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Welcome to the latest Enews from Coast to Capital LEP. This month our focus is on Export success.

We probably all agree that our region needs to be an agile economy to maintain its position as a thriving location for inward and outbound trade. Our innovative businesses are well placed to effectively anticipate and respond to new commercial, technological and geopolitical developments as they take place around the world. However, research shows that only 21% of companies in our region trade overseas, creating value of £9.1bn for our local economy. Imagine how just a small increase on these numbers would benefit our region. So, with that in mind, in this issue we are pleased to highlight some of the places where you can access helpful information and support as well as some local international trade success stories. Mike La Rooy – Chairman, Coast to Capital International Committee IT’S EXPORT WEEK! UK Trade & Investment is holding its 6th Export Week and during this week there are a varied series of events all over the UK, aimed at businesses to either start their export journey or increase their international business. Previous Export Weeks have seen over 17,000 companies in the UK attend exporting focused events. Find out more here. Growth and expansion into new markets are key to building the success of a business, says Malcolm Brabon, Coast to Capital’s Business Support Manager. This can be achieved not only by winning and retaining domestic customers but also by moving into international markets. The potential benefits of doing business overseas are considerable, but businesses need to be aware of potential risks. Some are put off by what they consider to be seemingly overwhelming factors from language barriers to legal complexities. But thorough preparation and research can help mitigate the risks and overcome those barriers. If you’re new to exporting there are some questions you need to consider before venturing overseas. Read Malcolm’s advice online here. EXPORT SUCCESS STORIES...

Coast to Capital powers local manufacturer’s expansion

Insulated Tools manufactures tools for electrical workers. Since 2010, it has promoted its products in overseas markets including North America, Australia, India and New Zealand.

The company has received an outstanding response and orders are now being received from major multinational companies within the power utilities market place. This success however, has created a need to increase production capacity.

The company successfully applied for a Coast to Capital Business Growth Grant to purchase new machinery to meet the demands of the overseas orders.

Read the full story here.

Software drives international success

Optima Systems specialises in software development. When Optima started out in 1990, the original aim was to provide specialist programming and consulting skills to the IT sector. In 2000, the company first started to explore the idea of overseas trade, but it was only after receiving support from UK Trade and Investment that this side of the business really started to take off.

Fast forward to today and the business has grown its international turnover 18-fold since 2013, from £50k to over £900k, and the outlook is for international trade to become a significant part of its total turnover over the next couple of years.

Read the full story here.

Cheers to Ridgeview’s success

Dedicated to creating world class sparkling wines, husband and wife Mike and Chris Roberts founded the Ridgeview Wine Estate in the South Downs of England in 1994. Since then, the second generation of the family have joined the business, which today employs 13 people and produces 250,000 bottles a year.

Support from Coast to Capital and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has helped Ridgeview Wine Estate to proactively explore new markets. A Coast to Capital Business Growth Grant has allowed Ridgeview to install a new, faster bottling line that has more than doubled its capacity and improved the quality of its wines. Exports now account for 20 per cent of its business.

Read the full story here.

Awards success for Worthing business leader

A Worthing director has been named among the region’s top business leaders in the IoD London and the South Director of the Year Awards.

The awards, run by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and open to members and non-members, are sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and bring together company directors from a variety of backgrounds, recognising their qualities as business leaders.

Peter Webb, Managing Director of Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd of Worthing, was named Director of the Year (Small Company).

Founded in 1983 by Peter and Miriam Webb, Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd is a digital thermometer manufacturer, also producing catering thermometers, moisture meters, pressure meters and other related products.

Peter said: “I’m very happy to receive this award, for myself and my staff, it means a great deal to us all. It is a reflection of the hard work of the management team and the 160 employees.”

Rodger Broad, Director of the IoD South, said: “The standard set by all our finalists was exceptional, so for Peter to win is a tremendous achievement.

“He goes forward to the UK IoD awards in October where he will compete for the title of UK Director of the Year.”

Peter received his award on Wednesday, April 22, at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London.


Caption: Peter Webb, centre, receives his award from John Minards, South East Regional Leader, PwC, (left) and event host, broadcaster Jeremy Vine

15.05.15

National rail strike planned for bank holiday Monday

Rail workers across Britain will stage a 24-hour walkout starting on bank holiday Monday in the first national rail strike for 20 years.

It comes after members of RMT in Operations, Maintenance, Customer Services and associated grades voted ‘Yes’ by massive majorities in a ballot for both strike action and action short of a strike in the current dispute over pay.

The strike will start at 5pm on Monday 25 May and last for 24 hours, likely causing severe disruption when commuters return to work Tuesday morning. The union is also instituting an overtime ban for 48 hours on the Monday and Tuesday.

Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: “This strike is deliberately timed to cause maximum disruption to families trying to enjoy the half-term break and millions more returning to work after the bank holiday. I find it deplorable that the RMT can hold the travelling public to ransom in this way.

“This week we have been talking to ACAS to try to get the RMT back around the table. The public knows only too well that our railway must improve. We want to work with the unions so that we can reward our staff through improved productivity.”

Network Rail’s RMT union members voted 80% for strike action on a 60% turnout, and by 92% for action short of a strike.

The vote comfortably outstripped even the stricter criteria for industrial action proposed by the Conservative Party in its manifesto, which says industrial action in health, education, transport and fire services will only be possible with the support of at least 40% of all eligible union members.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our members have decisively rejected the pay package offered by Network Rail and the failure of the company to make any moves whatsoever in light of the overwhelming vote in the ballot has left us with no option but to move to a rolling programme of industrial action.

"We have a massive mandate for action which shows the anger of safety-critical staff across the rail network at attacks on their standards of living and their job security. It is appalling that Network Rail are refusing point blank to take this dispute seriously, to understand the deep-seated grievance felt by their staff and to come forward with a renewed offer which protects pay, jobs and safety. 

"Our rail staff deserve a fair reward for the high-pressure, safety-critical work that they undertake day and night and the last thing that we need is a demoralised, burnt-out workforce living in fear for their futures and the message has come back loud and clear that that is exactly how they feel about the current offer from Network Rail."

The union has rejected a four-year deal worth £500 per worker this year, followed by three years of increases matching inflation as well as a no compulsory redundancy commitment to December 2016.

Discussing the rejected pay offer, Carne added: “The RMT say we can afford more than what’s on offer. What they don’t say is that Network Rail is a public service body and that all profits are reinvested in building a bigger, better, more reliable railway. Any pay increase comes from the pockets of taxpayers and fare paying passengers.”

The TSSA has also balloted its members for a strike, the result is due next week.

Network Rail has a series of maintenance and engineering works scheduled for Monday 25 May that could be affected by the strike. Work is scheduled to take place on the lines between Hackney Downs and Cheshunt as well as between Oxenholme Lake District and Glasgow Central/Edinburgh with various line closures.

Overnight engineering work is also scheduled to take place between Stalybridge and Manchester Piccadilly closing some lines.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “I condemn any industrial action that disrupts the travelling public. Network Rail has put a fair offer on the table and has sought further talks with the unions.

“Rail passengers will not thank the unions for inflicting this unnecessary disruption.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below or email opinion@railtechnologymagazine.com

You can have your pension cake, but beware, the taxman might eat it!

From paying off a foreign mortgage to making property improvements, the use of funds ‘liberated’ in the first month of ‘pension freedom’ have been wide ranging, according to South Coast and Gatwick-based independent financial advisers, Carpenter Box Wealth Management.

While the new regulations dramatically increase the financial options of many pension-holders over the age of 55, the message from Roy Thompson, Associate at Carpenter Box Wealth Management, is ‘you can have your pension cake…but beware, the taxman might eat it!’

This is because whilst 25% of such a big lump sum may be tax-free, the rest could attract a tax charge of 45%, depending on the amounts involved, because it will be treated as income.

Says Roy: “Over the last month, a number of clients have been investigating withdrawing money from their pension, for example to pay off a mortgage on a foreign property or to carry out improvements on a property. In each case, the level of tax to be paid has come as a real shock to the individual involved so, yes, you can have your money, but it comes at a price.” 

Situations have also arisen where a pension scheme will not allow withdrawals to be made and the fund has had to be transferred to another pension provider who will allow withdrawals – typically, this incurs additional costs.

Add in new pension death benefit rules and it’s clear that specialist advice is needed – so Carpenter Box Wealth Management is running further free breakfast briefings at both its Worthing office on 19 May and 18 June and two sessions at its new Gatwick offices on 9 June and 14 July. More information via http://carpenterbox.com/event-pensions/ or from Lucy Tunstall at Carpenter Box on 01903 234094.   

Have your say on the future of Shoreham’s flood defences

A second public consultation examining options to protect Shoreham and the south coast from flooding is due to take place for four weeks from May 11th 2015.

Following on from the initial consultation that took place in late 2014, the local community are being invited back to see the second draft of flood defence guidance. One of the key areas identified by the Shoreham Harbour Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) as needing defence reinforcements is the Western Harbour Arm, which runs from Adur Ferry Bridge to Kingston Beach, to guard against future risks posed by climate change, rising sea levels and worsening coastal weather.

Specialist flood prevention consultants JBA Consulting & Baca Architects, working with the Shoreham Harbour Regeneration Partnership, have created the proposals set out in the final draft flood risk management documents (officially known as the Flood Risk Management Guide Supplementary Planning Document).  These proposals are distinct from the Adur Tidal Walls project which covers the western bank of the River Adur and the eastern bank from the Adur Ferry Bridge northwards. 

Scott Marshall, Director for the Economy at Adur & Worthing Councils, says
“It is really important for us to get the public’s opinions on the future flood defences for the Shoreham community. We want to reduce the risk of flooding and water damage for residents, businesses and organisations right along the south coast; reinforcing the Shoreham flood defences now means we can reduce these risks for many years to come and protect our communities for generations.”

Integral to the revised plans are new areas for the public to enjoy the river from, with a cycle route and walk way incorporated into the design. The plans will be available for public scrutiny from Monday 11th May 2015 - either through the Councils’ website (http://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/shoreham-harbour-regeneration/consultation/ ) or in person at any one of the following points:

 

* Adur Civic Centre (Shoreham-by-Sea) 

* Bartholomew House (Brighton) 

* Hove Town Hall 

* Portland House (Worthing) 

* Shoreham Library 

* Southwick Library 

* Portslade Library 

* Hove Library

Once the consultation is completed, feedback will be considered by the Councils and their specialist advisors before final decisions are made.

Congratulations to Peter Webb of Worthing based Electronic Temperature Instruments on winning  Director of the Year – Small Company  at the recent London and the South East Director of the Year awards.

London and the South East Director of the Year Awards

Winners Announced

The winners of the 2014 London and the South East Director of the Year Awards were announced, on the evening of 22nd April, at a Gala Awards Dinner held in the impressive Nash Room at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London.

Over 200 finalists and guests attended the sell-out evening where Jeremy Vine gave a thoroughly entertaining update on the election and politics right now followed by some hilarious real life stories drawn from his radio programme.  He closed by congratulating the finalists and all the other business leaders and past winners in the room – as it was their  collective drive and leadership that would be so important to the future economic prosperity of the UK.

With anticipation mounting, the evening moved on to the introduction of the finalists in each category followed by the announcement of the Winners.

With thanks our panel of fifteen Judges, and congratulations to all the finalists, the Winners were announced as follows:

Director of the Year - Large Company
Gareth Rogers - St. Mary’s Football Group (Southampton FC)

Director of the Year - Medium Company (Joint Winners)
Jill Whittaker - HIT Training
and
Mark Smith - The Car Finance Company

Director of the Year – Small Company
Peter Webb - Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd.

Director of the Year International Business
Matt Lumb - Tangle Teazer

Director of the Year - Family Business
Jacqueline O’Donovan - O’Donovan Waste Disposal Ltd.

Director of the Year – Chairman’s Award for Corporate Social Responsibility
James Woollard - Polythene UK Ltd.

Young Director of the Year 
Zoe Powers - GLH Ltd.

Director of the Year – Public and Third Sector
Julie Hopes - Conservation Volunteers

This year’s Winners now go forward to represent London and South East in the UK Director of the Year Finals, taking place in October, when they will be judged against the best from every other part of the UK.

With special thanks to our Headline Sponsors:

 

 

 August sees the arrival of the exciting

StreetVelodrome event launches in Beach House Gardens, Worthing?  

 With that in mind, I am absolutely delighted to share this news release with you, revealing who the event's Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors are, as well as letting local businesses know that opportunities to book a trade stand for the event are still available.

 We're also seeing lots of interest from individuals registering for the competitive race action ballot - full details in the attached and below.

Withless than 100 days to go, Worthing’s StreetVelodrome event is racing ahead

 All available sponsorship opportunities for Worthing’s inaugural StreetVelodrome event have been enthusiastically taken up by local businesses, as residents’ registration numbers pour in.

 The StreetVelodrome Competition is a radically different, free to attend, event which is being brought to Beach House Grounds on the first weekend of August. Using a pro-grade pop-up track, amateur cyclists will be pitting their pace against professional riders in a national competition which will be televised around the globe.

 For the Worthing competition, six breakaway businesses leapt at the chance to sponsor the event, putting their brand in front of the event’s audience.  They are:

 Gold Sponsors

Bowers & Wilkins Group

Parafix Ltd

 Silver Sponsor

Sussex Transport

 Bronze Sponsors

ETI Ltd

Nuffield Health

Worthing Pier Events Ltd

 Scott Marshall, Director for the Economy at Adur and Worthing Councils, says:

 “Strong support for sponsoring the StreetVelodrome shows how highly anticipated this event is in the town.  

 “Having such immediate interest from the local business community proves that the Council made the right decision to invest in bringing this event to Worthing, supporting the tourist economy and delivering value to the local businesses.”

 The first weekend of August won’t just be about watching riders go head-to-head around the banked track in two thrilling  days of displays of sporting prowess - local businesses are also being invited to bring their trade stands to the event.  Costing just £75 per pitch per day, these trade stands will give businesses an unrivalled opportunity to get in with the crowds and competitors.  For more information, interested entrepreneurs should email info@bairdevents.co.uk.

 Local residents and visitors who want to get onto the track can come along on the Saturday where there will be plenty of opportunity to get in line for one of the ‘have a go’ sessions for free.

 Carl Thompson, Series Director for StreetVelodrome, says:

 “80 amateur riders have now entered the free registration ballot for race entries at Round 5 of StreetVelodrome Series to be held in Worthing. From those entering the ballot a lucky few will win guaranteed race entries.

 “The take-up has been absolutely astounding - I don’t think that we’ve ever booked up so many of our race entries so fast!

 “The weekend is shaping up to have something for everyone - whether competing or not - and I can’t wait to see who from Worthing and the surrounding areas makes it to our Grand Final in London at the end of August.”

 Entries into the race registration ballot are currently being accepted through the StreetVelodrome website -

http://www.streetvelodrome.co.uk/.  The weekend is free to attend and will give visitors plenty of opportunities to experience other attractions, see circus workshops or simply have a bite to eat or a drink at the pop up bar whilst the action takes place.

 

 

Increased investment interest in Worthing results in Teville Gate agreement for sale.

 New homes, new businesses and investment in key gateway site - the news of Teville Gate’s agreement for sale could not have come at a better time for Worthing as the town sees a surge in growth and investment interest. 

 While full details of any scheme for Teville Gate will be subject to a full and rigorous public consultation process, early indications are that the developers, purchasing the site from the Official Receiver, are seeking a mixed use development incorporating residential units above a wide range of commercial uses.  

Scott Marshall, Director for the Economy at Adur and Worthing Councils, comments:

“This is a significant day for the town and for the wider Borough. Teville Gate has been high on our priority investment opportunity list, and I’m delighted to see a viable opportunity coming forward for a vibrant mixed use development in a key gateway location.  It’s encouraging news after such a long delay that the Official Receiver has reached an agreement for sale.

 “As soon as the finer details of the sale are negotiated, we will release the name of the site’s new owners and issue a joint statement, which we anticipate being available in early June.”

 James Appleton, Head of Economic Growth at Adur and Worthing Councils comments:

“The Council is keen to see the comprehensive redevelopment of this site to ensure an enhanced pedestrian link between the railway station and the town centre.  In this respect every assistance will be given to the new owners of the site to create a viable and high quality development which will provide a significant boost to the local economy and provide an enhanced gateway into the town centre.”

Teville Gate is the second key regeneration site acquired by developers this year, the first being Union Place which sold in January.  Adur District Council are also in advanced negotiations with a consortium to buy the Adur Civic Centre Site, which will provide new homes and businesses.  

 At this time, it is anticipated that an outline planning application for Teville Gate will be submitted to Worthing Borough Council by the end of 2015.