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SUSSEX EDITION . ISSUE 16 . 2015
MOTORING
THE ALL-NEW MERCEDES-BENZ CLS NATWEST’S ENTREPRENEURIAL SPARK FIRES UP
THE BIG STORY
ELIZABETH WINDSOR CEO, UKplc
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24
As the summer fades and the winter storm
THE BIG STORY
clouds gather, you can at least rely on a
THE QUEEN
The final quarter is nearly upon us and
The finest CEO this country has ever seen?
we have been busy interviewing some
ray of sunshine every month from Platinum Towers.
fascinating people, turfed up at some excellent events and are in receipt of some insightful and highly informative editorial from our expert contributors. The voice of
12 44 16 70 36
SPARKS OF TALENT
this publication IS the voice of business as,
Exclusive interviews with Alison Rose, RBS CEO of Commercial, Corporate and Private Banking, and Simon Collins, Chairman of KPMG
in the main, it is written by business leaders
ON THE RIGHT PAGE
We are passionate about the magazine
Michael Page is a global player in the recruitment sector, listed on the FTSE 250. Regional directors Stephen Howes and Matthew Jones explain why the company has succeeded
and we do hope that comes across and
THE BAHBAs All the pictures and winners from Brighton and Hove’s big awards night.
DIVORCE Burt Brill & Carden explain what it could mean for your business.
CORPORATE DEALS SURGE Interviews with Jonathan Grant and Abigail Owen from DMH Stallard’s award-winning commercial team.
from across some of the largest and most influential companies in the South East.
that you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, if you have missed an issue they are archived at www.platinumbusinessmagazine.com.
Maarten & Ian Platinum Business Magazine, Sussex September 2015 All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit. Platinum Business Magazine is published and owned by Platinum Business Publications Limited. COVER PHOTO BY: REX Shutterstock
4
Issue 16 - 2015
The Team
AT A GLANCE 6 Local News 10 Natwest Entrepreneurship Monitor
Maarten Hoffmann – Director maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com 07966 244046
12 Interview - Alison Rose, RBS & Simon Collins KPMG
15 Institute of Directors 16 Brighton & Hove Business Awards Ian Trevett – Director ian@platinumbusinessmagazine.com 07989 970804
19 Social Media 20 National News 24 The Big Story: The Queen
32 Coast to Capital Amanda Spicer - Senior Designer
34 Skerritts - Investments 36 Interview - Jonathan Grant & Abigail Owen of DMH Stallard
39 Big Beach - Marketing Julia Trevett - Accounts Manager
40 Gatwick Diamond Awards
43 The Runway Debate 44 Interview - Steve Hannah Monkcom - Staff Reporter
Howes & Matt Jones of Michael Page
48 Kreston Reeves Accounts
50 Style Lauren Psyk - Staff Photographer
52 Anger Management
55 Business Scene 56 Nova Direct & Volunteer Action
58 Bennett Griffin - Legal 59 Young Startup Talent 60 Teliqo - Telecoms 63 Caraline Brown Public Relations
65 Motoring 70 Burt Brill & Cardens Legal
72 Jo Rogers - Marketing 74 Identity - Branding & Events
77 Business, Innovation, Technology & Efficiency conference
79 Management Development University of Brighton
81 Women in Business Awards
83 Eastbourne Business Awards
87 Chambers of Commerce
93 Young Start-Up 94 Working Lunch Jimmy’s
96 Secret Sussex: D-RisQ Ltd 5
NEWS
LOCAL NEWS
Compiled by Hannah Monkcom
A VIVID YEAR Vivid Marketing celebrated its first successful year in business in September, by holding aloft the Official Webb Ellis Rugby World Cup! The celebrations started at Sussex University Sports Pavilion where Vivid Marketing were joined by former England and Harlequins player, Will Greenwood. It is also the training venue for the Samoan Rugby Team. The event moved on to the Grade I listed mansion Stanmer House for some celebratory champagne and canapés. Guests included Neil Laughton (Adventurer & Executive Leadership Trainer), Keith Jackman, (Sandown Mercedes-Benz), Maarten Hoffman (Platinum Business Magazine), Rupert Jones-Warner (Adventurer), Mark Clancy (Natwest) and Geoff Dagwell (L&S Printing). Gemma King, owner of Vivid Marketing, said, “This milestone is important to Vivid Marketing and we are grateful to all our clients who have supported us during our first year. We are determined to make our second year even more successful than the first, with lots of exciting new projects on the horizon for our team including a climbing event at The Heron Tower, London.” Vivid Marketing specialises in design and marketing for web and print, as well as event marketing and management.
vividmarketing.co.uk
JUICE BRIGHTON Considering what a long way the radio station has come in the 17 years since it formed, it’s of no surprise that UKRD group has acquired a majority stake in Brighton’s Juice 107.2. The deal sees the group take just over 50% of the shareholding in the business, while existing shareholders retain the remainder. Founder, Daniel Nathan, is the largest minority investor and continues as chairman at the station. UKRD’s chief executive officer, William Rogers, said he was looking forward to working more closely with Daniel and his team “To build on the radio station’s success at the real heart of Brighton’s vibrant cultural and commercial life.” Daniel Nathan said, “The availability of resource and further investment that will now benefit the station is a hugely important factor as the multi-platform future of local radio continues to unfold. After many years of collaborating with UKRD on national sales and policy matters I’m delighted that we are joining a team as passionate as we are about connecting with the communities we serve.” Keep listening Sussex!
SOUTH EAST EXPORTERS Exports for both the South East and South West were up from the same period last year, with the South East up from £9.6bn to £11bn, and the South West up from £3.5bn to £4bn. Machinery and transport equipment made up the top export commodities for the entire South region. The latest regional trade statistics published by HMRC have shown the South East now contributes 14% of all exports from the UK – the highest exporter amongst all the UK regions. The positive effect was also felt across the UK as a whole, with the value of exports increasing by 1.2% compared to the same period last year, although imports did see a decrease of 2.2%. Kirsty Sandwell, Office Managing Partner for Baker Tilly’s Gatwick office, commented: “Whilst these results are very encouraging, businesses need to stay mindful of the current volatility of some overseas economies – especially in China and the EU. It’s important that businesses receive the right level of advice and support as there continues to be many risks and opportunities to weigh up before taking the plunge into exporting.” Would you take the plunge?
“Just because no one ever complains does not mean that all parachutes are perfect.” 6
NEWS
“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.”
FREE WEBSITE PRODUCES OVER 500K Horsham based entrepreneur, Antony Stonham, has created a fun, engaging website that supports local businesses and communities. It supports local businesses and communities in a way never seen before. In just over 18 months ‘Local Puzzle’ players visited over 2,000 independent businesses across 450 towns in the UK and spent well over half a million pounds with them. As well as the retailers seeing an increase in profit, players have pocketed over £40,000. Players collect points by shopping at independent stores, emailing a copy of their receipt and taking part in promotional activities. Retailers don’t have to purchase any new equipment and are entered for free, but can become “premium retailers” by profit sharing with the Sussex based company. This enables them to create targeted campaigns that drive more people to their store. Antony Stonham, owner of Local Puzzle said: “My mission is to make sure that as Local Puzzle grows, the majority of the money it makes goes back to the people involved and our customers, it would be cool to make a huge global business out of being generous on local level.” What a fab idea, everyone loves a reward system.
BENNETT GRIFFIN CHARITY SUCCESS!
A WARM WELCOME Coast to Capital LEP has two new representatives from local government joining its Board of Directors following the political elections held earlier this year. Representing Brighton & Hove City Council, Warren Morgan replaces Jason Kitcat on the LEP board. Warren is the Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council and the Labour and Co-operative Group. He has represented East Brighton since 2003 and is also the Lead Councillor for
Partner and head of the Bennett Griffin property team, Rob Fawcett, along with Elaine Smith who
Economic Development.
is the partner in charge of the Commercial team, took part in the Worthing Birdman competition
Also joining the board is Councillor
recently to raise money for local Worthing charity, Guild Care. The Worthing Birdman is a
Neil Dallen who has been nominated
competition for “human powered flying machines” that took off from a ramp specially constructed
to represent the Gatwick Diamond’s
on Worthing pier. Human dropping might be a more apt title. There are 3 different classes so entrants can decide whether they want to be a serious aviator and compete for the £10,000 prize money (which is awarded to the person who flies the furthest over
District and Borough authorities, replacing Garry Wall whose term has ended. Neil has served as a Residents’ Association Councillor for Epsom
a 100 metre distance) or whether they want to take part for fun (by jumping into the sea dressed
& Ewell for eight years and prior to
up) and raise money for charity. Rob and Elaine entered the Kingfisher Class, the “fun” class –
that was Chair of Epsom Town Centre
and they raised money for Guild Care, which was recently voted by the staff at Bennett Griffin as
Residents’ Association for many years.
their charity of the year. Each year Guild Care supports over 3000 local older people, people with
He represents Epsom’s Town Ward and
dementia, children with learning difficulties and their carers and families. Bennett Griffin has now raised over £1055 for Guild Care. Congratulations team!
is also Chair of the Council’s Strategy & Resources Committee.
7
NEWS
LOCAL NEWS
Compiled by Hannah Monkcom
FROM DUSK TO DAWN Handmade in Sussex, the new Rolls-Royce, Dawn, was unveiled at a special ceremony by supermodel Jodie Kidd at Goodwood. ‘Dawn’ has left a lasting impression since. The new car, which can reach a top speed of 155mph, has been billed as the world’s only modern four-seater super-luxury drophead (convertible). The 6.6-litre V12 twin-turbo, which has 563bhp, is capable of 0 to 60mph in less than five seconds. However, if you want to get your hands on the Dawn, it will set you back a cool £250,000. The Sussex-based designers took inspiration from the Silver-Dawn, made in the 1950’s. Giles Taylor, director of design said “The idea of creating a car like Dawn that can be used in comfort by only two adults on a day to day basis is anathema. In creating Dawn we have accepted no compromise to the comfort and luxury of four adults who want to travel together in the pinnacle of style.” Quite simply, it is the sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built.
SOUTH EAST SMEs ARE GROWING
BRIGHTON PIER 5TH BEST UK ATTRACTION
New research reveals that SMEs in the South East are confident about their future predicting 18% (the equivalent of £1.5m) growth over the next five years – according to the latest Business Growth annual survey by Santander Corporate & Commercial. More than half (51%) of SMEs in the South East see ‘growing their business’ as a key short term priority while nearly a third wish to introduce new products or research and development, which is the
Out of the free attractions to visit in the UK, you might have thought
highest of any region in Great Britain.
there would be many more than just four ahead of the Brighton (Palace)
The research further reveals that regional growth is the most
Pier. Alas official figures release by VisitEngland showed
popular overall business aim for SMEs in the South East, cited by
that only the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and
27% of respondents.18% of SMEs in the region list building their
Natural History Museum attracted more visitors! The Pier attracted
business internationally as their ultimate aim and nationally, SMEs in Great Britain predict 37% growth over the next five years. What a cracking turn out!
4.5million visitors last year, which is up a whopping 12.5% since 2013. The pier’s general manager Ann Martin said: “We are thrilled. We have always been reasonably high on the list but to come just behind the big guys is fantastic.”
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going” 8
NEWS
“To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart.”
BEER DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR! Here’s a bespoke idea – beer delivered to your
SUSSEX BUSINESS AWARDS
door by a stout bike porter. Brighton-based craft brewers Bartleby’s already deliver to city pubs by pedal power but now want to get in the saddle for home deliveries. Established in 2012 by friends and entrepreneurs, Matt Wilson and Matt Naish, the brewery will become the first in the
The 27th Sussex Business Awards are now judging all entries. Celebrating business excellence across
city to offer beer deliveries of kegs and bottles by bicycle this month. The 1,750 pint brewery
Sussex, the Awards are the longest established
is located at the Coachworks workshop and art space in Hollingdean Terrace and currently
scheme of its kind in the country and, along with the
produces Long Nose and Beadlespoon pale ales, Idle Bo stout, and a dark mild ale called
Gatwick Diamond Business Awards, are the one’s
Preference. The ethical brewery already features a bar serving Bartleby’s
that everyone wants to win! The winners will be
beer and the company has plans to add a whole foods shop and café.
announced at a prestigious ceremony at The Grand
The brewer is committed to limiting the amount of waste it produces, composting
Brighton on Thursday 3rd December 2015. You can
its spent grain and hops and recycling water used during the brewing process. It also
buy tickets to the event online and if you are entered,
sources all of its hops from British growers, as well as 95% of the grain it uses. We’re sold!
Good Luck!
THE GRAND GETS GRANDER! There have been some changes in our favourite Hotel this summer. To celebrate the launch of two newly refurbished meeting spaces The Grand Brighton has introduced four and five course tasting menus devised by executive chef, Alan White, to offer guests a high-end, exclusive dining experience and private dining rooms. Complementing GB1, the hotel’s 2 AA rosette seafood restaurant, the private dining menus will adopt the locally sourced and seasonal ethos, with 90% of the seafood being sourced from within an eight-mile radius of the Brighton hotel. The refurbished rooms, designed by Hove-based boutique interiors company, Park Grove, are part of the independent hotel’s five year renovation plan and sit alongside 13 recently restored meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 900 delegates. The new rooms offer a wonderful ambience perfect for company dinners, client entertainment and special occasion dining. Guests can expect luxurious decorative touches, quality British furnishings and bespoke features, such as the striking art mural of Brighton seafront. They have also started a new and exciting Chocolatherapy in the Spa… Chocolate therapy! Now there’s something I can get on board with!
9
FINANCE
ENTREPENEURSHIP MONITOR Tim Boag, Regional Managing Director, London & the South East, NatWest tim.boag@rbs.co.uk
N
Entrepreneurial Spark business accelerator
facilities, business advice and a supporting
hubs was launched in early September, Tim
network of mentors and enablers as well as
Boag, Regional Managing Director, London & the
links to the local business ecosystem. This will
Entrepreneurship Monitor, nearly half (46%)
South East at NatWest, said: “Despite improving
help ensure they are given the best possible
of people in the South East would prefer to be
economic condition and a widely held desire to
chance of success.”
self-employed. The data, compiled for NatWest by
be self-employed, only a very small number of
Populus, shows a record 35% also think now is a
people are actually taking the plunge.
atWest is busy launching new business hubs for thousands of entrepreneurs and according to the NatWest
To support entrepreneurs across the UK, NatWest is opening 10 Entrepreneurial Spark
good time to set up their own business. However,
“These findings show we have a nation of
just 6% of those who haven’t already done so are
potential entrepreneurs, but they are held back
its buildings across the country. This includes a
actually preparing to set out on their own.
by a lack of knowledge. NatWest wants to fill
new Hatchery at NatWest’s offices in Brighton,
In Brighton, where the first of three
that gap and are offering Entrepreneurs free
which opened recently. Together with existing
10
business accelerator hubs, or ‘Hatcheries’, in
FINANCE
“While the idea of being your own boss may sound tempting and even glamorous, the reality is that, for many people, starting out on your own and taking that leap into the unknown can be a truly daunting, and even lonely experience”
Commenting on the opening of the most recent hub in Brighton, Anna Soubry, Minister for Small Business, said: “I welcome the opening of RBS’ latest hub in Brighton and the important role it will play in promoting enterprise in the region. The launch of the Entrepreneurial Spark hub in Brighton, along with initiatives like the Government-backed Business Navigator Growth Hub, ensure businesses can access the support they need to succeed, when they need it. We will continue to back entrepreneurs across the country and promote schemes that drive innovation and create jobs for hard-working people.”
John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “What growing businesses need from their banks is a strong personal relationship, and RBS’ support hubs initiative does just this and more. It’s great to see the bank taking the time to get to know its customers and offering advice, mentoring and even office space. “With this type of hands-on support, some of these new firms will go on to become tomorrow’s high-growth, medium-sized businesses and some will even become the UK’s globally renowned brands of the future, driving jobs and growth in our economy.”
hubs in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayrshire and
budding entrepreneurs every step of the way in
companies supported so far, £20m investment
Birmingham, the aim is to support 7000
our Hatcheries, from hands-on training at our
secured and over 1,000 new jobs created.
entrepreneurs over the next five years, in
#GoDoBootcamps and one-to-one enablement
Ian Moffatt, head of National Markets at
partnership with KPMG.
to providing them with free desk space and IT.
KPMG, said: “While the idea of being your own
The programme saw new Hatcheries open in Brighton (9th Sept), Leeds (11th Sept) and Bristol (15th Sept), with future ones to come in Manchester (Feb ‘16), Belfast (Feb ‘16), RBS’ Edinburgh HQ, (Feb ’16 – to replace existing Edinburgh hub), Cardiff (Aug ‘16), Newcastle (Aug ‘16), Milton Keynes (Aug’16) and London
We’re delighted to be powered by NatWest and look forward to working together closely to open more Hatcheries across the country over the next two years.” Entrepreneurial Spark has already made a significant impact in Scotland, with almost 400
Bishopsgate (2017).
with NatWest and KPMG to launch ten new Hatcheries across the UK over the coming two years, the first of which launched in Birmingham in February. Starting and scaling a business can be daunting, so we support
the reality is that, for many people, starting out on your own and taking that leap into the unknown can be a truly daunting, and even lonely experience. “Couple this with the burden posed by administrative red tape and the confusion caused by the myriad of incentives, reliefs and
Jim Duffy, founder of Entrepreneurial Spark, said: “We are delighted to be working
boss may sound tempting and even glamorous,
schemes that are available to assist small
“These findings show we have a nation of potential entrepreneurs”
companies, and it’s no small wonder that entrepreneurs consistently tell us that they need more support. This is why the support and guidance provided by Entrepreneurial Spark, with support from NatWest and KPMG, is so vital.”
11
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPARK
SPARKS OF TALENT
J
ust in case anyone had any doubts about the importance of the new Entrepreneurial Spark hub in Brighton, they would immediately have been cast aside at the launch event in September. An accurate barometer of how influential an initiative is perceived to be is the guest list, or more importantly, who actually attends. So when the Chairman, CEO and assorted board members from RBS, the Chairman of KPMG, the leader of the council and a host of local business leaders gather together, you can be sure it is a special event. Jim Duffy, Founder of Entrepreneurial Spark, said: “We are delighted to be working with NatWest and KPMG to launch ten new Hatcheries across the UK over the coming two years. Starting and scaling a business
can be daunting, so we support budding entrepreneurs every step of the way in our Hatcheries, from hands-on training at our #GoDoBootcamps and one-to-one enablement to providing them with free desk space and IT.” The highlight of the launch was an elevator speech contest by five of the new ‘chiclets’: Dan Webb (Goodmoney CIC), Ruth Anslow (hiSbe), Steve Knight (Knightsbridge Recruitment), Hassan Rajwani (Double Six) and Aadam Patel (Halal Crackers). The prize of a £1000 investment was awarded to 14-yearold Aadam Patel by the new RBS chairman, Sir Howard Davies. Aadam’s idea is to supply
quality and quirky crackers, cards and wrap for all Islamic occasions. PBM took the opportunity to talk to Alison Rose of RBS and Simon Collins of KPMG about their support of Entrepreneurial Spark.
Alison Rose RBS CEO of Commercial, Corporate and Private Banking Why did NatWest partner with Entrepreneurial Spark (ES)? “We’ve been working with ES in Scotland for the last 2-3 years and they are running a very unique program in terms of the coaching and training they give to entrepreneurs. It makes a real difference. I met Jim Duffy about 15 months ago and asked him, ‘Why aren’t we doing that everywhere else?’ So Jim and I discussed how we could roll it out to roll it out to launch Entrepreneurial Spark business accelerator hubs everywhere. We knew there was a need and we have identified 13 centres in the UK which we think will benefit from ES.”
As the Head of Commercial, do you see some of these chiclets becoming your major clients in the future? “I really hope so, but I specifically went into this with the approach that we’re not going to charge, we’re not going to take equity, it has to be free, and you don’t even have to be a customer. If these businesses survive, then in two, three or four years they could be fantastic customers and we’ll be able to help them on to the next stage. Hopefully, they’ll remember it was us who helped them. “I was very clear when I went to the Board with the investment idea that we shouldn’t ask for equity in these businesses. We’re doing this because we want to support business. Doing the right thing for customers is how you build trust.”
Is it quite an unusual thing for a bank to get involved in companies that are so small? “Yes, it is, because a lot of these companies are not finance-ready. They don’t have a cash flow, they’re not generating profits and they can’t support debt. It’s more that we’re getting them investor-ready, so they’re not the type of companies we would normally be able to support. “One of the great things is that our bankers can come in and help them write a business plan and help them understand P&L and cash flow. The biggest pitfall for entrepreneurs is that they have a great idea, but they run out of cash - and that’s where you see high failure rates.” “The other great thing is we can open up our network. In Birmingham, there was a fantastic chap who said, ‘I’ve got this great product, but I really want to get a buyer at John Lewis.’ They are our corporate client, so we could make the introduction.” “Start-up failure rates are far too high. We have 80% survival rates in the hubs in Scotland because it is such a tough program we put them through. The chiclets have an enabler to challenge, support and mentor and to help them take their ideas forward.” “I’m putting my bankers through the Entrepreneurial Development Academy, so they really understand what businesses go through. It’s education for both sides.”
How long will RBS be investing in ES? “It’s ongoing, there’s no full stop. This is a long-term commitment to this and we have already allocated £25 to £30 million over five years. We’re committed to doing this. “It’s something I feel really passionate about, which is why I got behind it. But it’s for the bank as a whole. It’s just one of the things I picked up that I want to sponsor because I think it makes a real difference. And I think for us as a bank, this is how we can add value back into the business community.”
12
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPARK
Simon Collins Chairman KPMG Why has KPMG got involved in Entrepreneurial Spark (ES)? “We want to help all growing businesses get behind the UK growth. We love the values of ES in terms of encouraging entrepreneurs to have a go while bonding that together with more established business. People in our business are really motivated to train up to be mentors to entrepreneurs. It bridges the gap between large business and small business, it gives our people access to thinking, creativity and different types of people. It gives the small businesses access to knowledge, resources and support. “We want to support business, so we don’t put constraints on this. We’re not choosing who we support in this programme, but it’s really exciting to think that among an average crop of start-ups there are going to be some really exciting businesses. “We see everything in the life cycle of companies because we see creditor problems, we see tough trading, we see stress, distress, clashes with regulation, we see businesses learning the cost of really exciting ideas and poor planning, really great marketing and poor cash control. So we see the war stories that we can help people avoid.”
Would it be quite unusual for you to deal with companies this small? “It would, historically. It looks like it’s not our natural marketplace. I think a few things have changed. One, we are deliberately reaching out to smaller businesses. Society has changed, as has the life cycle of an average company. If you look at companies who were in the Fortune 500 or the FTSE 20 years ago, most of them would have taken 50 or 100 years to get there. Now the life cycle is incredibly fast, and therefore working with big companies means sometimes working with small companies not very long beforehand. The cycle of growth and maturity is being really truncated. We feel we can really help be part of that acceleration because there is a hell of an ability to make mistakes in that rapid period of change. “I’m not totally ancient, but when I started work there was no Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Alibaba or Intel. So, if you look at the composition of where the world’s capital flows to, where the ideas flow to, the change is really rapid. Many of the entrepreneurs at ES will struggle, but what they’re doing is actually really exciting. Small companies drive the economy.”
How does the involvement benefit KPMG? “It is a valuable experience for our mentors. They vary demographically across our business, but they are skewed towards relatively young, qualified accountants and professionals. I think, if you look at the way society works now, they must have one eye on being entrepreneurs and understanding the challenges they face. We’re not pretending this is some act of charity. We think we’re doing good, but we also think that that’s good for our business, too.”
13
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INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS
THE DANGERS OF APPLYING SILENCE By Dean Orgill Chairman of Mayo Wynne Baxter www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk • www.iod.com
I
s the way your business deals with job applications undermining the time, effort and money that you put into building your brand? Do you know how job applications are dealt with by your firm or agency? Are they dealt with in the way that you would want your own application, or those of your family or friends to be dealt with? Recently I have heard so many accounts of how badly applicants are being treated I have found it hard to believe. I have heard of numerous applications not being acknowledged, and of people hearing nothing back at all from businesses to whom they have applied. This approach of only getting back to candidates, who may have spent considerable time making applications, if the business is really interested in them seems to be common now. It can even be carried through to the extent that people who have been interviewed are not then told they are unsuccessful. Instead they are left having to assume that to be the case if they do not hear any more after some (unspecified) time.
Aside from being, in my humble personal opinion, just plain rude what does this say about a business? Whilst customers can be swayed to use a business by its marketing and brand projection doesn’t a business show its true character in its dealings with people? If candidates have taken the trouble to apply to be part of your business how would you expect them to feel if you then ignore them? Are they, their family, their friends, and their social media network going to speak highly of your business if you cannot even send out an email to acknowledge them, or if you ignore them after they have been in for an interview? There are a number of businesses that I personally will not use because of the way that they have interacted with potential employees, and I know from discussions with friends that I am by no means alone in this. A short polite email on receipt of an application (most of which are now submitted electronically) costs nothing – it can even be automated. Likewise if someone is
unsuccessful then why not email them and just say you are sorry they were unsuccessful this time but hope they may consider applying again in the future? They may have skills that you do not need at the moment, but which you may need in the future. At that point you may wish that their disposition towards you was more positive than it would be if you had previously ignored them. At the moment it seems that if your communications with job applicants are prompt, polite and considerate you could well be giving yourself a competitive edge, and you will not be undermining that marketing spend after all.
JUST A THOUGHT what is the biggest single risk for your business in the next 12 months? What have you done to ensure that you can work through it should it happen? 15
AWARDS
POSH DESIGNS AND LOCAL FOOD
The winners of the 10th annual Brighton & Hove Business Awards (BAHBAs).
T
he big winner at the awards ceremony at All Saints Church in Hove was Posh Totty Designs, winners of three awards, including Best Business in Brighton. The awards were compered by comedian,
Stephen Grant. Individual awards were presented to The Grand’s Andrew Mosely for
Mike Gilson, Editor, The Argus and Chair of this year’s panel of judges commented: “The companies and their leaders showcased at the 2015 Awards demonstrate that combining passion and business nous with fun and individuality can be a real recipe for success. It is Brighton and
MD of the Year and Nick Mosley for Outstanding Brightonian, recognising
Hove’s personality that puts it among the UK’s favourite cities, and that
his work in taking the Brighton food scene to an international stage.
personality is reflected in our business community.”
Posh Totty Designs
Brighton & Hove Business Awards 2015 Winners The Best Independent Retailer - The Kitchen Store
The Best New Kids On The Block - Silo Brighton
The Creative Industries Award - Posh Totty Designs
The Best Customer Service - Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival
The Best Place To Work - Stelfox
The Best Environmental Industry Company - Organic Roofs
The Award for Business Beyond The City - Qualifa
The Fastest Growing Business Award - Posh Totty Designs
The Professional Services Award - Vivid Event Group
The MD Of The Year - Andrew Mosley, The Grand Brighton
The Greatest Contribution To The Community - Groundwork South
The Judges’ Award For Business Of The Year - Posh Totty Designs
The Best Event In The City - Brighton Fringe
The Outstanding Brightonian - Nick Mosley, Brighton & Hove Food And Drink Festival
The Best Place To Visit In Brighton & Hove - SEA LIFE Brighton
This year’s sponsors: Allied Irish Bank, Aspect 8, Boxharry, Brighton and Hove City Cabs, Cardens Accountants, Classic Consulting, Gemini Print, Graves Jenkins, Martin Searle Solicitors, Robinson Low Francis and Yelo Architects. Media sponsors included Title Sussex, Juice 107.2FM and The Argus. The BAHBAs were organised by Midnight Communications and supported by the Chamber of Commerce, Brighton & Hove City Council, Brilliant Brighton, the Brighton Business Curry Club and B&H Tourism Alliance.
16
AWARDS
1.
2.
4.
5.
7.
8.
10.
11.
1. Andrew Mosley and Charlie Hepburn 2. Kitchen Store’s Sophie Niles, Mark Davies, Catherine Scopes 3. Rachel Hepburn, Dora Pandi, Michelle Mainwaring of Vivid Events 4. Awards organiser, Caraline Brown 5. Best New Kids on the Block, Silo Brighton. 6. Gene Commerce, Mike Fawcett, Nicola May, Paul Barrett, Scott Millar, Matt Parkinson, David Macauley, Vicki Tingle, Conor Farrell, Chloe Langford 7. Johnny Others and Harley Rose Thomas of Groundwork South 8. George Bonny, Kerri Breen of Organic Roofs 9. The team from Qualifa 10. Sea Life Brighton team 11. Caroline Lucas MP [centre front] with dinner guests. 12. The Simon Webster Hair team 13. Sam Harrington Lowe, Jane Connolly, Becky Abbott, Ian Trevett 14. Natasha Haim, Julian Caddy, Jeremy Ornellas, Kimberley Butler 15. The Argus team at 2015 BAHBAs 16. The Outstanding Brightonian, Nick Mosley, Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival and Mike Gilson, The Argus
13.
15.
3.
6.
9.
12.
14.
16. 17
Platinum Business News!
Your future talent-pool of highly-skilled future employees The Careers and Employability Centre, at the University of Sussex, welcomes the opportunity to work with new and existing employers, our Sussex alumni and opportunity providers across all sectors. We want to make it easy for you, the business community, to engage with the University and your future talentpool of highly skilled students and graduates. We look forward to discussing ways in which we can work together.
Free vacancy advertising for employers We offer a free vacancy advertising service for opportunities which are suitable for our current students or recent graduates. Adverts appear at our online vacancy listing: www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/search and interested candidates will apply to you directly. One year professional placements A number of courses at Sussex involve a professional placement year. Subjects include Informatics, Business and Management and Product Design. We can help you to recruit a suitable student for your organisation. Work experience and Internships Work experience is a cost effective way of raising your profile and even trialling potential future graduate employees. We can target current students and recent graduates and have some special funded schemes. Sussex Santander internships The University of Sussex is a member of Santander Universities UK and we are able to offer a limited number of 12-week internships, with attached funding, for small to medium-size enterprises.
Recruitment fair Our flagship event, Careers Fair, is held each autumn at the American Express Community Stadium. It attracts over 100 exhibitors and up to 2,500 students and recent graduates. We’d love you to be there! Events Let us host your recruitment presentations or informal drop-in sessions to give you the opportunity to meet students on campus. This is an effective way to reach your target audience. We also welcome your support and expertise for some of our initiatives such as StartUp Sussex Enterprise, our programme for potential social and commercial entrepreneurs. Skills workshops and alumni talks Employers regularly visit Sussex to run skills development sessions for our students. Recent events have included presentation skills, social entrepreneurship, commercial awareness, networking and assessment centres. We also welcome Sussex alumni back to campus to take part in careers information
If you’d like to find out more please contact: Linda Buckham, Director, Careers and Employability Centre, Andrea Wall, Employer Engagement Manager, Careers and Employability Centre, The Library, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QL T: 01273 873384 or 01273 678429 E: andrea.wall@sussex.ac.uk W: www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/employers
Please mention Platinum Business Magazine when you contact us.
SOCIAL MEDIA
HOW FREE IS FACEBOOK?
By Lucy Wilkes totalsocsec@gmail.com www.totalsocialsecretary.com
O
pen up any Facebook account and you will see the strap line, “It’s free and always will be” when you sign in. Technically true, but just how is Facebook utilising your personal information, not only from its own pages, but by securing leads from across all platforms and search engines? Most of us now turn to the internet as the first port of call when searching for new products, whether it’s a phone, washing machine, holidays, hotels... Few of us realise our everyday searches are being passed on to Facebook to add to their vast stock of individual customer data. It may seem a coincidence that a certain brand you were searching for on various sites will mysteriously appear in your Facebook timeline, advertising the very item you had been searching for. Easy to ignore or helpful advice: either way, Facebook are using information from your web browsing history to tailor ads to your profile So why is Facebook – a site used for sharing stories and photos – interested in your likes and buying choices? Facebook is, of course, a business – and as a business it needs to turn a profit. A recent Forbes article reported that Facebook “states that its revenue for the fourth quarter rose 42% from $2.5 billion to $3.54
billion in the same quarter a year earlier, ” back in April 2015. Whereas Facebook used to store user information based solely on your likes and interactions , it is now working with third-party organisations to garner crucial stats about your preferred brand choices, which means Facebook can fine-tune the ads displayed on your timeline, giving more weight to charge businesses to promote ads on their site.
“Facebook is, of course, a business – and as a business it needs to turn a profit.” As the market leader, Facebook have recently announced they have 40 million active global business pages. That`s a lot of companies trying
to get noticed with their events/sales/ updates. Any business with a company web page will have noticed over the last couple of years a drastic decline in engagement with their followers and an increase in the suggestion from Facebook to pay for their posts to be promoted. Facebook for a fee - will target and hone your business post to an audience whose personal preferences have been gleaned from third-party sourcing of web browser history. Here at Total Social Agency we do not recommend paying for or promoting ads; instead, we work on beautiful and creative content that is shared widely. To avoid being targeted and having personal browser information being stored - and used by Facebook as collateral for an increase in their marketing sales - there is the opportunity to opt out of tailored advertising via the Digital Advertising Alliance. There is also the site DO NOT TRACK ME, which has been devised to block tracking companies, ad networks, social networks and data collection agencies. DoNotTrackMe claim to have blocked over 1 trillion attempts to track users’ browsing histories from sites, including Facebook. So, initially, Facebook is “Free and Always will be” is the accurate Facebook motto – as long as you remember those terms and conditions.
19
NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
Compiled by Hannah Monkcom
STEP UP YOUR BUSINESS GAME WITH GOOGLE ANALYTICS John Hibbit (Site Visibility, Brighton) shares his ‘8 Steps to Actionable Insights’ to help your businesses online performance through use of Google Analytics (GA). 1. Create a measurement plan. Map your business plan to GA – for example, objectives, strategies and tactics, key performance indicators (KPI’s), traffic segments, and targets. 2. Set up three “views” for each property. GA creates one view called “All website data” per property. Add two more to safeguard your data: create a ‘test’ view for testing, then a copy called ‘master’. Ensure country, time and currency settings are correct. 3. Exclude internal teams and spammers from reports. Visits from your own business teams skews data. A fixed IP address is helpful. 4. Ecommerce Tracking. If you sell directly from your website, set-up ecommerce tracking. Get a competent developer to add the code to your site. 5. Track internal site search. Customers unable to find services or products may use your internal site search giving you valuable data on customer intent. Turn on the site search setting on all views. Search Google about how to set it up. 6. Set up campaign-tracking. GA does not track all marketing channels by default. Use Google’s URL tool to create tracking links for email newsletters. 7. Set up goals. Goals are the actions customers take on their way to doing business with you e.g. a newsletter or account sign-up. Use cash values for goals to see your most valuable pages in reports. 8. Link AdWords. On the properties admin page, link any AdWords accounts for pay-per-click reporting within Google Analytics.
TRAVELATOR CIRCLE LINE It may come as no surprise to regular passengers on the London Underground’s Circle Line that a moving walkway would get them to their destination in less time. An architecture firm has designed just that: a travelator to replace the 17-mile circuit of trains. Architects at NBBJ said they came up with the travelator in response to a challenge by a think tank to invent something to improve daily life in London. They said the travelator would not only improve journey times and increase the number of people able to travel on the line, but has an added health benefit for commuters.
“The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.” 20
NEWS
“Just because no one ever complains does not mean that all parachutes are perfect.”
5 MYTHS OF INHERITANCE TAX According to Harvey Jones (writing for theguardian.com), the myths are: Myth 1: inheritance tax raises lots of money for the government IHT is a tax that is fairly easy to avoid and which raised just £3.7bn in the 2014-15 tax year, just over 0.7% of the £513.5bn total collected by HM Revenue & Customs. VAT, by comparison, raised £111bn. Myth 2: IHT only hits the super-rich IHT may not be immoral, but it is unfair. The super-rich rarely pay, protecting their wealth through measures such as setting up trusts or buying assets that qualify for business property relief. Increasingly, the burden has fallen on the middle classes. Myth 3: I can pass on £1m free of tax The new limit of £1m will take several years to come into force. The additional allowance will only apply to family homes – it won’t cover other assets, including buy-to-let properties and second homes – and will gradually be withdrawn for estates worth more than £2m. Myth 4: My partner will inherit everything free of IHT The rules of intestacy changed in October 2014 and are now much more in favour of the surviving spouse. But even now, where there are children, there is no guarantee that the spouse will inherit everything. The key point is that it is absolutely vital to make a will. This is particularly important for unmarried couples, especially those with children. Myth 5: You can avoid IHT by giving all your money away You can’t simply give away all your wealth shortly before you die and escape IHT. HMRC is wise to such tricks. You have to survive at least seven years after making a gift. Until then it is known as a “potentially exempt transfer” and may fall back into your estate and be liable for IHT if your estate’s value exceeds the nil-rate band.
ZERO HOUR CONTRACTS BENEFITS NO WORKER a rate comparable to Usain Bolt coming out of the blocks in the 100 metres. The
QUIRKY WORK LOCATIONS, DO THEY HELP?
number of people on them in 2014 climbed by nearly a fifth to 744,000.
Whether it’s the constant babble of voices in your open
Their attraction to employers is obvious. They can be used to create pools of
plan office, the strip-lighting, or the claustrophobia of the
adequately skilled labour at the beck and call of the employer – labour which is
battery-cage desk formations, for a lot of us the work
free from the cost of providing for sick pay, holidays or other benefits commonly
place is not a great place to work. This TREExOFFICE
associated with full-time contracts of employment. This is an arrangement whose
idea is placed in Hoxton Square, you can rent a space
benefit is almost exclusively to the employer.
with individual wifi availability or the entire place
Its growth highlights one of the problems with the style of free-market capitalism
for meetings. “It is made of compressed paper with
we have adopted in this country: it frequently leads to power imbalances, making
see-through plastic and translucent polycarbonate,”
for markets that aren’t as free as the theory suggests. The DWP has proposed
says architect Kathryn Timmins. “This is good for the
The latest official data on Zero hour contracts suggest their use is accelerating at
calling them “flexible-hours contracts” in the same way that the “minimum wage” has become the Treasury’s “living wage”.
environment, but also helps workers feel at one with nature.”
21
NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS
Compiled by Hannah Monkcom
TOP 100 UNDERGRADUATE EMPLOYERS The annual list of the Top 100 Undergraduate Employers has been published, ranking the businesses that have actively offered work experience and career guidance to young talent across the UK. The announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed that more than 50% of UK graduates are currently employed in non-graduate jobs, one of the worst rates in Europe. Employers are paying undergraduates an average salary of £17,000 in 2015. This year sees financial giant Bank of America Merrill Lynch gain the coveted number one spot after several years of steady progress up the chart. The dominance of financial companies in the Top 100 is clear but there have also been successes in other sectors. Entertainment giant Warner Bros climbed an impressive 39 places to occupy the number three spot and Microsoft returned to number six in this year’s table. Lucy Saunders, University Recruitment Lead at Microsoft UK said: “We are going through a huge transformation at Microsoft and to have undergraduates coming to us with their fresh ideas and modern perspectives is so important to us.”
SHOCKWAVES OF NATIONAL LIVING WAGE
EVEN MORE MOBILE
The National Living Wage is also sending shockwaves through the UK labour market due to small businesses scaling back on recruitment in order to prepare for having to pay more in wages. James Hick, UK managing director of ManpowerGroup Solutions, which surveyed 2100 employers, said, “It’s one factor that’s creating a concern about whether to take people on or not.” Mr Hick said job prospects are at their weakest since 2012 as a result. Analysts have warned that some employers will struggle to pay the living wage of £7.20 an hour when the rules come into force in April. Retailers, care workers and cleaners are expected to be badly affected. The Office for Budget Responsibility said 60,000 people could lose their jobs. He noted that the worst affected areas are in the North. London is twice as optimistic as the national average. “It’s
Is scrolling through your apps to find the right one ever a chore? Well Jaocim Westland created a quicker way to access what he needs, and he’s called it ‘Flic’. The Swedish company has developed a silicone button the size of two two pound coins stuck together that can stick to your wall
this proliferation
/ fridge / chair, or through use of a clip to your coat / jacket / belt and it
of small
triggers specific functions on your smartphone. The button has just three
businesses in
functions but can be used in many situations, from the trivial (taking a
London that
selfie) to more serious (as a panic alarm for epileptics).
is bucking
The Flic has been developed as a bridge between the increasing number of
the trend and
functions that can be achieved on a phone – from turning on the lights and
there’s been a tech boom in London,” Mr Hick said.
the stereo to ordering a taxi – and the practicalities of everyday life, where people do not want to have to search through apps. The 60,000 preorders for the product will soon be sent out to customers. One currently costs $34 although the price reduces as the number bought increases.
“If there’s a 90% chance of failure, there’s a 10% chance of changing the world.” 22
NEWS
“Too little confidence, and you’re unable to act; too much confidence, and you’re unable to hear.”
RYAN AIR VS CHINESE HACKERS
LOOSEN THOSE PURSE STRINGS
In April, dollar funds that Ryanair
Employers who do not pay workers the
used to buy fuel were reportedly intercepted by hackers. Almost $5 million in fuel payments were frozen as Ryanair worked
national minimum wage and the National Living Wage will face tougher penalties under plans outlined by
with banks and the relevant
the government.
authorities to claw back the cash.
These include
The funds were lost during “a
doubling penalties
fraudulent electronic transfer to
for non-payment
a Chinese bank in April”, Ryanair
and disqualifying
said.
employers from being
This month Ryanair has managed to claw back $5 million from Chinese hackers. Shares were up almost 10% in Ryanair last month after the company raised its expected profits for the year by 25%, to around $1.2 billion. A wet August, which pushed holidaymakers to take last-minute breaks abroad in search of sun, plus low fuel prices,
a company director for up to 15 years. Employment Minister Nick Boles told the BBC the
were credited for the hike. However Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary warned against “irrational
government was “very keen to
exuberance” on the part of shareholders, saying that such favourable conditions probably
step up enforcement”. The National Living Wage of
wouldn’t last. At least some of us Brits got a cheap holiday out of it!
£7.20 an hour comes into force in April 2016.
DOES SUNDAY TRADING MEAN FUNDAY’S FADING? Asda has been lobbying nationally for changes in the Sunday trading law and it’s no surprise as to why but increased Sunday trading will inevitably lead to further erosion of shared leisure time. Businesses and community leaders have been reacting to the prospect of Sunday trading hours being extended, which came as part of Chancellor George Osborne’s recently announced Budget. In what the Treasury called “the biggest shake-up of Sunday trading laws since the 1990s”, Mr Osborne wants to implement devolved powers to allow mayors and local councils the ability to determine what hours traders in their areas can remain open. The current law allows smaller shops to open all day but limits those of more than 3,000 sq.ft in size - such as supermarkets - to six hours of trading. The plans have certainly not been welcomed by all, with religious leaders particularly critical as well as locals who live near big shopping areas. We wait to see what happens!
23
THE BIG STORY
THE COUNTRY’S LEADING CEO
by Maarten Hoffmann
I
n my heart l am a republican. I cannot adhere to the world of deference through position, l cannot doff my cap to those born of supposed
high status, nor can l offer respect to any human due to the coincidence of their birth. I
cap and stroke his ego. He was probably totally correct, as God knows what l would have done to their blood line, but that was not the point. Therefore, l regard no one to be superior to me. There are those with much more talent,
will certainly pay due respect to those with
those with much more money, those who give
talent or those who have worked their way
of themselves to worthy causes and certainly
from the bottom to the top, but because of
those with far more success, and l respect
an accident of birth? l think not.
these people hugely for their achievements,
I realised this when l was 22, met a beautiful girl at a Grosvenor House ball and we spent the next three weeks together in a haze of passion and laughter. She then revealed that she actually carried
and isn’t that the point? People should be respected for what they have achieved and what they have done in their lives rather than for the womb from which they entered this world.
the title of Lady and that her father, a very high-profile Lord, who shall remain nameless, demanded to meet me if we were to continue our affair. The following weekend, we duly drove into the Shires and arrived at his ancestral stately pile, where l was whisked into an anteroom by an aide and was briefed on how l should
“It’s also been noted that, compared to republics, monarchies seem to perform better on the stock markets..”
address him. I was taken aback when told that l should only ever refer to
Elizabeth ll, you would have to do it over my
‘My Lord,’ and from there
dead, cold body.
on as Sir. I just couldn’t do it. I
This woman has been the Queen for as long as l have been alive, and by the looks of her
met him and stated it
glowing health, she might still be there when
was a pleasure, with no
l pop my clogs. I don’t respect and admire her
sycophantic additions or
so much for her status as monarch as for what
pre-fixes, and although
she has managed to do for this country over
he seemed to take it on
the past 63 years, seven months and two days
the chin and was quite
(at the time of writing). Duty is a word that she
charming, l was later
lives by, and duty is what she has offered for
told he was not happy
longer than l have been alive, and she has not
and that we had no
wavered in this, not once.
future. He decided his
24
But if you wanted to harm or depose Queen
him as ‘Your Lordship’ or
But apart from garden fetes, ship launches
daughter had no future
and civic centre openings, what has she really
with me based on the
done to benefit this country? Well, l believe
fact that l would not
she has attracted billions of pounds to the UK,
toe the line, doff my
forged business links where no other could
THE BIG STORY and, behind the scenes, greased the wheels of industry far better than any other person alive. I believe she is the finest CEO the country has ever seen. The Queen is the most prominent symbol around the world of Britain’s heritage and tradition, something that UK companies can amplify when marketing their goods and services to international markets. The Queen injects a sense of continuity and national identity in the globalised and ever-changing world we live in today. She is such a wellknown face and instantly brings a sense of history, giving British brands an edge and distinctive advantage that can be utilised. Not only does the Queen play a large part in the annual £500 million that tourists bring to the UK, but her marketability contributes to the country’s £160 billion annual exports, especially luxury goods. When Chinese consumers were asked what words they associate with Britain, top of the list was the Queen, with 25.1% instantly thinking of her. And when asked what are the most important factors influencing their purchase intention of luxuries, having a royal connection was in the top four with 17% alongside excellent quality, brand meaning, and status symbol. Royal Warrants have been granted since the 15th century and it is the sense of history and tradition that the crest garners a product or service that boosts its marketability. There are around 800 holders of a Royal Warrant, which marks out the goods and services the Queen and her household use. But ultimately it signifies the desirability of British lifestyle and has come to symbolise quality and excellence. Those holding the warrant range
from individual craftsmen to multi-national companies like Kellogg’s and Unilever-owned Hellman’s mayonnaise. The Royal Warrant gives brands added value as an indicator of quality and prestige; it is a stamp of approval. In research of international shoppers, 57% said the Royal Warrant is important or very important in increasing desirability of British lifestyle brands. The royal endorsement is particularly advantageous for companies exporting to China, the rest of Asia, the Middle East and the US. A very important factor that makes Britain stand out in the global market is that it incorporates tradition and innovation
seamlessly. A recent survey showed that, particularly among the millennials (aged 25-32), British fashion is perceived as being ‘fearless,’ with a strong individual sense of style. Put differently, Britain’s advantage lies in its so-called soft power, which is defined as the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than through coercion, and the UK’s royal heritage and Queen is a key part of that. A recent ranking called ‘The Soft Power 30’ - by PR firm Portland and compiled using digital insights from Facebook and polling by ComRes – put the UK as the world leader. The extent of the Queen’s impact on the country’s soft power is hard to measure, but the way she is used in
25
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THE BIG STORY diplomatic relations emphasises the important
the midst of a severe financial crisis.
role she plays. Prince William met Chinese
The rise of far-left anti-austerity party
President Xi Jinping in March, the first royal
Podemos in the last few years has seen the
visit to China since the Queen flew there in
return of the symbol of Spanish republicanism
1986, and it coincided with the Great Festival
at a number of political rallies, and it could lead
of Creativity in Shanghai, put on by UK Trade
to republicanism gaining greater traction if
& Investment, where many British companies
economic conditions in Spain don’t show signs
were showcasing their products. As China
of significant improvement in the coming years.
promotes its own soft power, it has increasingly turned to Britain for inspiration. Whatever the Queen wears, eats, visits or
This milestone in British history also begs the question of whether we’ll see the like again in terms of longevity for a reigning monarch.
even holds instantly increases in value, and
This is because citizens could increasingly look
it is mostly British. When it is seen on or near
to question the relevance of monarchies at a
the Queen, it is then wanted by millions around
time when budgets are under pressure and
the world. James Lock hats, Ettinger bags,
welfare costs continue to rise as governments
Rolls-Royce, Range Rover, BA have all gained in
try to ride a tide of deteriorating demographics
prestige and sales by Her Majesty using them.
as well as rising costs.
In luxury brand marketing, heritage is a critical
It’s also been noted that, compared to
resource and is perceived as a key attribute
republics, monarchies seem to perform better
of brand authenticity and brand aura – the
on the stock markets.
miasma of meaning surrounding a brand –
Across Europe we still have what are known
plus, it is a fundamental resource for retro-
as constitutional monarchies, which means
marketing and nostalgic branding. In addition,
that the reigning monarch doesn’t influence the
research on the consumer’s authenticity
politics of the state, and, by and large, citizens
evaluation of luxury brands shows that luxury
seem to prefer the option of the pomp and
brands are characterised by a founding myth,
grandeur of a monarchy over that of a republic,
history, craftsmanship and a link to the leisured
where the head of state or president gets
class, something that the Queen certainly helps
involved in the everyday, grubby and sleazy
British products embody. If a dress is worn
nature of politics, and where a lot of politicians
by royalty, 46.7% of foreign shoppers said it
are no more popular than a nasty dose of
increases the chances of them buying it.
influenza. The other monarchies in Europe
The role of the monarchy has always tended
are in Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands,
to divide opinion, especially at a time when
Norway, Spain and Sweden, and comparing the
state budgets are being squeezed and the red
economic performance of these countries since
top tabloids scream about how much she costs
1990 makes for some interesting reading.
us and why should we have to pay for her to
Michael Hewson and Colin Cieszynski, Chief
live in a selection of palaces. It is indeed hard to
Market Analysts at CMC Markets UK, recently
believe that there are some who would prefer
looked at the stock market performance
the type of state hierarchy seen in France,
of the best-performing monarchies. The
where President Francois Hollande is held in
laggards appear to be Belgium, Spain and the
such low regard.
Netherlands, all countries that have struggled
Queen Elizabeth II, and monarchs in
to escape the clutches of a financial crisis
general, have tended to be more popular than
in Europe, and also coincidentally members
politicians, though this sentiment was tested
of the Eurozone. Looking at results from
in Spain most recently, following the recent
specific countries also highlights a number of
abdication of King Juan Carlos in favour of
differences between monarchies and non-
his son, who had been pictured on a safari in
monarchies:
Botswana at a time when the country was in
British Isles: comparing the UK with
27
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THE BIG STORY Ireland (monarchy, no Eurozone vs republic, Eurozone) shows Ireland outperformed on total return but was more volatile, and UK outperformed after accounting for risk, though if you take the FTSE250, then the UK compares quite favourably. Scandinavia: comparing Finland (republic, Eurozone) versus Norway, Sweden and Denmark (monarchy, non-Eurozone) showed that even though Finland was near the top on average return, it lagged far behind the other three on a risk-adjusted basis. Mediterranean Countries: Spain, a monarchy, outperformed Eurozone republic neighbours Portugal, Italy and Greece by a wide margin on both average and risk-adjusted returns. Eurozone Core Countries: monarchies The Netherlands and Belgium outperformed republican France but underperformed Germany. This survey also shows just how great the Euro project has been for Germany relative to its partners. Outside Europe: the non-monarchy side came out on top with the US far and away the top performer adjusted for risk, while the monarchies were dragged down by Japan’s struggles. Canada and Australia (monarchies) had moderate returns but also moderate risk and were among the better performers on a risk-adjusted basis, similar to Germany and Switzerland.
“People should be respected for what they have achieved and what they have done in their lives rather than for the womb from which they entered this world. ”
English-speaking countries: The four countries with the lowest standard deviations (volatility and risk) were all English-speaking (US, UK, Canada, and Australia), and the one English-speaking country with higher risk was Ireland, also the only English-speaking Eurozone member. Hong Kong: a special case study Having switched sides from the monarchy camp to the non-monarchy group within the last 25 years, Hong Kong provides a particularly interesting example. Hong Kong (British Empire)
Total return 1989-1997 465.54%
Hong Kong (China)
Total return 1997-2015 42.60%
The Queen does not directly affect any of these statistics, of course, nor does she set out to market the products she uses, but after 63 years in the top job, there can be little doubt that she is fully aware of the positive effect she radiates, and capitalises on it at every opportunity to the benefit of UKPLC. Image the knowledge and insider scoop she has gained from reigning over Prime Minsters Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Harold Macmillan, Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron. Not only do they inform her of the government’s intentions, but the smart one’s have asked her opinion and regarded her wise counsel on matters of state as some of the best advice they have ever received. We will never know what this advice was or details of the subjects, but the Queen has had more influence over foreign policy than any PM will ever admit.
29
celebrating BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
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01293 813888
@gdbizawards
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THE BIG STORY She has also held private audiences
figure of more than half a billion pounds
with US Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight
comprised celebrations and retail shopping
Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson,
at 53.3% with £271m, souvenirs at 38.6%
Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter,
with £196.7m and an extra tourist spend at
Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill Clinton,
retail of 8.1% with £41.25m. And this costs
George W Bush and Barack Obama.
the UK citizen .56p per person per year.
Just stop and imagine for a moment any
Show any accountant an annual cost of
other person on earth who has had an effect
£35m against the income from a one-off
of these political titans over a span of 63
event in that accounting period at £508m and
years. Let’s not forget that she also met six
you would see a very happy accountant and
popes and saw the fall of the Berlin Wall,
shareholders leaping for joy. But isn’t that the
the collapse of Soviet Russia, the first man
point? We are the shareholders. Look what
in space, the end of apartheid, the formation
we get in return for our 56p a year.
of the EU, the abolition of the death penalty,
Meanwhile, business improvement
the introduction of decimalisation and the
network, the New West End Company, which
invention by Brit Tim Berners-Lee of the
represents over 600 businesses around Bond
world-wide web.
Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street said London companies alone achieved £120m worth of extra sales during the celebrations
“Look what we get in return for our 56p a year.”
as more than 2m visitors from over 100 countries entered the city. And so it goes on. Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of this Realm and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, is not going to live forever. When the inevitable happens and Queen Elizabeth shuffles off her mortal coil, we will see King Charles lll
For several decades of the Queen’s reign,
and Queen Camilla, and the republican surge
British governments saw themselves in
will resume with renewed fervour. But what
the business of “managing decline” — from
happens then?
empire and victory in World War II to the
For at least 12 days — between her
status of middling power. During this time
passing, the funeral and beyond — Britain
the influence and the symbolism of the
will grind to a halt. It’ll cost the British
crown has been all-pervasive. The Queen
economy billions in lost earnings. The stock
has not opposed change or helped Britain
markets and banks will close for an indefinite
avoid change; what she has done instead
period. And both the funeral and the
is to enable change without despair. Her
subsequent coronation will become formal
permanence has given the British the
national holidays, each with an estimated
essential self-assurance that was needed.
economic hit to GDP of between £1.2 and £6
The poet Philip Larkin caught it well:
billion, to say nothing of organisational costs.
“In times when nothing stood
But to focus on the financial disruption
But worsened, or grew strange,
doesn’t begin to describe the sheer
There was one constant good:
magnitude of it. It will be an event unlike
She did not change.”
anything Britain has ever seen before. There
The royal household is a very large
will be trivial disruptions — the BBC will
business with 1,200 employees, including
cancel all comedy shows, for example — and
catering, gardening, secretarial, media
jarring cultural changes. Prince Charles
relations, marketing, human resources, IT,
may change his name, and the words of the
property surveying and maintenance, equine
national anthem will be changed too, as will
management, retails, restoration and strategic
the bank notes, stamps and coins.
planning and research. Annual expenses were
The deaths of Princess Diana and the
put at £35.7m, with payroll alone being £18.2m
Queen Mother both brought on waves of
and property maintenance at £13.3m.
public mourning and outright hysteria.
The expenses of £35m have to be seen
But the Queen, due to her longevity and
alongside the income created by the
fundamental place atop British society, will
monarch. It is estimated that the Diamond
be on a whole new level above that.
Jubilee alone produced a net income to the
The vast majority of British people have
UK of £508.9m, according to the Centre of
simply never known life without the Queen,
Retail Research. Broken down, the impact
and l for one do not want to see it, ever.
31
COAST TO CAPITAL LEP
BUSINESS IS OUR Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is led by the region’s business community and supported by local authorities and academic institutions. Looking back on his time as Chief Executive, Ron Crank reflects on how the LEP has benefited from the leadership input of a business-led board.
O
ne of the challenges that organisations such as Coast to Capital have is creating a robust governance structure. A key
Through necessity, Coast to Capital has developed complex management structures and processes to ensure effective consultation,
voluntary, unpaid board members, who give up their valuable time for the region’s benefit. During my tenure at Coast to Capital, I
part of this is ensuring we have a cohesive and
co-ordination and delivery. Although
have valued the support and commitment
well-balanced board of directors who, under
sometimes frustratingly bureaucratic and
of our board members, who collectively
the guidance of our Chairman, set the strategic
slow, it is often the only way to ensure public
bring substantial business and management
direction of the LEP and monitor its progress
investment from Whitehall and Europe is used
experience, perspective and insight, both
against clear performance indicators.
wisely and appropriately. That said, Coast to
to our decision-making process and to our
Capital is run like a business rather than a
performance monitoring.
And whilst the majority of corporate governance principles are the same for most
government department. We are designed to
private, public and not-for-profit organisations,
help businesses become more competitive and
representatives, we are fortunate that our
there are, of course, subtle differences,
better able to create jobs and prosperity.
board comprises some of our region’s most
particularly in areas such as culture and
Our mission is to improve the international
As well as our local government
successful business people from the corporate
values. As is the case with all LEPs around the
competitiveness of our region’s businesses by
world and finance industry, together with
country, we have a multiplicity of stakeholders.
removing the barriers to growth. Therefore,
entrepreneurs who have built successful
Our board is collectively accountable to
it is vital our board is both business-led and
companies from scratch. This reminds me of
Government and local stakeholders alike. This
business-focused. However, like many not-for-
the quote: “if you want to get something done,
isn’t always easy!
profit organisations, we rely on the goodwill of
give it to a busy person!”
THE COAST TO CAPITAL BOARD
32
It’s our business to help your business succeed.
COAST TO CAPITAL LEP
BUSINESS A
s well as having a successful career as a Regional Director for RBS, with responsibility for corporate and commercial banking for businesses in the South East with turnover between £2-£500 million, Daryl Gayler is also an Executive Board Director of Coast to Capital. He was keen to get involved with the LEP as it provides a logical opportunity for him to combine his business experience with his passion for the region in helping the board deliver on its ambitious agenda. Daryl says: “Having lived and worked locally in the Coast to Capital region all my life, the success of the local business community is important to me, both professionally and personally, and the LEP has a mandate from the government to help deliver this success.” He agrees that the involvement of business executives on the LEP board helps produce a diversity in terms of experience, background and core competence. “It helps provide a balance between the public and private sector, and, using our day-to-day contacts in the business community, we are able to work alongside our public sector colleagues to help
get things done.” Daryl added: “I have been very impressed with the professionalism, tenacity and business acumen of the board, and I was delighted to be given the opportunity to take part. I have been involved for almost two years and the LEP is now in a really exciting phase of ‘delivery and execution’, helping to bring to life a number of very exciting projects which will make a real difference for the Coast to Capital region.” Another board member is Mike La Rooy, who fills a demanding global Vice President role for American Express, based in Brighton. Mike leads a team of over 500 employees across several countries and has extensive international business experience, which has proven particularly helpful in relation to the development of Coast to Capital’s international strategy. He says his motivation for joining the Coast to Capital board was a desire to understand more about how the government promotes economic development, allied with a wish to contribute to the overall well-being of his local area. He says: “I feel that, while Sussex is already hugely successful, there is
considerable untapped potential.” Looking at things from a different perspective is board member Julie Kapsalis, Vice-Principal (commercial) of Chichester College. Julie has worked in economic development and community engagement for the past 12 years, with a particular focus on enterprise and social inclusion. She has also served as an advisor to the UK Government’s task force on women’s enterprise and has been a regular contributor to the National Business Incubation Association. “My motivation for joining the Coast to Capital board was to contribute to the local economy by encouraging business start-up and business growth,” Julie says. “I wanted to use my experience and background in marketing and enterprise/innovation to ensure the LEP directed its funding to support pertinent business issues - including access to finance, skills and internationalisation. I particularly enjoy the opportunity to chair the Business Grants Panel, where we are able to support the growth aspirations of regional businesses. “In 2014, thirty-nine businesses from across the Local Enterprise Partnership region were awarded a slice of £2.2m for projects to assist their expansion. It is incredibly rewarding to see how businesses such as Oyster World in Croydon have then utilised this funding to achieve significant growth and create jobs,” concludes Julie.
THE COAST TO CAPITAL BOARD
Visit www.coast2capital.org.uk to discover more.
33
INVESTMENTS
A CORRECT CORRECTION? It’s Been A Volatile Time For The Market
By Andy Merricks Head of Investments of Skerritts Wealth Management www.skerritts.co.uk Not Exactly Unexpected Well, that was exciting. There must have been some kind of record set in the last week of August as the media went into overdrive trying to find succinct ways to get the message across that the markets were acting somewhat turbulently. Black Monday was a precursor to Turnaround Tuesday, which gave way to Whiplash Wednesday, not to mention Thudding Thursday. Frenetic Friday was, thank Heavens, followed by that old favourite, Bank Holiday Weekend. The week could be summed up as being what is known in the trade as a volatile one.
34
Not that this was entirely unexpected. Readers of our regular missive will recognise the following from August: “A Correction Is Due: A correction in the US may happen for no other reason than we have not seen one for a long time. It has been 43 months since the last fall of more than 10% on the S&P 500, the thirdlongest such streak since the 1930s,” as well as the more scientific pronouncement, “it just feels as though something nasty is due to happen.” We are yet to find out, at the time of writing, whether our other call, that of a delay to interest rates rising in September in the US -“we appear to be a lone voice when it comes to
interest rate expectations in the US” – comes to fruition. However, weeks such as the ones just gone do raise a number of serious questions and give rise to opportunities to adjust portfolios if need be.
Time To Reflect A bout of volatility so severe that it made teatime and evening news headlines should give rise to a period of reflection over one’s investment strategy leading into, and coming out of, said bout. In the portfolios that we manage, we had raised our cash levels in anticipation of some kind of correction, yet
INVESTMENTS emerging markets’ constituents. • If things are not better for China and the emerging markets, and China was largely held responsible for the global sell-off, why have many of the markets rebounded so solidly immediately after the main correction? Refer back to our August newsletter on the effect of China on the global economy, but in short the world continues to turn outside China. How well it turns is another question. • Central Bank policy is data dependent, and data is backward-looking. Credit impulse is a forward-looking indicator, and the credit impulse in the Euro area and in the US has slowed. This indicates a slow down in both economic blocs which, when coupled with a Chinese slow down, is not good news. However, the Fed uses backward-looking data in assessing the merits or otherwise of an interest rate move, so it could be that rates rise at the very time that the economy is going to slow, which could turn out to be an expensive policy mistake. This would not be good for markets. However, the Fed is in an awkward spot because, if it doesn’t raise rates, having flagged its intention to do so, the market could take fright at the reasons for not doing so. A bit of a lose-lose, really. remained invested in certain equity funds because a) we didn’t want to miss out on continuing growth if our caution was misplaced and b) market timing is an impossibility on a consistent basis, and anyone who claims to do so successfully every time is a liar (allegedly). Now that the correction has occurred, we need to ask ourselves a number of questions, and answer them through the actions we now take. In no particular order: • Was the correction we’ve just witnessed the main one or, like seismic activity, an indicator of worse to come? If it was the main one, are we to expect aftershocks? Always a difficult one to assess and never truly understood until hindsight has had its say, but the feeling is that in the short term that was probably it, but real risks exist in the short term in sufficient numbers to prevent us from rushing into the market again with the cash that we have sidelined. • What has changed in a fortnight? We knew that China was slowing and that the demand for commodities had fallen off a cliff. That is why we had exited emerging markets some time ago and why we wrote about China last month. Has it all just got better for China and the emerging markets so that we can now buy them again? Not a chance. Our opinion is that things can get worse yet and that political risks are rising across many of the
“Not a single economy in the world appears to be in rude health at the moment.”
• Is the rally based upon fundamentals or technicalities? Again, a tricky one. We mentioned the phrase “groupthink” in a previous issue and the feeling is that the sell-off and snap-back is more liquiditydriven than fundamentally so. Our focus will continue to be upon those sectors (rather than geographic regions) that offer potential, regardless of wider macro influences. Will we continue to invest in healthcare and biotechnology funds, even though their valuations look toppy? Yes. We don’t think anyone’s got fundamentally healthier in the past fortnight, negating the need for medical breakthroughs. Will we continue to invest in companies who are developing security systems to protect us from the increasing threat of cyber attacks? Yes. This particular
threat doesn’t appear to be receding. Will we continue to invest in smaller companies within the UK rather than the oil, bank and mining-laden FTSE 100 index? For the time being, yes. Will we continue to be cautious in the short term? Without a doubt.
Addicted To QE Looking back, last Summer was similar to this one in that markets demanded action from the ECB by creating a riot in the latter months. When QE began, the Euro weakened, the Dollar soared, European equities rose by 25%, and by the Spring the markets looked around and asked, “Now what?” They needed a stimulus that wasn’t there any more. This is largely what has happened at various times since 2009 in the US, the UK, Japan, and to an extent, in China. Once the short term hit of the QE narcotic has worn off, a low descends as markets turn to the fundamentals for guidance. And there’s not much there to get them excited. Not a single economy in the world appears to be in rude health at the moment. The US are terrified of the effects of raising rates, yet “forward guidance” doesn’t seem to have worked either. Japan’s target of 2% inflation has evaporated once again. What do they do? Unleash yet another “biggest-ever” round of QE to try to stimulate growth again? With the Greek crisis surely only on hold and the Euro rising in the past month on a weird “safe haven” status, how long before Draghi kick starts the QE engine again? The world has become QE dependent and no economy seems strong enough to stand on its own two feet without artificial help. Is this the new normal? Probably. Most of our policy makers are graduates of the economic models that were written during the freak period of credit boom and inflationary times that typified the 1970s through to the midnoughties. That is their normal, and when you are in positions of extreme power it is very difficult to admit that you may be wrong or that the bases for everything you believe to be true have changed. This is why the world is quite a dangerous place, but it is one that we will continue to navigate in as responsible and successful a way as we are able. These are our views and are for professional use only. The information contained within this feature is for guidance only and is not a recommendation of any investment or a financial promotion.
Skerritt Consultants, Skerritt House, 23 Coleridge Street, Hove, BN3 5AB. Tel: 01273 204 999. 35
INTERVIEW
CORPORATE DEALS SURGE
As the South East returns to a Strong M&A Market, Platinum Business speaks to DMH Stallard’s leading Regional Corporate Team about current deal trends and how businesses are making the most of growing investor confidence.
I
n 2014 DMH Stallard won the South East Corporate Law Firm of the Year award at the prestigious South East Insider Dealmaker
send the wrong message, and your deal could
support deals, which is increasing activity in
easily be lost. Interestingly, the pressure
the market place. This is combined with greater
is now emerging from buyers to complete
interest amongst our business clients in
Awards. The accolade came off the back of a
more quickly and find ways of compromising
planning for both growth and succession.
stellar summer for the firm, when the team
commercial issues.
concluded a series of high-value M&A and financing transactions.
“There is now a good appetite amongst both debt funders and asset-based lenders to
Jonathan Grant, who heads up DMH
buyers, and especially those based in the USA.”
be confident. with a return in deal and transaction volumes to the South-East. It has been a long time coming, but we are now seeing more consistent funding, quicker deal completions and an overall increase in activity, which is great news for businesses looking to grow. “However, deals are still not easy, and clients need experienced guidance to make quick commercial judgments without exposing themselves to undue risk. Delay too long, or
36
are looking at ways to move their businesses forward. This includes investment by foreign
Stallard’s team, now has even more reason to “We have seen a strong first half of 2015,
“We are finding that our clients do not wish to sit on their hands any more or hold back and
Abigail Owen, Corporate Partner in DMH
“I’m still amazed how often businesses expect to be able to breeze through a deal, bearing in mind how much is at stake.”
Stallard’s award winning team, agrees that the market is probably the best it has been for six or seven years, but urges caution when working with clients. “I’m still amazed how often businesses expect to be able to breeze through a deal, bearing in mind how much is at stake. Careful preparation and long-term planning are key and can ultimately effect the sale price of a business, often by millions of pounds. “Too many business owners leave
INTERVIEW
DMH Stallard’s Regional Deal Round-Up Brandywine Communications Acquisition of Time and Frequency Solutions
Sterling Insurance Sale to Covea
Roundstone Nurseries “Delay too long, or send the wrong message, and your deal could easily be lost.” preparation for sale until it’s too late. They start the sale process only to find that
Restructure and merger with Newey Group
Corona Corporate Solutions Acquisition of Falcon Document Solutions
they don’t have the time to reduce unnecessary costs, renegotiate inadequate contracts, re-engineer processes that a buyer would find unappealing and generally eradicate any problem areas. DMH Stallard’s Team have developed a free Value Boost Programme, which is
Ilex Press Sale to Octopus Publishing
aimed at getting businesses in the best possible shape so that when they do find a buyer, their value is maximised and the stressful sales process goes as smoothly as possible. The team have completed nine deals in the SouthEast region during the first half of 2015, and will see other significant deals complete in the next two months. We are also finding that more clients are receiving approaches from trade which suggests the activity will continue.
Ivy Press Sale to Quarto Publishing
Kelsey Publishing Acquisition of Future Digital Media
It is not just M&A activity which is positive;
Jonathan Grant
many clients are asking for help documenting new finance and investment to support growth. This is from a variety of sources, crowd funding, family investment, wealthy private investors, VC investors and debt & asset funders. A return to fast growth in entrepreneurial
Coast to Capital Investment deal with Brighton i360
business will keep activity moving and increase opportunity.
Abigail Owen
For an information pack on DMH Stallard’s free Value Boost programme and how it could help your business prepare for sale, please email scott.garner@dmhstallard.com
Leumi ABL Share purchase of Nu-Tech Engineering Services 37
Sussex-based Skerritts have won the industry-recognised Citywire New Model Adviser award for the South East for the 5th successive year. The awards were presented by comedian and TV presenter Clive Anderson.
MARKETING
IT’S EVENT SEASON... Big Beach Marketing Tel: 01273 434552 Web: www.bigbeach.co.uk
By Craig Walden Director of Big Beach Marketing
W
ith the kids back at school, it is event season once again. From the end of September to the middle of
space is on a busy walkway, ideally near the
the confidence and wherewithal to be there.
entrance so that you can catch delegates whilst
Issue a press release, post a news item on your
they are fresh and before your competitors
website and get busy on the social networks.
November, we are always busy at Big Beach
speak to them. Make sure your stand can be
Ensure you take advantage of all PR available
organising events and exhibitions for our
seen and accessed easily from both directions.
from the event organisers with a compelling
What are you there to say? Consider what
profile, logo and news items and consider the
clients. Here are my top ten tips for potential exhibitors: Choose your events wisely. Find out which
messages and graphics you want to display and how you are going to visually attract
sponsorship opportunities at most events. Capture the contacts! Ensure you have a
events existing customers go to and there
people to your stand over any others. Keep
reason and the means to capture delegates’
is a good chance you will find similar size
your message simple, relevant and clear and
and industry prospects going there too. Try
don’t forget to ensure your staff echo this on
details on the day of the event. Offer a free trial
to avoid events where there will be half a
the day too.
dozen competitors there all offering the same products and services. What will it cost? Understand the true
To demo…or to not demo? Decide whether you need to have live demonstrations of products on the stand or simply presentations
costs of the event and check you have the
or videos. Ensure you hire the right equipment
budget to do it justice. Take into account stand
needed, large monitors or Internet access, for
space, stand graphics, marketing material,
instance. And make sure your team know how
sponsorship opportunities, clothing for staff,
to demo, present and work the equipment.
giveaways for prize draws and possibly even accommodation for staff. Why are you attending? Decide what the
What to ‘give away’? Decide on the marketing material you need for your stand and giveaway items which potential customers
purpose and objectives are for attending an
may just keep long enough to remember your
event or exhibition. Who are you targeting,
name, or, better still, give you a call when they
existing customers or new prospects? Are you
need something.
looking to raise awareness, generate leads or
Market your event. Send out emails or direct
reassure existing customers they are with the
mail prior to the event inviting customer and
right provider? I suspect all of the above.
prospects to visit you. They may not accept
Where is your stand? Ensure your stand
your invite but they will know that you have
or hold a prize draw. Anything that allows you to take their details, and whilst doing so, find out a bit more about them and their business. And take pictures on the day to use afterwards when you… Follow up after the event. Create a press release, attach a photo and talk about the success of the event. Post more news on your website and on the social networks. Collate all leads from new and existing prospects and make contact with them within at least three days of the show and add them onto you CRM system. Monitor sales that are a result of the event. It will help you decide whether to attend the event next year.
For help with any forthcoming events and exhibitions, call us on 01273 434552 or visit: www.bigbeach.co.uk.
39
BUSINESS AWARDS
GATWICK DIAMOND BUSINESS AWARDS 2016
The Gatwick Diamond Business Awards celebrate people and businesses who have shown innovation and inspiration in their work and have demonstrated a real commitment to the sub-region. Any business that is located in, or trades in, the Gatwick Diamond region can enter – you do not need to be a member of any particular business organisation to enter. The awards have become one of the region’s premier business occasions celebrating the best of the best across the Gatwick Diamond. This will be the eighth year for the Awards, and the whole event is gaining ever-increasing attention in the region. In fact, you could say this is our Centenary Year as we will be awarding our 100th Award during the course of the evening … but who will it go to?
Sanjeev Bhaskar For 2016, Sanjeev Bhaskar will be the host for the evening. Sanjeev gained notoriety as creator and performer of the BBC hit series Goodness Gracious Me. His film roles have included It’s A Wonderful Life, London Boulevard and The Zero Theorem. Sanjeev led the cast in the BAFTA award-winning television series Indian Doctor, which garnered record ratings and critical acclaim, and he has also appeared in the West End as King Arthur in Eric Idle’s Spamalot. Sanjeev wrote and starred in The Kumars at No. 42, which had global success, winning two Emmys, a BAFTA nomination, a British Comedy Award and the Bronze Rose at Montreaux. The family recently returned to our screens on Sky, and featured guests include Daniel Radcliffe, Chevy Chase, Olivia Colman, Ray Winstone, Rupert Everett, Emilia Fox, Richard E Grant, James Corden, Terry Gilliam and Twiggy. In 2007, Sanjeev embarked on a highly personal journey through modern India with the BBC to commemorate 60 years of Indian independence. His accompanying travel book became a Sunday Times bestseller.
40
Headline Sponsors Gatwick Airport NatWest Bank Nestlé Vines BMW & Mini
Awards • Business of the Year sponsored by NatWest Bank • Business Person of the Year sponsored by KPMG • New Business of the Year sponsored by the FSB • Green Business of the Year sponsored by Crawley Borough Council • Award for Developing People for Business Success sponsored by Central Sussex College • Responsible Business of the Year sponsored by Lloyds Bank • Award for Customer Delight sponsored by Storm Creative Partnership • International Business of the Year sponsored by the Gatwick Diamond Initiative • Employer of the Year sponsored by Search Consultancy • Award for Supply Chain Excellence sponsored by Hays UK • Award for Innovation & Technology sponsored by Rawlison Butler LLP • Digital Marketing Business of the Year sponsored by Optima Systems Ltd • Professional Services Firm of the Year sponsored by Preview Visual Communications Group • Award for Place to Meet sponsored by B&CE The Peoples Pension
BUSINESS AWARDS
Quotes from the 2015 awards night David Rawlance, Senior Manager with Lloyds Bank, speaking about the entries and the judging process: “We see all sectors and all businesses applying, so it truly represents the breadth of businesses across the Gatwick Diamond.” Rosemary French, Executive Director of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, speaking about sponsorship: “This is a very, very effective way to market your business and to reach new customers. Why wouldn’t you do it?” Charles Kirwan-Taylor, Corporate Affairs Director of Gatwick Airport, speaking about the Awards Ceremony: “If I was to make the case for how an airport and a vibrant business community can work together and create economic prosperity, I would look no further than this room.” Daryl Gayler, Regional Director with RBS, speaking about the work behind the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards: “The Awards recognise the contribution of real people in real businesses, making a difference to the region in which we all work.” Neil Madle, Corporate Communications & IR Director with Varian, speaking about the Awards Ceremony after winning: “It is a fantastically wellorganised event and we’ve had a great time tonight.”
Key Dates The Awards Entry Period opens on the 7th October, 2015 and runs through to the end of November, so now is the time to start getting ready to enter. After judging takes place through January 2016, the three Finalists in each category are announced in February and then the Awards are presented on the 17th March, 2016.
How to Win Awards & Influence People During the autumn, Gatwick Diamond Business will be delivering a number of Seminars on “How to Win Awards and Influence People”. These seminars will be built around content from those who have won awards and from the judges to clearly relate what success looks like. 22-Sept, 2pm to 3.30pm - Canon UK & Ireland HO, Reigate 23-Sept, 9.30am to 11.00am – Nestlé HQ 29-Sept, 9.30am to 11.00am – KPMG 7-Oct, 10.3am to 12.00noon - Copthorne Hotel 20-Oct, 9.30am to 11.00am - SonyDADC in Southwater 27-Oct, 9.30am to 11.00am – Southcoast Conferences, Brighton
For more, visit gatwickdiamondbusinessawards.com ◆ twitter.com/gdbizawards ◆ facebook.com/gdbizawards or call us on 01293 813888 41
Grow your Own Talent An apprentice can help you develop the specialist skills your business needs to grow, and because they are committed to a career in your industry, an apprentice can make a real contribution to your workplace. Central Sussex College can provide all the help you need to recruit and train the right person for your business. And there’s never been a better time to take on new talent. A £1,500 grant is available to companies who employ up to 50 staff, if they have not taken on an apprentice in the previous 12 months. This can be claimed for up to five new apprentices.
Currently Recruiting?
For more info visit centralsussex. ac.uk/apprenticeships
For more info please email jobshop@centralsussex.ac.uk
Let the College’s Job Shop support your company by advertising your vacancy and helping to match the right candidate for the job. Our Job Shop advisers will talk to you about your business needs and provide free help and advice on continuing skills training for your employees too.
Advantages for business
Testimonial
An effective way of solving a skills shortage and succession planning
Jeanie Marshal Foods UK
Apprentices are trained to industry standards Apprentices gain nationally recognised qualifications specific to your business/industry Over half the companies recruiting Apprentices believe they offer better value than university graduates (source: City & Guilds)
With a £1,500 grant available for eligible employers taking on an apprentice aged 16-24, there’s never been a better time to take on new talent
Since turning to Central Sussex College to help develop the skills of our staff members, we have seen a number of benefits to our business. The College applies a refreshing and welcome approach to supporting our business, and by working as a team we are now celebrating a pass rate close to 100% for our staff members who have been enrolled on training programmes to date. —
Gerry McCorriston, Culinary Manager
To find out more please call 0845 155 0043 (press 4), or email employers@centralsussex.ac.uk
Intermediate Apprenticeship Leading to nationally recognised Level 2 vocational qualifications Advanced Apprenticeship Leading to nationally recognised Level 3 vocational qualifications Higher Apprenticeship Leading to nationally recognised Level 4 or Level 5 vocational qualifications Accounting
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Childcare
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Cleaning and Support Services
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Customer Service
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Engineering
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Health and Social Care
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Hospitality and Catering
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Fabrication and Welding
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Management and Team Leading
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Procurement
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Retail
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Supply Chain
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AIRPORT RUNWAY DEBATE
WHAT LURKS BENEATH? The projected costs of preparing the ground at Heathrow may have been significantly under-estimated, says Dan Montagnani, Managing Director Of Groundsure
W
hilst most commentators are now concentrating on what’s going on up in the skies and on the ground, Groundsure took a look at what lies beneath, examining the environmental hazards that the 573ha expansion of Heathrow could unearth. The geology beneath the expansion area comprises superficial deposits of Shepperton Gravel Member and Taplow Gravel, amongst others. This geology meant that, historically, these areas were used for sand and gravel extraction, leaving large pits, subsequently used for waste disposal. Initial analysis shows that approximately 27.3% of the land beneath the proposed Heathrow footprint (excluding land already developed as part of Heathrow) was formerly used as landfill, with a further 12.3% classified as active landfill. Additionally, historical land uses such as breaker’s yards, factories, transport depots, garages, old gravel pits, electro-chemical engineering works and saw pits can be found at the site, all of which may potentially have left legacies of contamination which would require some form of investigation and possible remediation. Groundsure’s historical land use database shows that approximately 22.4% of the development area was formerly used for industrial purposes. A report commissioned by Gatwick Airport and produced by RSK Group claims that the cost of clearing these landfill sites and associated contaminated land would be an extra £500m, far more than the cost of the
cleanup of the heavily contaminated Olympic Park (c.£386m). However, given that the Olympic Park was only around 246ha in size, the per hectare cost for remediation of the Olympic Park was £1.56m, as opposed to £872,600 as an equivalent per hectare cost for Heathrow based upon RSK’s projected costs.
“It would seem that Heathrow have grossly underestimated the costs associated with land contamination”
Heathrow’s own projections show that only £130m has been set aside to mitigate all environmental concerns (including reprovision of wildlife habitat, flood mitigation and reprovision of reservoir costs). It is not clear whether this accounts for necessary environmental remediation, or whether this is accounted for in the £11bn estimate for general ‘airport infrastructure’. If the £130m does include the costs for investigation and remediation, it would seem that Heathrow have grossly underestimated the costs associated with land contamination, and will be digging
into contingency funds before a brick is laid. In addition to the brownfield legacy of the proposed development, there is also the issue of greenbelt development, given that the vast majority (approximately 78%) of the development area lies within the London greenbelt, whilst also cutting into a small part of a designated Local Nature Reserve. However, given that around half this greenbelt area is also brownfield land, it is not hard to imagine the arguments that could be made in favour of development, despite simplistic policy assessments in the Conservative manifesto which appear to imply that greenbelt and brownfield land are mutually exclusive entities, and also the a priori assumption that brownfield land always has a lower ecological value than greenfield sites. Whilst the Airport Commission report is not a legally binding promise to build at Heathrow, it has added considerable weight to the proposal, and with a decision expected by the end of the year, there’s little opportunity for the issues to be buried. Groundsure works to help solicitors, homebuyers, businesses, consultants, surveyors and lenders make more informed property-transaction decisions. Clients are offered precise, up-to-date environmentalreport data – through access to the UK’s most comprehensive contemporary and historic land-use datasets, many of them exclusive to Groundsure. www.groundsure.com
43
INTERVIEW
ON THE RIGHT PAGE FOR RECRUITMENT Steve Howes and Matt Jones
With its headquarters in Weybridge and offices across the globe, the FTSE 250-listed recruitment company Michael Page, part of PageGroup, is one of the region’s big success stories. It hasn’t forgotten its local market, as Ian Trevett discovered when he visited the regional Head Office in Guildford to meet Steve Howes, Operating Director for Michael Page Finance in the South East of England and Matt Jones, Associate Director for Guildford and Brighton.
O
ne of the perks of working for an established recruitment company is that you get to see the best vacancies before
anyone else. Recruitment has a reputation for
they aren’t the only ones; the company is listed
people are managed by leaders who have done
in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to
the job successfully themselves and secondly,
Work For. So what is the secret?
we have created a clear career path spanning
Steve Howes (SH): Our model is one of
10, 15, 20 years, not two years. It’s a real
being a tough sales environment, attracting
organic growth - 87% of our management and
testament to the company and our culture that
ambitious professionals hungry for success,
directorate team joined as consultants, as
the majority of our management team have
so when those plum job prospects appear in
Matt and I did, and have worked up through
worked for the company for over six years.
the inbox, who could blame them for taking
the ranks. I started in the Southampton office,
advantage?
where I built a practice business, and then I
meritocratic business where you can carve out
became a manager, associate director and am
your own career.
So it is quite an achievement for Michael
Matt Jones (MJ): Michael Page represents a
Page Finance to boast, quite rightly, about their
now an operating director, with a regional remit
proud record of staff retention. Matt Jones has
covering four offices in Guildford, Brighton,
of the Southern Regional offices (Guildford,
just celebrated his tenth year at the company
Southampton and Maidstone. There are two
Southampton, Brighton and Maidstone) with at
and Steve Howes is only months behind. And
main benefits of organic growth. Firstly, our
least ten years’ experience.
44
I am proud that we have managers in all
INTERVIEW
“We have the best training in the industry, bar none. It can be really hard, but it’s great fun as well.”
We have the best training in the industry, bar
commercial added-value roles. While there’s
none, which is crucial as the role can be really
always been a requirement for financial
challenging, but it’s very rewarding as well.
accountants, recently we’ve seen that
Once fully trained, our consultants are out in the market, developing their network and gaining a great insight into the local business world. You learn a lot, you get to meet many different people and get to work in a fun and fast paced team environment. I would say that we’ve changed dramatically as a business in the last ten years. When I joined the company we were expected to work 11/12 hours a day and make a certain number of calls each week. Our consultants now enjoy far greater autonomy in how they run their own desks which has helped them find a much more sustainable work/life balance. We’re still hard-working, but allowing this trust has paid dividends, and that is evident in both our results and our staff retention. Due to this more flexible approach, we’ve seen a significant increase in new mothers returning to their careers with us, often with flexible working arrangements. PBM: So no more ‘lunch is for wimps,’ to quote Gordon Gekko? SH: The business today is definitely a more sustainable, motivational and welcoming
environment. We recognise that you can’t have an organic growth model if you don’t retain top talent. PBM: Do you specialise in any particular sector or job role? SH: We recruit into qualified finance roles across all sectors; this varies significantly, from blue chip FTSE 100’s to promising locally-based SMEs, accountancy practices, not-for-profit and public sector organisations. We recruit qualified finance professionals with salaries of £35,000-40,000 up to approx £90,000. We also have a dedicated executive recruitment brand, Page Executive, which recruits above this level, typically for finance director and CFO roles in companies ranging from VC backed high growth businesses to FTSE 100’s. The diversity of our client base and the subsequent roles we recruit allows us to attract a wide pool of candidates both locally and nationally and helps to strengthen our network and candidate database. PBM: Is recruitment a barometer of the economy? What trends have you seen? MJ: Post-credit crunch, and, for a good number of years afterward, there were fewer
businesses are looking to invest in more commercial roles, from financial business partners to senior management teams. SH: Our biggest challenge now is finding candidates for these positions, largely due to a chronic under-investment in graduate recruitment post the 2008 downturn. This year, the demand from clients has once again increased, with top talent being snapped up quickly, leaving the market with a significant skills shortage. As the pendulum has now swung in the candidates’ favour, we have to be very proactive in terms of identifying and attracting the people whose skills are in the greatest demand. Companies recognise that they need to build their brand as an employer of choice and, like ourselves, work hard to attract and retain the best talent. Interestingly, SME businesses have done well in this candidate-driven market, often because of the variety in the roles they offer and the opportunity they afford candidates to actually have direct influence on a business and its key stakeholders. While there are some fantastic roles within large organisations, a frequent objection we
45
INTERVIEW encounter is that candidates are concerned
the most productive. Ultimately it’s about
about becoming too niche in their work and
understanding what the client wants.
skill-set and thus limiting their future options. PBM: You mentioned the credit crunch; how did that impact on your business? SH: There’s no denying that, like all
PBM: Can you tell us more about Michael Page as a company? SH: Michael Page is one of the world’s largest and best-known professional
businesses, the credit crunch had an impact.
recruitment consultancies. Established above
But while we did see a dip in revenues, it
a laundrette in London nearly 40 years ago, we
challenged us to improve the recruiting skills of
now span 155 offices in 35 countries, operating
our staff and made us focus on what our core
in 25 specialist disciplines. PageGroup
offering was, allowing us to take good market
consists of three core brands that all have
share. As a sector, finance was (and still is)
different recruitment service capabilities;
remarkably robust as there’s always the need
Page Executive, Michael Page and Page
for good accountants. And the diversity of the
Personnel. We operate a consultative approach
clients we recruit for certainly helped us too.
to professional recruitment combining local
MJ: It was a challenging period, but over
know-how with global expertise, to find the
the last five years we’ve increased our
best fit between client and candidate.
turnover year-on-year. We’re now launching
Michael Page Finance was our original
a second team out of Guildford covering the
brand and continues to be the largest in the
East of Surrey area to capitalise on the extra
UK business. While our regional offices are
penetration. We’re very positive about the
predominantly finance focussed at the moment,
future and the prospect of building new teams
we are looking to introduce new disciplines
in Guilford which will further increase the
in time to these offices to broaden our
visibility of the Michael Page brand .
offering to clients and candidates, mirroring
PBM: How much of the business is contract rather than permanent placements?
the multi-disciplinary model in our largest offices. Globally our strategy is the same, and
SH: Across my region, a third of the revenue
we are consistently establishing new brands
that we generate comes through our temporary
and disciplines internationally, particularly in
market, and the rest is through permanent
less developed markets where competition is
placements.
limited and fast growth is most attainable.
MJ: You can get some roles where it is
MJ: What’s exciting about our global
literally a small project for two or three weeks
expansion is the number of opportunities it
and we get other things that carry on for years.
presents for our staff at all levels. My old boss
It varies from contact to contract.
moved to Calgary, Canada to launch a specialist
PBM: How do you handle requests for very
oil & gas office and another consultant who
specialised roles, especially if you don’t have a
worked for me set up an office in India and now
candidate with the required skills?
he’s working for PageGroup in The Chrysler
MJ: We establish a list of requirements, and
Building in New York. It’s great to think that
the key is to listen to our clients and help them
several people from our Surrey and Sussex
prioritise what skills are absolutely necessary
teams have moved internationally, growing
and what would be nice to have. We will advise
their careers and having a lot of fun in the
on what is feasible and the best way to go
process. In saying that, most of our clients
about it. No two recruitment processes are
would be surprised to learn our teams are very
the same - some require advertising, others a
much run on a local basis. We have to respond
proactive search through our online databases
to and reflect the regional differences of each
or our internal network, which is quite often
market place. We are a local recruiter as much
46
as a national and international business, with the benefit of the best database, network, training and resources. The local recruiter part is something we do have to remind clients of on occasions due to the scale of our business globally. PBM: If a candidate walked through the door now, what skills or experience would you be looking for? SH: Right now the three roles that we are seeing time and again are financial analysts, finance business partners and newly qualified practice trained accountants. It’s such a shift from where we were two or three years ago where the demand was much more for core accounting skills. The surge has come from the need for people who can interpret data and liaise with the business to help them make decisions. MJ: Clients always need people with good presentation skills who are able to confidently communicate with finance professionals and senior management teams, as well as operations. You often don’t know this from a CV and that can be one of the reasons people come to us. PBM: Where do you see Michael Page in the South East in five years’ time? SH: Although we’re established as a market leader, we want to continue to grow our core business and, above all, capitalise on the less developed and more specialised revenue streams. There’s a real desire here for us to be more active in the market and partner more with the local business community. MJ: We have the foundation and infrastructure for this next phase of growth which will mean more opportunities for our candidates and also for our own people – there are exciting times ahead!
Stephen Howes 02380 206440 stephenhowes@michaelpage.co.uk Matthew Jones 0148 330 7607 matthewjones@michaelpage.co.uk
bennettgriffin SOLICITORS AND NOTARIES
always willing to go that extra mile*
Bennett Griffin LLP 23 Warwick Street Worthing, West Sussex BN11 3DG
Bennett Griffin LLP 11 Sea Lane, Ferring, West Sussex BN12 5DR
01903 229999
www.bennett-griffin.co.uk *The 2015 Worthing Birdman Competition. ÂŁ1045.00 raised for Guild Care presented by Rob Fawcett and Elaine Smith.
THE BUDGET
CHANGES TO NON-DOM STATUS Sati Virdee, Private Client Tax Manager at Kreston Reeves, on the pressure on the government to reducing tax breaks for non-doms
O
verseas nationals living in the UK will typically be considered to be non-UK domiciled individuals for tax purposes.
In the UK, the status of non-UK domicile brings
Changes afoot
and capital gains within the UK tax net.
These announcements will affect long-term
It is also proposed that ‘deemed domicile’
UK resident non-UK domiciles. Starting from the
status for Inheritance Tax purposes, currently
2017/18 tax year, the Government has stated that
acquired automatically after 16 years of UK
with it valuable tax benefits. Non-UK domicile
any UK residents who have resided in the UK for
residence, should be brought into line and also
individuals have access to the remittance basis of
more than 15 of the last 20 years will be deemed
acquired after 15 years.
taxation, which enables them to avoid UK tax on
to be domiciled in the UK for all UK tax purposes.
non-UK source income and gains which remain
Therefore, if a non-UK domicile comes to the UK
£90,000 remittance basis charge for individuals
offshore. However, the government has been
and remains here continuously, the remittance
who have resided in the UK for 17 of the last
under considerable pressure to take a tougher
basis of taxation will cease to be available for the
20 years will not be relevant from April 2017,
stance to reduce these tax benefits for so-called
16th and subsequent tax years, and can only be
as individuals will now be taxable on their
‘non-doms’, and the following proposed budget
re-instated after a period of absence from the UK
worldwide income and capital gains after 15
announcements highlight this trend.
of six years. This will bring their overseas income
years.
48
Within the Autumn Statement, the higher
TAX Additionally, any benefits, capital or income received from an excluded property trust will now be be taxed on a worldwide basis from April 2017. Note that any leavers returning to the UK who then regain their UK domicile and have excluded property trusts which were set up while they were not domiciled in the UK will not benefit from any favorable tax treatment.
What scope is there for forward planning? We do not hold sufficient details yet to draw any conclusions that would enable concrete planning decisions to be made. Furthermore, it is quite likely that changes may be made to existing proposals before legislation comes into force. Nevertheless, it is useful to consider what options may be available to non-UK domiciled individuals who are likely to be affected by the new measures. For those individuals who are close to becoming ‘deemed’ domiciled for UK inheritance tax purposes under the existing 17-out-of-20-year rule, it is recommended that they urgently take advice in respect of their estate planning. Currently, successful tax planning, such as setting up an ‘excluded property trust’ before acquiring deemed UK domicile status, may ring fence foreign situs assets and remove them from UK inheritance tax exposure forever. We can assist you with meeting your UK tax obligations as well as provide a wide range of general tax planning, such as ‘excluded property trust’ planning, succession planning and Inheritance Tax planning. Should you From April 2017, UK residential property,
Further measures will capture any originally
irrespective of the ownership structure or the
UK domiciled individuals who are now non-UK
domicile and residence of the beneficial owner,
domiciled. Even though they have gained
will be subject to UK inheritance tax.
a domicile of choice overseas, they will
The Chancellor had originally planned to
automatically reacquire their UK domicile
consult on a minimum claim period of three
status if they are, or if they become, resident in
years for the Remittance Basis and, in a
the UK in the future.
welcome move, has decided not to introduce
Any excluded property trusts set up by a
this minimum claim period. This means that
non-UK domiciled individual before they become
until they are deemed domiciled, non-domiciled
deemed to be UK domiciled will fortunately
individuals will continue to be able to choose
retain the current Inheritance Tax benefits
each year whether to be taxed on the Arising or
associated with an excluded property trust.
Remittance Basis. The Budget changes will also affect
From April 2017, UK residential property, irrespective of the ownership structure or the
any individuals attempting to leave the UK
domicile and residence of the beneficial owner,
permanently and indefinitely after April 2017:
will be subject to UK inheritance tax. Historically,
Non-domiciled individuals will need to leave
non-UK domiciled individuals would structure
the UK for six tax years in order to lose their
their ownership of UK residential property
deemed tax domicile status.
through offshore companies to protect against
Any UK domiciled individuals will be subject
require a consultation to establish whether the budget changes will affect you and what options are available to you in the light of these new rules, please contact Sati Virdee, a Private Client Tax Manager within Kreston Reeves’ London office. Sati is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians. Sati has over 16 years’ experience advising both UK and nondomiciled individuals on all aspects of their tax affairs. This includes advising on international issues such as residency, pre-arrival planning and remittance planning. Sati can be contacted on 0207 382 1853 and at sati.virdee@krestonreeves.com. www.krestonreeves.com
UK inheritance tax. This change adds further
to the same rules and will not lose their UK
complex rules to the Annual Tax on Enveloped
domiciled status until they have been non-UK
Dwelling and the recent extension of Capital
resident for six years.
Gains Tax to non-UK residents.
49
PLATINUM STYLE
style PLATINUM
IT’S IN THE BAG Y
ou’ve read it here before. Carefully chosen accessories are the key to pulling together your whole look. And one of the
most important (and most-used) accessories is your bag. Ideally, you should aspire to achieving style utopia by changing your bag to complement your business, casual or dressy style. It sounds laborious, I know, but your bag is a prominent and visible detail, one that is used regularly, and of course the details matter. In this article I’ll share my thoughts on what
50
to look for in a bag (for both men and women), what your ‘bag wardrobe’ should ideally contain and what to invest in now.
account when choosing.
The new ‘man bags’
your lifestyle. If you work in a sharp, corporate
Where women’s fashion leads, men’s eventually follows. Did you know that the sale of men’s bags has increased by more than 25% in the past decade? And that they are now a firm fixture in every designer’s menswear collection? When Mark Carney gave his first speech as governor of the Bank of England, he carried what most people would call a ‘man bag’. Not a standard briefcase, but a soft grey, blackleather trimmed number with long handles. Think about it. Are you constantly stuffing keys, wallet, various bits of paper and who knows what else into your pockets? Not only does it look messy, it also ruins the line of your clothes. Or perhaps you are carrying a ‘onebag-fits all occasions’ number that has seen better days. Let’s say you are ready to choose the right bag for you. First of all, consider your lifestyle. Where and how do you spend most of your time – in the office, out with clients, do you need to carry bulky documents, do you travel frequently – take all of these into
Once you’ve considered how and where you’ll use it, invest in one or two that work for environment, I’m guessing that you already have an appropriate leather briefcase. But there are other options too, particularly if your working life is less formal, or you are looking for something to use on casual days. These include: • Folio / Pouch: the sleekest option out there. It can have a zipper or be a simple pouch. The key is not filling it with too much, ruining its streamlined look • Crossbody / Messenger: these can be quite small zippered styles or roomier messenger bags. Both, as you’d expect, can be worn across the body, but should be carried no lower than your hip
PLATINUM STYLE sure you also choose something that works with your proportions; huge bags can swamp petite women, for example. Finally, take your commute into account. If you travel by bus, train or underground, you will want to consider the weight of your bag and how far you have to walk. Building your bag wardrobe takes time (hence it’s better to invest in a classic first) but you should aim to include the following: • Tote: a roomy option for work, with space for your laptop and other paraphernalia. Choose one both top-handles and a
Samantha Wilding Tel: 07833 084864 Email: Samantha@styleandgrace.eu Website: www.styleandgrace.eu Twitter: @alwayschicUK
longer shoulder strap, and make sure you check the weight when you buy. If it’s heavy when it’s empty, imagine what it will be like when full! • Bucket: fashionable for the past couple of seasons, the bucket shape is more casual (and more fun). This season, fringing adds interesting texture, tapping into the bohemian
• Tote: Mark Carney’s bag of choice. A roomier alternative to the briefcase, with ample space for your laptop, documents and whatever else you need that day. It encompasses a number of shapes, including shoulder bags, sports bags and bowling bags. • Duffel / Holdall: the roomiest option of all. This looks great in leather, but can also be found in tweed and canvas. If it’s no more than 55 x 35 x 20cm it can also serve as carry-on luggage • Backpack: self-explanatory and having a bit of a fashion moment. Best kept for casual wear.
One is never enough Now that designer handbag prices have really hit the stratosphere, it’s worth investigating mid-range options if you want to buy more than one or update each season. And let’s face it, one bag cannot possibly cover every aspect of your life: work, family,
vibe that is so big at the moment • Clutch: if you’re a minimalist, this is the bag for you. The trick (as with the men’s folio) is not to overstuff it. They’re best carried on a night out, when all you need is your card, keys and lipstick • Crossbody: very fashionable this autumn/winter, and getting smaller in size. These are fine to carry for work if you’ve got your bulky essentials in another bag It’s always fun to play with colour and texture when choosing your accessories, and handbags are no exception. Burgundy/claret, suede and fringing are all huge trends this autumn/winter, and will add a bit of interest to your work or play-wear.
socialising, travel. Whatever you choose, make
Top tips
sure you always buy real leather or suede – it
• Whatever you do, don’t
will look better, last much longer and keep its
overload your bag: it will
shape.
stretch and wear out the
I’m a great believer in investing in classic pieces that stand the test of time. If you’re after an elegant and sleek look for the office, for example, choose a bag that reflects this; keep bling and logos to a minimum and choose a smart, structured shape. Think carefully when choosing your ‘everyday’ bag, and take into account your working
material, and wreak havoc on your neck and shoulders • Protect it from the elements regularly with a good spray, and store it in its dustbag • Clutches and folios look great, but can be annoying to hold for a long period of time. Take this into consideration when choosing • Look for two straps. Many shoulder bags
lifestyle. First of all, look for a colour that works
also have smaller top-handles. It’s useful to
with the dominant palette in your wardrobe,
have the option to carry one bag two ways
including your coats (you can then add further
– and it will help preserve the line of your
bags in a range of colours and textures). Make
clothes (and your shoulder)
51
ANGER MANAGEMENT
ANGER MANAGEMENT Utterly failed by Maarten Hoffmann
THE DOOMED PROJECT? I
n my view, the European Union was created for two essential reasons: security and economic growth. After two devastating wars
The trouble here is that we are not the
the borders of successful countries, and in the
United States of America, who started with an
process they blight the economy of that country
empty country and a blank sheet of paper and
as they attempt to absorb the swarm. Now
raged across Europe within the space of one
created their union without the dichotomy of
we have a ‘biblical’ migration of citizens from
generation, slaughtering over 100 million souls,
nations that hated each other and had been
failed states across the Middle East arriving on
security was certainly a valid subject on which
ripping each others throats out for the past 500
Europe’s shores at the rate of 1,000 per day. I
our leaders should have pondered, and closer
years. Open borders sounds great on paper
union appeared to be the best route to stopping
but is failing in practise. Hordes of folk from
the madness.
basket case union countries stream across
do not at any point seek to blame the migrants themselves, as in their shoes l would be doing exactly the same thing.
“Syrians alone account for around 40% of the boat people crossing the Mediterranean.” Europe’s leader, and the loudest voice for integration, is Germany. After taking in 800,000 migrants, they have just closed their border with Austria. This is the one supposed, immovable tenet of the Schengen agreement, that all borders must remain open. The UK have been bitching about this for years and only survived being swamped by the fact of being an island, but now that Germany is being overrun, they have decided that it is not quite
52
ANGER MANAGEMENT
“By the way, has anyone seen America in all of this mess? They seem to be conspicuous by their absence and, totally out of character, by their silence.”
as important as they preach and promptly
will be made and the mass influx will continue
one of them. What makes people truly entitled
shut their borders. They state it is while they
unabated and grow as our elected leaders
to rescue is if their ordinary lives are made
integrate the near-million they have already
wring their hands.
impossible by violent conflict — and in the
taken in, but they ain’t seen nothing yet. It is
Unlike the euro, it would not be difficult to
current crisis, that means focusing on Syria.
estimated that with every successful migrant
put right. If you step outside the usual angry
Yes, there are other legitimate refugees on
calling home to say they are safe, there are
ding-dong, the posturing of those both pro-
those boats, but Syrians alone account for
millions making plans, and we might well see
immigrant and anti-immigrant; if you resist
around 40% of the boat people crossing the
the draining of the Middle East.
the easy option taken by the chattering classes
Mediterranean. Of Syria’s 20 million people,
who claim the moral high ground by insisting
around half are now displaced, and if you and l
It is a rare occasion when UKIP make me laugh, but l had to when l read what their
had the choice of living in a filthy refugee camp
Deputy Leader, Paul Nuttall, said: “Merkel is
or trying to get to safety in Europe, l feel we
like a misguided teenager who advertised her party on Facebook, then when everyone turns up, she panics and slams the door.” Countless other countries will now follow Germany’s lead, with Austria, Hungary and Serbia having done just that, and shut their borders, leaving the migrants we welcomed into Europe trapped in no-man’s land, and the very violence the Union
“Mass poverty has to be tackled, but the only way it can be done is for poor countries to catch up with the rich ones.”
would all take to the boats. There is only one way to fix this crisis and that is to ensure their homelands are safe. Morally, we are screwed, as it was the West that bombed them to hell and back and removed the very dictators, Mubarak, Gaddafi and Saddam, who kept the peace, but we have to ignore that for now and sort out Syria. It is costing billions
was formed to avoid will re-visit our shores,
to absorb the flow, with many more billions
stoke national resentment, and narrow right-
to be spent on housing, schooling and further integration. For less than half of that, we could
wing national interests will come bubbling to the surface. It is estimated that over two million are on
on open borders, you can see that European policy is the result of moral confusion. Mass
sort out Syria. By the way, has anyone seen America in all
their way. This is getting ridiculous. Where
poverty has to be tackled, but the only way it
of this mess? They seem to be conspicuous
on earth are they all going to go? How are we
can be done is for poor countries to catch up
by their absence, and, totally out of character,
going to pay for it all? This fabled Union is
with the rich ones. Not make the rich poorer
by their silence. News today that Russia are
falling apart as national self-interest asserts
and the poor destitute.
thought to be building an air base in Syria.
itself and, as we need the agreement of all
There are ways in which we can help that
The European Union was supposed to
leaders in the Union to make a decision, this
process, but encouraging the mass emigration
change the face of Europe, but l am not sure
is not going to happen. Therefore, no decision
of their most enterprising young people is not
this is what they had in mind.
53
Do you want to be part of a winning team?
Hastings Direct is an agile and fast moving insurance company which continues to challenge industry convention and remains one of the fastest growing insurance providers in the UK, with over 1.7 million customers. As an ambitious, industry innovator, we are seeking talented individuals to join our multi-award winning team at our head office based in Bexhill-on-Sea. In a culture which recognises achievement and actively promotes career progression, we can offer you the tools to excel and continue to grow with us in the future. We have a variety of exciting opportunities across an array of business functions including: Senior finance business partner
Acting as an integral link between the finance department and the wider business, this role is responsible for planning, analysing and reporting on the financial and operational aspects of the company.
Insurance claims
Looking to progress your career within motor claims? Look no further! We are seeking third party property damage agents, personal injury MOJ negotiators, technical claims personal injury negotiators and senior large and complex loss handlers.
Risk Executive
Identifying potential business risks and proving departments with advice and guidance on identifying, assessing and managing risk. Previous experience in a risk related role is essential
Supplier relationships manager
Managing 3rd party supplier relationships and working closely with the head of supplier relations to engage and ensure delivery of services & products.
Commercial Manager
Maintaining and developing relationships with our panel of ancillary partners, in order to maximise our commercial opportunities and remain an industry innovator
Commercial Executive
We are looking for someone with a panache for data and proven experience of interpreting and reporting on analytical trends
Customer representatives for sales, new business and claims
Starting salary of £15,500 with exciting and achievable career development and the opportunity to earn up to £18,500 as you progress.
Claims team leader – full time or part time
To supervise an allocated claims unit and to assist claims management in ensuring the smooth running of the claims department. We’re on the lookout for great people, so experience is not required as we will invest lots of time up front in our fantastic training environment. All we need from you is the flexibility to work when our customers need us and to enjoy working as part of a team. If that sounds like you and you have basic computer and communication skills, as well as the drive to really go places, we want to hear from you.
Mon-Fri 8am to 9pm. Sat 9am to 5:30pm and Sun 10am to 5pm.
Part time opportunities are also available working evenings and weekends
If you would like to know more about us or any of the above vacancies please visit our careers site at:
www.hastings-careers.com or send us an email to: recruitmentteam@hastingsdirect.com
BUSINESS SCENE
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THE PLATINUM BUSINESS CLUB, BRIGHTON & GATWICK The region’s premier networking group, The Platinum Business Club, now meet at the Grand Hotel in Brighton and the Hilton Hotel, Gatwick. Brighton has been running now for over 5 years and the all-new Gatwick event is going from strength to strength with over 75 guests at the last event. If you would like to join the Club and network with the leading business figures in the region, contact maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com or call 07966 244046
1. Andrew Clark (Lloyds Bank), Annabel Conn (Midnight Communications) 2. Christina Ewbank (Eastbourne Chamber), Faiza Shafeek (JP South Events) Maarten Hoffmann (Platinum) 3. Emily Wood (DMH Stallard) 4. Faiza Shakeek (JP South Events), Hannah Staunton (Gatwick Airport) 5. Gary Chown (NatWest), Zoe Rudling (Baker Tilly), Jade Hunt (Rockinghorse) 6. Jade Hunt (Rockinghorse Children’s Charity)
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7. Kevin Duala (Overline) 8. Maarten and Ian with Caraline Brown (Midnight Communications) 9. Maarten chatting with Mark Tulley (Gemini Print) and Andy Fry (Nova Direct) 10. Nick Poyner (Teliqo), Samantha Wilding (Style & Grace) 11. Roy Whitehouse ( Risk Investigations), Paul McConalogue (NatWest Bank)
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12. Stephanie Farr (Harvey John Recruitment), Penina Shepherd (Acumen Business Law), Russell Horscroft (Harwood’s Jaguar), Viki Faulkner (University of Brighton) 13. Tim Sadka (Rawlison Butler LLP), Michael Jenkins (Roffey Park), Tom Blower (Black Isle Group), Ken Boyle (KBA Commercial Property) 14. Tina Tilley (Worthing Chamber) 15. Tom Camp (Michael Page Recruitment), Keith
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Fowler (Black Isle Group)
15. 55
INTERVIEW
A VOLUNTARY MERGER
When three voluntary action groups in West Sussex decided to join together to combine their services and expertise, it soon became apparent that there would be plenty of tricky hurdles to clear. Volunteering to help a good cause or project is a rewarding exercise and it is a fantastic way for businesses to give something back while improving team-work and morale within the company itself. But how do you find a worthwhile project to support? Voluntary action groups bring together people who want to volunteer, with the charities who need volunteers. Like most counties, West Sussex had several action groups or councils for voluntary services, offering the same services and often duplicating the efforts of each other. Catherine Pardoe, Business Development Co-ordinator of Horsham and Mid Sussex Voluntary Action explains how CharityLine helped create a streamlined new group and ensured more money could be directed into the core services. Interviews by Ian Trevett
H
up, to grow and to thrive. We might help a small
in Horsham District, East Grinstead and Mid
organisation run by volunteers that wants to
Sussex South (covering Haywards Heath and
become constituted so they can access grants.
Burgess Hill). There has been a whole merger
organisation that sits behind local charities
Or a charity might need help with employment
process of discussion and bringing together
and community groups. These can range from
law, and we would either help or signpost them
staff, trustees, different cultures of working
volunteer-led community groups to not-for-
in the right direction.
and different geographic and demographic
orsham and Mid Sussex Voluntary Action (HAMSVA) is an infrastructure charity, which I would describe as an
profit organisations providing frontline public
Then there is discounted training in
profiles. East Grinstead is slightly different
services which have been tendered out by
areas such as health and safety, food safety,
to Mid Sussex South, which is different to
statutory bodies, for example, community
safeguarding adults and children, first aid and
Horsham. We wanted our suite of services to
transport. We work to provide all of those
trustees’ responsibilities.
be consistent across the patch but to still meet
services that they might need to set themselves
56
Until April, we were three separate charities
local need; and this includes engaging with
INTERVIEW
“We wanted our suite of services to be consistent across the patch but to still meet local need.....” the business community because we’re about community action and local businesses and employees are part of the community. One of the big things we do is volunteering, so a community group will come to us saying, “We need volunteers for a particular project.” And then we have businesses wanting to set up a team project, so we’re like a one-stop shop that brings people together. Until now, Mid Sussex South, East Grinstead and Horsham all had their own database of volunteers and volunteering roles or projects. They were using the same database system but all running
rather than trying to maintain three separate websites. There’s also a consistency across the design, which makes it so much easier for people using our services to recognise and identify with the brand.
It was good to have a company come in and have an objective, expert eye. We also wanted to create a new leaflet to explain the new service. There are so many abbreviations and acronyms in the charity sector, it almost develops its own language, and sometimes you get lost in that. Having fresh wording coming in
CharityLine has helped us achieve this. CharityLine is also responsive. I’ve worked with other charities where, if you wanted and brief to the marketing department six
the data. CharityLine stepped in and unpicked it into one.
and we must use our funds effectively.
something done, you had to put in your request
independently without any way of co-ordinating all and managed to migrate the three systems
wasting public money or people’s donations,
Or a charity might need help with employment law, and we would either help or signpost them in the right direction.
weeks beforehand and, by the time you got the materials, the event or news was almost out of date anyway. Another ‘plus’ from CharityLine is that they understand both the charity and business sectors. They stand with a foot in both camps and provide impartial, objective advice which is invaluable. It is a local business in the community and they want to play their part. We would
from outside the sector was valuable, as it has
definitely recommend them and, as we deal
helped get a crystal clear message across.
with charities all the time, we tell them how we
Now we can produce publicity materials and resources for one organisation, rather than three separate ones; and we have one website that we can now focus on developing further,
have benefitted and, where applicable, signpost Currently we’re partly funded by local government and partly from member groups and donations. It is important that we’re not
them to CharityLine.
www.charityline.org.uk www.hamsva.org.uk
Stuart Sutherland, Business Development Manager, CharityLine It was quite a complex merger because the three organisations had very independent systems; each one was running their own version of the same database, but the records were locked. It was more than a straightforward merge, as there were umpteen layers of information around the charities, the contacts of the charity, the different volunteers and the services. It was quite a challenge, but there is an IT whizz here who could do it and he was able to extract the data and then blend it together. Otherwise, the only option would have been to manually key in and rebuild all these different levels. It was quite a complex structure of interaction between different layers within the database. Also, it’s more than just a database that holds information; it actually matches volunteers with projects. Now that there is one database, they can match people with projects far easier. The work HAMSVA do is important. If a firm are looking to do a community project and they say, “We’ve got 15 people we can give on 15 days of the year and we want to do something to help veterans,” then, rather than going to an obvious large national charity, HAMSVA
can say, “Did you know there’s Building Heroes in Cuckfield?” For a local charity, this help makes a massive difference. We are proud that we could help. A good example is the leaflets we worked on together. The danger is, you can put too much information into a leaflet or into a publication, which sometimes means there’s so much text on the page that no-one reads it. There’s too much information. Sometimes, it’s a case of stripping it back to the core of the message you’re trying to deliver. In this case, it is: If you’re an individual or company looking to volunteer, or a local charity or community group who needs volunteers, then talk to us and we will put you together. It’s as simple as that. The work we do with charities makes a difference. For example, charities often spend so much more money than they need to on their mailing, printing and distribution. We can use our machinery to fold and stuff envelopes rather than do it by hand. We can help on design and save paper and printing, and we can pre-sort post and we have the bulk mail deals. With our experience we can help charities do more, to a higher standard, in a cost-effective way. This in turn means they are making best use of their funds.
57
PROPERTY
GRADUATED OWNERSHIP – Plan B for home buyers.
Nigel Turner, Consultant Solicitor, Bennett Griffin LLP Tel: 01903 706967 Fax: 01903 229162 www.bennett-griffin.co.uk
I
have been involved with low-cost home ownership in the private sector for the last twenty years or so. Before joining Bennett
with a local connection. Prospective purchasers
involved, such a scheme is relatively low
also need to demonstrate that they can afford
risk for the buyer’s mortgagee, though only
a mortgage to acquire an initial percentage
a handful of mainstream lenders will lend
Griffin in 2014, I was company solicitor with
of the property value but equally have
on normal terms: lenders apparently have
Redrow Homes (South East) Ltd and Group
insufficient income and savings to sustain a
concerns about the small stake put into the
Legal Director of Merlion Group plc.
mortgage to buy similar properties on the open
purchase by the buyer, even though loan-to-
market at full value. Typically the purchaser
value ratios are modest and affordability (and
Shared Equity schemes A method of intermediate affordable housing delivery that usually works well is the Shared Equity scheme. As part of negotiations with the local authority for planning permission, a deal is brokered between housing provider
funds between 50% or 75% of the market value of a property with a combination of cash and first mortgage loan. There is absolutely no interest charged on the remaining 50% or 25% respectively (known as the Deferred Payment) and the provider retains a second
therefore sustainability) is demonstrably good. In a Shared Equity scheme a special lease is not needed (although a normal lease will still be needed for flatted developments, of course) and the buyer is the absolute owner of the property, with all attendant obligations
and developer allowing the provider to acquire
charge on the title which ranks behind that
affordable housing units at a substantial
of the main mortgage lender. On disposal of
discount. The occupancy of these units is
the property, depending on agreements in place
restricted by a planning obligation, aka section
with the local authority, the provider’s second
provider usually only comes back into play if
106 agreement. Local authorities are starting
charge may be repaid or renewed in favour of
there is a resale of the property or the owner
to recognise that Shared Equity schemes are in
the next buyer.
wishes to redeem the second mortgage.
as to repair. Buyers appreciate this: they pay their mortgage, and get on with their lives. The
The main problem with Shared Equity
general more affordable to the buyer than most
In the case of Shared Equity schemes there
Shared Ownership schemes offered by a public
is no requirement for a purchaser to make
schemes – from the local authority perspective
provider, as no rent is charged on the ‘unowned
any supplemental payment within the life of
- is finding a way to ensure a property remains
share’. The properties are marketed to people
the scheme. Because of the reduced outgoings
‘affordable’ when it changes hands.
58
PROPERTY
“There is an automatic right for the Owner to buy out of the scheme by paying the Residual Value (Open Market Value less Owner’s Value) to the provider. ” Graduated Ownership – key concepts My experience leads me to suggest that a Graduated Ownership scheme (GO) would be
The Owner’s Value (which is the Owner’s Percentage plus the Increment) is capped at 77.25% of Open Market Value. There is an automatic right for the Owner to
5. There is no rent payable on the ‘unowned share’ in a GO scheme. 6. A GO scheme may provide the home owner with an automatic bonus, i.e. the Increment
a useful tool for providers - both public and
buy out of the scheme by paying the Residual
described above, depending on the
private - allowing people who do not have the
Value (Open Market Value less Owner’s Value)
provider’s financial model.
means to buy on the open market to become
to the provider.
owners at different levels of participation. The
In line with recent Government policy
Owner’s Percentage, i.e. the initial percentage
changes, there would be an eight-week pre-
funded by the owner and his or her lender, will
emption period for the provider, which would
be set at 30%, 35%, 40% etc., right up to 75% of
cease to apply on the expiry of the Restricted
open market value, depending on affordability
Resale Period or when the owner buys out of
criteria.
the scheme.
GO is based on the owner being able to selffund a 5% deposit and borrow the remainder of the Owner’s Percentage from a High Street lender. The GO framework is built around a Restricted Resale Period, a method frequently used in the US. The restricted resale period varies between 12 years (for a 75% scheme)
GO compared with shared ownership
Implementing GO Workability of the GO scheme is dependent upon two main points. First, unless subsidies are available, the purchase price of the Owner’s Percentage must be sufficient to cover cost of development or acquisition of the affordable unit, as the provider has to make a reasonable profit on the initial disposal. Any receipts thereafter are a
The limitations of shared ownership
bonus, and may be used for recycling in further
schemes are well known, particularly the
schemes, dependent on what was agreed with
hybrid nature of the shared ownership tenure,
the local authority at the outset.
i.e. part-ownership and part-rent. GO schemes may be distinguished from
Secondly, there must be a sufficient group of lenders willing to consider applications so
and 30 years (for a 30% scheme). It ensures
shared ownership schemes in several respects:
that buyers are able obtain mortgage funding
that the property remains affordable for an
1. The owner acquires the entire freehold
on usual terms. At present, the Nationwide,
appropriate length of time, subject to the
(or leasehold) estate in his home from the
Woolwich, Leeds and Halifax and a few other
owner’s right to buy out of the scheme.
provider, so the ownership itself is not
lenders are prepared to entertain applications
‘shared’.
on Shared Equity schemes. With a wider
GO may also provide an automatic bonus for the owner, in the form of a lump-sum
2. Liability for repair and decoration rests with
appreciation of the all-round benefits of GO
Increment on disposal, calculated as a
the owner, and the provider is not liable for
schemes, I would expect more lenders to be
percentage of the Owner’s Percentage. The
these.
willing to consider applications.
Increment would compensate the Owner for having to do all the repairs on the property while the provider still has an interest in the property’s growth.
3. No special lease is required for a freehold house. 4. Only a normal lease is required for a flat, not a special lease.
The GO scheme may also be attractive to private housebuilders, who, if the local authority agree, could discharge intermediate affordable housing obligations direct, without having to transfer properties to third-party providers. I recently had the benefit of an interesting discussion with Iain Stewart MP, who initiated a debate in Parliament on expanding shared ownership last July. We hope to put GO on the agenda with housing minister Brandon Lewis before too long. Government is currently reviewing long-term shared ownership options, and developing a GO model in order to expand home ownership across private and public sectors alike would be a worthwhile Plan B. Nigel Turner is a consultant solicitor with Bennett Griffin LLP
59
ADVERTISING FEATURE
UNLOCKING THE POWER OF TELEPHONY WITH TELIQO The previous issue of Platinum Business Magazine profiled Dr Simon Hochhauser, Chairman of Teliqo – the direct hosted telephony vendor that’s on track to revolutionise the telecoms industry. This feature explains how Teliqo is disrupting this important business sector, examines Teliqo’s proposition for business customers in more detail, and also highlights the kind of benefits already being enjoyed by organisations that have entrusted their telephony needs to Teliqo.
A
ccording to Simon Hochhauser, “Markets get disrupted when a competitor comes along and does something that’s
different and better. However, given the speed at which we as consumers have all signed up to B2C innovations such as iPhones, Facebook
can disrupt markets and delivery models,
caught on to how online retailers and service
they often cite classic B2C examples such
providers could offer more choice, better prices
as Amazon and traditional bookshops, or
and faster delivery, but perhaps the greatest
Netflix and short-lived video stores such as
benefit was that of convenience or reduced
Blockbusters,” he explains.
effort. No need to go the bookstore and find
“While the success of organisations such
that they didn’t have what you wanted, to go
many companies are reluctant to seize similar
as Amazon, Netflix, First Direct or Uber now
to the bank and find yourself at the back of a
opportunities for their own organisations.
seems obvious, it’s worth looking at why these
lengthy queue, or find yourself late because
“When people talk about how technology
shifts succeeded. Customers quickly
you couldn’t find a taxi.”
or eBay, it’s surprising how in the B2B world
60
ADVERTISING FEATURE
“...we can provide our customers with a telephony approach that really adds value to their business,” Step-change performance improvements
Getting serious about disruption So, if you’re serious about disrupting your
has enabled us to add significant value to the services we provide to our clients, giving them
sector it makes sense to have a flexible and
the resources that are usually the preserve
that Simon is hoping to achieve with Teliqo.
adaptable business telephony service that’s
of much larger companies and directly
Established in 2010, the company is committed
agile enough to work the way you need it
supporting their journey to success. We’re able
to providing a unique hosted telephony
to work. And by leaving all the third-party
to provide our clients with the communications
proposition based entirely on its own, in-
platform providers and middlemen behind
technology and facilities of much larger
house developed technology. Unlike most
with Teliqo, you’ll benefit from a completely
businesses, so they can project a professional
other telephony industry providers, Teliqo
customisable service delivered at a single low
image to customers and partners.”
was determined that it wasn’t going to resell
monthly fee per user.
Another organisation that’s already enjoying
someone else’s technology.
“By controlling the technology directly we
the benefits of a Teliqo deployment is NP
Today, after investing more than £4 million in
can provide our customers with a telephony
Group, a leading international provider of
the Teliqo platform, that’s still the case. The
approach that really adds value to their
recruitment services to the technology and
result is that Teliqo now has a highly adaptable
business,” says Simon.
It’s this kind of step-change improvement
and infinitely customisable telephony solution
“Take a simple billing system, for example.
that it can shape to meet precise customer
It’s expensive for your highly trained staff to
requirements.
exit out of their specialist application every
This contrasts directly with hosted telephony
time they need to speak to a customer about
solutions made available through the
an accounts issue; far better to have telephony
traditional reseller model. Because these
directly integrated into the application. That
firms simply resell someone else’s service,
way your employees can remain focused on the
the actual solution offered tends to be generic.
task in hand. Meanwhile, contact details and
So customers might think they’re buying into
even call recordings can be linked directly into
a next generation product, but what they’re
customer records for improved efficiency.
actually signing up for is a vanilla service that
“It’s the same in the recruitment sector, where
is essentially limited, as it’s been designed to
we’ve integrated our direct-hosted telephony
fit a one-size-fits-all reseller model.
directly into leading cloud-based recruitment
Simon Hochhauser explains that that’s the
CRM applications such as Bullhorn.
problem with hosted telephony solutions from
“This means that recruitment consultants
resellers. “Nobody sets out to be a vanilla
can significantly improve their day-to-day
business, so why should they settle for a vanilla
productivity by contacting candidates and
service? If you’re looking to deploy innovative
receiving calls without ever having to leave
communications to help you differentiate, then
their recruitment applications. However,
it’s critical for you to be able to fine-tune key
the benefits go beyond simple operational
technology elements – such as telephony - to
benefits. Recruitment consultants enjoy
meet your particular business requirements.
improved context, as they always have the
“That’s where Teliqo can help. Because our
right information instantly at hand for both
customers get to work directly with the
incoming and outgoing calls. And by extending
developers of the software, it doesn’t need to
that capability to their smartphones, we can
be complex whenever they actually want to
help bring about step-change performance
do something different,” he added. “So when
improvements – making recruiters much more
the companies we work with want to improve
accessible and more effective.”
a process, or unlock further value for their
Identifying new opportunities with Teliqo
customers, they talk directly to us and we work with them to fine-tune their telephony solution.
By creating a highly adaptable and infinitely
“This might involve making it easier for
customisable telephony solution, Teliqo can
customers to contact your business outside
work with customers to help them identify new
of office hours, supporting staff when they’re
opportunities. Take serviced office provider
mobile, working from home, working from
Mantle, for example. With Teliqo Direct,
client sites or enabling direct integration with
Mantle’s clients benefit from a ‘one number’
specialist CRM systems such as Salesforce.
solution that enables callers to reach them via
com, SugarCRM or specific line of business
desk phone, laptop or smartphone. According
solutions like Bullhorn recruitment.”
to Mantle’s Managing Director: “Teliqo Direct
communications sectors. NP Group wanted more control over its business-critical telephony and selected Teliqo’s hosted service to deliver both the flexibility and the cost-effectiveness required. NP Group’s IT Manager, Andrew Nice, explains: “We started seeing immediate cost benefits from day one with Teliqo. However, the real benefits come through our ability to work directly with the Teliqo team – ensuring a seamless deployment and support responses within minutes rather than the days it took for our previous indirect supplier. “We’re also excited about the future potential of our Teliqo solution – whether it’s extending hosted telephony services to our consultants’ mobile devices, integrating with our specialist cloud-based CRM recruitment system, or unlocking further platform benefits by deploying the Teliqo platform for our international operations.” These are just two examples of how engaging Teliqo with its direct-hosted telephony solution can deliver value for organisations across a range of sectors. “The benefits of a direct relationship means that whatever our customer’s business proposition, we can craft a solution that will work for them. In fact our customers can take advantage of over 200 different features within Teliqo, ensuring that they’re ideally placed to take advantage of whatever’s driving change in their own particular business sector,” concludes Simon.
To find out more about Teliqo and its direct-hosted telephony proposition, visit www.teliqo.com
61
Best ever A-level, AS and GCSE results in 2015
Sixth Form Open Morning Saturday 10th October To find out more or to book a place, please contact Admissions on 01273 836936 or by email registrar@hppc.co.uk
www.hppc.co.uk
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PUBLIC RELATIONS CARALINE BROWN Managing Director, Midnight Communications, T: 01273 666200 / M: 07860 757757 E: caraline@midnight.co.uk @KariBrown @MidnightComs
Y
ou can’t change yesterday’s news, but you can have some control over tomorrow’s - if you choose the right PR agency, that is! But what makes a good agency, and how do you choose one?? I am often asked about the quality of our press contacts. To be honest, this is no longer as important as it once was. In the old Fleet Street days, journalists and PRs would often get together for a drink or three at the Wine Press or King and Keys and one would pitch their stories in exchange for getting the hack bladdered. “You’ll run this for me, won’t you, mate?” “Well, what is it?” “It’s a revolutionary nut for a tractor engine that you only need to turn twice instead of the usual four times! Brilliant invention!” “Buy us another drink and we can talk about it.” Nowadays, the media scene is completely different. The days of press conferences where one could meet press on a face-to-face basis are well and truly over. Magazines which once boasted a full staff of editors, sub-eds and reporters now consist of just one editor (if the role exists at all) and they simply do not have time to leave their offices. I don’t think I have organised a press conference
for nearly ten years. Today, most stories are pitched by email and phone. And they have to be good, and they have to be relevant. The editor can be your husband, wife or lover, but if the story’s no good, it ain’t going in. So, how do you get your story covered in the press? Well, this is where a good PR company comes in. There are so many different types of PR company: so-called “one-man bands”, boutique agencies of under 20 staff, the “really big agencies” and the groups. I have run or worked in all of these and can assure you that size is no indication of ability.
“Your PR company should be an extension of your team” Once a company has been around for a while, you have to credit them with survival, which has to be based on ability. Let’s presume they know how to do the basics. But what makes a PR company stand out from the rest? Creativity and savvy: can they look at your business and find hidden gold? Can they identify those elements of your business which
you have long overlooked but the press might be interested in? Everyone has a story to tell. My company was handling the fiftieth birthday celebrations on behalf of Crown Worldwide, one of the largest logistics groups in the world, with an 800m USD turnover and operating in some 60 countries. We found that every year, on his birthday, the Founder completed one press-up for each year of his life, in front of his staff. Amazingly, this story had never been publicised before. Midnight filmed the event and it went viral, scoring valuable hits on sites such as CNN.com and Yahoo! Finance, Forbes.com, CNBC.com and the Evening Standard. Energy and enthusiasm: Always visit a PR agency in their own environment. It’s only when you walk into their office that you can get a real feel for their company “vibe”. Do they all look up and smile at you or are their eyes glued to their screens? Are the phones ringing? Are they chatting amongst themselves? Are there magazines and newspapers scattered around the room? Your PR company should be an extension of your team. Get to know them. Befriend them. Confide in them. And always, always say thank you, the two most motivating words for any PR company.
63
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MOTORING
THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW There are a few perks to this job and one of them is driving around Europe in superb examples of the world’s finest automobiles, to visit beautiful cities to look at other superb examples of - well you get the idea. Frankfurt beckons and there really is a smorgasbord of sex on wheels and here are some highlights. The Queen is to be the first customer to receive the new Bentley SUV, the Bentayga. Thank heavens it looks better than the original designs as this is a pretty good looking car with a slight whiff of the Audi Q5 about it. A twin turbo 6.0 lite W12 producing 600BHP and it will achieve 62mph in 4.1 seconds and looks to knock the Range Rover off the top spot. At circa £250,000, it will also knock the spots off your wallet.
Peugeot shows off its new all-wheel-drive electric sports car concept bulging with hi tech innovations such as a range of 280 miles (believe it when l see it), weighs less than a fag packet and will go to 62mph in 6.8 second. Oh la la - and l will believe it when l see it.
I licked this. I am a tad odd in that l do see some cars as lickable. I mean, so delicious, so beautiful, such a pure art form that l want to lick it. The new Rolls-Royce Dawn is stunning and at £250,000, l would be prepared to get up with the dawn chorus every day to pay for it.
Jaguar unveiled their next assault on every sector of the market with their first ever SUV, the Pace. On sale next year from £35,000, it’s quite a looker and will give Jaguar a rival to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. However, Jaguar Land Rover CEO DR Ralf Speth is quite disparaging of the opposition. “They might make millions of cars,” he said, “but they are the motoring equivalent of the high street megastores. Our car is for people who want something different. Something special.” Now that’s fighting talk.
How about the amazing Mercedes-Benz Concept IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile). At speeds above 50mph, the Concept IAA grows by 390mm, deploys extra flaps in the body and fins in the bumper and its wheels go from concave to flat discs to improve the Cd value from 0.25 to 0.19. It also looks fabulous, with elements of the old Gullwing in the rear three-quarter view.
Porsche are trying to give Tesla a run for their money with a 592bhp 911 and for the first time ever, the entire range will now be turbo charged. Named the Mission E, the fourseat, four-door saloon shows how Porsche see’s the future of the electric sports car. Suicide doors and the absence of the B-pillar allow easy access to the cabin. They claim 62mph in 3.5 seconds and a 310 mile range and 80% charge in 15 minutes. I’ll believe it when l see it.
And finally, we have the bonkers Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo. 1,600 bhp, to be driven by a multitude of people on the computer and probably less than 10 people in the real world. But lickable, wouldn’t you agree?
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MOTORING
Motoring Editor: Maarten Hoffmann
JEEP CHEROKEE W
hen l think of the word Jeep, l tend to visualise loud American GIs, chewing gum with their packs of Marlboro rolled up in their sleeves, toting huge machine guns, rampaging across Europe in WW2, whilst ‘winning’ the war. But we have to force those thoughts to the back of our minds, not least due to the fact that the Italians now own the brand. Parent company Chrysler is now a division of Fiat, and the architecture beneath the new Cherokee is fundamentally Italian. It has been quite a long time since Chrysler managed to give birth to a decent car, and the Jeep brand, once so dominant, has suffered badly, with shoddily built models that all seemed to be a decade or two out of date. The first Cherokee was launched in 1974 and sold quite strongly across the pond. The second generation was the XJ, replaced by the KJ in 2002 and renamed the Liberty in the US. Here it died a death as, with so much SUV competition, it simply could not stand up to the test. But here we have the first product of the Fiat union, and at last we have a worthy SUV that marches alongside the competition with its head held high. At entry level, the Cherokee is front-wheel drive, with optional 4x4, and is around the size of the Nissan Qashqai. The engine is Fiat’s 2.0 litre, four cylinder MultiJet diesel, offered with 138bhp and 168bhp mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or nine-speed automatic. By the end of the year we will see the launch of the 3.2 litre V6, and that should give it the poke it needs, as the Cherokee cannot be described as fast. Fast enough, though, considering what it is designed to do. Although, what is it designed to do? If we consider this to be a compact 4x4, then it has to stand against some tough competition, such as the VW Touran, Ford Kuga and the Kia Sportage, but with less ground clearance than all of them. But l am tired of motoring wallas like me saying such and such a car is crap off-road, when we all know that 97% of us will never take it off-road, so who cares? It’s like Clarkson rubbishing a superb £100,000 car because it wont tail slide at 130mph. Who cares? The average motorist wants to know if they can get the kids in, all the Waitrose shopping, it won’t drop half its value the day it hits the drive and can still get to town if it snows. And the answer is a resounding yes.
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MOTORING
TECHNICAL STUFF Engine: 2.0 litre 138bhp 4x4 Performance: 0-62mph 12.0 seconds Top Speed: 117mph Economy: 50.4 mpg combined Price from: £33,810 As tested: £35,755
The interior is packed with the usual gadgets to ensure that the Cherokee is a mass-appeal car. Great layout, decent quality build and very well bolstered seats. The problem is you could be in any of the countless SUVs cluttering our roads. Climb aboard any Land Rover, BMW or Mercedes badged SUV and you immediately know which brand you are aboard. In the Jeep, if you ignore the massive Jeep logo in the centre of the wheel, you really could be in any mass market sub-£35,000 SUV. The fit and finish are good enough but quite far from the class leader, and the price might not be the incentive either, as the best-selling Qashqai, Audi Q5 and Ford Kuga are all cheaper. The Jeep moniker certainly has some appeal, and it had no problem at all in taking four of us to the Isle of Wight for the weekend, with full camping gear (never again, but that wasn’t the fault of the car!), so capacity is good, and l went there and back and all around the god-forsaken island on less than one tank of fuel - which is quite remarkable. So it comes down to style choice: if you like the look of it and a bit of Yankee heritage, you would not regret buying it, and if not, then the sector is full to bursting.
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MOTORING
MERCEDES-BENZ
CLS
Motoring Editor: Maarten Hoffmann
W
pleasure of driving, then you need more. Plump for the CLS350 petrol as you will have a 3-litre V6 that is silent and serene, but, when urged on, it roars into life and propels you
highly desirable car. Merc’s chassis engineers
forth with very satisfying haste. The diesel is
have certainly found their mojo as the ride
highly efficient, but l hate all diesels, and the
and handling are sublime. For those who find
subsequent ‘transit van’ racket that comes
the styling. To me, it was just wrong at the
the ride a tad hard there is the option of air
with it. If, like me, you are slightly deranged,
back with the slope that looked, in Clarkson
suspension, but if you like ‘driving’, it’s about as
how about the AMG flagship model, the 63,
parlance, like the designer had lost interest
good as it gets.
which is curiously badged as it is actually the
hen Mercedes first launched the CLS back in 2004, l fought my best instincts but could not get with
or fallen asleep. I had this conversation with
Arch rivals BMW and Audi responded to the
barnstorming 5.5-litre power plant with a pair
the GM at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, Andrew
early model with the A7 and 5 Series GT, but
of turbos stoking a gloriously noisy volcanic
Mosley, who had just purchased one, and l can
l am not sure they quite hit the mark, and the
eruption? This little tyke will do 0-62 in 4.1
only compare it to having an unattractive lover.
new CLS leaves them cold.
seconds, and this is a full-size car weighting in
Great when you’re kissing, but a shock when
The CLS borrows the E-Class underpinnings,
at nearly two tonnes!
standing back. Hence, the old CLS was great
but this new body is far more attractive and l
to drive and be inside but disappointing when
do like the way the Mercs feel really planted
gear selector that harks back to the old days
you stood back. I know l stand quite lonely in
to the road. The track and body width are
and makes you wonder why they ever moved it
this regard as the previous model sold by the
unique in making it feel as one with the road.
to the centre of the car. Why? It takes up space,
bucket load.
I was disappointed when they delivered me
gets in the way and is totally superfluous in
of the CLS220CDi as, to be frank, it is a tad
an automatic. Here you are offered what you
former, which is a bonus, and now the
underpowered. Totally sufficient if you are an
need: forward, backwards and stop. Job done
designer is fully awake and has created a
A to B kinda person, but if you enjoy the sheer
and extra space between the front seats for
The new CLS is not as dramatic as the
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I am a fan of the steering column-mounted
MOTORING although this can be corrected in the Shooting Brake. I sometimes wish the Comand screen would recede into the dash, and l wish it was touch screen. This is quite a short list, by anyone’s standards. The new CLS is stylish, luxurious and refined, and when they took it away and it was replaced with a Skoda Yeti, l could literally have cried. Mercedes-Benz of Brighton Victoria Road, Portslade, Brighton, East Sussex BN41 1DY 0844 6593320 Mercedes-Benz of Eastbourne Eastbourne Road, Westham, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN24 5NH 0844 6593320 Mercedes-Benz of Gatwick 78 Gatwick Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9AW 0844 6593320 stuffing stuff. I also swoon over the clock in the dash. Not just a clock, but a beautiful time piece that, again, harks back to the time when we didn’t get all our input digitally. Mercedes calls the crease line above the front wheel arch a ‘dropping line’ and is meant to be reminiscent of the older sports models from the days before monocoque bodies. The nose is gorgeous, and if you squat and squint, it really does hark back to the beautiful 1962 300 SL. If l am going to have a prang, l would quite like to have it in this as, with nine airbags, stability control that monitors you for fatigue, active Lane-Keeping Assist and a blind spot warning system, l would only have myself to blame. My advice - they are all bloody annoying, so turn them off as the cult of ‘electro nannies’ continues unabated. But for you middle-land hoggers, dawdling meanderers and phone-using peeps out there, turn them all on as the rest of us will be a damned sight safer. Refinement is a word that can be overused, but it is the only
TECHNICAL STUFF Engine: 220 CDi 2.1 litre Performance: 0-62mph 7.5seconds Top Speed: 150mph Economy: 56.5mpg Price from: £46,500
world that can be used for the interior. Although we have quite a bit of theft going on from the E-Class, that does not detract from the superb overall interior package. An example of how much effort has gone into thus aspect, the CLS350 measures an interior noise level of 37dB, whereby the Rolls-Royce Ghost produces 44dB. Enough said, really, about the sublime silence of the interior. Refinement must also be used for the handling as, at motorway speed, it takes only the slightest nudge of the wheel to change lanes, and l could imagine cruising 500 miles in this without even thinking of taking a break. After the sheer common sense of buying this car as an attractive, well-rounded cruising coupe, the next factor that supports the decision is the residual value that sits well above 40% after three years with average miles. And if you have no intention of selling, it will go round the clock a few times with ease. I bumped into the aforementioned Andrew Mosley last week when he deservedly picked up the Director of the Year Award at the Brighton and Hove Business Awards, and he mentioned that his CLS has 128,000 on the clock and still drives like new. If this is not big enough for you, then try the CLS Shooting Brake estate that has rear haunches that are more severe than any estate on the road, and, with a maximum of 1550 litres of space, it will swallow a gargantuan load. Drawbacks? Well, there are negatives to be found in every car and here l don’t like the 4 seat maximum in the coupe,
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LEGAL ADVICE
D.I.V.O.R.C.E :
Must it Spell Disaster for a Business?
by Wendy Ryle Burt Brill & Cardens 30 Old Steine, Brighton BN1 1FL 01273 604123
R
Financial basics on divorce
essential day-to-day needs of the parties and
ecent national statistics show that about 236,000 people in England and Wales start divorce proceedings each year.
finances on a divorce is to have regard for the
Many more separate. For couples with business
welfare of any minor children. There are also
interests, the key question is how the business
considerations such as the ages of the parties,
will be dealt with.
length of the relationship, contributions, health
forms, including shares or a debenture in a
As a solicitor, family mediator and
The first duty of the court dealing with
any children.
What approach is taken to business interests? Business interests can take different
problems and, very importantly, the financial
limited company, a share in a partnership or a
collaborative family lawyer with Sussex law
needs and resources of the couple. A business
business operated by a sole proprietor. Usually,
firm, Burt Brill and Cardens, who specialises in
interest will be a financial resource.
only the interest owned by the party divorcing
dealing with financial and other issues arising
Each case will depend on its particular
or separating is taken into account, but this will
from relationship breakdown, l thought l would
circumstances. The court must aim to achieve a
often involve an overview and valuation of the
provide some guidance.
fair outcome and do its best to at least meet the
whole business.
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LEGAL ADVICE encounter is the service company which
out of the assessment of the marital assets
is run for professionals, such as computer
available for division, especially if there are no
contractors and some medical consultants, for
children involved.
tax reasons. Little or no value may attach, save for any surplus funds, and these may be taken to be the value of the business. There are numerous small trading companies run by builders, other trades people, garage owners and the like, where the assets of the company are negligible and
In a very few cases, the court has had regard to ‘stellar contributions.’ These resulted in asset divisions weighted in favour of the wealth creator as happened in the divorces of Sir
attention focuses on the income stream.
Paul McCartney, Sir Terence Conran and a Mr
Where a business has assets and is of
Cowan - who invented the black bin liner with
some substance, investigations will be made.
a drawstring! It has to be said that the other
These will usually start with a study of the
spouses in these cases were still very well
last two years’ accounts. If the business is
provided for financially.
not too large and there is sufficient trust
What about the taxman?
between the parties, the accountant for the business may prepare a ‘desktop’ valuation. In other cases, a report will be commissioned from an independent forensic accountant, jointly instructed by the couple’s solicitors. An industry has developed in the field of forensic accountancy for divorce cases and l often advise on which professional may be suitable for a particular business. The forensic accountant will be provided with
There will usually be CGT considerations, and the timing of a separation can be crucial. Potential tax liabilities are usually taken into account in the valuation process. The tax implications of any proposed settlement must always be considered.
What if the couple are not married? The comments here only apply to parties to a marriage, civil partnership or same-sex
accounts for at least the last two years and the
marriage. If an unmarried couple separate, the
up-to-date financial records of the business.
party who does not own the business interest
Access will also be given to the managers of
will have no automatic right to claim against
the business and the accountant. The forensic
the business interest. The Law Commission has
accountant’s fees are usually shared and can
recommended that cohabitants should have
be significant: £6,000 plus vat or more.
certain rights after two years’ cohabitation, but
What will happen to the business interest?
it remains to be seen if this will become law.
Once the nature and value of the interest has been assessed, there will be options available for how it will be treated in the divorce. If the business has little capital value but produces a reasonable income, the non-owning spouse may receive enhanced maintenance or be awarded a larger share of other assets by way of compensation. In a majority of cases, the business interest will be retained by the spouse involved in the In the case of a long marriage, the starting
And what if one party’s business talents have been exceptional?
business and the other spouse may receive a
How can I protect my business from a claim arising from divorce or separation? It is possible for a couple who are contemplating marriage to enter into a prenuptial agreement. Married couples going through a difficult period may find a postnuptial agreement helpful, stating the financial terms to apply if they divorce or separate. In this way, they can go forward without the worry of excessive claims being made if there is a divorce.
point for the division of the assets is an equal
larger share of the other assets or a structured
one. A long marriage is now considered to
settlement providing for capital to be paid by
be one which, including any pre-marriage
installments. There are instances where the
cohabitation, has lasted for ten years or
non-owning spouse is granted shares or a
legally binding. It is thought likely that the law
more. The assets, apart from the business
debenture in the business to provide future
will be changed on this in the near future.
interest, may be the equity in the family home
income and capital. These arrangements are
and investment properties, savings, stocks
best resolved by agreement rather than by
I would like to know more…
and shares and valuables such as jewellery,
the court’s decision as the court’s powers are
paintings and cars.
limited to orders for the payment of money or
Valuing the business
the transfer of assets.
The extent to which a business and its value will be investigated may depend on the
What if the marriage is short? If the relationship breaks down in its early
Nuptial agreements must comply with certain requirements and are not automatically
I have advised and represented business owners in connection with divorce and separation on many occasions. My clients are many and varied, from the sole owners of small businesses to the majority shareholder in a national restaurant chain, amongst others. I am
value of the other assets and the nature of
years and a business was brought to the
always happy to meet for an initial consultation
the business. A situation which l frequently
marriage by one party, it will tend to be left
before commitment.
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MARKETING
IT’S ABOUT EVEOLUTION NOT REVOLUTION! By Joanne Rogers, Managing Director, Prowse & Co. www.prowse.co.uk
W
ith demands for a fairer society and a continuing focus on economic priorities, have you noticed a cultural
shift in how we do business? Traditionally, successful business leadership has more often than not been defined by
Public Relations Marketing Events Research Economic Development
www.prowse.co.uk
to demonstrate rather than assert competence.
exploit their business potential. We also need
We tend to keep our feet too firmly on the
to encourage the next generation of women to
ground, avoiding risk and staying within
have greater aspirations and more confidence
our comfort zones. Research has shown
to succeed in their chosen career paths.
that the issues identified as holding women back include self-confidence, the need to
ambitious, strong and confident men who take calculated risks and who naturally tend to prefer those in their own image. Now, more than ever, we need more women in business (and in politics!), empowered with similar qualities, to bring the female perspective to boardroom tables. However, having strong and confident female leadership isn’t just about equality – it’s also extremely good business sense. Companies across all sectors with the highest number of women in the boardroom significantly and consistently outperform those without female representation – by 40% in terms of return on equity, and by 56% in terms of operating results, according to McKinsey. But, sadly, there are some attitudes that still need to be brought into the 21st century.
Today, flexible working and a better work-life balance seem to be two of the main reasons women start businesses, and digital technology
“Companies with the highest number of women in the boardroom significantly and consistently outperform those without female representation”
This isn’t going to happen unless those women
is providing opportunities we’ve not had before. The boundaries between home and work are blurring. Innovations such as The Cloud allow us to access information and software almost anywhere, liberating everyone to work in a flexible manner. Not so long ago, I heard someone say: “Work will become what you do, not where you go.” So, whereas in the past, women with families have had to choose to work long hours away from the home to the detriment of a fulfilled family life, or perhaps take a lower-skilled part-time role, technology is now changing to help remove a significant barrier to career progression. We know the UK is missing out on economic benefits by not having more successful women
with the necessary qualities, personality and
in business management, and, crucially, now
self-belief push themselves forward. Even in
balance childcare with work priorities and an
is the time for women to become their own
the PR sector, where 63% of the workforce are
ambivalence towards networking.
agents of change. Business UK needs more
women, shockingly, only 13% of board positions are held by women! Natural strengths of female leadership are becoming more important to business. For example, women’s ability and innate desire to connect with others offers many opportunities, as today’s effective leadership is as much about collaboration as it is about competition. I often sense that too many businesswomen play down their own achievements, preferring
72
I do believe it is up to those women already
women in senior management positions in
in business management to help others to
order to create a fairer society and we need to
become more confident about themselves and
drive this change from within!
Prowse & Co. combines strategic counsel with practical support to help you effectively communicate with your target audiences. We’ll work with you to understand your business and brand and then deliver results-driven PR and marketing strategies that use the appropriate channels to reach your audiences. From one-off projects, campaigns and public consultations to a full, outsourced service - discover how we can help you achieve your business goals. www.prowse.co.uk
Luxury Private Dining BY ALAN WHITE
THE ULTIMATE PRIVATE DINING EXPERIENCE IN SUSSEX Perfect for special occasions & celebrations, client entertainment and high end company dinners. For bookings or to arrange a viewing of our private dining spaces, please email conference@grandbrighton.co.uk
or call 01273
224300
THE GRAND BRIGHTON, 97-99 KING’S ROAD, BRIGHTON, EAST SUSSEX, BN1 2FW
www.grandbrighton.co.uk • conference@grandbrighton.co.uk
TheGrandHotelBrighton
@GrandBrighton
EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE SHOWCASE
AN AUDIO-VISUAL FEAST
Identity, the commercial signage and event branding agency, hosted the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce Summer BBQ at their newly refurbished and expanded premises. Photos by Duncan Lawson | www.duncanlawson.co.uk
“T
he idea behind the evening was to give visitors a unique chance to view, play and interact with
this can work across the multitude of platforms available. Identity’s neighbours at Eastbourne
Stephen Holt, Business Development Manager for Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce, said, “It was fantastic to hold a
some of the latest audio visual solutions that
Mercedes supplied a factory-fresh AMG A45
members’ evening at Identity. They are a really
Identity use when delivering exhibitions and
and the graphics technicians from the Signage
exciting company and have worked on some
conferences for their clients, all without leaving
& Printing division of the group applied some
fantastic projects, from Eurotunnel to Coffee
very striking stripes to the car, which again
Republic. It’s great to see an Eastbourne
Eastbourne.” said Michael Gietzen, MD of Identity Group, The LED wall that was showcased has already seen action this year at Wimbledon and The Open as well as many different exhibitions. The Twitter Totem showcased how the power of social media can be harnessed to engage visitors to an event and to get them involved in spreading a message virally.
demonstrated the power of the branding consistency that the team advocate when looking to achieve a cohesive look. To tie all the information and networking opportunities together, Identity showcased Poken in Eastbourne for the first time. Every visitor had their own personalised poken,
business doing so well.” Stephen added, “Our networking events are incredibly popular. We are the largest Chamber of Commerce, not only in the South East but also on the South Coast, and it’s great that so many members braved the weather to enjoy the hospitality offered by Identity.” He finished by saying, “Identity were
which is a quirky clip-on device which enables
incredibly generous in the time and effort they
Identity wanted to inspire local businesses to
you to collect digital business cards and digital
took to show us around. From the excellent
think about how they can integrate some of the
documents with a simple touch. Just touch
‘all-weather BBQ’ to showing us some fantastic
latest exciting technology into their marketing
one poken to another person’s and they glow:
bits of technical equipment, there really was
plans. On hand on the evening were experts
You’ve exchanged business cards. Touch a
something for everyone to enjoy.”
from their design team to talk about the
poken to a touchpoint display, and you collect
importance of branding consistency and how
digital material.
www.signage-printing.com www.identityevents.co.uk
As well as serving up a fantastic BBQ for all,
74
EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE SHOWCASE
75
EVENT
A CONFERENCE WITH BITE
G
oals of the business variety will be on the agenda at the Seagulls’ AMEX stadium in October, when delegates are expected to attend one of the biggest innovation events ever staged in Sussex. Worthing and Gatwick based chartered accountants Carpenter Box will be hosting the BITE (Business. Innovation. Technology. Efficiency) conference at the stadium, with expert speakers offering insights into how Cloud technology can transform business efficiency, marketing innovation and financial performance. “The event is all about helping local businesses use technology to become more efficient and effective by leveraging the power of apps and integration software,” says Nathan Keeley from Carpenter Box. “We want businesses to understand how technology can transform the way they work, how they market themselves and how they collaborate, by moving from a traditional mindset to becoming early adopters of Cloud-based systems that offer competitive advantage.”
Amex Stadium The event, which is supported by Xero, is
To register your interest and book a
being held at the AMEX on October 29, and as
stand at the event, please refer to www.
well as a full day of expert insights, there will
bite2015.com, or, if you would like further
be an exhibition featuring strategic partners of Carpenter Box, ranging from banks and
information, please email nathan.keeley@
solicitors to marketing companies. All business
carpenterbox.com
or
aaron.knight@
support companies are welcome to either
carpenterbox.com at Carpenter Box on
sponsor the event or take a stand.
01903 234094.
Our services include: • Accountancy & bookkeeping • Audit services • Tax returns • Tax planning
Passionate about business.
• Payroll services • Financial and investment services* • Wealth management We love to make your profits larger and tax payments smaller! Go to www.carpenterbox.com to see what our clients say or get in touch on 01903 234094
*Carpenter Box Wealth Management LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
www.carpenterbox.com 77
OCTOBER 2015
007 fever
Spectre, the car, the spy story, the interview with Daniel Craig
Business lunch with a twist at
Terre à Terre
SHOW-STOPPING HOMES
OUT 1st October
from the City’s best agencies
TRAVEL
A weekend in Wiltshire
Exclusive living at
Brighton Marina
&
Warmth Colour
Inspired interiors ideas The region’s largest property publication
FREE
TRAINING
UNLOCK THE MANAGEMENT POTENTIAL IN YOUR BUSINESS Invest in yourself, your people and your future.
W
hether you are looking to grow the management expertise in your company, hone your own leadership skills or motivate your people to improve performance, training can provide the
platform you need to help you achieve your goals. Key management skills such as knowing how to motivate, manage and inspire staff have been cited as crucial for developing highperforming teams, and it is widely acknowledged that effective management training supports long-term, sustainable growth in organisations. Taking a fresh look at the potential of your in-house talent can reap huge benefits. The University of Brighton has put together a package of ‘skills essentials’ for new managers, or those who might have been in a management role for a while but have perhaps not received appropriate training and would like to refresh their skill sets or motivate their team. The management development programme has been designed to cover all of the fundamentals a manager needs to perform well in today’s business environment. It can be taken as a whole course, or you can select the development areas you need to complete your or your people’s skill sets. The rolling programme means you can start with any one-day course you like. The Moving into Management course covers learning to motivate, manage and inspire teams and gain confidence in dealing with difficult situations and behaviour. Sonia Blizzard, MD of Beaming - one of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 companies - believes training and development is integral to her company’s success, which is why she and her team have undertaken a number of training courses from the University of Brighton. Sonia said: “With high-growth companies in a competitive market, you can never stand still. What gives you a competitive edge is applying knowledge and innovation. That comes from knowing about the latest technology and investing in training.” Sonia Blizzard
Leadership Skills for Managers explores the aspects of successful leadership and includes learning to respond effectively to leadership challenges, particularly when ‘leading from the middle’. Presenting And Pitching With Confidence will help you or your people develop the skills to deliver an effective presentation every time. You can also develop the potential around you by introducing coaching into your management practice. Empower your staff to achieve better results and be more productive with our Essential Coaching Skills course. Finally, the Essential Marketing Skills course presents the key principles of marketing and how to apply them practically to improve the effectiveness of your marketing activities.
For more information, please visit: www.brighton.ac.uk/ managementdevelopment, or contact Judith Badger, Training and Development Manager on 01273 641 038, or email traininganddevelopment@brighton.ac.uk.
79
BUSINESS AWARDS
SUSSEX WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS
The Final
Sponsors on board so far are:
The 2015 Sussex Women In Business Awards, formerly known as the East Sussex Women In Business Awards, takes place on 23rd October at the Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne. The awards attracted over 350 entries this year, ensuring the judges had a very difficult time deciding on the winners as the entries were of an extremely high calibre. The semi-final heat took place on Friday, 31st July at the Cavendish Hotel Eastbourne, hosted by Lynsey Bartlett of Heart Sussex. Over 100 of the semi-finalists and sponsors attended the banquet luncheon. The event was formally opened by Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, who was also representing all the Sussex MPs. After a magnificent three-course meal, served by the wonderful staff of the Cavendish Hotel, Neisha Taylor, Associate Solicitor at Hart Reade, the headline sponsors, took to the stage to wish everyone good luck. Neisha said, “We at Hart Reade are extremely proud to continue to headline and support these magnificent awards, which are a superb platform for Sussex businesseswomen to demonstrate their achievements.” To book tickets for the final, call Faiza Shafeek on 01323 414493 or email faiza.shafeek@jpress.co.uk.
The awards ceremony is at the Cavendish Hotel in Eastbourne and takes place on 23rd October. To book tickets call Faiza Shafeek on 01323 4145493 or email faiza.shafeek@jpress.co.uk
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CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AT HILTON. Celebrate this joyful season with the perfect Joiner Christmas Party. Join us on Wednesday 9 or Friday 18 December 2015, and enjoy the best festive celebration from just ÂŁ39.95 per person. A sparkling welcome drink will begin the celebration, followed by a spectacular three-course meal. After your dinner, put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away with our DJ. Would you like to celebrate the festive season in January? Book by Sunday 1 November 2015 and receive 10% discount on all Christmas parties taking place in January 2016. (Minimum 100 guests). For more information and to book your Christmas party call us on 01293 610 809 or send us an email to events.gatwick@hilton.com
South Terminal, Gatwick Airport | West Sussex | RH6 0LL Š2014 Hilton Worldwide
facebook.com/HiltonGatwick | twitter.com/HiltonGatwick
BUSINESS AWARDS
EASTBOURNE BUSINESS AWARDS It’s not too late to enter, says Faiza Shafeek. Would you like to be a winner this year, celebrating your amazing achievements? Would your business benefit from wider recognition? The answer has to be ‘of course’, and there’s no better or more costeffective way to raise your company’s profile than by entering the Eastbourne Business Awards 2015, widely recognised as being an outstanding platform for excellence. All it requires is a little investment of your time to focus on and describe your strengths and highlight your achievements. Businesses are invited to submit entries on their own behalf. Individuals may also nominate their employer’s business - or any business which they admire. It’s not only about businesses, but about individuals too - so you can also nominate colleagues or staff members.Third-party nominations are also very much encouraged. Why not help to promote a business you truly feel deserves that recognition of excellence? There are three new categories this year: the Entrepreneur/Rising Star of the Year Award, the Innovation Award and the Eatery of the Year. There are a total of 17 Categories, which means that there must be one suitable for your business, and remember, you can also enter up to three categories.
Sponsors on board so far are:
THE ROTARY CLUB OF EASTBOURNE
To enter or book tickets for the final, call Faiza Shafeek on 01323 414493 or email faiza.shafeek@jpress.co.uk. The Awards Ceremony Luncheon takes place on 13th November at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne.
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SUSSEX CHAMBER
SOUTHERN POWERHOUSE?
By David Sheppard, Chairman, Sussex Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER NEWS
L
84
isten to the pre- and post-election budget statements and you might be forgiven for thinking the strength of the UK economy resides in the north of the UK. Familiar terms such as ‘Scottish Devolution’ and the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ have been added to by ‘City Deals’, and, more recently, a focus on Cambridge, Cornwall and South Wales. The true UK economic powerhouse is London and the South East, sharing 37% of the UK’s total GVA (Gross Value Added). Scotland has but a small overall contribution, with only 7.7% of the UK’s total GVA in 2012. GVA is arguably the best measure of regional economic performance as it is a measure of the increase in the value of the economy due to the production of goods and services. GVA plus taxes (less subsidies) on products is equivalent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Should we be worried about such strong Government policy? Well, yes, because the policy drives funding on infrastructure projects in those regions and we in Sussex are being left behind, with old and outdated, roads, rail, ports and (recently) airport capacity. Did you know that Sussex has fewer dual carriageways than any other equivalent region in England? The danger is that as regional autonomy prevails throughout the UK, the South East and London could eventually be “the last man
standing”, effectively funding all the benefits which the other regions are offering to their businesses and voters. I haven’t heard any of the potential beneficiaries saying “autonomy is going to cost you more and local taxes/ business rates are going to rise.” The danger could be that the benefits from other regions’ autonomy will come at our expense and possibly create a drift of employment, businesses and growth away from our region. We are already short of the ‘job ready’ skilled labour that our businesses need to grow, so I personally feel that we have to stand up for the South East and put the case for our businesses and their needs forward and not be taken for granted or forgotten. We know that our local politicians are confronting this issue from a voter perspective, but this needs to be tempered with a balanced view from the business community. We at the Sussex Chamber of Commerce are playing our part, corralling the views of our neighbour Chambers in Kent, Surrey
and Hampshire, consulting with the local Chambers and putting in place a framework which will start to form a regional business agenda highlighting the policy priorities from each part of Sussex, East, West and the central Gatwick Diamond. We are launching our first Regional Business Policy forum in the autumn, where local businesses will be able to shape our business priorities, which we can then put forward on the region’s behalf to local authorities, and, utilising our accreditation with the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and their unique links, to central government and policy makers. Our past Chairman, Nick Handley, is leading this important initiative on behalf of the Chamber, utilising his wide policy knowledge base and his direct participation on the BCC policy committee. Check our Sussex Chamber of Commerce website for further details of this great opportunity to shape the future of our region and ensure we are not the last man standing. www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Yet another traffic jam on our under-invested roads
BRIGHTON & HOVE
WHAT DOES GROWTH MEAN TO YOU?
Brighton Summit has the answer, says Alice Cuninghame Copywriting
W
e all have dreams for our business and our future, and we want to grow, develop and achieve. Everyone
starts their business journey full of ideas about where to go and how to get there. But there’s always another meeting to go to or another call to take, and the day-to-day work of keeping a business running can make it difficult to focus on the vision that got that business started in the first place. The Brighton Summit on 16th October is a chance for you to take time out and find your vision again. It’s a day for your growing business. You will come away from this business conference full of ideas and ready to start working towards growth. And that’s growth in
time?” with clarity, honesty and a plan to get
will talk about why so many people fail to live
you there.
their dreams, and about how the mindsets and
Design your day
behaviours of successful entrepreneurship
Because growth means different things to everyone, you’ll be able to design your day to fit your vision. There’s a session on how to apply gardening skills and knowledge to growing your business, one on how to grow in a global economy, and one on how to grow without spending money. There are workshops, panel discussions and conversation sessions, with 20 different
can help you live yours. Everyone will be invited to join a growth planning workshop session with experienced business coaching team, Generate. There, you’ll get to talk with peers about your growth plans and dreams, and set your ambitions for the day and beyond.
Food and fun There’s a lot for you to do, see, hear and
options spread over four time slots.
experience at the Brighton Summit, so we’ll
Living the dream
meals throughout the day. You’ll stay alert and
Our two keynote speakers will talk about
have fuel in the form of small, nourishing avoid the post-lunch slump. We’ve also built in
every sense: growth in profits, growth for your
how business dreams become real. Nikki
plenty of time for socialising and networking,
people, and growth for you. You’ll be able to
Gatenby from Propellernet will tell us how
so you can share your growth plans and find
hear growth stories from inspiring business
to do what we love, and love what we do. At
people who can help you make them happen.
people and spend time in practical sessions
Propellernet, her teams’ dreams are part
designed to help you write your growth story.
of the business plan. She knows that when
You’ll come away able to answer the question
people lead full lives they’ll have more impact
“Where do you see yourself in five years
at work. Jim Duffy from Entrepreneurial Spark
Join us at the Brighton Summit, and you could change your future. Tickets from £75. Book yours at: www.brightonsummit. com.
CHAMBER NEWS 85
13 RESTAURANTS
12 CAFES
That’s right. Put them down. Now. Or you’ll spoil your enjoyment of all those foodie delights you’ll find at Gatwick. Just remember, don’t eat until you get there. And yes, that includes that chocolate you’ve been eyeing up.
South Terminal: 6 Restaurants, 6 Cafes, 1 Oyster Bar. North Terminal: 7 Restaurants, 6 Cafes, 1 Oyster Bar.
2 OYSTER BARS
CHICHESTER
A CATALYST FOR CHANGE AT CHICHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE By Louise Hopkins, Chair, Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry
A
Helen Reeve
(customer) demands on us are changing and are likely to change going forwards. So, what started as ‘simply’ replacing a Business Development Manager has become a mammoth review of everything we do and deliver. And we mustn’t lose sight of our role as a membership organisation; it was vital that we found not just someone who can do the job, but someone who would be right for the role – and right for our members, as the ‘face of the Chamber’ … We did find someone, and we are confident she will fit in. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Helen Reeve on board as Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s new Business Development Director. She will become a familiar face and no doubt you’ll have a chance to meet with her very soon.
CHAMBER NEWS
ll organisations, whether private, public or charity sector, need to constantly evolve or they will stagnate and get left behind. So not only should you keep tabs on changes within your marketplace, but when anyone moves on from a role, it presents an opportunity for change that is often more powerful than is initially obvious. We are currently saying goodbye to Julie Harrison, the Business Development Manager here at Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Julie has been the formidable face of the Chamber for eleven years and it would not be an exaggeration to say that her resignation has shaken up both members and the Board alike. However, as a membership organisation run by businesses for businesses, amid the disappointment that comes with the resignation of an excellent employee, we saw an opportunity. The landscape for business support, business development and networking has changed enormously over the eleven years since Julie started in her role, and needless to say, her role changed with it. But we were now faced with an opportunity to potentially re-write the job description. With Julie’s help, we reviewed the job and how it has changed over the years; we reviewed the structure of the Chamber, which leans very heavily on a volunteer Board and is not always as productive as it could be, and we looked at our reporting lines, policies & board structure. Julie Harrison Quite a hefty project! We have taken time over the last few months to revisit recent member research, re-evaluate our competitive marketplace and review our strategy as a Chamber of Commerce. As with any business, it is vital to our existence that we look to the future and consider how our member
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CRAWLEY Hello everyone, I’d like to address some wider remarks to the continuing debate on where the next runway should be in the South East. I say debate, this Chamber has certainly joined others, kindly led by Jeremy Taylor at GDB, in writing to the Cabinet to ensure that the flaws in the Davies Commission analysis are made plain for the decision makers. If your Chamber has not either joined this effort, or has not made its own representations, and you consider this is important to Sussex, please ask that Chamber why not.
Paul Roe Chamber President for Crawley & Gatwick
Holding off by Daniel Sibley - NatWest Commercial Bank There’s a neat symmetry between monetary policy in the US and the UK. The US Fed, like the Bank of England, is being scrutinised for signs it’s about to start raising rates. But both institutions have domestic concerns – low inflation, as well as global ones, China’s slow down. So both are holding off from rate hikes, for now at least. Step by step. We’re one third of the way through the financial year and the Government has borrowed £24bn since April. That’s a lot of money, but it’s £7bn less than was being borrowed this time last year, and half of that during the equivalent period in 2009. The improvement is down to higher receipts for Income Tax, Corporation Tax and VAT. Central government spending is unchanged so far this year compared to last. But there’s work to do. At roughly 5% of GDP the UK’s deficit is still larger than that of the US, Italy or France. The spending review that reports on 25 November will see where the cuts will fall. Could it be magic? UK annual CPI inflation edged up slowly from 0% in June to 0.1% in July. It’s a step, albeit a small one. Inflation has been
CHAMBER NEWS
below the mandated 2% target for 19 months, with little danger of hitting
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the 2% target before Christmas. Even 1% would be an achievement. That’s good news for shoppers, although a predicament for the Bank of England. Lowflation is supporting real wages, which are up by about 2%y/y. In past times that would suggest a real, inflation-adjusted Bank Rate of around 2%. Not anymore. Especially as these figures pre-date China’s currency devaluation. It’s alright. Retail sales grew by 4.2%y/y in July, a very respectable rate of growth, both by historical and international standards. The volume of sales in the UK is around 10% above where it was at the start of 2008. Compare this to the US and the Eurozone, where sales are 4% above and 3% below, and things are alright in the retail sector. And online channels continue to grow in importance. Internet sales accounted for 12.6% of all retail sales compared to 11.4% in July 2014.
daniel.sibley@natwest.com
A satisfied customer is the best business strategy Ever feel like your marketing is working and the customers are constantly coming through the doors but you aren’t really gaining any new buyers? It’s probably time to evaluate the communication going on in your business. Michael Lebouef asserted that ‘A satisfied customer is the best business strategy’, and he certainly wasn’t wrong. You can have the best brand and the best product in the world, but a lacking customer service will be sure to see your business slowly perish. It’s time to ensure your customers are getting the best experience possible. No need to lay out a plate of chocolate or a red carpet; all that’s necessary is that key element - great communication throughout. Response time - If your customer is looking for some information, a speedy, friendly response is crucial. Building a rapport - Take the initiative to ask questions and make an effort to remember what they’ve said. Next time they visit you can pick up where you left off. Don’t alienate your customers - Keep things simple and stick with the ‘listen and respond’ technique rather than an information overload. Every customer should feel like the number one priority - If a customer is paying for a service or is at least interested in doing so, then the least we can do is make them feel important and listened to. Offer them help, be prepared to go the extra mile.
For more information and help with communication within your business, please visit www.mediawordwaves.com or email lorraine@ mediawordwaves.com
Next Chamber Event Wednesday 21st October – Tesla in Crawley – 8.00am Bring along your driving license as you may be able to take a test drive on the day! To book visit www.crawleychamber.co.uk or email jose@crawleychamber.co.uk
EASTBOURNE
Member Focus - Blue Lion Coaching
THE ACCIDENTAL MANAGERS H
ow do you select your managers and leaders? Surely, it is quite easy: you have a brilliant sales person, so putting them in charge of the sales team will bring all the other sales people up to their level and your business will prosper, right? Wrong! Unfortunately, according to research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), that is how 80% of current managers and leaders in the UK got promoted – and this is most prevalent in small- and medium-size businesses. How this happens is easy to understand. As they become successful, most businesses tend to evolve. From a start-up the decision is made to employ people – and more people as the business grows. At some point the owners decide they cannot manage all the people they have and look for some support – and the easiest way to get this is by recognising the excellent work being done by a current employee you know and trust, by promoting them to lead their team. Unfortunately, this is where things may go wrong! Your employee was excellent at the technical aspect of their job, and that is what they loved doing. Then they got promoted and had to deal with staff, finance and performance measures. Many of them do not like the new role they have – and may not be very good at it.
Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce www.eastbourneunltd.co.uk | Tel: 01323 641144
Not everyone wants to be a leader. In fact, according to the CMI, poor leadership costs the UK more than £19 billion a year in lost revenue. The Government’s great business website also recognises the challenge: www. greatbusiness.gov.uk/effective-management-is-key-togrowth-strategy/ However, when I coach “accidental managers,” there is a dichotomy to be dealt with. Along with the promotion came a pay rise and recognition of “success” by family and friends. There are two choices: would they like to return to their technical role or would they like to develop as a leader? For the former, it is a matter of doing this with dignity and support. If they would like to develop as leaders, there is a number of options available – coaching being just one of them. The important thing, for me, is that you give your leaders the development they need to support your business – or they may just decide to go elsewhere.
CHAMBER NEWS
Alan Wingrove is a Business and Leadership Coach with over 20 years’ senior leadership experience and is a Chartered Manager. He runs Blue Lion Coaching and moved to Eastbourne from Hampshire in February of this year. His company is also a provider of Institute of Leadership and Management programmes.
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ACES
BEST4BIZ 2016 Friday 16th October, East Sussex National Hotel
T
his year’s conference is held in association with East Sussex County Council and the Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex. The focus is on innovation and new business methods with useful sessions to take away everything you need to grow your business in the 21st Century. The agenda includes terrific keynote speakers, business networking, a B2B exhibition, an expert panel, valuable breakouts, a celebration dinner and the “Best of the Best East Sussex” Business Award to celebrate the best East Sussex business as nominated by the members of ACES. If you are a member of the organisations below, book your free place now at: www.acesalliance.org/best4biz-conference-2015
CHAMBER NEWS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
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Josh Valman, Managing Director of RPD International At the age of 19, Josh Valman used the internet to create a global manufacturing company. In 2013, just six months after launch, it was valued at over £1million. His company now operates in over 40 countries, allowing businesses of all sizes to access a flexible supply chain comprising a force of ‘nutters,’ including spinal surgeons, nuclear submarine experts, engineers and a global supply chain of manufacturing and logistics power. As an experienced TED Speaker, Josh explains how to challenge convention and use innovation to step outside normal corporate structures.
Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd’s rise since becoming MP for Hastings and Rye in 2010 has been pretty meteoric. In 2012 she was a member of the Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where she came to the attention of George Osborne and became part of his inner circle as his Parliamentary Private Secretary. In 2013 she became Assistant Whip and then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. This experience, coupled with a background in investment banking and running her own business, meant Amber Rudd was ready to take charge as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change after the election in May. At Best4Biz she will talk about Energy and Business and the opportunity this presents to forward thinking businesses.
Battle Chamber of Commerce www.battlechamber.org.uk
Bexhill Chamber of Commerce 01424 842892 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk
Crowborough Chamber of Commerce www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk
Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce 01323 641144 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk
East Sussex County Council 01273 481570 www.eastsussex.gov.uk
Federation of Small Businesses 01424 754686 Reg Office: 01323 482018 www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex
Hailsham Chamber of Commerce 01323 310531 www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Hastings Chamber of Commerce 01424 205500 www.hastingschamber.co.uk
Heathfield Chamber of Commerce 01435 865858 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk
ACES Pictures by Duncan Lawson
AGENDA
Only Connect - business connectivity Fred Thomas, Business East Sussex Growth Hub Navigator
From Midday
Business networking lunch and B2B Exhibition To reserve exhibition space call 01323 641144 or email: info@edeal.org.uk
From 2pm
Finding new international markets easily Lev Denker, UKTI Eastbourne and Lewes Plans for Growth Council Leaders and Senior Managers
From 5pm
Keynote Speakers Chief Executive of East Sussex County
Expert “Question Time” panel with Rupert Clubb
Council
Wrap-Up Session
Becky Shaw,
Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Josh Valman of RDP International
From 3pm
A choice of one business seminar Marketing your business for free Matt Turner, MD CreativePod and Young Start-Up Talent Innovation and Change The University of Brighton How to be a talent magnet in a skills shortage Martin Ellis of RSE Group Hastings, Rother and Wealden Plans for Growth Council Leaders and Senior Managers
From 6.30pm
Sparkling Sussex Reception and Celebration Dinner We are holding a Sparkling Sussex Reception sponsored by Ridgeway Wine Estate to showcase their award-winning Sussex sparkling wine (which has beaten Champagne in blind tastings) to celebrate the best of East Sussex. This will be followed by a three-course Celebration Dinner, during which short films made by Sussex Downs College will showcase the 12 companies nominated by each Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Business to go forward to the “BEST4BIZ East Sussex Business of the Year,” which will be awarded this evening.
A choice of one business seminar Selling to the public sector made simple Laura Langstaff, Head of Procurement for Surrey and East Sussex County Councils
To become a Member of ACES just join your local Chamber of Commerce in East Sussex. Full details at www.acesalliance.org ACES – THE ALLIANCE OF CHAMBERS IN EAST SUSSEX You are automatically a member of ACES, representing 4,000 members across the county, if you are a member of the chambers listed below. This entitles you to share your news stories in these Platinum Business pages without charge.
The Institute of Directors 0207 766 8866 www.iod.com
Lewes Chamber of Commerce 07919 382316 www.leweschamber.org.uk
Locate East Sussex 0844 415 9255 www.locateeastsussex.org.uk
Newhaven Chamber of Commerce 0800 107 0709 www.newhavenchamber.co.uk
Peacehaven Chamber of Commerce 01273 586222 www.peacehavenchamber.co.uk
Seaford Chamber of Commerce 0800 881 5331 www.seafordchamber.co.uk
South East Local Enterprise Partnership 01245 431469 www.southeastlep.com
Uckfield Chamber of Commerce 01825 722607 www.uckfieldchamber.co.uk
Wealden District Council 01323 443322 www.wealden.gov.uk
CHAMBER NEWS
From 3pm
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WORTHING
START & GROW PROGRAMME LAUNCHED Start & Grow is the new business start-up initiative launched
in Worthing to help future business owners with ambitions for sustainable growth and job creation.
create employment opportunities from an early stage.
Supported by the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), Start & Grow
Enterprise First will be delivering the Start & Grow programme
will be delivered across England by the Cavendish Consortium
across the South East. The programme offers personalised support
in areas where there are lower levels of business start-up. The
to eligible candidates; this can be in the form of one-to-one advice,
Consortium, made up of six regional enterprise agencies, together
business skills training, mentoring, access to finance support and
with National Enterprise Network, has already helped to create over
business planning and specific help with booking keeping and
10,000 jobs nationwide and is well respected for its independent and
marketing. The aim is to give clients the best possible chance of
impartial advice and achieving excellence in business enterprise.
success. The programme specifically targets people who haven’t yet launched their business but are looking to achieve high growth and
Find out more about the start-up support at http://www. enterprisefirst.co.uk/start-grow/ or contact Grant.Baker@ enterprisefirst.co.uk or 07802 774624.
CHAMBER NEWS
ALL OUR MEMORIES – A A27 UPDATE HISTORY OF THE CHAMBER
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Following a successful bid for a grant from the Heritage Lottery, Worthing and Adur Chamber recently completed a project researching the History of Business in Worthing. This history is a result of research that Chris Hare has undertaken, using the Chamber’s minute books and newspaper cuttings as sources. The final section is a personal memoir of the Chamber’s recent history from 1995 – 2009, written by the current Chamber President, Peter Bennett. Chris Hare undertook Roy Bishop the oral history interviews that appear on the DVD, which can be viewed below with a team of student volunteers from Worthing College. These interviews offer a personal insight into the business and social life of Worthing from the 1940s to the 1970s. This history and the accompanying DVD would never have come to fruition had it not been for the enthusiasm and resolve of past Chamber of Commerce President Roy Bishop. It was Roy who began collecting archive material relating to the Chamber’s history and ensured that the oldest surviving minute book was given over to the safe keeping of Worthing Museum. Sadly, Roy died in 2013 at the grand age of 94. He was active to the last and had only recently completed working on the funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which made this project – the booklet and DVD - possible. This booklet can only give a taste of the Chamber’s eventful history, but, hopefully, it is one that will whet the appetite for more research in the future. Chris Hare, History People UK April 2015. Roy Bishop 1918–2013. You can download the History book from our website: http://www. worthingandadurchamber.co.uk/hlf. If you would like a copy with the DVD, these are available from the Chamber office or Worthing Reference Library.
Worthing & Adur Chamber were recently invited to attend a meeting with Highways England to discuss the future plans for the A27. Further to this meeting the Chamber will ensure that the business voice is well represented at future consultations. As appropriate, we will contact our members for their views. If you would like to express any interest, please contact Worthing and Adur Chamber.
WISEUP2 SHORT COURSES The next programme of WiseUp2s is about to be launched by Worthing and Adur Chamber. What are WiseUp2s? They are short, 2-3 hour, interactive workshops designed for busy business owners. Each course is limited to 8-10 delegates, is interactive and designed for you to leave with knowledge and actions! Why should you attend? These courses are cost-effective and valuable opportunities to tweak your skills and gain knowledge to help you and your business. The topics that will be covered from October to December are: Marketing, Getting started with Social Media, Time Management, Google Analytics, SEO, Email Marketing, Facebook for Business and Twitter for Business. Visit our website at www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk for dates and booking details.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 7th October – Meet the Chamber. 23rd October – Networking Breakfast – Dome Worthing 4th November – Chamber Chat Members Evening 20th November – Networking Breakfast – Shoreham Airport 25th November – Members Event - Tour of Ricardo 2nd December – Christmas Social – Ardington Hotel 28th January – A Day for Business Growth & Success – Assembly Hall
For further details visit www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk •
01903 203484
YOUNG START-UP TALENT
EX S S SU
STUDENT ENGINE REVS UP INTEREST Lorraine Nugent talks to 21-year-old CEO of Student Engine and 2015 Young StartUp Talent Gatwick Diamond Finalist, Christopher Foster, about the progress of his flourishing business.
S
tudent Engine is an online freelance platform designed to connect businesses with up-and-coming, talented young people across the UK, specifically those looking to provide freelance services to businesses at lower than usual costs in order to gain experience prior to graduation, or to use their experiences, skills and recommendations from the platform to find employment. Foster’s natural flair for business and his enthusiasm for the online platform have placed him and Student Engine on the path to success. His most recent achievement includes being one of the youngest members to be accepted onto the Entrepreneurial Spark programme, powered by NatWest, in Brighton. The six-month programme offers intensive one-to-one support and mentoring to enable Student Engine to grow and scale the business. The programme also offers access to leading business professionals within the wider Brighton and Sussex ecosystem to further help Student Engine with all aspects of the business. Additional focus is on learning how to perfect
your business pitch to potential investors, funders and customers. On reflection, Foster says, “The support received from the entrepreneurial initiative Young Start-Up Talent - has helped me step outside my comfort zone and vastly improve my pitching skills, which I can now utilise at times of significant importance.” NatWest and YST have worked in tandem over the past two years with a shared interest in working alongside and encouraging young business minds such as Foster. Fiona Anderson, Entrepreneur Development Manager for NatWest, commented: “It is fantastic to see young, successful entrepreneurs like Christopher being a part of the Entrepreneurial Spark programme. The way in which YST and Natwest work together to help young people like Christopher means that we are able to give him the support and skill that he needs to grow and scale his business. We hope that he will be one of the true success stories for the programme in Brighton.” Currently looking to expand his team by taking
on a web developer and marketeer, Foster describes this search as his “greatest challenge at present.” Up until this point Christopher has been rectifying his business plan using the advice and feedback he gained from the YST experience. A great deal of time has been spent liaising with various universities and colleges who have given the business concept an extremely positive reception. In addition to this, Student Engine has formed links with the “UK’s leading organisation for engaging students in enterprise,” Nacue. The Student Engine website is due to go live at the end of September along with a brandnew promo video created by Will Bower and his video production company, Royalty Three, who also appeared as a Gatwick 2015 Young StartUp Talent finalist alongside Student Engine. The video will be aimed at students across the UK and is set to launch the online platform into the public eye. www.studentengine.co.uk, www.youngstartuptalent.co.uk, www.royaltythree.co.uk
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WORKING LUNCH
GOING FOR A JIMMY
I
am sure we have all faced the same dilemma that l experienced last week. You want to take the family out for lunch, but after hearing that
at a rate of knots. That looks to be remedied soon as the blocks of flats being built right in the marina
one hates Chinese but loves Italian, another
should be complete by next summer
round was the economic problems
hates Italian but loves Mexican while another
and, as long as they are not all purchased by
of employing so many specialised chefs to
still, being a gluten-free vegetarian, hates
out-of-towners who will leave them empty all
maintain this offering, that would render it non-
them all, you lose the will to live and fire up the
week, this will place hundreds of people in the
viable. The answer at Jimmy’s is to make the
cooker.
marina and life should return.
place huge and therefore make so many covers
I remember this happening many years back
One bold new opening is a huge restaurant
available that the numbers work. If you can fill
with a group of friends and thinking at the time
called Jimmy’s that boasts that you can dine
that there must be space in the market for one
around the world in one location. This seemed
restaurant to serve more than one style of food,
to be the answer to my dilemma, so off we
with Brighton being the most recent unveiling,
thus pleasing all, but I probably sobered up and
went.
and as it is a self-service ‘world buffet’, you
thought no more of it. Until now…..
the seats, of course. There are 11 Jimmy’s around the South East,
The theory is excellent. One restaurant
simply choose what you want to eat and seek it
that serves Chinese, Indian, Mexican, British,
out. It costs £14.99 per adult and half price for
bit like the moon - no atmosphere at all, with
Italian, Thai and Sushi, all within the same
children for as much as you can eat.
shops and retail outlets opening and closing
location. The problem I identified the first time
The Brighton Marina has always been a
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I started with Mexican, with a very good
WORKING LUNCH
“Jimmy’s is a good idea, but you need iron discipline and the will of a saint.”
corn tortilla filled with spicy pulled pork, salsa, guacamole and sour cream, and l have to say, it was very good. Then l decided l fancied Chinese and helped myself to sweet and sour chicken, steamed rice and grabbed a garlic nan from the Indian station on the way back. All very good. Now it was about time for a trip to Italy, and l waited for only three minutes while the Italian chef made some fresh pasta with a neapolitan sauce and my daughters raided the pizza counter, grabbing bits from other countries as they made their way back to the table. Not content, l noticed the grill that offers steaks, chops and tuna and ordered a rare steak whilst l wandered around the place. Salad bars, Sushi station, puddings to die for and a giant chocolate fountain with an array of yummy things to dip into it. My steak was ready, and as l made my way back to the table l noticed my girls with a plate of pizza in one hand, stacked up with chapatis, raw carrots, strawberry jelly, vegetable samosa and rice balls whilst with the other hand they had marshmallows on sticks under the avalanche of chocolate and it suddenly dawned on me why this might not be such a great idea. Less if more but here, your brain kicks in to think you can eat everything, in any order, in any quantity, constantly. I then looked around and, apart from the families, it was populated by people who really should know better and certainly needed less food, not more, so l am sure you can get the idea of who this offering is attractive to. With a world full of obese people, this is the last thing they need, and as they are paying one price for a non-stop buffet, they go back and forth, non-stop. I ended up with beef stroganoff and nearly exploded. Both girls were feeling sick as parrots in the car home, certainly not due to dodgy food but to the sheer mountain they had consumed and the variety of food groups that really should never be consumed together. Jimmy’s is a good idea, but you need iron discipline and the will of a saint.
Jimmy’s Brighton 1-5 Palm Drive, Brighton Marina, BN2 5WA T: 01273 369668 • W: jimmysrestaurants.com 95
SECRET SUSSEX
NO RISK WITH D-RisQ
David Sheppard
by Hannah Monkcom
H
ow can something be so remarkably simple, yet also so complex that it could theoretically bring us world peace?
if they built something that lasted a lifetime?
Drones; Rockets; Online data that ranges from
Such innocent ‘bug fixes’ are in fact problems
websites and private communication systems;
that the manufacturer has encountered that
the Cloud; Online content of any type including
Tech. That’s how. Software, algorithms, coding
they need to patch but whilst waiting for the
apps such as Amazon, eBay and Paypal. For
- all those words that make a literature creative
patch, your system is vulnerable.
example, a recent hack of Ashley Madison’s
like myself confused to the core, but fascinated nonetheless.
David states that not only could his software
adult website which encourages subscribers to
build safety and security into a device like
cheat on their partners, where client data was
a mobile phone, a rocket ship or a nuclear
posted into the public domain, client lives were
with two other founders, Nick Tudor and Colin
weapon to enable it to safely do what it
put at risk through suicide, bribery, extortion
O’Halloran. Not only is he Chairman of this mind
is supposed to do, but it can also provide
or where, in some counties, such behaviour is
blowing company, but he is also Chairman of
resilience against the need to upgrade to
punishable by execution. Last but by no means
the Sussex Chamber of Commerce in his spare
overcome faults and therefore overcome
least, ‘The New Warfare’ which can include an
time! Putting those of us who moan about there
predetermined obsolescence. Are you with me
enemy hacking into our power grid or worse
being ‘too few hours in the day’ to shame!
so far? Good. Hold onto your seats…
yet, our defence systems.
David Sheppard established D-RisQ in 2012
D-RisQ is a company that created a software
David states that D-RisQ’s software, summed
The MOD developed a technique to improve a
tool that can ensure there is never a flaw in any
up “Will provide total security and protection
piece of technology for the Euro Fighter so that
system. It can securely privatise any piece of
for your system and software”. At this present
the electronic systems software wouldn’t do
tech and keep hackers away, permanently. By
moment any piece of tech can be hacked. Some
something it shouldn’t. This was revolutionary
applying it to the development of any gadget,
have failsafe’s built into them so that they will
as up until then the only way to build resilience
device, vehicle or even rocket, it can prevent the
self destruct if they detect a glitch, but what a
into systems was through test, which can never
faults and design errors that most electronic
waste of resources?
be exhaustive. In some defence systems there
devices have from their beginning. We know these as ‘glitches’, which often lead
The scary point to make here is what that
are ‘doomsday scenarios’ that could occur if the
includes. Take for example cars with built
system is compromised or fails. In the worst
to more and more regular ‘system updates’
in autonomous systems. The people driving
case an unmanned aircraft could simply fall out
and ‘bug fixes’. Most of us will have noticed
this car could become completely powerless
of the sky or worse, be re-tasked to attack the
these with our Apple products, our PC laptops
behind the wheel as control can be achieved
very army that launched it.
or something as simple as washing machines.
by someone nearby with the right computer
They aren’t built to last, because how else
programme. Medical devices, from pacemakers
for a long time by hacking a computer system
would the company keep making money off us
to life support machines; Cash points; Aircraft;
system and give no warning of an attack. This
96
Someone can be watching what you’re doing
SECRET SUSSEX
“D-RisQ is a company that created a software package that can detect any flaw in any system.”
last one scares us all the most as in this Big
to market in a commercial form and David
ever needing to waste time restarting, updating
Brother world where Facebook tailors ads by
hopes to persuade businesses of the benefits
or throwing it at a brick wall?
listening to us through our phone app, it is
of assuring systems safety and resilience.
evident that we are not at all safe in the tech
Theoretically, if everyone had the tools in place
change the face of modern technology and
world. All it would take is one ‘switch’ being
to help design their system threats to software
make us all safer, from our humble mobile
turned off somewhere or a system to go down
would go away. All companies need to protect
for as little as 20 seconds, and, avoiding any
their businesses; if you Google ‘software
phone to nuclear weapons. This is a dark area
firewalls, someone would have full access to
failures’ it becomes apparent how often these
hack any system.
glitches take place, some minor and some
So what is David doing with this software? If,
life threatening. The issue is that people don’t
for example, we had a way to detect all of these
necessarily trust the software is real and see it
issues on the tech tools that we spend copious
as a threat.
hours on, would we use it? Would big name
tools is mathematical proof, there is a much
rolling somewhere. Someone must surely be
lesser need for expensive and time consuming
smart enough to see that we could protect our
tests which could be seen as a threat to high
‘Modern Warfare’ with the use of such software
tech jobs and employment. But the way I see it,
tools?
safety, security and world peace outnumber all
Maybe we all want the newest version of
these points. This software makes companies more
goes wrong we want to blame technology for a
secure in the long term. If you don’t have to
‘fault’ in the system?
test a technical device anymore it will surely
The techniques behind these tools have, until
as the companies don’t really want us to know that they have problems so keep churning out bug fixes. These are not bug fixes, these are system failures and they leave us all exposed. D-RisQ can fix it and more power to them.
Because the technique behind the D-RisQ
companies want it? Well, the ball has to start
phone every 8 weeks, and when something
D-RisQ have created a system that will
become more cost effective and will deposit far
recently, been the sole domain of academia
less waste material into our landfills. Wouldn’t
but D-RisQ is in the process of bringing them
it be nice to have a phone for two years without
D-RisQ Limited Wyche Innovation Centre Malvern Worcestershire United Kingdom WR13 6PL +44(0)1684 252452 info@drisq.com
97
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A
G
A
Z
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PLATINUM BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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