Does your business have a need for digital and advanced digital skills?

Digital Futures West Sussex, a programme launched to connect local businesses with talented jobseekers, is running an interactive roadshow at Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Wednesday 7^th June from 4pm – 7pm.

Businesses across all sectors are invited to join the roadshow to showcase their company and meet with potential talent. The theme of the roadshow is digital sustainability, with a panel discussion on how this paving the way for business innovation and opportunity in West Sussex.

To register your interest for the Shoreham roadshow and let us know how you'd like to be involved, please click here to complete a short form.

Find out more about the programme at www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk  

Adur & Worthing Council offer FREE Wellbeing Service

Did you know your local council offer a wellbeing service that can help you improve the health of your workplace?

With dedicated wellbeing advisors they will work with you to develop the right approach for your workplace. This can include

• Free on site NHS health checks and wellbeing assessments with tailored support
• Lunchtime wellbeing workshops on topics such as healthy eating and quitting smoking
• Personalised reports and signposting to  other services that can help you improve the wellbeing of your workforce.

Kevin Pearce - Owner of Cedar Garage says "Think of a team member as a car. It's important to maintain their wellbeing, not wait until a break down occurs"

Four tips for creating a happy & healthy workplace

1. Create opportunities and incentives for staff to be physically active eg walk and talk meetings
2. Help staff to access wellbeing services
3. Promote campaigns like Dry January and Stoptober
4. Provide a supportive environment for employees, encourage conversations about health and and wellbeing and reduce the stigma around mental health.

Get in touch

info.wellbeing@adur-worthing.gov.uk  01903 221450

You can download the full brochure here 

Carpenter Box marks 100-year anniversary by fundraising for local charities

Local financial services firm, Carpenter Box, has been joined by special guests including Sussex MPs and the Mayor of Worthing to kick-off its 100-year anniversary celebrations at its head office in Worthing.

The firm was founded in 1923 and has since developed an impressive range of services for businesses and individuals based locally and internationally, growing to a headcount of over 200 and opening four further offices in Brighton, Gatwick, Chichester and London.

Despite Carpenter Box’s long-standing roots, the firm is led by a progressive team of partners with an average age of just 46 and has gained an unmatched reputation for its innovative and forward-thinking approach.

As a member of PrimeGlobal, an international network of independently owned financial advisory firms, Carpenter Box’s team of specialists also have extensive experience helping overseas businesses set up in the UK and trade around the globe.

To mark a successful 100 years in business, the firm aims to give back to the community that it has served in for a century by raising £50,000 through a series of exciting fundraising events, for local charities chosen by the company’s charitable foundation.

Those receiving donations include Red Balloon Worthing, an alternative school for children subject to bullying, homeless charities Crawley Open House and Turning Tides, and mental health charity West Sussex Mind.

Representatives from the charities were among those who attended the firm’s recent 100-year anniversary celebration, along with business people, including those who have sponsored the fundraising efforts with generous donations.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, said: “I’m really pleased to be able to wish Carpenter Box a happy 100^th birthday and to congratulate you on the fantastic firm that you’ve become today. Thank you for all you’ve done for the local community. It’s a great firm, a jewel in the crown of Worthing. Congratulations on your first 100 years and here’s to the second 100 years for Carpenter Box!”

Alan Edwards, Managing Partner at Carpenter Box, commented: “We’re extremely proud and grateful to be celebrating 100 years in business, and the journey we’ve taken to be where we are today.

“In 1923 Robert Carpenter agreed to go into partnership with Harold Box and together they opened a Worthing office at Liverpool Gardens. Today, we have 19 Partners and over 200 staff supporting businesses and families across Sussex.

“We would like to thank all our staff, clients, and the local community who have been a part of Carpenter Box’s journey so far. Here’s to the next 100 years!”

For more information about Carpenter Box, please visit: www.carpenterbox.com  

Local Business Owner, Krisi Smith, Co-Founder of Bird & Blend Tea Co. is on the newly released Amazon Prime ‘Apprentice’ style TV show Ready Set StartUP!

Krisi Smith and her award-winning Sussex based tea company Bird & Blend are featured in a brand new exciting reality TV show ‘Ready Set StartUp’ on Amazon Prime. Tipped to be the next Apprentice, this compelling new television series features 10 young British and Irish entrepreneurs that go head-to-head competing for the lucrative £100k investment for their start up business.

The 6 part TV series involves a thrilling blend of challenges, putting to the test the contestant’s business skills and acumen. Sussex based founder Krisi was selected to be a guest judge on the show, standing alongside Alison Edgar MBE, founder of Intellium Advisory Ying Wang, and Monzo founder Tom Blomfield to name a few.

Krisi and her inspirational company feature in episode 4, in its entirety, with the apt title ‘Tea-riffic Tensions’. Krisi and her team, including Danii who is the Brighton Laines store manager, introduce their magical tea brand to the contestants and set them an exciting business challenge - to deliver a launch event for Bird & Blend’s new product. Tension, drama & entertainment then ensue! Krisi sits on the judging panel, giving the contestants valuable feedback and guidance while ultimately voting on who goes home. 

Krisi says, ‘It was an honour (& super exciting) to be asked to be a judge on the show. The other judges are leading business people & entrepreneurs so to be sitting alongside them was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m super proud to be recognised as a successful Founder & entrepreneur that has been asked to help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. At the London premiere of the show, the consensus was that our episode is a fantastic one to watch with spirits and tensions high, creating a drama heavy, powerful and entertaining show!’.

‘Ready Set StartUp’ is produced and owned by Pictures in Motion, a production company dedicated to creating business and entrepreneurial formats that will entertain, be meaningful, inspire and educate. The show is presented by Irish broadcaster Simon Atkins, it premiered in Cannes and London during April and May, respectively, of this year and it’s available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Chamber Members, Shake It Up Creative, are hosting a free marketing workshop during the Worthing Festival. Arts, culture and creative businesses can learn how to understand and use marketing more effectively. Messaging, SEO basics and social media marketing will all be covered in the session at Worthing Museum on 15th June. 

You can book on here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/worthing-festival-the-art-of-marketing-tickets-592303946047

Worthing’s inaugural multi arts festival runs from the 11th to the 18th June in various venues across Worthing.  With the schedule comprising of music, theatre, dance, art, heritage, comedy, spoken word, workshops, film, outdoor and family events, there's something for everyone.

Some events are free and others low cost, but they can all be found and booked via

https://timeforworthing.uk/whatsonworthingfestival23/

Does your business have a need for digital and advanced digital skills?

Digital Futures West Sussex, a programme launched to connect local businesses with talented jobseekers, is running an interactive roadshow at Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Wednesday 7^th June from 4pm – 7pm.

Businesses across all sectors are invited to join the roadshow to showcase their company and meet with potential talent. The theme of the roadshow is digital sustainability, with a panel discussion on how this paving the way for business innovation and opportunity in West Sussex.

To register your interest for the Shoreham roadshow and let us know how you'd like to be involved, please click here to complete a short form.

Find out more about the programme at www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk  

AD Fuels, Safety First - Safety Always

AD Fuels are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Fuller as Training Business Partner.

Andy joins the team with 15 years’ experience in HGV driver training and over 40 years within the logistics sector.

We are pleased to welcome Andy to our growing team and very much look forward to increase and harmonising standards.

Ben Burt will now take up a new role of Logistics & Technical Support Manager. This role has been developed due to the growth of the business and expresses the company’s desire to support our customers and on field drivers with any technical and detailed care. Having 11 years’ experience in methane haulage, gas control and safe process Ben’s appointment is a crucial position to allow our business to develop alongside our customers whilst still offering that crucial support for our driving team.

Both Ben & Andy will be working closely together to reach the goal of 100% safety. 

Is your business switching to renewables? Let’s go Solar Together Sussex!

The Solar Together Sussex initiative is helping businesses in West Sussex to invest in renewable energy through a group buying scheme for solar panels, battery storage and EV charge points.
The scheme helps owner-occupied businesses and commercial landlords to switch to clean energy by providing high-quality Solar Photo-Voltaic (solar PV) systems from pre-approved, industry regulated suppliers at competitive prices.

Solar PV suppliers can offer competitive prices due to the volume and geographical concentration of installations, passing cost savings on to customers. For those that have already invested in solar panels, there is opportunity to fit a battery or EV charge points onto an existing system.

Solar Together Sussex is run by a partnership of Sussex local authorities led by West Sussex County Council and independent group buying specialist, iChoosr. Since 2019, the scheme has fitted more than 1,700 solar PV and battery systems, 20,000 solar PV panels and 1,200 batteries.

Commercial solar PV installations of up to 25 panels can be catered for by Solar Together Sussex, although it may be possible to install a larger system by agreement with the individual installer. By installing your own Solar PV system, your business can achieve carbon emissions reductions, and help West Sussex to become a carbon neutral county.

Solar Together aligns closely with West Sussex County Council’s ‘Council Plan’ priorities which include supporting a sustainable and prosperous economy and tackling climate change.
Daire Casey, Energy Services Manager for West Sussex County Council said: “With the increasing costs of energy, many businesses are looking to reduce carbon emissions, save on energy bills and stabilise ongoing running costs, while reducing their dependence on the national grid. The Solar Together scheme offers a straightforward and low risk way to explore renewables and make an informed decision with access to a competitive offer from an approved provider.”

Pre-approved solar PV suppliers will participate in an auction, with the purchasing power of the group-buying system enabling competitive pricing. Following the auction, registered businesses will be emailed a personal no-obligation recommendation, with a quotation showing the expected savings. Businesses will have 6 weeks to choose whether to accept, and if so, the specifics of their installation will be confirmed with a technical survey. A date can then be set for the installation of the new solar PV system.

Businesses can now register to join the group for free and without obligation www.solartogether.co.uk/sussex

Carpenter Box celebrates senior-level promotion, bringing average age of partners down to 46 

Carpenter Box, one of the region’s most forward-thinking accounting and finance firms, is celebrating yet another promotion in its senior leadership team, with departmental director Rob Lee being promoted to partner, aged 36.  

After beginning his career at one of the Big Four, Rob has gained more than 15 years’ experience advising business owners and managers on how best to achieve their commercial and financial goals. 

Since joining the Carpenter Box team in 2010 he has developed an impressive client portfolio, made up predominantly of businesses with a £3-10 million turnover in a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, property and hospitality. Rob also leads the corporate team within the firm’s Business Services Group, where he is responsible for training, resourcing, and developing the team’s strategy. 

Alan Edwards, Managing Partner at Carpenter Box, said: “We believe that being an accountant and business adviser is about working in partnership with business owners. It’s about really getting to know them, understanding where they want to be in the next five or 10 years and helping them to get there.  

“These are things which Rob has a natural talent for. He’s not only able to use his expertise to help clients successfully navigate through constantly changing industries, he’s also able to build genuine relationships. He cares about his clients, and they trust him.” 

Rob’s promotion coincides with Carpenter Box’s 100-year anniversary and brings the total number of partners at the firm to 19 with an average age of 46.  

Rob commented: “Becoming a partner at the firm has always been a long-term aspiration of mine and it’s largely thanks to the support of the team around me that I have been able to achieve this.  

“Carpenter Box has created a culture which allows you to be the driver of your own destiny. If you are working hard and asking the right questions, then even the most senior people in the business will take time out of their day to help you along the way.   

“In my new role, I’m looking forward to helping shape the firm of the future, building on Carpenter Box’s reputation as the firm of choice for clients and employees in the South.” 

Carpenter Box was founded in 1923 and has since grown to a team of over 200, with offices in Worthing, Gatwick, Brighton, Chichester and London.    

For more information about Carpenter Box, please visit: www.carpenterbox.com  

Company Cars - Is electric your best option? 

Jake Dobbs from Gator Accounting offers his opinion...

Personal Tax
Electric company cars have a much lower Benefit In Kind (BIK) of 2% tax compared to some hybrid and conventional cars which can go as high as 37%. This is also based on the list price as if the car was new rather than any second hand purchase price you may have purchased for.
 
What does this mean?
Imagine you have a choice of two cars that both cost £20,000, one electric and one petrol.

Electric would cost you £80 standard rate tax
Petrol (1 litre with 119 co2 emissions) would cost £1,120 standard rate tax

Corporation Tax
If you buy a new car then again Electric cars give much higher tax breaks due to the First Year Allowance (FYA) where you can claim 100% of the cost against your profits. Depending on the Co2 emissions of a fossil fuel car then the allowance would change to the Writing Down Allowance (WDA) which could be as low as 6%.

What does this mean?
If we use the same vehicles as before... The electric vehicle has a potential tax saving of £5,000. The Petrol vehicle could only potentially save £300.

Overall the government will give tax breaks to guide peoples spending habits and this is why electric cars are far more tax efficient than conventional cars.

But what if an electric car just isn't suitable for you?

Depending on the car itself, it might be worth paying for the vehicle personally and claiming business mileage for business use of the car. This way you can claim 45p a mile (<10K miles).

Every situation will be different so if you are deciding on your next car then make sure you speak with your accountant for the best scenario that suits you and your business.