The Minister of State for Exports, Andrew Griffith MP, shares helpful information for exporting businesses

The Export Support Service is the first point of contact for UK businesses looking to find answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe. Businesses can access the Export Support Service by visiting www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team or by calling 0300 303 8955.

The UK Export Academy is a free, comprehensive training offer available to UK businesses with a product or service that can be sold internationally. The UK Export Academy’s foundation course, market access events, sector specific webinars and masterclasses give businesses the knowledge and skills to sell to customers around the world by learning from experts in international trade. Since its launch in mid-November, over 9,000 businesses have signed up to the UK Export Academy from across the UK. To learn more about the UK Export Academy, and to register for free events, please visit: www.great.gov.uk/exportacademy.

The newly launched UK Tradeshow Programme gives grants to help businesses to maximise their impact at international tradeshows, whether as exhibitors or visitors. Exhibiting at overseas trade shows can help you gain essential market knowledge and increase both your companies brand awareness and your business sales. To apply for support through the UK Tradeshow Programme, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-tradeshow-programme#how-to-apply.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s world-class export credit agency. UKEF work with the Department for International Trade, Her Majesty’s Treasury and over 70 private lenders and credit insurers to support UK businesses that export. UKEF’s tried and tested product range includes buyer finance, exporter guarantees and insurance. UKEF currently supports exports to over 200 countries. UKEF’s regional Export Finance Managers are on hand to help guide you through the export process. Find your nearest Export Finance Manager here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager.

Your local trade team is also on hand to offer expert advice and support including assessing whether you are eligible for funding. DIT’s Internationalisation Fund can provide match funding of between £1,000 and £9,000 to access third party expertise, to overcome barriers and access new International Markets, subject to eligibility and suitability. Funding may also support exhibiting at Trade Fairs, Trade Missions and independent market visits. You can find your local trade team at: www.great.gov.uk/contact/office-finder.

Sir Robert Woodard Academy Need Your Help to Support their Year 11 Careers Day

Our Year 11 Aspire Day is the highlight of the year for our careers programme, and it relies on our community to generously donate their time.

During the one-hour sessions, a range of adults speak to students about the jobs they do, and the journey taken to get there. It's all about helping our students understand the pathways available to them, as well as hearing about jobs that they may never have heard of before.

The format is virtual speed networking, and students move from table to table to speak with adults for between five and ten minutes.  At any one time, you are likely to be speaking to 3 or 4 students.

Year 11 Aspire Day: 25th November 

Session 1: 11:05 (1 hour)

Session 2: 12:25 (1 hour)

Can you join us for one or both of these sessions? You might be thinking "I'm not sure what to say" - every story and journey is helpful. What did you study? How did you get into your current role? What other jobs have you done? Which skills do you think are most important to succeed in the modern workplace?

If so please email careers@srwa.co.uk and let us know which session you can attend.

New partnership offers boost for entrepreneurs network in Sussex

An exciting new partnership has been announced to support thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses in Crawley, Hove, Worthing and the county of Sussex. 

Workshops and events, sector specific meet-ups, seminars and digital learning material plus networking and more, will be on offer thanks to a new collaboration between Freedom Works and Barclays Eagle Labs.  Founded in 2016, Freedom Works has been supporting businesses offering co-working and flexible space to encourage growth for those wanting to work near their home along the South Coast. 

The new Barclays Eagle Labs partnership will support three of Freedom Works current sites; Astral Towers, Crawley, Hove Business Centre, Hove and The Mill Building, Worthing. 

The Freedom Works and Barclays Eagle Labs partnership will provide a more extensive package of support for over 2,000 businesses across the Freedom Works network.  This will include support from a dedicated ecosystem manager providing access to technical expertise, mentoring and connections required to integrate companies into Barclays’ UK wide network, bringing businesses together to create potential new partnerships to help start-up and scale-up businesses alike achieve their ambitions.   Barclays’ local business banking teams and specialist ‘high-growth’ managers will also be available to provide banking support to companies and entrepreneurs.  

Jon Trigg, Founder and Managing Director of Freedom Works, said “One of our goals is to provide a collaborative environment for our members to help provide more than a roof over their heads.  To date we have benefited from peer-support within the community.  But, the partnership with Eagle Labs will now enable our members to benefit from the fantastic curated supported delivered through Barclays Eagles Labs programmes and hands on support.” 

David Hamilton, Lead for Transformation and Partnerships, Barclays Eagle Labs, said: “We’re looking forward to expanding the support offered by Barclays Eagle Labs to further deepen our commitment to entrepreneurs working alongside Freedom Works at Crawley, Hove, Worthing and across Sussex. Barclays Eagle Labs is committed to supporting the development of entrepreneurship skills and has a mission to inspire and educate ambitious founders and start-ups across the UK to help them succeed.” 

Barclays Eagle Labs is one of the largest co-working and incubator networks for start-ups and scale-ups in the UK, supporting over 30 business ecosystems throughout the country. The Labs are spaces to help entrepreneurs and ambitious businesses collaborate, innovate and grow - effectively skills factories for the UK - and they have supported over 6000 businesses to date. 

An official launch will take place in the New Year.

The latest Financial Update from George Square Financial Management

THE BIG THREE

• 1) I told you I was serious

Last week brought the news of a 0.75% rate hike here from the Bank of England and the same across the pond from the Federal Reserve. Markets are noticing that inflation is growing more slowly than it was and are betting that it will soon fall sharply. For this reason, expectations keep building that these Central Banks will stop raising rates soon. But we should note that they have said very consistently that they will keep going until they are 100% sure inflation is beaten. There is good evidence it is starting to fall but they need more than that and until they have it we can expect interest rates to carry on rising.

• 2)   So, when will things recover?

This $1 million question is almost impossible to answer. We do know that we are heading for a recession but that it looks likely that on a global basis it will only be a mild one. The market has already fallen significantly and put that recession in the price. So we can be hopeful that a recovery is approaching. Whilst it is impossible to time such a move, we can describe the shape of it. We believe it is likely that the value of bonds will recover first. This is because bond investors have already taken the pain of higher interest rates and we do not see their price falling further.

• 3)   And what about shares?

We believe the recovery in shares may come later, perhaps sometime into 2023. We believe that the first shares to recover will be high-quality companies that have reliable earnings, even if they are a little dull. This will be followed by a recovery in faster-growing companies. In the meantime, we are clear on our strategy. We are taking advantage of the recovery in bonds that we believe will come first and we are continuing to own a strong weighting in US dollars which is the world’s safe haven in difficult times. These strategies help us both protect returns in difficult times but also to prepare to capture the coming recovery.

© 2022 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 take into account 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. This material may include charts displaying financial instruments’ past performance as well as estimates and forecasts. Any information relating to past performance of an investment does not necessarily guarantee future performance. Albemarle Street Partners is a trading name of Atlantic House Fund Management LLP who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. George Square Financial Management Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Finding the Balance

FREE talk hosted by Sandra Crathern, founder of 'Innavision' and author of “Know the Truth". An inspirational life coach with a passion for promoting personal change and finding balance in the chaotic nature of modern-day life. Sandra has been there and done it, knowing what has made the difference and how to inspire that in others.

The 30-40 min talk will give you a snapshot into the work Sandra does, whilst also introducing you to some of the tools that enable growth and change. 

Date: Monday 7th November 
Time: 7:00pm 
Location: Beach Cafe, Littlehampton, Sea Road, Littlehampton BN16 2NA

New look, new logos and new design for Classic Collection Holidays’ brands

Classic Collection Holidays has unveiled a brand refresh for the first time since 1988.  From 01 November 2022 Classic Collection Holidays becomes the parent company to two brands: Classic Collection and Classic Package Holidays. The operator has revealed new brand identities including fresh logos and creative directions for both its tour operations. 

Classic Collection has been given a bold new look to resonate with its affluent target demographic and to stand out in the tailor-made luxury holiday marketplace.  Sibling brand Classic Package Holidays has also been updated to reflect it’s more playful, lower-price-point proposition.

Speaking at the launch of the company’s re-brand, Oliver Garner, CEO, Classic Collection Holidays commented, ‘Over the last four years we’ve maintained our investment in existing key destinations, whilst continually adding new ones. For Classic Collection, we have been focussed on product differentiation and more complex product to increase market share.  We’ve added more long-haul destinations, private and escorted tours, safaris, and boutique hotel properties.  Complex multi-centre holiday itineraries now comprise a significant percentage of Classic Collection sales. Agent-only Classic Package Holidays has seen considerable investment in technology, resources to support the travel trade and new destinations and hotel product. As one of the UK’s leading business-to-business holiday retailers we need to sell strongly differentiated brands which cover the different price points of the UK package holiday market.’ 

‘We're delighted that our new Classic Collection look has landed; an understated, elegant style that's reflective of our premium holiday products and personalised service. Our strong service ethic and personalised approach remains highly relevant to the discerning traveller, and our heritage is something we value.  However, our visual identity needed a recalibration so that the high quality hotels and high-end travel experience we provide is clear in our brand communications across all platforms.’

Classic Collection’s new branding will be seen for the first time at the launch of the operator’s all new Indian Ocean & Arabia brochure.

Garner continued, ‘Since its launch in March 2019, Classic Package Holidays has been available exclusively through our nationwide network of travel agency partners. It offers a huge choice of airports, airlines and more than three thousand three to five star hotels at very accessible price points. This brand has also been updated to reflect it’s more playful agent-only, budget-conscious proposition.’

Garner concluded, ‘Our main aim was to ensure Classic Collection Holidays’ two brands have an impactful presence across all communication channels, including traditional media marketing materials as well as video and online content. For both our brands it’s a new logo, a new look and a new design language but the same trusted travel expertise with which we have been serving our travel agent partners since Classic Collection Holidays started in 1988. Our new brands are the secure foundation upon which we can build our future success and fulfil our full potential.’

️Local Business Shortlisted for an Enterprise Nation Adviser Award!

Lisa Kerr, CEO and founder of Consulting with Kerr has been shortlisted for this prestigious award in the Finance and Accounting Category.  She needs your vote!

Here's what she had to say...

"I'm delighted to have been shortlisted in the Finance & Accounting category of the Enterprise Nation Adviser Awards 2022. Voting is now open and it's up to the public (yes that's you) to decide who's the best business adviser. It only takes a minute and it would mean the world to me"

You can vote for Lisa here https://lnkd.in/ejd-7Uej

If you don't already know me, here's a little intro:

What I do: "My business is www.consultingwithkerr.com I'm a small business coach / mentor / consultant - the hat I wear depends on what each of my clients needs and much of my work can be done online so I work nationally I first trained at Deloitte as a Chartered Accountant (a long time ago) and I've also trained and worked in Corporate Finance, HR Management, Project Management, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Reward Management and Design.

Thinking I've worked with businesses from global corporates to local start-ups and my passion is supporting small business owners I've developed my framework - Productivity 4 Profitability - reviewing Perspective, Performance, People and Process to identify and implement the changes that will deliver the greatest business benefits.

I'm a Growth Champion and Digital Champion for Coast to Capital LEP Growth Hub. I'm a mentor on the Government-sponsored Help to Grow: Management programme, supporting cohorts from Bournemouth University Business School, Oxford Brookes Business School and Small Business Britain.

I'm proud to be Co-Founder and Director of Camden Open Air Gallery - a role that grew from a one-hour-per week coaching session with the inspirational Finn Brewster Doherty"

Who I am: "I live on the South Coast of England, with my husband Nigel Kerr IEng, our son and our rescue Boxer dog I'm autistic and ADHD - I was diagnosed in early 2020, just as I set up my own business and the same day Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown, so the last two years have been a journey (to say the least). I only publicly shared my diagnoses a couple of weeks ago as it's taken me this long to gather the confidence to talk about my neurodivergence.

I want to be an advocate for other differently abled business owners. Did you know that ‘Kerr’ is actually pronounced ‘care’? So my business name has a dual meaning – as well as being my surname, it’s also one of my core values. I care about doing a great job for my clients."

My greatest reward is seeing my clients succeed, while I support them from behind the scenes.

A Festive Winter Pop Up, Colonnade House 2022

13 - 24 December 2022 // 10.00 - 17.00

15 December 2022 // Late night shopping // 10.00 - 19.00

Men in Sheds /  Figment Arts  / Superstar Arts / John Bond / Diane Bailey / Sam Murdoch / Mark Humphreys / Alison Tyldesley / Carolyn McConnell / Wendy Palmer / Peon Boyle / Irma’s Craft / & More.

Discover local art in Worthing this December at our Festive Winter Pop Up at Colonnade House. This year, we’re welcoming creative charities and local makers to the gallery with lots of gifts made and designed by our studio members.

Come down to meet the makers and purchase some truly unique gifts this Christmas. There will be a selection of prints, ceramics, t-shirts, hand made cards & more.

For any last minute gifts, come to our late night shopping event for mulled wine & mince pies on Thursday 15 December until 19.00.

Meet the Charities;

Men in Sheds

Men in Sheds are back at our Festive Pop up this December. They are an organisation that provides community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. They will be joining us this year at the shop, bringing along a selection of unique hand carved wooden items.

Figment Arts

Figment Arts are based in the South East. They are an arts organisation that works with artists and communities to amplify their voices. They run artist support programmes and work in a range of artistic mediums. You can find them this December at Colonnade House selling t-shirts, a selection of prints and other small unique gifts.

Superstar Arts

Superstar Arts is a charity that runs creative educational projects for people with learning disabilities. This year, they will be selling tea towels, t-shirts, notebooks and bags as well as a range of Christmas stock including pom-pom wreaths.

Meet the artists;

Sam Murdoch

Samuel Murdoch is a Worthing based illustrator, animator, muralist and animation director. Sam is also one of our studio members, where you might find him designing or directing animations, commercial illustration projects and large scale mural commissions. All under the umbrella of his creative studio, Ugly Duck Ltd. Sam will be selling one of his original screen prints along with some digital indigo prints.

Mark Humphreys

Mark Humphreys is an artist and framer. He has been running his picture framing business ‘Howells Frames’ for the past two years at Colonnade House as one of our studio members where he has put his own stamp on bespoke framing. Mark will be selling some of his latest abstract artworks so pop by to see what he has to offer.

Diane Bailey

Award winning artist Diane Bailey is based in West Sussex. She is well known for her striking wildlife paintings, capturing each creature’s individual personality. Beautiful professional prints, cards and coasters will be available to purchase as well as original paintings.

Alison Tyldesley

Alison is a contemporary landscape artist working primarily in acrylics on canvas. She aims to capture intense light and atmosphere in her work – particularly glowing horizons, wild skies and seas and receding hills. Her intention is to create an emotional response to landscape and successfully negotiate the delicate balance between representation and abstraction.

John Bond

John Bond is an illustrator, author and artist based in Worthing. He creates work for books, merchandise, print projects, campaigns and has exhibited his artwork internationally. John will be selling signed copies of his books, art prints, greetings cards and more.

Wendy Palmer

Wendy Palmer ceramics - vessels as decorative objects. Using the nature of the clay to dictate form, Wendy uses simple techniques to fix pieces together to form shapes that are inspired by the downland landscapes and coastal environment of Sussex, decorated with a bold and heightened colour palette. Wendy will be selling festive decorations and a gift selection for anyone wanting to own or gift locally produced artwork that captures the local landscape.

Carolyn McConnell

Carolyn McConnell is an artist as well as one of our studio members. Carolyn will be joining us, selling some of her latest original artworks & prints. All profits from Carolyn's work will be donated to Mencap who offer support to people with learning disabilities, their families and carers.

Peon Boyle

Peon approaches her subject matter with great sensitivity, usually drawn to the more humble aspects of the natural world. Elevating unassuming wildflowers or grasses to centerstage in her artwork, more recently looking at moths as her muse. There is a sense of beauty, transience and an ethereal element running through all of her recent work which forms a core thread that links all her artwork together. Peon has a versatile skill set across a range of printmaking methods which she is constantly expanding in order to enhance not only her own working practice but also for the benefit of the many students she teaches in the local areas.

Irma’s Craft

Irma Latsanych is a Ukrainian artist and Worthing resident. Irma Works with Japanese polymer clay, making lifelike flowers. Her Christmas collection presents not only flowers in glass baubles but Christmas decorations of different shapes such as; a range of little angels and indoor wreaths.

About Colonnade House

Colonnade House is the home of local art in Worthing, showcasing work by painters, printmakers, sculptors and photographers. On the ground floor there are two gallery spaces, and on the upper three floors are ten studios available to rent to people working in the creative industries. Find out more about what we do at colonnadehouse.co.uk/about

December 2022 Exhibitions & Events at Colonnade House

This month at Colonnade House, you will find lots of festive inspiration and community spirit. After her appearance on ‘Kirstie's Handmade Christmas’, local textile designer Lucy Rowan is holding craft workshops,  joined by Ellie Bond, to get you in the Christmas spirit.

There’s lots to look forward to at our annual Pop Up Shop! This year, we’re bringing creative charities & local makers to our gallery, with plenty of gifts made & designed by our studio members. Fancy making your own gifts ? Personalise & craft your own festive gifts at our Space to Make Festive Tech Workshop sessions. Finally, we bring 2022 to an end with Walter Wall and his latest collection of work ‘Fragments 2’.

Find all of this and more at Colonnade House, Worthing’s creative hub.

Peas & Needles: I Made it Myself

6 - 11 December 2022

Fancy making some unique decorations for your home, friends or family? Book onto a craft session run by Lucy Rowan. ‘I Made it Myself’ is your invitation to do just that in this fun-filled festive week of craft workshops for all. From weaving, to macrame, to punch needle, there’s something for everyone. Artist and educator Ellie Bond will also be there to guide you through the making of her beautiful bird decorations.

Pop Up Shop

13 - 24 December 2022

Our annual pop up shop is back! Featuring artwork and handmade crafts from local artists and charities. We have John Bond, Diane Bailey, Sam Murdoch, Mark Humphreys, Alison Tyldesley, Carolyn McConnell, Peon Boyle, Irma’s Craft and Wendy Palmer bringing a selection of prints, paintings, and tabletop gifts to the gallery this December. We are pleased to invite Men in Sheds, Figment Arts and Superstar Arts and more for a wonderfully community festive Christmas. Come and support our local artists and makers.

Space to Make: Festive Tech Workshop

13 - 18 December 2022

This winter, get creative at our Space to Make Festive Tech Workshop. From tech to craft, come and personalise your own gifts. We’re transforming Gallery 2 into a pop-up tech workshop. Visit us & drop in on 15 December and use our Ender 3D printer & Glowforge laser cutter and watch your designs come to life. Make keyrings, coasters & baubles, the possibilities are endless.

Walter Wall: Fragments 2

20 - 24 December 2022

Expect colour & texture on a grand scale. Local artist Walter Wall is back at Colonnade House with his latest collection of work; ‘Fragments 2’. As well as being open on the lead up to Christmas. You will be able to continue enjoying Walter’s work through the windows of Colonnade House until the new year.

About Colonnade House

Colonnade House is the home of local art in Worthing, showcasing work by painters, printmakers, sculptors and photographers. On the ground floor there are two gallery spaces, and on the upper three floors are ten studios available to rent to people working in the creative industries. Find out more about what we do at colonnadehouse.co.uk/about

George Square Financial Management - Monthly Market Commentary

The lessons of history and a tantalising glimpse of recovery

Today, being a stock market investor is like being the skipper of a ship. You are below deck, the hatches are battened down and the wind and rain are battering your boat. Yet through a crack to the side of a porthole, you can see in the distance a ray of sunlight breaking through the black storm clouds. The most experienced sailors may even be able to detect a pattern in the ripples of the distant sea and see calmer waters emerging.

To be optimistic at times like this is challenging, but it is also one of the vital skills of investment. History teaches us that each and every year, you are faced with an avalanche of negative news. This news can of course lead to sharp falls in stock markets, and yet somehow through it all, eventually the relentless march upwards for shares is resumed. It is almost always possible to identify a perfectly good reason why markets will fall. Imagine picking a year at random from the last twenty.

You can download and read the full article here GS October Commentary Chamber of Commerce.pdf