Iod Suffolk winter 2012

suffolkWINTER 2012 | www.iod-suffolk.co.uk

Suffolk supply chain

IoD Winter 2012 issue_Layout 1 26/11/2012 15:50 Page c1

Bury St Edmunds AudiSkyliner WayMoreton HallBury St EdmundsSuffolkIP32 7YB0844 776 0618www.burystedmunds.audi.co.uk

Part of the Marriott Motor GroupFranchise Group

Ipswich Audi2 Bath StreetIpswichSuffolkIPS 8SG0844 776 0483www.ipswich.audi.co.uk

Part of the Marriott Motor GroupFranchise Group

Official fuel consumption figures for the A6 allroad in mpg (l/100km): Urban: 23.9 (11.8) – 40.4 (7.0) Extra Urban: 39.8 (7.1) – 51.4 (5.5) Combined: 31.7 (8.9) – 46.3 (6.1). CO2 emissions: 206 – 159g/km.

As the name suggests, the Audi A6 allroad is perfectly suited to all driving surfaces. Its responsive quattro® permanent all-wheel-drive is fitted as standard and it is this that gives the car precise handling no matter what the terrain. What’s more, we’ve refused to compromise on performance. We’ve included adaptive air suspension and Audi drive select which gives you four preconfigured modes so that you can change the car’s dynamics at the touch of a button, letting you adapt with ease to any driving situation.

If you’d like to book a test drive, please speak to a member of our team.

The A6 allroad. Performance, whatever the conditions.

IoD Winter 2012 issue_Layout 1 26/11/2012 15:50 Page c2

IoD suffolk | winter 2012 | 1

CONTENTS

Welcome. It’s almost the end of a memorable year, when welook back at the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics – andcontinuing challenges in the UK economy.

But Suffolk is bucking that bumpy trend. The renewable energysector is offering our region billions of pounds’ worth ofbusiness – and it’s not just the technology companies who’llbenefit. In our Supply Chain special feature we find out aboutopportunities for a huge range of Suffolk businesses, fromfinancial and legal services to catering.

We’ll also learn how to make great investments in fine wine and IoD Suffolk member Tim Fenton tells us how the world ofjournalism is changing.

And we raise a glass to Paul Winter, as he steps down from his role as IoD Suffolk’s chairman.

Have a happy Christmas break and a prosperous New Year,everyone!

Email us at [email protected] or write to us atthe address below. Jane Chittenden – Editor

Published by:Tilston Phillips Magazines Limited141 Norwich Road, Ipswich IP1 [email protected]

Designed by:Alan Brannan Designwww.alanbrannandesign.co.uk

Cover image used by kind permission of OrbisEnergy.

Portrait images of Johnathan Reynoldsused by kind permission of Gary John Norman.www.garyjohnnorman.com

All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or inwhole, without the prior consent of the publisheris strictly prohibited. The content of this magazineis based on the best knowledge and informationavailable at the time of publication. All times,prices and details of events were correct at time of going to press. The views expressed by thecontributors are not necessarily those of thepublishers, proprietors, the Institute of Directors or others associated with this production.

© Tilston Phillips Magazines Limited 2012

Contents 1

From the Chair 3

Events for your diary 2013 4

IoD Suffolk Annual Dinner 6

Across the region 9

Pensions 12

Protecting the Director 17

Joining the energy supply chain 18

Recent IoD events 23

Investment 24

A word from the accountants 27

Charity 28

Human resources 29

Leisure 30

Books page 31

Member profile – Tim Fenton 32

6

11

18

p

Our cover shows a wind turbineviewed through shading at TheOrbisEnergy Building, Lowestoft.

IoD Winter 2012 issue_Layout 1 26/11/2012 15:50 Page 1

From our solutionscomes your certainty01473 346046www.poundgates.com

Pound Gates & Co Ltd, trading as Pound Gates, is authorised and regulated by theFinancial Services Authority, and is an ISO and Investor in People accredited company.

Pound GatesSt Vincent House, 1 Cutler Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1UQ



WELCOME

New members to Suffolk branch

Gordon BairdAmericana International Ltd

Stephen Basey-FisherCentury Logistics Ltd

Robert BellJordans Ltd

Carrie BendallInspire: Marketing & Design Ltd

Stephen BourneCambridge University Press

Edward BowmanEdward Bowman

Lesley CalladineBritish Petroleum Co Plc

Andrew CannCicero Communications Ltd

Jacqueline Carr-PhillipsEffective Communication

Timothy DearingDa Vinci Direct Relationships

Cathy FergusonFerguson Consulting

Dawn HuntNottingham Trent University

Paul InnesPaul Innes Consulting Ltd

Vaughan Rhys JarvisVoith Turbo Ltd

Andrew McbrideQBE Insurance

Frank Hoyt MoxonHoyt Moxon Ltd

Paul NickersonEbbage Seeds Ltd

Sagar PatilGud Gaming Ltd

Jane PetitSt Elizabeth Hospice

Gregg PhillipsEffective Communication

Mr SuttonCotswold Publishing Consultants Ltd

Edward WattStore it All Ltd

Henry WattStore it All Ltd

From the ChairAs 2012 draws to a close, I suspect most people will remember itfirstly for the wonderful Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which liftedthe nation despite the appalling weather. Secondly, who will forgetthe fantastic summer of sport led by the Olympics and Paralympics?

However, these events shouldn’t overshadowthe very serious problem we still face in theUK and indeed the world economy. The UKhad a double dip recession, which may bebehind us, but has left the country with nocertainty of being in a more robust situation.The Eurozone crisis staggers on and now wesee Japan returning to negative growth andIndia’s industrial production falling. Let’s hope2013 sees better economic news.

In Suffolk though we have seen soundprogress. The imminent roll-out of superfastbroadband will undoubtedly improve theeconomy and all those who have worked onthis project are to be congratulated.

This will be my last ‘From the Chair’ as I stepdown as chairman of IoD Suffolk on 31December. I am delighted that Luke Morrisfrom Larking Gowen is currently goingthrough the appointment process and on thesuccess of his application he will take up thechairmanship early in 2013.

The three years have gone incredibly quickly. I have found my time as chairman bothrewarding and enjoyable. Thank you to allmembers and guests who have attendedevents in that time.

Our successful programme of events does, I think, demonstrate the important role IoDplays in the business community.

I would also like to thank my colleagues atIpswich Building Society, particularly myassistant Katy Spink, for their support whilstI’ve been chairman. Thanks, too, to the IoDSuffolk Committee for all of their support andmy great thanks to our branch administratorCaroline Kearney whose efforts make the jobof chairman possible.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very prosperous 2013.

Paul WinterDecember 2012

IoD Suffolk membership benefits

• IoD Travel Services• IoD Car Rental• IoD Director’s Liability Insurance• IoD Professional Indemnity Insurance• IoD Home and Contents Insurance• IoD Health Plans

For a complete list of the current affinitymember benefits, please seewww.iod.com/speciallynegotiated

To find out more about joining IoD Suffolk branch please contact: Caroline KearneySuffolk Branch Administrator07917 699 [email protected]

Institute of Directors Suffolk Branch25 Wilding Drive, Grange Farm, KesgraveIpswich IP5 2AE

www.iod-suffolk.co.uk

Follow @SuffolkIoD


4 | IoD suffolk | winter 2012

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

We are delighted to announce our 2013 event sponsors

Events for your diary

Come along and join us in sharing views andideas regarding energising the workforce. Thefirst breakfast workshop of 2013 will look atcreative ways to raise morale and get you, assenior managers and directors, all playingyour part in leading with energy and passion.

The effects of the economic downturn mayhave created uncertainties in your workforceso there has never been a more importanttime to show your strength and resilience inguiding your teams to get the best fromthem. Led by corporate trainer and teambuilder Jane Bowen of Tailored Training, theworkshop will give you new ideas for keepingmomentum and morale up and forgenerating creative and innovative people.

Jane says: “Many organisations have had togo through redundancies, and the workforcestill with a job may have been left with moreresponsibilities and more ‘work’ to do as aresult and may feel very unsafe. They,therefore, need guidance and leadershipmore than ever before.”

Make a great start to 2013 by joining us forthis fresh-thinking workshop, which includesa full English breakfast and interactivediscussion.

About Jane Bowen

Jane is an experienced and motivationalcorporate training consultant who deliversgroup and one-to-one training courses,workshops and seminars, for organisations of all sizes and industry sectors. There aremany courses in her portfolio includingmanagement and leadership, sales andcommunication skills.

You may remember Jane from the past twoannual conferences in which she presentedand facilitated the topics of ‘motivation’ and‘team work’, which were very well received.

See www.tailored-training.com

Green shoots and getting your workforce energy going!23 JANUARY 2013 7.30am – 10.30amSir Bobby Robson Suite, Ipswich Town FC, Portman Road IP1 2DAIoD members and their guests £35.00 (ex VAT). Non-members £52.50 (ex VAT)

2013


Pensions – what should you be doing?

31 JANUARY 20138.00am – 10.00amWherstead Park, The StreetWherstead, Ipswich IP9 2BJIoD members and their guests £15.00 (ex VAT)Non-members £22.50 (ex VAT)

In a significant year of change for the long-term retirement environment, the UK findsitself part way through the implementationof ‘Work Placed Pensions’ for all.

Dan Smith, director of Ensors, financialplanning and pensions expert, will provide a commentary on how this overhaul of thenation’s pension legislation is progressing. He will focus on employers’ obligations andthe timing of when these will impact on yourbusiness as well as review what you can dopersonally to ensure you have an efficient‘saving’ scheme for the future.

What wealth-creating opportunities remainavailable and how they fit into the context of‘sensible’ retirement planning will also beincluded in the presentation at thisworkshop, which includes a buffet breakfast.

About Dan Smith

Dan Smith is a law graduate, certifiedfinancial planner and holder of the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate. He has worked in the East Anglia region as an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) since 1991. He holds the G60 and G10qualifications, enabling him to give specialisttax and trust and pension transfer advice. As well as managing the Ensors financialplanning team, Dan has his own portfolio of corporate and individual clients.


BOOK YOUR EVENTS

To book any of our events you have the following options:

Contact our Suffolk IoD branch administrator Caroline KearneyTelephone 07971 699498 or email [email protected] will take credit card bookings or invoice your business.

Book online at www.iod.com/suffolkevents

Use our booking form – Each of our events has a marketing leaflet with a booking form you can return by post. If you have not received a leaflet and would like to receive one please contact Caroline Kearney.

Palace of Westminsterhosted by Ben Gummer MP

11 FEBRUARY 201311.00am – 2.30pmHouse of CommonsLondon SW1A OAAIoD members and their guests £50.00 (ex VAT)Non-members £75.00 (ex VAT)Excludes travel to London

For this visit we will meet our host for theevent, Ipswich MP Ben Gummer, in theCentral Lobby of the splendid Palace ofWestminster, before embarking with aspecialist guide on an exclusive tour arranged for IoD members and guests.

Ben will accompany us as we experience the seats of power and soak up some of thehistory and splendour of this magnificentpalace. The House of Commons, where theUK’s 650 elected MPs represent our interests,and the richness of art and royalty in theHouse of Lords and ceremonial rooms. We’ll also discover the splendid Westminster Hall.

Following the tour, which lasts approximately75 minutes, Ben Gummer MP will host abuffet lunch in one of the House ofCommons’ dining halls.

A year on down the line

13 MARCH 20137.30am – 9.30amHintlesham HallHintlesham IP8 3NSIoD members and their guests £27.50 (ex VAT)Non-members £41.25 (ex VAT)

Abellio has provided intercity, commuter and rural rail services throughout the regionsince February 2012. It is responsible for3,000 employees and the safe operation of43,000 services a month, carrying two millionpassengers a week.

This will be an opportunity to hear aboutAbellio’s plans and give your views on itscustomer service and operationalperformance over the past year.

During 2013 the Suffolk community will be involved in a consultation on the contract specification for the forthcoming15-year franchise for the Greater Anglianpassenger services.

Ruud Haket from Abellio Greater Anglia will give the presentation and there will be a Q&A session afterwards. Price includesEnglish breakfast.

in association with Ensors



IOD SUFFOLK ANNUAL DINNER

Aim for a personal Gold says OlympianOlympian Derek Redmond gave an inspiring after-dinner speech at IoD Suffolk’s Annual Dinner. The event, held at Stoke-by-Nayland hotel on 18 October, was held in association with MarshallJaguar and was sponsored by Quantrills, Barker Gotelee, The Ideas Centre and Ensors. Adnams kindly sponsored the champagne reception and wine during dinner.

Derek held Commonwealth and World 400mtitles but suffered injuries at both the 1988Olympics, when he snapped his Achillestendon in his heat, and in 1992, when he torea hamstring in the 400m semi-finals inBarcelona. After collapsing in agony on thetrack, Redmond memorably got back up andlimped to the finish, with his father runningonto the track to help him across the line.

He then spent 18 months trying to make acome-back having six hamstring operations.Despite a surgeon telling him his days ofrepresenting his country were over he wenton to become an English basketball playerand to play professional rugby for Coventry.

Speaking at the event, which was attended by 90 Suffolk Institute of Directors membersand guests, he said: “When things seem to be going wrong the true champion in you can come out. Look at a problem as achallenge and you can take it on and look at it differently.”

A raffle during the evening in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice raised £1,000, with prizes kindly donated by MarshallJaguar, Adnams, Stoke by Nayland and Penny Jones Pilates.

Sponsors of the dinner with Olympian Derek Redmond (left to right) are David Hall (The Ideas Centre), James Skellorn (Barker Gotelee), Richard Trott (Marshall Jaguar Ipswich),Derek Redmond, Paul Winter (chair, IoD Suffolk and chief executive, Ipswich Building Society), John Matthews (Ensors) and Simon Quantrill (Quantrills)



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DIOIoD Winter 2012 issue_Layout 1 26/11/2012 15:51 Page 7


Creativity, stimulation, provocation, sharing...

Providing a forum for regular practice of creativity

techniques and facilitation, the Ideas Centre also

provides a range of provocative and energising seminars

to motivate and excite your change agents.

The change process inevitably drains the energy levels

of even the most passionate individuals, so the Ideas

Centre provides a resource to re-charge the batteries,

to provide new ideas and to provide a source for

innovation and transformation. This is not about

continuous improvement – but more about

discontinuous change, introducing step-function change

into a business by challenging conventional thinking.

Meetings are held on a monthly basis in a range of

locations. Attendees are urged to be selfish – ensuring

that sessions deliver benefit for their own organisations.

Contact Dr David J Hall [email protected]

See www.ideascentre.co.uk for further information.

The Ideas Centre Ltd

French’s Hill

Pond Hall Road

Hadleigh

Suffolk IP7 5PQ



ACROSS THE REGION

New advice service is set up for SMEs

A new and novel business initiative has been welcomed by Suffolk MP David Ruffley.

He said: “The NonExecutive Board is a newmodel for delivering expert advice to localbusinessmen and businesswomen. It couldbe of especial help to start-up entrepreneurs.We need more thriving SMEs and I wish theNonExecutive Board well in its efforts tomake this happen.”

The NonExecutive Board will consist of sevenbusiness leaders who will pool expertise andknowledge to learn from each other in aconfidential environment. Each month theywill brainstorm issues that members bring to the table. They will each then have afollow-up, one-to-one meeting with thefacilitator and eighth member of the board,Ralph Auchincloss.

Mr Auchincloss, who sold his award-winningfamily business, Antec, to Dupont in 2003and has hands-on experience of building abusiness from scratch, said: “There is a lot ofadvice to SMEs to take advantage of non-executive directors but the cost can beprohibitive. This new initiative is more cost-effective.

“I believe strongly in the power of theindividual to achieve exceptional results intheir business and personal lives and my roleis to act as a catalyst in that process.”

‘Bootiful’ biogas to help cut costs

Rural finance provider, Eastern Counties Finance (ECF), has provided 100% of the funding for the UK’slargest turkey farmer Bernard Matthews (in association with Glendale Power, Xergi and H20K) to financea biogas plant to improve the company’s waste handling and energy costs.

The new plant will be close to the Matthewsexisting processing site in Holton, Suffolk,and will use biogas to generate electricity forthe processing plant solely from wastematter.

ECF has financed more than 100 renewableprojects in the past year – from wind turbinesand solar panels, to AD and biogas plants.The company says it is always keen to getinvolved in new ones.

MD Matthew Smart said: “We are extremelypassionate about providing financingsolutions for renewable projects. We arehappy to work with clients, large and small,and it’s extremely rewarding seeing theirprojects get off the ground, knowing that ourhelp made it possible.”


CAMBRIDGE HUNTINGDON SAXMUNDHAM BURY ST. EDMUNDS IPSWICH www.ensors.co.uk

Ensors Chartered AccountantsMaking you more than just a number

Ensors expert Business Recovery team are committed to helping business survive and, wherepossible, trade out their difficulties.

Contact either Mark Upton on 01223 420721,[email protected] or David Scrivener on 01473 220081, [email protected]

Our team will work hardfor business recovery...

Mark - When things get tough, it'sgood to know Mark is on your team - a highly experienced businessrecovery and insolvency practitioner.He looks for positive solutions,working closely with owners andprofessionals to trade the companyout of its problems. But he's also a realist who tells it like it is. So if it'sthe only option, he'll help achieve anefficient sale or winding up, deliveringthe best performance possible forshareholders and creditors.

David - If you need someone to provideinspiration and a safe pair of hands,David is your man. An imaginativethinker with real drive and dynamism, he has the skills and stamina to helpstruggling businesses get back on solidground. With a wealth of expertise incorporate finance, he's an intuitivecommunicator who delivers vital adviceand support in a no-nonsense way. He's also well connected in the businesscommunity, with a 'can-do' approachthat gets results.

� � � � � � � �� IoD Winter 2012 issue_Layout 1 26/11/2012 15:51 Page 10


ACROSS THE REGION

HUNTINGDON SAXMUNDHAM BURY ST. EDMUNDS IPSWICH w

a safe pair of hands,

D

� � � � � � ��

Helping youngsters make right choices The Government is increasing the number of years young people in England mustspend in education or training. From 2013, they will stay in education until the endof the academic year in which they turn 17, and from 2015 until the age of 18.

Raising the participation age (RPA) does notmean young people must stay in school –they can choose a college course or anapprenticeship.

The Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)service at West Suffolk College, Bury StEdmunds, provides impartial help to supportyoung people’s choices about the next stageof their education and training. Schools,colleges, local authorities, careers advisersand employers all work together to presentthe full range of options.

Re-engaging young people disillusioned with education can be a tough job and somestudents will need a different approach togive them better chances later in life.

The college has a dedicated School ofParticipation, helping deliver thegovernment-backed Youth Contract to tackle youth unemployment as well asPrince’s Trust team-building programmesand the Synergy programme, which preparesyoung people for further education, trainingand eventual employment.

To find out more call 01284 716333email [email protected] visit www.westsuffolk.ac.uk


PENSIONS


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Workplace pensions reforms

Whatever your Company's size and however good its current pension arrangements are,the new pensions auto-enrolment laws apply to all. As an employer it will be useful for youto understand your obligations in respect of the automatic enrolment duties and be awareof The Pensions Regulator’s role in maximising compliance with those obligations.

The work-based pension reforms requireauto-enrolment into 'qualifying schemes'.Where there is no existing staff pension,employers will either need to set up asuitable scheme or find one in themarketplace. Employers already providingpension arrangements will need to ensurethe provision in place is a 'qualifyingschemes', as it may require changes such ascontributions arrangements.

SOS-HR recommends that you review yourcurrent pension’s policy clause in yourcontract of employment and also anyprocedure detailed in your staff handbook tomake sure it covers all your obligations andresponsibilities under the new Pensions Act.We advise the policy includes notification

that your current pension arrangementqualifies or the expected date that you willneed to comply by, what provision you will bemaking and how this will be facilitated.Communicate how your employees willaccess the scheme information, whichworkers are eligible and when and also howthe auto enrolment process works.Communicate clearly to your employees, sothey understand their options and are able tomake sound decisions about their retirementplans and savings.

If you require further advice or assistance inwriting a pensions policy and procedureplease contact [email protected] ortelephone 01473 276170.



ACROSS THE REGION

Private sale may be best option

Will Hargreaves, of Savills Ipswich rural team,said: “Whilst selling in the open market cangive the vendor comfort that the best price hasbeen achieved, and this is our usual advice, itis sometimes the case that a private sale willgenerate a significant premium over an open-market sale. Of course, the vendor will neverknow whether a higher price could have beenachieved in the market place, but quite oftenthe discrete nature of the transaction is worthmore than any niggling doubt.

“An opportunity to purchase land withrestricted competition is particularlyattractive to investment buyers and they areoften prepared to offer a premium price for

the chance to keep a property out of the open market. There can be the addedadvantage for the seller that it may be easierto negotiate terms more favourable to theoutgoing farmer than when dealing in theopen market.”

He added: “To date in 2012, over 50% of theSuffolk land transactions handled by SavillsIpswich have taken place off market and it isclear the average price paid per acre privatelyis higher than in the open market. If a privatebuyer cannot be found, the land can beoffered more widely, but, of course, thereverse is impossible. Once the cat is out ofthe bag, it can’t go back in.”

Hotel is aiming to retain family feel

A new era is under way at Seckford Hall Hotel with thearrival of new owners. The hotel, near Woodbridge, wassold in the summer to a family from London.

Operations director Mark Suddes is in chargeof day-to-day management. Originally fromDurham, he has worked around the country,most recently at the Best Western Marks TeyHotel and at a hotel in Hereford.

Mark said: “It’s business as usual at the hotel.There have been many small, short-term,quick changes, which our regular customerswill enjoy. More importantly, we arelaunching a new menu which will allow ourcustomers to eat the same food in the bar,lounge and gardens. We will still have ourtwo-rosette quality restaurant, but now withthe opportunity to choose a menu to yourpersonal taste. Whilst we will still havetraditional a la carte dishes on the menuthere will be some contemporary dishesoffering a wider choice.”

The hotel has been part of the Bunn familysince 1935, more recently run by MichaelBunn and his wife Christine. Mark said: “Aswell as repositioning the hotel in the Suffolkmarketplace, my vision is to continue itsfamily ethos and build on its impressivereputation. All the existing staff will still beworking for the hotel. ”

It is generally accepted that if you want to sell something, you tell the marketyou want to sell it and wait for someone to make an offer. Agricultural land isno different from any other commodity in this respect and to date in 2012,Savills Research reports that more land has been publicly marketed in Suffolkthan in the same period in 2009, 2010 and 2011.



A leading national fi rm with a local Suffolk presence

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Baker Tilly Bury St Edmunds is one of Suffolk’s leading professional services fi rms and possibly Suffolk’s largest fi rm of Chartered Accountants. We benefi t from a national and international network to add to the depth and quality of the advice provided to our clients.

If you want the best of both worlds, a local service with a national and international reputation, please contact Stephen Duffety on 01284 763311 or email [email protected]

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ACROSS THE REGION

Suffolk weathers economic storm

Suffolk businesses have proved very resilient during a period of continued harsh trading conditionsboth in the UK and across the global economy, according to the findings of an annual survey.

The results of the report – by Suffolk Ltd –were presented to more than 160 businessleaders at a breakfast seminar organised by business and financial advisers Grant Thornton.

Suffolk Ltd, now in its 11th year, provides anin-depth financial analysis of the 100 largestcompanies owned and managed in thecounty. The 2012 report showed thatcombined turnover for Suffolk Ltd’sconstituent members increased andoperating profit grew significantly, whileemployment remained broadly static.

The study was based on the latest availableaccounts and so relates mainly to a UK still inrecession. Annual turnover among the top100 companies grew by 5.2%, from £4.05bn to£4.26bn, while operating profit increased

substantially by 41.1%, from £147m to£207m. Profit before tax rose from £137m to £184m, representing a 34.1% increase. Total employment stood at 27,332, slightlydown on last year’s 27,477.

James Brown, of Grant Thornton, said:“Despite the challenging trading conditions,Suffolk Ltd’s constituent members havewithstood the storm very well, whether theirmarkets are local, national or international.Should market conditions start to improveduring 2013 and beyond, Suffolk Ltd looks ingood shape to respond and fully exploit anyrebound in fortunes.”

For a copy of the report, contact Sandy Button on 01473 221491 or email [email protected]

Students learn from guru HandyRevered management guru Charles Handy spoke to studentsat West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds, during the college’sEnterprise Week 2012 in November.

Handy, one of the world’s most influentialbusiness thinkers with almost two millionbook sales across the globe, focused on The Acorn Economy – illustrating how, just asacorns turn into oak trees, small businessesand ambitious individuals can grow into bigcompanies and important people.

One student said: “The talk was very muchabout gaining experience in the workplacerather than getting a degree withoutdeveloping the practical skills you need in the world of work. I found it reallyinteresting.” Another added: “Everything hesaid made sense; he was telling us that if youbelieve in yourself enough you can doanything you like in life.”

A key aim of Enterprise Week is to showcasethe enterprising students. College courseshelp them gain the skills they need to run asuccessful enterprise or to be creative andinnovative within an existing organisation.

Mr Handy’s wife, Elizabeth, brought herphotographic exhibition entitled The Acornsof Diss, showing business people from thetown with the tools of their trade.


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PROTECTING THE DIRECTOR

Break Clauses incommercial leases traps to be avoided

Many present day commercial leases contain a ‘break clause’ which gives the tenant the right to terminate the lease before the end of its term.

Landlords will often include conditionsattaching to the break clause such as:

n The rent has been paid up to date.

n The tenant gives up the premises with vacant possession.

n The tenant must have complied, or materially complied, with all the covenants in the lease.

n The tenant must not be in breach, or materially in breach, of the repairing covenants.

Break clauses will be strictly interpreted by the courts and tenants must ensure thatthey comply with all the terms of the breakclause. Particular attention should be givento the following:

The notice must be served on the correctparty and the correct number of monthsbefore the break date. The lease oftencontains provisions relating to service ofnotices and these should be followed literally.

If there is a requirement for vacantpossession to be given on the break date thetenant must ensure that they have vacatedthe premises and all their possessions havebeen removed by that date. A tenant whoremained on the premises to carry outdilapidation repairs after the break date wasdeemed not to have given vacant possession,even though he had no intention of excludingthe landlord from access to, and occupationof, the premises from that time.

If there is a condition that the rent must bepaid up to date, the last quarter’s or month’srent should have been paid. A tenant whopaid the rent up to the break date was heldnot to have complied with this condition.The tenant should check that there has notbeen any previous late payment which maybe subject to an interest charge, which hasnot been claimed by the landlord. If there is a potential liability, it should be calculatedand paid to the landlord. Also the tenantshould ensure that cleared funds have been provided.

If there is a condition requiring compliancewith repairing obligations, the tenant shouldconsider carrying out a compliance auditwith their surveyor so that any breaches canbe remedied by the break date.

If you would like advice in connection with your commercial leaseor wish to ensure that notices are served correctly during its term,contact David Temperton at Birkett Long LLP –[email protected] or 01206 217310.


Johnathan Reynolds at OrbisEnergy



SUFFOLK SUPPLY CHAIN

The world’s largest market for offshore wind

We’re meeting at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft,Britain’s most easterly point, to talk about theoffshore wind opportunity and why the widerSuffolk economy should be getting involved.

Suffolk is at the centre of the world’s largestmarket for offshore wind. There’s around£30.8bn of planned investment in newenergy projects in Norfolk and Suffolk by2020, according to NSEA’s Energy SupplyChain Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk. But most people aren’t aware of its scale andthey haven’t spotted the businessopportunities for the whole of the region –not just the energy sector.

“If you look at the map, you’ll see just howmuch has been happening in the last fewyears,” says Johnathan Reynolds. “It’s only the beginning. Already we’ve got the biggestoffshore wind farm projects right here off ourcoast: Round One projects such as ScrobySands, and the Round Two projects such asSheringham Shoal and Greater Gabbard.Then there’s the Round Two extensions – theGalloper and various other projects aroundour coast. And now there’s Round Three.”

“There will be a thousand-plus wind turbines in one major project: the East Anglia Offshore Windfarm. It’s colossal… in just one geographic area it’s one and a halftimes the size of Suffolk. It’s one of the largerprojects, but it’s only one of nine RoundThree projects around UK waters. We’relooking at a market that’s tens of thousandsof offshore wind turbines.”

The offshore wind farms on the East Coast

And there’s more. Offshore gas is still a majoractivity, with more than £44bn of newinvestment in gas exploration and productionand gas storage projects. The Southern NorthSea is also a focal point for the whole ofEurope for the storage of CO2 captured frompower station combustion; the depleted gasreserves here are ideal for storing capturedCO2. There are even plans for cultivatingalgae offshore, for biofuels and biomassproduction. “It’s the energy hotspot acrossEurope,” Reynolds says, “because it haspretty much everything to offer.”

What’s the opportunity for Suffolk?

But where is the long-term businessopportunity for Suffolk? Can we (and should we) gear ourselves up for turbine manufacture and installation on this vast scale? Or is the opportunity insomething else?

“The long term goal and the long termopportunities are around operations andmaintenance – that’s the 20 to 25 yearbusiness,” says Reynolds. The operational lifefor an offshore wind farm is between 20 and25 years, typically. There’s a three to five yearcontract period for build and installation; but after that it’s the operations andmaintenance phase – and that’s the ‰

Nowhere in the UK has a broader energy mix or provides as much business potential as Norfolk and Suffolk. The area’s offshoregas business is well established and stillgrowing after 45 years of operating; nuclearpower facilities are being decommissionedand two new sites are being developed. There is also a growing biofuels market andplans for the storage of gas and capturedcarbon in the Southern North Sea. The region is at the heart of the world’slargest market for offshore wind and the UK’s most intensive area of offshore energydevelopment; the area has an energy business worth billions.

Source: Energy Supply Chain Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk, NSEA

Huge offshore wind projects are creating some of the biggest opportunities in a generation, butaren’t they just for the technical companies specialising in renewables? No – there are opportunitiesfor a much wider range of expertise, says Johnathan Reynolds, business development lead forSuffolk’s flagship innovation centre OrbisEnergy and Director of energy firm Nautilus Associates. He tells Jane Chittenden why more Suffolk businesses should join the energy supply chain.

Joining the energysupply chain

n Round 1n Round 2n Round 3

Source: NSEA EnergySupply Chain Strategy for

Norfolk and Suffolk


160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Aircraft

Boats, Harbours & Shipping

Buildings & Construction

Cargo, Handling, Transport, Import & Export

Cleaning

Clothing

Consultancy & Business Assistance

Education

Electrical

Employment & Recruitment

Engineering & Design

Environment

Health & Safety

Machinery

Manufacturing

Metal Specialists

Oil & Gas

Other

Products & Equipment

Property Services

Security

Training



Source: NSEA Energy Supply Chain Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk

Suffolk businesses with potential for opportunities in the wider supply chain

long term contract goal. “We are ideallypositioned for longer term operations andmaintenance, “ he explains. “We already havecompanies setting up their O&M bases here.For example, there’s SSE Renewables justdown the road at the dockside here inLowestoft – they have their own specialistoperations base for the Greater Gabbardproject. We’re hoping to attract more inwardinvestment for the Galloper offshore windproject when that comes onstream, and forprojects like the East Anglian OffshoreWindfarm as well.”

In parallel, the renewables sector is lookingnot just at local projects, the ones off our owncoast, but around the world. “We have a longand established history within the oil and gasindustry of supplying products, services,personnel and resource right around theworld,” Reynolds says. “There’s no reasonwhy we can’t replicate that for offshore windor other renewable energy technologies; local companies are already winning global business.”

Not just for the specialist companies

But aren’t the supply chain opportunitiesexclusively for the big companies and theniche specialists providing technology-basedproducts and services?

Reynolds explains that the supply chainspreads much wider than most of us realise:

“ We’ve spent a lot of time over the last coupleof years, trying to educate companies of alldisciplines that there are opportunitieswithin the wider energy sector – not justproviding specialist technical services. These companies all need core disciplines,whether it’s finance, personnel, marketing,contracting, procurement, legal disciplines –and how you make those services relevant tothe needs of the energy sector is important.And it’s the same with the more indirectsupply chain – bed-and-breakfast, hoteliers,taxi firms – they’re needed to make the wholesupply chain work, but they’re seen as on theoutside of the fence. It’s vital that we workwith them, to make sure they understandwhen the opportunities are coming, becausethey need to gear up and build their owncapacity to support other companies in thesupply chain as well. We need virtually moreof everything if we’re going to reap the realrewards that this region has on its doorstep.”

Supply chain development support from EEEGR

EEEGR (East of England Energy Group) isproviding business development support to local companies who are already active in the sector or who want to join but needsome help to grow their business. It’s alsoraising awareness for companies who haven’t yet identified that there areopportunities for them.

EEEGR is focusing on three complementaryapproaches to develop our supply chain.

> Support businesses that have already secured opportunities within the sector, and build on these strengths.

> Engage with businesses planning to enter the market and help them to understand the industry.

> Explore opportunities for companies unaware of the sector, matching gaps in the supply chain to the capabilities of businesses.

This support is completely free throughEEEGR. Call 01493 446535 or [email protected]



Reynolds has been involved in delivering theEEEGR Supply Chain Roadshows across theregion in the last few months. Theseroadshows are raising awareness about theenergy sector opportunities – the majorcontract opportunities over the next twentyyears, both from offshore renewables andfrom oil and gas, decommissioning, the newnuclear build programme and a range ofother energy sector-related opportunities.He’s also part of the team providing follow-onbusiness development advice and support tocompanies in three different groups.

The established companies

The first group of companies is alreadysuccessful in the energy sector, winningcontracts and providing business for theirown supply chains. Seajacks is a goodexample of this type of company, saysReynolds. They own and operate jack-upinstallation vessels, both for oil and gas andfor offshore wind. Just six years since theirstart-up, with support from NWES and

OrbisEnergy, they’ve grown into a globalcompany operating all over the world inmajor markets, both oil and gas, and offshorewind. “It’s one of the companies that hasreally listened to what customers want andhas responded to the changing marketconditions very well. It’s been able to spreadits portfolio, not just in offshore wind; it’slooking at oil and gas; and the technologythat it uses on their vessels caters for anumber of different markets.”

These established companies make it apriority to keep up with the rapidly evolvingenergy market. New technologies and newplayers are coming in at all levels of thesupply chain. For example, the French-owned company Areva visited OrbisEnergylast month, exploring the scope forinvolvement in the East Anglian OffshoreWindfarm project. Areva is a major turbinemanufacturer in Europe (they’ve justannounced plans for a factory in Scotland)and what draws them to our region is theopportunity for long-term operation andmaintenance contracts on a huge scale.

New entrants to the supply chain

Secondly, there are the companies that havethe right capability and an awareness of theseopportunities but perhaps need support towin a major contract, position themselveswith the right kind of customer, or obtaininvestment in specific areas to realise theirgrowth potential. “We’re seeing a lot of thosesorts of companies attending EEEGR’s supplychain roadshow series. They want to learn abit more, understand some of the issues andbarriers and challenges that the market andthe industry is facing, and how they canrealise their growth opportunities over thenext few years – but recognising that this is arapidly changing industry,” Reynolds says.

This second group is made up of every typeof company that could be imagined,regardless of whether they are alreadyworking with the offshore industry - not justthe technical services, manufacturing andengineering.

OrbisEnergy is a national innovation centre for offshore renewables based in Lowestoft, owned bySuffolk County Council and managed by enterprise specialists NWES. They hold a database of over9000 businesses based in Norfolk and Suffolk. Around 1700 of those companies have existing orpotential capability to be a direct part of the energy supply chain, providing services, equipment andmaterials used in manufacturing, engineering, construction and operation of energy-related projects.That’s around one-fifth of all the businesses operating in the two counties. Then there’s a huge rangeof supporting services to the supply chain, from legal advice through to catering and hotels, so theactual proportion of companies that could benefit is much higher than 20 per cent.

Source: NSEA Energy Supply Chain Strategyfor Norfolk and Suffolk

Size of the offshore wind opportunity

Power Transmission

Nuclear New Build

Offshore Wind

Upstream Oil & Gas

Transport Infrastructure

Onshore Wind

Port Infrastructure

Biomass/Biofuel Generation

CCGT Power Generation

CCGT/CHP Power Generation

Wave & Tidal Generation

Coal Generation

UK offshore wind£138bn

> Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk – £30bn> UK – £271bn> Europe – £647bn




The companies that aren’t aware it’s their opportunity too

And the third group? “By understanding thefirst two groups, we should have an idea ofwhere the gaps in the supply chain might beand how we might fill those gaps… and that’sthe third group. We’re identifying thecompanies that we feel have the right sort ofcapabilities, and going to them, helping themto understand that they have the rightcontracts or right capabilities to win businessin this sector. For example, we’re meeting alot of professional services firms at thesupply chain roadshows. So whether it’schartered accountants or legal firms orchartered surveyors – whatever it might be –they’re all working with us to understand theopportunities for them, as well as for theirdirect customers.”

The challenges

If this is such an enormous opportunity – and clearly it is – what are the challenges thatcompanies are facing, and what are thebarriers that stop them from joining theenergy supply chain?

One of the main challenges is uncertainty inthe market, Reynolds explains, and thatcomes from a number of areas. At themoment UK energy policy is seen as thebiggest barrier by investors and majormanufacturers, because they need to be ableto plan for the long term with some certainty.Legislation that’s currently going throughParliament could have a major impact onincentives and support to invest in renewableenergy projects and low carbon energyprojects. New Anglia LEP and otherinterested parties have been lobbying thegovernment, and there’s strong support inthe region for their proactive approach. It’sseen as critically important, to make sure thatthe timescales proposed for legislation such as the Electricity Market Reform stay on track,to give longer term certainty with policy.

Finance is another significant challenge. It’s a complex picture. The SMEs need accessto credit in order to fund their growth, but sotoo do the major companies. They will beunlikely to want to provide all of theirinvestment in the major projects from theirbalance sheets; they’ll be looking for fundsfrom elsewhere and for that they’ll need long-term guarantees. In the short to medium-term they need cashflow to make the projectseconomically viable, while there is politicaluncertainty about the longer terminvestment decisions to be made.

For new entrants to the supply chain there’sthe challenge of gaining a thoroughunderstanding of the sector and how itworks. The companies at the top of theoffshore renewables supply chain, thedevelopers, are mostly utility companies, sotheir ultimate product and driver is the saleof electricity. That’s very different from the oil and gas industry, where the operators’commodity is gas or petroleum-basedproducts. Then they need to understand howthat top level works with their Tier Onecompanies or what’s called OEMs - originalequipment manufacturers – the offshorewind turbine manufacturers and suppliers,the substation manufacturers and so on. And it’s important to understand theirculture – how they deal with suppliers andcontractors, and how that cascades down toother companies through the supply chain.They are all looking to build strong trustedrelationships for the long term.

Visibility of the timescales for major projects

“But the biggest barrier we find for mostcompanies we talk to is visibility ofcontracting timescales and projectdevelopment timescales,” says Reynolds.“They need to understand when to makecertain decisions and when to make certaininvestments, whether it’s in new facilities, instaff or training or whatever it might be.

The analogy we give is that everyone’s waitingfor delivery of an order that’s not yet beenplaced, and nobody’s quite certain when thatorder is going to be placed – everyone’ssitting around waiting for delivery, but theydon’t know for what, how big and when – andthat’s the challenge.

OrbisEnergy is facilitating in dialoguebetween the developers (the utilitycompanies), the government and SMEs to try to give them the best information possibleat this stage. “We don’t have all the answers,but what we can try to do is to give a level ofcertainty, a level of information for them tomake some more informed decisions. So weknow roughly within a three to six monthperiod when major decisions or projectmilestones are likely to happen, based oninformation today. We’re also going into more detail about how much might be incertain manufacturing or how much of thatcontract opportunity might be in electricalengineering or lighting or something else.We’re trying to break it down into slightlymore bite-sized chunks to help the smallercompanies to see specific opportunities that are right for them.”

This time we’re in the right place

Whatever the challenges, this is anopportunity we can’t afford to ignore; thistime round we’re in the right place. Unlike the last industrial revolution, whenclearly we were in the wrong place (no coal or fast-running inland water), we really are in the right place.

“We are absolutely at the heart of what’sgoing on with offshore wind, here on the East coast. With OrbisEnergy being situatedright at Britain’s most easterly point, inLowestoft, you can’t get much closer to theaction unless you’re on a boat – quite literally! – so it really is happening all around us. And we do have a lot of specialistexpertise and the right resource to reap a lot of the rewards from these opportunities,right across our region.”

What we need is more of what we’ve got. We need more investment into companies;we need more manufacturing capacity; weneed to build on the strong roots we have,from forty years of working on offshore oiland gas. And we need companies of all typesto join the supply chain across Suffolk andNorfolk, to take advantage of the prosperityoffered by the offshore wind market for many years to come.



RECENT IOD EVENTS

Mods and Rox fun Members and guests enjoyed a fabulous evening on 24 September at Mods and Rox, the New Wolsey Theatre’s latest actor-musician production with classic period songs including Substitute, Keep on Runnin’, She’s not there and many more.

“It was a great evening and it’s no wonder the show enjoyed an extended run,” said Dean Willingham, vice chair, IoD Suffolk and partner, DPS Technology Group.

IoD members also enjoyed a drinks reception and pre-show talk by Sarah Holmes, chief executive, New Wolsey theatre.

Best PracticeMaster Class

‘How to manage the underperformingemployee and avoid an unfair dismissal ordiscrimination claim’ was the topic of a BestPractice Master Class presented by SimonQuantrill of Quantrills in October.

More than 60 people managers attendedand benefited from Simon’s theme that well-prepared but informal counselling is oftenthe best way of tackling employeeunderperformance. Formal procedures andHR best practice was also covered with thehelp of case studies and video clips.

Excellent feedback was received from theevent, including: “A practical and logicalapproach to the subject, simplifying the redtape into a workable strategy”; “Highlytopical material excellently presented”; “The structure of the master class wassuperb. The balance between the legal factsand open discussion was spot on.”

Britain’s best female jockeysteps in for Sir Henry CecilBritain’s most successful female Flat jockey Hayley Turner stepped in to give a fresh and entertaining talk about rising to the top in themale-dominated horse racing world on 21 November at the breakfastevent held at the West Wing at Ickworth House Hotel. Unfortunately, Sir Henry Cecil was unable to attend because of ill-health.

In a speech which understated herdetermination and competitive spirit, Hayleysaid she always took tiny steps towards hergoals and never set unrealistic targets. She said: “If you think you’ve arrived thenyou’re never going to do any better.”

She wasn’t from a horse racing backgroundand ‘never had a leg up from anyone’ soHayley left school at 16 determined to workwith horses. After a course at Northern RaceCollege in Doncaster she was bitten by thebug to become a jockey, which she achievedaged 17. In 2011 Hayley became the firstfemale jockey to ride 100 UK Flat racewinners and win a British Group 1 race.

She said: “Never in a million years did I thinkI’d have a Group 1 winner when I was askedto ride in the July Cup at Newmarket in 2011,when I won on Dream Ahead. Frankie Dettoricame up and ‘high fived’ me afterwards. It was madness, a dream. It’s moments likethis that make you want to carry on.”

Hayley has her sights set on continuedsuccess in 2013 and will be developing herown brand profile. “I want to be a step ahead and social media is a real interest I’d like to do more on. I don’t want to be a galloping granny.”

Hayley Turner at the November breakfast



INVESTMENT

Which are the most investable wines and why?Wine Investment with Johnny Wheeler of Culver Street, a leading Fine Wine Investment Specialist based in East Anglia

The logic for investing in fine wine – tofacilitate the supply of mature vintages infuture years – goes a long way towardsdefining the pool of investable wines. We arenot talking about the 99% of wines producedthat are drunk within a year or two of beingbottled. And we are not talking about wineswhose likely value, when mature, is less thana couple of hundred pounds a case. Storageand handling costs act as a ‘drag’, eating intoand often destroying any prospect of returnon these.

To understand the scope of wine investmentit is worth asking who the eventual buyersare. Some are private collectors who simplywant to compile a collection of rare andhistoric bottles in their cellars and havereached a point in their lives when they havethe resources to do it. However the vastmajority of corks of mature fine wines arepulled in restaurants around the world.Diners from Shanghai to Sao Paulo and from

Cape Town to Moscow are the ‘willing buyers’, prepared to pay perhaps severalhundred pounds for the pleasure – some sayprivilege – of sharing a difficult-to-find bottle of great repute.

The market is therefore made up of highquality wines, usually produced in restrictedquantities, and with a global cachet. The category has been dominated fordecades by the great names of Bordeaux,wines which still account for the lion’s shareof trade on the Liv-ex wine exchange. It iscommon to talk of the five celebrated Firstgrowths – the likes of Latour and Margaux,whose attraction is based on centuries ofprestige and demand – as the best examples,but these are far from the only candidates.

Tastes change and new wines enter the fray.Burgundy, for long considered too fragmentedand too complicated for its wines to betraded around the world, is now a contender.There is growing confidence in its bestdomaines and vintages. Italy too providesmany wines of increasing celebrity; ditto theRhone valley, Australia and California, wherethere is a growing expectation of priceappreciation. Vintage champagne too, thelikes of Louis Roederer’s Cristal and the rareSalon or Krug, now form components of wine investment portfolios.

A portfolio approach is generally seen as thekey to safe investing in wine, with no onelabel or vintage being over-dominant. Thereis an element of fashion in the wine worldespecially amongst affluent newcomers.Sensible advice has to be to assemble adiverse collection so as to avoid the risk ofpicking losers rather than winners in the long

term popularity stakes. A solid portfolio willcomprise 90% of usual suspects, blue chipwines for which there is a steady andpredictable demand, and which can be resold into the market almost at will. Theremaining 10% can be dedicated toalternative and even speculative choices.Great name, great vintage and great rarity:these seem to be the watchwords.

Next time: Which wines will be the stars of tomorrow?

Culver Street is a boutique fine wine traderspecialising in managing cellar portfolios forprivate clients. Culver Street has recentlylaunched Vinsignia, a wine fund qualifyingunder the Enterprise Investment Scheme.

www.culverstreet.co.uk


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A WORD FROM THE ACCOUNTANTS

This article is designed for the information of readers. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, information contained in this article may not be comprehensive and recipients should not act upon itwithout seeking professional advice. Larking Gowen is registered to carry out audit work in the UK and Ireland by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Authorised and regulated bythe Financial Services Authority. ©Larking Gowen.

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Twelve months into the outcomes-focused regulation (OFR) introduced by the SRA, it will be interestingto see the results of its research looking at the effects of OFR since the regime was introduced.

The research will identify and explore theimpact of OFR on firms and their clients,identify any which are specific to distinctgroups within the profession and strengthenunderstanding of compliance costs; always aconcern, and one of which we are aware.

Larking Gowen has a specialist team of staffexperienced in acting for clients in the legalsector. Jon Woolston, our lead partner forlegal services, is a member of the steeringcommittee for the Chartered AccountantsSpecial Interest Group for Solicitors and afounding member of the Expert WitnessInstitute. In addition, we are able to bringnational specialist resources to our clientsthrough our membership of MHA, anassociation of independent, like-mindedfirms, providing us with some 42 officesacross the UK.

Our legal team offer an in-depthunderstanding of the requirements ofpractising solicitors and recognise thechallenges that will result from deregulation,which will see competition from non-traditional sectors in the high street,including banks and supermarkets. Webelieve, however, that we can help turn theseinto opportunities for the legal profession.

In addition to the regular compliance areas,we are also able to assist clients in developingtheir practices in a wide range of areas,including:

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CHARITY


CAN YOU HELPUS TO SAVE VULNERABLE LIVES THIS YEAR?

The Suffolk Foundation has launched its second Surviving Winterappeal to help alleviate fuel poverty among older people in Suffolk.

A recent study shows that, from2007 to 2010, an average of 454vulnerable people in the countydied each year from causesdirectly linked to cold and poorliving conditions. The vastmajority were aged over 65.

Sadly, this is just the tip of the iceberg – morethan 56,095 households in Suffolk live in fuelpoverty, suffering in silence during thecoldest months, often hidden from view,withdrawn from the world around them.

With many older people having to make thestark choice between heating their homes orputting food on the table, the SuffolkFoundation, working in partnership with AgeUK Suffolk, is asking anyone who feels able toforgo their government winter fuel paymentto donate either part or all of it to the appealthis winter to help make a difference tosomeone’s life and reduce fuel poverty.

Nationally, this is the second year thatcommunity foundations are running theappeal. Last year, it received huge supportfrom the public, generating more than£2.5million across the UK. In Suffolk, theappeal proved to be a lifeline for thosestruggling to keep their homes warm. The Suffolk Foundation was overwhelmed by people’s generosity, with many choosingto donate their winter fuel payments to help others.

Working with Age UK Suffolk, 250 grants weredistributed in the county, with each totallingaround £250. These went a long way to helpthe elderly and vulnerable keep warm,contributing towards the cost of heating theirhomes. Some grants were also used to buymobile heaters and others helped to coverthe cost of repairing old heating systems.

Stephen Singleton, Suffolk Foundation’s chiefexecutive, said: “Winter is a worrying andisolating time for Suffolk’s older population,with many people unaware there are

organisations like Age UK Suffolk that canhelp them. Last year, the Surviving Winterappeal was a huge success and, thanks to the support of the public, the campaignraised a total of £55,000.

“But this still wasn’t enough, the demand was even higher and we know we could havehelped many more people. This is why we arelaunching the appeal again. With theexperience and support of Age UK Suffolk, we want to reach out and help older peopleagain this winter.”

This year’s appeal also has the support of theEast of England Co-operative Society andpledge forms will be available in all its storesthroughout the winter.

Amanda Long, the Co-op’s executive officer –membership, marketing and media, said:“Winter can be a cold and lonely time, withthe cost of heating a real concern for somany. Surviving Winter is a fantastic initiativeand we are sure our members and customerswill join us in helping their neighbours.”

One beneficiary who received money fromlast year’s appeal said: “What a worry off myshoulders – I do indeed feel blessed thatthere are people out there who care and help others.”

Anyone who would like to donate the winterfuel payment, or make a donation, shouldcall 01473 602602. For more information,visit www.suffolkfoundation.org.uk

To donate online go towww.localgiving.com/suffolksurvivingwinter



HUMAN RESOURCES

Employee engagement is the key to success

Gary Cattermole and JaimeJohnson are joint co-foundersand directors at The SurveyInitiative, a leading staff surveyprovider. Here they discusshow employee engagementcan lift profitability andimprove staff wellbeing.

In November, the government-backedindependent Employee Engagement TaskForce launched a new movement ‘Engage for Success'. Its mission – to be aninspirational force to drive measurableimprovement in employee performance,creativity and innovation.

Engage for Success firmly believes that thenext generation of successful businesses willbe those that can free people’s personalpotential. Their hope is that employeeengagement can release more of thecapability and potential of people at work –enabling personal growth, organisationalgrowth and, ultimately, growth for Britain.

So what is employee engagement?

It is a workplace approach designed to ensureemployees are committed to theirorganisation’s goals and values, motivated tocontribute to organisational success and, atthe same time, able to enhance their ownsense of wellbeing.

But is all this just management gobbledegookor can employee engagement be useful forSuffolk-based businesses?

The research speaks for itself. Manybusinesses have undertaken employeeengagement research and those that score

highly also have higher rates of profitability,lower staff turnover and associated costs ofrecruitment, and higher customer loyaltythan businesses with average employeeengagement ratings.

It is simple really. If employees are happy,enjoy their work and feel valued they arekeen to excel in their role and help thebusiness succeed.

What does become difficult for managers isidentifying who is engaged and who is not.Typically, this is much easier for the MD of anSME than of a multinational operation – buteveryone can be blinkered to what’s going onin their own organisation, which is whyindependent research can help pinpointareas for development.

Some businesses may think it is particularlyhard to spend time looking at employeeengagement in a recession. During times of cutbacks, however, staff tend to take onmore tasks, responsibilities and work longerhours, sometimes without a pay increase or promotion.

Staff morale is also hit when redundanciesare announced and it is, therefore, often even more important to target employeeengagement at such a time – to ensure yourbusiness stays fighting fit.

We all want happy employees so why notundertake a little research for yourself?

Walk into the office on Monday morning andask yourself: Do my employees look happy?Are they going the extra mile? Also askyourself: What can I do to improve employeeengagement in my workforce?

To find out more, visitwww.surveyinitiative.co.uk

TOP TIPS FOR ASSESSING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT:

Do your teams regularly exceed targets? Are they highly innovative? Do they provideexcellent levels of customer service? If so, this could indicate high levels ofemployee engagement.

Do you have a high staff turnover? If you see a jump or steady increase in staffturnover this could be a sign you have anemployee engagement issue.

Undertake an employee engagement survey.This will help benchmark where you are atpresent. You can then compare yourorganisation against these results in 6-12months’ time.



LEISURE

Strengthening your relationships

As the green shoots of recovery are nowbecoming visible (for some businesses morethan others), it is a good time to considerstrengthening the relationships you havewithin your business. This may involvelunches, dinners, parties or other forms ofentertainment often including the sportingarena. My clients often tell me how useful a

round of golf can be in finding out a littlemore about their clients’ preferences. This can help you to interact with them moreconfidently in the working environment.

Finding out that your client or colleague is a rugby follower may mean that a ticket to a match at Twickenham could have a morepositive effect on how they feel about youand your company than the usual Christmas hamper!

If they are into fast cars, send them a voucherfor a track day at Silverstone: into music –tickets for their favourite band: into golf –book them a round at St Andrews orWentworth! Make it part of your quest to find out more about their hobbies andinterests so you can form a closer friendshipwith them. The adage “ they don’t care howmuch you know until they know how muchyou care” still holds true, so perhaps thisChristmas you can be more creative with thepresent. Rather than just another gift orproduct with your company logo, give them a memory they will cherish for ever.

For any of you who now realise you do notknow your clients orcolleagues as well as youhoped for, make 2013 the year you decide toplay more golf. You will be amazed what youcan learn about someone in four hours on agolf course when they are concentrating ontheir game rather than their business.

If you need help with your game or would liketo start playing golf please contact me on thedetails below.

Stuart Robertson Director of Golf – The Doctorgolf AcademyUfford Park Hotel, Golf & SpaUfford Park, Woodbridge IP12 1QWTelephone: 01394 383480Email: [email protected]: The Doctorgolf AcademyTwitter: @doctorgolf247

In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to market your business, so excellent

service and value for money are crucial.

Contact Paul Newman or visit our website to findout how we can help take your business forward.

01359 240202www.alanbrannandesign.co.uk

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Culinary Books by Local Restaurateurs

Bon Appetit!by Régis Crépy£18.99 Available from: www.greathouse.co.uk, Waterstones in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich.

Bon Appetit!, an inspiring collection of delicious contemporary andtraditional French recipes. Régis, the charismatic, passionate anduncompromising French chef who owns three award-winning restaurants in Suffolk, has dedicated the past 30 years to creating the perfect experiencefor his customers at The Great House in Lavenham, Mariners at IpswichWaterfront and Maison Bleue in Bury St Edmunds. It is with this same

passion that he has now published Bon Appetit! The 65 recipes written by the classically trained headchefs and Régis are modern and fresh, revealing the expertise and understanding of good food andwonderful flavour combinations, as well as showing how easy it is to create vibrant, tasty, Gallic dishes.The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs of the dishes as well as descriptive images of thelives of those behind the scenes, from the kitchen porter to the head chef at the renowned restaurants.All instructions are set out in simple terms with no fancy terminology. Quantities and cooking timesare stated precisely with handy tips included.

Recreate: The Milsoms Restaurants Cookbookby Stas Anastasiades with Laura James and the chefs from the Milsom restaurants£25 Available from: www.milsomshotels.com

Published by highly acclaimed food and drink publisher, Jon Croft Editorial,the book is a selection of more than 100 classic recipes from the Milsomrestaurants to enjoy at home. Head chefs from all the restaurants, includingLe Talbooth and the seafood restaurant The Harbourside at The Pier, havecontributed their favourite recipes, tailored to suit the demands of the homecook. The book features a collection of dishes with ‘the kind of food you really

want to eat’, be it for a casual supper with friends or an out-to-impress dinner party. This is food thatwill impress, soothe, comfort, nourish and dazzle – just as they do at the group’s restaurants inDedham, Harwich or Kesgrave.

The British Larder Cookbook: A Book of Seasonal British Recipes by Madalene Bonvini-Hamel£30 Available from: www.britishlarder.co.uk and all good bookshops.

From the founder of the award-winning gastro-pub, The British Larder (most recently Best Food Pub of the Year in the Great British Pub Awards2012) comes a beautiful and informative recipe book that celebrates theseasonal bounty of Britain’s produce as refracted through the mind of one of the country’s most exciting new talents. In this, her first book, MadaleneBonvini-Hamel brings her passion for seasonal, locally-sourced produce tothe fore, aiding her crusade to convert all who love food to thinking and

eating seasonally. This is a substantial 447-page book, a month-by-month tour of the best produce thatthe country has to offer, paired and transformed in the unique way that has been responsible for somuch of The British Larder’s swiftly-gained and extremely fast-growing reputation. Madalene’s ownsumptuous photographs of food created and styled by her own hands make The British Lardercookbook a glowing testament to her immense talent and her admirable ethos.

East Anglia is home to numerous thriving restaurants and food and drinkis an important part of the local economy. Worth £400 million to Suffolk,from ‘field to fork’, it accounts for approximately 200 businesses inSuffolk (11% of Suffolk businesses). This year three leading restaurateurshave produced books to showcase their culinary prowess, enabling you to recreate their dishes at home.



MEMBER PROFILE

Tim FentonTim Fenton runs a consultancy and training business and is on the board oftwo other Suffolk-based companies. After Ipswich School and BristolUniversity, he started work as a journalist in Suffolk, moving on to become aWestminster lobby correspondent and Managing Editor of BBC News Online.

He was elected to the committee of IoD Suffolk earlier this year and helpswith communications and the marketing of Institute events.

Did you come back to Suffolk or did younever leave?

We came back when the children began toapproach school age. My wife comes fromSuffolk. Her mother and my parents livenearby. It’s great to be able to get togetherregularly. I’m a bit less keen on the early trainto Liverpool Street. But returning on asummer’s evening to get off at Manningtree,surrounded by Stour Valley meadows, makesyou realise how lucky we are to live in thispart of the world.

My parents moved to Suffolk when I was nineso, strictly, I will always be a ‘blow-in’. But I amvery proud of my adopted county and pleasedthat our children were born and brought uphere. I like to think I’m loyal. Although I liketo get away for a bit of sunshine in the winter,there’s nowhere else I’d rather be in summer.We live near Pin Mill and a walk by the riverand a pint in the Butt and Oyster makes for avery pleasant Sunday afternoon. IpswichTown FC have tested my loyalty in recentyears but I’ve still got my season ticket. One can only hope better days lie ahead.

You still do some work for the BBC. That musthave been interesting in recent months?

It has been. I know some of the peopleinvolved and feel sorry for those who’vesuffered unfairly. But what Savile appears tohave got away with at the BBC and elsewhereis shocking. Everything possible has to bedone to stop anything like it happening again.

I ran the training that followed the AndrewGilligan broadcast and Hutton Inquiry. That was a very difficult time, too. But theorganisation recovered. At its best the newsoutput is better than it’s ever been, I believe,and the Olympics were brilliant. But good,original journalism requires that reporters begiven some space and independence. TheBBC does a lot to try to ensure they work tothe appropriate standards but it’s not easy toguarantee that.

Before this all blew up, I was doing some workon impartiality and social media with the BBCCollege of Journalism. I may be involved inwhatever follows this.

What exactly does your business do?

We do two things that might not immediatelyappear to be linked. We know aboutmultimedia editorial production. So, we canhelp print businesses move online orwebsites extend their brand back into printor we can help develop whole newproduction systems. We’ve worked withEMAP, Metro, gapyear.com, governmentdepartments and others.

The second thing is values-based training. We link personal and organisational values tokey points of everyday practice. It works wellin an industry like journalism where quite alot of responsibility is devolved. But it canbenefit most types of business.

The internet has had a huge impact onjournalism. Does the industry have a future?

I strongly believe it does. Anyone who istrying to make money needs up-to-date,relevant information presented in a palatableway. They won’t succeed without it. I realisethat via the web there’s now more dataavailable than ever before but it still takes ajournalist to work out what is true andsignificant and make it interesting.

The Economist magazine has now prettymuch made the transition from primarilyprint to primarily digital and is making agood profit. There’s no reason why moregeneral publications can’t do the same. If they understand their brands and theenduring needs and wants they satisfy theywill prosper, but investment is required. Too many publishers were taking too muchmoney out of the businesses too late and, for some, the opportunity is now past.

I have written an MA course in journalism for University Campus Suffolk. It draws onexperience of working in all media plus someof the lessons learned at the BBC through itsvarious crises. We hope to have our firststudents next year. I think it’s likely they’ll goon to start work as freelancers or runningtheir own businesses but I do think they’llmake a living. UCS is a big plus for Suffolk. I hope it can succeed.

What do you like about the IoD?

It is tempting to concentrate on your corebusiness when times are tough. But, in myexperience, that’s when it is most beneficialto reach out and work with others. In Suffolk,I believe the IoD is the best place to investthat time and effort. And we’re all nice people!


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Iod Suffolk winter 2012