West Midlandswww.iod.com Spring 2018

Regional chairman: Return of the: prepares to hand: ‘Ice Maidens’,: over the baton at: conquerors: Director of Year Awards: of:Antarctica:

The draw of HS2 Mark Thurston, CEO of High Speed 2, to outline business opportunities of the UK Central Hub

IoD signs Armed Forces covenant • Last chance on GDPR

Let’s make this region the CONTACTS IoD West Midlands: powerhouse it should be The Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2ND t: 0121 643 7801 shoulders fully behind the wheel of HS2 – the Dr Jason Wouhra OBE development of a high-speed rail network was Chairman: Dr Jason Wouhra OBE Chairman, now a Government priority. e: [email protected] IoD West Midlands Step forward Simon Walker, then Director- t: 0121 359 2199 General of this very organisation, to describe the This will be my last column as IoD West Midlands plan as a ‘grand folly’… much to the disgust of Regional Director/Editor: chairman, as I hand over the baton to our new several senior business and civic leaders in the Calum Nisbet chair at our Awards Breakfast on June 19. I have Midlands who had been very supportive of the e: [email protected] been in this role for five years, having originally project. t: 0121 643 7801 signed up for three, and it’s been a remarkable To say I was in demand from the media to Regional Events Manager/ journey. I thought I would use this column to comment is an understatement! I managed to Content Editor: look back at my time in office and pick out some soften the IoD’s stance and deflect a touch of Sue Hurrell of the key moments. criticism while making a strong case for the West e: [email protected] My time as chairman has coincided with what Midlands to be placed at the heart of Government t: 0121 643 1868 has been an often turbulent time for the UK. infrastructure plans. It certainly made for a When I took up the office in 2013 the UK baptism of fire. The Institute of Directors West Midlands economy was facing uncertain times. The effects membership magazine is published on of the economic crash were still being felt and the Since then, thankfully, there have been a host of behalf of the IoD by: austerity programme announced to counteract the far more pleasurable duties. Among them was my collapse in government finances was hitting doctorate, bestowed on me by Aston University, as Chamber Media Services, business and community confidence. There was well as my recent award of the OBE. Perhaps the 4 Hilton Road, Bramhall, Stockport, plenty of doom and gloom around; every week I pick, though, was the opportunity to join 20 other Cheshire SK7 3AG. seemed to field media questions on the likelihood business leaders and influencers at a series of of recession, of a slowing down in growth and meetings held in No. 10 Downing Street with the Advertising sales: falls in GDP. Despair was everywhere. then Prime Minister, David Cameron. To have the Colin Regan I sense a completely different outlook today. chance to put forward the IoD’s case, in such t: 01925 879830 / 07871 444922 There is huge energy everywhere you look, hallowed surroundings, was a superb opportunity e: [email protected] whether it’s in capital developments – count the and highlighted just how much respect there is for Production enquiries: cranes on Birmingham’s skyline – investments, the institute’s opinions – and those of its Rob Beswick, innovations or firms simply getting on with members. t: 0161 426 7957 improving products, services and boosting sales, Such high-level contacts continue. Just last e: [email protected] both here and abroad. week I attended a lunch with the Chancellor, There is real confidence among the business Philip Hammond, at the behest of the West leaders I speak to – and I speak to a lot, from Midlands Mayor, Andy Street – where again, the Please note... many sectors. Yes, there are bumps in the road to case for business was put, and listened to. Although every effort is made to ensure overcome – Brexit being the most obvious – but However, in many ways the high-profile the accuracy of material contained overall, there is a genuine feeling of optimism that meetings such as these weren’t the highlights. within this magazine, neither the IoD the business community can cope with the Rather, I look back fondly on the many lower nor Chamber Media Services can challenges before it, and flourish. profile events I’ve attended where I’ve met accept any responsibility for omissions After all, if we’ve managed to survive after some directors and business leaders from a myriad of or inaccuracies in its editorial or of the brickbats that have come our way in the sectors. It is only when you get talking to the advertising content. past decade, we can survive anything! people behind our businesses – large and small – that you realise just The views expressed in this publication Picking out individual highlights of my time in how entrepreneurial the West Midlands is. are not necessarily those of the IoD. office is difficult, but a few examples do stand out. It has been a pleasure to meet many The carriage of adverts in this Perhaps the most challenging came in my first inspirational people behind our great businesses, publication does not constitute an week of office. Desperate to send out positive to learn the secrets of their success and compare endorsement of the products or services advertised. signals in the teeth of a gathering recession, David notes on how to run organisations successfully. All articles within this publication are Continued on page 4 Cameron and George Osborne had put their copyright IoD West Midlands. Editorial consent must be obtained before any are reproduced either in printed form or IoD West Midlands Patrons electronically.

Cover picture: An artist’s impression of the UK Central in Solihull, as the IoD prepares to welcome HS2’s CEO, Mark Thurston, to an event on May 18

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 03 Chairman’s welcome

Continued from page 3 A really encouraging aspect of the past five Dr Jason Wouhra OBE receives his years has been an acknowledgement of the need award from HRH Prince Charles at for closer co-operation between hitherto often Buckingham Palace competing bodies – whether local authorities or trade/business groups. Many now appreciate the value of deeper, broader co-operation, particularly in attracting inward investment and on cross-boundary projects such as transport infrastructure. organisation retains his or her authenticity and Commonwealth Games doesn’t try to become something they are not. A shining example of this greater co- Have confidence in your own judgement and operation is the Commonwealth Games bid. hope that your experience will lead you through West Midlands Mayor Andy Street saw that this the challenges that will befall you. was the chance of a lifetime for the region to Whoever does become chair will have a host a global sporting event and drive invest- wonderful opportunity to grow, both as a ment into it at the same time. The Government’s business leader and a person. The role of IoD commitment to invest £70m in the Alexander Chair gives you insights into how the non- Stadium is just the start, and funding from business community operates. Indeed, one of central government will be followed by private the many things I have taken delight over has businesses investing in the city and wider region. been the new connections I have made outside Andy used all his powers of persuasion to the business world, with social and community convince the Government to back Birmingham groups, and with education. I have seen for as the Games host – but his efforts would have myself how we are all inter-connected; one of been for nought if it wasn’t for the cross-party the joys of the IoD has been seeing those and boundary support he received from our interactions work in the flesh. local authorities and the business community. The bid’s success proved how much more we can Many thanks achieve if we work together rather than apart. We must continue to focus on good I have taken a huge amount from this role I write this as the Commonwealth Games are governance. There are too many stories about and I look back on my time as chairman with a in full swing in Australia. They have been a joy businesses and directors who do the wrong huge sense of pride. It has been hard work but to watch. Just think, in four years it will be our things. We know that they are the exception to ultimately, hugely rewarding. I’d like to thank region in the spotlight. How inspiring will it be, the rule, and that the overwhelming majority of everyone who has supported me over the past particularly for local children and those young directors are working hard and doing the best five years. Pride of place goes to our staff at the people – particularly from under-privileged they can for their businesses. But maintaining IoD regional office – John Phillips, the regional communities – to get involved in four years the highest standards of corporate governance director whom I first worked with, and his time, whether competing or working in the is vital if we are to maintain the public’s trust. successor, Calum Nisbet. I would also like to Games, gaining valuable work experience they Always remember, good governance means thank my predecessor, John Rider, who has can take away from the event. good business. That, improving our given me a great deal of support throughout my Andy deserves a great deal of credit for this. productivity and keeping our businesses time as Chairman, especially early on. Since his first day as Mayor he has put business competitive, will ensure we can compete in the I would also like to thank Sue Hurrell in the on the front foot and has been its enthusiastic global business world. This will be particularly regional office, who in many ways has been the champion, both close to home and further true post-Brexit, by which time we must have backbone of the IoD. Her work on the Women afield – particularly in London, where there can built a positive landscape for business. Some of as Leaders agenda has been very successful and now be no doubt as to the level of ambition and that responsibility lies with government but it it was started long before others were putting drive that lies in the West Midlands. also demands that business adapts and ensures the topic at the forefront of their minds. I am it operates at the best level it can to help our very proud to have worked with her and John Devolution economy move forward. Phillips MBE, both of whom are dear friends. That energy must be retained as we push for Thanks, too, to the regional board and a comprehensive devolution settlement for the ‘I have been a strong advocate committee members who represent the IoD on region. I have been a strong advocate of this for a more local level. We have a great unity on our some time and see the many benefits we can of devolution for some time ... board, with an eclectic mix of individuals from reap through having greater control of powers we can reap many benefits different backgrounds who provide wise over planning, transport and other business- counsel and leadership. They have been an related issues. With Andy Street at the helm, through having greater control amazing bunch of people to work with. and supported by our local authorities and the of powers ... ’ Thanks, too, to our network of business business community, I see only great things sponsors and corporate supporters, without developing for our region through this. whom the IoD could not put on many of the As to my successor, I’ll be happy to help them events it does. The IoD achieve even more success for the IoD. One Finally, thank you to those members who so So what’s next for the IoD? I hope we will piece of advice I would offer them is ‘be generously opened the doors of their continue to represent you, our members, with yourself’. I was determined to remain true to workplaces to me. I have learned so much from integrity and foresight, as we seek to create an myself whenever I represented the IoD – and I you all over the past five years, and I am environment in which business can flourish. think I did. It is important that the head of any eternally grateful.

04 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 Craig McVoy, founder of Bosses urge Beyond Brand, speaking with Government mentees at Coventry to clamp down University on late payers Half of businesses have faced issues with late payments in the last year, a new survey of 787 company directors reveals. The poll by the IoD shows that three-in-10 business leaders see ‘excessively bureaucratic payments system’ as the main reason for late Our marvellous mentors payment and just over a fifth said it was a result of ‘grossly unfair’ terms or practices make such a difference used by larger firms. The recent collapse of Carillion has shone Calum Nisbet, Additionally, as well as one-to-one a light on the issue, but the business group’s IoD West Midlands Regional Director mentoring, we also operate a range of group figures show the problem is more widespread I am pleased to report the continuing success sessions. IoD member Craig McVoy spoke to than just the construction sector. One-in-five of our student mentoring programme at both mentees in Coventry on the importance of IoD members support the reporting Coventry University and the University of aligning yourself with the right organisation in requirements for large companies introduced Wolverhampton. This is only possible due to terms of brand and values. In Wolverhampton, last year, but this measure is yet to bed in. the marvellous help we receive from so many motivational speaker Susanne Vitanen spoke Meanwhile, just one per cent of IoD IoD members who act as mentors. about selection interviews and the importance members believe that using the Small For those of you who have not been of smiling, voice tone, being positive and how Business Commissioner was the best way to involved to date, the system works like this: to create both energy and rapport. address this issue. • We concentrate on employability and Afterwards we were joined by more students Edwin Morgan, director of Policy at the those so-called soft skills which we all know and IoD members and each student had a IoD, said: “It is deeply disturbing that so are so important. mock interview followed by instant feedback. many businesses have to struggle to claim • We support business students in their final As we approach our final term, I’d like to the money they are owed. Chasing late year of a business-related degree. thank all of our members who have so payments can have a particularly damaging • Students are matched individually with IoD generously given of their time, and I hope that effect on small companies, sapping resources members according to their chosen subjects. even more IoD members will come forward to and hurting their productivity. Recently, at both universities we have been help us again with our 2018/19 academic year. “Our members will try only to work with concentrating on interview skills, with many of For the past seven years this programme has businesses that pay on time, but it’s not our bright young people seeking internment proven to be enjoyable and rewarding for both always possible. At the heart of the issue is a positions in some great companies both locally IoD mentors and students. power imbalance. Smaller companies are and internationally. • More from [email protected] often made to jump through unnecessary hoops by larger customers, but don’t want to risk souring the relationship by taking any formal action. Ambassador to address BABC “Governments have tried to tackle the America’s ambassador to the UK, Robert than 30 years as the chairman and CEO of issue through the Prompt Payment Code, Wood Johnson, will be the keynote speaker The Johnson Company, a private asset but it is clearly still a problem, and an area at a major transatlantic business conference management firm. where many businesses would like to see taking place in Birmingham in June. Russell Jeans, chief operating officer at action. The British-American Business Council Greater Birmingham Chamber of “Victims of late payment now have access (BABC) Annual Conference (June 6-7) will Commerce, said: “We are hugely privileged to the newly-created Small Business attract delegates from all over Britain and to have the Ambassador attending the Commissioner, but the role is not yet North America as businesses seek new conference, This underscores the huge well-known. The Government has a job to markets in the post-Brexit era. economic importance of our bilateral do to publicise the options that are out there, A businessman, philanthropist and relationship with the US both now and in and we would also urge them to consider diplomat, Ambassador Johnson is a huge the future.” stronger measures to clamp down on the coup for the event, which will feature For more information, please visit menace of late payment.” speakers from politics, business, www.babc.org/conference. IoD When asked, 48 per cent of respondents economics and other sectors. He members are being offered a 20% said they had had issues with late payments, has been the US ambassador to discount to attend the full while 23 per cent of said they felt larger the UK since last August, when conference, or other discounts for firms’ payment practices were ‘grossly unfair’, he was nominated by the individual events. Contact events@ and 31 per cent said payment practices were incoming president Donald birmingham-chamber.com stating excessively bureaucratic. Trump, having served for more that you are an IOD member.

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 05 News

Book your places now for the Director of the Year Awards 2018

IoD West Midlands Director of the Year Awards Date: Tuesday, June 19 Time: 07:30-10:00 Venue: Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham Cost: £40 + VAT (members and non-members) Table of 10 £400 + VAT Our winners from the 2017 Awards. Who’ll be in this shot in June?

n Congratulate our awards The IoD’s Director of the Year Awards open specially commissioned award souvenirs, the with a Champagne reception at 7.30am Director of the Year will also receive two winners followed by a full English breakfast. The awards Business Class Tickets from Qatar Airways. n Join Jason Wouhra at his final presentations will take place from 8.30am and All winners will be decided by our panel of event as regional chairman we aim to finish by 10am. judges, except for the Chairman’s Award, n The IoD has now standardised these awards which is the sole decision of our regional Meet our new regional chair across the UK and our winners will look to go chair, and is given to the director whose forward to represent the region in the national outstanding contribution to the regional Book now for one of the region’s most IoD Director of the Year Awards in the autumn. business scene is worthy of special uplifting and exciting business events – the There are 11 categories this year: recognition. IoD West Midlands Director of the Year n SME So why don’t you join the vibrant atmosphere Awards. n New Director at the impressive Edgbaston Stadium and be Once again we return to Edgbaston Cricket n Non-Exec inspired by this year’s finalists who have shown Ground for this year’s Awards Champagne n Early-Stage Business business excellence, ambition, commitment, Breakfast, as we celebrate the hard work and n Public/Third Sector innovation and strong leadership qualities? enterprise of some of the West Midlands’ n Global Book your tickets now. leading business figures and up-and-coming n Inclusivity entrepreneurs. n Innovation After selling out this event in previous years, n Corporate Social Responsibility Book now we are moving to the larger Banqueting Suite n Family Business You can book your tickets now for for this year’s ceremony. n Chairman’s Award for Excellence in this inspiring event via In addition to congratulating the winners, Director and Board Practice www.iod.com/westmidlands or call this event has an extra significance as it is the the regional office on 0121 643 1868 last official engagement for our regional There will also be one overall winner named to secure your places at what is sure chairman, Jason Wouhra – and will be the first – our West Midlands Director of the Year – to be one of the most uplifting at which we will meet our new chair, who will who will be chosen from one of the winners business events of 2018. be announced on the day. in the categories above. As well as our Event sponsors and supporters

06 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 Technology and Master trust pension skills are the key to schemes: what should cracking the UK’s employers look for? productivity puzzle, There are many reasons why an employer might choose a Master Trust solution in preference over a bespoke says IoD economist Trust-based occupational pension scheme or a contract based group personal pension/stakeholder arrangement, says Anthony Palmer, Corporate “It’s been reported that by 2030, one-in-five jobs could be Financial Adviser at Ascot Lloyd... replaced by technology. However, only a minority of businesses have mapped out how technology will disrupt ...For example, the timeframe for implementation and/or their employee their organisation.” profile might have made it difficult for them to consider an alternative option. So began our informative talk from the IoD’s senior It is probably impossible to identify one particular type of employer that economist, Tej Parikh, to launch the Productivity would be best suited to a Master Trust arrangement. Nevertheless, key drivers Breakfast Series in association with our patrons, BHSF. in the decision-making process could be: The key issue was upskilling our workforce, he said. • A desire to minimise ongoing costs; “With automation looming, demographics changing and • Accommodating a predominantly low paid and transient workforce; talk of capping the number of migrant workers prominent, • The availability of a Master Trust solution covering a particular we have to do more to ensure that home-grown workers employment sector (ie, the not-for profit-sector) and/or; have the appropriate skills to adapt to • A desire to maintain a Trust based approach, but without the associated the changing world of work.” on-going governance requirements. In a recent IoD Member Master Trusts are not new; they have been around for decades. In many survey, Tej explained, the biggest cases they have been serving a particular employment sector or community (by barrier to improving giving employers in that sector/community access to the benefits of a productivity was ‘time Trust-based pension scheme but without the cost and hassle of running their constraints,’ closely followed by own). However, the introduction of auto-enrolment led to an explosion of ‘skills challenges’. In the same new providers, many of whom were set up purely to exploit regulatory survey, ‘skills shortages’ was cited loopholes. While the Pensions Regulator is now taking action to clamp down as the second biggest key business on these abuses, employers still need to be vigilant in their selection process. concern of members, slightly behind At the very least they must look for a scheme which has obtained ‘Master prevailing ‘UK economic conditions’. Trust Assurance’. Our members saw ‘investing in new technology’ as the They should also pay close attention to the investment options available to key driver for improving productivity, a fraction ahead of members. The questions they should consider include: ‘helping existing staff to work more effectively’. These two How do the ‘member borne charges’ applicable to the default fund (and all obviously go hand in hand. other available funds) compare with Government requirements for qualifying As Tej pointed out, “a company’s performance will be workplace pension schemes? While the cheapest solution is not always the increasingly determined by a firm’s agility and its ability to best solution, higher charges always need to be justified. respond quickly to changing employment, technology, and Will the high-level objectives of the default investment strategy and its consumer demands, not just how well it can refine existing approach to risk management meet the needs of your workers? production and processes.” Is the range of alternative funds suitable? For example; if the workforce is Workforce planning, reskilling and retraining is crucial relatively financially sophisticated they might require more investment choice for individual and business productivity, he stressed. “HR than would otherwise be the case. teams need to be more embedded into departments How have the range of investment funds offered performed against defined throughout the organisation to identify skills needed for benchmarks (net of charges)? While past performance is no guarantee of the future and help create cross-functional teams, while future success it might help to demonstrate the effectiveness of the investment businesses must work closer with their local communities, processes and controls the provider has in place. schools and industry to help best prepare for the future.” Last but not least, employers should consider the post retirement A fascinating presentation on a key topic. Our next ‘decumulation’ benefit options available to members. For example, can the speaker in this breakfast series is Tony Davis, from the provider facilitate all of the money purchase pension freedoms that were West Midlands Academic Health Science Network, on introduced a few years ago? May 22nd at Hotel Indigo. Tony will discuss why it is so The implementation of a Master Trust arrangement should not be seen as a important for business leaders to proactively encourage ‘shoot and forget’ solution. Employers should still review their choice of better mental health and wellbeing, a better understanding Master Trust provider at regular intervals in the same way that trustee boards of avoidance of harm and the prevention of are required to review the ongoing performance of their administrators, musculoskeletal conditions and promotion of healthier consultants and investment managers. This is the only way that they can lifestyles. ultimately ensure their strategy will result in the best outcome for members.

If you would like more information, please contact the Ascot Lloyd Corporate team on 0345 475 7500. 45 Church Street, Birmingham, B3 2RT. News: IoD Round table on Brexit

IoD round table gets to grips with Brexit impact on money markets

Last month, a group of IoD Chartered Directors Above, left: Sue and members from across the West Midlands Hurrell and Dr came together to discuss the issues of Brexit and Jason Wouhra OBE the impact it is having on money markets, (IoD) and Ian looking particularly at foreign exchange and the Graves (National effect of high levels of currency volatility on UK Grid). Above, Dr businesses. Adrian Steele As Guy Phelan of event sponsors Moneycorp (Mercian Labels) pointed out, “foreign currency risk has been Zeynep Turudi brought right to the top of the agenda.” (Truede Ltd) Calum Much of this volatility has, of course, been in Nisbet (IoD). response to the political and economic Left, Stuart Laight, uncertainty that followed the referendum. All (Aspray24), Toby this has made forward planning for many Woodward businesses, particularly those trading abroad, (Moneycorp) and extremely tricky. Dr Adrian Steele For SMEs operating in sectors such as (Mercian Labels manufacturing, currency is a particularly Ltd) sensitive area. If, for example, a business buys its raw materials in euros and sells finished goods in dollars, exposure to the markets can an inordinate amount of the procurement be great, although margins may be slender. If process not least because sometimes small the foreign exchange element of a contract is percentages (as we’ve seen) matter. To this end, not managed correctly, it can wipe out all of the the discussion ranged around options which profits on a project. strengths) they may reveal. For example, the US might be considered. To ask (not unnaturally) “where is this economy may be doing well, but the dollar is Fixing the rate of exchange from the outset exchange rate going?” takes everyone into the weakening against both the euro and sterling, means a business will benefit from minimal realms of speculation and is almost impossible almost certainly because the markets are variance to its forecasting, while its currency to answer with any great certainly! The only focusing on the size of US borrowing. The US is losses are minimised. solution, delegates agreed, is for businesses to running huge deficits at the moment and there Paying overseas suppliers in sterling was also manage risk, rather than try to second-guessing are concerns about whether it will be able to tabled, again, to provide greater certainty. the market. Richard Jenkins of Rubery Owen sustain this growth. The issue here, then, is that Bringing in expert third parties can help warned that sterling would suffer if the UK of longer-term economic stability. free-up business partners, allowing them to ended up with a ‘hard Brexit’. focus on key deliverables such as quality. One key element of any foreign exchange risk Managing risk management programme is understanding the How individual businesses then manage their Will the banks move abroad after Brexit? underlying causes of currency fluctuations risk is clearly a subject of debate. For many The discussion also explored the likelihood because of the structural weaknesses (or businesses, matters of foreign exchange take up of foreign exchange markets remaining in

08 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 London or moving to Europe after Britain Above, Ian Priest (Chair, leaves the European Union. IoD Black Country), Jane The consensus from around the table was Sommerville, (Bowers & that, although all the talk has been about the Jones Ltd), Steve banks leaving London, it’s most unlikely to Deutsch (Wesleyan) and happen. Stuart Laight (Aspray London remains the centre of foreign 24) exchange, and the city is a major established Above right, Jason presence with a favourable time zone. Not to Wouhra and Ian Graves mention the huge associated costs and upheavals for big city banks if they did decide Right, Guy Phelan, to move their head offices to the continent Moneycorp once the UK exited the EU.

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 09 News

IoD backs Britain’s Armed Forces as Director-General signs covenant to support nation’s service personnel

The Director-General of the IoD, Stephen Martin, has signed the Armed Forces Covenant in the presence of Earl Howe, Minister of State for Defence, on behalf of the institute, committing its members and the wider business community to use workplace resources in order to help those in uniform and ex-service employees. Commenting on the IoD’s commitment Mr Martin said: “I believe this is a hugely important step for the IoD to take. “We have long valued our close engagement with the armed forces. Across the country, the IoD’s regional branches have helped to foster relationships between businesses and the forces. “In signing the Covenant as a national body we want to underline the fundamental role our armed services play – for our society and for businesses. Each and every service man and woman contributes to providing the security and freedom that underpins our lives.” Mr Martin acknowledged that simply signing the covenant was not enough, however. “We have to think about what society offers back to former armed forces personnel. We also need to IoD is backing our consider how to help them overcome the challenges they may face after leaving the forces. “For many, one of the foremost of these challenges revolves around mental health. The Armed Forces increasing emphasis on this issue in recent years has been an incredibly positive development. Across the country, there are a host of charities doing fantastic work in this area, and it is no perhaps most importantly, you gain a deep are perfectly positioned to found and grow the longer a subject marked by stigma. But there understanding of what it means to work as a businesses of the future. remains much work to be done.” team, and what can be gained when a group of “To ensure this entrepreneurial potential is On employment, Mr Martin said: “No-one people – with different skills and personalities able to shine, the IoD will also pledge to support leaving the armed forces should have to see the – pull together in the same direction. ex-service personnel looking to establish and workplace as being off-limits. Instead, it should “Show me a business leader who does not grow new businesses. In particular we will work be a place where assistance and openness is value these attributes.” with X-Forces in highlighting the network of most readily available. But as we ensure that The IoD will also pledge to amplify founders and resources available to support is in place where it is needed, we must campaigns driven by the Ministry of Defence entrepreneurs through the IoD 99. also ensure that we recognise the fantastic that are aimed at forging ever stronger links “Our IoD 99 members regularly tell me that benefits that ex-service men and women can between the business community and the these events are of immense value to them. bring to businesses and the wider economy. Armed Services. In particular, we would like to They allow the leaders of some of the UK’s most “The sheer range of skills that individuals showcase those that highlight the benefits to exciting new businesses to share ideas and gain in the armed forces is phenomenal. employers of taking on ex-service personnel. expertise, and to learn from each other. I hope Speaking from personal experience, I know that This is in everyone’s interests, said Stephen. that this network can be a community for what I learned during my training as a Reservist “All too often, we hear members complain that former services personnel who wish to make has benefited me throughout my career. they cannot find people with exactly the skills the most of their entrepreneurial potential. “At the same time, and while those who are that are in the armed forces toolkit. This “By maximising the creative potential of part of the armed forces get first-rate physical covenant is a reminder of just how available ex-service personnel, by highlighting the training, and a whole host of technical skills, it these skills are . qualities they can contribute to employers, and is easy to overlook the soft skills they develop “But while the skills of ex-service personnel by helping to ensure the necessary support is in that make many ex-service personnel stand out make them highly attractive to employers, it is place, the IoD is seeking to recognise the from the crowd. these same skills and qualities – like immense contribution those in the armed “They gain experience in dealing with resourcefulness, fortitude, and teamwork – that forces make to our country. incredibly challenging situations, and in are also found in successful entrepreneurs. And “I’m extremely proud to sign the Armed crafting solutions from limited resources. But in many ways, those who leave the armed forces Forces Covenant on behalf of the IoD.”

10 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018

IoD Spring Dinner

Spring dinner offers plenty of reasons for optimism

Craig Holden This year’s IoD West Midlands Spring Dinner was an evening with more than an air of optimism about it as 70 members and guests enjoyed a superb evening at Hogarth’s Stone Manor Hotel, near Kidderminster. Alongside an excellent dinner and networking opportunities we heard from the IoD’s own economics analyst, Tej Parikh, who offered an insightful look at the current state of the UK economy, and Brigadier Jock Fraser, who drew parallels between business leadership and those he’d experienced during his career with the Royal Marines. Before dinner we heard from the region’s IoD Council member, Brian Hall of BHSF, who also gave us plenty of reasons for optimism in the coming months. Tej Parikh’s presentation was particularly Roger Street (Rajja Ltd), Satish Jakhu and Amrit Bhogal impressive. As a former economics student (both RLK Solicitors) with IoD economist Tej Parikh myself, I know how hard it can be to make a presentation about economics interesting and the need to retool the economy post-Brexit as Western England. Jock took us through his accessible, but Tej certainly succeeded, drawing part of a long-term industrial strategy, where fascinating 25-year – and counting – career, upon his other skills as a former freelance digital and physical infrastructure are the top which has taken him to over 60 countries, journalist to keep us informed in an easy to priorities for Government action. including Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq as well understand way. Of course, this will not be easy, as Tej as seeing service in the Balkans and being He acknowledged the continuing uncertainty emphasised, but it was good to hear a note of present at the fall of the Berlin Wall. around Brexit and took us through the key cautious optimism, just as it was good to hear Of particular interest and relevance to the challenges that the UK economy faces: higher some positive things about the West Midlands. IoD was what he had to say about leadership inflation, subdued wages, weak investment and Based on the IoD’s own member surveys, we and teamwork, something he knows a great skills shortages. heard that the West Midlands is high up on the deal about starting from his early days in the But the challenges also brought with them regional economic confidence scale, and is the Royal Marines. opportunities, he stressed. A weaker sterling fastest growing region in the UK. As our We found out that the Marines is the only would offer improved export opportunities regional director, Calum Nisbet, pointed out, armed service branch where officers and the while better global economic growth was this shows the importance of the IoD’s member ranks train together in the same place, with a opening up new markets. surveys. 32-week basic training programme – the There was a continuing need to raise Tej was followed by Brigadier Jock Fraser, longest in the western world. In particular, the productivity, however, and perhaps above all, naval regional commander for Wales and focus on effective leadership and making good

Brigadier Jock Fraser

Eileen Schofield (Schofields Associates), Diane Burdett (BHSF) and Jackie Casey (Success Train)

12 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 decisions under duress was key. Jock went on to stress that although there has been a significant increase in the use of technology during his time, the most important thing was to keep people at the Above, clockwise from top left, Richard Morgan from forefront of everything – just as it should be event sponsors Harrison Clark Rickerbys; Calum Nisbet in business. (IoD) with Jo and Dave Smallwood (D2 An excellent evening, that was made Communications); Ian Priest (IoD), David Ashcroft possible by the unstinting support of (Harrison Clark Rickerbys), Craig Holden (CH Marketing); sponsors Harrison Clark Rickerbys, BHSF Ronnie Howard (PB Training Services), Marian & Paul and Qatar Airways. It was one of the best Latham (PB Training Services); and Brian Hall, BHSF, IoD regional dinners I have been to. West Midlands’ patron.

Craig Holden is an IOD member and Below, from left: Gaye and John Hannett (Auriga Ltd); Managing Director of C H Marketing. Colin Virgo (TLC Platforms) and Alex Latham (DAP He can be contacted on Trading); and Robert Elliott from event host Hogarths [email protected]. with Julia Neale (Young Enterprise).

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 13 Events News: International Women’s Day

IWD event hears call for more work to be done to achieve true equality

Business leaders from across the West Midlands joined together to celebrate International Women’s Day in an event organised by the IoD. The event, at the John Lewis community rooms in Birmingham city centre on March 8, focused on the global theme for International Women’s Day, #PressforProgress. An audience of around 50 businesspeople took part in the debate which was facilitated by former FIFA referee and current CEO of Sports Officials UK Ltd, Janie Frampton. She welcomed the chance to celebrate International Women’s Day but stated there is still a long way to go to achieve full gender equality in the workplace. “Coming together like this means we can learn from women who have built strong careers despite the barriers,” she said. “For all the barriers I have seen in the male-dominated world of football, I also know From left, Janie Frampton, Eileen those barriers are not insurmountable.” Schofield, Sue Hurrell, Suzette The panel featured a host of influential Davenport, Jannette Rawlinson, Janine women from different fields of expertise Green, Abhi Punj and Beaulagh Brooks including former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police Suzette Davenport. She progress towards equality, barriers to that And, also referring to #MeToo, Liz Whitfield said: “International Women’s Day is a fantastic progress, attitudes towards successful added: “Now is the time. So much ground- day to be inspired and enthused and to hear businesswomen and hints and tips for personal work has been laid and now is a time of change. powerful stories from across the world. I hope career progression. There is an acknowledgement that by pooling this event, in which we have shared skills and And while many welcomed the international experiences and voices, groups of individuals experience, will also encourage and inspire us.” anti-discrimination and anti-harassment can be powerful.” Also on the panel were Eileen Schofield, the pressure movements #MeToo and #TimesUp IoD Women as Leaders chair Jeanette former president of the Birmingham Law there was also some caution about their Rawlinson said the event had raised lots of Society and founder and principal at law firm long-term results. interesting points: “I am delighted that once Schofield and Associates, Liz Whitfield, “Events like International Women’s Day and again the IoD is bringing together experts and chartered accountant, licensed practitioner of campaigns like #MeToo and #TimesUp really professionals from so many sectors to share Insights Discovery, neuro-linguistic help to focus media attention,” Beaulagh experience. One of the things we do really well programming practitioner and business coach, Brooks said. “These campaigns have led to a is find resourceful and interesting speakers to and the founder of Centrepunch, Beaulagh resurgence of interest and energy is renewed discuss issues that really matter to business Brooks. but if there is too much going on but not going leaders.” Completing the speakers were Resolve ASB forward they risk drowning themselves out. The event was in partnership with Women in managing director Janine Green and digital “We need to really grasp that energy and Social Housing and members of Women Unltd and social media marketing consultant, Abhi enthusiasm but focus on how we are going to were also invited. It forms part of an ongoing Punj. take them forward to make real change. We series of events aimed at women business The debate featured discussions around need action.” leaders in Birmingham.

Pictured, far left, Carly Clyne, Zoe Cassell and Lavinia Batchelor, BHSF

Near left, Kate Curry (Curry Design), Sunny Gill (Silver Mountain) Liz Whitfield (Growth Plans)

14 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 The new Costa Civic events mark Coffee takes shape at Beacon Business society centenary Park, Stafford

A series of special events are taking place across Birmingham this year to celebrate 100 years of the Birmingham Civic Society – thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Events and activities include: • Sunday, June 10, 1pm Civic Picnic (Soho House). Pack a picnic, join the festivities and receive a warm welcome with a fun-filled afternoon in the grounds of Soho House, Handsworth, home of industrialist and Birmingham great, Matthew Boulton. Free It’s full (Cappuccino) steam event. • Saturday, June 2, July 28 & September 22, 10am City Centre Walking Tour. A fun ahead for new Costa Coffee and fascinating walking tour of Birmingham city centre with Blue Badge Guide, Ian Jelf. The tour will visit key landmarks and places of at Beacon Business Park interest in the city, highlighting important aspects of Birmingham Civic Society, and The construction of a Costa Coffee Drive The Beacon Development Zone some of the individuals who have contributed Thru on Weston Road in Stafford is steaming comprises 50 acres of greenfield to making Birmingham a better place. ahead, following planning approval. development land with only a few options • Saturday, July 7, 5pm-7pm Divine Work on the 0.5-acre site commenced on remaining: Beauty Concert (Birmingham Cathedral). A the 8 January 2018. Located on the • Plot R2A (0.38 acres - greenfield land, programme of great cathedral anthems Blackheath Lane Roundabout on the A519 suitable for restaurant development) inspired by the stained-glass windows. This Stafford to Uttoxeter road, the Drive Thru is • Plot R3A (0.77 acres, prime road concert supports the Divine Beauty window in an ideal location for passing traffic. frontage development site) restoration project. The venue will further enhance the • Plot 11 (60,234 sq. ft, prime industrial • Sunday 16 September, 2pm, Edward facilities on the 50-acre development zone of development site) Burne-Jones Walk. Birmingham Cathedral’s Beacon Business Park and will be a welcome • Plot 23A (12,740 sq. ft, prime road Heritage Manager tells the story of one of the addition for employees on the business park, frontage development site) city’s best-known artists through the sights surrounding businesses and local residents. and sounds of the city centre. There will be seating for 96 customers, Want to know more? • Saturday, November 17, 10am, The including 24 for those who enjoy their coffee For more information about Suffragette Movement in Birmingham (The al fresco. There will also be 33 parking spaces commercial property for sale in Council House, Birmingham) Women’s alongside the drive-through facility. Staffordshire, contact ISE Estates historian Nicola Gauld looks at the key It is expected that the store will provide up on 01785 256098 or individuals to historic events in the Suffragette to 20 jobs, with recruitment set to begin email [email protected]. movement. soon. These are just a few of the events taking place this year to mark the Society’s centenary. Gavin Orton, Chairman of the Warm welcome for Craig as he Society said: “We are delighted to be able to offer such a great range of events and activities to Birmingham residents, workers flies into new role at Qatar and visitors to the city, celebrating 100 years Craig Musson has been appointed to the newly London, predominantly in corporate sales. of the Birmingham Civic Society. created role of Corporate Account Manager, A number of you will have already met “The society and its members work Midlands for Qatar Airways. Craig at one of our IoD events, as the airline is tirelessly to protect our city’s green spaces and Craig has worked for the airline for three one of our patrons, but if you would like to cultural heritage and promote citizenship years and this move to the Midlands is in learn more about Qatar Airways and how amongst young people. recognition of the importance of our region to Craig can help lower your travel spend while “We hope these events and activities will the future growth plans of Qatar Airways, enjoying the five-star service that the airline is show off all that is great about Birmingham from Birmingham Airport. famous for, then please contact him directly and encourage even more people to become Craig has worked in the airline on: [email protected] members.” industry for over 25 years, having started at British Midland at 16. He • The full centenary programme is at is delighted to be returning to the https://www.birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk/ Midlands with his family for this wp-content/uploads/2018/03/The-City- new role, having spent the previous Beautiful-Centenary-Guide.pdf 15 years working and living in

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 15 Events Diary

IoD 99ers IoD WEST MIDLANDS: SHROPSHIRE 99 Social Cyber security and GDPR with Rob Hallmark, founder of Gruhme, and Phil Neale, Date: Wednesday, April 25 Time: 07:45 - 09:15 founder of Snoozle Venue: Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, Chapter House North, Date: Thursday, April 19 acquisition of ArcSight for $1.5b. With the Abbey Lawn, Abbey Foregate, Time: 18:00 - 20:00 creation of CyberSparta, Chris is now leading Shrewsbury, SY2 5DE Venue: Library of Birmingham, a passionate team of cyber and business Cost: Free of charge Centenary Square, professionals, developing the next generation Birmingham B1 2ND of security solutions within the Big Data and Cost: Free of charge We are delighted to be able to invite you to a Machine Learning realms. very special breakfast event hosted by Lanyon Chris is a committed information security Calling all 99ers! Don’t miss this exciting Bowdler LLP. Our guest speaker is the champion and frequent speaker at opportunity to meet Rob Hallmark, founder of founder of CyberSparta, Chris Woods, who international conferences and events. men’s grooming business, will discuss cyber threats and ‘threat actor’ In addition, the event will hear from Gruhme, and Phil Neale, motivation techniques including: experts from Barclays and Lanyon Bowdler founder of Snoozle – the • Insider threat about the new General Data Protection Social Alarm Clock. • Organised crime Regulation (GDPR). There will also be time • Hacktivism Beth Coulter, Specialist Support Manager for the popular 99 Network • Foreign intelligence at Barclays will be sharing knowledge and 60-second micro pitches Chris has a refreshingly pragmatic best practice for companies to ensure they are and network building. approach to cyber security. An experienced safeguarded against fraud especially when This event is free of leader within the cyber security realm, he making digital transactions online. Other charge but please book previously managed elite security teams at the highlights of her presentation include the on in advance with European Space Agency, HP and Fujitsu, and most common types of fraud that lead to Sue Hurrell at brings over 20 years of pure cyber security financial loss for businesses such as CEO [email protected] experience developed within the EU and impersonation and Invoice fraud. MENA regions. You will receive practical advice on the While at HP, Chris developed and led a steps your business should be taking and cyber security practice, culminating in the there will be a Q&A session included. WOMEN AS LEADERS Glittering choice at VALUE-CREATING BOARDS – WORKSHOP II Birmingham School Strategy Development of Jewellery Date: Friday, May 25 making a quick examination of the latest Date: Thursday, June 14 Time: 07:30 – 09:30 research on strategy and boards. Time: 12:00 - 14:15 Venue: Business Solution Centre, As an entrepreneur, shareholder, director Venue: Birmingham School of University of Wolverhampton, or manager you will gain a deepening insight Jewellery, Birmingham City The Development Centre, into how you might contribute to firm University, Vittoria Street, Coxwell Avenue, strategy development as well as learn about Birmingham, B1 3PA Wolverhampton WV10 9RT the component of strategy development by Cost: £10+VAT members Cost: Free of charge for members, boards of directors. £15+VAT non-members £15 +VAT for non-members The University of Wolverhampton will not The IoD’s Women as Leaders group are paying a store or use any personal data on visit to the one of Birmingham’s ‘hidden gems’ IoD West Midlands has partnered with the participants. However, intellectual input in ... the Birmingham School of Jewellery. University of Wolverhampton Business the form of arguments and answers given in Our visit will coincide with the school’s School to bring you four FREE OF CHARGE the discussion may be used in research data summer show, at which third year under- workshops for members during 2018 on the anonymously. graduates display their final collection work. importance of good governance. There will be time to speak to the students The second event in the series is: ‘Strategy about their designs and make purchases. Development.’ The visit will include a welcome and This Interactive Governance Development overview of the school, including its close links (ICD) workshop will focus on strategy with industry, by programme leader Beaulagh development in firms and the notion of To book on any IoD Brooks. A tour of the historical building which strategy in general. West Midlands event: has been the school’s home since 1890 will University professors will discuss the role go to www.iod.com/westmids follow. of the board of directors in relation to or contact [email protected] Ticket price includes refreshments. strategy development in practice, as well as

16 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 Summer treat in the beautiful Botanical Gardens

Date: Thursday, July 5 Time: 17:00 - 20:00 Venue: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, Birmingham B15 3TR Cost: £10 + VAT for members/ non-members

Join us for a summer BBQ at the beautiful Botanical Gardens. This very special event will see us saying ‘goodbye’ to our outgoing Chairman, Dr Jason Wouhra, and welcoming the new IoD West Midlands Regional Chair who will be announced at the Director of the Year Awards. If the weather is inclement the event will be held in the Terrace Suite.

WOMEN AS LEADERS PRODUCTIVITY BREAKFAST SERIES Ice Maidens are back - and they Promoting staff have a stunning story to tell wellness and Date: Thursday, April 26 the mental strength and physical managing health Time: 11:45 - 14:30 endurance to operate in the most hostile Venue: Opus Restaurant, environment on earth. Date: Tuesday, May 22 54 Cornwall Street, The Ice Maiden team covered 1,700km Time: 08:00 - 10:00 Birmingham B3 2DE in just 62 days, using muscle-power Venue: Hotel Indigo Birmingham, The Cube, Price: £45+VAT Member alone, pulling sledges and battling Wharfside Street, Birmingham B1 1RS £50 + VAT Non-member temperatures of -50°C and wind speeds Cost: Free of charge The six-strong British Ice Maidens of over 60mph during their three-month became the first all-female team to ski journey. The UK’s lagging coast-to-coast across Antarctica on The team will speak about their productivity has January 20th, finishing their awe- adventures and scientific research and been the subject of inspiring achievement ahead of schedule. will be bringing some of their equipment much debate in No team of women, from any nation, along to the event. recent months, and in response IoD West Midlands has has completed this formidable challenge We’ll enjoy a two-course lunch, with organised four special breakfast events focusing on before, and in completing this epic our guest speakers and plenty of time for how we can all raise productivity, in conjunction with journey they have shown women have questions to this remarkable team. our patrons BHSF. What small changes can we make that will deliver In association with big improvements to productivity – ‘little hinges swing big doors’? Our speakers will discuss the importance of innovation and investment, how to maximise efficiency when working as part of a team, and how to manage the fitness of the team to deliver. For the second in this series we welcome Tony Davis, commercial director of the West Midland Academic Health Science Network, to discuss the importance of promoting staff wellness and managing health within the workforce as a driver of improved productivity. Tony will discuss why businesses should proactively encourage better mental health and wellbeing, a better understanding of the prevention of musculoskeletal conditions and promote healthier lifestyles. He will provide case studies of the work of the West Midlands combined authorities mental health commission and examples of some interesting technological solutions for workforce resilience.

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 17 Events Diary

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE IoD WEST MIDLANDS Oh, what a lovely Brexit! Date: Thursday, May 17 Time: 18:00 – 20.30 Venue: Austin Court, 80 Cambridge St Birmingham B1 2NP Cost: Free of charge Brexit: What is actually going to happen and how will it affect your business? A year to go and it’s all crystal clear. Britain will be out of the European Union in 12 months’ time. Unless we aren’t, of course. Unless we are Wasps RFC, from bust to boom somehow half-in and half-out ... or mainly out but a bit in ... or perhaps it’s vice-versa... Date: Thursday, May 10 implement a daring strategy of recovery. ICAEW and the IoD have put together a panel, Time: 19:00 – 21:00 Buying the Ricoh Stadium in 2014 and not to debate the merits or otherwise of the Venue: Ricoh Arena, Coventry CV6 6AQ moving the club over 100 miles away from its decision, but the practicalities of Brexit. What is Cost: £10+VAT member and traditional fan base was an incredibly actually going to happen, as far as we know, and members’ guests high-risk strategy and brought with it a huge how will it affect your business? We are delighted to invite you to this exciting element of non-rugby business, but gave Chaired by Steve Hollis, past Chair of the event at The Ricoh Arena where members security to the club and was the crucial step Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP and will hear from Nick Eastwood, chief executive in returning the historic club to where it former Midlands Chairman of KPMG, our of Premiership rugby team Wasps RFC. belongs. panellists include: Nick joined Wasps Rugby as CEO in 2012 Join us at the Ricoh to hear from Nick and • Onelia Agnelosanto, Director Global Trade, EY during the most tumultuous period in the learn more about his strategy to take the club • Allie Renison, Head of Europe and Trade Policy club’s history. from the brink of collapse to becoming the at the IoD Financially, the club was in dire straits and highest growth company in Coventry and • Emma Jones of Enterprise Nation, in early 2013 were genuinely within a minute Warwickshire. • Adam McGiveron, Shakespeare Martineau of going bust, before an 11th hour payment There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a We open for registration and refreshments at saved the club and gave them the chance to behind-the-scenes tour of the arena. 6pm followed by a panel discussion and questions from 6.30pm. The Q&A will close at 7.45pm for drinks, continued discussion and networking until 8.30pm. High speed breakfast – with HS2

Date: Friday, May 18 Time: 08:00 – 09:30 Venue: Solihull College, Blossomfield Campus, Solihull, B91 1SB Cost: Free of charge

IoD West Midlands are delighted to invite you to this exciting breakfast event to discuss with Mark Thurston, for development and infrastructure showcasing the region’s strength in low CEO of High Speed 2, the business across the area, creating the conditions carbon expertise as a national exemplar opportunities the HS2 interchange for growth and places for people to live, of future placemaking. station and UK Central Hub will create. work and invest. This event will showcase these future Solihull has a strong track record of UK Central Solihull’s ambition is opportunities and how local companies international investment, combined underpinned by a commitment to can get involved in the supply chain. with future opportunity on a major sustainable development, adding value scale. ‘UK Central Solihull’ is a vision to commercial opportunities and

18 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 Scale-up plans demand that key financial data is at your fingertips

Having access to accurate financial flow through relevant capture systems into your these disciplines, it’s even easier to come up information about your business accounting platform. This data is then ready to with excuses preventing you! is key to reaching your goals, be matched to invoices and straight into a ‘I don’t have the time to dedicate enough says Tom Edwards, Associate reporting tool which is able to deliver rich, resource to make it work, so what’s the point in Director, Assurance and agile, bespoke dashboards and reports that will starting?’ ... ‘I can’t afford it’... ‘I’m not an Business Services at demonstrate your key KPIs and cost drivers in accountant, I don’t understand the systems that real time to you and key stakeholders. give me that information’... or ‘I would rather Smith & Williamson At the same time, your live three-way-forecast stick with the spreadsheet that has got me this will update with actual figures to give you an far, and that I do understand’. If you are an entrepreneur with aspirations to insight into how the next 6-12 months will look. Finding the right accountant/advisor who grow and become a real scale-up business, it’s All of this can be accessed from your home/ can implement a structure for your business can crucial to understand the numbers. And office/coffee shop/train. be a key decision as you strive to be a real knowing your bottom line and bank balance Not being able to access key financials is no scale-up company and achieve the growth just isn’t enough anymore. longer an excuse for not knowing what drives required to get to where you want to be, and As members of the ScaleUp Institute, we aim your business. beyond. to educate business owners and directors of the Investing in a trustworthy partner who can benefit of high-quality financial information in How accurate financial information take on the administration headache and an efficient timeframe to allow them to have can add value delivery of accurate and timely financial data real clarity of the opportunities and threats that However, if the information going in is not means you can get the in-depth data you need they face. Too often we see people who regard accurate and complete, what comes out will be to know every inch of your business. It also their financial data as an administration worthless. Accounting concepts such as allows you to spend that time driving the process that does not bring value. accruals, prepayments and depreciation will business forward and concentrating on what help to show your true profit but understanding you do best. What is financial information? them will help a business owner appreciate the Financial information encompasses the profit relationship profit has with cash. Excess cash in Want to know more? and loss, balance sheet and cash flow – for the the bank does not necessarily mean the For more information please contact: past, present and future. Without understanding company is profitable, or vice versa. Tom Edwards, Associate Director, where you have been, you won’t know the If a business is searching for investment to Assurance and Business Services, on possibilities of where you can go. Without a take it to the next stage of growth, prospective 0121 710 5203 view on where you want to get to and how, you investors will not only want to know the ins and [email protected] won’t be able to spot the pinch-points that need outs of your company’s finances, they will also Alternatively, see your attention and the opportunities that want to know that you know this, too. This www.smithandwilliamson.com present themselves and allow you to grab them includes being able to show what your company @SmithWilliamson with both hands with the confidence that you will look like in three-to-five years’ time and Disclaimer: By necessity, this briefing can only are making the right decision. what profit and cash will be as a result of any provide a short overview and it is essential to investment – be it debt or equity. seek professional advice before applying the How cloud systems can help contents of this article. No responsibility can be Cloud systems can be used, for a relatively What’s preventing business from improving taken for any loss arising from action taken or low monthly cost, to allow financial data, their financial information? refrained from on the basis of this publication. including invoices and bank transactions, to Regardless of how easy it is to implement Details correct at time of writing.

Finance Director Briefing briefings aimed at providing an overview of • Financial reporting update the main key developments impacting UK • Tax update – Spring Update businesses. The Spring Update will deliver • Employee benefits – maximising the Date: Thursday, 10 May technical insight into some of the key return on your investment Time: 08:00 – 10:00 challenges facing senior financial decision This is a technical update in which we will Venue: Smith & Williamson, makers of progressive and growth-orientated bring-to-life in the context of current issues, 9 Colmore Row, businesses, focusing on the impact these real life examples and practical guidance. Birmingham B3 2BJ issues will have on the UK economy. For more information and to reserve your We will discuss: place at this free event please contact Smith & Williamson’s technical updates for • Hard Brexit, soft Brexit or no Brexit at BirminghamEvents@smithandwilliamson. finance directors are a series of high-level all? What it might mean for UK policy com, quoting IoD-FD.

About Smith & Williamson Smith & Williamson is an independently owned financial and professional services group. The firm is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices, entrepreneurs and mid-to-large corporates. Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities. A member of Nexia International. Events Diary / IoD CPD Courses and Director Development

Meet Gavin Williamson: From turnaround specialist to defence Date: Friday, September 14 Scarborough Sixth Form College before going Time: 12:30 – 14:30 on to the University of Bradford where he Venue: Himley Hall, Himley, Dudley gained a BSc. DY3 4DF After graduation, Gavin began a career in Cost: £30+VAT Members; manufacturing, successfully turning around a £40+VAT Non-Members struggling pottery business in Staffordshire. He then became the Managing Director of an We are delighted to invite you to meet the Rt architectural design firm which has been Hon. Gavin Williamson CBE MP, Secretary of involved in the design of many schools, public State for Defence and MP for South Staffordshire. sector and commercial buildings. The event includes a three-course lunch, drink In the 2010 General Election, Gavin won the Design, because of his interest in the on arrival and a glass of wine with the meal. South Staffordshire seat. Since entering manufacturing and design sector. At a time of growing tensions between the Parliament in May 2010, Gavin has become a In August 2016, as part of David Cameron’s UK and Russia, along with other issues such as member of the Northern Ireland Affairs Resignation Honours, Gavin was appointed a Brexit and the UK’s place in the world, Gavin Committee and Chairman of the All Party CBE for political and public service and from Williamson should make for a fascinating and Group on Motor Neurone Disease. He was also July 2016 - November 2017, Gavin was enlightening lunch-time speaker. elected to the Executive of the Commonwealth appointed Chief Whip. Born in Scarborough in 1976, Gavin attended Parliamentary Association and spent three years In November 2017, he was appointed Raincliffe Comprehensive School and as co-chairman of the Parliamentary Group on Defence Secretary.

Traditional auto industry is dead: Find out why, with Geoff Cousins Date: Thursday, October 4 electric and autonomous vehicles and the that moved Jaguar from a car to a performance Time: 07:45 - 09:30 human impact. This event is free of charge and lifestyle brand. Venue: Lanyon Bowdler, Chapter House includes a hot breakfast. Now MD of GCA Associates, Geoff is North, Abbey Lawn, Abbey Geoff started his career in finance, before passionate about businesses’ profitable growth Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 5DE working in leadership roles including CFO and specialises in working with start-ups and Cost: Free of charge North America for JLR ($4 bn t/o) and then SMEs, particularly around brand, sales and We are delighted to welcome Geoff Cousins, taking Jaguar UK as its MD through the biggest people transformation. He is also Visiting former MD at Jaguar UK, to this breakfast event cultural transformation in its history. In that role Professor of Global Governance at The at which he will discuss the forces of disruption, he led all the elements from budget to brand University of South Wales.

Leadership for Director development Directors IoD Director Development courses offer high-level training specifically targeted at directors and others at boardroom level. You may have your seat on the board but do Date: Mon, June 25 – Tues, June 26 you understand the responsibilities that come with it – or the roles of those around Time: 09:30 - 17:00 (both days) you? The IoD courses are Level 9 (SCQF) and are modules of the Certificate in Cost: £2,250 +VAT members Company Direction. They may be booked online independently or taken as part of £2,700 + VAT non-members the full qualification. All courses are held at the Library of Birmingham, Centenary In an ever-evolving business landscape, strengthen- Square B1 2ND. For details, contact Sue Hurrell at the IoD West Midlands office. ing the leadership and strategic capability of your business has never been more important and is fundamental to your organisation’s success. This intensive course provides a valuable opportunity for directors and organisational leaders to explore strategic leadership issues and the successful implementation of corporate strategy. You will learn how to how to lead strategic change while keeping key stakeholders involved. You will also gain a practical understanding of leading people through strategy implementation, including assessing different leadership and decision-making techniques. It will also help you to create a culture which deliver successful results by establishing an appropriate organisational model.

20 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 Masterclassess 2018 Bite-sized CPD on key topics for directors

We have changed the format of our IoD Masterclasses for 2018. There will be two topics covered at each event, rather than the one Thursday, May 17 as previously. You can book on either of the short, sharp sessions Topic 1: Strategic Decision Making – but we’ve tailored these events so that the topics make ideal You will find out how to understand the ingredients for effective strategic partners, so we would encourage all members to attend both. One decision making and some of the key challenges. This workshop will also give session is £75, but sign up for both and it’s only £130 for the pair. you the opportunity to assess your own organisation’s strategic decision making All sessions are held at Squire Patton Boggs, 148 Edmund capability and learn where this can be strengthened. Street, Birmingham B3 2JR. The first session on each day Topic 2: Top Five Things Every Director Should Know starts at 8.30 am and runs until 10.30am; the second starts at 11am, finishing at 12.45pm. For more details, contact Sue Hurrell This interactive taster session will enable you to distinguish the role of a director on 0121 643 7801 / [email protected] from the roles of operational management. You will explore the link between a director’s duty towards the company and their personal liability. Thursday, September 13 Topic 1: Risk Management and By the time the delegate has completed the multiple barriers and become successful Value Creation session, they should be able to: business partners. This interactive workshop provides a 1. Evaluate risk by focusing on threats and This highly interactive workshop provides a board-level introduction to risk management: opportunities practical perspective on the merits and understanding the true nature of risk, exploring 2. Discuss the director’s role in assessing and challenges of investing time and resources in how businesses can prepare for uncertainty, and managing the principal risks finance business partnering. It crucially covers examining the director’s role in managing risk. This workshop will also give you the how to obtain buy-in and support from other Based around interactive discussion and a opportunity to assess your own organisation’s board directors. practical case study, the session will help strategic decision-making capability and learn You will learn how business partnering can delegates to understand how risk management where this can be strengthened. help drive strategy, its impact on business improves decision-making, thereby adding performance and how to tackle any barriers and value, and will focus their attention on the roles Topic 2: Finance Business Partnering skill gaps. and responsibilities of directors in managing Explore how the finance and business The session finishes with how to develop a risk across the organisation. management can get co-ordinated to overcome compelling action plan and measuring success.

differences between direction, management By attending this course you will gain the Role of the Director and ownership; examine the board’s role in knowledge and skills to understanding the and the Board corporate governance and learn how to director’s role in the development of an improve board effectiveness; and understand effective strategy, examine how your board Date: Thursday, July 26 – Friday, July 27 the legal status of a company and other formulates, implements and monitors its Time: 09:30 - 17:00 (both days) organisations and implications of the Company business and marketing strategies Cost: £2,250 +VAT members Act 2006 Appreciate the strategic importance of a clear £2,700 + VAT non-members purpose as provided by vision, mission and values. Delivering an essential understanding of the Strategy for Directors Delegates will conduct an effective situation board’s role in corporate governance and risk Date: June 13 - 15; or appraisal and evaluate the relationship between management, this introduction to the duties Oct 10 - 12 the internal and external environments of the and legal responsibilities of a director will Time: 09:30 - 17:00 (all days) organisation. enable you to tackle the challenges of the Cost: £2,500 +VAT Member boardroom with fresh confidence and progress £3,000+VAT non-Member your career to the next level. Whether you are a newly appointed director, A carefully planned strategy is crucial to the aspiring to a position on the board, or looking success of every organisation. This intensive to improve your performance with fresh course reveals how to create and manage insight, this practical two-day course will equip effective company-wide strategies that generate you with the crucial knowledge and skill-set to value for your business and its customers. For all courses, contact fulfil your role successfully. This course provides an introduction to the By attending this course you will gain the main approaches to strategic direction and IoD West Midlands via knowledge and skills to gain an in-depth view marketing within the organisation, and will [email protected] of the key duties, roles and legal responsibilities assist you in your role of leading the strategic of the modern director; understand the process and preparing for implementation.

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 21 Mastermind Groups

Mastermind Groups: Your specialist subject – personal development

The IoD West Midlands Mastermind group setting that sharpens business and and feedback before all members share Groups brings members together to share personal skills. summary of topics they would like to ideas and concerns and build strong The ethos is to provide a positive, informal discuss. business relationships in a safe, but challenging and supportive space to All groups include a two-course meal constructive environment. They offer a discuss issues that confront directors on with wine and coffee except the combination of brainstorming, education, a daily basis. breakfast group, which includes a full peer accountability and support in a The format is simple, with introductions English breakfast.

LEAMINGTON SPA BIRMINGHAM HEREFORD AND WORCESTER Mallory Court Hotel du Vin Stanbrook Abbey Dates: Mondays: May 14, June 11 Dates: All Mondays - April 16, May 14 Date: All Thursdays - April 12, Time: 18.00 - 21:00 and June 11. May 24, Sept 16, Oct 18 Venue: Mallory Court Country House Time: 18.00 - 21:00 Time: 18.00 - 21:00 Hotel, Harbury Lane, Venue: Hotel Du Vin, 25 Church St, Venue: Stanbrook Abbey, Jennet Royal Leamington Spa, Birmingham B3 2NR Tree Lane, Callow End, Warwickshire CV33 9QB Cost: £30 + VAT Worcester WR2 4TY Cost: £30 + VAT IoD member Gary Simpson facilitates Cost: £30 + VAT The meeting will be held over a two- this group at Hotel du Vin near Snow The Herefordshire and Worcestershire course dinner with wine and coffee. Hill station. The meeting will be held mastermind group focuses on over a two-course dinner with wine supporting personal development and coffee, starting at 6pm and goals. The cost includes dinner with finishing at 9pm. wine and tea/coffee. The group is facilitated by Joanne Hodgetts, chairperson for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

SHROPSHIRE Haughton Hall BREAKFAST GROUP REGION-WIDE Dates: All Tuesdays - April 17, Stone Manor May 15, June 12 Women as Leaders Dates: Thursdays - April 26, June 28 Time: 18.00 - 21:00 Time: 07:30 - 10:00 Venue: Haughton Hall Hotel, Dates: All Tuesdays - April 17, Venue: Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel, Haughton Lane, May 15, June 12 Bromsgrove Road, Shifnal TF11 8HG Time: 18.00 - 21:00 Kidderminster DY10 4PJ Cost: £30 + VAT Venue: Hogarths Hotel Ltd, Cost: £13+VAT Four Ashes Road, Dorridge, IoD member, Geoff Williams, will Solihull, B93 8QE, and Ian Priest, IoD Black Country Branch facilitate this group in the Brooke Hillscourt Hotel, Rose Hill, chairman, facilitates this mastermind Suite. Lickey, Birmingham B45 8RS group which meets at Hogarths Stone Cost: £25 +VAT Manor Hotel for a full English breakfast.

The Women as Leaders group will now run from two venues. April’s dinner will be held in the board room at Hogarths in Solihull.

22 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 STOKE & STAFFORD Weston Hall IoD Monthly Socials IoD socials are an excellent way to build a quality network Date: All Mondays - April 24, among fellow business leaders. All members are welcome to May 22, June 25 join regional director, Calum Nisbet and committee members Time: 18.30-21.30 and fellow IoD members for a complimentary drink. Venue: Weston Hall Hotel, Stafford ST18 0BA Cost: £30 + VAT at The Whittington Arms, Lichfield This members only event is facilitated by Richard Date: Thursday, May 3 Bisiker, IoD Staffordshire Chairman. Richard is a Time: 18:00-20:00 personal development coach, trainer and author Venue: The Whittington Arms, Tamworth Road, Lichfield WS14 9PS who specialises in Cost: Free of charge communication. He is a Master Drop in to The Whittington Arms any time between 6pm and 8pm. Practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming and other people management There’s no charge for our techniques. The session Monthly Socials but we ask you includes a two-course meal to book online at with wine and coffee. www.iod.com/westmids or contact [email protected] “The Mastermind Group I have joined has created a really useful community for me. As a business owner, life can be lonely at times. The Mastermind concept means you have a sounding board of More IoD Socials will be added to the events diary over business people who have had similar the summer. Keep your eye on the IoD website and the experiences, can share ideas, and provide advice and challenge.” events emailer. www.iod.com/westmids Rachel Bowden, ThinkingAudit Ltd

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 23 News

ART’s Steve Walker named Responsible Finance Leader of the Year Dr Steve Walker, co-founder of ART Business Loans (ART) and Chief Executive since before its launch in 1997, has been named Responsible Finance Leader of the Year at the 2018 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards. The UK-wide awards, delivered in partnership with Responsible Finance and Citi Foundation, celebrate the work of responsible finance providers from around the UK, covering areas from growth and sustainability to societal impact and resilience as well as leadership. Dr Walker was recognised for his contribution to the growth of ART and the Responsible Finance sector, his passionate championing of access to finance for enterprise, and the impact that has had on the West Midlands over more than 20 years. From left, Amal Gomersall of Citi, Dr Steve Walker of ART Business Loans, Respected throughout the business finance Jennifer Tankard of Responsible Finance, and broadcaster Kaye Adams at sector, Steve worked at Barclays for 29 years the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards in Glasgow on 20 March. before helping to establish ART. Since then he has served on a number of committees and Loans Managers, adds: “Steve is totally groups, women and disabled individuals. At task forces informing local, regional and committed to the development of the least 75% of the businesses that ART lends to national government policy on access to responsible finance sector and has been the fall into these categories. business finance. He was made a Doctor of the driving force behind the growth of ART over Dr Walker accepted his accolade at the Citi University of Birmingham in 2007 in the last 20 years. He lives and breathes ART Microentrepreneurship Awards 2018 Dinner, recognition of his work as a champion of and access to business finance.” held at Glasgow’s City Chambers on 20th enterprise in the City. Since launch, ART has lent over £24m to March, in front of senior staff from the finance, Jennifer Tankard, Chief Executive of more than 1,000 businesses, enabling them to banking, microenterprise and responsible Responsible Finance, says: “Steve is extremely create or protect in excess of 7,000 jobs. Now finance industries. knowledgeable about the sector – and has based at Innovation Birmingham Campus, Commenting on the award, Dr Walker said: always been willing to share his expertise and ART lends between £10,000 and £150,000 to “I am delighted to receive this award, which lessons learnt with others in the UK and from viable business across the West Midlands that comes as ART approaches its 21st birthday. All around the world.” are unable to access any or all of the finance viable businesses should be able to obtain the ART client Brian Donnelly, Managing they need from the banks. finance they need to survive and grow and it is Director of Synapse, comments: “Steve The seven-strong ART Business Loans team deeply satisfying for us at ART to be able to understands business and genuinely wants to focuses its cultural ethos around targeting play our part in stimulating the creation and help. His approach is like that of the best bank those who have been traditionally deprived of growth of a wide variety of exciting and managers from 20 years ago.” opportunities, including under 25s, over 45s, innovative ventures, helping our borrowers to Colleague Roz Haque, one of ART’s four Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) create or protect jobs in the process.” What is happening to finance for small businesses? According to many observers, ‘it has never Start-up loans have been the domain of the if a bank has been unable to help. They often been a better time to start or grow a business, Government through the British Business lend alongside the banks and other financers, as so many sources of finance are available’. Bank. These are essentially personal loans, so their aim being to support the local economy, Certainly, new streams of finance have opened if an individual has an unblemished credit filling a gap in the market left by the banks. up in recent years, but does that mean every history it’s an ideal starting place, although Further information can be found at small business with a viable proposition can the high level of bad debt experienced in the www.findingfinance.org.uk. now access the finance it needs? earlier days of this scheme is now leading to a So are businesses better served in terms of The banks are still the major lenders – but tightening in approach. For more access to finance? It depends on the size and not to businesses of all sizes. Their criteria information see www.startuploans.co.uk. type of business and the credit-worthiness of have tightened, particularly for micro and Many of the online sources of business individuals within the business as well as the small business and all early stage businesses. finance are providing rapid decisions and business itself. Finding the right finance can The majority of the new ‘alternative funding rapid funding at high cost. Providing such be a challenge, so it’s worth directors doing sources’ are peer lenders, who are adopting loans are used for the short-term only, they their research thoroughly, checking the the same, or in some cases stricter, criteria can be very useful. details, and considering taking advice from a than the banks. Hardly any fund start-ups. Responsible Finance Providers (RFPs) lend knowledgeable business finance broker.

24 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018

News

BIG breakfast In perfect harmony is back at the with Qatar Airways Three Counties Showground

IoD West Midlands is once again supporting the Three Counties BIG Breakfast series, hosted by Bruton Knowles, Harrison Clark Rickerbys and the Three Counties Showground. The BIG Breakfast invites business leaders and entrepreneurs to share the challenges they have faced and celebrate the successes of living and working in the Three Counties. The featured speakers for this year’s BIG Breakfast events are: IoD West Midlands Patron Qatar Airways has from the orchestra’s musicians. • John Vine CBE QPM, the first Chief partnered with another of the region’s leading Glen Mintrim, VP North Europe for Qatar Inspector of Borders and Immigration, 19th organisations, the world-class City of Airways said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to April Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), in have been involved in such a heart-warming • Polly Barnfield OBE, founder and CEO of a unique collaboration which helped give local project and the children performed Maybe, 28th June primary school children the chance to sing at wonderfully. Nurturing the talent of tomorrow • Clare Marchant, Chief Executive at UCAS, the city’s Symphony Hall. is something we hold dear as a company.” 13th September 180 children worked with award-winning Claire Vaughan from Bournville Junior The format for each event is simple: composer Eamonn O’Dwyer and the talented School, one of six schools taking part, said: 7.30am, Registration and networking musicians from the CBSO to write a song “The children were so excited to help write the 8.00am, Welcome and cooked English encapsulating what Birmingham means to song and then perform their work in the breakfast them. Symphony Hall. Eammon and the CBSO 8.30am, Guest Speaker Following a series of music and creative musicians were amazing to work with. It’s 8.45am, Q & A writing workshops, Eamonn assembled the been an incredibly inspiring project, and it’s 9.00am, Business card draw and close children’s words and ideas into a unique piece fantastic to see how proud all the children are The venue for all three breakfasts is the Perry which was performed in front of an audience about the finished piece and performance.” Suite, Three Counties Showground WR13 6NW of friends and family on 14 June 2017, Qatar Airways also sponsored the CBSO’s Free parking available on site. The cost is £18. accompanied by a 10-piece ensemble made up Key Stage 2 concerts in 2017. Please book direct with the organisers, at www. threecountiesbigbreakfast.co.uk Protection of client data always comes first, insists expert

A West Midlands company which specialises industry remains in investigations into commercial fraud has unregulated and been awarded a UK certification for protecting even people with a sensitive client data. criminal record The Expert Investigations Group has could set up such received IASME certification – a recognised companies. He said scheme delivering best practice for information it was important security which includes the Government and reputable investigation National Cyber Security Centre’s own scheme, businesses reassure Cyber Essentials, for which the company has clients their data was protected and the IoD and GDPR renewed its certification. Tighter regulation certifications were the best way of proving that. The IoD’s Business Information Service around client information comes into force in He said: “We take our responsibilities with team have been seeing a sharp increase May with the new General Data Protection clients’ data very seriously. Cyber Essentials, in enquiries from members about the Regulations (GDPR). Expert Investigations IASME and the GDPR legislation gave us a forthcoming GDPR changes. founder and managing director, David Kearns, structure on how to deal with the information The service team is able to provide you said he wanted to be proactive before the new which is gathered, documented, stored and with introductory information and links rules came in to show his support and help ultimately destroyed. Our clients trust us and about GDPR, as well as some GDPR- clients understand the importance of working we value that trust. compliant template documents. with businesses who take the legislation seriously. “The accreditations give them and future Ask for help with these new data Mr Kearns, a former detective with clients the confidence to have faith in the protection regulations by emailing Warwickshire Police, said the investigations professional way we operate.” [email protected].

26 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 Don’t ignore GDPR, urges law firm

awareness of GDPR is caused by a number of misconceptions that exist about the new rules and say this has led to a level of complacency. This view is supported by 33 per cent of Businesses risking damaging businesses, who think GDPR will have no impact, claiming that GDPR is not an issue for fines by ignoring implications their sector. Twenty two per cent claim it isn’t of new data protection rules, relevant to their business as they are not a consumer business. says survey The reality is that the rules encompass a wide range of personal data including employee data, The majority of British businesses are unaware payroll and pension records. They also apply to of the new wide-ranging data protection rules data in a business context where individuals are which now come into force in May – despite 18 concerned, such as sole traders and per cent admitting the maximum fine for partnerships. non-compliance would force them out of Joanne Bone added: “Contrary to popular business and 21 per cent saying it would lead to belief personal data is not just consumer large scale redundancies. information. It is hard to think of a business According to a YouGov survey of over 2,000 today that does not use personal data. Whether businesses which was commissioned by you have employee data, customer data or national law firm Irwin Mitchell, only supplier data – if the data relates to an three-in-every 10 (29 per cent) have started protection expert, said: “These results are individual you will be caught by the new data preparing for the new General Data Protection concerning because there’s a very real protection laws.” Regulation (GDPR), which commence on 25 possibility that the majority of organisations The survey revealed that only 19 per cent May 2018. will not be compliant in time.” view the new data protection rules as an GDPR represents the biggest change in 25 The notification of certain data breaches opportunity and 14% said the rules will have a years to how businesses process personal where there is an impact on privacy, such as a positive impact on their organisation. information and it replaces existing data customer database being hacked or a letter Commenting on this finding, Stuart protection laws. being put in the wrong envelope, must be given Padgham, partner & National Head of Under the new rules, the maximum fine for to the Regulator within 72 hours under the new Commercial at Irwin Mitchell, said: “It is certain data breaches in the UK will rise from regime. important to recognise that taking a proactive £500,000 to €20million or four per cent of However, Irwin Mitchell’s survey found that approach towards GDPR compliance will global turnover, whichever is larger. Despite this only one quarter (26 per cent) of businesses are potentially reap financial benefits. and the fact that virtually all businesses will be certain that they would be able to detect a data “Good data governance can build customer affected, only 38 per cent admit to being aware breach within their organisation. Just 34 per trust and the right permissions can also help of the rules. cent say they are confident they would notify businesses take advantage of the Big Data Seventy one per cent are unaware of the new the relevant stakeholders within the required Revolution and enable them to commercialise fines and 18 per cent say they would go out of timescale of three days. their data for competitive advantage.” business if they received the maximum Other changes under the GDPR include an punishment. Ten per cent think they would obligation to be more transparent about how need to make significant job cuts, with a further personal data is used. Businesses will also need Want to know more? 21% admitting that smaller scale headcount to have processes in place in case an individual Irwin Mitchell’s latest GDPR report can be reductions will be necessary. asks for all their personal data to be erased. downloaded from Joanne Bone, Irwin Mitchell partner and data Irwin Mitchell believes the low level of www.irwinmitchell.com/gdpr-2018

Tribunals struggling under avalanche of new claims

The provisional Tribunal statistics for the last three months of 2017 Single ET claims disposed of have increased by 21 per cent, while have been published by the Government. the backlog of single ET claims increased by 66 per cent. The report presents the latest statistics on type and volume of Fergal Dowling, employment law partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: tribunal cases received, disposed of and outstanding in October to “These statistics reveal that employers are facing an avalanche of December 2017. claims as employees are no longer put off using the tribunal The key figures highlighted in the report are that single process. What is also clear is that this demand is increasing the Employment Tribunal claims received increased by 90 per cent. costs for employers and putting tribunals, which have cut their This recent increase is most likely due to the abolition of staff, under significant pressure to the point that they are Employment Tribunal Fees on 26 July 2017. struggling to cope and case outcomes are being delayed.”

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 27 Information

A unique end-to-end solution for your occupational health needs

Supporting employee health and wellbeing has become a key priority for businesses, ensuring staff are happy, motivated and productive. Based on prevention, mitigation of risk and building resilience, implementing an Occupational Health (OH) strategy can benefit businesses of all sizes, reducing absence and improving retention. Here, Dr Philip McCrea, Chief Medical Officer of BHSF Occupational Health, explains how the Midlands can truly support its workforce.

Occupational health is concerned with the impact of work on health, and of employee health on work. It is designed to prevent work-related ill health, and to support businesses in the management of health issues at work. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure staff return home as fit and healthy as they arrived, and an OH provider can assist organisations in meeting its duty of care under health and safety regulations. combining the OH provider’s professional experience, Based in the heart of the West Midlands, the BHSF expertise and impartiality with the employer’s privileged OH head office on Hagley Road, Birmingham, offers a knowledge of its workforce and workplace culture. wide range of OH services on-site. BHSF OH is an Business leaders have much to be gained by taking a end-to-end provider – from assessing new recruits, to proactive approach to employee wellbeing. Showing a ensuring they remain safe, fit and healthy during the job, clear commitment to employee wellness will help to offering support for physical and mental health needs, create a positive and productive environment in which through to an equitable exit process, when required, it employees will thrive. offers the whole package. Consistency of approach is also vital in maintaining BHSF OH assists businesses to boost the health and employee engagement and many multi-site employers wellbeing of employees, and to create a positive and struggle to achieve this from location to location. BHSF’s productive workplace culture. Services include UK network of clinics and specialists addresses this with management referrals, which assist employers in the consistent approach to quality and delivery handling health issues effectively, health surveillance and synonymous with this highly ethical organisation. screening, an OH adviceline and new-starter health assessments. Unlike some OH providers, BHSF OH works closely in partnership with employers. BHSF Medical Centre opens With enlightened employers taking a more proactive This spring, BHSF will be adding to its support for approach to employee wellbeing, BHSF OH offers a businesses with the opening of its new medical centre range of mental health support services, from Employee in Colmore Business District in Central Birmingham. Assistance Programmes (EAP) to physiological BHSF Medical Centre will provide a range of services assessments. The EAP, for example, offers proactive, including private GP, executive health screenings, flu short-term solutions for employees and provides a core jabs, physiotherapy and a travel clinic and will be open foundation for organisations supporting mental health during the working hours of 8:30 to 17:00. and wellbeing in the workplace. For more information please call: 0333 344 3800. Crucially, BHSF offers a contracted OH provision based on impartial, independent advice and support. Its specialists can help to ensure compliance with the Equality Act and Health and Safety at Work Act, providing peace of mind for HR teams and owner managed businesses. “With enlightened employers taking a more proactive With the necessary support and advice BHSF offers, it approach to employee wellbeing, BHSF OH offers a can help employers to effectively and efficiently manage sickness absence. range of mental health support services, from Many employers fail to grasp the value that OH has for Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) to their employees. Many employers will experience their employees being off work for extended periods while physiological assessments.... the EAP provides a they wait for NHS treatment; this can be avoided with core foundation for organisations supporting mental the provision of OH services in the workplace. A partnership approach is always most successful, health and wellbeing in the workplace...”

28 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 Collaboration and skills key to infrastructure

The West Midlands is experiencing unprecedented investment levels in infrastructure projects, with Mayor Andy Street launching an investment prospectus highlighting 20 different projects with a cost of approximately £10bn. All the projects will carry prosperity into the region and are key drivers for increasing productivity, but what challenges do they bring? allows employers to collaborate with In January, the IoD brought a unique group universities, colleges and other businesses to of business leaders together, from both private help take advantage of these new and public sector businesses and across the an ageing workforce, increased automation and technologies. spectrum of regional ‘infrastructure’ – road, rail demand for digital skills. Organisations must As an example, the Institute of Coding is a and utilities. Sponsored by Coventry University, constantly adapt and keep up-to-date with new national initiative designed to address the we wanted to better understand their needs in developing technologies, fostering enterprise, gaps in digital skills and computer science – relation to building talent and creating a culture innovation and creativity among employees. responding directly to industry need. See www. of innovation. Those businesses that are more open to coventry.ac.uk/business/our-services/ As a business-facing University and with change and are seen as allowing their teams the institute-of-coding/ access to a broad range of academic expertise, freedom to explore and experiment to enable A key takeaway was how important it is that Coventry recognises the critical importance of a innovation will be the ones that are most the infrastructure sector needs to work together dialogue with industry to fully understand skills attractive to the future workforce. when looking at skills and innovation and and innovation needs, with a view to working in Employers who promote a ‘growth mindset’ remember that it is as much about the people as partnership to develop and provide solutions. approach to creating talent are already talking it is about the hard numbers and technology. The session provided excellent cross-sector to a younger audience as well as looking at how Kate Hall, Design Director HS2 Ltd, said of discussion, with a well-rounded and diverse they can upskill their existing workforce. the event, “All-in-all, a fantastic dialogue with approach to the issues raised – including It was clear that engagement with staff and key insights and best practice shared together examples of best practice. Unsurprisingly, skills customers is crucial in understanding the future with common issues faced – namely, talent and were top of the agenda with discussion around key ‘disruptors’ to your industry, which in turn innovation.”

IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 29 Charity spotlight: Rotary Shelter Bus

On a mission to end rough sleeping in Birmingham

About Rotary ShelterBus Rotary ShelterBus is a community project to alleviate rough sleeping throughout Greater Birmingham, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Birmingham Breakfast. Our mission, in collaboration with the people and businesses of Greater Birmingham, is to provide shelter, nourishment, and wellbeing support for those most vulnerable to homelessness in an effort to minimise and eliminate rough sleeping The Rotary Club of Birmingham Breakfast is a local service organisation that meets weekly in Birmingham City Centre. The idea behind the project came from Angelo Buratti and his son, Luca Buratti, as a way of bringing the The double decker bus, gifted community together on a shared cause that is from National Express, which an increasingly important social concern. will be converted into a safe Currently, there are an estimated 185,000 shelter for rough sleepers people directly affected by homelessness in the United Kingdom, and research suggests the number of rough sleepers within the UK has council is currently undertaking to support and donations are a vital component of ensuring increased 169% since 2010. There are 300 in the rehabilitate rough sleepers. our ShelterBus is up and serving the West Midlands alone – with around 55 every community. night in Birmingham What’s next? Donations can be payable by cheque or With figures increasingly demonstrating the Once the partnerships are in place and the online at our JustGiving page. Please contact importance of the ShelterBus cause, the group renovations are complete, the bus will be put Courtney at courtney.rachal@rotaryshelterbus. strongly believed it was incredibly important to into action, driving around Birmingham City co.uk for details and/or more information. reach out peer-to-peer to help to tackle and Centre and outskirts to a radius of Our JustGiving Page can be found at alleviate rough sleeping within the local approximately three miles. The plan is for local Justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/rotary- community. homeless and rough sleepers to be given referral breakfast/rotaryshelterbus. to Rotary ShelterBus through the Birmingham How will ShelterBus work? City Council as a temporary shelter while Corporate support The parent organisation Rotary Club waiting to be housed. If you’re looking for more than the standard Birmingham Breakfast has been gifted a double Trustees are currently out sharing the donation, our Rotary Shelter Bus advertising decker bus from National Express. Through ShelterBus story with local and national media sponsorship package provides businesses and generous donations from supporters, the double and raising funding from other locals local organisations an excellent opportunity to decker bus will be driven to Sheffield to be throughout the Greater Birmingham put their donation to work. transformed into a fully fitted mobile homeless community who share the vision of providing As an advertising sponsor, your logo will be shelter with 10 sleeping pods, two showers and those rough sleeping throughout the prominently displayed on our bus 365 days a WC, a dining area for eight people, a food community a safe place to lie their head. year, demonstrating your commitment to social preparation area and a private consultation room. By providing 3,650 nights of accommodation responsibility with a commercial edge. Currently, ShelterBus Trustees are building to those who need it most, Rotary ShelterBus is Benefits to our corporate donors: partnerships with local authorities and other on the move to alleviating rough sleeping and • Exposure 7 days a week like-minded organisations to get ShelterBus homeless in beloved Birmingham. • Visible support to the local community into action. The plan is for the day-to-day • Generous advertising space for your brand operations of the bus to be run in partnership How you can help For information regarding corporate with a local homeless charity, which members Rotary ShelterBus was born a community advertising opportunities and payment of the Rotary ShelterBus team are currently initiative and will always be a community-led information please contact Luca at working hard to finalise. organisation. Whether personal or business, [email protected] Partnerships are a vital strategy to ensure that the unique needs of ShelterBus’s tenants are “This is a really exciting opportunity to provide help in a slightly addressed and each tenant is given access to different way to assist the homeless in our local community. Any holistic care. In addition to finding a charity partner, the support from local business whether it is financial, or support in ShelterBus Trustees are currently liaising with other ways will be gratefully received”. Birmingham City Council to find a way for ShelterBus to support the great work the Lucy Barr, a partner at Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP

30 | IoD West Midlands Spring 2018