Santander UK launches its Breakthrough Women Business Leaders Mentoring Programme 2024!

• Santander UK this week launches its sixth annual Women Business Leaders Mentoring Programme1, which matches female business owners with experienced business professionals to mentor them across a nine-month period. 
• Applications for the programme are now open until Monday 19 February.
• New research2 shows that almost half of UK business-owners believe their business would have got off the ground quicker if they had asked for more help in the early days. 
• While only 27% of businesses have a mentor when starting out, 93% of these said it made starting their own business easier. 

Santander UK this week has launched this year’s Women Business Leaders Mentoring Programme1 to inspire the next generation of fast-growth ambitious female founders and business owners.

Now in its sixth year, to date, the programme has supported over 750 female founded businesses take their businesses to the next level with almost 19,000 hours of mentoring. The programme matches female business owners with experienced professionals to mentor them, sharing their knowledge and skills over the course of nine months.

New research2 by Santander shows that while only 27% of businesses have a mentor when starting out, 93% of these said it made starting their own business easier. However, 87% said that seeking support is easier said than done, with one in four being unlikely to ask for help when they need it. 

Susan Davies, Head of Business Banking at Santander UK said: “In business and in life, asking for help and advice is essential, but it’s not always easy to do. For as hard as it can be, asking for help means you can learn and grow – and hopefully avoid making a few mistakes along the way too.”

According to the research, more than a third of UK adults have had a situation in their career where they have regretted not asking for help at all or sooner, with 50% of these instances leading to a mistake that could have been avoided, and after reaching out for help at work, 57% said it helped them progress their careers.

Susan Davies added: “Asking for help is not a burden; it's an investment in your own growth. That’s why we launched our programme - to match female business owners with experienced business professionals, giving them the opportunity to share insights and experiences. A problem shared is a problem halved, and you’d be surprised how much people are willing to help if they’re only asked for it.”

Almost two thirds of entrepreneurs said that starting a business on their own was one of the hardest things they have ever done, with 47% believing their business would have got off the ground quicker if they had asked for more help in the early days.

Sarah Willingham, entrepreneur, and Dragons Den star said: “It’s a no brainer! Asking for help is like pushing on an open door, there are so many people and organisations out there willing to help, guide and support business owners. I know how lonely it can be, but having a mentor is one of the best ways to help you and your business, whatever stage your business is at. At each meeting, agree what you’re going to do and take action – no action means no change.”

Applications for the 2024 cohort of the Santander Breakthrough Women Business Leaders’ Mentoring Programme are now open. To find out more, or to apply before the deadline on 19 February, visit: https://www.santander.co.uk/breakthrough/resources/santander-breakthrough-women. 

Andy's Angels are inviting you to their very first Spring Fair Fundraiser. 

Come along and support our Bereavement Charity on the 11th May 2024 at Heene Community Centre 2.30-4.30pm. Free entry with some exciting interactive stalls and business stalls. 

Sponsorship opportunities: 

If you would like to sponsor a stall, £50 per stall plus donate a raffle prize, you choose the stall and we'll promote your business on all our social media platforms before/after and you'll also get advertising on the day. The venue is a very busy place with other things going on, so guaranteed a busy footfall. 

We also have a few business stalls available £20 per stall. 

Please email info@andysangels.org.uk if you would like to sponsor a stall or book a business stall.

Hr Smart share new UK Employment Legislation

You may or may not be aware, but 2024 is about to witness the largest number of Employment Law changes since the Pandemic.

The changes are wide ranging including the following areas:

• Flexible Working Requests
• Increased Maternity Protection
• Carers’ Rights
• Workers’ Rights (Predictable Working Patterns; Harassment Prevention)
• Holiday
• TUPE
• National Minimum Wage & Living Wage increases
• Post Termination Restrictions

It is fair to say that the above will affect every UK employer somehow during 2024, which is why you are lucky you have HR Smart to rely on to make sure you are up to date.

To read more details on the above changes, please go to https://www.hrsmartuk.com/new-uk-employment-legislation-2024/

Get ready for changes to UK company law!

Since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act became law in October 2023 Companies House have been preparing to introduce new measures bought in by the act. The first set of changes will be introduced on the 4th March 2024 (dependent on parliamentary timetables).

The three main changes are

• New rules for registered office addresses
• Requirement for all companies to supply a registered email address
• New lawful purpose statements

Make sure you are prepared and read the full document here 

Can you help Ickle Pickles with raffle prizes?

We are currently looking for some prizes that can be used in our upcoming fundraising event at Worthing Football Club against Dover Athletic on Saturday 10th February.  If you or your business would be kind enough to donate something that I can use in our fundraising activities on the day this would be greatly appreciated.

This could be a voucher, a bottle of wine, chocolates or some toiletries that can be used in our raffle raising funds towards a specialist milk warmer that the staff on the Special Care Baby Unit  at Worthing Hospital have requested.

Ickle Pickles works with neonatal and special care baby units across the country to raise funds to purchase vital equipment needed to support these vulnerable babies.

To donate or to find out more please email michelle@icklepickles.org.

Why not come down on the day? Gates Open : 12.30pm Kick Off: 3pm
Buy your ticket online and Ickle Pickles will receive 50% of the booking fee https://ticketpass.org/event/EANGCS/home-fans-worthing-fc-v-dover-athletic

Carpenter Box announces Jones Avens merger

Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box has reached agreement with Jones Avens accountants to merge the practice into its south coast operations.

The merger expands the Carpenter Box network into Hampshire for the first time and will see Jones Avens, which has offices in Chichester and Portsmouth, rebranded Carpenter Box Jones Avens. Carpenter Box currently serves its growing client base from offices in Worthing, Brighton, Chichester, Crawley and London.

Commented Alan Edwards, Managing Partner at Carpenter Box: “We are delighted to welcome Jones Avens into the Carpenter Box family. The firm is a great fit for our growth strategy, with its culture of customer service excellence and staff development, and will enable us to expand both the range and reach of our services to existing and prospective clients.”

Commented David Knight, Partner at Carpenter Box Jones Avens: “This merger represents a significant milestone in our journey. By joining with Carpenter Box, we will unlock additional resources, expertise and services that will directly benefit our clients by providing access to additional specialist knowledge.”

Peter Reading, office lead at Carpenter Box’s Chichester office, added: “This is a very positive move for both firms, our clients and our people and we look forward to working with our Jones Avens colleagues to grow our presence in the Chichester and Portsmouth areas.”  

The merger brings together two firms with a combined 215+ year track record of providing tax planning, advisory services and financial planning expertise to clients in Sussex, Hampshire and beyond.

Carpenter Box is an award-winning firm of chartered accountants, tax specialists, business advisers and independent financial advisers with a reputation for innovation and excellence. The firm continues to expand across the south and in London, with specialist teams helping businesses grow in a profitable, sustainable and tax-efficient way.

Photo L-R: Sarah Fitzgerald, Carpenter Box Partner, David Knight and Peter Reading outside the new Chichester Office.

www.carpenterbox.com

www.jonesavens.co.uk

Financial Market Update from George Square Financial Management in Conjunction with Albemarle Street Partners.

Some stronger returns lead us into 2024

The past year has brought some relief for long-term investors with stronger returns emerging particularly in recent months from markets relieved that inflation is receding. Interest rate rises, whilst a blunt tool to cure inflation, have proven effective. Indeed, we can take some comfort that whilst high interest rates have imposed pain on the economy, this process has demonstrated to us that the policy which is supposed to keep the global economy working does in fact broadly work. 

Many have spent much of the past year worrying that inflation would run away to 1970s levels and claiming central banks would fail in their efforts. The key lesson, though, is that a long-term perspective, faith in fundamentals, and transparency from policymakers ultimately pays off. 

Performance: 

•         Portfolios have shown strong returns in the final quarter of the year as both bonds and equities rallied. Our allocation to US equities as well as government and corporate bonds helped portfolios outperform benchmarks over 2023.  

•         World equities gained 16.63% last year, with US and European equities advancing 18.28% and 13.42% respectively. UK large caps lagged, with the FTSE 100 up just 6.47% last year. UK mid-caps have rallied 10.4% over the past 3 months. Asian indices lagged in 2023 as continued economic weakness impacted investor sentiment.  

•         In fixed income, UK Government bonds finished 2023 roughly flat, with bond interest payments accounting for the bulk of the return last year. Falling inflationary pressures have fuelled market predictions that central banks will embark on interest rate cuts in 2024 which could help bond prices recover.  

•         Global high yield debt was up 13.72% last year, aided by strong gains over the past quarter. High yield debt has rebounded as concerns surrounding a deep recession in the US have been allayed.  

•         We rebalanced portfolios in the fourth quarter and used the opportunity to add to high yield debt and active funds in Asia and Japan. 

•         We introduced an active fixed income allocation which alters its sensitivity to bond yields based on inflation signals.  

•         We reduced portfolio allocations to gilts, global infrastructure, and Asian equity index funds.   

The economic outlook remains a source of concern for investors as we enter 2024. Manufacturing surveys are pointing to slowing growth and labor markets are starting to weaken. However, monetary conditions are likely to continue to ease in the second half of the year. Still, corporate profits face growing risks in the interim.

We remain optimistic that the backdrop provides opportunity for stronger recent returns to continue as bond yields settle and corporate profitability stabilize. 

We are also excited by elevated expected returns while recognising risks remain. We take a balanced approach - keeping high quality anchors that participate in rallies, while gradually rotating into

beaten-down assets as data improves. 

© 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 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, George Square Financial Management Ltd. makes no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness. George Square Financial Management Ltd. shall not 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. George Square Financial Management Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Community Trustee Vacancy for Worthing Counselling Centre.

An exciting opportunity has been made available to someone in the local area to take on a voluntary position of Community Trustee for Worthing Counselling Centre.

We are seeking new Trustees with a general interest or understanding in our area of work to bring insights, networks and creativity to the role.

Worthing Counselling Centre (WCC) formerly known as Offington Counselling Service was established as a registered charity in Worthing in 1983, we have helped support thousands of people in our community making changes to their lives and relationships to improve their emotional mental health and wellbeing.  The ethos of our service is to make counselling as widely available and affordable as possible, no one is excluded from counselling because of cost.

For further information relating to Worthing Counselling Centre  https://www.worthingcounsellingcentre.org/contact-us-2/

We are particularly keen to recruit members of the community who have skills/expertise in business management, fundraising and marketing and join our current experienced board of Trustees and staff, adding to and enhancing our dynamic approach to supporting our local community, could this be you? 

If you’re interested in applying for this role please email your CV or supporting statement to info@worthingcounselling.org for the attention of the Chair of Trustees Debra Schneider

Closing date: Wednesday 31^st January 2024

Fully funded summer interns available from the University of Sussex

The University of Sussex is pleased to offer the opportunity for organisations to benefit from full financial support to employ a University of Sussex undergraduate student. The Career Lab UK Summer Internship Programme is designed to offer:

• relevant and meaningful work experience to second/penultimate year or third/final year undergraduate students.
• additional support for your organisation to complete specific projects or tasks.
• opportunities and targeted promotion for students who are from underrepresented groups (further details available in our Guidance, Terms and Conditions 2024).

You are now invited to express interest in receiving full funding to pay a University of Sussex undergraduate student to undertake a 6- or 8-week summer internship.

We particularly welcome internship opportunities that positively contribute to addressing environmental, economic and social sustainability issues, as outlined in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Internships should commence in June or July 2024. Part-time hours, over a longer duration, as well as remote-working positions, will be considered.

1. Log into CareerHub employer portal

1. Carefully read the Guidance, Terms and Conditions 2024

1. Submit the Career Lab UK Summer Internship Expression of Interest 2024

The deadline to submit your Expression of Interest is 1 March 2024, however early applications are advised.

To support employers to create a positive, inclusive recruitment process and internship experience, all participating employers must attend free Disability Empowerment Training, provided by EmployAbility and the University of Sussex. This will be a 60-minute online session with dates available at the end of January or February 2024. An invitation will be shared after your submission has been reviewed. As these training sessions are taking place soon, we encourage you to submit your expression of interest as soon as possible.

We also invite you to attend one of our optional, online University of Sussex Funded Internships Information Sessions to support your application and address any questions:

• Wednesday 17 January, 1-1:30pm
• Thursday 18 January, 9:30-10am

Please register in advance for your chosen session above, everyone is welcome.

We have also compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Essential Advice.

Career Lab: Student Consultancy Programme

The University of Sussex is also offering you the opportunity to explore a live challenge faced by your organisation whilst providing meaningful work experience to a small group of final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students. Students spend a combined 100 hours on a project brief set by you (the client) and provide a business-style presentation to showcase their findings.

Applications are open now until 19 January 2024.

Further information, including testimonials, project ideas, template briefs and how to register, is available at: 

Student Consultancy Programme - Information for Organisations 2024

If you have any questions, please email us at internships@sussex.ac.uk

We thank you again for expressing an interest in providing meaningful work experience for our students and look forward to working with you.

Kind regards,

The Internships Team

Why Sports Massage Matters! 

Check out Chamber Member Ingrid Sbongk-Sonderfeld's article in Sussex Local

Physical benefits also promote emotional wellness, says Ingrid, a qualified Sports Massage Therapist, based in Worthing.

She has always been passionate about massage as a part of our wellbeing, as well as a means to keeping fit and healthy. Ingrid has worked in Health Care for over 20 years with a focus on mental health and wellbeing. She realised that massage could play a vital part in reducing stress and tension and also in keeping soft tissues and muscles healthy. This lead Ingrid to specialise in Sports Massage and obtain her Level 4 qualification as a Sports Massage Therapist.

We spoke to Ingrid about why Sports Massage is so important. Here are her top reasons:

Sports Massage Reduces Stress: “Life’s demands can take a toll on both body and mind. A sports massage is a powerful stress-reliever, promoting relaxation and helping you unwind.”

Gives Relief to Muscle Tension: “Whether you’re an athlete pushing your limits or someone experiencing day-to-day muscle tightness, my sports massages are tailored to release tension and improve flexibility.”

Helps in Injury Prevention & Recovery: “Sports massage techniques can aid in preventing injuries by enhancing muscle flexibility and reducing the risk of strains. If you’re recovering from an injury, my targeted approach can expedite the healing process.”

Helps to Enhance Circulation: “Improved blood flow is vital for overall health. Sports massage stimulates circulation, promoting better oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues.”

Benefits of Holistic Wellbeing: “Beyond the physical benefits, a sports massage nurtures your mental and emotional wellness, fostering a sense of balance and harmony.”

Home visits can be offered. Call 07754 490182 or visit: www.sportsmassage-worthing.co.uk

You can read this plus loads more local news and articles on Sussex Local's website here