Focus on the future at high-level digital conference

“The possibilities are endless” - that was the message from a high-level digital conference which looked at how the roll out of world-class internet infrastructure in West Sussex could help transform the lives of residents and businesses.

Digital experts, business representatives and local authority leaders from across the south east were among the 100 people to attend the West Sussex Digital Futures event at Worthing’s Assembly Hall.

Organised by Adur & Worthing Councils, the event featured discussions on how the area will become the first in the south east to have gigabit full-fibre internet infrastructure installed in its towns.

Those attending then heard how this and 5G improvements is already leading to transformative changes in the delivery of adult & social care, street lighting, agritech and many other areas of day-to-day life.

In welcoming delegates to the event, Cllr Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Digital and Environmental Services, said: “Gigabit fibre is the foundation for our digital future and it is going to drive a host of benefits for residents, businesses and public services.

“I’m super excited about the opportunities that will come our way as the first places in the south east to go full fibre. It will drive productivity and innovation in our businesses. It will provide rip-roaring speeds in the home and provide important benefits for the future of digital social care.”

Speakers included Neil Watt (FarrPoint); Simon Hughes (Mid Sussex District Council); Sarah Bazen (West Sussex County Council); Paul Brewer (Adur & Worthing Councils); and Simon Woodhead (Stopham Vineyard).

The event forms part of EverythingConnects, a panel of local authority leaders from across West Sussex who are focused on working together to deliver change through digital infrastructure.

Economic Development Under the Spotlight for Property Experts

Worthing and Adur Councils’ pivotal role as enablers for economic success was the focus for the latest Sussex Property Alliance (SPA) event.

Martin Randall, Director for the Economy, described how collaboration between the councils was creating new opportunities for business growth and for both residential and commercial property development, generating productivity that outstrips cities such as Brighton, Cambridge and Bristol.

“Our vision is for responsible growth through partnership, working closely with central government and other agencies to be an enabler…to make things happen,” said Mr Randall.

At the event, which was supported by MHA Carpenter Box and Bennett Griffin, he highlighted a number of initiatives and developments currently underway to drive economic development, including:

• A £2.5m investment by the councils to unlock superfast fibre broadband for local businesses
• An apprenticeship fund open to local companies to support training
• Numerous development projects to address specific business and employment needs, including IKEA at Lancing, new business space at both Shoreham Airport and Shoreham Port, plus major housing schemes across the area
• A design and build project that redeveloped the former Adur civic centre into a stunning headquarters building for Focus Group in Shoreham
• Redevelopment of some key sites in Worthing such as Teville Gate and Union Place, together with a new health hub close to the Town Hall
• Investment in public realm and tourism projects to attract visitors and help address the changing face of retail centres

Robert Dowling, Head of Construction at chartered accountants and business advisors MHA Carpenter Box, commented: “We know that local authorities face financial pressures, but with an innovation mindset and strong partnership ethos, Worthing and Adur are leveraging all the resources at their disposal to create an environment within which local businesses can thrive.”

The Sussex Property Alliance provides a forum where property professionals get together, exchange ideas, and build relationships.

www.sussexpropertyalliance.co.uk

Our photo (l-r) shows Robert Dowling (MHA Carpenter Box), Martin Randall (Worthing and Adur Councils) and Gemma Lawrence (Bennett Griffin).

Love Your Hospital First £50 Club

** Limited spaces available to be involved in this exciting opportunity for local businesses. Sign up today and join us at our exclusive campaign launch at Rolls-Royce HQ on the evening of Thursday 10th October 2019 **

Would you like to stake your business against others locally, can you prove you have what it takes to rise to a challenge? Would you like to support your own aspiring entrepreneurs? Join Love Your Hospital’s First Fifty Club and your company can achieve all of the above and more.

The only club that pays you £50 to become a member!

The First Fifty Club is a unique opportunity for companies in West Sussex which encourages:

·        Team Building

·        Staff Development

·        Corporate Social Responsibility

·        Support for a Local Charity

The proposal:

Love Your Hospital is the dedicated charity of St Richard’s, Worthing and Southlands Hospitals, raising vital funds to support outstanding healthcare, state-of-the art equipment and modern facilities for patients in your local area. You can help us raise these valuable funds by joining other business leaders and taking part in this inaugural challenge, whilst putting your business front and centre locally.

• We will give you £50, a limited amount of time, great support and social media coverage. In return, you come up with ingenious and fun ways to make that money grow whilst raising vital funds for a wonderful cause.

• Sign up by 25 October 2019, nurture your money until 25 February 2020 and return your total fund to the Charity to see how well you have performed against other local businesses.

The First Fifty Club challenge pits West Sussex entrepreneurs and businesses against each other in a bid to win one of our prestigious awards presented at our special gala ceremony held in March 2020. It’s a great way of building team spirit and enabling staff to reach their full potential.                                                                                                                                                             

It’s simple to sign up!

To sign up contact our Corporate Fundraiser John on 07554 116572 0r email: john.price@wsht.nhs.uk , members will then be invited to  attend our fantastic launch evening  on Thursday, 10 October 2019 6.30pm at Rolls-Royce headquarters, and find out how your company can make a difference to patient care.

Join Love Your Hospital’s First Fifty Club and help your local hospitals provide outstanding patient care… it’s all to play for!

MHA Carpenter Box welcomes highest number ever of new Trainees

Sussex-based chartered accountants, MHA Carpenter Box, has recruited its largest ever intake of new trainees. Over the last year, 13 new trainees have joined the firm which has offices in Brighton, Worthing and Gatwick. Nine of the 13 are enrolled on the firm’s Platinum Accredited training programme on the road to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification. Three are studying towards the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA) qualification whilst one trainee is studying towards a tax qualification with the Association of Tax Technicians (ATT).

In the Worthing office, Tamzin Crockett from Sussex University and Charlie Holdaway from Brighton Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College have joined the Audit Team, while Charlotte Scott from City College Brighton & Hove has joined the Tax Services Team. The Business Services Team has welcomed Ben Collins and Deaglan Johnson both from Worthing College, Jamie Pritchard from the University of London, Katriana Coombe from Surrey University and Leah Hayward from the Shoreham Academy.

At the Gatwick office, four new trainees have joined the Audit Team; Arran Osborne from the University of Surrey, Natasha Gravett from Brunel University, Nick Downton from the University of Sussex and Stevin Chandrasekar from the University of Exeter. Laiba Baig, who started out in Creative Media at Crawley College before signing up to self-study for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualification, is now working with the Business Services Team in Gatwick.

MHA Carpenter Box Managing Partner, Alan Edwards, who himself joined the firm as a trainee 26 years ago, was keen to welcome the new trainees on board, commenting: “As MHA Carpenter Box continues its year on year growth, I am thrilled to welcome such a talented group of new trainees to the firm.

“The investment we make in training the next generation of accountants, tax and business advisers focusses on helping them develop their understanding of business so that they will be able to help our clients prosper. I wish them all every success as they take their first steps in their chosen career now and over the coming years.”    

All of the trainees will benefit from being a part of the firm’s comprehensive in-house training programme, which has earned Platinum Status – ACCA’s highest accolade. They will be mentored and taught by a team of qualified and experienced accountants, business advisers and auditors, many of whom started their own careers as trainees themselves at MHA Carpenter Box. They will also benefit from knowledge sharing across the firm’s national association, MHA and Baker Tilly International, its global network.

www.carpenterbox.com

Office Space To Let in Worthing

Conveniently, located by Worthing Railway Station.  Opportunity to take over existing licence until May 2021 or having a new longer lease with the Landlord.

Located on the first floor, the unit comprises of a kitchen area, 2 offices and a large room which can be utilised as office space or a meeting/training room.

The rent is £5,940 per annum.

For more information contact Sharon or Louise via info@safeinsussex.org.uk or telephone 01903 896210

Electric bikes for enforcement officers as part of green drive

Civil enforcement officers in Adur and Worthing are leading the drive to become carbon neutral after making the pioneering switch to electric bikes.

NSL, who are contracted by Adur & Worthing Councils to enforce on and off street parking across the area, have invested in the technology as an alternative to petrol scooters.

As well as reducing emissions, the new bikes will allow staff to cover areas away from town centre such as Lancing, Findon and Southwick in a shorter space of time while saving money in running costs in the long-run.

It comes just weeks after the Councils declared a climate emergency, setting an ambitious target to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Other ideas being considered by NSL include adopting electric cars, using biodegradable parking ticket wallets and finding more sustainable alternatives to cable ties, which are used to display parking suspensions. 

Daniel Forbes, Client Account Manager for NSL, said: “NSL continues to look at ways of using electric power along with pedal power to reduce our reliance on the use of vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

“As a part of this strategy - and to help meet Adur & Worthing Councils’ goal, we have initially provided two EBikes for deploying staff on street. While this is only at its embryonic stage we hope they will eventually take the place of our moped fleet and reduce our reliance on cars for deploying enforcement staff. 

“The costs of fuel, maintenance and carbon footprint are a fraction of the mopeds we currently deploy. If the electric bikes trial works, we will look to further integrate these into our work here and other areas where we operate.

“We also continue to look at other initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint including using more biodegradable materials and will be taking delivery of our first fully electric vehicle later this year.” 

Adur & Worthing Councils have already made good progress on reducing carbon emissions by 30% between 2012 and 2019.

The adoption of the Climate Emergency last month has seen the Councils bring forward their carbon neutral target from 2050 to 2030. 

There is also a commitment to build on the SustainableAW programme, by transitioning to clean transport for all council services and operations, improving energy efficiency of council buildings, and installing renewable energy.

Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “I’m pleased to see NSL adopt these steps which will not only improve parking enforcement across our area but also support our wider efforts to reduce carbon emissions across all the services that we provide directly and through external organisations.”

Councillor Edward Crouch, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “We are dedicated to showing leadership on this important issue of climate change, willing to take action and promise to play our part at a local level. While clearly we can't do this on our own, the more organisations who join in with this declaration, the more powerful the action will be.”

Kreston Reeves strengthens Private Client Tax team with Director appointment

Accountants, business and financial advisers Kreston Reeves has strengthened its Private Client Tax team with the appointment of Dan Mundroina.

Dan joined the firm as a Private Client Tax Director from RSM UK.  He brings to the firm considerable expertise and a strong track record in advising wealthy individuals and their families on all aspects of trusts, inheritance tax and personal tax matters.

Commenting on his appointment Dan said: “Kreston Reeves has a terrific reputation across Kent, Sussex and London for its work in advising private individuals and families on all aspects of wealth management and tax.  The team is complemented by a first-class financial planning offering and I am looking forward to developing my career further with the firm.”

Daniel Grainge, Partner and Head of Tax, Kreston Reeves adds: “Dan is a highly respected and experienced Private Client Tax adviser with a strong client following.  He will be a real asset to the firm and to our clients and we look forward to the contributions he will make.”

Dan has previously held senior roles at Menzies, Rawlinson & Hunter and Buzzacott

Kreston Reeves amongst the best recruiters in the UK

Accountants, business and financial advisers Kreston Reeves has been shortlisted as one of the best recruiters in the UK at the annual In-house Recruitment Awards.

The In-house Recruitment Awards are open to all businesses attracting hundreds of entries every year from some of the UK’s largest and best-known employers, and for the first time, Kreston Reeves has been shortlisted in two categories – the Newcomer (Team Award) and Recruitment Team (Financial and Professional Services).

Kreston Reeves is shortlisted for its evidence of development across key recruitment components, efficiencies and effectiveness in processes, recruitment strategy, consideration of candidate care, understanding of talent market, and business understanding and partnership. 

The firm is in good company, with many household names shortlisted, including PepsiCo, BP, BUPA, Capgemini, Wagamama, The AA and Harrods.

Jo Kay, Recruitment Manager at Kreston Reeves said: “It is a real honour to be shortlisted in two categories at the In-house Recruitment Awards.  They are hotly contested with only the best HR teams making the cut.  My colleague, Emily Moat, and I have worked hard to build a best-in-class recruitment function in the accountancy sector and to see that recognised alongside some of the UK’s most prestigious companies is terrific.”

Kreston Reeves in July was also shortlisted for ‘National Firm of the Year’ at the annual British Accountancy Awards, and in May shortlisted for three awards at the Accounting Excellence Awards – ‘Large Firm of the Year’ award, ‘Client Service’ award and the ‘Investing in People’ award.

The In-house Recruitment Awards will be given on 4 December at a gala dinner in central London.

Promote your business - supporting the community

Get your company in front of thousands of people from Worthing & Adur showing your commitment to the local workforce of the future!

The largest annual joint careers and jobs fair in Worthing & Adur is back.

Now is your opportunity to get your brand on all marketing and literature for this popular event, returning to the prominent Worthing Assembly Hall on Wednesday 16th October 2019.

Demonstrate your commitment to developing skills, supporting local employers providing opportunities for local people by becoming a main event partner.

As well as featuring on all of our marketing and literature, you’ll be pride of place with a key location in the exhibition hall. 

There are additional opportunities, including a key speaker slot at a Networking Breakfast attended by all event stallholders, and getting your logo on all promotional materials and resources provided to schools and organisations before the occasion. 

Full details of all sponsorship opportunities can be found here https://awbp.co.uk/get-involved/careers-fair-2/

Heene Community Centre are hiring a part-time Caretaker!

The duties include:

• Maintaining building security

•  Being responsible for the building
• General cleaning
• Setting up/taking down rooms with tables and chairs
• General maintenance
• Decorating jobs
• Maintaining the garden area
• Assisting members of the public within the Centre

Normal working week of 14-16 hours: Monday evenings, Friday evenings & Sunday mornings

Must be flexible to cover sickness and holidays, as hours required could on occasions exceed 20 hours a week

If you are interested, please email info@heenecommunitycentre.org with CV, requesting an Application Form or pick up an Application Form from the office

Closing date: Monday 2nd September 2019 @ 9am If sufficient applications are received, we reserve the right to close this date earlier