The latest Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership Newsletter is out now. To view your copy, click here.
In it there are updates on:
Sustainability
Gatwick Station Development
ERDF Funding
Aldingbourne Trust
Plus X Brighton
Digital Tech in Brighton
C2C AGM
Cardinal Newman Catholic School welcomes parents and neighbours to consultation event
Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove discussed plans for a new all-weather astroturf pitch with parents and neighbours at a consultation event held at the school last week.
The drop-in exhibition offered a detailed look at the plans as well as the opportunity for any questions to be answered by the school’s senior leadership team and project architects, Brighton firm Morgan Carn.
The school’s Principal, Dr James Kilmartin, said, “It’s been a pleasure to talk about our exciting new plans to improve our sports facilities with parents and neighbours. The response has been supportive and we’ve appreciated the chance to address a few important matters face-to-face.”
Attendees were pleased to hear that all existing trees will be preserved as recommended by a recent arboriculture report.
The school governors clarified that the proposed new pitch will be within the walled grounds immediately south-west of the school and will not encroach on the adjacent BHASVIC playing field. They also explained that the school is keen to offer use of the new pitch to local primary feeder schools, as well as to various youth sports teams in across the city.
Dr Kilmartin continued, “With our plans still at an early stage, we wanted to hear the community’s ideas and aspirations for the site so we could incorporate their advice into the proposal.”
Cardinal Newman Catholic School will shortly submit a planning application to Brighton & Hove City Council for the installation of the playing surface with associated changing facilities.
For more information and to view the plans, please visit the school website: www.cncs.co.uk.
Clean growth and transport among new Greater Brighton chairman’s priorities
Clean growth, creating world-class digital infrastructure and tackling transport issues - those are the priorities of the new chairman of Greater Brighton as he pledged to continue to push for investment in and recognition of the City Region.
Cllr Dan Humphreys, who is also leader of Worthing Borough Council, was voted in as the figurehead for the City Region and its near one million residents at a board meeting this week (July 16, 2019).
In setting out his ambition for the next 12 months, Cllr Humphreys said he was proud of the achievements of Greater Brighton so far, pointing to the more than £150 million of funding it had secured since being founded five years ago.
He added that it was up to the new board to build on these foundations to ensure this functioning economic area - stretching from Brighton north to Gatwick and across much of the Sussex coast - continued to thrive.
Central to that was promoting the region’s identity and strengths to a wider audience while ensuring a united voice for investment was presented by representatives of the area to key decision makers in the government.
Speaking after being voted in by his peers, Cllr Humphreys said: “In the time I have been involved with Greater Brighton it has come a long way. We are growing, with Crawley joining last year and Arun coming on board soon, which means we are getting to the stage where we can really start to compete with the larger city regions of the north and midlands.
“With a population of nearly one million, three fantastic universities and an excellent skills base it is clear that we can continue to do some great things in our area.
“Greater Brighton is all about recognising that the economy knows no boundaries. We all have shared housing, transport and employment needs which can only be addressed by working together. The whole really is greater than the sum of the parts.
“Brighton and Gatwick are our two biggest international brands so we must continue to use those to get our message across a national audience but we have but so much more going on across our own communities that we can tease out.”
Greater Brighton, which was formed in 2014, is home to more than 900,000 people with 340,000 jobs in 40,000 businesses creating a diverse, vibrant, economic community.
It is made up of six local authority areas across Sussex - the districts of Mid Sussex, Adur, and Lewes; the boroughs of Worthing and Crawley; and the city council of Brighton & Hove. Arun District Council, which covers the towns of Bognor, Littlehampton and Arundel, is also set to join in the coming year.
In addition, education providers the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and the Greater Brighton Metropolitan College are on the board as are several business partnerships and other bodies including Gatwick Airport and the South Downs National Park Authority.
The Centre for Cities has rated the City Region in the top five for jobs growth in the last 10 years and 37,000 more jobs are expected to be created by 2030.
Cllr Humphreys said among his priorities for the next year included ensuring ‘clean growth’ - which looked to create homes and jobs while protecting the environment for future generations; supporting the creative and digital industries, which is one area where Greater Brighton is leading the way on across Europe; and improving transport infrastructure, particularly the key issues of the Brighton Mainline and A27.
Cllr Humphreys said: “I hope everyone on the board share those priorities and believe we can crack on and do fantastic things over the next few months.”
Cllr Humphreys welcomed the new members of the board, which include Cllr Nancy Platts (Leader of Brighton & Hove); Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty (Leader of the Opposition, Brighton & Hove); Cllr Jonathan Ash-Edwards (Leader of Mid Sussex) and Cllr Zoe Nicholson (Leader of Lewes)
He then praised his predecessor Cllr Garry Wall, the outgoing leader of Mid Sussex District Council, for his work over the last 12 months.
Cllr Humphreys said: “Garry brought real energy to the role and was instrumental in developing a five year vision for the City Region which gives us some crucial things to work towards as a collective.
“I’m looking forward to working with partners to build on that and deliver on the things that matter for our residents and businesses.”
Family-run Sussex bakery celebrates 10 years
Founder retires and sells shares to co-owner son, Jeremy
Worthing-based family-run artisan bakery Raise Bakery celebrated ten years in business on 11 July with a party for friends, clients, partners and family at the Nightingale Rooms, Brighton. The mother and son business founders and owners, Lindsay and Jeremy Jacobs, also announced Lindsay’s retirement at the party and confirmed that she has sold her remaining shares to her son.
Party guests saw Lindsay sign the legal documents handing her half of the business to Jeremy. She plans to still be involved with product development, however this marked the end of her day to day role and the start of her retirement alongside husband Trevor, who retired earlier this year and has been operations manager for the business since it was incorporated.
Now Jeremy Jacobs has full ownership of the bakery and responsibility for its five staff and four bakers, and hopes to carry Raise’s established success into the future. He has ambitious plans to continue to grow within the wholesale and food service markets and is considering launching a retail range of Raise Bakery products.
Guests at the party enjoyed a range of baked goods from Raise, as well as an entertaining performance from local drag artist, Kara Van-Park.
Jeremy Jacobs, co-founder and now 100% owner at Raise, comments: “There isn’t anyone else I’d have rather started this business with other than my mum, and it’s been a pleasure to work with her every day for the past 10 years. Taking on the business by myself is a daunting task, but I’m excited for Lindsay to enjoy her retirement - and I have a strong team of bakers behind me so am looking forward to see what the next ten years holds for Raise!”
Raise Bakery began in Lindsay’s kitchen in 2009 and now has a factory in Worthing and a team of four bakers. The company now specialises in large scale and wholesale cakes with that “baked at home” taste for a range of customers in the retail, wholesale and airline markets, for brands that have included Virgin Atlantic, No1 Lounges, Netto, British Airways and Qatar Airways.
In the last ten years, Raise Bakery has baked 4.5 million cupcakes and 115 tonnes of cookie dough.
Lindsay Jacobs, co-founder at Raise, now retired added: “It’s crazy to think that the business Jeremy and I started from my kitchen has turned ten. It is a bittersweet birthday for me to celebrate as I step down as co-owner and into retirement, but I’m so proud of what we’ve created together, and have every faith in Jeremy to build on this first decade. I am now planning new adventures in my retirement with my husband Trevor, starting with a boat cruise in Scandinavia.”
Plus X Brighton Reaches The Top
Building construction for brand new Innovation Hub marks major milestone
The team behind the first ever Plus X Innovation Hub in Brighton is celebrating a major milestone in building progress, ahead of its official opening in January 2020.
Construction for Plus X Brighton has reached the top of the building, marking a significant moment in its development.
Plus X transforms places, creating spaces that unlock potential, driving business growth and innovation, community collaboration and positive social impact.
In partnership with specialist regeneration developer U+I, Plus X hubs will be launching across the UK, evolving an existing site at the Central Research Laboratory, London and soon to be launched Plus X Brighton early next year.
The Plus X formula blends flexible work spaces with a wealth of facilities and support. These include media studios, prototype workshops and product labs, integrating innovation programmes, start-up accelerators and access to Plus X business growth services from marketing to team talent experts.
Over 7 floors and 53,000 sq. ft, Plus X Brighton will accommodate more than 550 people, attracting a wide community of members including freelancers, start-ups, scaleups, corporates and education partners.
Driving education and skills training through strong college and university partnerships is key to the unique Plus X formula. This approach is coupled with a commitment to deliver a positive social impact in every new Plus X location, working with members, community and government to help resolve local challenges.
As Plus X Co-CEO, Paul Rostas explains “We are excited to mark this important milestone in the construction of Plus X Brighton. Our first innovation hub will play a vital role in enabling entrepreneurs, established business, education partners and communities to thrive and prosper through a unique blend of inspiring space, world class facilities and curated collaboration”
Richard Upton, Chief Development Officer at U+I adds: “Innovation is an integral part of our business. We exist to unlock potential and drive growth into mixed-use regeneration by breathing new life into neglected or underestimated places. The first Plus X will open at Preston Barracks in Brighton in early 2020 and we have also submitted planning for a purpose-designed facility at The Old Vinyl Factory. This is just the start, as we plan to develop further Plus X holdings at other major regeneration projects. This concept delivers substantial wash over of value to our wider regeneration activity and we believe it is the first of its kind in our industry. Every Plus X building will embrace beautiful architecture, inspirational interiors and deliver substantial economic growth”.
A wealth of world class services and customised facilities will be on offer at Plus X Brighton including:
● Blended work space incorporating hot desks, fixed desks, dedicated studios, meeting rooms, video conference booths, event space, quiet zones and an outdoor roof terrace to enhance member cohesion and space to develop ideas.
● Prototyping studios for product processing, testing and assembly, featuring the latest 3D printers, CNC milling machines, laser cutters, spray booths & microelectronics workshops.
● Soundproofed podcast facilities with state of the art digital, image and video facilities.
● Business innovation programmes led by expert and experienced innovation teams, connecting major corporations with the talent and skills of Plus X members and education partners.
● Accelerator and innovation programmes designed to drive business growth & resilience for business start-ups and scaleups
● The first Platinum standard WiredScore building in Brighton offering ultra-reliable and super-fast internet connectivity.
Furthermore, Plus X Brighton is aiming to be the first innovation hub of its kind to focus on business growth through the international WELL building standard that drives human success through positive physical and mental health. Features include a café with a natural menu designed to enhance productivity, ample natural light, biophilia, meditation and yoga classes, aromatherapy infused rooms and access to open outdoor roof terrace space for quiet contemplation.
From solar roof panels, a zero to landfill policy, green electricity and regional suppliers including milk delivered from local farms and Direct Trade coffee from Red Roasters, Managing Director for Plus X Brighton, Olga Hopton is dedicated to ensuring the new building is sustainable – reducing the carbon footprint and supporting local suppliers where possible.
“I am looking forward to building Plus X Brighton into a place that maximises both purpose and productivity” she explains. “whilst integrating world leading facilities, services and a pioneering attitude to help our members collaborate and thrive, we are committed to delivering a positive impact through connecting with local business and community”.
Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital, said: “Greater Brighton is one of the fastest-growing city regions in the UK, rated in the top five for jobs growth in the past five years and one of the best places to start a new business. Home to the University of Brighton, the city has an entrepreneurial and innovative edge which has led to the emergence of a world-renowned creative and digital tech cluster.
“The Preston Barracks project will transform Lewes road into a new, state of the art facility which will enhance the offer for local students and support business growth. We are delighted that our £7.7 million LGF investment has helped to get the project off the ground and the topping out ceremony of the innovation hub Plus X is a key milestone in the development. We are excited to see future developments as they arise.”
*Upcoming Event* The Visitor Economy of the City and Circular Economy
Following the publication of the Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) Economic Strategy in December 2018, Circular Brighton & Hove have been working with the council to deliver on its commitment to “Create a Circular Economy (CE) Framework, incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for key themes for the Brighton & Hove Region”. Over the last 2 months, through internal BHCC officer and external workshops, we have focussed on two themes, the Built Environment and the Visitor Economy. For the former we held an event on 11th June, in conjunction with the University of Brighton, BHCC and Design Brighton, where over 80 stakeholders explored how to Construct a Circular City.
Our focus is now on “the Visitor Economy of the City and Circular Economy”, the event will be held at the Grade 1 list Royal Pavilion in Brighton, on 31st July (open to all, but focussed on museums, hotels, restaurants and performance and activity spaces) to explore what CE and the Visitor Economy is and how we might be able to plan for the future.
The day will be split into two parts.
Part 1: The Circular Economy and businesses 14.30 - 17.30
Focussed on museums, hotels, restaurants and activity spaces, we will have a couple of key note speakers to explore how the Visitor Economy and CE can be natural bedfellows, followed by workshops
Part 2: Can we ever have sustainable tourism 18.00 - 20.30 - open to all
Panel debate followed by speed network, drinks and nibbles
This is a partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, Visit Brighton and Brilliant Brighton – the name given to the Brighton BID (Business Improvement District) and Circular Brighton & Hove.
Please register at Eventbrite .
HOVE ENTERPRISE CENTRE EXTENSION TAKES SHAPE AT SHOREHAM PORT
One of the Port’s newest commercial developments has reached the half-way point in its construction this week. Following the removal of external scaffolding on Monday, Pilbeam Construction have announced that Hove Enterprise Centre Extension (HECE) is on track to be completed by November this year, adding four more units to the Port’s growing property profile that includes the new Lady Bee Enterprise centre which had its grand opening last month.
HECE’s exterior is taking shape, with the roof and outside panelling nearing completion as well as the windows and outer doors being currently installed, the external structure being set to be completed later this month. Previously used as parking land, this new commercial/office development will be found next to Maritime House located in the East Arm of the Port, with the units covering just over 1,500sqft each.
Solar panels are fixed in place on the building’s roof in conjunction with the Port’s commitment to renewable energy in all future property developments, furthered by the installation of electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and on-site recycling storage facilities, as well as a reduction in the units’ water consumption through the use of practical and hygienic water saving measures such as flow restrictors, water efficient white goods and dual flush toilets.
The building works now continue with the internal fit-out, beginning with the application of intumescent fire protectant to the units’ steel frames, followed by the erection of the internal metal stud partitions. Mechanical and electrical fittings on the ground floor will be installed shortly after.
The new two-storey development will allow the building to sit comfortably within both its immediate context and the wider community. The four units are of a similar size, each with a mezzanine level and double-height entrances. Once completed, the HECE will add four further tenants to the Hove Enterprise Centre tenant community, bringing up the total amount to 29 units.
Simon Pilbeam, Managing Director at Pilbeam Construction commented “We are delighted to be delivering this project for Shoreham Port and their consultant team following on from the Lady Bee Enterprise Centre, and we hope to continue delivering high quality builds for them into 2020.”
Tim Hague, Director of Property & Development at Shoreham Port commented “I am happy to report that property development is in excellent shape across the Port, with the recent completion of LBEC and HECE hitting the half-way point in construction this week. While many units have been allocated, tenant spaces are still available, so please contact Oakley for more details.”
Barclays on the front foot: Bank visits 25,000 small businesses across the UK in a single day to help support them through Brexit
Barclays mobilised its 1,500 Business Banking relationship managers to visit 25,000 small and medium sized businesses in a single day, to give support on preparing for Brexit.
On Wednesday 10th July, Barclays On the Front Foot was a UK wide initiative that saw Barclays making personal visits to 25,000 SMEs to help them become Brexit resilient.
On high streets and industrial estates up and down the country the team listened to the concerns of small businesses, and offered support and practical solutions for the challenges they face such as managing cash-flow, finding labour, and exporting goods abroad.
Ian Rand, Chief Executive of Barclays Business Banking, said: “Barclays is proud to have one of the biggest networks of relationship managers of any high street bank. We know that SMEs want to hear from local experts on the ground in their communities, which is why our colleagues went out and about to help businesses in towns and cities across the country, opening up the conversation. From planning to resilience, our team is helping SMEs - the lifeblood of our economy, to navigate any changes.”
Barclays is backing small businesses through Brexit and beyond with a package of support including a £14.2bn dedicated lending fund to help SME’s to succeed and flourish, and the delivery of over a hundred Brexit clinics and seminars run in local communities across the country.
Regular free digital webinars on a host of topics including fraud prevention and Brexit preparedness are also available for businesses, and they can find information on how to plan for when the UK leaves the EU at www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking/brexit
Top 5 Brexit concerns we hear from small business:
1) Will Brexit affect my labour supply?
Consider how staff shortages would impact your business, and whether you employ a high percentage of people from the EU. Help your staff by ensuring they are aware of the EU settlement scheme.
2) How can I access additional finance to see me through any turbulence?
Contact your bank and ask what support they are providing for small businesses. Barclays has a £14.2bn dedicated lending fund to help SME’s thrive through Brexit and beyond, and could provide up to £100,000 in unsecured lending within days.
3) How will currency movements affect my business?
It pays to keep track of exchange rates, and businesses that trade regularly overseas should consider how currency movements might affect their revenue and their costs. Barclays accounts are available in 20 of the most commonly used currencies, with no minimum balance, allowing businesses to transfer funds when it’s most cost effective for them.
4) Will my cash flow support me through Brexit?
A cash flow forecast can benefit your business – it can warn you of challenges ahead, help you achieve steady growth and steer you through a downturn. If your forecast shows a cash squeeze is on the horizon, extra funding such as an overdraft or loan can see you through. Check out Barclays tips on mastering cash flow management for help getting started.
5) Is my supply chain at risk of disruption?
Businesses should consider whether they have any EU suppliers in their supply chain, and whether they are taking the necessary steps to plan for all eventualities. It pays to plan ahead and there is lots of good advice on the gov.uk website.
British Airways is facing a record breaking £183 million fine for their GDPR security breach last year.
The fine comes in the same week that Marriott are to be fined nearly £100m after 339 million guests personal data was stolen by hackers. We don't want you to be next!
Protecting personal data is now a legal requirement of all businesses in any sector - whether you process data online or in person. It is vital that all staff understand the laws and how to act within them. Understanding GDPR can be confusing, with conflicting advice on what the regulations mean.
Learning Curve Group offer an accredited qualification in Understanding Data Protection and Data Security - which is essential for all staff who process or handle data.
The course will give learners an understanding of the laws and regulations, and tips on keeping data secure. The course covers:
• Current data protection legislation, and how it is applied
• Organisational procedures concerning data
• Possible threats to ICT systems and data, and how to protect against them
• Consequences of not protecting data, and the impact of possible breaches
Even better - the course is offered at no-cost as it's funded through the government adult education budget. To enrol, please contact a member of our team or fill out either of the below booking forms and we'll be in touch.
training@learningcurvegroup.co.uk
01388 741 336
All we need from you is a 90 minute induction at your place of work for a minimum of 8 learners. From then on all learning will be at a distance - the course can be completed either online or via a paper-based workbook.
Brighton’s Burning the Clocks celebrated in special set of Royal Mail stamps
New stamp collection by Royal Mail depicts the much-loved winter solstice event, along with other “curious” UK customs
Royal Mail today (9 July) revealed eight colourful and engaging illustrations, depicting and capturing the spirit of well-known, and some not so well-known, annual customs that take place around the UK.
Amongst this eclectic mix of customs and festivals is Burning the Clocks, organised by local community arts charity Same Sky. Celebrated since 1993, the annual procession has become an iconic part of Brighton’s calendar and is open to all, promoting a feeling of community pride and togetherness.
Participants carry the paper and willow lanterns they’ve made through the streets and down to the beach. There, the lanterns are passed onto a bonfire, allowing time for reflection and thought to mark the year’s end, and celebrations continue with fireworks. The symbolism of ‘time passing’ is appropriate to the date, 21 December, being the shortest day of the year.
John Varah, Same Sky artistic director, said: “Each year, Burning the Clocks is kept alive through the generosity of local residents, businesses, sponsors and volunteers. It is, and continues to be, an event for the community, by the community – and an uplifting antidote to the excesses of a commercial Christmas.”
“All of the stamps in the Royal Mail’s latest series serve as a reminder of this community spirit and of the power of bringing people together. Burning the Clocks is a relatively modern custom but one that we hope will continue for years to come, so we’re delighted this has been recognised and celebrated within this unique collection.”
Many of the customs involve dancing, singing, dressing up and – literally – playing with fire. The other curious customs depicted on the stamps are:
• ‘Obby ‘Oss, Padstow
• World Gurning Championship, Egremont
• Up Helly Aa, Lerwick
• Cheese Rolling, Cooper’s Hill, Brockworth
• Halloween, Derry/Londonderry
• Horn Dance, Abbot’s Bromley
• Bog Snorkelling, Llanwrtyd Wells
Royal Mail worked with award winning folklorist, Steve Roud, on the stamp issue. Some customs are often geared to natural stages of the year, or seasons, while others are linked to religious festivals and saints’ days, sporting events or specific occupations.
Philip Parker, Royal Mail, said: “Communities throughout the UK have been coming together for centuries to share distinctive traditions and mark key dates of the year. These customs continue to evolve, and our new stamps celebrate their diversity and the communities that maintain them.”
To accompany the stamp issue, Royal Mail commissioned a poem by performance poet, Matt Harvey. Entitled, ‘Customs and Exercise’, the poem celebrates and commemorates the eight UK customs featured on the stamps.
Customs and Exercise by Matt Harvey
No matter what the custom is
We’re accomplices, not customers.
Magnificent participants in quirky endeavour
In curious costumes in inclement weather.
We’re guisers, we’re teasers, we’re chasers of cheeses
Boat-builders, clock burners, we’re vampires, we’re gurners.
We’re match-striking Vikings, we’re antler-lockers
‘Obby ‘Oss swoopers, Elfan safety snook-cockers.
We’re Cheerleaders, chortlers, we’re snorkelers, bog-sodden
We’re Ghouls in cagoules, fools ancient and modern.
It’s a dance with the past, it’s a craic, it’s a laugh.
Connection in every direction, belonging.
We might get a pint and an off-colour song in.
But what can get lost in the mist and missed in the fuss
Is that at the heart of all these customs
Is us.
The stamps and a range of collectible products are available now from www.royalmail.com/curiouscustoms, by phone on 03457 641 641 and from 9 July in 7,000 Post Offices throughout the UK
Cardinal Newman Catholic School unveils plans for all-weather sports pitch
Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove has announced plans to improve its sports facilities with the installation of an all-weather astroturf pitch and changing facilities.
In addition to allowing its own students more opportunities to play a variety of sports throughout the year, the school is keen to offer use of the new pitch to local sports teams across the city.
The school’s Principal, Dr James Kilmartin, said, “We know from our own experience and from the findings of the city council, that clubs are under-served in terms of all-weather facilities and we look forward to helping fill the unmet demand for quality artificial grass pitches.
“We are so pleased to bring forward our plans for this new pitch and hope that the availability of an additional all-weather surface will inspire our students and more young people across the city to participate in sport more frequently. We very much hope muddy winter pitches will become a thing of the past!”
Cardinal Newman boasts an excellent sporting record both locally and nationally, including the outstanding success of Newman Rugby Academy who were crowned winners at the AoC National Championships in April 2019 and the Boys Football team who were in the Final of the ESFA U13 National Schools Cup in May 2018.
“We are extremely proud of our student sportsmen and sportswomen and hope the availability of a state-of-the-art pitch will nurture continued dedication to sport at our school,” continued Dr Kilmartin.
Cardinal Newman Catholic School will shortly submit a planning application for the installation of the astroturf surface with associated changing facilities, lighting and fencing on part of the south-facing school field, along Old Shoreham Road.
The school is currently consulting with parents and neighbours ahead of the application being made to Brighton & Hove City Council.
For more information and to view the plans, please visit the school website: www.cncs.co.uk.
FSB announce latest events and opportunities
Turning Social Media Followers Into Engaged Customers
Thursday 18 July, 10am-12noon - Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront, Kings Road, Brighton
We have moved the time back to allow more attendees to join us. Enhance your social media content and learn how to further engage with your followers. During this seminar James Armstrong, Director of digital marketing agency, Digital Firefly, will explain the core principles of engaging an audience with scroll stopping content, building relationships with them and turning them into loyal customers. Join us to take your online presence to the next level. For more information and to book tickets for this affordable training session, visit the booking page here.
Gatwick Airport Procurement - SME Opportunities
Thursday 25 July - 4pm-6.30pm - The Academy Conference Centre, Holiday Inn London-Gatwick Airport, Povey Cross Road, Horley - Book Here
The FSB has been keen to engage with Gatwick Airport and their procurement team in order to ensure effective small business access to supporting their supply chain, and this will be the first of several events taking place. The Head of Gatwick Procurement and their team will be on hand to explain the procurement process, in addition to an introductory presentation highlighting the 'open for business to SME's' procurement path. This is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about becoming part of the Gatwick Airport supply chain. Reserve your place now.
Optimism in the logistics industry has fallen to its lowest level on record, says Barclays/BDO survey
• First indication of net pessimism since survey began in 2012
• Operators concerned by tougher trading conditions, no-deal Brexit fears and skills shortages
• Some bright spots, as most still expect profit to increase this year and capital expenditure continuing
• More investment in automation and sustainability expected in the future
Optimism in the logistics industry has fallen to its lowest level on record, as challenging business conditions and Brexit fears contribute to the sector’s slump in confidence, according to the latest Logistics Confidence Index by Barclays and accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.
The research, published today, reveals growing pessimism in the logistics industry, with an overall reading of 49.7. It is the first time in the history of the Index that confidence has dipped below the all-important 50 mark, indicating that overall the sector is more pessimistic than optimistic about the state of the market.
The Logistics Confidence Index is compiled by Barclays and BDO from in-depth surveys with over 100 industry leaders – together generating company revenues of more than £17bn - to assess the overall level of confidence and future expectations for the UK’s logistics operators.
This is the 12th iteration of the Index, which was first conducted in 2012, and shows a drop from 52.6 in H2 2018 - significantly below the record high of 74.9 posted in the second half of 2013. The fall is being driven by respondents reporting that current business conditions are more challenging than last year, with just 14% claiming they are more favourable.
Brexit fears are a significant contributor to the fall in confidence. Respondents indicated that plans for the future are being delayed as a result of Brexit uncertainty, with almost half (47%) making lower levels of investment or placing decisions on-hold due to Brexit-related issues since the 2016 referendum. Perhaps more encouragingly, it appears that the vast majority of operators are taking steps to ensure they are prepared for a range of outcomes, with just 5% saying they have taken no action in response to Brexit, down 10% from the previous Barclays/BDO survey.
Despite an increase in demand for some operators as a result of their customers’ Brexit planning, the industry is clear in its opposition to a no-deal departure from the EU for the UK.
Businesses were asked whether they would see more or less business from customers in different parts of the world under a no-deal Brexit. For EU customers, no-deal scored net -52%, with +9% under a deal; for UK customers, a no-deal outcome was also considered to be less positive than a deal being achieved (+8% and +31% respectively); and even for rest of the world customers it was +3% for no-deal, versus +9% with a deal.
Labour concerns are a persisting worry for operators, with 43% of businesses indicating that driver and skills shortages are the most important issue facing them this year. Furthermore, 59% selected drivers as the job role for which the industry’s skills shortage is having the biggest impact on their business.
Automation has been cited by some as a potential solution to skills shortages but, while there is some appetite for greater automation, responses suggest that widespread automation may still be some way off. More than 80% of those surveyed expect less than 10% of warehouse roles to be replaced by automation or robotics in the next five years. However, this is expected to increase at speed, as more than a quarter predict that at least 30% of these roles will be automated within 10 years.
There are some elements of the Logistics Confidence Index that give more cause for optimism. The majority of businesses still expect to post an increase in turnover (63%) and profit (55%) over the next year. This should feed through to increased investment, with more than a third of firms ‘very likely’ to make significant capital expenditure over the next 12 months, up 2% from 2018. There is also an increasing focus on green issues, with 72% of respondents planning to invest in sustainable projects in the coming year.
Perhaps surprisingly given heightened cost pressures and confidence concerns across the wider economy, it appears that price is not the primary consideration for logistics operators when trying to attract new business. When asked to identify the key drivers behind their recent contract wins, more respondents selected the provision of value added services and personal relationships than opted for price competitiveness.
However, in response to what the main focus to achieve their growth plans would be over the next 12 months, the most popular response was cost control (29%), suggesting that in order to thrive a balance has to be struck between managing cost and protecting margin, and being able to demonstrate to customers that they can provide value added services to differentiate their offering from competitors.
Richard Smith, Head of Transport & Logistics at Barclays Corporate Banking, said:
“Our logistics operators are sending a clear message – a no-deal Brexit is going to hurt the industry and must be avoided. The business leaders we surveyed have combined revenues of £17.2bn, so the fall in confidence they are reporting should be taken seriously.
“We don’t need to panic – the industry is extremely resilient and the Index’s dip into negative territory is marginal and comes after a long run of optimistic results. Logistics providers are doing their bit by investing in new technology and sustainability projects, but are dependent on the external environment being trade friendly to help them achieve growth and make a positive contribution to the UK economy.”
Philip Bird, Transport & Logistics Partner at BDO LLP, said:
“Businesses in the sector are battling with challenges both at home and abroad. In addition to Brexit, a slowdown in key global economies as well as ongoing USA-China trade wars are causing increased uncertainty and pushing the confidence index into negative territory.
“Skills shortages continue to be a major issue facing operators but there are clear indicators that companies are starting to embrace technology as a way to resolve these shortages. This is an encouraging trend and one we expect to see increase in the future.”
Brighton Yoga Festival returns for the sixth year, in its new home of BHASVIC (Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College) from Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 July.
Alexandra Phillips, Mayor of Brighton and Hove, will open the festival, welcoming the thousands of people set to attend this year from Sussex and beyond. The charity behind the festival, Brighton Yoga Foundation, has also joined forces with Brighton’s Extinction Rebellion group. Saturday lunchtime will see the activist movement and local yoga community come together in a unique act that cements their sociopolitical connection.
Programme highlights confirmed so far include: leading international yoga teacher Emily-Clare Hill; Clare Maddalena, creator of LushTums, the pregnancy yoga experts, and co-founder of children’s yoga company WiggleBums; a Qi Gong session with the founder of Infinity Foods and the Brighton Natural Health Centre, Peter Deadman; and two talks with Sri Vijay Gopala, the founder of Yoga Gita in India. There will also be the option to jog to the venue on the Saturday morning, with a pre-festival run led by Brighton’s Vegan Runners, followed by a specialist yoga workshop for runners.
The theme of the 2019 Brighton Yoga Festival is “Yoga for everyone”. Regardless of age, experience or fitness level, there will be something for everyone. This includes over 100 yoga classes and workshops, with specialist zones for beginners and yoga teachers. Fun for the whole family will be offered through a dedicated area for kids with yoga, games and activities. There will also be live music, inspiring talks, a wellbeing marketplace, and food and drink stalls.
This year’s festival is a “Pay What You Can Afford Event”. All money received enables the Brighton Yoga Foundation to carry out their crucial community outreach work throughout the year. Funds raised through entry ticket donations will go towards projects that bring yoga beyond the existing community to those who would benefit most from its positive effects. Examples of this include yoga for women recovering from trauma and abuse, yoga for stressed out teenagers and yoga for those with mental health concerns.
With the overwhelming support of the yoga community, Brighton & Hove City Council and many local businesses, Brighton Yoga Festival 2019 is set to be the biggest yet. Sponsors confirmed so far include: Infinity Foods, Riverford, Chant Malas, the Float Spa in Hove, Unity Studios, Open Space Studios, It’s Yoga Brighton, Yoga with Bryony and Little Stars Childcare.
Register now to avoid queuing on the day and donate what you can here: https://www.brightonyogafoundation.org/brighton-yoga-festival/#BYFRegistration
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Record Numbers Expected To Join Brighton Earliest Morning Run
Over 500 people have signed up for this July’s Run 5.30 Brighton event,
the (very) early morning Italian sensation that gets busy people more active
• On Friday 19 July the alarms of hundreds of people from Sussex will buzz earlier than usual to get to New Road for some early morning exercise whilst the city is still asleep.
• Run 5.30 is a 5k event that starts from the city centre at 5.30 am on a business day, to promote the positive effects of daily physical activity and healthy eating. The unconventional format shows participants they can fit exercise into their busy lives by waking up just a bit earlier.
• Last year, 450 people took part in the Run 5.30 Brighton event including newly elected Brighton & Hove Mayor Alex Phillips who waved the start at 5.30 am, before joining the participants along the route for a jog.
• Sabrina Severi, Italian co-founder & nutritionist, describes the reasons behind the unconventional Run 5.30 project: “We are passionate about promoting a positive lifestyle which can be achieved with a little movement everyday and by paying attention to what we eat. Our message is celebrated every year when we organise early morning walks/runs with final breakfast made of seasonal fruits across Italy in spring and summer.”
• “Since 2017, we brought Run 5.30 to Brighton – the only event outside of Italy - and the response from the local communities has been wonderful. Participants who share our values have become our ambassadors and thanks to word of mouth we have more than doubled the number of registrations from last year. It’s going to be the biggest and best Run 5.30 Brighton event ever!”
• As well as promoting physical exercise the event pays particular attention to nutrition. Participants will enjoy a locally-sourced delicious and healthy breakfast made of cherries from Cooks Yard Farm (Northiam) and organic yogurt from Court Lodge Farm (Wartling).
• At the end of the event, anyone who would like to spend more time with friends over a cup of tea or coffee will be able to do so inside MyHotel’s Merkaba bar and Small Batch Coffee, exclusively open and ready to welcome Run 5.30 participants with their medals from 6 am.
• The organisers are also proud supporters of local charities in every city they host a Run 5.30 event. In Brighton, Run 5.30 will donate part of the entry fee to children’s charity Rockinghorse and the leftover fruits from the breakfast will be given to local food banks. All the funds raised will be going to The Rockinghorse Activities Programme at Chalkhill Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Haywards Heath.
• Everyone interested in walking or running the event can register online at run530.com
Key Statistics
68% of the people who registered are female.
52% of all participants usually exercise for 3 times or less per week for at least 30 minutes (exercise also include brisk walking in addition to running, cycling, yoga, swimming, HIIT etc.).
45% of all participants don’t exercise as much as they would like to; 88% of them stated they don’t exercise as much as they would like to due to their busy life: 75% due to work and 25% due to family commitments.
The Route
Participants will enjoy an exclusive closed road, city centre course, starting from Cultural Quarter and then weaving through Brighton’s famous Lanes. The route then travels along the seafront upper promenade past numerous, famous Brighton landmarks and then back using the lower promenade past the Artists Quarter. The participants finish the 5km by turning New Road in the inland and crossing through the beautiful Royal Pavilion Gardens – a first for any running event!
About Run 5.30
The Run 5.30 project promotes an active lifestyle through a series of events, in which participants take part in a 5.3km run or walk at 5.30am. Founded by designer Sergio Bezzanti and nutritionist Sabrina Severi, the first ever Run 5.30 event saw around 500 participants take to the streets of the Italian city of Modena. Today, the Run 5.30 tour has become one of the main events in many cities across Italy including Milan, Venice, Palermo and Turin, reaching a total of 35,000 participants – 6,000 of whom are teenagers. Brighton will be the last leg of the 2019 5.30 Tour.
Why at 5.30 am?
• To promote daily physical activity
• To discover the city in a unique atmosphere
• Because the day is always so busy
• Because a little movement helps to start your day
• Because there is no traffic
• Because it does not steal family time
• Because the course is short and accessible to all
• Because it won’t affect your weekend plans
• Because you get to eat delicious fresh fruit
• Because it takes very little to be happy!
You can register for the Run 5.30 Brighton event here: www.run530.com
The £7.8 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has been launched today by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) and comprises of:
£3.87 million ERDF in Priority Axis 3: Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
Download the full PA3 call specification here.
£4 million ERDF in Priority Axis 4: Supporting the Shift towards a Low Carbon Economy in All Sectors
Download the full PA4 call specification here.
Applications must be submitted via the Gov.uk website using the latest forms and guidance. Outline applications must be submitted by midnight on 30th September 2019.
More information on these calls, as well as guidance on the application process, will be given at our ERDF call launch event in Brighton on 10 July. For more details on this including how to register, as well as associated local strategic fit documentation (C2C ESIF Strategy, South2East Energy Strategy, Gatwick 360) please visit the Coast to Capital website.
SHOREHAM PORT APPOINTS TOM WILLIS AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE
Following a rigorous recruitment process Shoreham Port are delighted to confirm the appointment of their next Chief Executive, Tom Willis, who will take over the leadership from Rodney Lunn in December 2019.
Tom has a strong operational and logistics background, having spent many years at Heathrow Airport and the Royal Mail. Both seaports and airports have great commonality, with large local footprints that need managing from a stakeholder and environmental perspective, whilst having to provide a first-class service to their customers.
Tom has superb leadership skills, with a strong track record leading a diverse workforce, all with very different skill sets and often very specific job requirements, which positions him well to continue to develop and motivate Shoreham Port’s excellent teams.
Amber Foster, Chair of Shoreham Port said “We are very pleased to confirm Tom’s appointment and look forward to him joining the Port in November and having a comprehensive handover with Rodney. Tom’s skill set and background will complement and build on the Masterplan Rodney and the team have developed and will be able to continue to push Shoreham forward, as a leading south coast port at the forefront of the industry.”
Tom said “I am really looking forward to joining Shoreham Port and standing on Rodney’s shoulders to ensure the Port’s highly motivated teams continue to serve the customers and stakeholders in an efficient and safe manner. The history of the Port is incredible, and I look forward to being able to shape the future direction of such an iconic and valued local landmark, which is at the heart of the community.”
New report from Barclays and Cebr challenges nation to think differently about wealth
‘Wealthy’ is a status that many aspire to but new research from Barclays and Cebr shows that wealth – at least in its traditional form - cannot buy happiness. Brits think you need over a million (£1,017,483) to be wealthy, yet the majority (54 per cent) of those who have achieved this level of personal wealth would not give themselves this title.
Furthermore, one in three (33 per cent) believe they would be happier if they earned more money. However, the route to happiness is in fact much simpler than your salary or the amount of money you have to your name.
The new report from Barclays and Cebr, ‘Living Lagom – challenging perceptions of wealth’, looks at how Brits could boost happiness and wellbeing by taking lessons from one of the world’s happiest countries, Sweden1, and focusing on little and often.
Cebr analysis2 shows that boosting the amount of money you save each month has a bigger impact on life satisfaction scores than an increase in income. In fact, the report findings show that if a person saved an additional 10 per cent of their monthly pay cheque, the likelihood of them reporting a high life satisfaction score increases. What’s more, the impact of this increase in savings on life satisfaction is greater than that of being happily married, and the same as enjoying good health. In the long term, those who consistently have a savings account are over six per cent more likely to have a higher life satisfaction score.
Dirk Klee, CEO of Savings, Investments & Wealth Management at Barclays, says, “It’s easy to underestimate the benefits of saving or investing a regular amount each month. No matter what the amount, it will build to give you that peace of mind that you have something set aside for a rainy day, and move you closer to your goals.”
The report’s findings challenge people to stop thinking about wealth in terms of money and to start seeing their finances alongside all the other important factors and goals in their life – channelling the Swedish art of lagom, meaning “just the right amount”.
Linnea Dunne, author and lagom expert, says: “Lagom isn’t about extremes, it is about ‘just enough’ – and I believe applying the principles of lagom to all areas of your life can be hugely beneficial for your overall wellbeing and happiness. It is certainly clear from the new report from Barclays that, when it comes to our finances, living a little more lagom can genuinely improve our overall life satisfaction.”
Challenging the traditional concept of wealth
Currently, just seven per cent of the UK consider themselves to be ‘wealthy’, which is unsurprising when the report shows that the average Brit thinks you need £1 million to justify this title.
Dirk Klee continues, “Wealth is often seen as a bad word, something unachievable and for the lucky few. However, the reality is that money or ‘wealth’ is just a means to an end. It helps you to achieve a key life moment or personal ambition so, in fact, wealth should be seen as relative to your lifestyle and your goals.”
Taking a new approach to looking at wealth, focusing on achievable goals and balance rather than a particular figure, could help to improve happiness and life satisfaction.
Indeed, individuals who felt they were “living comfortably” or “doing alright” financially – regardless of income – were 11 per cent more likely to be mostly or completely satisfied with their life.
Generational attitudes to wealth
This approach to wealth is already more common than you might think, as analysis of different age groups shows that perceptions have already started to change and younger generations are learning that there is more to a rich existence than simply money. Those aged 18-34 set their definition of ‘wealth’ at £383,375 – significantly lower than the average £1 million – and one in 10 would say that they are wealthy.
The generational divide doesn’t end there, as just under half (49 per cent) of 18-34 year olds feel they would need to earn over 50 per cent more to feel wealthy whereas almost two thirds (63 per cent) of those over 55 feel this way.
So who are the happiest Brits?
When we look at the UK, there are regional variations when it comes to life satisfaction.
Interestingly, each generation’s happiest Brit comes from a region where the average salary is nearly half that of Londoners (£42,605.70), yet they prioritise saving a portion of their salary each month.
A quarter (24 per cent) of Brits3 admit that they never or rarely save but when looking at the report findings and the happy Swedes, who collectively saved nearly a fifth (17 per cent) of their disposable income in 20184, there appears to be a clear case for prioritising it.
The little guide to living lagom
To help the nation apply the principles of moderation and balance to their finances, Barclays has teamed up with author and lagom expert, Linnea Dunne, to create a ‘Little Guide to Lagom’.
Within the guide, which is now available online, Linnea offers her top tips on living the lagom way with regards to your finances and beyond.
To find out more, read the Barclays Living Lagom report and Linnea’s ‘Little Guide to Lagom’.
These are the 21 Best Cities in Britain for Business 2019
Too many people think London is the only place in Britain worth doing business in. It’s not immediately hard to see why: the capital towers on the global stage and is a central node in the web of world trade. But Britain has many thriving business communities outside of London and the future prosperity of the UK will depend on them.
Management Today’s "The 21 Best Towns and Cities for Business" ranks the UK’s major urban centres, barring London, on how appealing they are as places to set up shop. Focusing on the needs of mid-to-large, talent-hungry, high-productivity firms, we examined towns and cities on various metrics including, among others, productivity, the depth of the talent pool, the strength of innovation, the scale of the private sector ecosystem and the rate of growth.
These results were collated and carefully weighted to ensure fair competition between large and small cities, and each of those that made our initial shortlist of 21 was invited to put its case for winning to an expert panel of judges. After robust deliberation – and much arguing over, in particular, the first and second places – our judges came up with the final ranking.
1. Manchester
In a crowded field that provides real grounds for optimism, Manchester was a deserved winner and can add another accolade to those provided by Time Out (‘One of the most exciting cities in the world’) and The Economist (‘The UK’s most liveable city’). The 100,000 students who choose to live there and those that make the city the second most popular destination for graduates in the UK, certainly seem to agree.
And so do investors. As the UK’s leading regional city for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and a pilot city for the Local Industrial Strategies (which establish new ways of working between national and local government, and the public and private sectors), Manchester’s industry strengths are centred around tech and emergent sectors, including advanced materials, healthcare analytics, cybersecurity and fintech.
This breadth of innovation is underpinned by a supportive infrastructure, the largest concentration of private equity firms outside of London and world-class university research and industry collaborations. This, in turn, fuels an entrepreneurial culture of spin-offs, start-ups and high-growth SMEs.
The city boasts a number of success stories. The Corridor Manchester Enterprise Zone, for example, is a top five European health innovation district with two universities, five hospitals and the CityLabs research commercialisation accelerator. It forms part of the largest clinical academic campus in Europe and sits within the region’s digitised data ecosystem that has hosted a global pilot for real-world large-scale medical trials. Leading the way with a UK Government High Performance Organisation (HPO) initiative on advanced materials, the city hosts the £60m Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre – a world-first for commercialising applications.
Meanwhile, the fintech sector has grown 50 per cent in the last decade – five times the national average (with strengths in payments, P2P lending and big data risk assessment) – and there is a £10m Cyber Innovation Centre alongside extensive peer networking via organisations such as Pro-Manchester and Manchester Digital. This ecosystem and the city’s strong pro-business proposition has encouraged corporations such as Amazon, Jaguar Land Rover and many others to move there.
"Successful cities today are those offering businesses access to knowledge, in terms of workers, clients, collaborators and competitors," says one of our judges, Paul Swinney from the Centre for Cities. "Manchester in particular is increasingly doing this, and we see the results in terms of the types of businesses now locating there, especially in its city centre."
Ideally placed to capitalise on its location at the heart of the UK and as the ‘Crossroads of the North’– the region will be an even more attractive proposition after the arrival of HS2. It’s what Metro Mayor Andy Burham means when he says: "There’s certainly a sense of stars aligning."
Manchester has redoubled its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in line with the science-based targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. It is now at the forefront of world cities leading on this issue.
2. Bristol
Bristol may not have taken the top spot, but it comes a very close second. The judges were impressed with the dynamic culture of talent and innovation that has established Bristol’s reputation as a sustainable, forward-thinking city with a highly skilled workforce, which drives economic growth and enhances productivity.
With 54 per cent of the workforce educated to at least degree level, the city’s submission highlighted a diverse business sector, which is rich in world-leading expertise, particularly in environmental technologies, high tech, aerospace and advanced engineering, media, and financial and professional services.
Recognised as the second largest digital tech cluster outside London, with a turnover of £8.1bn, and the third largest UK media hub outside London and Manchester, Bristol’s innovative output is featured around the world (it is one of three hub locations for the BBC and home to the Oscar-winning Aardman Animation, creators of Wallace and Gromit). Channel 4 has also announced Bristol will host one of its creative hubs.
A partnership between the city’s business and public sector community and driven by a directly elected mayor, Bristol’s One City Plan sets out ambitious targets for the future up to 2050. One example is City Leap, a series of energy and infrastructure investment opportunities that aim to decarbonise the city.
Business growth is encouraged via the innovative Engine Shed co-working space and SETSquared, an enterprise partnership between regional universities that turns ideas into thriving companies and has been twice ranked as the global number one university business incubator.
Connected by air to most major international cities and just over 80 minutes from London by train, Bristol is a major port with worldwide trade links, home to a growing population of more than 450,000 (among which at least 91 different languages are spoken) and regularly tops polls as the UK’s most liveable city.
Temple Quarter – one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK – is a ‘once in a generation opportunity to shape a new city quarter’ and aims to deliver 22,000 jobs, 10,000+ homes and a world-class campus for the University of Bristol.
3. Leeds
With three million residents in the metropolitan area, 1.5 million jobs and a £66.5bn economic output, Leeds already has a strong foundation on which to build, benefiting from some of the fastest growing firms in the UK. The city favours a dynamic approach that fosters collaboration between industry, researchers, clinicians and public sector leaders – this boosts larger businesses and attracts inward investment.
Inclusive Growth Strategy sets out ’12 Big Ideas’ to transform the economy with the accent on developing a compassionate city and working together across all sectors to create better jobs, tackle low pay and boost productivity. The ideas include backing innovators and entrepreneurs in business and social enterprises; and delivering transformational change across the city (Leeds is half way through a £10bn transformation programme intended to double the size of the city centre and build a rail station for HS2).
This will build on the city’s international reputation and world leading capabilities in digital healthcare innovation, medical technologies, robot design and construction (the University of Leeds hosts the national facility for Innovative Robotic Systems) as well as a growing digital and creative sector, demonstrated by the siting of the UK’s only independent Internet Exchange outside London and Channel 4 choosing Leeds for its new HQ. Sky’s national technology centre of expertise is also based in the city.
Leeds has the UK’s largest financial services cluster outside the capital, with 30 national and international banks based in the city. Emerging fintech and cybersecurity sub-sectors are creating new opportunities.
4. Edinburgh
A world-class academic offering and bold data-driven agenda lie at the heart of modern Edinburgh’s regional economy. The city has grown 12.5 per cent in the past ten years, excels in data science, cyber security, robotics and stem cell research, and enjoys one of the highest rates of successful business start-ups in the UK.
The workforce is highly skilled – almost half (42 per cent) of all graduates from the city’s four universities choose to stay after graduation – and the city benefits from an enviable quality of life. It was named the best city to live in the world in the Arcadis 2018 Sustainability Cities Index, as well as the UK’s most walkable city in 2017 (55 per cent of residents use the bus, cycle or walk as their main mode of travel).
The Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative is part of the £1.3bn Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal that aims to train 100,000 people to create the data capital of Europe.
5. Reading
Proximity to Heathrow and London is a major selling point – it’s just 25 minutes from Paddington and the future western terminus of Crossrail – but Reading is a top business location in its own right. It has an ambitious vision for its future, is one of the top 25 European cities for FDI and has long-standing clusters in IT, pharma, finance and professional services. The Reading Central Business Improvement District drives sustainable growth and the quality of life attracts talent – Reading has the highest wages outside London and 20 per cent of Reading University graduates join the local workforce.
Over £7m has been invested over the last decade in the Reading Central Business Improvement District, with another now planned for the Abbey Quarter.
6. Glasgow
The Glasgow city region can claim to be the economic powerhouse of Scotland. Generating over £43.5 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2018, it is home to more than a third of all Scottish jobs and the fastest growing major city economy in the UK.
It has a diverse business and industry base and has identified the growth of SMEs in particular to be a key contributing factor in achieving the aim outlined in the Economic Strategy 2016-2013 of having the most productive urban economy in the UK by 2023. To support this it hopes to create a collaborative – and unrivalled – network of business support, engaging the public, private and education sectors.
The council is working with suppliers to help SMEs access specialist support. This will include an unranked framework of suppliers and a referral programme to encourage collaboration.
7. Cardiff
This is a young city (the majority under 35) with the UK’s fastest growing population. Recent development has seen key growth sectors and internationally competitive clusters emerge in the financial, creative, life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors, with some of the UK’s leading businesses in these sectors calling Cardiff home.
Being a capital city, business has the Welsh Government on the doorstep and a host of national organisations and HQs to support various activities. Continued investment in infrastructure (such as the £1bn South Wales Metro) and regeneration has put Cardiff at the forefront of UK cities as an investment location.
Based on 2018 figures, 48 per cent of Cardiff’s workforce are qualified to NVQ4 level or above. It had the highest ranking for a UK core city in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2018.
8. Milton Keynes
Originally designed for large scale growth and as an ‘urban utopia’ for housing, business and leisure mid-way between London and Birmingham, on Milton Keynes (MK) can boast the third highest number of businesses per head and the third highest GVA per worker of all British cities, as well as one of the highest start-up rates – fuelled by local business incubation initiatives and access to the Midlands Engine Investment Fund. Sustainable mobility is an area of focus. MK Council and Cranfield University are developing MK:U – a business-sponsored university due to open in 2023, offering STEM subjects and the skills that local employers require in order to grow.
Population growth, a large catchment area (more than 18 million people within an hour away) and potential for new development means exceptional growth opportunities for business.
9. Birmingham
With a population of 1.13 million, the city already has the second biggest economy in the UK after London. Professional and financial services, advanced manufacturing and the digital economy are vital sectors. The West Midlands secured a record 171 FDI projects in 2017-18, and created 9,424 new jobs – the only region to see an increase in both figures.
Birmingham is home to the second largest number of tech start-up accelerator and incubator hubs in the UK, as well as the Silicon Canal, Innovation Birmingham Campus, Custard Factory and Steamhouse innovative spaces. HS2 will place the region at the heart of the UK’s transport network, while hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games has the potential to deliver unprecedented levels of economic growth.
The tech and digital sector is the fourth largest cluster outside London, employing more than 100,000 people.
10. Liverpool
The Liverpool city region elected its first Metro Mayor two years ago to drive prosperity, encourage innovation, strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities. It has since secured greater powers and funding to invest directly into business, skills, transport and infrastructure, with numerous successful initiatives such as the Growth Hub (SME business support) and the Business Growth Grant.
Regeneration projects worth £14bn are in the pipeline in a city that is already home to major global brands and a world leader in sectors as diverse as maritime and logistics, health and life sciences, energy and the environment, creative, digital and tech, and advanced manufacturing and engineering.
Liverpool’s Pall Mall development will deliver 400,000 sq ft of grade A office space, while Paddington Village is a landmark £1bn expansion site, creating 1.8m sq ft of science, technology, education and health space.
11. Cambridge
Less than an hour from London by train and set to benefit from the new A14 motorway section next year, Cambridge is connected to both international markets and, via one of the world’s leading universities, top-class human capital. The city is Europe’s largest technology cluster.
Around 57,000 people are employed by the 1,500 technology-based firms in the area, with a combined annual revenue of over £13 billion. It leads in machine learning and AI, information technology, life sciences, gaming, and food and drink industries. Microsoft’s European research HQ is in the city – as are Amazon, Apple and many more.
The ‘Cambridge Phenomenon’ has seen an explosion of globally significant companies and innovations in tech, life sciences and service companies since 1960, with networking and peer support in the business community.
12. Brighton & Hove
The Brighton and Hove local economy has grown to over £7bn in the last year, fuelled by the rise of new industries (creative and digital) and strong consolidation in others (tourism and retail). With 35,000 students, there is a huge pool of highly skilled and well-trained individuals to attract expanding businesses or start-ups – of which the city has one of the highest rates in the UK.
Plans for the Edward Street Quarter, Hove Station site and Sackville Trading Estate will deliver much-needed office space for SMEs to grow and develop, while the year-round cultural offering makes the city an attractive proposition for both employees and visitors.
The Economic Partnership is a 50+ strong group of CEOs from the private, public and voluntary sectors that shapes the city’s economic strategy and works closely with the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.
13. Slough
Slough now boasts the youngest population in the UK, with the education system producing results in the top ten nationally. It has more corporate headquarters than Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland put together, a strong manufacturing base and an impressive business start-up rate.
The town is just 15 minutes from London Paddington (with Crossrail due in 2020), three motorways are within easy reach and Heathrow is on the doorstep. The Slough Urban Renewal project has brought leisure facilities, homes and a new cultural centre, while plans for the future include a mixed-use redevelopment in the heart of Slough costing over £300m.
Slough is the most productive urban area in the UK (Centre for Cities, 2019) and home to the largest trading estate in Europe – 500 businesses employing 20,000 employees.
14. Nottingham
Described recently by one major investor as the ‘last uptapped city in the UK’, Nottingham is entering a new era of development, with office, residential, retail and leisure schemes set to transform the city centre.
Nottingham already boasts a strong ecosystem, including a variety of tech hubs and co-working spaces, two universities (centres of excellence in aerospace, cancer research, Industry 4.0, data analytics and food science) and a high quality workforce of over 1.1 million people. The birthplace of both Ibuprofen and the MRI scanner, the city remains at the cutting edge of health innovation.
BioCity is the UK’s largest bio-incubator facility and supports businesses in legal, patenting, banking and finance, across disciplines including drug discovery, medical devices and pharmaceutical development.
15. Southampton
Over the past decade Southampton has risen steadily through the league tables for growth, confirming itself as the economic powerhouse of England’s South coast. Network Eagle Lab, an innovative co-working concept, provides business start-up and scale-up space for entrepreneurs and students of two world-class universities.
As the city undergoes an ambitious scheme of regeneration (£3bn investment since 2012), the council’s vision is that every aspect of Southampton will be connected and accessible, both the digital infrastructure and the physical environment, showcasing a maritime port that is also a clean, green, tech-focused smart city.
Southampton’s GVA grew by 2.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2018, according to the most recent UK Powerhouse report, with employment up 1.9 per cent.
16. Newcastle
The regional capital of North East England, Newcastle is one of the UK’s core cities and an integral part of the Northern Powerhouse. It has been ranked one of the top British cities for scale-up tech investment, the UK’s best city to work in and the Best University City for three years running. It is also one of the UK’s more cost-effective cities to do business, with property 68 per cent cheaper than London.
Invest Newcastle supports an ecosystem of creative, digital, tech, corporate, healthcare and life science sectors. The business offer is all about ideas, energy and the brand new world of data, with all the transport infrastructure you would expect from a major European city.
The North Sea Connect project will bring vast digital infrastructure to the area and, via existing subsea networks, give Newcastle the UK’s best connections to businesses in America and Europe.
17. Bournemouth
The vision for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, an area of 400,000 residents which, since April, has come under one unitary authority, is to be a 21st century digital city-region by the sea. Development investment since 2013 has reached £1bn, actively encouraged and facilitated by the council, which is also investing in digital and transport infrastructure.
There is a strong engineering and advanced manufacturing sector clustered around the Port of Poole and Bournemouth International Airport worth £1.2bn a year, while JP Morgan, Vitality, BNY Mellon and others are part of the most cost competitive financial services location in the UK. The Business Growth Programme delivers support, advice and grant funding for SMEs.
Tech Nation rated the area as number one for high-growth digital tech businesses in 2017 and recorded growth in digital-tech jobs of 25 per cent between 2014 and 2017.
18. Warrington
The Office for National Statistics found the Cheshire and Warrington economy has grown faster than anywhere else in England, while the latter is one of only 14 UK towns or cities in defined as ‘high wage and low welfare’, with 79.8 per cent of its population in employment.
The Warrington Means Business masterplan is helping drive forward projects in excess of £750 million, including the major regeneration and evolution of the town centre, alongside other measures such as the future development of commercial property in the Enterprise Zone. The local business base is diverse, but is particularly strong in energy (specifically nuclear), engineering, logistics and software.
A new business bank, Redwood, is supporting the local economy through secured lending to local SMEs, as well as national businesses.
19. Aberdeen
Perhaps best known as an oil and gas hub, Aberdeen is at the forefront of the global energy transition to a lower carbon world. It is also an important centre for life sciences, with world-leading health research, and home to many global food and drink brands.
Although its maritime heritage remains central (ongoing investments include £350m at Aberdeen Harbour and £50m at Peterhead Port), the city has moved seamlessly into scientific, engineering, digital and low carbon specialisms. The £826m City Region Deal signed in 2016 is a key example of stakeholders in the region working collaboratively on diversifying and securing the regional economy, while £8bn+ of public and private infrastructure investment is due to be delivered before 2030.
Centre for Cities data shows Aberdeen ranked fourth in the UK in 2017 for the percentage of the working age population with higher level qualifications.
20. Leicester
A growing and diverse city, the 2018 Good Growth for Cities Index on urban economic wellbeing placed Leicester tenth out of 42 UK cities and described it as one of the most improved. In recent years, joined up thinking and innovative partnerships between local government and the private sector have provided for investment and jobs, such as the 5,000 positions (plus 1,000 apprenticeships) created through IBM’s Client Innovation Centre, Hastings Direct, Mattioli Woods and Octopus Energy choosing Leicester as a base.
The excellent universities in the local area provide a talent pipeline of 15,000 graduates every year for businesses and a skilled workforce across a range of sectors and levels.
The emerging Space Park and Waterside Enterprise Zone (including a technology hub around the National Space Centre) are transforming the city.
21. Northampton
Traditionally a centre for footwear and leather making, Northampton continues to show its prominence in manufacturing, but has diversified in recent years and, in 2018, business advice service Informi ranked it as the third best place to start a small business. This is partly down to its location at the heart of the UK, but also affordability, a strong business community working with a pool of highly skilled workers and great connectivity (there are five international airports within an hour).
Northampton is home to the largest urban Enterprise Zone in the UK, and although some of the government assistance ended in 2018, the area continues to benefit from increased marketing and infrastructure development.
In 2018, the new £330m University of Northampton Waterside Campus opened on the edge of the town centre, further improving links to higher education
for the business community.
Image credit: J3Mrs/Wikipedia (Creative Commons)
New Board members join Brighton Chamber
At Brighton Chamber’s AGM last week, four new Board members were elected by the members.
Thy were Sam Knowles from Insight Agents, Andrew Thomas from REBORN, Jo Crease from Brighton & Hove Impetus and Sara Bassett from Shoreham Port
Introducing:
Sam Knowles, Insight Agents
A communicator in his 30th year of practice, Sam Knowles is the Founder & MD of Lewes-based storytelling consultancy Insight Agents. Sam specialises in using numbers, data, and statistics as the foundation stones of powerful, purposeful, and above all impactful stories. Originally a Classicist, he holds a doctorate in experimental psychology from Sussex, the source of his understanding of human motivation and behaviour and his love of working with data.
Sam’s purpose is to help businesses sound like people and talk in that rarest and most refined of corporate dialects: Human. In 2018, Routledge published his first book for business: Narrative by Numbers to critical acclaim. It will be followed in 2020 by the sequel How To Be Insightful, also from Routledge. Sam is a sought-after trainer, keynote speaker, facilitator, and podcaster. He is co-founder and co-host of the Small Data Forum podcast.
Brighton Chamber has shattered Sam’s lifelong skepticism about chambers of commerce. A member since 2017, Sam has run Bite-size Learning sessions for the Chamber and was one of the curators of the Brighton Summit in 2018. There he ran a 120-strong workshop on telling stories with data. Sam joined the board in January 2019 and is a passionate supporter of the Chamber, talking it up to everyone who’ll listen.
Andrew Thomas, REBORN
Andrew has a lifelong passion for design and how it can improve people’s lives. He is a founder and Creative Director of Brighton based creative agency REBORN. The company formed in 2016 and has a sister agency based in Sydney, Australia.
Prior to this he worked for 10 years in various creative agencies in Bristol, London and Sydney. He also has experience in working in-house for global companies helping them build design teams of their own.
Outside of work he enjoys staying active and preforms stand up comedy. He’s already very involved in the Chamber having worked on projects such as Ride the Wave and The Summit 2018. Also REBORN are currently developing a new brand for the Chamber which is set to launch later on this year.
Andrew told us: “Being part of the Chamber has helped introduce me to Brighton and many business owners that work here. I’m looking forward to being on the board and offering assistance and insight where I can.”
Jo Crease, Brighton & Hove Impetus
Jo has been CEO of Brighton & Hove Impetus since 2012, an award-winning loneliness and isolation charity that creates connections that change lives through befriending, social prescribing and volunteering services in Brighton, Hove and beyond, and by sharing ideas and expertise nationally. Prior to that she worked in charities and Government in both the UK and Australia.
Jo sees the charity as a social business, investing in its people and the raw ingredients to do their job, but creating change rather than a product or a service. As a business, Impetus faces many of the same challenges as commercial businesses, and she has had the happy experience of working with many brilliant Brighton & Hove businesses to share knowledge about meeting those challenges.
Outside of work she is experiencing the joys and woes of being a first time allotment holder this year, loves sewing and making, exploring wild outdoor places and can often be seen running or cycling along the seafront (the only way to commute).
Jo said: “We’ve been a member of the Chamber for 5 years, and I always find the connections and inspiration I need. I’m looking forward to joining the Board and helping lead the Chamber in the future.”
Sara Bassett, Shoreham Port
Sara is Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Shoreham Port. Prior to joining the Port she gained over 12 years’ experience working within financial services and commercial accountancy for companies such as LloydsTSB, American Express, Cytyc UK Limited and Independent Growth Finance.
As Finance Director, Sara is responsible for setting the financial strategy of the Port, managing the Port’s finance team and working with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the Port’s assets are fully utilized and maximizing revenue streams.
Sara is also Company Secretary to Sussex Port Forwarding Limited, The Port of Shoreham Trustee Company Limited and Shoreham Port Developments and Investments Limited. Sara is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and a Chamber Ambassador too.
Sara commented: “Sitting on the Board of Shoreham Port Authority has given me a wealth of experience, which I look forward to sharing with the Chamber Board. The Chamber is an exciting organisation and I look forward to working with the other Board Members in driving the Chamber forward.”
The Chamber’s CEO Sarah Springford explains that ‘The members of the Board are critical to the success of the Chamber. They generously give their time, skills and contacts. They are busy people running their own businesses which makes what they do for their business community even more impressive’.
Standing down and thanked were Andy Winter from Brighton Housing Trust, Chris Ford form Brighton & Hove Bus Co and Frances Duncan from the Clock Tower Sanctuary.
To find out more about Brighton Chamber, the Board and what’s coming up in the year ahead, see their website here
