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–Essex Chambers of Commerce

100 years strong and still opening valuable doors for business

www.essexchambers.co.uk

Issue 4

May/June 2012

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Leading the way

inside e-business leader

ESSEX CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE President: Robert Leng Chair: Elaine Oddie OBE Chief Executive: Denise Rossiter Publications and PR: Elaine Othen E-mail: [email protected]

PUBLISHER Ten Alps Publishing Trelawney House Chestergate Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 6DW Tel: 01625 613000 www.tenalpspublishing.com

EDITOR Mark Lane E-mail: [email protected]

HEAD OF SALES Ian Parker Tel: 01625 667607 E-mail: [email protected]

DESIGN Graeme Corrighan

ESSEX CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OFFICES

South Essex Office: Second Floor, Viscount House, London Southend Airport, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 6YF Tel: 01702 560 100

North Essex Office: 8-9 St Peters Court Colchester, Essex CO1 1WD Tel: 01206 765 277

Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without written permission from the publisher is strictly forbidden. The publisher accepts no responsibility for errors, omissions or the consequences thereof. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for the views expressed by contributors, or for the accuracy of claims made by advertisements appearing in this publication.

© 2012 Essex Chambers of Commerce

Link2 is the new online business and market intelligence resource. All the B2B content you’ll ever need. All in one place. www.Link2portal.com

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4-9 CHAMBER NEWS A round-up of the latest news from Essex Chambers of Commerce

21 20 QUESTIONS Martin Hopkins, partner at Birkett Long LLP, is in the hot seat

22-23 SIMPLY ESSEX BUSINESS The latest news from the British Chambers of Commerce and HMRC

24-25 EVENTS Your guide to the latest events hosted by Essex Chamber of Commerce

4-9 CHAMBER NEWS

10-17 MEMBER NEWS

18-19 FOCUS ON ESSEX

21 20 QUESTIONS

22-23 SIMPLY ESSEX BUSINESS

24-25 EVENTS

26 NEW MEMBERS

e-business leader welcomes news stories from Essex businesses. Please email your news and company appointments to [email protected] the attention of Elaine Othen, Events & Communications Manager This publication is also available as an E-book: www.businessleadermagazine.co.uk/ebook

Knowledge, vision and energy

’

I can’t believe we re almost half way through 2012 already. So much has happened and here is a taster!.We have had some great news for business; with a new city within our County, quizzing MP Vince Cable on matters affecting our County’s businesses at

the House of Commons, lobbying on a grand scale, the start of a great relationship trading with India not to mention us holding two key exhibitions and procurement events in the region and a large corporate training day.

May 22nd welcomes our Meet the Buyers Southend-on Sea event, in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council , taking place with procurement teams of some of the counties largest organisations; Southend Borough Council Southend Hospital Trust NHS, RWE npower Tilbury, London Southend Airport, The Stockvale Group, c2c Rail Network and Ipeco Holdings on hand to discuss their purchasing requirements.This event provides a unique and excellent opportunity for our Members to sell to these major organisations and help boost business within the County. Please see our website or page 5 for further information.

Being a Member of a Chamber of Commerce is an important aspect of your business. Please read ‘The value of Membership’ feature on page 7 for further insight. In fact in Europe the Chamber of Commerce’s are highly ingrained in business with business owners being required to be a Chamber Member if they are to have a registered business in various countries throughout Europe.

From Europe to further afield we recently held an Insight to India event with guests from the UK India Business Council, the Economic Minister from the High Commission of India and the Indian Business Council proving the case that business opportunities and growth are great in India, so much so that we are leading a Trade Delegation to India to introduce our Members to promote international trade and relationships with India.This is an exciting time with Essex spreading its wings globally.

The 3rd October brings our new ‘Time 2 Learn 4 Business’ event piloting in South Essex.Your time is precious – but we all need to continually develop and enhance our skills to help push the business forward. The event offers key business training at large discounts in one day to enable your staff and business to enhance performance.Attendees can book multiple courses during the day with all of our courses including a Networking Lunch and working suite with full WIFI access.

I would like to welcome our new Members and thank our existing Members for their support.

Finally London Southend Airport has well and truly landed and wow! We are looking forward to businesses reaping the success of the new airport expansion with it’s increase in local employment and business growth, they have our continued support.

Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive

WELCOME

UPFRONT CHAMBER NEWSA round-up of news and views from around the region

BRUSH UP ON STAFF DENTAL HEALTH The Government has recommended that dentists join GPs and other health professionals in discussing their patients’ overall health and lifestyle during appointments.

With oral health greatly affected by diet, exercise, smoking and drinking habits, the British Dental Health Foundation hopes the initiative will encourage more people to consider how their lifestyle could impact on their oral health.

Chief executive of the Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, said: “Taking the time out to discuss a patient’s smoking habit, alcohol consumption levels or poor diet could save lives, as all of those are associated with the risk of developing mouth cancer.

“If the healthcare profession, and particularly the dental profession, discussed with their patients how their oral health could be improved, I firmly believe we would see the number of developing dental diseases fall across a period of time.”

Research has shown that sugary foods and drinks can damage oral health, while studies have proven that people who stay fit and healthy are 40 per cent less likely to develop gum disease.

Mouth cancer remains a major issue in the UK with cases rising by 46 per cent since 1997. It is estimated that 30,000 people will die from the disease in the next decade unless more is done to change their lifestyles.

According to dental health experts, less than half of all adults have an acceptable oral hygiene routine, with the average time spent brushing just 45 seconds as opposed to the recommended two minutes. More worryingly still, figures from the Adult Dental Health Survey also revealed that a quarter of adults skip brushing altogether at least once a day.

Poor oral health has links with poor all-round health. Serious illnesses such as head and neck cancers, for example, are much more likely to be diagnosed in patients suffering from advanced gum disease.

Dr Carter said: “There is an increasing body of clinical evidence of the systemic links between poor oral health

and some of the biggest causes of serious poor health and death in the UK. Gum disease may contribute to the furring of the arteries, which can cause heart disease. People with gum disease are also nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes.”

Employers who encourage employees to lead a healthy lifestyle and look after their oral health could create a more productive workforce and potentially reduce absenteeism.

Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan, which is available to all Members of Essex Chambers of Commerce, includes a dental benefit, which enables employees to claim back the cost of private and NHS check-ups and treatment, up to set limits.

Jeremy Revell, managing director of celebrity agency Revellation, introduced the Chamber Plan for his staff. He said “As an employer, you have reassurance that your staff are more likely to attend dental check-ups and other important health checks because they know that the plan is helping to cover the cost.

“They may even go more regularly as a result – and the better staff feel, the better they will perform.”

For more information about the Chamber Plan, visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber or call 0845 602 1629, available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

business leader Knowledge, vision and energy 4

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Torch Celebration Networking Breakfast at Barclays Bank, Colchester

Get in pole position at our Torch Celebration Event!

Join us at the Torch Celebration event marking the torch passingthrough Colchester on 6th July at our Breakfast event.

This unique Networking event taking place in Barclays Bank's 1st floor corporate hospitality suite will give you prime viewing

position of the torch procession.

Numbers are limited so book now to reserve your place at this prestigious event.

Come along, network and be part of a regular breakfast club in ournew venue with Essex Chambers at Barclays Bank.

For more information visit: www.essexchambers.co.uk/events

EDUCATION SECTOR – ONLINE HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS School trips have long since been a controversial subject in the Education environment (schools, colleges, universities etc.). Our online Education Health and Safety induction course reassures teachers and other school staff that children should be able to experience a wide range of activities. Health and safety measures should help them to do this safely, not stop them. It is important that children learn to understand and manage the risks that are a normal part of life.

Our online Education Health & Safety course focuses on those industry specific issues such as

• school trips

• school emergency plans

• SEN Assessments

• Epilepsy

• lone working

• anti-social behaviour

as well as the basic principles such as workstation safety (DSE), manual handling, fire safety and others.The detailed menu includes 41 individual subjects, which can be previewed at:

http://www.essexchamberstraining.com/training/ education-health-and-safety-induction/

To find out more or arrange evaluation access for your school, please don’t hesitate to contact us on [email protected]

chambernewsINCREASE IN QUALIFYING PERIOD FOR UNFAIR DISMISSAL The draft statutory instrument for the change in the qualifying period has been published.

This confirms that with effect from 6th April 2012 an employee will need two years employment before they can claim unfair dismissal (the qualifying period).

However, this will only apply to employees who commence employment on or after 6th April 2012. For any employee who starts before 6th Aprils 2012, the qualifying period will remain at one year.

So if you were hoping that some current employee might be caught by the new legislation (i.e. they currently have more than a year but less than two), this will NOT happen!!!

To clarify, for all current employees (and If you have any queries, questions or we can anyone joining up to 5th April 2012) the be of any assistance, please do not hesitate qualifying period will remain at one year. to contact Practical HR on 01702 216573.

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Leading the way business leader 5

Privately owned, Essex based Independent FreightForwarder, trading since 1951 specializing in FreightSolutions from UK/Europe to Russia, Ukraine, theBaltics & Asian Republics.

Own dedicated offices and staff in : Moscow, St Petersburg, Novosirbirsk, Novorossiysk, Kiev, Odessa & Lvov.

Members of IATA, FIATA, BIFA and Accredited withISO9001.

For further information please contact us:

F.S. Mackenzie Group, Bowden House, Luckyn Lane,Basildon SS14 3AX.Telephone : 01268 662005Email : [email protected] visit our website www.fsmac.com

F.S. MACKENZIE GROUPDelivering Freight,Delivering SolutionsLet us take care of your accounts, leaving you to focus on your business

£ Personal and Corporate taxation £ Sole Trader and Company accounts £ Self assessment returns £ Book Keeping, VAT Returns and advice £ Payroll and NIC Planning £ Company Registration and Business Start ups £ Investment Appraisals and Business plans £ Budgeting, forecasts and cash flow £ Free, no obligation quotations and fixed fees, with easy

monthly payments £ Over 40 years combined experience in all areas of accounting

Find out more about what we can do for your business

Tel: 0845 601 2383 / 07905 140265 / 07946 775184 [email protected]

www.simpsonaccountancy.co.uk

Chartered Management Accountants, with applied industry and commercial knowledge

Unit 6 Cherrytree Farm, Wethersfield Road, Sible Hedingham, Essex CO9 3LZ

business leader Knowledge, vision and energy 6

UPFRONT CHAMBER NEWSA round-up of news and views from around the region

VALUE YOUR MEMBERSHIPIn an austere business environment it has never been such an important time for you to take advantage of your Membership.As one of the leading business support organisations in Essex we are here to help you and your business thrive.

Need an expert? Take advantage of our online database located in the Members area of our website

to search for key industry sectors and find a Member to contact for expert advice.

Training We pass savings back on to you by offering discounted rates on training courses to help employers and their employees make the most of their business.

Lobbying Our Policy Managers are constantly lobbying on behalf of businesses in Essex to ensure that Essex continues to grow as a business community and raising opinions on local issues that affect your business.

Benefits

There are many benefits for Members which are regularly updated on our website. Please take a few moments to read through the vast array of products and services to help you save money and make the most of your Membership.

Events

Take advantage of our networking and business events around the County.We are organising large business exhibitions and business events this year for you to meet prospective clients and help your business establish and grow.

Essex Chambers of Commerce is at the heart of Essex businesses!

For further information and support about your Membership, please contact Deborah Ellis, Customer Service Manager, Essex Chambers of Commerce: 01206 363738 or email [email protected]

TIME 2 LEARN 4 BUSINESS Your time is precious – but we all need to continually develop & enhance our skills to help push the business forward.

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Essex Chambers of Commerce has developed ‘Time 2 Learn 4 Business’ &RIDAY��TH�3EPTEMBERwith you in mind.We have organised a comprehensive training day with

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key training courses that you need for your business in one day – a one-stop shop.

As one of the County’s largest support organisations, we have organised this exclusive Member only training day to offer you huge savings on key courses that would be costly for your company to organise whilst gaining key skills.

Attendees can book multiple courses during the day including a Networking Lunch and working suite, where WIFI access will enable you to continue your days work should you be waiting for a course to start.

Course Information: Emergency First Aid in the Workplace – Full day course

Motivational Training – 3 hour course

Social Media & Internet Marketing – 3hrs

Fire Safety, Marshalls & Extinguisher Training – 3hrs

HR – 2hrs

Sales - 2.5hrs

Successful networking FREE session

Networking Lunch 12noon to 13:00 FREE to course attendees

For further information, please visit www.essexchambers.co.uk/events

Leading the way business leader 7

D Despite the UK economy creeping into

a “double dip” recession, there are

always opportunities for businesses

to explore new markets and export their goods and

services overseas. As an export driven freight service

provider, Embassy Freight Services are seeing the growth of

export business throughout Essex and indeed the rest of

the UK.

Unfortunately, during the decades of reduced export

growth and over reliance on the financial services industry,

many companies have simply fallen out of the habit of

looking to export their product. It can sometimes be a

confusing process and not without its complications for

securing payment and risks to the product itself during

transit. With our knowledge and experience we offer free Our freight service solutions achieve both time and cost

advice for clients new to exporting their products. Indeed efficiencies for any export order from small parcels through

we are committed to sharing such knowledge to encourage to heavyweight & bulk sized cargo shipments.

UK plc to export. Embassy Freight Services UK Ltd was founded in 1994. We

Globalisation has certainly made for a very competitive offer courier, road, air, sea freight and cargo insurance

international market place. Our CEO – Sean Butler has services to a diverse range of exporters within the defence,

spent part of his career within the manufacturing sector. aerospace, perishables, furniture, and consumer electronics

Such invaluable knowledge of the complete manufacturing industries. The movement of hazardous cargoes are one of

process has enhanced our services. We drive through our core specialised services.

efficiencies in the supply chain and manage the risks of our To Embassy, freight services supply chains should client’s international trading. not necessarily be considered a cost, but more a

British goods still carry respect globally and although we do competitive advantage. In such competitive, challenging

not often compete on price, our ability to produce to high and indeed exciting times to consider exporting, every

standards is a competitive advantage. A key element for company needs to ensure that their manufactured

any exporter is to use a service driven freight company that product achieves fulfilment to the overseas buyer.

will make the sometimes complicated and volatile freight As a proven service provider, Embassy can be your

market an efficient and streamlined process. export partner.

Embassy Freight Services UK Ltd. Tel no 01268 820461. Email: [email protected]

Typical shipment moved by our Aerospace Division

business leader 8

WEBSITE DESIGNAND PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS Start with specifics: what are your marketing objectives? How will your website contribute to those objectives? Who and where are your targets? What will your website provide for visitors? How will they know about it?

Discard your own likes and dislikes and aim to appeal to those you intend to attract. Like all marketing tools your website should be built around purpose rather than preference. Having a website makes you a publisher. Find out what your legal responsibilities are.

Visit your competitors’ websites. Look at what you are up against and see what ideas you can adopt or adapt. Form your own approach around the best elements.Your website must compete so you should think twice before opting to DIY.

Consider your promotional strategy in advance - the method or methods you adopt could influence design and performance. Consider the site address. This could be more effective if it contains a description of what’s on offer rather than a personal name.

Promote your website: Search engine optimisation, reciprocal links, affiliate schemes and pay-per-click being among the most popular options. It is important that the design of your site should support rather than obstruct these opportunities. Display your site address on literature, stationery, vehicles and anywhere else that is prominent.

Having a site-map will help search engines to evaluate your site. If you sponsor click-through links have visitors land directly at a sales page rather than a home or splash page.

Consider the technical capabilities and likely equipment of your intended audience. Avoid using trendy tricks and keep it simple.The technology and features you adopt should never come between you and the viewer.

Don’t hang your expectations on pictorial content - especially using picture icons as navigation buttons.Text-only navigation systems are more reliable. Check your site’s performance on different browsers before launch.

First impressions can count so visual appeal is important. Too much information, poor layout, cumbersome or complex navigation, unclear prompts, inappropriate movement and over-crowding are all best avoided.

Headlines should be engaging, clear and specific, text should be succinct. Avoid the need to scroll where possible and bear in mind that speed-reading or scanning is a natural preference on the internet. End each section or each page with an action prompt linking to the next-step.

Compiled especially for Essex Chambers of Commerce by Jeff Della Mura, author of The Marketing Toolkit published by How-To-Books.

Come and join us at a Networking Event near you

Essex Chambers of Commerce have run a programme of popular and successful networking events for years helping organisations

make vital contacts to build their business

For more information visit: www.essexchambers.co.uk/events

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business leader 9

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MEMBERS’UPFRONT NEWSwww.essexchambers.co.uk

CAN YOU HANDLETHE CHALLENGE?With an Olympic year upon us, Essex-based Quality Solicitors Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP in collaboration with the University of Essex, have entered into the spirit and will host the inaugural Essex Sporting Challenge.

Tara Lee - FJG Marketing Manager; David Gladwell - Sports Centre Operations Manager, University of Essex; Linette Edonya -Enterprise Support Officer, University of Essex

The Challenge is being held at the University campus on the afternoon of July 6th and is open to everyone, whether an individual or a business entering a group of participants.With mini-games such as frisbee-discus and a table tennis relay filling the afternoon, this is a unique opportunity for organisations to network and enjoy the activities simultaneously.

The Challenge is one of the first major events where all the proceeds raised will be going to the FJG Charitable Trust.The Trust has been set up with the prime objective of providing support to small, locally based charities and worthy causes.

Tara Lee, marketing manager at FJG said: "It is extremely exciting to be putting on this event which should provide a fun and incredibly useful networking opportunity for all involved.With the Olympic torch relay moving from Ipswich to Chelmsford on the same day as the Sporting Challenge, this will be a day of true excitement for Essex."

NUDE GOLF WORLD RECORD SET IN SOUTHEND 30 thrill streakers from across from so many who have been Essex and the UK shed their directly, or indirectly, affected by inhibitions and their clothes recently cancer and wanted to give to set the ‘Most Naked People to play something back. I am really proud

a Miniature Golf Course in One Hour’ Adventure Island could offer them

World Record and raised over £3000 this opportunity.And as Southend is

for charity. officially the warmest and driest part of the UK – we enjoyed superb

Pitch and Butt took place at weather for those brave souls

Adventure Island on Southend stripping off!”

seafront, and generated vital funds and awareness for The Prostate Mark Bishop, Director of Fundraising

Cancer Charity. at The Prostate Cancer Charity says:

Adventure Island Managing Director Marc Miller says “It’s been an absolutely superb day with people all enjoying the chance to do something memorable, have good fun and raise a large amount of money for a fantastic, charity, of which we are proud to be patrons. People travelled from all over the UK to take part – from as far afield as Durham, Devon and Birmingham - and we’ve heard some amazing stories

“There is nothing wrong with naked ambition especially when it's for such a worthwhile cause.We are incredibly proud to have been part of such a fantastic, record breaking, day. It is wonderful to see so many people joining together to tackle this once neglected disease. We are truly in awe of the courageous characters who bared all in the name of prostate cancer and cannot thank them enough.”

UPSKILL YOUR MARKETING WORKFORCE TO SAVE BUSINESS COSTS While all business owners are looking to cut costs in the current climate, it’s also important to speculate to accumulate. One great way of doing this is by improving marketing skills in-house through media training.

Investing in staff development in this way is a great strategy to grow your business. Better PR and marketing practice enhances business reputation and brand visibility, ultimately increasing the probability of sales.

And if you ask any HR professional, they will tell you that a commitment to training motivates staff and can also cut business costs by eliminating the need to outsource services.

A wide variety of communications and marketing training is available right on your doorstep here in Essex - and expert media training provider Mosaic Publicity urges you to take advantage of it.

Chief executive and media trainer Karen Ainley added that Mosaic has a training suite at its offices in Colchester, regularly training in-house marketing and communications professionals who hail from a range of business sectors.

She said: “By developing staff and filling their knowledge and skills gaps, money can be saved in the long-term. Marketing methods are evolving all the time and businesses need to make sure that they aren’t missing a trick and falling behind their competitors.

All of Mosaic’s trainers are ex-BBC journalists and are approved by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Mosaic Publicity has been training organisations from across the UK for over a decade and offers a wealth of bespoke and open courses.These range from press release writing, podcasting and social media, to press and radio interviews and crisis management, with something on offer for all marketing managers regardless of their experience

For more information on Mosaic Publicity’s training and open course dates visit www.mediatrainingonline.co.uk or call 01206 548100.

Karen Ainley

10 business leader

NEW APPOINTMENT AT LOCHER EVERS INTERNATIONAL Cathy Arbon has joined Locher Evers International Limited as the company’s operations manager.

Cathy has over 25 years' experience in a broad range of roles and has a comprehensive understanding of the shipping, logistics and transport industry. Her personal values also mesh well with the Locher Evers Group's focus on Corporate Social Responsibility.

Formed in 1976 Locher Evers International Ltd has

grown to become Canada's largest privately owned international Freight Forwarder, with branches coast-to-coast in Canada, a fully-owned branch in London, England and an ownership interest in branches in Germany and South Korea.

As a Fellow of her local college, she mentors students and is active in networking groups that promote and encourage female professionals and entrepreneurs.

Margaret’s Frozen Luxuries frozen yoghurts have been enjoyed by many renowned ‘foodies’

CELEBRITY CHEF MICHEL ROUX JR PRAISES MARGARET’S FROZEN LUXURIES Margaret’s Frozen Luxuries Ltd of Earls Colne announced recently that the company’s award-winning luxury frozen yoghurts have been showcased in Michel Roux Jr’s ‘Seasons’ magazine as an example of outstanding quality.

A world-leading Epicurean, chef and restaurateur, Roux Jr notably quoted “That’s not naughty, that’s good for you”. Famed for being a perfectionist, Roux publishes Seasons magazine as a forum for gastronomic excellence. As well as the prominent review in Seasons; the BBC, Essex Life, the Daily Mail and the Fine Food Digest have also featured Margaret’s Frozen Luxuries.

Margaret’s Frozen Luxuries’ Owner Margaret Salmon said that she is “thrilled to be chosen by Roux Jr because he has one of the most sophisticated palates in the world.”

Margaret’s Frozen Luxuries’ frozen yoghurts have been enjoyed by many renowned ‘foodies’ including professional chefs Antonio Carluccio and Clarissa Dixon Wright as well as Princess Ann and Zara Philipps, TV celebrities Dr Christian Jessen, Nicky Hambleton

Jones, and Entrepreneurs Jo Malone and Nick Laslau.

The company is a Member of the Essex Chambers of Commerce and is currently undergoing talks with global distribution companies to export to countries as far afield as Australia and the Middle East.

Margaret said: “We are passionate about our products, their quality and taste, being the healthy option with no artificial flavours or colours.”

Offered in four natural flavours – Strawberry, Raspberry, Hint of Lemon and Mango, the award-winning frozen yoghurts are available at stockists all over the UK (see website for details).The products are also exported to Europe. Perfect enjoyed on their own or as an accompaniment to any dessert, once tried, the wholesome and luxurious frozen yoghurts are never forgotten!

To celebrate the achievement, Margaret’s Frozen Luxuries will be offering free tasting sessions at various trade events across the UK in 2012.

For further information visit: www.margaretsfrozenluxuries.co.uk

membersnews

BE AWARE OF PENSION SHARING ORDERS, WARNS BIRKETT LONG An Essex solicitor has warned divorcing couples to be aware of pension sharing orders, which have risen by 11 per cent over the last year, partly due to the fact that people are getting divorced later in life.

Philip Hoddell, who leads Birkett Long’s Private Client Department, explained that new statistics from legal publisher Sweet and Maxwell show there was a marked rise in such orders in 2011.

Pension sharing orders were established in the UK in 2000, but remain relatively low profile enabling spouses to share each other’s pension in the event of divorce. Mr Hoddell advised that it was vital for divorcing couples to be aware of the orders as they could have a profound effect on their future income.

He added:“More than half the divorce cases I deal with now involve pension sharing and I believe that figure will continue to rise. Couples really do need to be aware of all the facts surrounding their joint finances in order to receive a fair settlement. I work very closely with Birkett Long’s four Independent Financial Advisers to ensure that clients can get the best possible advice..

Philip concluded:“So, for example, they may decide to take an immediate share of a property rather than waiting for a percentage of a pension in two decades’ time – which could actually prove to be much more valuable to them in the long run.What they need to ensure is that they investigate all the possibilities before making an informed decision.”

Birkett Long provides a wide range of legal and financial advice to businesses and individuals alike. With 22 partners, the firm has offices in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester.

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membersnews

PACE SCOOPS ‘BEST LETTING AGENT OF THE YEAR’Southend-based Lettings and Estate Agent, PACE Plc,

was proud to be coined ‘Best Letting Agent of the Year’ at

this year’s UK Landlord Accreditation Partnership

(UKLAP) Awards in association with the London Landlord

Accreditation Scheme (LLAS).

PACE was chosen as the overall winner due to its high

level of customer service and honest advice. Impressing

STANSTED CALLS FOR RAIL JOURNEY TIME REDUCTION London Stansted Airport is calling for significant improvements to the rail links at the UK’s fourth busiest airport to help create jobs and growth, improve local commuter access and allow Stansted to win new passengers and airlines.

The Airport is launching its ‘Stansted in 30’ campaign to urge the rail industry and Government to act now by investing to cut journey times on Stansted Express trains to and from the capital to 30 minutes.

It currently takes 45 minutes to cover the 35 miles between the airport and London Liverpool Street. Slashing journey times between the airport and London will boost Stansted’s ability to compete and bring significant benefits to communities up and down the line.

Launching the ‘Stansted in 30’ campaign, Stansted’s managing director, Nick Barton, said: “We want the rail industry and Government to act now to slash the Stansted to Liverpool Street journey to 30 minutes. Businesses, passengers and airlines tell us how important fast, reliable and quality rail services are.Whilst we have the newest trains serving any UK airport, we know there is still plenty more to do when it comes to improving speed and reliability.

“I’m very proud that nearly 49 per cent of our passengers already use public transport to get to and from the airport – the highest of any major UK airport. But we can’t maintain or build on this success without major rail investment, which has to be included in the Government’s policy announcement this summer.”

Local MP, Sir Alan Haselhurst is supporting the campaign and said:“I am very pleased that the Airport has signalled its determination to campaign for a better deal for users of the West Anglia mainline. I have been lobbying the Government and Network Rail for years to get their act together and do something about the speed, frequency and reliability of our rail services.”

judges with the company’s ethical approach to all property matters and excellent customer feedback saw it surpass 14 other shortlisted agents.The award recognises PACE’s commitment to truly understanding the specific needs of its landlords and its tenants, demonstrated by the fact that 35% of PACE’s managed tenants have remained in their tenancies for over three years.

PACE was also awarded runner-up in the category of ‘Best Portfolio Landlord of The Year with 20 plus properties’, the company was congratulated for its exemplary management of its company-owned property portfolio. In particular, judges were impressed with how voids against its own properties have been reduced by 52% from 2008 to 2011, demonstrating a huge commitment to delivering an exceptional service.

MARKETING-LED INNOVATION There has been a profusion of media on the subject of ‘innovation’ over the past year or so.

The reason for this is many market places are mature and in convergence.

This means clients and customers may be finding it more difficult to see the difference between the products and services that they buy.

There has also been a reduction of suppliers in many markets, as globalisation takes hold.

For example, 50% of cars manufactured in 2010 were made by only five producers worldwide.

Additionally well-established organisations have embraced the latest technology to reduce costs and ease reporting to the Board.

So where does that leave the entrepreneurial spirit of innovation within the organisation, if the majority of the internal processes of the enterprise are fixed in IT?

How can an organisation ‘break out’ of these fixed processes and generate innovative products and services, so that the sales force has value adding differentiators?

First, innovation should be marketing-led.The reasons for this are:

• Marketing is a philosophy, everyone in an organisation must be a marketer and the organisation should be oriented around the needs of the customer” Rod Wilkes CEO

CIM

• Marketing occupies a pivotal position in innovation. With a keen focus on the market, marketers are ideally placed to deliver products that customers want

• No other part of the organisation is responsible for marketing research and market testing, essential in the diffusion of new products

• The marketing function defines the price and the

customer-facing team and sales force is part of the

promotional aspect of the marketing mix

The best people to report new ideas, or issues with

existing services or products, are those who talk with

the customers.

Questions can be fed into the negotiations and

everyday liaison with the customers, laying the

foundation for service or product enhancements that

may add value.

This valuable data can then be captured and delivered

to the board for feasibility and joint evaluation.

If a new product is the answer, it may require the need

for new skills to be recruited or the existing team

trained for the new product or service to be

formalised.

Once decisions are made as to the best way of

enhancing the product, or delivering new ones for the

market, a test marketing exercise can be planned.

With new enhancements, new products or new services

there follows an opportunity to justify higher margins.

Other positive marketing activities including public

relations activity, product launches and other

promotional advantages follow. It may lead to the

generation of new customers.

The existing customers will feel that they are being

listened to and customer attrition rates should fall

as well.

If you want to learn more about ways of

integrating marketing-led-innovation into your

firm contact Chambers Member Hugo Richardson on

01787 476 482.

By Hugo Richardson, HRA Marketing

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14 business leader

membersnews

easyJet, the UK's largest airline, is now a proud member of the Essex Chambers of Commerce, joining in a bid to highlight the airline's commitment to the county's business community.

The airline will begin operating from London Southend on Monday 2 April, with passengers having the choice of more than 70 flights per week to nine European destinations including Belfast,Amsterdam and Barcelona.

As part of the airline's support for London Southend and the county's commercial development, easyJet is offering a discount to all Essex Chambers of Commerce Members on flights to and from London Southend to provide local businesses with easy and affordable travel.

Members from the Chambers, who book return flights on a London Southend route between 2 April and 30 June 2012, will enjoy an exclusive £10 discount on any return journey by simply entering the code ECC12 during the booking process.

Hugh Aitken, easyJet's UK commercial manager, said: "We are really pleased to be joining the Essex Chambers of Commerce and look forward to offering our exclusive discount to all its Members.

"This is a unique opportunity for Members of Essex Chambers to enjoy an incentive to travel with easyJet from the brand new terminal at London Southend, which will showcase the airport as the ideal gateway for both business and leisure travel across Europe."

Denise Rossiter, CEO at the Essex Chambers of Commerce, said: "We are delighted to announce easyJet as a member of the Chambers.The new routes from London Southend have a fantastic appeal for our business community looking for a convenient new departure point to many top European destinations."

London Southend is easyJet's eleventh UK base which will bring three new A319 aircrafts and over 150 employees to the airport, with around 800,000 passengers expected to fly in the airline's first year of take off.

EASYJET JOINS THE CHAMBER

NEW PARTNER AT TS&P Essex Law firm Thompson Smith & Puxon (TS&P) is pleased to announce the appointment, as a partner in the firm, of Sharon Auton Ltd, whose director, Sharon Auton, has worked at TS&P as a chartered legal executive in the Litigation team since 2000; the appointment brings the total number of partners at the expanding Colchester and Clacton-based firm to 11. Sharon acts for a wide range of clients, both corporate and individual and has extensive experience of dispute resolution advising on both general civil and commercial litigation.

Sharon Auton

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PEGASUS AND STANSTED MILESTONE

Pegasus Airlines marked its five-year anniversary of flight operations into London Stansted Airport today having also recently become the airport's 5th largest airline in terms of numbers of guests carried.

On this special day, double daily flights to Istanbul were launched in response to passenger demand. Celebrations at the airport included a special commemorative cake shared with guests while they checked-in and the first guest to check-in was given a free pair of return tickets. There was also a ceremonial water arch over the arriving aircraft and Directors from London Stansted and Pegasus exchanged commemorative plaques to mark the occasion.

Sertac Haybat, managing director of Pegasus Airlines, says: "We at Pegasus are very happy to be celebrating this five-year milestone with Stansted Airport. During

that period we as an airline have grown immensely and Stansted has proven to be our most important partner and hub in the UK."

Commercial director for London Stansted Airport, Jonathan Crick, said:“Turkey has developed into one of the leading markets for short-haul travel from the UK and Pegasus Airlines have played a key role in developing that market from London Stansted. I’m delighted to join celebrations today and wish Pegasus every success as they launch double daily connections to Istanbul, which will be a real boost to our Turkish connections.”

Pegasus flies to 51 destinations in 23 countries, having expanded its network in 2011 with new routes into the Balkans, Europe,Asia and the Middle East. It grew six-fold in the last six years, flying 39.1 million guests during that period.

SKILLS ACADEMY IS UP AND RUNNING A new one stop shop for business training and skills solutions is up and running...and getting people job ready for opportunities created by London 2012.

The Havering Skills Academy, managed by Havering College of Further and Higher Education in partnership with Havering Council, at 32-34 High St, Romford, held a “house warming” for business leaders and retail managers recently when they were able to see the centre in action.As well as supporting businesses and retailers, the centre is helping job seekers referred by Jobcentre Plus to improve their job skills and employment prospects.

Fellow student David, Price-Tupper, 45, from Collier Row, has previously served with the armed forces and as a private bodyguard.With new licensing rules

he needs qualifications to get back into the security industry. He said:“I am desperate to get back into work.The Havering Skills Academy is a fantastic facility to have in Romford – every town should have a centre like this to help people with the training they need to secure a job and support local businesses.”

At a breakfast presentation aimed at business leaders and managers, HSA manager Gillian Wood, said: “The main objective of the new skills academy is to be the first point of call for employers, employees and those seeking employment.”

For further information on the Havering Skills Academy please email HSA manager Gillian Wood at [email protected] or visit the website at www.havering-college.ac.uk/business

membersnews

FOUNDATION EAST CREATES A 378% RETURN ON INVESTMENT For the first time the social and economic value of supporting viable businesses with short-term cash flow problems has been evaluated by pioneering community finance company Foundation East.

The study by Foundation East has shown that its support of 45 companies protected 267 jobs and created 103 new positions, generating over £1.9m benefit to the economy in terms of tax and national insurance alone.

Foundation East provides loans to businesses in the East of England that have been refused bank finance, it has calculated that every £1 invested in the organisation returns £3.78 of value to the community.

Foundation East has found that by using a panel of business people to assess loan applications it is able to take into account the human factors that can determine the success of a company. The decision to lend money is made by a panel of members; many of whom are themselves business owners. In addition to financial support, these individuals are able to give significant advice and encouragement to the loan recipients. It is this injection of funding and confidence that seems to make all the difference, bolstering their self-belief and ambition.

Chief executive Katy Ford says: “Over recent years lending decisions have increasingly been made by a computer and this has ignored more intangible elements, such as management skill and commitment of the work force that can help a business succeed.

“We have observed that short-term interventioncan often be the turning point for a business andgenerate a whole range of benefits to the loanrecipient and the wider community.”

Foundation East is a membership organisation that provides loans of up to £50,000 to business people that have been refused bank finance.

For further information visitwww.foundationeast.org

SUE CELEBRATES HER SILVER ANNIVERSARY Essex-based Chartered Accountants Rickard Keen has celebrated the silver anniversary of a longstanding member of staff. The team from the firm, which has offices in Basildon and Southend, held a lunchtime gathering to celebrate the long career of secretary Sue Thoirs, who joined the firm on March 1, 1987 and has been a valued part of the team ever since. Her dedication to the job over the last quarter of a century was celebrated with cake and glass of fizz, as well as a gift from the partners. Sue said: “25 years is a long time, and I am proud to have spent it with a firm like Rickard Keen. Furthermore, it is always nice to be recognised for your efforts, and I look forward to making the most of the partners’ kind gift.”

For more information, please contact Rickard Keen on 01702 347771 or visit www.rickardkeen.co.uk

Managing partner Alan Worsdale and Sue Thoirs

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FOCUS ON ESSEX – ESSEX CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE LOBBYING FOR BUSINESS Business policy reports from our Policy Managers in Essex

Here at Essex Chambers of Commerce we pride ourselves on lobbying for businesses on a local, regional and national level.Please find reported on these pages our involvement in local policy through our main three areas in Essex.

NORTH ESSEX POLICY REPORT By David Burch, Policy Manager, North Essex

SOUTH EAST LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP – SELEP Following the General Election the Coalition Government abolished the Regional Development Agencies, i.e. EEDA, and replaced them with new local enterprise partnerships. Essex is now part of the above LEP along with Kent and East Sussex.We recently had the opportunity for some of our members to meet the newly appointed LEP Chairman, John Spence – who is himself an Essex resident – and discuss with him some of the major issues affecting businesses in north Essex. It was a very positive meeting and we look forward to seeing how the LEP progresses.

OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY For those of you who are early risers, 6th July will see the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Colchester. It will commence its relay through the town at approximately 7.28am opposite Spacemaker Self Storage on Ipswich Road. It will then go via East

Street, East Hill, High Street and North Hill to Middleborough where it will

leave the town at approximately 8.16am. There will obviously be a lot of interest in this and we hope members

will be able to support its visit to the town.After Colchester it

will be heading to Maldon and then to Chelmsford. Essex Chambers of Commerce and Barclays Bank have organised an breakfast event to celebrate this.

Please check the events section of our website for further information.

HAVEN GATEWAY PARTNERSHIP – LOW CARBON FREIGHT DIVIDEND The Chambers have a seat on the Partnership’s Board and also host their offices within our premises in Colchester.A new initiative from Haven Gateway Partnership is the Low Carbon Freight Dividend which is a new three year project to encourage small businesses to use low carbon freight transport by switching from road to rail.They will receive a dividend of up to 30% for doing so.

A key part of the project will be the Containerised Cargo Carbon Calculator, an online tool developed by the Haven Gateway as part of its work within the EU Dryport project.As well as offering the dividend of up to 30%, the Low Carbon Freight Dividend project will feature six ‘Optimisation of Freight Movements’ workshops across the East of England.

Further information can be obtained from the project manager Liza Brazier at [email protected]

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Focus on Essex

MID ESSEX POLICY REPORTBy John Dallway, Policy Manager, Mid Essex

The Committee recently received an excellent presentation from Spencer Clarke, the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Manager for Chelmsford Borough Council, regarding the on-going work of the Safer Chelmsford Partnership. Essentially Chelmsford is a very safe place to live, where crime has been on a downtrend of 6% in 2011 and 11.5% in 2009. Furthermore the Safer Chelmsford Partnership is the only group in the UK who have received a designation from the World Health Organisation.There are a number of important initiatives running which include an education programme working with schools, operation of the CCTV system and radio system, taxi marshalls and street pastors, community engagement seeking views on crime and disorder, special workshops for the over 65’s and an 18 month extension of the Designated Public Place Order in the town. All these factors were considered to be having a very positive affect in making Chelmsford a safer place to live and work.

With the recent announcement that Chelmsford is to become a City in the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations read on for our reaction to the fantastic news:

ESSEX’S NEW CITY IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS The news that Chelmsford is to become England’s latest city is warmly welcomed by Essex Chambers of Commerce as being great for the town, great for Essex and great for business.

Having beaten off competition from twenty three other towns in England, Chelmsford can be justifiably proud of its new status in addition to being county town and home to both Essex Cricket Club and Anglia Ruskin University.

Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce said:

“This is brilliant news for Chelmsford itself and Essex as a whole. It well and truly puts the county on the map as somewhere that is good for business and the place to invest in.

We congratulate the team at Chelmsford Borough Council, soon to be Chelmsford City Council, and look forward to continuing to work with them to support existing businesses and encourage others to locate in England’s newest city”

SOUTH ESSEX POLICY REPORT By John Dallway, Policy Manager, South Essex

The Committee recently received an excellent presentation from Alastair Welch, MD of London Southend Airport, highlighting the airport developments to date. He explained that, to date, Stobarts had invested in excess of £100 into the airport development which has included the runway extension, a new road diversion, control tower, radar tower, railway station, arrivals/departure lounge and a new 140 bed hotel.All the developments are to be ready by July 2012 in time for the Olympics and a further planning application has now been submitted for the next phase of passenger capacity development with an extension to the new arrivals/departures lounge. EasyJet are due to commence their flights on 2 April. It was noted that Steve Brazil has recently been appointed as the General Manager of the new Holiday Inn Hotel currently under construction. Both the airport and the hotel are extremely busy recruiting into the vast array of new jobs that had been created and this represents a significant boost to the South Essex economy.

Chelmsford town centre

London Southend Airport managing director,Alastair Welch (left) and easyJet customer and revenue director, Catherine Lynn (right) with airport staff and easyJet crew celebrate the inaugural easyJet flights with a Southend Pier inspired six-foot long cake

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20 Quest ions

Martin HopkinsPosition: Partner, leading the firm’s new South Essex office Company: Birkett Long LLP Based: Basildon

1. How long has Birkett Long LLP been established?

Nearly 200 years (started 1821).

2. How many staff do you employ? Approximately 145.

3.What geographic area does your business cover? Essex and beyond with offices in Colchester, Chelmsford and Basildon.

4.What was your first job? Milking cows and mucking them out at a local farm, from age 11!

5. Have you always been a business owner? I became a business owner when I was invited to become one of the owners of Birkett Long LLP in June 2010.

6.What inspires you to go to work every day? The ability to lead a team of staff breaking into new markets, and the chance to provide solutions to individuals and employers with employment law issues.

7.Would you say you live to work or work to live? I work to live.While I love my work, family and friends are the most important thing to me.

8.What piece of advice would you give to a new aspiring business owner? Communicate with your staff.

9.As a business person, describe your three main qualities? Lengthy experience in my chosen subject of employment law, ‘give and take’ attitude to my employees’ need to balance work and home life and a sense of humour.

10.And your worst? Not always giving myself sensible deadlines to work to, putting off the horrible jobs and my sense of humour!

11.What has been your most satisfying moment in business? Helping Birkett Long establish its presence in Chelmsford, growing the office from a small team to approximately 40 staff in 10 years, a process I hope to repeat in Basildon.

12.What has been your biggest mistake? As a trainee solicitor turning up at the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand and appearing in front of a formidable Master with the wrong documents.

13. If you could work in a completely different field, what would it be? Farming!

14. How important do you think a university

education is to succeed in business?

It is now a vital steppingstone to some roles,

including my own, but I do not use much of

what I learnt in my university degree in my day

to day business.

15. Do you think it is important to continue

structured training once you are in the

professional world?

Yes I have to take part in continuing professional

development and I think this is important.

16. If you could employ anybody from the

world of business who would it be and why?

Nick from the Apprentice to be the firm’s eyes

and ears, and also for his sense of humour.

17. If you could choose to work for any other

company in the world which would it be and

why?

Google because I have a friend who works there

and has told me all about the room full of free

snacks for employees!

18. If you could turn the clock back, what

would you have changed about your business

career? I would have taken the right documents

to the appointment with the Master at the

Royal Courts of Justice!

19.What do you think is the most important

quality for an individual to have to be

successful?

Perseverance.

20.What are your aspirations for your

business for the coming five years?

For the Basildon office and for Birkett Long to

grow while retaining its core values.

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This section was previously sent out as an E-Newsletter titled Simply Essex Business.We have combined this resource into the E-Business Leader bi-monthly online publication to lessen the amount of communications that we send to you via email. Please read below important news and updates from the British Chambers of Commerce and HMRC.

• In the three months to February 2012, unemployment fell by 35,000 while employment rose by 53,000

• The number of unemployed people aged 16-24 fell by 9,000 but remained above 1million

• The number of people working part-time because they could not find a full-time job rose by 89,000 to the highest figure since records began

Commenting on the labour market figures published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “With economic pressures facing the UK and ongoing problems in the eurozone, these figures were broadly positive, showing that unemployment fell and employment increased. But there are certain features which are causing concern.Youth unemployment, though slightly down, remains above one million, and the number of people working part-time because they

GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE TO HELP THE PRIVATE SECTOR CREATE NEW JOBS, SAYS BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

can’t find a full-time job reached a new peak.Although the rise in employment is welcome, we can’t ignore the fact that part-time jobs have risen while the number of full-time jobs has fallen.The overall message from these figures is encouraging, however, as they show the ability and willingness of the private sector to drive recovery at a time when the public sector is likely to shrink further.

“But the challenges facing the labour market cannot be overlooked.As the deficit-cutting plan forces the government to reduce employment, it is likely that the unemployment total will increase over the next year. Every effort must be made to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses and increase the flow of lending to credit worthy firms so the private sector can create new jobs.”

For further news and information please visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

INFLATION WILL EASE DURING 2012, BUT AT A SLOWER RATE THAN EXPECTED • Annual CPI inflation up from 3.4% in February

to 3.5% in March

• Annual RPI inflation down from 3.7% in February to 3.6% in March

Commenting on the inflation figures for March, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The inflation figures for March were broadly as expected. However, it is disappointing that the steady fall in inflation seen since September 2011 has been reversed this month.We expect inflation to fall over the remainder of the year, but the decline will be less than the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has envisaged.This means that the pressures on businesses and consumers will ease, but not as rapidly as first hoped.

“With inflation falling more slowly than expected, we believe that any further increases to the Quantitative Easing (QE) programme are unnecessary.The main priority should be ensuring that the additional liquidity provided by the most recent QE increase is put to better use to improve the flow of lending to credit worthy businesses.The government’s credit easing programme should be made more substantial, but the MPC must also reconsider its reluctance to purchase private sector assets.”

For further news and information please visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

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THE TAX REVOLUTION STARTSPAYE REAL TIME INFORMATION (RTI)

Thirty new taskforces to crack down on tax dodgers will be launched by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in 2012/13.

The taskforces will target specific business sectors in specific locations where there is evidence of tax evasion.The likely targets include:

• the rag trade

• the motor trade

• indoor and outdoor markets

HMRC expects to collect over £50m as a result of 12 taskforces launched in 2011/12 and, with 13 criminal investigations under way, this figure is set to rise.

HMRC will also extend some of the taskforces from 2011 to different locations, including the scrap metal taskforce launched in Scotland in November.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, said:“The Government is committed to tackling tax evasion and avoidance. HMRC’s taskforces are cracking down on people who choose to break the rules and creating a level playing field for the majority who play by them.

“It is completely unacceptable, at a time when we are trying to bring down the deficit that, while most hard-working people pay the right tax, there are others who try to get out of contributing their fair share. HMRC has received lots of useful information on its evasion hotlines, which shows that the honest majority are quite rightly fed up with the dishonest minority.”

HMRC’s Director of Local Compliance, Richard Summersgill, said:“Taskforces only target people who are at high risk of breaking the rules and don’t pay the tax they owe.We know we’re going after the right

people – some taskforces have hit rates of 100 per cent so far.

“Only those who choose to break the rules, or deliberately evade the tax they should be paying, will be targeted. If you deliberately seek to evade tax, HMRC can and will track you down, and you’ll face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well.”

Taskforces come as a result of the Government’s £917m spending review investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011/12, which aims to raise an additional £7bn each year by 2014/15.

If you are aware of someone who is evading their taxes you can tell HMRC via the Tax Evasion Hotline on 0800 788 887, via email or by post. Full details can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk

HMRC: THIRTY NEW TASKFORCES TO TACKLE TAX EVASION

PILOT BEGINSReal Time Information (RTI) moved a step closer when the pilot was launched, with the first of 10 volunteer employers submitting their RTI return.

RTI will make it easier for employers, pension providers and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to administer PAYE. Under RTI, employers and pension providers will tell HMRC about PAYE payments at the time they are made – as opposed to only at the end of the year.

Most employers will join RTI from April 2013 and all employers will be using the RTI service by October 2013.

David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary, said: “RTI will ensure that the PAYE system meets the needs of the 21st century. It will improve the service to taxpayers by making it easier to ensure that people pay the right tax after a change of job.

”RTI will remove administrative burdens of £300 million a year from employers, mainly from the abolition of the end-of-year PAYE returns process – the biggest single contribution that any tax change could make.”

Confirming that HMRC is one of the 10 volunteer employers to join the controlled go live , Stephen Banyard,Acting Director General for Personal Tax, said:

“We have been working in close partnership with stakeholders to ensure that RTI will be introduced progressively, to give time for testing the new systems and processes and allowing them to bed in.

“A specialist team of RTI experts will be on hand to support employers through the pilot.”

RTI will support the operation of Universal Credit – the Government’s flagship welfare programme, which brings together means-tested in and out of work benefits,Tax Credits and support for housing and will improve work incentives and make work pay.

The Minister for Welfare Reform, Lord Freud, said: “I welcome the pilot announced today – both Universal Credit and RTI are on track and on time to support the implementation of Universal Credit from October 2013.

“Interlinking Real Time information with Universal Credit will enable us to process claims automatically and more efficiently, allowing us to make the right payment based on real time earnings.”

More info at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rti/index.htm

Two free webinars are also available:

Real Time Information – an overview a 15 minute look at the RTI timetable, main day-to-day changes employers will see, and what help and support is available

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/ 274066646

Accurate Employee Information Matters – it can save time and money” - an 11 minute look at examples and the implications of inaccurate employee information, plus tips on how to avoid this and make sure that employee information is recorded accurately. https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/ 261725806

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eventsTHE EVENTS COLUMN Following on from Denise’s Welcome on page 4, it has indeed been a busy few months here in the Events Department. We have been involved in some high profile events recently including a Private Dinner at the House of Commons quizzing MEP Vince Cable on key issues affecting business, an Insight to India event, highlighting the opportunities available to local businesses of trading with India alongside our regular networking events.

At a recent Networking Lunch sponsored by NatWest, held at the Business and Commercial office at Severalls Industrial Park, we welcomed guest speaker Neil Parker, Market Strategist, RBS who painted a positive picture of the economy, the year ahead and its impact on business locally and nationally. This month sees our Meet the Buyers event in Southend-on-Sea in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council. We have invited some of the largest organisations in Essex to meet with local businesses to increase procurement opportunities and increase growth in the region. It’s not too late to book your interest in this event. Visit www.meetthebuyerssouthend.co.uk

for more information or to book your place. With training in mind we have organised a business training day. Following our survey we identified common key areas of training needs for our Members. As a result of which we submitted a tender for Members to deliver the training. As one of the County’s largest support organisations, we have organised this exclusive Members only training day to offer you huge savings on key courses that would be costly for your company to organise whilst gaining key skills. Time 2 Learn 4 Business is being held on 3 October at the new Holiday Inn, London Southend Airport. Attendees can book multiple business courses during the day including a Networking Lunch and working suite, where WIFI access will enable you to continue your days work should you be waiting for a course to start. Read our article on page7 for further information.

www.essexchambers.co.uk

The Events Team

Lobbying at its best: House of Commons dinner with MP Sir Bob Russell, Denise Rossiter, MEP Vince Cable and Robert Leng

Networking Lunch with Matthew Swan, NatWest; guest speaker Neil Parker, market strategist, RBS; David Burch and Brian Farrington, both from Essex Chambers of Commerce

NEW MARKETING STRATEGYWe have the pleasure of introducing a new marketing strategy, designed by the British Chambers of Commerce, which has been introduced to show the importance of business through the 'Business is good for Britain' campaign. Essex Chambers of Commerce are supporting the campaign with the new symbol appearing in elements of our branding.

What is the nature of your business? Teaching practical self defence skills, a life skill that a person can tap into for the rest of their life on a professional or personal basis.

Aimed at companies and organisations that have customer facing staff and feel they have a duty of care or a great way to assist in team building events at meeting, conferences etc.

How long have you been a Chamber Member? For about 2 months.

Which Chamber events do you like to attend? Networking events and courses that can enhance my learning or business.

How regularly do you attend events? At least one every couple of months.

What tips would you give to be a great networker? Take the lead and also be approachable.

Have you made many valuable business contacts networking through the Chamber? One so far. But all you need is one to start the ball rolling!

THE NETWORKER

Position: Owner

Company: Practical Self Defence

Based: South Woodham Ferrers, covering

Essex and the South East mainly.

Name: Gordon Slater

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NETWORKING LUNCHES May 3rd 'All Aboard the Skylark!' - Networking Lunch followed by the South Essex Annual Meeting

Venue: Skylark Hotel & Conference Centre, Southend-on-Sea

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

May 8th North Essex Networking Lunch & Annual Meeting at Colchester Town Hall

Venue: Colchester Town Hall (West Committee & Grand Jury Room).

Time: 12:00 – 14:00

May 23rd Mid Essex Networking Lunch & Annual Meeting, Chelmsford

Venue: County Hotel, Chelmsford.

Time: 18:00 – 20:30

June 12th North Essex Networking Lunch

Venue:The Lexden Crown, Colchester

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

June 14th Brentwood Networking Lunch

Venue: TBC, Brentwood.

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

July 3rd North Essex Networking Lunch at Essex Business School, Colchester Campus

Venue: Essex Business School, University of Essex (Colchester Campus)

Time: 12:00 - 14:00

TWILIGHT EVENTS June 20th Twilight Event with Essex Chambers of Commerce's AGM 2012

Venue: Holiday Inn, Basildon.

Time: 17:15 - 19:00

July 11th South Essex Twilight Event

Venue:TBC, South Essex area.

Time: 18:00 – 20:30

BREAKFAST MEETINGS May 2nd Chelmsford Networking Breakfast with Councillor Derrick Louis!

Venue:Anglia Ruskin University,Chelmsford

Speaker: Councillor Derrick Louis,Procurement, Property and MajorProjects, Essex County Council.

Time: 07:30 – 09:00

July 6th Torch Celebration, Networking Breakfast at Barclays Bank, Colchester

Venue: Barclays Bank, High Street, Colchester

Speaker: Barclays Bank

Time: 07:00 – 09:00

July 25th Networking Breakfast at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford

Venue:Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford

Speaker: TBC

Time: 07:30 – 09:00

COUNTYWIDE EVENTS May 22nd Meet the Buyers Event 2012

Venue: Southend Tickfield Industrial Estate, Southend

Time: 09:00 - 16:00

Price: FREE of charge for attendees.

www.meetthebuyerssouthend.co.uk

July 12th Joint Annual Summer BBQ with Brentwood Chamber of Commerce

Venue: Ashwells Sports and Country Club

Time: 17:30 - 20:00

ESSEX BUSINESS – THE SKILLS TO SUCCEEDMay 10th, 17th and 24th

Finance for the Non-Financial

Manager' Three Day Course

Venue: University of Essex, Colchester

Tutor: Charles Ash

Time: 10:00 - 16:30 (on all days)

May 22nd

‘Introduction to Tendering’ Course


Tutor: Charles Ash

Time: 10:00 – 16:30

May 24th ‘Coaching Skills for Managers’ Course


Tutor: Nicole Bachmann

Time: 10:00 – 16:30

June 7th, 14th and 21st 'Mastering Project Management' Three Day Course


Tutor: Ian Glenister

Time: 10:00 - 16:30

SAGE COURSES May 17th Sage Introduction 2012 Course

Venue: Essex Chambers of Commerce, Colchester

Time: 09:15 - 16:30

June 26th Sage Intermediate 2012 Course


Time: 09:15 - 16:30

July 10th NEW COURSE - Sage Report Writing 2012 Course


Time: 09:00 - 13:00

HEALTH AND SAFETY SEMINARS July 2nd - 31st NEBOSH National General Certificate Course


Time: FULL DAY (for all days)

10 days classroom based tutor style delivery:

• Week 1 Mon – Fri 2nd - 6th July 2012

• Week 2 Mon – Fri 16th - 20th July 2012

• Revision day Monday 30th July 2012

• Exam date Tuesday 31st July 2012

CONTACT For more information on these events, including pricing, please visit www.essexchambers.co.uk/events

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NewMembers

For further information about Chamber membership, contact 01206 765 277

ACTUAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Billericay 01277 655599 Health & Safety Consultants

BUILDING LINK LTD Colchester 01206 272020 Printed Promotional Products

CAPITAL TRAINING GROUP London 0208 605 2825 Training Company

CASBURN TRAINING Felixstowe 07733 777175 Export & Import Risk Training

FIBERWEB GEOSYNTHETICS LIMITED Maldon 01621 874200 Fiberweb Nonwoven Fabrics Specialists

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS COLCHESTER Colchester 01206 321510 Hotel & Conference Centre

IXION HOLDINGS LTD Chelmsford 01245 505630 Support, Consultancy & Training Services

KEYWORKERS DIRECT LTD Bishop Stortford 0845 309 6353 UK business directory for key workers

KIRSCHNER COMMUNICATIONS LTD Bishop Stortford 01279 879090 German Communications & Translations Agency

LESLEY BROOKS CONSULTING Colchester 07547 373049 Learning & Development Consulting

OLOGY BUSINESS COACHING Ipswich 07783 520000 Business Coaching

PORSCHE CENTRE COLCHESTER Colchester 01206 855500 Porsche Car Dealership

ROBERT DEWAR ASSOCIATES Chelmsford 01245 350160 Commercial & Industrial Property Agents

SIMPLY BETTER SERVICES Westcliff on Sea 01702 719100 Cleaning Contractors

SOUTHEND ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES (SAVS)Southend on Sea 01702 356001 Local Voluntary Support Not-For-Profit Organisations

THE CHERRY TREE STAMBRIDGE LTD Rochford 01702 544426 Restaurant

THE LAWN CONFERENCE & BANQUETING CENTRE Rochford 01702 203669 Conference & Banqueting Centre

TURNER BUSINESS CONSULTANTS LTD Laindon 01268 649006 Business Consultants & Training

VENTURE TELECOM LTD Broadstairs 0870 011 5757 Telecommunications

Name: Spencer Hudson

Position: Business Development Manager

Company:Venture Telecom

Based: Head office in Kent, offices in Essex and Reading.

What is the nature of your business?

Telecommunications product and services.

How many people work for your company?

Five.

Why did you join the Chamber?

To join a recognised and reputable organisation,

that would offer business networking

opportunities and would allow myself and

Venture telecom exposure to driven

professionals who are looking to grow and

develop their business.

What do you think being a Chamber Member

will do for your business?

It will provide exposure within the business

sector and allow us to communicate with like

minded businesses.

What type of businesses are you looking to

work with?

Businesses that are looking to develop and better

their information and communications

technology and who understand the importance

of customer relationship and support.

What type of businesses are you looking to

work with?

Businesses who are continually looking to evolve

with the times, increase profitability and who are

looking for longevity in business.

NEW MEMBER Q&A

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In business you have a responsibility for the well being of your employees whether they are sitting at a desk, operating machinery, driving a truck or repairing a vehicle. Some of these responsibilities are legislative and some come under the term due diligence. (e.g. fork lift truck drivers, drug and alcohol testing etc.)

Your business relies on critical tasks, like finance, HR and health and safety being managed by specialists. The health and well being of your employees is a critical aspect of your company and as such Haven Occupational Health Services can provide independent specialist advice to allow you to fully manage this aspect.

Stress, mental health issues and muscoskeletal injuries are the most common reasons for absence from work. These can be proactively managed with preventative and early intervention strategies. Haven Occupational Health Services can train managers and work with your Health and Safety advisors to minimise the effects these issues can have on your business and employees. Causes of stress are often a combination of work and outside factors, which overwhelm the employee and can impact on their colleagues. We can empower your managers to recognise the early symptoms of mental health and stress issues and how to provide support to maintain attendance at work.

Haven Occupational Health Services are a nationwide provider based in Essex with a countrywide network of OH practitioners. Our clinic in Colchester has facilities for one off consultations and/or health surveillance but we primarily provide consultations onsite. For one off issues we would conduct an initial telephone consultation with your employee, which has proved to be a cost effective means to establish whether a face-to-face consultation is required and often the telephone consultation is sufficient to allow us to provide actionable advice.

Haven Occupational Health Services work with a network of professionals offering physiotherapy, occupational hygiene, counselling and occupational health physicians.

Whether there is a need for attendance management, job rehabilitation, health surveillance (e.g. lung function, skin checks, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome management referral, driver assessments etc) we can provide these following a discussion with the Haven Occupational Health Services team. We can shape our service provision to fulfil your company’s needs.

We also provide in-house training to allow you to internally manage everyday issues, which may occur. This includes stress management, mentioned earlier, attendance management, display screen equipment assessor and user training and basic ergonomics.

At Haven Occupational Health Services we support our clients by offering a 24/7 work injury helpline to proactively manage potential lost time incidents. A recent example was an employee with lower back pain from incorrect lifting who has been managed back into the workplace within 2 working days with a provision of physiotherapy and a staged return to full duties.

You can discover more detailed industry specific information on our website www.havenohs.co.uk or by contacting us on 01206 865762.

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