Worthing neurodivergent entrepreneur named as one of 2023’s most inspiring female founders

Worthing neurodivergent business owner Lisa Kerr said she is “delighted” to be named as one of the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs for 2023 by the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign.

Lisa who founded Consulting with Kerr in 2020, is being profiled alongside 100 female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of the campaign to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today.

Lisa is an award-winning business adviser and mentor, supporting small business owners. She developed the unique ‘Productivity 4 Profitability’ framework which looks across a whole business covering Perspective, Performance, People and Process to discover the areas where small changes can lead to the greatest success.

This year’s f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign celebrates inspiring and resilient female entrepreneurs that have flourished despite the challenges of the past years. Many of the businesses featured in this year’s campaign also demonstrate a huge commitment to championing diversity and inclusion, as well as promoting sustainability.

Indeed, Lisa is also the proud co-founder of Camden Open Air Gallery, which highlights street art and gives opportunities to talented young artists who are often overlooked.  But as if that wasn’t enough, on a daily basis, Lisa cares for her teenage son who has autism, ADHD and Dyspraxia and is also on a personal journey of understanding her own neurodiversity.

“Just weeks before the first Covid-19 lockdown I got my diagnosis and it’s been incredibly challenging building my business while stepping out from my own shadow.  But my greatest reward is seeing my clients succeed so I’m honoured that Small Business Britain feels I’m making a positive difference”, said Lisa.

“This year I’m also training as a Certified ADHD Life Coach, enhancing the support I provide to fellow neurodivergent business owners.”

The f:Entrepreneur campaign was launched in 2017 to raise greater awareness of the impact of incredible female business owners across the country, and help provide inspiration and role models to the wider small business community. Delivered by Small Business Britain – the leading champion of small businesses in the UK – the campaign offers a host of events, training, and networking opportunities to boost skills, capability, and confidence. 

Both f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain were founded by Michelle Ovens CBE, who is also the director of Small Business Saturday UK.

“Congratulations to Lisa Kerr, and each of the talented female entrepreneurs featured in this year’s #ialso100,” said Michelle. “It is so vital that we recognize and celebrate the phenomenal contribution that women running businesses are making across the UK, and the far-reaching, positive impact they are having, not just on the economy, but on wider communities too. The last few years have been hugely challenging for small businesses, yet despite this, female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK, and is very much at the heart of the UK’s recovery.”

In celebration, all of the 2023 female entrepreneurs on the #ialso100 list will gather at the House of Lords for a special event being held on International Women’s Day, for which this year, the theme is #EmbraceEquity.  “I can’t wait to meet this community of brilliant businesswomen and hear about their incredible contributions and sustainability efforts”, said Lisa.

To see the full line-up of the 100 amazing women featured in this year’s f:entrepreneur #ialso100 campaign visithttps://f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2023/

George Square Financial Management February Financial Commentary  

Hopeful beginnings 

The gloom and doom that pervaded most of 2022 has faded in recent months.  

This improvement is well-justified. The spectre of runaway inflation has disappeared and month by month the data has confirmed that the tough talk and interest rate hikes enacted by Central Banks has driven it away.  

We believe that a real risk of a global recession as a consequence of this tightening still exists, but in recent weeks the economic data has been somewhat better than had been expected. This reduction of this risk has also helped markets. 

Inflation continues to ebb: 

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the start of the Ukraine war, year over year comparisons of commodity prices will turn sharply negative. Market expectations imply inflation to fall to 2% in the US by mid-year. Natural gas prices in Europe are already down 80% from their peak.   

Services inflation, the last bastion of inflationist, has stabilized and there are no signs of an impending wage price spiral.  

For the first time on the 1^st of February, Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged that conditions have meaningfully improved. Although US interest rates were still raised by 0.25%, this marked a slowdown of increases and he noted that there was now uncertainty about how many more rises are needed. We believe there may well be just one more rise before the Federal Reserve pauses its efforts and waits to see how significantly economic growth is affected.  

Here in the United Kingdom it may take a little longer. For this reason, the Bank of England raised interest rates by 0.5% again on the 2^nd of February. We believe they too will have one further rise to go. However, an end is in sight.   

Economic activity slowing but not collapsing: 

Forward-looking indicators of economic activity have continued to weaken in the last month across the developed world, but less than had been feared. Manufacturing and services surveys show a slowdown in consumer spending on both sides of the Atlantic.  

The negative backdrop for consumer spending has been helped by the strength of the labour market and robust year on year wage growth. Both Europe and the US recorded positive GDP growth in the fourth quarter. Even in the UK, where cost of living pressures are fairly acute, large retailers noted a pickup in revenue growth during the festive period. 

Our base case for this year remains a recession. US fourth quarter earnings are trending down 5% on 10% revenue growth. Revenue growth is expected to slow to 0% by the end of the second quarter when earnings are expected to bottom. However, this does not mean it will be a severe recession. We should remember that we have in the past 15 years lived through two of the worst recessions ever after the Global Financial Crisis and during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this is not typical and there is no reason to believe the coming recession will follow this pattern. 

China – the year of the rabbit:  

Additional positive news in recent weeks comes from China where the Government has relented on its zero COVID stance and will allow a complete and rapid re-opening of its economy. The news has caused a sharp rally in local stocks as investors look to take advantage of a resurgence in consumer spending. China’s economy faces many challenges in the near term and the removal of COVID restrictions will enable a shift away from infrastructure dependent growth.  

Within our portfolios we are treating the improving conditions with a real but also very rational sense of optimism. We know that opportunity is to be embraced but only to the extent that our investors are willing to accept the risks that come with that opportunity.  

We know though that the world is an uncertain place. We are not in the business of predicting an uncertain future. Rather we plan carefully to cope with different scenarios and build resilience into portfolios to cope with that uncertainty.  

2023 is the year of the rabbit in China. The rabbit symbolises hope and good fortune, something we could all do with this year. 

The value of investments can go down and you may get back less than invested. This material may include charts displaying financial instruments' past performance as well as estimates and forecasts. Past performance does not predict future returns.  

© 2023 George Square Financial Management Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The content of this material is a marketing communication, and not independent investment research. As such, the legal and regulatory requirements in relation to independent investment research do not apply to this material and it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of its dissemination. The material is for general information purposes only (whether or not it states any opinions). It does not consider your personal circumstances or objectives. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) legal, financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by Albemarle Street Partners or George Square Financial Management Ltd that any particular investment, security, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Although the information set out in this marketing communication is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, Albemarle Street Partners or George Square Financial Management Ltd. makes no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither Albemarle Street Partners or George Square Financial Management Ltd. shall be responsible for any loss that you may incur, either directly or indirectly, arising from any investment based on any information contained herein. Albemarle Street Partners is a trading name of Atlantic House Fund Management LLP (AHI). Issued by AHI who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: 135 Bishopsgate, 8th Floor, London, EC2M 3TP. George Square Financial Management Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 

Aspiring restauranteurs offered once in a lifetime opportunity in iconic end of Pier venue, offering the best coastal views in Sussex.

Worthing is the Sussex seaside town attracting national interest for its  rejuvenated and exciting restaurant scene, award-winning sunsets and ever-growing creative community. The team behind the highly successful south coast restaurant and cafe brand The Perch are offering a major
stepping stone for new restaurateurs to Worthing to become part of the thriving and lively coastal town. The jewel in Worthing’s crown is the Art Deco pier, boasting an historic southern pavilion, which the Perch team have recently restored to its former glory to become one of Worthing’s premier venues for dining. Looking back over the southern coast line, with the South Downs filling the horizon, the Nest is a stand alone dining space on the first floor and the ideal spot for a restaurant with a difference. In the right hands, this could be one of the finest hospitality locations in Sussex, with the finest views on the south coast. Since 2015, Perch has been welcomed and supported throughout the county, in Lancing, Eastbourne, and then Worthing. Now they have the chance to pass on some of the goodwill and opportunity that they’ve enjoyed.

Hoping to offer a helping hand to new restaurants looking to launch in Worthing, Perch owner Alex Coombes and his team will provide the stunning restaurant space, with its 35-cover dining area, kitchen full of brand-new equipment and bar, for 18 months, while the new offering is
established. They’ll also offer the help, support and coaching the new operator will need as a restaurateur facing the challenge of expanding into a new location, plus marketing, HR, accounting and operational support if required. Rent will be set as a percentage based on turnover in order to ensure one of the most daunting parts of any restaurant’s overheads is
kept manageable as the new venture becomes established. Potential operators will need to apply, showing a clear vision of how their premium offering will work at the Nest. They’ll have what it takes to create an incredible menu and be able to deliver an exceptional guest
experience. Applicants will also need robust projections of their costs and revenue as this location.

"This is one of the finest dining spaces and I'm tremendously excited to see the ideas and developments that come from it. We want to support and grow a great idea into another fantastic restaurant in Worthing." Alexander Coombes, Managing Director, Perch

The lucky new operator won’t stay at the Nest for ever. The Perch team will be on hand to help the new restaurant get established and build a reputation and then, in a year or two, they’ll assist the new restauranteur to find their own premises in Worthing - with its flourishing culinary scene
and growing population. Once again, The Nest will then be offered to the next batch of aspiring restauranteurs, with the aim being to provide Worthing with an ongoing stream of exciting new additions to the restaurant scene.

For more information on how to apply, please visit www.perch.team/nest.

Children's Mental Health and Well-being Interactive Workshops

In mark of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, Safety Mode Ltd and Inspire You Wellbeing Ltd are collaborating to bring to families a day of interactive workshops based around Children's Mental Health and Well-being. Thank you to Hope Hive for supporting us with the venue :)

Some of the workshops will be parent and child focused separately, in adjacent rooms and some workshops parents and children will join to learn together.

Children ages 6-14 years

Timings of the day:

10-11am
Adults - Understanding when your child is not able to manage their emotions and how to help and how to work with emotional dysregulation to help you and your child get back into their 'window of tolerance'

Children - Feelings House
(Kayla - Safety Mode Ltd)

11.30am - 12.15pm
Adults - How to help your child sleep better.
(Tiffany Lee Coaching)

Children - Relaxation techniques for sleep
(Kayla and Claire)

Lunch 12-15 -1pm Bring your own lunch.
(Well-being crafts available)

1-2pm
Adults and Children - How breathing can help regulate our emotions.
(Claire - Inspire You Wellbeing Ltd)

2-3pm
Adults and Children - Mandala Drawing
Joint creative drawing activity
(Corrina Holyoake Books and Art)

3-3.30pm
Reflection time

Follow the link to book your tickets:

Awareness of Children's Mental Health and Well-being Tickets, Sun 12 Feb 2023 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

Learn about digital career opportunities at new drop-in information hubs

Jobseekers and anyone with an interest in digital skills can find out more about career opportunities in West Sussex at new information hubs popping up across the county in 2023.

Digital Futures West Sussex will be running free drop-in hubs throughout the year to provide guidance to those interested in pursuing a new career path and learning about the range of local digital roles available across various sectors.

The first information hub will be held at the BIPC Centre at Crawley library on Tuesday 31st January between 10am and 3pm, followed by a drop-in hub at Littlehampton Wave leisure centre on Thursday 9^th February from 2pm to 7pm. More information hubs will take place later in the year at locations across the county, including Chichester, Worthing, Arundel, East Grinstead and more.

Jointly funded by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex Districts and Borough Councils, Digital Futures West Sussex is a new programme launched to improve access to digital careers, to showcase the opportunities available and to help meet the rapidly growing employer demands for digital skills.

Barney Durrant is the Digital Futures ambassador for the Crawley and Mid Sussex area and runs his own digital marketing company, Bluebell Digital, in East Grinstead.

Barney said: “If you’re thinking about working in digital or are considering a career change, the Digital Futures information hubs will provide a great opportunity to learn more about the range of jobs available here in West Sussex and various career pathways.

“Often people may not realise they already have relevant skills to work in digital, or that digital roles exist across a variety of sectors. The Digital Futures programme aims to change this by supporting jobseekers and career switchers with guidance on courses, local roles and sharing information on the salaries and benefits associated with a digital career.

“We’re really looking forward to launching the first info hub in Crawley. Whether you’re a student, graduate or someone with an interest in digital skills - please do drop in for a chat.”

Digital Futures West Sussex is delivered by local strategic consultancy Always Possible with support from three Digital Futures ambassadors from across the county. In the Chichester and Horsham districts the ambassador is Luke Mead, chief executive of LMS Group, and in Arun, Adur and Worthing the Digital Futures ambassador is Mark Bullen, managing director of GB Electronics.

The programme team are working in partnership with local authorities, education providers and business networks to connect jobseekers, those seeking a career change, graduates and students with trainers and businesses.

To register for the Crawley information hub on Tuesday 31st January please click here and to register for the Littlehampton information hub on Thursday 9^th February here.

To find out more about Digital Futures West Sussex, please visit: www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk  

About the project

The Digital Futures West Sussex programme is a new campaign launched in September 2022 by West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex Districts and Borough Councils: Adur and Worthing Councils, Arun District Council, Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council and Mid Sussex District Council.

The aim of the project is to connect local businesses with talented job seekers and improve access to routes into digital careers for workers across all ages, from students and graduates to jobseekers and those looking for a career change.

Paul Johnson - Follow the Money Book Launch!

Tackle the Issues*

Paul Johnson, Director for the Institute for Fiscal Studies, introduces his new book launch of “Follow The Money – How Much Does Britain Cost?” .

What is the truth about Britain’s finances? Join us at this important literary event, featuring Paul Johnson and Professor Sasha Roseneil.

Ropetackle Arts Centre is delighted to announce the visit on 24^th February of Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and one of the country’s leading economists, to mark the publication (on 23^rd February) of his book “Follow the Money” – his forensic examination of the way the state raises and spends £1 trillion of our money every year. 

The talk will be at the Shoreham Centre, Pond Road at 7.30pm.

Paul will show how bad politics has resulted in damaging policy decisions, why taxes are rising to unprecedented levels, and how we have neglected the young for too long.

He will also challenge us to recognise that there are no easy solutions and that we, the electorate, need to support politicians in making tough choices, and the trade-offs that are the inevitable, if rarely acknowledged, prerequisite for good policy-making.

Paul will be interviewed by Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of Sussex University. Before her Sussex appointment in August 2022, Professor Roseneil held posts as UCL’s first Pro-Provost for Equity and Inclusion and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences, and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Essex.

Paul was brought up in Shoreham and attended King’s Manor School (now Shoreham Academy) and always draws a sell-out crowd at Ropetackle. The book, published by Abacus at Hatchett UK, will be in book shops from Saturday 25^th March: however our partner, City Books, will be selling copies on the night, which Paul will sign after the event.

What they are saying about “Follow the Money”:

Laura Kuenssberg

Read it, absorb it, and understand how the country works.

Robert Peston

This is an important book by the economist who has set the terms of so much political debate over the past decade. If you want to understand why crazy politics routinely trumps economic rationality in government choices, read this.

Polly Toynbee

Fire and passion, combined with the facts. Every politician should get a copy, as the tales of short-sighted, election-fixated, cowardly decision-making are so depressing. And your way forward looks so blindingly sensible.

*Tackle the Issues is a series of joint Ropetackle, Wordfest and Sussex University events addressing important issues of our time.

For further information and tickets - https://ropetacklecentre.co.uk/events/paul-johnson-follow-the-money/ or phone 01273 464440

Adur & Worthing Trust Creative Commissions 2023

Applications opened 24 January & close midnight 05 March 

Adur & Worthing Trust hope to support at least ten creative projects in Adur & Worthing in 2023. To be able to apply you must be based in Adur or Worthing and your creative project must be shared with the public in some way.

2022 saw a varied selection of funded projects ranging from sheep shearing to drag queens. Sea swimmers to giant kaleidoscopes. As usual, the funded projects showcased the diversity, talent & ingenuity of creatives based in Adur & Worthing. Take a look at last years funded projects and visit the exhibitions to get inspired

Find out more and how to apply here

Colonnade House - February Events!

We began 2023 with an exciting roster of talks, workshops and the launch of our Creative Commissions (more information about those at the bottom of the newsletter). This February we return, to showcase a wonderful selection of artists and creative charities who are bringing poignant, fun and captivating exhibitions to Worthing

7th - 18th February Ukranian Renaissance. Unbowed
The Ukrainian refugees’ dozen will present their culture with handmade works inspired by the unbowed spirit they have despite the tragic obstacles they live through.
Workshops, lectures, and documentaries will help you get a sense of their unconquerable nature: a highlight for Ukrainian art & culture.
https://colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/ukrainian-renaissance-unbowed

21st - 15th February Superstar Arts: Portraits, Prints & More
For this 2023 exhibition, Superstar Arts are focusing on screen prints and portraits, designed, printed, painted and collaged by the Superstar artists with support from arts and craft practitioners.
https://colonnadehouse.co.uk/event/superstar-arts-portraits-prints-more

28th February - 5th March Natalia Samarina: My Art

Natalia is an aspiring artist who started her journey a couple of years ago. After recently moving to Sussex from Moscow, the beauty of the coast, hills and surrounding nature ignited her imagination. In her works she uses various oil painting techniques inspired by the beauty of nature and the works of Monet, Aivazovsky, Cezanne, Renoir, Pissarro and Shishkin. In her words, "everything that creates harmony and light captivates me".

Natalia Samarina: My Art - Colonnade House

Andy's Angels host a Pamper and Prosecco Evening!

Come along to The Rooms Worthing in the Guildbourne Centre and enjoy an evening of relaxing mini treatments , canapes and Prosecco, raising funds for Andy’s Angels Grief Play Café Andy’s Angels (andysangels.org.uk)

This event is open to everyone over the age of 18 years, ticket price includes your choice of mini treatment (which you select when you buy your ticket), a glass of Prosecco and delicious canapes.

You can choose from:

Head, neck, shoulder massage – 15 minutes
Reflexology – 15 minutes

Don’t forget your pennies! We will be holding a raffle on the night with some amazing prizes - last year we raised just over £200 just on the raffle!

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/andysangels/836447

Steps to Innovation - FREE online workshops!

This series of five FREE online workshops focuses on successfully realizing innovation in business. These workshops aim to develop innovation knowledge and skills to progress ideas to commercial value, delivered by university and guest innovation experts.

The sessions are interactive, combining current innovation theory with practical approaches and real-life stories. The series is suitable for business owners of Small and Medium-sized businesses and staff responsible for product/service development or operational improvement.

The series, called STEPS, builds towards the successful launch of an innovation idea and covers five stages: SCOPE, TEST, EVALUATION, PILOT, and SCALE UP. Each session is designed to build upon the previous, like a story.
The first session on 28th February, SCOPE, will cover identifying ideas for innovation and developing initial concepts, the core concepts, different types of innovation, and the capability of a business to innovate.

The second session on 7th March, TEST, will introduce key approaches to testing and proving the worth of an innovation idea. It will explore how to get a proof of concept, validate the idea, and test for strengths and weaknesses.

The third workshop on 14th March, will evaluate the innovation idea through market analysis and competitor research.

The fourth session on 21st March, will cover piloting and trials, and the fifth workshop on 28th March will focus on scaling up the innovation and making decisions on launch.