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Business Start Up Surgery The Royal Bank of Scotland is holding a free-to-attend Business Start Up Surgery at its offices in Western Road, Romford on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July. More information steven.elliott@rbs.co.uk

Calling all entrepreneurs If you are self-employed or looking to start your own business The Workary at Rainham Library could be just right for you.

Havering Council is sponsoring an initial six-month trial to provide a room, with wi-fi, where you can work, meet clients and discuss issues with other local entrepreneurs and experts to give advice and support. Kitchen facilities will also be available.

The project is in partnership with Wimble Tech, which has set up similar centres in other London boroughs. More information www.theworkary.com

Transport for Business Transport for London has launched a new Business Engagement website where you can find information on the support available for local employers to encourage their staff to be active, sustainable, and travel safely and efficiently. More information www.havering.gov.uk/businesstravel

Building on success MGN Builders Merchants is moving to Harold Hill from Ilford after Kemsley LLP completed a letting of an 8,000 square feet warehouse and secure yard area.

Business Focus

Airport’s community pledge for HaveringLondon City Airport has renewed its commitment to local communities in Havering, in a pledge distributed to nearly 6,500 households in the borough.

The Community Pledge follows a survey which shows 77 per cent of East London business decision-makers support London City’s expansion plans

London City Airport, which has been at the heart of East London regeneration for nearly 30 years, has set out new commitments to education, employment, investment in community and business, and the environment.

The new Havering Community Pledge builds on the airport’s regular engagement and communication with the borough, summarising how the airport will continue to be a responsible neighbour and take its role in the community seriously.

Chief Executive Declan Collier said: “We are absolutely determined that London City Airport should continue to be a good neighbour to Havering residents, building on the £2.7 million which has already been spent on East London initiatives since 2009.

“Our pledge puts local residents at the heart of what we do, and this will continue if we expand."

The Community PledgeWe will continue to:

Jobs

Ensure more jobs for locals – joining the East London residents who already work at London City and comprise 64% of our entire workforce

Education

Broaden our community outreach and work with more local schools to develop students’ education and career prospects, including work experience

opportunities at the airport

Community

Support and invest in initiatives, adding to the £2.7 million already spent by London City Airport in East London since 2009

Raise more money for local causes, including our long-standing commitment to Richard House Children’s Hospice in Beckton

Environment

Operate more fuel efficient and quieter aircraft from and to the airport

Business

Create more procurement opportunities for local businesses – adding to success stories like our on-going contract with Greenwich-based start-up Crowd Vision

More information www.londoncityairport.com

The catagories ■ Apprentice of the Year sponsored by

Neopost UK Ltd

■ Business Person of the Year sponsored by NC Construction Services Ltd

■ Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Award sponsored by London City Airport

■ London Digital Innovation Award sponsored by Romford Recorder

■ Employer of the Year sponsored by Havering College of Further and Higher Education

■ Excellent Customer Service Award sponsored by Metro Security (GB) Plc

■ Growing Business of the Year sponsored by Haines Watts

■ Innovation Award sponsored by Coborn Engineering Company Ltd

■ New Business of the Year sponsored by Chigwell Construction Plc

■ Retail Business of the Year sponsored by Geraud Markets (UK) Ltd

■ Small Business of the Year sponsored by SEGRO Plc

If you are running a business in Havering, now is the time to let people know how proud you are of your achievements, staff and/or products by entering the Havering Business Awards 2016

Entry to the awards is free and there are 11 categories to choose from. Businesses are able to enter a maximum of two categories and individuals from that business can additionally enter the Apprentice of the Year and/or Business Person of the Year categories.

At the Gala Awards Ceremony on Friday 7 October, at CEME Conference Centre, Rainham - one category winner, chosen by the independent judges, will also receive the Business of the Year award, sponsored by Time FM and the best finalist will receive the Highly Commended Award sponsored by Serco.

Finalists and Winners will receive a package of public relations and promotion to celebrate their success.

Entries close at midnight on Friday 24 June.

Havering Council’s Head of Economic Development, Tom Dobrashian, said: “We know we have fantastic, successful and innovative businesses in Havering and in 2015 we were named Start-up Capital of Britain by Experian.

“Those businesses – from sole traders to multi-nationals find our borough a place with good transport links and infrastructure, enthusiastic staff and excellent training providers.

“That combination, coupled with the entrepreneurial spirit of Havering’s business community, means we have a good local economy.

“These business awards aim to recognise that success and we look forward to a record number of entries this year.”

Proud to celebrate successHaveringBusiness Awards

s

More information www.haveringbusinessawards.co.uk

www.havering.gov.uk/living | SUMMER 2016 | 31

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More information: www.westandcoe.co.uk

• West & Coe was founded in Dagenham in 1903 by Edward West and Henry Coe who had worked together as apprentice carpenters since 1896

• The firm has 17 offices including three in Havering – Hornchurch, Rainham and Romford

• An average of 60 funerals are conducted each week

• The firm has a fleet of six hearses, 12 Bentley limousines and four Rolls Royce limousines as well as a number of horse drawn carriages

• Around 70 staff are employed, with some having worked more than 25 years at the firm.

Key facts

The White House where West & Coe was founded

One of the limousine fleet

The current man office of West & Coe

One of the horse-drawn hearses

Family business means flexibility“When you’re a family owned business you have the flexibility to provide personalised service to your clients,” is the message from West & Coe Managing Director, Jeremy West MBE, when asked what makes his business different

Jeremy added: “We’re probably one of the largest independent family-run funeral directors in the country, but we stay true to our ultimate aim of providing an individual service to the highest possible standard for all who use us.

“For us job satisfaction comes from supporting people at one of the hardest times of their lives, when a loved one passes on, not from money.

“I’ve been involved in our family business for 44 years and knowing that you have helped someone at such a time is the most fulfilling part of the work. I am pleased that my son, Jamie who is the fourth generation of our family to work in the business, shares that commitment and gets the same level of job satisfaction from providing such help.”

Community based

The firm’s founders, Edward West and Henry Coe, were community spirited and served as parish councillors when Dagenham was a village of just 9,000 people, and that commitment continues.

West & Coe is the main sponsor of Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club, as well as sponsoring the Havering Show and the Barking and Dagenham Show each year.

Two years’ ago the firm raised £17,000 for testicular cancer research during Movember by growing moustaches and their annual charity golf day raises between £15,000 and £18,000 each year. This year’s event, in July, will be at Langdon Hills Golf Club with two charities – Basildon Women’s’ Aid and St Luke’s Hospice – set to benefit.

Jeremy is a Patron of First Step, Chairman of Hornchurch Cricket Club and the Living the Dream Trust, which helps aspiring athletes, as well as being a Trustee of Age Matters Basildon and the May and Baker Sport and Social Club.

Challenges

Jeremy added: “Much has changed since our firm was founded. Today we are in a multi-cultural community with many different ways of dealing with the death of a loved one. For example we now are often involved in repatriating the deceased to their country of origin, something that never happened in 1903.

“In 2006 we launched a unique aftercare bereavement support programme, HOPE. This is open to people of all faiths and no faith and is free-to-attend. We are exceptionally proud of our six-week programme which helps support people and show there is hope for the future.

“By continuing to provide that personalised service I am confident that West & Coe can be of help to many families in the future.”

www.havering.gov.uk/living | SUMMER 2016 | 33

Diary datesHavering Council Business Network EventsThursdays, 5.30pm, venues to be confirmed

■ 9 June - local initiatives for local businesses

■ 22 September - funding and investment in skills

■ 8 December - celebrating Havering businesses

■ 2 March 2017 - sales and growth for local businesses

Women in BusinessWednesdays, 5.30pm at Havering College, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch RM11 2LL

■ 19 October - dispute resolution ■ 25 January 2017 - skills, apprenticeships and training

■ Wednesday 13 July, a special meeting from 9.30am until noon, on the theme of networking and pitches at Romford Library, St Edward's Way, Romford RM1 3AR.

Networking groupsNetworking is a proven way to build good relations with other businesses which can lead to referrals and new contracts.There are a number of networking groups in Havering including those listed below.

4N meets every fortnight at Liberty Bell, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3EN on Thursdays from 8am – 10am More information www.4networking.biz/Events

BNI Evolution Chapter meets each Wednesday morning at Maylands Golf Club, Colchester Road, Harold Park RM3 0AZ from 7am – 8.30am

BNI Valour Chapter meets each Tuesday morning at YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0PH from 7am – 8.30am More information www.bni.co.uk

The ebn (Effective Business Networking) Hornchurch group meets at Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, RM13 9EL from 8am – 10am on alternate Tuesdays. More information www.effectivebusinessnetwork.co.uk

Forum of Private Business meets on the second Friday of each month at YMCA, Roneo Corner, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 OPH, from 7.30am More information www.fpb.org/events

Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) and Essex FSB hold joint networking events on the first Friday of each month from 7.30am – 9am More information www.haveringbusiness.org.uk/events

NELE (Networking in East London and Essex) meets at the CEME Conference Centre in Rainham 12.30pm – 2.30pm on Tuesdays More information www.networking-in-east-london-and-essex.co.uk

Business news to your inbox More than 7,600 subscribers receive Havering Council’s monthly Business Briefing email newsletter, which includes details of forth coming events, awards, changes in legislation and how to access funding to boost their business.

If you and your staff are not getting a copy log on to the website below and choose Business Briefing from the list.

Don’t miss out, sign up today.

More informationwww.havering.gov.uk/enews

More information www.havering.gov.uk/businessevents

Business Briefs

Food courses to boost business Havering Council, has partnered with professional trainers 'Health Works' to offer a one day food hygiene course with an exam at the end.The course leads to a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene and Catering. The courses are run at Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford, RM1 1JU. Book your place online.

More information www.havering.gov.uk/foodhygiene

Combatting under-age sales The Chartered Institute of Trading Standards offers an online course for staff to make sure they are informed of current legislation. More information www.tradesimple.org.uk

Keeping trade local We provide a free online Havering business directory you can use to promote your business. More information www.havering.gov.uk/business

Legal firm expands Havering-based Pinney Talfourd Solicitors, has opened a new office in Leigh-on-Sea and has moved to bigger premises in Brentwood. More information www.pinneytalfourd.co.uk