in Innovation award from Innovate UK.

“During Covid, our main investor, who was hugely committed to us, very sadly died and this disturbed all our financial plans. Medical investors changed their minds as to where to put their money, focussing more on PPE. Meanwhile, the whole economy has been affected by Brexit and the Ukraine war so the landscape for fundraising is very different now.”

Along with these challenges, her company bears the weight of the widely accepted belief that investing in deep tech is high risk due to the lengthy research and development process that precedes any commercial benefit of the scientific discovery at its core.

+ TINA’S STORY: INVESTING IN WOMEN KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

Tina, an MBA graduate from the Open University Business School and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, has always had an interest in emerging technologies and their innovative and creative applications. She takes an interest in investing in medical and IT companies founded or led by women to encourage the considerable female potential and capabilities.

“We need to support our female entrepreneurs, helping build resilience and increasing their chances of success. We can also encourage and enable female investors to include this type of private company investment into their portfolio,” explains Tina.

❛❛“It’s about access to opportunity for both the investor and the investee. We can create the circumstances to recognise and unlock great potential, thus enabling these new ventures to develop and realise their plans, effectively pivot in response to market conditions and customer requirements and ultimately successfully commercialise.”

According to Tina, SEIS or EIS company shares offer a way for investors to offset part of their income tax liability. “It’s a win-win scenario,” she explains. “If we can facilitate the provision of initial capital support then it’s more likely our female entrepreneur will be able to access matched capital or access to grants.”

Encouraging more women into investment has the potential to reshape the landscape going forwards and increase the backing for women’s start-ups

Kat Mack, Founder SWEN Network

In 2023, just 2% of venture capital funding was awarded to women, according to a recent report by Pitchbook. This gender gap in venture funding is underlined by a variety of factors, not least that only 17.7% of those with significant stakes in a UK venture capital firm are women (Ada Ventures, 2023). This means the majority of decision-making power in these funds resides with men.

This was supported by a 2020 by Kauffman Fellow’s study, which found women are more likely to invest in women-led businesses, which may help explain the cycle of underfunding for women-led businesses.

One way to close the gender funding gap, therefore, is to ensure women entrepreneurs have greater opportunities to meet women investors and venture capital funds, and vice versa.

This is precisely the aim of the Surrey Research Park’s new Surrey Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (SWEN) which, coupled with the University of Surrey’s established Angel Investment network, ‘S100 Club’, is providing essential help to Shakar and women entrepreneurs like her.

In recent times, Shakar has secured a woman angel investor, Tina Matania, through the S100 Club and, through the SWEN, has been introduced to an interested Venture Capital fund.

S100 CLUB – COLLABORATING TO OVERCOME NEW REGULATORY CHALLENGES

Government regulations introduced in January around angel investing mean that there are now higher financial barriers to entry for angel investors.

Unfortunately, these risk disproportionally affect women due to the gender pay and wealth gaps. As of January 31st, the minimum salary requirements for angels to invest in start-ups was raised from £100,000 to £170,000 to protect investors.

To overcome this restriction, however, would-be angels can join an angel network such as the S100 Club based in Surrey. The Club, linked to the SETsquared Surrey incubator, affords investors first sight of early talent in high tech, high growth sectors including companies such as TRUEInvivo with their patented medical technology.

The S100 Club is a signatory to the Investing in Women Code, which aims to rally support from a range of financial services to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs in the UK, and the S100 is currently open to new members who wish to be introduced to the exciting range of investment opportunities.

Kat Mack, Head of Engagement at Surrey Research Park and founder of the SWEN network says, “Encouraging more women into investment has the potential to reshape the landscape going forwards and increase the backing for women’s start-ups, with a view to adding huge value for the local economy through unlocking the untapped potential we know there is in women’s businesses.”

LET’S TALK

If you’re an investor and would like to join the S100 Angel Investment Club or find out more, email Lottie Watson, SETsquared Surrey Centre Director c.watson@surrey.ac.uk

BY SIMON CHUTER

UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX BUSINESS ANGELS

Investing in the best businesses in Sussex

The University of Sussex Business Angels (USBA) network has been designed to help impactful businesses find the capital they’re looking for to help them scale and be more ambitious with their plans.

The Angels network is building a diverse community of angels which is passionate about investing in growing businesses with connections to Sussex, leveraging the strengths and prestige of the University of Sussex as the region’s leading research institution.

Our investors understand what the seed and angel investment market is looking for, and share their insights with exciting startups and scale-ups. We build strong relationships on a foundation of shared values, vision and purpose.

The network is run by Simon Chuter, Head of Investment Services. Simon has been with Sussex Innovation for over eight years and, in that time, has forged relationships with people across the local ecosystem. Simon is supported by Nigel Lambe, the CEO of Sussex Innovation in sourcing both investors and choosing the best opportunities to put before them for investment.

We mentioned that we’re building a diverse community of angels. Like every other angel network, we face the challenge of bringing in investors who aren’t ‘male and pale’. The headline from the United Kingdom Business Angels Association’s (UKBAA) ‘Women Angel Insights’ paper is that Women represent a minority of angel investors.

The role of angel investors is vital in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting riskier, innovative ventures

Of a total 36,800 angels in the UK, only 14% (5,064) are women, and fewer than 0.5% (157) of female angels have achieved a portfolio of ten or more companies. If you know someone who is interested in becoming an angel investor, most especially those who are anything other than ‘male and pale’, we will welcome them into our membership. Just enquire via the website - www.sussexinnovation.co.uk – or drop me an email: simon.chuter@sussexinnovation.co.uk

To date, we have held two successful pitch days for our investors, with ten companies pitching for investment across those events. The pitches were well received by the USBA investor membership, and the companies enjoyed the experience with all of them receiving expressions of interest.

To qualify to pitch for investment, the businesses must be either; academics who have spun out companies from the University of Sussex, alumni of the University of Sussex, or members of Sussex Innovation. There are a further four pitch events scheduled across 2024.

+ CALLING ALL WOMEN WHO ARE LOOKING FOR MONEY TO INVEST IN GROWING THEIR BUSINESS

On Monday April 29th, USBA will be holding the ‘Funding for Business’ panel in our breakout room at the Dynamic Festival which will be made up of expert speakers, and hosted by Innovation and Programmes Consultant, Samantha Harland.

Included on the panel are Susan Elliott from the British Business Bank,

The growing importance of angel investors in supporting early-stage startups and fostering innovation can be attributed to several factors:

• Seed capital injection: Angel investors often provide crucial seed capital that helps startups navigate the initial stages of development. Th is injection of funds at a critical juncture enables entrepreneurs to refine their ideas, develop prototypes, and conduct market validation.

• Mentorship and guidance: Beyond financial support, angel investors often bring valuable industry experience, expertise, and a network of contacts. Their mentorship can help entrepreneurs navigate challenges, make strategic decisions, and avoid common pitfalls, contributing to the overall success of the startup.

• Risk tolerance and long-term vision: Angel investors are typically more willing to take on higher risks associated with early-stage ventures. Their willingness to invest in unproven concepts and technologies helps bridge the funding gap that many startups face in their initial stages. Th is risk tolerance can be crucial for fostering innovation.

• Access to networks: Angel investors often have extensive professional networks, and their involvement can open doors for startups to connect with potential partners, customers, and other investors. Th is access to networks accelerates the growth trajectory of early-stage ventures.

• Flexible capital: Angel investors often provide more flexible capital compared to traditional funding sources. They may be more willing to invest in unconventional or niche markets, fostering innovation in areas that might be overlooked by larger institutions.

• Agile decision-making: Angel investors can make investment decisions more quickly than larger institutions. Th is agility is beneficial for startups that need timely capital to capitalise on emerging opportunities or address unexpected challenges.

Like every other angel network, we face the challenge of bringing in investors who aren’t ‘male and pale’

The panel will discuss all elements of funding for business, including grants, debt and equity funding. It will be an enlightening and informative

• Preparation for future rounds: Successful collaboration with angel investors can enhance a startup’s credibility, making it more attractive to venture capitalists and other institutional investors in subsequent funding rounds. Th is initial support can be a crucial stepping stone for startups aiming for larger-scale investments.

• Focus on innovation: Many angel investors are passionate about innovation and disruptive technologies. Their involvement often goes beyond financial considerations, as they actively contribute to shaping the strategic direction of the startup and ensuring its innovative potential is realised. Overall, the role of angel investors is vital in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting riskier, innovative ventures that might struggle to secure funding through traditional channels. Their impact extends beyond capital infusion, influencing the trajectory of startups and contributing to the broader landscape of technological and business innovation.

Simon Chuter, Head of Investment Services, University of Sussex Business Angels

conversation from which you will have a plethora of key takeaways and learnings. This session will be most useful for owners, founders, CEOs, MDs and anyone who has a responsibility for growing a business.

The panel will answer questions like:

• What angel networks exist locally?

• Is debt a dirty word?

• Who are the main grant providers both locally and nationally?

Come to the session with any burning questions that you have about funding for business and the panel will be happy to answer them.

To buy tickets for the Dynamic Festival, or for more information, go to www.platinummediagroup.co.uk/ events/the-dynamic-festival/ buy-tickets

Faye Long from NatWest and Tanya Petherick, angel investor with University of Sussex Business Angels.

By DOMINIC FITCH, Head of Creative Change at Impact International

ADDRESSING GENDER DISPARITY IN LEADERSHIP ROLES

Government backed research in 2022 indicated that nearly 40% of board positions in the UK’s FTSE 100 were then occupied by women, which showcased a gradual but notable advancement of female employees into higher echelons of influence within British businesses.

Despite this encouraging trend, closer examination revealed that 45.7% of these roles were confined to nonexecutive positions, highlighting the persistence of gender disparity in leadership. Only 9% of FTSE 100 companies had a female CEO, and that dropped to 4.8% for FTSE 250s. We expect an improvement in those statistics in 2024 but there remains substantial work to be done to address this imbalance.

Beyond impeding the career progression of individual women, the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles can limit a company’s potential. Studies show that organisations characterised by inclusivity and diversity are 50% more likely to make sound decisions and 36% more likely to achieve higher levels of efficiency. Thus, it is imperative for business owners and HR directors to implement strategies aimed at bridging the gender gap in senior executive positions.

as an effective means of acknowledging their potential. These plans should provide a platform for enhancing competencies while incorporating consistent, 360-degree feedback mechanisms to identify strengths and areas for growth. By bolstering women’s confidence in their abilities, skills- and strengths-based development plans can empower them to assert themselves and pursue the higher-level roles they merit.

EDUCATING SENIOR EXECUTIVES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADERSHIP DIVERSITY

Business owners should endeavour to educate senior executives about the myriad benefits associated with a diverse leadership cadre within the organisation. Diverse leadership not only facilitates the attraction of talent from diverse backgrounds but also enhances the organisation’s ability to identify the best-suited candidates for leadership positions.

Diverse leadership can foster a more inclusive work environment

Here, Dominic Fitch, Head of Creative Change at Impact, a specialist in leadership development, offers insights into effective approaches to close the gender gap in higher-level roles.

ESTABLISHING DEVELOPMENT PLANS BASED ON STRENGTHS AND SKILLS

An initial step towards addressing the gender imbalance in senior board roles involves implementing professional development plans centred on individuals’ strengths. Research suggests that women are often inclined to undervalue or underestimate their capabilities compared to men, potentially hindering their ability to self-promote effectively.

Consequently, instituting development plans focused on identifying and harnessing employees’ strengths can serve

Moreover, diverse leadership can foster a more inclusive work environment, thereby bolstering employee satisfaction and retention. Women in leadership roles may be better positioned to understand and address the challenges faced by female employees, contributing to a more supportive and fair workplace culture.

REVIEWING PATERNITY LEAVE POLICIES

Consider revisiting internal paternity leave policies to promote greater gender balance in caregiving responsibilities. While statutory paternity leave in the UK currently stands at two weeks, offering extended leave options can afford new fathers the opportunity to share childcare duties more equitably with mothers.

By facilitating a more balanced distribution of childcare responsibilities, longer paternity leaves can alleviate the burden on women, enabling them to devote more time and energy to advancing their careers and ascending the corporate ladder.

Standardising job descriptions by employing gender-neutral language… can help attract a more diverse pool of qualified candidates

ADDRESSING GENDER BIAS IN LEADERSHIP RECRUITMENT

Actively combating bias in the recruitment process is essential to promoting greater opportunities for women in leadership roles. Provide comprehensive training to recruitment teams on recognising and mitigating unconscious bias, encompassing factors such as stereotypes and the significance of workplace diversity.

Standardising job descriptions by employing genderneutral language and focusing on required skills and experience, rather than gender-specific traits, can help attract a more diverse pool of qualified candidates. By making adjustments to the recruitment process, organisations can encourage greater female participation in leadership roles.

Clearly implementing impactful strategies to address gender inequality in leadership roles is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic imperative for organisations striving for excellence and innovation. By embracing diversity and inclusivity at all levels of leadership, businesses can unlock untapped potential and foster a culture of empowerment and progress.

Dominic Fitch, Head of Creative Change at Impact

www.impactinternational.com

By ALISON JONES, Partner Kreston Reeves

What’s your motivation for running your business?

I was at an event recently when this question was asked by an economics writer for The Times, and he raised an interesting point. It is important to focus on what you want to achieve when you first set up your business, and once you have achieved it, at what point and how will you then exit.

A lot of people focus on setting up their business, but don’t think ahead about when or how they will leave.

When you have achieved your goals and taken the business as far as you can then it might be in both yours and the business’ best interest for you to exit. This might be through a sale, merger or simply handing over to the next generation.

As a business owner, you don’t want to feel that the business runs you, that you are ‘burnt out’ or have fallen out of love with your business. Many could be forgiven for feeling this way given the level of firefighting which they have had to do since March 2020, the start of

the pandemic, and the period of economic uncertainty which has followed. Lack of energy, or loss of passion for your business are red flags which should be listened to.

You also don’t want the business to suffer because you don’t have the skill set, capital, production facilities or access to new markets to take it further. Even worse, you don’t want a level of complacency to set in for a once-successful business which fails to innovate and keep pace with competition, or to take your eye off the ball. This is why it is important to run your business knowing that it needs to be prepared for you to hand over the leadership to someone else.

As a business owner, you don’t want to feel that the business runs you

So, when is a good time to leave? The answer is that there is never a perfect time to exit your business, but if you have built a solid business which is ready to withstand your departure, then it will be far more valuable if being sold.

In my experience the smoothest business exits happen when the directors and shareholders have spent time getting their businesses ready for a sale. One of the first steps is to carry out is an in-depth risk review of the business which will identify the key risks, what is in place to minimise them to an acceptable level, and what actions need to be taken before looking for a buyer.

Frequently, risks are associated with an over-reliance on one customer, failure to tie key members of the team into the business, the imminent end of a property lease and unresolved financial or legal issues. If addressed prior to the sale, then this will make your business more valuable. Buyers and their agents will be looking for red flags which could be used to negotiate down the sale price or which might prompt them to walk away.

There might be several different routes that a business sale might take which include:

• A trade sale which is a full or partial sale to another business which might include a competitor keen to expand.

• An investor sale – which is the full or partial sale to a financial investor or buyer.

• A management buy out / buy in which is a full or partial sale to an existing or new management team.

• An employee ownership trust, which is a full or partial sale of the business for the benefit of all employees.

Other key considerations need to be included in the sale, so that it is structured in the best way for the transaction to take place, include:

• If property is owned or leased by the business, Is it likely to form part of the sale or be retained as an investment and, if so, how the property should be held pending the sale.

• Is intellectual property an asset of the business?

Is it properly protected? How is it currently owned and how would ownership transfer as part of the transaction?

The due diligence process can be lengthy, and a prospective buyer will request access to detailed documents so a lot of time can be saved, and a better price achieved if all these documents are up to date and available before you start the process. This includes key customer and supplier agreements, property, vehicle or equipment leases, employment contracts, staff policies, insurance, and financial agreements. Up to date and accurate accounts and financial forecasts will also be needed.

So, when is a good time to leave?

The answer is that there is never a perfect time to exit your business

• What licences or distribution rights does the business have and can they be transferred as part of the sale?

When exiting a business, you also want to achieve maximum value for your hard work, and understanding your tax position is important as well as the timing.

There will also be tax considerations to plan for such as – will Business Asset Disposal Relief criteria be satisfied to allow for a Capital Gains Tax rate of 10% to be applied to the disposal? Capital Gains Tax annual allowances are reducing to £3,000 in April 2024, so completing the exit before then might provide some additional savings. Take advice to ensure that you are maximising all available exemptions, including your future exposure to inheritance tax once the sale has been concluded.

Getting your house in order will really help ensure that the process runs smoothly for you. If this is something you don’t have the time or ability to do then the services of a professional will help. Emotions will be high so some forward planning will ensure that the whole process is less stressful for you.

Only you can decide when to start a business and also when it is time to leave, so giving both equal consideration can help the journey to be more enjoyable.

This year’s theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) is #InspireInclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. By

TESS DE KLERK

IWD SPECIAL ❛What advice would you give your younger self? ❜

With well over a century of history and change, the first International Women’s Day was held in March 1911. IWD isn’t country, group or organisation-specific. It’s a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging women’s equality.

World-renowned feminist, journalist and activist, Gloria Steinem, reportedly once explained: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

❛❛ The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights. ❜❜

International Women’s Day 2024 marks another significant milestone in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. As the world commemorates this day on March 8th, the theme of “Inspire Inclusion” is a rallying call to continue to strive to create a world where every woman, regardless of her background, identity, or circumstance, feels valued, respected and empowered to fully participate in all aspects of society.

As the world comes together to commemorate this IWD, the spotlight is on the ways in which inclusion can be championed and barriers dismantled. It’s a moment to celebrate diversity and recognise the unique contributions of women from all walks of life.

Inspiring inclusion means fostering environments where women are not only welcomed but actively encouraged to thrive. It requires challenging entrenched biases, dismantling discriminatory practices, and creating opportunities for meaningful participation and leadership. From the boardroom to the classroom; from the halls of government to the corridors of activism, inclusivity must be at the forefront of our efforts.

With this in mind, while celebrating International Women’s Day, and in order to help #InspireInclusion, Dynamic asked six professional business women what advice they might offer to the young woman they once were at the start of their careers.

PAM LOCH

Solicitor and Managing Director of Loch Associates Group

The advice I would give to myself is if you realise you may have made a mistake, don’t beat yourself up but do something about fixing it. I initially started my career as a graduate management trainee, working in insurance. When I realised that was not the career path that would make me happy, I decided to change things and went back to university, obtained a law degree and re-trained as a Solicitor. Had I not done that, I would not be where I am now

I would also say to believe in yourself in whatever you do and don’t give up. Be agile and be prepared to change your plans. It’s so important to identify what your values are and in whatever you do, and to stay true to your values. I would also surround yourself with like-minded individuals as that has allowed me and my business to flourish, and you will find yourself in a happy place at work and play.

Remember to always make time for family, friends and work colleagues. Life is likely to be a rollercoaster ride with challenges along the way but with a family surrounding you with love and support, and a great team behind you at work, you will overcome these challenges.

ABI SELBY

Founder and CEO of SpaBreaks.com

What I would say to my younger self? Probably so much it wouldn’t fit into 200 words! But the main thing would be to prepare for curve balls. Life never is quite as you expect it to be and you only fail when you set your own bar too high. In a world where you can only control what you can control, it’s easy to get so swept away worrying about the other stuff that you forget to focus on the bits that truly need you, and that you can make a difference doing.

Finally, don’t roll your eyes when someone says ‘time flies’. It truly does. Never take time and health for granted because it is only when you don’t have one of those two things that you realise just how precious they are. Love, laugh and smell the roses along the way.

❛❛ Life never is quite as you expect it to be and you only fail when you set your own bar too high ❜❜

DEE MATHIESON Managing Director, Elekta Ltd

❛❛ Being female does not need to limit what you can achieve; in fact, you will learn that it can be an advantage ❜❜

I would tell my younger self to work harder at school, so you don’t have to catch up when you decide what career you want to pursue. Don’t worry so much what you look like, it’s how you treat others and the relationships you build through life that matter most.

Be more confident in your abilities. When you get older, you will realise that you should have been. Be kinder to yourself and make sure you take time to do what you want rather than pleasing other people. Don’t have regrets, enjoy what you achieve and celebrate what you have.

Being the optimist that you are will be a great strength and your mantra, ‘this too will pass’ will carry you through tough times. Being female does not need to limit what you can achieve; in fact, you will learn that it can be an advantage.

And finally, do your post-natal exercises or accept that after having children, bikinis are a thing of the past. Oh, and look after your teeth, dentists will be very expensive, and you can avoid unnecessary pain!

JUSTINE ROBERTS CBE

CEO of Mumsnet

Don’t label yourself, or be too quick to set limits on what you might be capable of. I grew up thinking I was organised but convinced I wasn’t terribly creative because I wasn’t good at drawing! It took me a while to realise that I do have creative ideas and some of them are worth pushing forward. Try to challenge those early conceptions because they’re not always the right ones.

I’ve also learned tons of things about growing a business that would come in useful!  For starters, starting small and growing organically is just as valid a growth path as raising a load of cash and catapulting to scale. Secondly, building a business really is about the people on the bus and so you need to put loads of effort into recruitment – there really are some 10xers out there and it’s worth trying to find them and doing everything you can to hold on to them.

And on the flipside to that, as we say in our culture deck, it’s always better to have a hole than an arsehole! I’ve learned that you need to understand your company’s values and over communicate them – it’s the only way you can expect your team to take the decisions you’d want them to as you scale.

And perhaps the most valuable piece of advice of all –always wear trainers! It helps you get to appointments on time if you can run - and they’re so much more comfortable than heels.

JULIE KAPSALIS

CEO & Principal of North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT), Chair of Coast to Capital LEP and Catalyst South

CLAIRE PASQUILL Deputy CEO, Sussex Innovation

I was 18 in 1995. It was a time of economic and cultural confidence, a fairly analogue decade where I was free to enter university with my fees paid by government and express my newly forming opinions without fear of being trolled. I had a tidy grant in my back pocket to cover some of my living expenses.

I look back with awe and gratitude; my 18 year-old self had some privileged experiences. But I was also a first generation scholar, keenly aware of the risks of debt, and my own family hadn’t navigated the worlds of academia or professional opportunities. No-one in my community had a career in the professions or in new industries like creative media. I was clueless about the worlds that university might open up for me and accessing advice online was years away.

So what might that 18 year old need to hear?

• Find a mentor; in fact find three! You’ll need people to help you navigate the spaces that your own mother didn’t travel

• Student and graduate debt will never be as cheap again: you might as well use it to….

• Travel more: you turned down all those summer travel offers in favour of minimum wage jobs

• Move around a bit more in your early jobs: Try things out and figure out where there’s a good fit for you.

I would tell my younger self the following three pieces of advice: Believe in yourself. I went through school without anyone (except my mother) believing in me or investing their time in me. It took until my first job to have someone inspire and mentor me. Ever since then I have sought out wise men and women and they have helped champion and believe in me. Find a mentor and champion.

Be true to yourself. I spent years worried about how I looked and what people thought and how they judged me. It took until my thirties to be true to myself to dress how I wanted and dye my hair whatever colour I wanted – and be proud of this. In a weird and unplanned way, this has now become part of my ‘brand’. Build an authentic brand.

Be kind to yourself (and others). I am a perfectionist and my own worst critic. It took until my forties (and Covid) to start thinking about ‘me time’ and how to have quality time for reflection – I still need to find time for wellbeing and healthy things. But also make time for others – I believe in reciprocity, and trying to be kind to others (most of the time!). Be kind and try to be vaguely healthy.

Social development specialist, ILDIKO ALMASI SIMSIC, considers the gender pay gap

THE GENDER FUNDING GAP WOMEN MISS OUT ON £599 BILLION

In a world of seemingly endless offers of credit lines, training and networking opportunities targeting female entrepreneurs in typically male-dominated industries, one might think there is finally a level playing field. Many enthusiastic female entrepreneurs, like me, are inspired by the glossy PR of banks and investors. So, we start planning budget, strategy, operations, accounting, procurement. Once the plan is good to go, all we need to do is find the right financing for our purposes. If only it was this easy!

In 2023, I made the decision to expand my business and brave the waters of female entrepreneurship. My assumption was that having spent 15 years working with various financial institutions and setting up specific credit lines for female entrepreneurs, I was equipped to take on the necessary paperwork. My idea is innovative, in a maledominated sector (technology) with a company founded in a developing country by a woman. I thought I was hitting the jackpot because there are so many programmes out there targeting women. I was convinced I would have a hard time turning people down. What happened was quite the opposite!

Several studies, statistics, research and personal accounts proved what I had already known – women still have a harder time getting funding

SOBERING STATISTICS

I didn’t have to go far to be discouraged. Several studies, statistics, research and personal accounts proved what I had already known – women still have a harder time getting funding. I was wondering how it is possible in a world where we are bombarded with DEI PR by financial institutions, funds and other investors showcasing their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

How is it possible that men get 6.2 times more funding than women in the UK? Women started over 151,000 companies in 2022 in the UK, yet in 2023 only 3.5% of UK equity funding was allocated for a women-led business. An interesting point to add, is that over half of these 151,000 women-led companies are bootstrapped or self-funded. The US is doing even worse with only 2% of funding allocated for women-owned startups, despite women representing 38% of startup founders.

A Female Founders Forum survey found that 75% of the UK’s high-growth female founders thought it would have been easier to raise funds if they were men. Furthermore, 59% felt that they had been discriminated against for being a woman. I personally did not feel discriminated against, but also had no benefits based on my gender. I found that while it was easy to start the business, the startup environment was almost catering solely to high scalability companies looking for equity investors.

LOAN OR EQUITY?

There are two types of funding available from external sources: debt and equity.

I was familiar with debt products through my work with international financial institutions (IFIs), who have dedicated products provided for commercial banking with the purposes of on-lending for women-owned and women managed businesses.

You can look at any of them, EBRD, the World Bank, IFC – there is no shortage of these initiatives. While most of them are targeting women in certain geographies, others are for more established companies – note the lack of startup loans.

The other option is finding investors. There is no shortage of private equity/venture capital fi rms who are looking for their next superstar entrepreneur, yet the Growth Index 2023, the annual ranking of 100 of the fastest growing brands in the UK, found that male-led businesses received millions more in funding than womenled businesses.

How is it possible that men get 6.2 times more funding than women in the UK?

The reason I never qualified, despite knowing this industry so well, was due to lack of partner banks in my country. The UK Government identified the lack of startup loans, and allocated £1bn through its Start Up Loan Scheme. The individual items are up to £25,000, which is very small, and the loan is structured as an unsecured personal loan at a 6% fi xed rate. Th is is very much microcredit territory that doesn’t signal a significant belief that the company will scale.

The numbers speak for themselves, in 2023, seven women-led and 34 male-led companies received venture capital or private equity funding. Looking at the size of the financing, and we see that women-owned businesses received £763,000, while men-owned businesses got an incredible £4.7 million. In the US, less than 3% of venture capital investments in 2019 went to women-led companies. Only one fi fth of US venture capital went to startups that had at least one woman on the founder team. We find the same gaps when looking at the average deal size – men-founded businesses get the larger investments.

ARE WE IN THE WRONG BUSINESS?

The common argument is that women start businesses in sectors that typically don’t attract investor interest. Th ink of retail, wholesale, education, medical support, care or other services. While it could explain the lack of interest to invest in women, it doesn’t explain the lack of loans available to them.

There is also an expectation that women-owned businesses will scale slower, which doesn’t help with finding financiers. Scalability is an important factor in the startup world. Another misconception that somehow survived over the years is that startups are founded by young, white males. Therefore, not fitting into this stereotype makes it harder, it would seem.

While some of the sectoral or industry distribution of where women operate might be true, it doesn’t provide any reasonable explanation for the lack of funding for those few women that venture into the traditionally male-dominated world of finance and technology. I was looking into the technology industry for personal reasons, and found the daunting statistic from the Alan Turing Institute that only 2% of the startup deals over the past 10 years were awarded to female-founded AI companies. Have women founded only a small percentage of AI companies? Again, I have to disappoint, as the same study clearly states that, in 2022 alone, 11% of the AI startups had a female founder. Furthermore, 77% of venture capital investments were in startups without a female founder.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Some argue that the lack of female representation in venture capital leads to fewer women being funded. According to European Women in VC – a pioneering platform empowering female venture capitalists across the continent – only 15% of decision makers in the UK are women. 15% of business angels in Britain and 7% of business partners at the top 100 venture capital fi rms are women. Female venture capital partners are twice as likely to invest in companies with a female head and three times more likely if the CEO is a woman.

The other idea I came across is to encourage women to invest their own resources into businesses, thus becoming decision-makers and investors. Th is reminds me of the giving circles I encountered when working in Africa: women saving collectively to invest in each other. While the idea is not new or wrong, it doesn’t integrate women-owned businesses into the mainstream entrepreneurial infrastructure. Rather, it creates a segregated market segment created by women for women. Not very DEI friendly!

There is also another popular belief that women don’t have the knowledge to set up and run successful companies. The Imperial College in London started addressing any potential knowledge gap by adding entrepreneurship modules to STEM courses.

There are also additional programmes and accelerators that aim to provide training for female entrepreneurs. I can’t comment whether the knowledge gap still exists,

I found the daunting statistic from the Alan Turing Institute that only 2% of the startup deals over the past 10 years were awarded to female-founded AI companies

but it certainly is smaller than it used to be. Participating in an accelerator, however, is not a guarantee for success for women, as the World Economic Forum in 2021 concluded that some initiatives might actually be widening the gender gap, as women are only supported in raising debt, not equity.

As for me, I will join the majority of women-owned businesses who self-fund and try my luck without an investor or a loan. While the statistics don’t scare me, I am prepared to have a bumpy road to take my business to where I want it to be. I am inspired by women around me who support each other and lift each other up. On this International Women’s Day my hope is to see more women in decision-making roles continuing the to inspire the next generations!

Ildiko Almasi Simsic is a social development specialist working as an independent consultant supporting public and private sector clients to manage project related social and supply chain risks, and author of What Is A Social Impact? www.ildiko-almasi.com

Savvy and Stevo Moynihan, Brighton Founders of Savvy Ferments

If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader

Dolly Parton

META WORKING ON CLARIFYING DECEPTIVE AI CONTENT

Artificial intelligence has reached a point where the images it generates are nearly identical to real photographs, posing numerous challenges for society. In a highly praised move, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently committed to recognising AI-generated images and marking them on their platforms. The announcement came via a blog post from Sir Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, who stated that the company is working on new tools to detect AIgenerated images. However, as AI advances and gains the ability to circumvent such detection methods, these efforts are likely to face challenges. The blog post coincided with AI’s entrance into the US presidential race through the dissemination of bot-generated audio impersonating Joe Biden, urging people not to vote in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. This audio was fake.

IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

LIGHT IN THE BACTERIA SOUP

Harvard researchers have created an antibiotic that can overcome many drug-resistant infections. These infections have become a deadly global health menace, killing a million people every year. A new synthetic compound called cresomycin proved to be “highly effective” at killing deadly superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cresomycin is one of several promising compounds the team from Harvard University has developed to win the war against superbugs.

The research received early support from Harvard’s Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator, which awarded funding in 2013 to enable testing of drug compounds. Ongoing research was also recently awarded $1.2m by a nonprofit organisation for further development on oral antibiotics that could end the scourge of drug-resistant infections.

CHALLENGING EXTINCTION

The first successful IVF pregnancy in a rhinoceros provides hope that scientists can save the northern white rhino from extinction. The method was tested in another rhino species, with researchers successfully creating a southern white rhino embryo in a lab. Scientists and veterinarians transferred two southern white rhino embryos into a surrogate mother at a conservancy in Kenya and recently confirmed a pregnancy of 70 days. As it stands, there are only two remaining northern white rhinos in the world.

A woman with a voice is, by defi nition, a strong woman

Melinda French Gates, philanthropist

CREDIT: MYERS RESEARCH GROUP

NEW DEVICE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

According to scientists from the University of Florida and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, a newly developed handheld device offers not only remarkable speed and user-friendliness but also exceptional cost-effectiveness in the fight against breast cancer.

The device uses inexpensive components, including $5 circuit boards and readily available glucose testing strips costing a few cents each. Employing paper test strips treated with specific antibodies, the biosensor interacts with targeted cancer biomarkers. When saliva is applied, the biosensor sends electric pulses to its contact points, detecting biomarkers. This innovation, deemed revolutionary compared to costly alternatives like mammograms, MRI, or ultrasound, could significantly aid breast cancer detection, particularly in underserved areas.

Learn to embrace your own unique beauty, celebrate your unique gifts with confidence. Your imperfections are actually a gift

Kerry Washington, actor

NO CERVICAL CANCER CASES AFTER HPV VACCINATIONS

A recent study discovered zero cases of cervical cancer, the fourth most prevalent cancer among women globally, in young women who received full HPV vaccination in Scotland. Approximately 99% of cervical cancer cases stem from HPV, marking a significant advancement in healthcare.

“By priming your immune system to identify and combat it, in the event of encountering HPV, the likelihood of infection is greatly reduced,” explained Dr. Viki Male, an Immunologist at Imperial College London

CHAMPIONING SINGLE PEOPLE

People who are not in relationships should not have to deal with systemic disadvantages due to policies such as marriage tax allowances and single supplements for accommodations. A municipality in Belgium is now taking steps to address this issue. Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, located on the outskirts of Brussels, has agreed to assess the impact of its policies on single residents. This decision comes at a time when data indicates a 30% increase over a decade in EU households consisting of only one adult.

Carla Dejonghe, a councillor, successfully advocated for her municipality to consider the perspectives of individuals who live alone when formulating policies. She described this move as a significant milestone, noting that it marks the first instance of a municipality committing to evaluating its policies from the viewpoint of single individuals.

In our exclusive Spotlight feature, we highlight women who are doing good things in their community. They’re not always seen but we think they should be

SP OTLIGH T

Vicky Losada

Vicky arrived at Brighton & Hove Albion with a wealth of experience including winning the Champions League with Barcelona, seven Spanish Cups, six Spanish League titles, the Italian League, the Women’s FA Cup, two League Cups, the Spanish Super Cup and the Catalunya Cup on eight occasions

My proudest moment was leaving my country to be professional when I was 22. I left Barcelona in 2014 to join the professional league in the US – the National Women’s Soccer League. I couldn’t speak any English and I was so young and innocent. Everything I have had since is because I made that really critical decision to leave home at such a young age.

My personal and professional challenges have been the same; I played football in the first division for 16 years. I had to travel every weekend to play. Football taught me everything, but at the same time I sometimes feel like I lost my childhood/teenage years. I was fighting for something that in my country was seen as quite negative –a girl playing football but, in all honesty, I never paid much attention to the negative comments.

I miss home and a footballers’ career is short so although I sometimes feel like I am still sacrificing much, I know that I will still have plenty of time to do all the things I would like to still do. I don’t have time for hobbies but when the day comes that I am no longer putting 100% into my game, I will know it is time to retire. If I stopped playing football tomorrow, the first thing I would do is go snowboarding!

If I stopped playing football tomorrow, the fi rst thing I would do is go snowboarding!

If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to be brave and take risks in life. If you like something, enjoy the process, as it goes quickly. This experience has taken me years and years to enjoy. Also not to not be so hard on myself. It is even harder for the youngsters these days to be in the public eye and to manage the stress that comes with it.

In my early football years, mental health was not spoken about, but having that support has become a normal addition to our performance and development schedule. If I go back, I would have asked for help. If you can be emotionally mature in this world, the quicker and easier you’ll get through challenging situations and make it to the top level. There have been moments where it has been really tough, but I learned from those situations, and I never gave up.

Now looking forward, I want to keep playing for a few more years but I have had so many injuries, so I am going to focus on gaining coaching qualifications. I am grateful that the Albion develops players and offers an all-round education, which can be hard to find in another club.”

www.brightonandhovealbion.com

www.womensleagues.thefa.com

Julia Zigiotti

Julia is a midfielder for Brighton & Hove Albion women’s team. Here she is in her own words

Having represented my country at under-17 and under-19 level, I made my senior international debut in 2018 and played for Sweden at the 2019 World Cup in France. In my second season with Albion, I captained the club in the second half of the campaign, making a total of 50 appearances in all competitions.

I grew up in Stockholm, Sweden with an Italian mum and Swedish father – I speak both languages. I was four or five years of age when my father used to coach my older brother’s football team. I used to stand on the sidelines watching each week. Eventually, I wanted to play too. We found a women’s team locally and I played with them, but I still played a couple of times with my brother’s team as well. I guess that experience of playing with boys as well as the additional training, gave me that extra edge because, at 14, I was called up by the professional club Bollstanäs SK in Sweden and I played professionally with them until the age of 16. I then joined AIK for a year and then joined Hammarby.

My proudest moment was being called up to the Swedish National Team in 2016 and being selected for the FIFA World Cup in 2019 in France.

My biggest challenge both personally and professionally is that I have had to give up a lot by living abroad, not seeing family and friends so much. However, I did choose to chase this dream…

If I could give my younger self any advice it would have been to just enjoy the process, encourage myself to have fun

Another challenge I had to overcome was to never compare myself to others either on or off the pitch. It was challenging as a young girl wanting to play football because there wasn’t really much professional women’s football broadcast. I didn’t have anyone to look up to. I have seen so many changes since then. These days, there are so many opportunities for young girls to watch women’s football due to the number of games played and being broadcast. Girls can also watch games on social media, this has really helped create role models to inspire them.

If I could give my younger self any advice it would have been to just enjoy the process, encourage myself to have fun, not to put too much pressure on myself and to not take everything so seriously. If you push yourself too much you will just stop enjoying it. The most important thing is to have fun and love what you do. This is my second season with the Albion. I captained the side in second half of the season last year and I am looking forward to climbing the table and the league and getting further into the Women’s FA Cup.

www.brightonandhovealbion.com

www.womensleagues.thefa.com

In the world of nutrition, vitamins often take the glory but minerals are equally as important and essential for normal physiologic function

BY TANYA BOROWSKI

MINERALS &

MINERAL WATER Is mineral water a scam – or is it worth it?

Our bodies need minerals for many reasons. For instance, minerals help regulate body processes, including the regulation of gene expression. They also function in nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction, plus minerals help release energy from food and act as cofactors in our antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defences.

Minerals are also important for making enzymes and hormones. For example, without adequate zinc, iodine and selenium we would be unable to synthesise optimal levels of thyroid hormones. Additionally, minerals help in maintaining the body’s acid-base balance, supports the production of neurotransmitters and activates hundreds of reactions in the body.

WHY DRINK MINERAL WATER?

It is believed that most of us in the UK have diets lacking in the required minerals. Contributing factors include:

Minerals can be divided into macrominerals and trace minerals. We need larger amounts of the macros which include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulphur, while we only need small amounts of the trace minerals, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium.

As humans we are unable to synthesise these minerals therefore, we must get them from our diet.

• Not eating nutrient dense foods plus drinking nutrient depleting liquids to excess (tea, sodas, sweetened beverages and alcohol)

• Depleted minerals in our soils, which leads to depleted minerals in our food chain.

• Stress depletes minerals (physical and mental/ emotional stress)

• Avoiding key minerals such as salt even though natural (not table!) salt is essential.

• Removing large food groups, such as animal products

Small changes such as drinking mineral water can make a huge difference to the overall quality of our diets.

Not all mineral and spring waters are equal; each has its own unique content of minerals

Bicarbonate-rich mineral water is an effective remedy for heartburn in many people. The standard recommendation for patients with acid reflux is to avoid carbonated beverages of any kind, the concept is that the fizz pushes acid up into the oesophagus, causing heartburn.

However, mineral water containing high levels of acid-neutralising hydrogen bicarbonate, such as Gerolsteiner, Vichy Catalan and Fachingen are highly effective at reducing acid reflux and heartburn, a randomised. Placebo-controlled study found. (BMJ Open Gastroenterology)

+ DAILY RECOMMENDED AMOUNTS

MAGNESIUM

19 - 30 years old - 310 mg

31 - 50 years old - 320 mg

51+ years old - 320 mg

CALCIUM

19 - 50 years old - 1000 mg

51 + years old - 1300 mg

SODIUM

The World Health Organisation recommends no more than 2000 mg while the NHS suggests an upper limit of 6000 mg for adult women.

CHOOSING YOUR WATER

Firstly, not all mineral and spring waters are equal; each has its own unique content of minerals. Products sold as ‘sparkling water’ are neither a mineral or spring water, so let’s get these terms straight so you know what to look for in and what to avoid.

A natural mineral water can only be described as such if it comes from an underground water source that’s tapped at a natural or drilled exit and the level of minerals is a constant. As such natural mineral waters may be distinguished from ordinary drinking water by their purity at source and their constant level of minerals.

Spring water has to come from defined natural sources. However, it does not have to contain a constant level of minerals, and can be bottled from multiple sources.

Sparkling mineral and spring water form naturally when volcanic gases dissolve in springs or wells of natural water. Soda water, sparkling water or carbonated water is plain tap water with carbon dioxide creating the fizz. These aren’t necessarily bad for you, but they’re not providing much nutritional benefit either.

WATER WITH THE BEST MINERAL CONTENT

Gerolsteiner – considered the king of mineral waters. A German mineral water, Gerolsteiner offers bicarbonate at 1,800 mg per litre. Bicarbonate helps regulate your body’s pH levels and especially helps lower acidity in the body. Gerolsteiner also contains 348 mg of calcium, 108 mg of magnesium, and 118 mg of sodium per litre.

Vichy Celestins – another high bicarbonate mineral water from France offering 2,989 mg bicarbonate, 103 mg cacium, 10mg magnesium, but it is very high in sodium at 1,172mg therefore avoid if you struggle with high blood pressure.

Fachingen – a German water, naturally high in bicarbonate - 1,846 mg/l and a unique composition of minerals offering 99 mg calcium, 59 mg magnesium and 564 mg sodium per litre.

Badoit – a French mineral water that offers the high levels of bicarbonate at 1,250 mg per litre, 153 mg calcium, 80 magnesium and 180 mg sodium.

San Pellegrino and Perrier – both of these popular brands have a much lower mineral content than any of the previously mentioned. However, they still provide some minerals - 150 mg calcium, 180 mg (San Pellegrino) / 6 mg (Perrier) magnesium, 11 mg sodium, but only 239 mg/445 mg bicarbonate for each respectively.

Just a note on sodium, it has been demonised as a ‘bad’ nutrient as is the tendency to over simplify nutrition in the mainstream. But the human body requires sodium to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain the proper balance of water and minerals. We need about 500 mg of sodium daily for these vital functions, one litre bottle of Gerolsteiner provides just 118 mg.

www.tanyaborowski.com

Leanne Maskell is an ADHD Coach, Director of ADHD Works and author of ‘ADHD Works at Work’ and ‘ADHD – An A-Z’

FURTHER READING…

THE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO SUPERCHARGE ADHD EMPLOYEES

As people with ADHD literally think di erently to ‘most’ people, they can be very di erent to manage in the workplace. Here’s how managers can embrace this as an opportunity to make ADHD work at work:

1 UNDERSTAND ADHD

Receiving training on the 30% developmental delay in executive functioning skills linked with ADHD, such as emotional regulation, and self-awareness, is key. People with ADHD have an ‘interest based nervous system’, meaning interest, novelty, and adrenaline will help them unlock their hyper-focus - and vice-versa.

ADHD can manifest differently in everybody, but having an ‘ADHD lens’ provides context for all situations. For example, understanding how Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria can arise may influence management decisions to provide written feedback and time to process this in advance of performance reviews.

NEURODIVERSITY AT WORK DRIVE INNOVATION, PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY WITH A NEURODIVERSE WORKFORCE

By Amanda Kirby & Theo Smith

Kogan Page (2021)

Neurodiversity at Work is a practical guide that explains what neurodiversity is, why it’s important and what the benefits are. It covers how to attract, recruit and engage neurodiverse talent. It features case studies from leading organisations like Microsoft who are already seeing the productivity, performance and financial benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace. Individuals in these companies are also experiencing benefits in their working environments. Also featured are interviews with prominent figures in the neurodiversity community and people who have successfully adapted their HR processes for neurodiversity.

ADHD AT WORK HOW TO SURVIVE IN A NEURODIVERSE WORKPLACE

By Samuel J. Martinez

Self-published (2023)

“ADHD at Work” is not just a guide; it’s a roadmap for turning ADHD from a perceived hindrance into a powerful asset. Whether you’re looking to improve your personal work experience, lead a neurodiverse team, or create an inclusive workplace culture, this book provides the tools and insights needed to thrive in the neurodiverse professional landscape.

By thinking differently about people who think differently, managers can unlock potential and performance beyond limits

2 SUPPORT ADHD

As ADHD can be a disability under the Equality Act, reasonable adjustments may be required to level the playing field at work. This is not (just) an ‘HR’ thing - managers oversee this on a day-to-day basis.

Adjustments will be unique to the individual and may require ongoing conversations, especially in light of ADHD medication shortages. As a manager, providing psychological safety is vital, such as providing reassurance and encouragement about talking about ADHD at work.

Managers can also signpost to resources such as Access to Work, which can fund support addition to reasonable adjustments.

THE NEURODIVERSE WORKPLACE

AN EMPLOYER’S GUIDE TO MANAGING AND WORKING WITH NEURODIVERGENT EMPLOYEES, CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS

By Victoria Honeybourne

Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2020)

Estimates suggest that up to 20% of employees, customers and clients might have a neurodivergent condition - such as dyslexia, autism, Asperger’s, ADHD or dyspraxia - yet these individuals often struggle to gain and maintain employment, despite being very capable. This practical, authoritative business guide will help managers and employers support neurodiverse staff, and gives advice on how to ensure workplaces are neuro-friendly. The book demonstrates that neurodiversity is a natural aspect of human variation to be expected and accepted.

3 HARNESS ADHD

ADHD has been scientifically linked with strengths such as creativity and innovation, so help employees identify their strengths and provide opportunities to use them. Breaking long-term work down into shorter ‘sprints’, with positive reinforcement of what’s working well, means that everybody wins.

By thinking differently about people who think differently, managers can unlock potential and performance beyond limits.

WIRED DIFFERENTLY 30 NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Joe Wells & Tim Stringer

Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2022)

Showcasing these 30 incredible people, the extraordinary stories in this book show that the things they’ve achieved, created and inspired they did not despite being different but because they are different. From politicians, activists and journalists to YouTubers, DJs and poets, this book highlights a wide range of exciting career paths for neurodivergent readers.

ART SCENE

By KELLIE MILLER

JUST CALL HER WILDFLOWER THE WORKS OF JANE SKINGLEY

And she took some tiny steps to love herself.

Slowly whirling toward the rainbow,  a light guide to her greatest love.

With colours like no other.

Enjoying her journey,  a wildflower embracing herself.  Growing wherever she chooses, in the stillness of the stars and the rhythm of the breeze.

Wind and pain,

sunshine and rain,

A velvety night,  a meadow in the sky.

And she took some more steps  to love herself.

She doesn’t have a name,  she’s a wildflower dancing free.

Just Call Her Wild ower

By Eloisa

Jane depicts the cycle of life in her paintings. Her muses are wildflowers, which she gathers on her walks for inspiration. She is interested in the overlooked, disregarded weeds and shines the spotlight on plants like stitchwort, celandine, oxeye daisy and ragwort. In championing these flowers, Jane asks us to see their beauty by slowing down and appreciating the world around us.

Her compositions are unfussy, using everyday receptacles such as glasses, cups and jam jars. The dying and drying foliage becomes more fragile as she works to capture their essence. Her painting foretells a profound message about the impermeant nature of life and the importance of celebrating the now.

Several paintings feature vintage striped and checked table linen inherited from her mother. These fabrics are

backdrops to her muse- flowers yet add drama and context to her still lives. She takes care to make the flowers and their receptacles centre stage while allowing space for internal reflection by leaving open spaces in each piece.

The paintings are created on board and have a driftwoodlike feel with sanded edges, texture, sgraffito and fl icked paint.

Her work is often rich in texture, as she is interested in random mark-making, believing that each mark has a beauty and energy that cannot be created through meticulous painting.

Jane wishes to push the genre of female flower painters and says she “avoids the ‘twee’ at all costs”. Her decision to paint ephemeral, fading flowers gives her work deeper meaning beyond proving she can reproduce pretty images.  Like many of those with a creative spirit, “she is a wildflower dancing free”.

Kellie Miller is an artist, curator, critic and gallery owner. www.kelliemillerarts.com

She is interested in random mark-making, believing that each mark has a beauty and energy that cannot be created through meticulous painting

Alizerin Stems

Hotel Du Vin in Brighton has plenty to offer, not least its prime location amidst the charming streets of the Lanes, guaranteeing an ideal launchpad for exploring Brighton’s vibrant heart, while the seaside is mere steps away from your front door. By Tess de Klerk

HOTEL DU VIN le dernier mot en élégance

But it’s more than that; Hotel Du Vin is elegant in a lovely, understated way, an homage to its French philosophy. The mock-Tudor mixed Gothic revival building has been standing since 1934 and appears delightfully quirky and cosy from the outside.

But step through reception to be greeted by a spacious split-level bar with comfy leather club chairs, exposed brick, lots of wood and pleasing tones of indigo. Add just the right amount of sparkle from the gorgeous chandeliers, and it really is a space where you could lounge all day and night.

For those fair-weather days, the bar area extends to a rooftop which is sure to be a worthy sun trap.

ROOMS

Given the eccentricities of this unique building, you’ll fi nd individually styled rooms, each with its own character but lending overall to a beachy-chic style of décor. Th ink muted pastel hues, driftwood hangings and large, comfy beds with Egyptian bedding.

Underfloor heating is standard which makes for a nice change from trying to heat hotel rooms quickly with AC. In fact, the entire hotel was nice and balmy – just what was needed on a cold, drizzly day. My superior room was quiet, even though it faced a street, and a fantastic night’s sleep was had.

Bathrooms are guaranteed to please here with spacious showers, l’Occitane goodies and some rooms with roll-top baths. For a treat, book a sea view suite with twin roll top baths in the bedroom plus a telescope to make the most of your view.

WINE & DINE

Enjoy a relaxed bar lunch from a menu that incudes French classics such as croque monsieur and charcuterie, while the choice of drinks is extensive, ranging from signature cocktails to fantastic French wines. Anything you fancy, really. And if a classic cream tea is what you desire then you can have that too.

The on-site Bistro Du Vin is an elegant and contemporary space with a warm and inviting setting, serving Frenchinspired cuisine. Menus change every three months or so to ensure the supply of fresh locally-sourced ingredients. I chose the coquilles a la lyonnaise – scallops with pancetta, baby onions and mushrooms to you and – I as my starter. Absolutely divine.

Scallops can be a bit bland, I fi nd, and it often is down to what else is in the shell to bring out the fl avour. In this case,

Hotel Du Vin is elegant in a lovely, understated way, an homage to its French philosophy

the tiny onion, teeny bit of spinach and punchy red wine jus just worked together beautifully.

Next came the seared trout with fi ne beans, lemon, capers and hazelnuts – all beautifully presented, perfectly cooked and tasty. Th is was followed by pot au chocolat; unapologetically French, so rich and decadent that I thought I would never need chocolate again. As if.

On that particular evening, I was in the mood for seafood but I’ll be going back to try the chateaubriand as well as Bistro Du Vin’s signature beef cheek bourguignon. I’ve heard good things.

Service was great; attentive without being in any way obtrusive, everything arrived with perfect timing and my additional requests were taken with genuine warmth.

+ GOOD TO KNOW

DISABILITY ACCESS: There is one room that is fully accessible for wheelchair users. The bar and bistro are accessible too.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Cots are supplied free of charge while extra beds can be arranged for an additional £30 in the rooms big enough to accommodate an extra bed.

PET-FRIENDLY: Dogs are welcome for an additional £30. Importantly, make sure to call ahead since only courtyard rooms can accommodate pets.

• The Cosy Rooms start from £90 per night in March; suites start from £185 during the same period.

FACILITIES

The hotel has various meeting spaces, ranging in style and size. An example is the Ridgeview room that has doors opening to its own fully stocked bar – ideal for special occasions – with a capacity for up to 16 guests when laid out in cabaret style. The smallest of the meeting rooms can accommodate nine people in a boardroom style setting while the largest is the lovely Dome room. It is spacious and airy with glass windows in the dome and a huge chandelier made of wine glasses. It’s an ideal space for weddings, seating up to 100 people and Hotel Du Vin prides itself on going the extra mile for couples on their special day.

FAVOURITE BITS

Mmm, as is often the case, staff can make or break a place and the staff were really lovely. Professional but not at all pretentious. Everything was meticulously clean. I also appreciate that a stay won’t break the bank. Oh, and the chunky wooden, gargoyle-topped staircase.

BEST PUB GRUB THE WHITE HART BUXTED

In our new series, ‘Best Pub Grub’, we’ll be looking for fantastic pubs across the South East serving exceptional food. By Tess de Klerk

We’ll often focus on Sunday dinner because who doesn’t love a great Sunday roast? But to be featured in our series, establishments must also have a good atmosphere and winning service. We’ll fi nd those hidden gems and we’ll be doing the legwork so you don’t have to.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

The White Hart doesn’t look like much from the outside but it is lovely inside with exposed beams, leather couches and quirky touches. We were there on a cold Sunday, and were very pleased to fi nd a crackling fi re and a buzzy atmosphere while being invited in as if we were friends, or at least regulars.

WHAT IS THEIR MENU LIKE?

IS IT LIKELY TO PLEASE EVERYONE AROUND THE DINNER TABLE?

The White Hart clearly prides itself on its meat expertise, evident from the showcase of cuts next to the bar, including Tomahawks and Porterhouse steaks, as well as their motto ‘more than meats the eye…’. Thursday evenings are dedicated steak nights with special prices for those sharing hefty cuts, plus a carafe of house red thrown in for good measure.

Burgers abound to include interesting combos such as the Korean pork belly burger with honey glaze and kimchi, while vegetarians can choose the Bangkok Bad Boy bean burger. Vegans will fi nd two options on the menu (besides fries, onion rings etc); the plant burger and veggie mixed grill.

If there was a star of the show it was the succulent beef sirloin, cooked to perfection with a tantalisingly pink centre

We were there on a cold Sunday, and were very pleased to fi nd a crackling fi re and a buzzy atmosphere

WHAT DID YOU ORDER? WAS IT ANY GOOD?

We didn’t have anything off the regular menu since we were one-track minded and starved for a good Sunday roast, of which there were five varieties to choose from. There was the Sussex sirloin of beef; roast chicken; veggie roast; roast trio; or guest roast, the last one of which was turkey when we visited.

I opted for the trio – beef, chicken and nut roast. Our plates arrived piled high – really high – topped with huge Yorkshire puddings. If there was a star of the show it was the succulent beef sirloin, cooked to perfection with a tantalisingly pink centre. Alongside, the roast chicken had crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. The nut roast, encased in fl aky pastry was superb, bursting with rich, earthy fl avours.

The roast potatoes were not as crisp as I would have liked on the outside but defi nitely fluff y on the inside while the cauliflower cheese melted in the mouth, adding a creamy contrast to the meal. Each Yorkshire pudding was a golden, airy delight, perfect for soaking up the smoky gravy. Vibrant carrots, sweet parsnips, and kale made for colourful and nutritious accompaniments, completing a fantastic Sunday roast.

SOUNDS GOOD. ANY CRITICISMS?

My criticisms lie in the fact that The White Hart couldn’t offer gluten-free Yorkshire puddings (there was a glutenfree gravy though) and that the plates were too small for the meal – it took some effort to keep things from spilling all over the table. Also, there was no indication on the menu for those with dietary requirements beyond vegetarian or vegan. It’s easy to do and makes life easier for many people.

DID YOU HAVE DESSERT?

I would have liked dessert but had had enough gluten for one day with the nut roast and Yorkshires. Unfortunately, the only dessert choice for me was either ice cream or a cheeseboard – neither of which I fancied. My partner had sticky toffee pudding, which he enjoyed.

WHAT ABOUT DRINKS?

We were spoilt for choice; cocktails, an extensive list of gins and a good choice of wines.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO MENTION?

The service was good and the landlady was very accommodating when I changed my coffee order after it had already been made. Our roast dinners cost us around £18 each.

The White Hart, Station Road, Buxted TN22 4DP www.thewhitehartbuxted.co.uk

GODALMING EASTER ADVENTURES

Hop to Winkworth to help Basil the Bunny start his first day as the Easter Bunny’s assistant. Become Basil’s alarm clock, race him to work, and meet his Easter friends. Pick up your trail from Easter HQ (opposite the Kiosk). £3.00 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg.

Winkworth Arboretum, Nr Godalming March 27th - April 7th www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ visit/surrey/winkworth-arboretum/ events/b1c53560-a3ef-4620adae-150c84eba7b3

WHAT’S ON...

A brief snapshot of art and culture in Sussex and Surrey

HASTINGS ROBERT PLANT

Following a triumphant sold-out November run, Robert Plant’s Saving Grace, the co-operative featuring Suzi Dian (vocals), Oli Jefferson (percussion), Tony Kelsey (mandolin, baritone, acoustic guitar), and Matt Worley (banjo, acoustic, baritone guitars, cuatro) have announced their 2024 live return with a 10-date tour in March.

White Rock Theatre, Hastings March 27th

https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/ whats-on/event/robert-plant-presentssaving-grace-featuring-suzi-dian

BRIGHTON AN INTERVIEW WITH IMELDA STAUNTON

Imelda Staunton is among the UK’s most renowned actresses, known for a wide range of roles in the theatre, television and film. Of 13 Olivier Awards nominations, she won four and has been nominated for five BAFTAs. She also received an Oscar nomination for her role as Vera Drake. Imelda’s other appearances onscreen includes twenty episodes of The Crown, portraying the Queen to much acclaim.

Horatio’s, Brighton Palace Pier April 10th www.the-space.uk

CUCKFIELD WALK TOGETHER

Join us on a wonderful 30k sponsored walk through the Sussex countryside to raise money for Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity – for children under five with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments.

A moderate route, it is suitable for anyone who enjoys walking a long distance. The terrain on this circular walk will be varied.

Holmstead Farm, Cuckfield March 16th

https://register.enthuse.com/ ps/event/WalkTogether2024

GUILDFORD THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD

Follow the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ enchanting adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he?

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford March 29th - 31st

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/ whats-on/the-gru alos-child

EASTBOURNE THE DORIS DAY STORY

This beautiful production from the producer and director of the awardwinning Eva Cassidy Story is an expose of the life of Doris Day. Though her on screen persona was full of romance and Secret love, the real story was much more dramatic. This production charts her life as a jazz singer to an idol of the silver screen and beyond.

The Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne March 21st

https://royalhippodrome.com

CHICHESTER GET THRIFTY

Looking for tips on how to live more sustainably?

Visit the Weald & Downland Living Museum to explore the art of thrift. From make do and mend, to upcycling and swapping, visitors can find out how people in the past reduced waste and saved money and discover how you can turn unwanted items into something useful.

Weald & Downland Living Museum, Singleton, Nr. Chichester

April 6th-7th

www.wealddown.co.uk/events/get-thrifty

HANDCROSS GUIDED TREE TOUR AT NYMANS

Join our Guided Tree Tours to learn more about our Champion Trees, see our seasonal highlights and understand the influence that the Messel family had on the creation of this wonderful garden. After the success of last year’s tours, we’re happy to be hosting in 2024. Join one of our expert volunteer Garden Guides for a 90-minute tour showcasing all the seasonal highlights that Nymans has to offer.

Nymans Gardens

March 19th

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymans