Thriving as a Business in the Circular Economy
Roundtable Workshop
Venue: Brighthelm Centre, North Rd, Brighton BN1 1YD
Thursday January 19^th 2017, 4pm to 7pm

The University of Sussex are delighted to invite you to a roundtable workshop on ‘Thriving as a Business in the Circular Economy’ organised by the School of Business, Management and Economics at the University of Sussex in collaboration with Growth International Limited. 

The Circular Economy (CE) is an alternative to the traditional linear economy of “take, make, dispose”. CE aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible and extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recovers and regenerates products and materials at the end of their useful life.

CE promises many highly desirable outcomes including the sustainable use of the world’s resources, robust avenues for economic growth with lowered environmental impact, and new, high quality employment opportunities.

It is widely recognised that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will have a key role to play in CE. However, the opportunities and challenges they face in the transition to CE are underexplored.  

This workshop brings together academics, businesses and policy makers with four specific aims:

This workshop is designed to deliver something of value to all participants. As academic researchers, we wish to hear first-hand about the challenges SMEs face in engaging with CE practices and ideas about the form of support that would help remove these barriers.

For businesses, the workshop will offer a space to engage with other firms and relevant stakeholders as well as hearing from Professor Martin Charter who is a member of the BS 8001 framework Advisory Board. This is also an opportunity to share know-how about existing successful CE business models, identify shared problems and explore solutions in a local context. You will find an outline agenda below.

If you would like to read some background information on the Circular Economy, we suggest you take a look at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation website: www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to the workshop on Thursday 19^th January 2017 from 4pm to 7pm. To confirm your attendance or for further information please contact Peter Desmond of Growth International on 07956 586390 or at circulareconomy@growthinternational.com

Agenda

3.45pm - Registration and refreshments

4.00pm - Welcome & Introduction

4.10pm - “What is the Circular Economy?” – a video from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

4.15pm - The new BS 8001 framework and circular business models – Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design, University of Creative Arts & BS8001 Advisory Board

4.40pm - Round Table Discussions

5.30pm - Feedback from Table Discussions

6.00pm - The potential of a region-wide network for facilitating the transition to CE

6.15pm - Green Growth Platform Circular Economy project – Rachel Espinosa

6.25pm - Wrap up and Conclusion

6.30pm - 7.00pm - Refreshments

VAT Specialist Appointed at Carpenter Box

Dan’s accountancy career spans 14 years. Having trained in accountancy he went on to specialise in tax, so is both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser.

As a new member of the firm’s Tax Advisory team, Dan will provide advice to clients in a wide range of businesses and with a particular focus on specialist VAT advice, one of the most complex areas of taxation.

Dan looks to identify tax planning opportunities for his clients, helping them to become tax-efficient. His wide experience around accountancy and tax means that he is able to combine both sides, to give business advice that is really joined up.

Dan explains: “I have always worked in the Worthing area and was very familiar with the fact that MHA Carpenter Box is a progressive firm with a very good reputation. Its large client base spans many sectors. I’m confident that I can add further strength to the firm with my wide accountancy knowledge and, in particular, the specialist VAT advice that I am able to provide – a specialism that is quite rare in the accountancy profession.”

Dan lives in Worthing and outside of work he is a keen Formula 1 fan and cinema buff enjoying films ranging from sci-fi to comedy.

Safe In Sussex receive Xmas donation from Chamber members 

Local charity Safe In Sussex were delighted to receive an early Christmas present in the form of a donation from Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce.

The charity, who provides refuge accommodation for women and children subjected to domestic abuse, received the cheque for £385 from Tracie Davey, Operations Manager of the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce. The money was raised through a Christmas raffle at the Chamber’s Xmas social event.

Louise Gisbey, Fundraising & Marketing Manager for Safe in Sussex said, ‘our refuges are a place where women and their children can feel safe and be given the vital support they need, both practical and emotional and all donations large or small make a tremendous difference’.

‘We have been really touched this year by several businesses and individuals who have supported us and this particular donation will go towards funding a new oven which we desperately need.  We are really thrilled that the Chamber decided on our charity and look forward to continuing to work closely with them.’

For more information on Safe In Sussex please see www.safeinsussex.org

Political leaders’ concern over funding reductions 

Political leaders have criticised plans which will leave all but one district council in West Sussex financially worse-off in 2017. New Homes Bonus payments to councils nationwide by the Government will reduce by £240million in 2017/18, with the funds diverted to adult social care. 

The plan, along with other changes to the way the housebuilding incentive is calculated, will see West Sussex councils receive up to 27 per cent less. 

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin, whose authority will be hardest hit, said: “I’m particularly disappointed they are choosing to fund the social care crisis by taking money off district councils and the New Homes Bonus. 

“I will be screaming about the reduction and before it was announced I fired the warning shots across the MP.”Horsham District Council is the only district council in the county expected to see an increase in New Homes Bonus, according to figures provided by Crawley Borough Council leader Peter Lamb.

 A HDC spokesman said the expected 9.49 per cent increase reflected the ‘sheer increase in volume of new homes being built in the district’. But the outlook was bleaker for Crawley, with the borough’s anticipated reduction of 24.29 per cent the second highest drop in the county. 

Mr Lamb said the Labour-controlled authority had been ‘repeatedly harder hit’ than its neighbours over the last six years. He said the council had been penalised because of the changes – despite taking proactive steps to develop available land. 

The reduction in New Homes Bonus represents around £500,000 – but Mr Lamb said the council would not make kneejerk reactions. Mr Lamb’s figures show Crawley would experience the largest reduction (6.44 per cent) in overall spending power, taking into account the wider provisional local government settlement. The funding changes have raised concerns on a national level. 

The District Councils’ Network (DCN), the collective voice for local authorities across England, will exploring the potential for transitional measures to help soften the blow. Arun District Council leader Gill Brown acts as planning spokesman for the DCN. 

In addition to the £240million reduction, she said New Homes Bonus will be paid over five years in 2017/18, instead of the current six. This will reduce to four years in the following year. Councils will also need to achieve housing growth of more than 0.4 per cent before they receive New Homes Bonus funding.

 She said: “The DCN is very concerned about the proposal to review the baseline in future to reflect significant and unexpected growth. “The consultation on the provisional settlement asks for views on whether there should be any transitional measures for local authorities to deal with these changes. 

“The DCN will be actively exploring this route to set out its concerns in relation to the new baseline rate in particular and will be offering proposals to mitigate the impact on district councils. We will also be involving MPs as part of co-ordinated district response.”

Photo: Crawley leader Peter Lamb

Read more at Crawley Observer here

Innovate UK Funding Competition: Open Programme Round 2 

Innovate UK is to invest up to £15 million in innovative research and development projects that will turn innovation excellence into economic impact for the UK.

The aim of this competition is to help businesses develop new products, processes and services with commercial potential. Proposals should demonstrate disruptive and/or cutting-edge innovations. Businesses should demonstrate evidence-based ambition and potential for return on investment, growth and scale-up, preferably with access to global markets.

To be in scope, total costs for the project must be between £25,000 to £1 million. Projects should last between 6 months to 36 months.

The competition is open to businesses of any size. You can work individually or collaboratively.

For more information please visit:

http://engage.innovateuk.org/technologystrategyboardlz//WebCapture.aspx?pID=6838&t=0

British Marine Meet the Buyer event; buyers confirmed to date

The British Marine Meet the Buyer event is back once again, taking place during the London Boat Show from 10th - 11th January 2017 at ExCel in London.

The event provides a unique opportunity for International Buyers and UK Suppliers of marine products and services to network in one location saving on travel time, air fares and scheduling issues. Last year 17 international buyers had over 450 twenty minute meetings with over 50 suppliers over two days.

Confirmed buyers include Baglietto, San Lorenzo and T.Mariotti from Italy, Palby Marine and Tuco Yacjt Vaerft from Denmark, Byggplast from Sweden, Marintek Deniz and Yeke Denizcilik from Turkey, Moreman from Russia, Pendennis Shipyard from the UK, Poly Sources Development and Beijing EV Culture from China and Plastimo from France. A number of well known brands are also waiting to be confirmed including Elan Yachting, Fincantieri, Portofino Yachts and Yacht Chandlers from the US.

Why sign up?

* Establish new international business contacts without incurring extensive travel costs
* Book appointments with hard to access Buyers from the world's largest boatbuilders
* Talk to potential new partners and gain market
* The Suppliers who took part in the 2015 edition were expecting to win a total of £1.2m to £2.4m worth of business.

Spaces for this event are limited and offered on a first come first serve basis.

To secure your space participants need to complete the registration form at the following link:

http://britishmarine.co.uk/Events-and-Courses/2017/January/EVT11001-Meet-the-Buyer-2017

Click on the "Suppliers" tab and download the "Registration Form".

Send the completed form back to JSargeant@britishmarine.co.uk

For full event details please visit: http://britishmarine.co.uk/Events-and-Courses/2017/January/EVT11001-Meet-the-Buyer-2017

Spofforths Trading as Kreston Reeves from January 2017

Following the merger of Spofforths and Kreston Reeves in June this year, Spofforths will trade as Kreston Reeves from January 2017. 

Since the merger earlier this year, the new organisation has been combining the best of both former firms - successfully integrating people, systems and processes. The rebranding of Spofforths marks the next stage of the process to ensure a smooth transition for clients, partners and staff that began when the merger was announced in March 2016.

The combined practice creates one of the largest, most experienced accountancy and business advisory services firms in the South-East. Kreston Reeves has grown significantly in recent years and with the addition of Spofforths, the firm now has over 50 Partners and more than 450 staff in 10 locations across London, Kent and Sussex. The combined new firm has a turnover exceeding £30 million, ranking it among the top 25 accountancy and business advisory services in the UK.

Nigel Fright, Managing Partner of Kreston Reeves, comments: "We are delighted to progress to this significant milestone and we are proud that we have achieved it working with partners who share our business values and are committed to retaining the level of expertise and service that all our business and personal clients expect. This added depth of resource and breadth of service also enables us to expand our international reach."

Richard Spofforth, formerly Managing Partner of Spofforths and now a member of the Management Board and leadership team at Kreston Reeves, said: "Although the Spofforths name will change, the values, expertise and commitment the firm has always represented will not. This merger builds one firm for the future and, importantly, one which respects both of our particularly deep connections to the interests of those who entrust their financial affairs to us."

The firm will continue to service the needs of entrepreneurial and growing businesses, and the needs of individuals. The comprehensive range of services available to clients includes traditional accountancy, Audit and Assurance, Forensic Accounting and Litigation support, Business and Share Valuations, International tax, VAT and Duty, Restructuring and Corporate Finance among others. There is particular focus on key sectors which include academies and education, agriculture, charities, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing, private wealth, professional practices, property and construction and technology.