Maritime Dual Use Workshop – Solent Region 

There is increasing convergence between defence and commercial applications in areas such as surveillance, asset tracking and cyber-security.  This presents 'dual-use' opportunities for business.  Not only can convergence share costs across different applications, but also it offers broader market access for innovative products and services.

Recognising these trends, non-profit Marine South East is hosting a conference targeting maritime dual-use opportunities in autonomous systems and satellite applications.  Both of these themes are on a growth curve for investment, and are attracting widespread interest across public and private sectors.  The goal of the conference is to highlight innovation priorities and initiate relationships across defence and commercial, involving major primes and SMEs.

The conference will take place on 4th April 2017, as part of the Ocean Business  www.oceanbusiness.com   event programme in National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Southampton.  Registration is free, and includes an evening reception for networking. Programme for the day attached. Register for 4th April 2017 event by the following link http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/make_booking/?id=3811

The following day, 5th April, a B2B matchmaking event is being hosted also in NOC.  This is being organised by the Enterprise Europe Network in partnership with Marine South East.  This will enable firms to hold more detailed discussions on a one-to-one basis. Register for 5th April 2017 event by the following link https://www.b2match.eu/oceanbusiness2017/sign_up

Spaces at the event will be limited and registrations will close 24th March 2017, so please ensure you have booked by this date.

Any queries, please contact Sarah Johnson, PR & Marketing Manager on 02380 111 593 sj@mseuk.org 

Click here to download the full workshop programme

“From the Wi-Fi plenty and from the sea health” - Why you should escape the rat race and move to Worthing

If I asked you to think ‘business’, and then ‘Worthing’, I bet your imagination would take you to a grey office in a grey town, like Slough perhaps?  No, I said Worthing!

I’ll tell you my story; Spanish guy works for a global media company in London, cycles 80 minutes a day (to save £170 in travel costs), risking his life but still doing his daily breathing exercises, albeit straight from an infinite supply of exhaust pipes.

One day this guy gets the crazy idea of extending his life expectancy by moving to a healthier place, ideally keeping his career prospects. He looks for Shangri-La or Rivendell in the A-Z Map, and Brighton comes closest.  Then, prohibitive rents and patronising estate agents show him he isn’t the first to entertain this idea. So, he bounces west into Worthing; less glamorous, still maritime, and cheaper. But ‘Worthing is changing’, he keeps hearing, as days become months and his visits to Brighton less frequent.

The next frontier in this insatiable lifestyle improvement business is quitting his job and becoming a freelancer, and with lower overheads Worthing is the perfect place to do it. In fact, the town’s motto should be changed to ‘from the Wi-Fi plenty and from the sea health.’

But cost is not the only advantage Worthing offers to freelancers. If you cannot work too close to your fridge, there are five top places to grow your business from:

Freedom Works

Does freedom work? This is something millions of freelancers ask ourselves every day. Co-working spaces like this convince us that it does. Although recently opened, a friendly tribe of old-time Worthing freelancers has already warmed the desks of this highly-equipped space that smells like new. It did remind me of London offices, except I wasn’t being watched. Expect a heroic broadband speed.                                                                                                                                   

St. Paul’s

It’s really inspiring that in a small town of an ever-individualising nation obsessed with real estate investments, there is a thriving agora. Greek Revivalist in design and spirit, St Paul’s empowers you to become a better citizen by allowing you to eat, drink, chat, dance, learn, do your yoga, paint, listen to live music, and by all means, work on your freelancing business. If you haven’t been here yet you are missing out on the best of Worthing.                                   

The Loft co-working space

Located in Warwick street, Worthing’s ‘Latinest’ street, The Loft is a co-working space that further puts you in the direction of the freelancing dream by making it almost impossible for you not to take your lunch break in one of the nearby cafes. Great atmosphere and a welcoming feeling.

Southern Pavilion

Come here if you want to imagine what it would have felt like if the Titanic had installed Wi-Fi in its First Class dining room. Sit next to the window and have a productive and maritime-influenced work session without the wind ruining it.                                                                                                                                   

The Sphere

Secluded in the guts of Northbrook College, Worthing’s Chamber of Commerce co-working space is surrounded by young energy and a stylised environment that reminded me of a Scandinavian University. A great place to cultivate a growth mentality and collaborate, with a friendly atmosphere from the off.                                       

The Beach

Yes, the beach. In particular, immediately east of the Pier there is council Wi-Fi. You won’t find any sockets though, so plan your work session and make sure you have time to photograph yourself and share it among your cubicled friends; but make sure not to show off!

Peru is a Worthing-based digital marketing consultant, helping small business make more business through their websites. www.perubuesa.com 

Article published in Here & Now Magazine 

Worthing Homes - Recruitment for Chair of Board 

Chair of Board - Salary £7,880 p.a.

Worthing Homes is a housing association with 3,500 homes in the Sussex coastal area. The majority of our homes are for social rent but we also provide affordable and intermediate rented housing; shared ownership and homes for outright sale. We have ambitions to increase the provision of homes locally and have the resources to be able to provide an additional 500 homes over the next 5 years. We also have commitments to deliver an excellent customer experience, increase the use of IT to access our services, and to invest in the local community.

The current Chair’s maximum term of office comes to an end in September 2017, we are therefore seeking an innovative and passionate individual who will steer the Board in setting the strategic vision and direction of the organisation; continue to bring strong leadership to ensure that we build on our ambitions and achievements; balance our social and commercial objectives and promote our values and aims. Candidates will have a substantial record of successful work at a senior level as a Chair; non-executive director or an executive director of an organisation; be able to act strategically and effectively lead a team of expert and experienced board members; be well informed about the social housing/charity sector and have a genuine affinity with the values and aims of Worthing Homes. In addition, experience in delivering exceptional levels of customer satisfaction within demanding efficiency targets and/or property development would be an advantage. As we are a local provider, candidates should live within an hour’s commute of Worthing.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the provision of housing and the communities that we serve on the South coast by leading the Board and working closely with other board members, the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and the staff of Worthing Homes to deliver our ambitious plans.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We value each individual’s unique contribution, irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or social background.

To find out more about us, visit our website www.worthing-homes.org.uk.

For an informal chat about the role please contact either Jackie Bligh, Chief Executive, on 01903 703 169 or e-mail jbligh@worthing-homes.org.uk or Catherine Taylor, Assistant Company Secretary on 01903 703 184 or email ctaylor@worthing-homes.org.uk.

To apply, send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you are interested in this role to jobs@worthinghomes.org.uk. Closing date for the receipt of applications is Monday 27 February 2017.

Please click here to download the full advert

Please click here to download the full role description 

Part of a West Sussex-wide scheme, known as the Local Enterprise and Apprenticeship Platform (LEAP), there is approximately £71,000 available for businesses located in Adur and a similar amount for businesses based in Worthing.

The scheme recognises the vital role that small businesses play in the local economy and the particular difficulties that micro businesses (those with up to 10 employees) can face in accessing funds to help them grow and take on staff. Small businesses (up to 50 employees) can face similar difficulties when looking to take on an apprentice or provide apprenticeship opportunities for existing staff, and these are the type of businesses this scheme is designed to help.

The scheme is being delivered by the Adur & Worthing Business Partnership, and businesses will be on the Awards Panel, helping to decide which applications are successful.

Eligible businesses can apply online or submit a hard copy of the application form. Full details, including application forms and guidance notes can be found on our business grants page.

Chairman of the Adur & Worthing Business Partnership, Andrew Swayne, said:

“The Adur & Worthing Business Partnership brings together businesses in Adur & Worthing and works with partner agencies to support and grow the local economy. Our priorities include supporting small businesses and increasing the number of local apprenticeship and development opportunities, so I am delighted that the Partnership has the opportunity to work with the Councils on this scheme and that a number of our members are involved in the Grant Panel."

Worthing Borough Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Bryan Turner, commented:

“The Councils recognise that smaller sized businesses make a huge impact to Worthing and Adur, and have become the backbone of our local economy. It's important that by working closely with partner organisations, like the Adur & Worthing Business Partnership, we're able to design a scheme that can utilise available funding and contribute to businesses that will highly benefit from the grant.”

Cllr Brian Boggis, Executive Member for Regeneration at Adur District Council, also echoed these words:

“This is a great example of the Councils working together to enhance our local economy. It's important that as local authorities we provide this type of support and funding when available, to small businesses where it will see great purpose. The scheme will also give added support to apprenticeships, vital for providing work opportunities for young people and teaching them skills to not only forge a career for themselves, but make a positive impact in our local economy.”

The ideas align with the Councils' recently adopted strategy, 'Platforms for our Places'. One of the core values is supporting our financial economy. By offering this funding, the scheme will help foster business growth and increase apprenticeship provision.

MHA Carpenter Box Shortlisted in Prestigious Regional Awards    

Sussex-based chartered accountants, tax and business advisers, MHA Carpenter Box, have been named as one of just three finalists in the Business of the Year category of the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards 2017.

MHA Carpenter Box Practice Director, Chris Coopey, is understandably thrilled with the news, commenting: “Being shortlisted for this prestigious award is very much a recognition of the way in which the team at MHA Carpenter Box is willing to go that extra mile - be that for our clients, for business in general and also in terms of the charitable work we do for the communities in which our offices are based.”

The Business of the Year category recognises companies that can demonstrate an exceptional track-record of achievement, particularly high performing organisations that do the right thing for their clients, staff and the Gatwick Diamond Community.

The Gatwick Diamond is a key economic area, not just for the South East, but for the whole of the UK and the business awards celebrate those who have shown innovation and inspiration in their work, as well as real commitment to the region. The awards have become one of the regions premier business occasions recognising the ‘best of the best’.

MHA Carpenter Box now has to wait until 16 March to find out the results, which will be presented by comedian and actor Stephen Mangan at a glittering ceremony at the Effingham Park Hotel, Gatwick.

New Financial Director Appointed at MHA Carpenter Box

Ivan Fowlie has swapped a high-profile finance role in Germany to take up a senior appointment at MHA Carpenter Box, the Sussex-based chartered accountants, tax and business advisers.

Ivan is joining MHA Carpenter Box as Financial Director, moving from information and communications company Ericsson in Germany where, as Head of Business Finance for Western & Central Europe, he was responsible for 17 countries. Ivan had been with the Swedish communications giant for 20 years, initially in Guildford, before moving to Dusseldorf.

In his new role, Ivan will oversee financial performance and statutory reporting, utilising his considerable experience to help the firm to continue on its impressive growth curve. Part of Ivan’s role will be to develop business process improvements to streamline reporting and look at ways to further enhance the client experience.

As he explains: “After 20 years with one company, I wanted a complete change – and from the moment I met with the partners at MHA Carpenter Box I was excited by their straightforward approach to business and their focus on client service in a world where so much is changing. I am now very much looking forward to playing my part in the firm’s future development.”

Alan Edwards, Managing Partner at MHA Carpenter Box commented: “We are delighted to welcome Ivan to the partnership team at MHA Carpenter Box. He brings significant financial and corporate expertise with him and will undoubtedly be a real asset to the firm.”

Ivan is married with three grown-up children. Outside of work he enjoys mountain-biking and walking, and is looking forward to exploring the South Downs.

£48.73million investment comes to the Greater Brighton City Region

In a significant demonstration of the Chancellor’s commitment to the Greater Brighton City Region, £48.73million of Local Growth Fund Round 3 is to be invested in the City Region over the coming year, driving key projects forward.

These key projects are:

• Worthing Central Phase 1 – the first phase of a comprehensive and co-ordinated transformation programme of Worthing’s Town Centre, stretching from Worthing Central Railway Station to the Seafront – £5.69million

• Decoy Farm, Worthing – transforming the site – which has stood unused for over three decades – into one of the most exciting commercial employment centres on the South Coast, providing openings for existing businesses to expand and attracting wider enterprise and investment from the South East and London – £4.84million

• New Monks Farm & Airport – establishing the essential road infrastructure needed to unblock the development of both New Monks Farm and the Airport Business Estate into a strategic employment and housing growth centre – £5.7million

• Burgess Hill Growth Area Infrastructure Package – putting in place a package of local infrastructure improvements – including road enhancements, public transport improvements, walking and cycling initiatives, access to the proposed Science Park among others – that will support the delivery of the £1b Burgess Hill growth programme – £14.9million

• Sussex Bio-Innovation Centre, Brighton – delivering a new £99m Life Sciences building at the University of Sussex’s Falmer campus. This building will provide dedicated teaching space, modern laboratory equipment, technical support and inspiring collaboration spaces for academics, researchers and clinicians from different disciplines to share knowledge and create innovative partnerships – £5.5million

• Brighton Waterfront, Black Rock Site Development, Brighton – delivering a new world class conference and multi-use venue at the Black Rock Site, alongside a major expansion of the city’s retail offer through an extension of Churchill Square shopping centre – £12.1million

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Chairman of the Greater Brighton Economic Board and Leader of Worthing Borough Council, said:

“I am delighted to see this significant commitment to future growth across our Region.

“At this point, we estimate that the six projects will attract over £700million of private sector investment into the Region.  In practical terms, this will mean nearly 280,000 square metres of employment floor space for approximately 6,600 new jobs and over 5,900 homes to house our growing population.

“This is great news for the City Region and a vote of confidence in the creative, innovative, agenda set by the Greater Brighton Economic Board.”

The funds are being administered by the Government by Coast To Capital, the Local Economic Partnership covering the City Region.  The Greater Brighton Economic Board is now working closely with Coast To Capital on a phased release of funds into these transformative projects.

Further information will be released as soon as it is available and full details for each of the sites is contained in the 2015-16 Greater Brighton Economic Board Annual Report.

Hundreds made business event ‘beyond our dreams’ 

Hundreds flocked to an annual business event on Thursday 2nd February, described by organisers as the best ever. Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce hosted the Better Business show, at the Assembly Hall, in Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, which was attended by more than 600 people. Chamber chief executive Tina Tilley said: “The show went extremely well. It went better than last year which was beyond our dreams. “We had a constant buzz throughout the day. We have had some amazing feedback from exhibitors who are already booking for next year.

Lots of businesses were giving out free advice and gifts.” An exclusive unveiling of the new BMW 5 Series car was organised by headline sponsor Chandlers. More than 90 exhibitors took part in the event, with two expert advice sessions every half hour on specialist topics. Guest speakers were Gill Fielding, Darren Gearing and Shaa Wasmund, supported by a range of talks and sessions from other local business figures. The Google Digital Garage team were on hand to provide tips, with two workshops over the course of the day. To find out more about next year’s event, email info@ worthingandadurchamber. co.uk

By Oli Poole Deputy political editor for Worthing Herald 

Will ‘Thematic’ Investments Drive Growth in 2017?

Investors looking for equity growth in the Brexit and Trump era should consider ‘theme-based’ opportunities rather than focusing too heavily on broad financial markets, according to Sanjay Rijhsinghani, Partner at LGT Vestra. He was speaking at an investment and tax seminar in Horsham organised by Sussex-based Carpenter Box Wealth Management.

Sanjay said company earnings in the third quarter of 2016 showed topline growth for the first time in over two years and that macro-economic factors were moving in favour of equities.

“Our thinking at the moment is to take a thematic approach to investments rather than looking at say the US, Japan or European markets,” he said. “So, for example, we see growth opportunities in equities linked to infrastructure because of the payback this activity delivers to governments and to operating companies alike.

“We also like financials as a result of the clean balance sheets of banks, a steepening yield curve and the move to a transaction-based cashless society, which reduces costs for banks. And we see positive prospects for a technology sector that is speeding up innovation lead times.”

Simon Fox, Managing Partner at Carpenter Box Wealth Management, underlined the need for coherent investment strategies in an era of historically low interest rates, citing the enduring appeal of pensions and focusing on the tax advantages of Enterprise Investment Schemes.

Stuart Noakes, Partner and Head of Tax Services at MHA Carpenter Box, urged delegates not to overlook the value of individual tax allowances that could deliver up to £33,000 of tax free income each year, while also outlining steps to mitigate inheritance tax through business property planning.

Photo: Simon Fox, Managing Partner, Carpenter Box Wealth Management

www.carpenterbox.com