Oct 2012

in association with

getsurrey.co.uk/business

IT may not be time travel, but ex-perts at a company in Guildford have invented travel time software that is set to revolutionise online customer service.

Based at the Surrey Technology Park, the iGeolise team presented its platform that turns distance into time at the most recent Surrey 100 Club investors meeting.

The meetings at the University of Surrey allow some of the most promising start-up companies to pitch their concept to an audience of potential investors.

The iGeolise software will allow house hunters, for example, to search for properties within a cer-tain journey time rather than within a certain number of miles of a location.

At the meeting on September 19, co-founder and CEO Peter Lilley told the investors that the software had been developed due to the fact that 40% of web search-es were for location-specific con-tent, yet half failed to return the required information.

“We need to accelerate our growth, and we need help to do that,” said Mr Lilley, who is asking for £250,000 in investment. “We have competition, but it’s indirect competition. There’s Google,

there’s always Google, but at the moment you can only search time by putting in a destination rather than searching.”

Incorporated in July 2009, the company has secured grants from the University of Surrey and Technology Strategy Board.

The iGeolise platform is now used by Adobe, AT&T and Mozilla for demonstrations and co-found-er Charlie Davies last month at-

tended the Stream technology conference in Greece along with other guest companies in-cluding Google, Yahoo, Facebook and Microsoft.

The software has been live in the UK since May this year, with one of its first customers being a dating website.

Marks & Spencer has also ex-pressed an interest in using the software to allow customers to find their nearest store by time, while Job Centre Plus may use the system to show potential commut-ing times.

Speaking about the lead up to

the Surrey 100 Club pitch, Mr Lilley said: “It took a long time to get what started out as an idea on a piece of paper to a stage where people would actually get it.”

Questions from investors fol-lowing the pitch included a query on how accurate the results were.

Mr Davies answered: “You can never be 100% accurate. If a ball rolls out in front of your car it slows you down. But the platform does include live updates, so, for example, if a train line is closed it will cut that out.”

Another investor questioned the team further on whether Google might factor the idea into its service, but he was assured that the internet giant were not cur-rently focusing on rivalling the technology.

However. one of the most glow-ing references on the night came from Keith Robson, director of re-search and enterprise at the uni-versity, who said his daughter had just sealed a house rental having used the software to find a suitable location.

Currently, Mr Lilley and Mr Davies take nothing out of the business, but, given the number of investors who asked for a demonstration of the software on the night, it may not be long before they are afforded that luxury.

“It took a long time to get the idea to a stage where people would actually get it.”

By Pete Bryantpete.bryant@trinitymirror.com

Peter Lilley, co-founder and CEO of iGeolise.

revolutionary softwarefresH and exciting business ideas with the potential to turn into multi-million-pound global enterprises are being nurtured in a corner of Guildford. Mentoring, business support and advice on the all-important raising of finance is offered for by the surrey 100 Club, based at surrey research Park next to the university of surrey. the leading angel investment network in the south east allows promising start-up companies the chance to pitch their ideas to investors at regular Dragons Den-style meetings held at the university. it is part of a collaboration of services including setsquared surrey, its start-up business incubation and support network, and the innovation space incubation Centre. almost £11m of funding has been put into business through the 100 Club since it was formed in 2007. During the coming months, Business news extra will reveal the secrets of winning over the investors at surrey 100 Club meetings. september’s meeting saw pitches from six companies, including an innovative example from iGeolise, the subject of this issue’s feature.

Independent Financial Advice for Employers

Tel: 01483 578800www.chaptersfinancial.com

Hadleigh House, 232 High Street, Guildford, GU1 3JFChapters Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, number 402899

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Print company rise to staff challenge 3florist remains true to eco-friendly ethics 5

spa brand prospers from humble roots 6out with the old, in with the new 8

October 20122

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A DUCK race proved to be the start of the road to fame for a financial advisor who plies his trade in Guildford.

For private client practitioner Ed Emblem, the annual Surrey Care Trust duck race in June this year was a chance to network and demonstrate his firm’s support of the community while enjoying a fun competition.

However, when the Baker Tilly duck came home in first place and Ed was snapped collect-ing the prize by a photographer, he discovered just how much a little corporate responsibility can achieve.

“It was a date in the diary, and I

went along as the firm’s represent-ative,” said Ed of the duck race, which sees companies sponsor giant plastic ducks in a race along the River Wey at Millmead to raise money for the charity.

“As luck would have it, our duck won the heats and the final. I was cheering it on and collected the trophy to take back to the office.”

The picture taken of Ed next to the winning duck was to become more than just a momento of a pleasant afternoon, as news of the race result and his photograph soon began circulating among Baker Tilly staff.

“The first thing I heard about it was when a friend sent me a mes-sage on Facebook to say congrat-ulations,” he said. “I thought, how on earth have you found out?

“Then Surrey Care Trust pub-lished the story in their newslet-ter and after that the corporate re-sponsibility people at Baker Tilly wanted to know about it.”

The picture was put in the firm’s internal newsletter which goes to around 1,600 people in 28 offices around the country. It then made its way on to the Baker Tilly inter-national Facebook page.

The now infamous photograph soon earned Ed the nickname Duck Man, one that still sticks three months on.

He said: “I started getting ‘likes’ from people in offices in Armenia and Azerbaijan. I felt bemused I think, but obviously very happy for me and for the charity.

“Then I started getting requests on LinkedIn – one from a tax man

in Saudi Arabia who wanted to connect. It just goes to show what the event can do. Something that is, on the surface, quite frivolous can be something that people re-ally warm to.”

Asked if it would be fair to say the chain of events had helped his career, he said: “Well I’m not going to be dining out on it, but it has allowed me to make contacts with tax managers in other parts of the world that I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

The carved wooden duck tro-phy is currently proudly displayed in the Baker Tilly Guildford office, but will be returned for next year’s event in time for another business employee to taste glory. The 2013 event is scheduled for Thursday June 27.

By Pete Bryantpete.bryant@trinitymirror.com

Duck race success brings in some global contacts

Ed Emblem collecting the Surrey Care Trust 2012 duck race trophy for Baker Tilly.

What was your first job?I am descended from a long

line of farmers and fishermen, however I was the first in my family to go to university at the time and there was a sense that I was taking the easy way out. But I knew I wanted to become a lawyer and was prepared to prove a few people wrong. Following university and law school, I was offered a paralegal role in Vancouver, Canada, for BC Hydro, a power generation business.

How did you get from there to where you are today?

After 12 months in Canada, I returned to the UK and trained with a firm in Islington before working abroad again in New Zealand. I then became one of

two partners in a London firm advising small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and family-owned companies on the corporate commercial work connected with running their businesses.

Two particular clients were growing fast and becoming ever

My first job

more active in North America. It was my experience of the 12

months spent in Canada that gave me the confidence to move in 2008, together with my wife and young family, back to British Columbia to project manage the legal work connected with these matters. I also remained a partner with the London firm and maintained my English client base.

After almost four years and with work winding down, it was time to decide where to set down roots and, with two daughters and another on the way, Surrey won out. I joined TWM in 2011 and became head of its business law department in July this year.

What does the future hold?I see Surrey as an ideal base

to develop a legal practice. There is an entrepreneurial spirit I sense when attending events and talking to people here that is present despite the recession.

This co-exists alongside the traditional high net worths, family-owned businesses and SMEs in the county.

These people demand a high quality legal service but don’t wish to pay the high rates in London.

I think with our business law and private client teams, we’re well placed to serve that market going forwards.

Jamie Berry, 38, head of business law at TWM Solicitors, Guildford

A WEYBRIDGE chartered accountant firm has been shortlisted for a prize in the British Accountancy Awards 2012. Midgley Snelling was named as a finalist in the Independent Firm of the Year category for the South East and East of England.

The news caps a successful year for the company, which has ex-panded its UK and offshore offerings with appointments at both jun-ior and senior level.

Partner James Beecher said: “This is a fantastic honour for the firm and all team members who have all contributed to this success. In spite of the difficult financial conditions, the team at Midgley Snelling has worked incredibly hard to maintain our position as one of the leading chartered accountancy practices in the South East.

“Our approach is to provide the level of service and expertise of a large organisation with the personal touch and attention to detail of a medium-sized independent firm.”

The final of the annual awards takes place in London on November 21.

A SURREY business has become one of the first in the country to ben-efit from a new type of investment finance aimed at companies with turnovers of less than £10 million.

Vocality, based in Godalming, designs and produces voice com-munication systems and network routers and has received £1m of growth capital from Santander, along with YourVets in Solihull.

The bank’s Breakthrough programme is intended to fill a gap in the funding market, providing mezzanine-based finance at a low rate which helps bridge the gap between angel and equity investment.

Vocality’s products are used by military and commercial satellite users, as well as in news broadcasting. The money will help it exploit new opportunities within the maritime and satellite markets, and produce new and innovative technology. The company turned over nearly £6m in 2012 and is forecasting further growth in the coming years. Additional staff may be taken on as part of the investment.

Julian Bashford, CEO of Vocality, said: “We are really excited at this point in Vocality’s life and we feel that we are returning the commit-ment to us with a major step in innovation.”

APPOINTMENTS and promotions have been announced by Downs Solicitors LLP. William Edwards has been appointed as an associate in the private client department in Godalming, and Bhavna Patel fol-lowed to expand its employment law department serving the Dork-ing, Godalming and Guildford areas. Both move to Godalming after working in London, while Bhavna was previously the sole in-house lawyer with the Alzheimer’s Society.

In addition, private client solicitors Amber O’Connor and Joanna Parks were also promoted to become associates.

October 2012 3

A FINANCIAL advisors in Guild-ford is outperforming the industry standard for its service, which helps clients maintain and grow investments.

From November 2008 to July 2012, HFS Milbourne has seen cli-ents with a medium attitude risk and funds managed by its Strategic Portfolio Service (SPS), receive a return of 47.66%, which is 18% higher than the industry bench-mark of 29.57%.

The company, based on Old Portsmouth Road, uses the service to select a range of investment op-tions best suited to the client’s needs, based on financial goals and attitude to risk.

It reviews the portfolio on a quarterly basis, which according to HFS Milbourne, ensures that funds under management are per-forming as expected. The

company states that this process of continuous assessment ensures that the mix of investments and level of risk remain appropriate for the client and allow changes to be made where necessary.

“Our three-year performance data speaks volumes about our in-vestment management capabili-ties,” said Iain Halket, director at HFS Milbourne. “Lawyers can rest assured that we are a safe pair of hands. Clients receive our advice electronically together with our market commentary and updated fund fact sheet, with additional performance data available to view online.

“This seems to satisfy our cli-ents’ needs perfectly and they ap-preciate the level of control such regular feedback provides.

“Some of the private banks have introduced new pricing structures

as a way to cull less profitable cli-ents, especially those with assets of less than £500k. Our SPS is of great interest to this type of client as they really appreciate the close eye we keep on their funds and the personal service we are able to provide them with.”

According to research company Touchstone, which collates new business data from respected in-dustry sources, HFS Milbourne ranks number one in the Guildford area for financial advice and with-in the top fifty in the UK overall.

“The Touchstone analysis is an-other measure of success which is well regarded within the industry,” Mr Halket added. “We have held the number one slot in the Guildford area for as long as I can remember and are naturally de-lighted to have made the UK top 50 too.”

HFS Milbourne outperforms industry benchmark

IT was all hands to the pumps, or rather the printing machinery and collating table, for staff at a Woking-based digital print solu-tions when they were faced with a huge and urgent order.

Repropoint was asked to print and collate more than 4,000 due diligence health and safety manuals for a major hotel and

restaurant chain within a 13-day period.

Managing director Steve Hal-let and chairman Mike Webb were drafted in to help, joining 25 members of staff to work 24/7 in constant rotating shifts to ensure the job was completed on time and to the client’s satisfaction.

A total of 4,110 manuals, con-taining more than a million A4 pages and using nine different colour stocks, were produced

and manually organised into ring binders, with many sheets need-ing to be laminated and encapsu-lated.

Mr Webb said: “I was quite impressed as the weather was ab-solutely fabulous at the time, and the staff were coming in while their friends were going swim-ming or off to the coast.

“In general terms we’re digital printers so we tend to do more small run work. This wasn’t a big

job in terms of the printing, but in terms of the manual work it was massive. It’s not the biggest job we’ve ever done, but it’s one of the biggest we’ve had since the recession, which is a good sign.

“We’re very much looking for-ward to the next big order.”

The job was too big for the company’s own vans so a large lorry was hired to deliver the fin-ished manuals.

Repropoint, which has been in

business since 1975, has its head office in Woking and a branch in Guildford. It uses modern tech-nology to offer digital printing to clients and allows them to exploit the use of colour in their market-ing material, from flyers to exhibi-tion stands.

As well as offering a wide range of consumables for the graphic and computer-aided design mar-ket, the company also specialises in plan printing and copying for

the architectural and engineering professions, and is a leading sup-plier of KIP and HP printers.

Mr Webb said the order’s suc-cessful completion was indicative of the positive attitude of the staff members, who were willing to step in to help one another on the collating table when they were needed. “Everyone is very hands-on,” he said. “My secretary doesn’t know it yet, but she’ll probably be working down there today.”

By Pete Bryantpete.bryant@trinitymirror.com

Print company staff rise to challenge

A SURREY IT leasing expert has spoken of his mission to make the practice less of a mystery to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Despite 95% of the top FTSE 100 companies using leasing to pay for equipment and software, according to GE Capital, this is less than 10% of the total spending on IT.

Jon Leslie, managing director of Reality Finance Solutions, has branded this statistic as “madness.”

He argues that the low rate of businesses going down the leasing

route is due to a lack of under-standing. As a banker for many years and a financial worker for his entire career, Mr Leslie says that with high street banks failing SMEs, there were some compel-ling strategic and financial reasons to use leasing.

However, he fears that a lack of understanding of IT leasing is pre-venting many from making the move, and that, without this, more companies would fund their computer, software, upgrades, installation and training through leasing.

“A key advantage of leasing and not buying IT hard and software is cash management and keeping funds available,” he said.

“This can be used as working capital instead of disappearing in an up-front payment all in one go.

“Kit you buy for £100,000 today is worth only £70,000 tomorrow, and with the lightning pace of progress in technology, equip-ment is often out-of-date within two years.

“Leasing enables you to up-grade your equipment without having to buy the latest kit.”

On a mission to explain the advantages of IT leasing

GENEROUS sponsorship from two Surrey companies helped a tennis tournament, near Godalm-ing, to raise valuable funds for charity.

The 11th Enton Gentlemen’s charity tennis tournament staged in September saw 72 players com-pete on nine courts to be crowned doubles champions.

The tournament was spon-sored by solicitors Barlow Rob-bins LLP and Grantley Estate Agents and held in aid of Coun-tryMice, a palliative cancer care charity set up by the Milford and Witley GP practice.

The funding meant that the en-tire £5,000 pot raised on the day will go straight to the charity.

Michael Parry-Jones of Grant-ley and Tim Adams of Barlow Robbins presented prizes, with Dr Andrew Sears of the GP prac-tice updated players and families on the charity’s progress.

Tournament champions were Stephen Clarke and Jonny Callow beating Richard Crawford and Neil Briscoe in an exciting final.

Tournament nets £5,000 for charityTennis club players at the tournament in aid of the charity CountryMice.

New legislation aims to help revival in building industry

THE secretary of state for com-munities and local government, Eric Pickles, announced govern-ment plans intended to encour-age growth in the property arena, particularly house-building, on September 6. These measures in-clude changes to planning legisla-tion targeted at increasing devel-opment and, hopefully, growth in related industries.

Of interest to developers will be the introduction of legislation, to become effective in early 2013, which will allow a developer of a site considered by them to be un-viable, due to the affordable homes allocation requirement, to appeal for a variation of that allocation.

The Planning Inspector may amend the affordable homes allo-cation within a section 106 agree-ment for a three-year period to re-flect current economic circumstances. Consultation is al-ready taking place regarding for-mal applications to local authori-ties to vary section 106 agreements which were entered into before April 2010.

The government is encouraging

local planning authorities to take the opportunity to try to negotiate unviable elements of these agree-ments with developers in advance of the legislation coming into ef-fect, and developers may wish to take advantage of this.

The government will also be looking at measures to reduce de-lays in the planning system, in-cluding proposals to legislate to allow applications to be decided by the Planning Inspector where a local authority has a track record of consistently poor performance in the speed or quality of its decisions.

This will include requiring more transparent reporting of local au-thority performance on planning; the government would be working with the Local Government Association to increase the use of planning performance agree-ments for major schemes, de-signed to commit the applicants and the planning authorities to a clear timetable for determining proposals.

Measures which are intended to assist in dealing with low occu-pancy rates of existing commercial premises are also being consid-ered, such as the introduction of permitted development rights to enable change of use from com-mercial to residential purposes.

Other proposals intended to modify the planning system to en-courage growth include the exten-sion of permitted development rights that will enable the con-struction of extensions to homes and businesses in non-protected areas for a three-year period.

The measures may encourage developers, businesses and homeowners to proceed with plans to develop sites currently considered economically unvia-ble, or extend their existing properties, as the case may be, with a knock-on effect on the wider economy through in-creased activity in the construc-tion and associated sectors.

The secretary of state’s state-ment is available on the depart-ment’s website www.communi-ties.gov.uk. Details of further measures are expected in the next few weeks.

For further information, please contact John Ewens 01483 791800 or email john.ewens@penningtons.co.uk

John Ewens of Penningtons Solicitors LLP examines the government’s new proposals for house-building and planning to help boost the building sector.

October 20124

Chartered Accountantsand Business Advisers

• Business services• Private clients• Wealth management

Call 01483 755399www.hamlyns.com

The success of any business voyage lies in thecalculated use of experience and knowledge

Illuminating insights

By Pete Bryantpete.bryant@trinitymirror.comAn often overlooked

presence at corporate events is that of the catering staff, yet the events organiser at Godalming-based Caper& Berry says she feels as much a part of the proceedings as any other guest.

Cooking up business behind the scenes

Thousands of business repre-sentatives will have experienced the catering company’s service first-hand at events all over surrey, yet few will have given a great deal of thought to the brief contact in comparison with the other net-working opportunities that sur-round them.

however, Libby summers says the company has benefitted just as much as any other at such events despite its relative invisibility.

she has made the most of the company’s presence at business events, compiling a long list of contacts and approaching cater-ing dates in the same way del-egates do – as a chance to expand their business’ reach.

“People don’t always know who we are or realise we’re there,” she admitted. “But I’m their point of contact and you do build a good relationship with corporate clients at events.

“some of our waiting staff are even asked to come back for fu-ture events having made a good a impression. It’s nice when you see people you recognise from events again at other venues we cater at.

“In catering, you’re only as good

as the last event you do. If people have a positive experience then they will tell their friends. Word of mouth is often the best tool we’ve got as business people are always talking to each other.”

Caper & Berry has been operat-ing for ten years and has built up a good reputation, especially in the business community with TWM solicitors now using the company for its Christmas party every year.

Versatility has been part of its success, with staff able to cater small canapé parties as well as fine dining for large numbers in almost any location.

The company also sources much of its food from companies in the area, including secretts Farm, surrey-based coffee roasters

Coffee Real and Celebrations Bakers of Cranleigh.

There are now three Caper & Berry outlets in Guildford, at the Yvonne arnaud Theatre, surrey Research Park and the refectory at Guildford Cathedral.

The cathedral hosts candlelit and gala dinners catered solely by the company for business events with a unique feel, with all food made on the premises.

Libby added she had attended catered events herself at venues such as the Mandolay hotel and Guildford holiday Inn. But she revealed the company’s Christmas parties featured no caterers, as staff preferred to enjoy a well- deserved break at the albany Pub in Guildford.

General manager of Caper & Berry, Jasper Mann. Head chef Mark Wren cooking up a treat at the Yvonne Arnaud.

David Cooper, partner at Hamlyns LLP, chartered accountants and business advisers, talks about changes to the PAYE system.hM Revenue and Customs are shortly to introduce a new way of reporting an employers’ or pen-sion providers’ Pay as you Earn (PaYE) liability.

From april 2013 most employ-ers, and certainly by october 2013, all employers will be required to

submit details of amounts of tax and national Insurance deducted from their employees electroni-cally under a new system called “Real Time Information” or RTI.

details of deductions will need to be submitted whenever pay-ments are made to employees, that means that employers will make twelve submissions per year if they pay monthly or 52 submis-sions, possibly 53, if they pay em-ployees weekly.

now is the time to start to plan to ensure that you will be able to cope with the changes when they happen. Employers who use their own payroll software should check with their software provid-ers and confirm that the software is RTI compliant or updated in plenty of time.

If you use a reputable payroll bureau they will have this under control. however, you may need to agree with them in advance any changes of procedures that may be necessary with regard to dead-lines for time sheets, overtime and any other non regular payments.

If you are still calculating wages manually you may need to factor in the additional cost of comput-ers, software and training.

For employers with nine or few-er employees you will still be able

to use the existing online basic PaYE tools available on hMRC’s website.

Late submissions will result in hMRC charging penalties.

Larger employers will verify data by filing an “Employers alignment submission” before RTI begins.

Those employers, who tradi-tionally pay casual workers, possi-bly weekly, will no longer be able to use form P38a.

They must be included with the submission. hMRC have said that they expect employers to use correct names, dates of birth and national Insurance numbers from the start. no penalties are envisaged at this stage for incor-rect data.

RTI will enable hMRC to know how much PaYE is due each month without waiting until 19th May for the Employers annual Return (form P35) to be filed.

They should also be able to check tax credit claims against income, to reduce the amount of overpaid tax credit that is written off each year because of over pay-ments that cannot be recovered when these are discovered in the following tax year.

an overall fairer system of pay-ing the employees tax.

Start planning now for PAYE changes

David Cooper.

GREEN BUSINESS Steps to reduce our footprint

October 2012 5

Florist remains true to eco-friendly ethicsA MOTHER who runs a floral business from her Dorking home says she is determined to resist the urge to abandon her eco-friendly ideals to increase profits.

Julie Ballard, 51, formed Flowers by Julie B in 2007 after giving up her career in marketing and training for an Advanced National Certificate in Floristry at Merrist Wood College, which she passed with distinction.

Five years on, she believes her decision to exclusively use envi-ronmentally-friendly techniques has helped her make a name for herself.

“At college, one of the aspects we had to learn was how to make an eco-friendly floral tribute,” she said.

“They felt it was the way busi-nesses might need to go.

“I thought, if that really is some-thing that will become more pop-ular and important, then maybe it’s something I should go into.

“I wanted to find out more and did some research.

“What I have learnt, is that you can say that you are eco-friendly but when you come to do it for real it’s really quite difficult.

“But I’ve made it my challenge to work out different ways to do things to make the business effi-cient, yet natural.” Julie’s floral

displays are made using no wire or plastic. She instead constructs wreaths out of straw, string and real flowers.

Her ‘eco-chic’ designs are drawn from what she learnt at Merrist Wood, as well as her expe-

rience working for notable British florist Jane Packer during a placement in London after the course.

Julie’s dramatic career change occurred after her two children reached their late teenage years and she decided to do something completely different with her time.

She is driven to be eco-friendly in her practices partly due to her experience of the industry during placements, where she would reg-ularly see flowers, paper, plastic and other waste all discarded in a single bag.

“I was shocked at how much plastic and other materials were used in an industry that was es-sentially just flowers,” she said.

Having now set up her own business, she admitted she could

see the financial and time-saving benefits in being so relaxed about waste.

But she insists she has no inten-tion of cutting corners and aban-doning an outlook that customers have come to respect.

Originally, Julie focused on cre-ating floral tributes for funerals, but said that requests for wed-dings from environment-con-scious brides-to-be had helped her business take off.

She has since provided for wed-dings at Denbies Wine Estate, Burrows Lea in Shere and even the Garden Museum next to Lambeth Palace in London.

More recently, she has held dis-cussions with Clandon Wood, a natural burial ground, and follow-ing its launch this month will work with its creator Simon Ferrar to offer an all-natural fu-neral package.

Julie added: “It’s about provid-ing what the customer wants, which comes back to the market-ing side of my training.

“I try and make my displays very natural but still use good de-signs that I learnt from Jane Packer, and still have something interesting and different about them.

“Being eco-friendly has defi-nitely helped me in business. I don’t think we should all be making a profit at the expense of the environment.”

By Pete Bryantpete.bryant@trinitymirror.com

“I was shocked at how much plastic and other materials were used in an industry that was essentially just flowers.”

Julie Ballard’s eco-friendly credentials are important to her.

THE strength of the south east’s green economy has been hailed after a report showed that busi-nesses had shown resilience since the start of the banking crisis.

The report, entitled Green Economy: A UK Success Story, published by the Green Alliance along with the RSPB, WWF, Greenpeace and Christian Aid, showed that the sector had not suffered as much as expected.

It also revealed that, while the general economy will not return to 2007 levels until 2014 at the ear-liest, the green economy will have grown by 40% in that same period.

The south east region is one of those leading the way with nearly 120,000 low-carbon and environ-mental jobs in 2010/11, more than motor trades (80,400) and tele-communications (36,600) put together.

Chris Corrigan, RSPB south east regional director, said: “We’ve shown this summer we can stand at the centre of the world stage when it comes to sport. When it comes to forging a healthy green business sector we also have a lot

to be proud of in the south east.”The south east saw £297m in re-

newables investment and nearly 2,500 renewables jobs announced in the last financial year.

The region also saw a 153% in-crease in installed renewables ca-pacity from 2007 to 2010 and gen-erated 2,436 gigawatts per hour through renewables in 2010.

Louise Punter, chief executive of Surrey Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Chamber provides in-formation and seminars on ways in which businesses can be more environmentally friendly.

“Apart from the obvious bene-fits of keeping the environment a great one in which to live and do business, there are also huge bot-tom line benefits.

“Often businesses just need a little nudge to do things in a differ-ent way and as a result they find they have also saved money.

“The sector itself, developing low-carbon and environmental goods and services, is a multi-bil-lion-pound one in the UK alone and the innovation so evident in Surrey is already resulting in some very successful businesses.”

South east green economy is blooming

FUNDING from a Godalming-based leasing company has helped a farm invest in green energy by installing 100 solar panels.

Thanks to the £38,000 from Reality Finance Solutions Hamish Janson at Newton Valence Farm, on the Surrey Hampshire border, now pro-duces 21,000kwh per year and saves £1,100.

The annual revenue of the so-lar farm is £4,600.

According to a report by the National Farmers Union and Netwest, more than a quarter of UK farmers are now using re-newable energy as a secondary income.

Reality Finance managing di-rector Jon Leslie said: “We’re delighted to have been able to help Hamish create his solar farm, which is such a strong trend.”

Sun shines on second income for some farmers

More farms are turning to renewable energy for income.

October 20126

RECOGNISED worldwide, ESPA has become one of the most sought-after spa brands across the globe, yet it originates from quite humble beginnings.

The inspirational force behind the ESPA brand is Susan Harmsworth, who, since the age of 21, has devoted her professional life to spa and wellness.

Considered as one of the world’s leading spa experts, Susan, 68, now spends her time travelling the globe visiting ESPA’s offices in the UK, USA and Hong Kong, as well as the 400 different ESPA sites spread across 55 countries.

But it was from her own home in London Road, Guildford – where she still lives today – that she began the company which would see her conquer the spa world.

“My grandmother was a herbal-ist, my father an entrepreneur and my mum a paediatric nurse so I had quite an educational upbring-ing,” she said.

“I was always encouraged to work hard and my dad had a real thing about women being inde-pendent and I think that’s where I get a lot of my drive from.

“Back in the 90s, when I couldn’t find the type of beauty products I was after I just thought ‘I can do

this myself’.”Susan started her professional

life as a beauty and health journal-ist at Vogue in London’s swinging 60s. Her marriage to Vidal Sassoon’s right-hand man took her to the US and then Canada by her mid-20s.

With no magazine industry to work for in Toronto, she set up a forward-thinking hair and beauty salon in the 1970s, which was turned into a multimillion dollar spa by the time she sold it in 1980, and returned to Europe.

The next decade saw Susan de-signing and creating spas and treatments for cruise liners and on land in France and the UK, includ-ing places like Grayshott Hall.

By the time she became an in-dependent consultant in 1988, Susan had begun to identify a shift in the spa industry. In the 70s spas were almost solely for the rich and focused on health, wellbeing and weight loss while in the 80s, week-long spa retreats had become pop-ular. At the start of the 90s the trend had moved towards short spa breaks at luxury hotels – people wanted an antidote to the stresses of working life. It was then, in 1993, that Susan set up ESPA,

“The reason I created ESPA was

I couldn’t find the type of products I wanted and there were lots of dif-ferent products on the market that I felt should be amalgamated,” she said. “I also wanted to create prod-ucts that looked nice, felt good on the skin but also products that worked.”

Despite the project starting her own home, the business quickly grew and she spread into the ga-rage and a secondary workshop before eventually opening a site in Farnham in 1998.

“The house had been a dentist surgery when I bought it and there was an annexe so that is where I started the business,” she ex-plained. “We would store the prod-ucts in the garage and before long we had to get a second one, which was over in Shalford. We kept the business at home until we were lit-erally bursting at the seams. Eventually planners from the council came along and said we had to move, which was fair enough.”

Susan’s devotion to education in the spa industry shines through – in fact the ‘E’ is ESPA actually stands for education. This was the driving force behind the ESPA post graduate therapist training school, which opened in 2006 and is based

at the company’s headquarters in Crosby Way, Farnham.

This devotion is also what led her to be awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2010, in recognition of her services to the spa and beauty industry.

With the factory producing ESPA products now in Devon and the business having grown to become an international institution, it seems far away from its humble beginnings in the garage of a fami-ly home in Guildford. However, Susan said the roots of the compa-ny are still firmly in Surrey.

“The headquarters is here and this is where we distribute the products from and we have the training school here,” she said. “Both my sons, Charlie and Mike, are heavily involved in the busi-ness and they still live in the area, as do I.”

Earlier this year, ESPA entered into partnership with The Spa at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel in Guildford, which now offers ESPA treatments and products.

“This is quite special for me,” Susan said. “ESPA has 400 spas built in 55 cities and for years I have wanted one on my doorstep. I am very excited to finally have something here.”

TWM Solicitors’ Eileen Barry, successfully represented the partner and daughter of Philip-pine politician Ignacio (Iggy) Ar-royo in proceedings in the High Court Chancery Division arising out of a dispute about the right to repatriate and dispose of the body of the late congressman.

The case attracted a great deal of media interest.

Mr Arroyo died at a London clinic on January 26. He was domiciled in the Philippines and resident both there and in California. Proceedings were commenced on February 3 when Mr Arroyo’s partner, Grace Ibuna, obtained an emergency injunc-tion restraining Funeral Directors, Dignity Funerals Ltd, from disposing of the body or delivering it up to any person.

The injunction was prompted by the arrival in London of the late congressman’s estranged wife Alicia Arroyo, with her law-yer to claim the body.

The combination of the great urgency of repatriating the body to the Philippines for a state fu-neral and period of public

mourning, together with the need to consider the combined effect of the law in California, the Philippines and England meant that urgent legal work had to be co-ordinated at very short notice.

Congressman Arroyo had married twice. He believed his first marriage to have been an-nulled. He had separated from his second wife (Mrs Arroyo) in 2005 and proceedings to annul that marriage had commenced in 2006.

From 2006 until his death, he had lived with Ms Ibuna. He left two daughters by his first wife (Bernardina Arroyo-Tantoco and Bianca Arroyo) and one by Mrs Arroyo.

He made a will in California appointing Bernardina as his ex-ecutrix and an advance health-care directive nominating Ms Ibuna as his agent to make healthcare decisions for him if

he was unable to and authorising her to direct disposition of his remains.

When he died, Ms Ibuna start-ed to make arrangements to transport his body to the Philippines. Mrs Arroyo arrived in the UK and gave contradictory instructions to the funeral direc-tors holding the body, on the ba-sis that she was his widow.

Ms Ibuna and Bernardina ap-plied to the High Court for a grant of limited letters of admin-istration to take possession of the body and arrange a funeral in the Philippines in accordance with wishes that Congressman Arroyo had expressed during his lifetime.

Mrs Arroyo issued her own proceedings in the Philippines to obtain possession of the body (and planned different funeral arrangements).

Mr Justice Peter Smith granted Ms Ibuna and Bernardina joint

letters of administration after a one-day hearing on February 20 in which witnesses from the Philippines, including an expert on Philippine law, gave their evidence by video link.

Mrs Arroyo was ordered to pay the legal costs of the Claimants and of Dignity Funerals Ltd.

This case illustrates how the court approaches the question of entitlement to possession of a deceased’s body where the de-ceased was domiciled outside England and Wales.

There is no right of ownership to a dead body, but the de-ceased’s personal representa-tives have a duty to dispose of the body and are entitled to pos-session of it for that purpose. The right to a grant of representation where the deceased was domi-ciled outside England and Wales is set out in the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987.

(Ibuna and another v Arroyo and another [2012] EWHC 428 (Ch).)

n Contact Eileen Barry via email at eileen.barry@twmsolic-itors.com

Overseas witnesses gave evidence via video link in dispute over body

ESPA founder and Surrey residents Susan Harmsworth speaks to Rebecca Younger about shaping the luxury spa industry into what it is today.

TWM Solicitors dispute resolution partner Eileen Barry obtained an injunction and letters of administration to allow repatriation of a Philippine politician’s remains.

Spa brand has prospered from humble beginnings

Eileen Barry.

Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA.

October 2012 7

Be part of the network - find out how Surrey Chambers of Commerce membership can help your business at www.surrey-chambers.co.uk

Diary DatesOctOber

9 tue What’s your next move? Apprenticeship breakfastVenue: Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom

Free Free

10 Mon

International trade is Good for Surrey – How to effectively Import and exportVenue: Natwest, 2 Cathedral Hill, Guildford

£20 Free

redhill & reigate business Forum – talent – How to find it and How to Keep it.Venue: Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate

Free Free

11 Mon

Surrey Meet the VenuesVenue: The Mandolay Hotel, 36-40 London Road, Guildford

Free Free

east Surrey business breakfast club at Hartsfield ManorVenue: Hartsfield Manor (De Vere Venues) Sandy Lane, Betchworth. Midway between Dorking & Reigate

£25 £14

Meet the Venues – exhibitorsVenue: The Mandolay Hotel, 36-40 London Road, Guildford

£250 £175

12 Fri Woking business breakfast clubVenue: Holiday Inn Woking, Victoria Way, Woking

£25 £14

15 Mon How to use LinkedIn for lead generationVenue: Gorse Hill Executive Centre, Hook Heath Road, Woking

£30 £20

17 Wed business Women in Surrey – Networking at Pennyhill ParkVenue: Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, London Road, Bagshot

£37 £22

18 thu elmbridge business breakfast clubVenue: The Hilton Hotel, Seven Hills Road South, Cobham

£25 £14

23 tueFarleigh business breakfast clubVenue: Farleigh Court Golf Club, Old Farleigh Road, Farleigh Common, Warlingham

£25 £14

24 WedGolf Day at tandridge Golf clubVenue: Tandridge Golf Club, Godstone Road, Oxted, Nr Godstone

£81.67 £73.34

redhill business breakfast clubVenue: Donyngs Leisure Centre, Linkfield Lane, Redhill

£25 £14

25 thuMembers Networking eveningVenue: Frimley Hall Hotel, Lime Avenue, Camberley

£20 Free

Guildford business breakfast clubVenue: The Mandolay Hotel, 36-40 London Road, Guildford

£25 £14

NOVeMber

5 Mon Networking event at the theatre – Dolly Parton – 9 to 5 The MusicalVenue: New Victoria Theatre, Peacock Centre, Woking

£42 £30

6 tue east Surrey business breakfast club at epsom racecourseVenue: Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom Downs, Epsom

£25 £14

8 thueast Surrey business breakfast club at Hartsfield ManorVenue: Hartsfield Manor (De Vere Venues), Sandy Lane, Betchworth. Midway between Dorking and Reigate.

£25 £14

9 Fri Hr Advice ForumVenue: The County Club, 158 High Street, Guildford

£25 Free

13 tue reaping the rewards from new product developmentVenue: Farnham Castle, Castle Street, Farnham

£30 £20

15 thu

Members Networking eveningVenue: 36-44 High Street, Redhill

£20 Free

elmbridge business breakfast clubVenue: The Hilton Hotel, Seven Hills Road South, Cobham

£25 £14

Surrey chambers Golf Society – Golf day at burhill Golf clubVenue: Burhill Golf Club (Old Course), Burwood Road, Walton-on-Thames

£80 £71.67

EvEry business in Surrey should be looking at their business with a view to reach out to the rest of the world. There is a misconception that unless you produce a tangible product you don’t have anything to export.

Contrary to this, less than 50% of exports are from manufacturers with services providing the lion’s share of transactions. The UK was, in fact, the second highest export-er of services in the world in 2010.

The South East accounts for 15% of UK exports with Surrey contributing significantly to this value of £42.5 billion. Six of the 11

boroughs and districts in Surrey are in the top 50 local authority ar-eas for exports (according to a BBC report) so we already per-form well.

Quite a surprising statistic is that one in five businesses cur-rently export and if this was in-creased to one in four the gross domestic product would increase by 1.5% providing a further £0.4billion of sales in Surrey alone.

Given the need to rebalance the UK economy towards exports to secure recovery and long-term prosperity, the British Chambers

of Commerce (BCC) commis-sioned a major international trade business survey in Q1 2012 – to which 8,073 businesses responded.

Although the survey clearly demonstrated the positive impact on businesses that exported it also showed that a number of chal-lenges, barriers and obstacles re-main. It is important for joined-up working with chambers of com-merce, companies and with gov-ernment, to overcome these ob-stacles, working closely hopefully unlocking the potential of Surrey’s existing and future exporters.

The world is our oyster

ThErE have been two significant government announcements made in the last two weeks. The first could potentially transform the environment for business fi-nance in this country. The second is rather a smaller affair, but it in-cludes a bit of additional funding for a popular international trade programme.

What the two have in com-mon, however, is that they both owe their existence to the lobby-ing work of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the chamber network.

The first announcement I’m referring to was the detail on a new business bank announced by vince Cable in his Lib Dem party conference speech. Thanks in large part to hard work by chambers in the treasury, Number 10 and Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) – all of whom have credited the BCC as helping to make it happen – the business bank will start up with £1bn of government capital on its balance sheet.

That could potentially gener-ate up to £10bn in lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) once the business bank gets off the ground – no small number by anyone’s standards.

Obviously, the hard part comes after the announcement, so we will be working closely with the government to make sure the business bank that emerges actu-ally supports the interests of the real economy when it launches. Still, this is a major step forward and an achievement for the chamber network.

The second announcement will have passed most people by. It came last Friday as a press re-lease from BIS and UKTI, stating that £9m in government funding will be made available to expand the Tradeshow Access Programme and to discount UKTI’s Overseas Market Introduction Service reports.Both of these have been long-standing BCC policy recommendations based on views from exporters, and would-be exporters, from around the chamber network.

We have campaigned in ap-pearances in parliament, in front of ministers, and elsewhere for

more support to help SMEs get to trade shows, and it is gratifying to finally get a response. While the sum allocated is not large, it is a significant improvement and we will be working to ensure cham-ber members have swift and easy access to the new funding on of-fer. I will be meeting with UKTI this week to ensure Surrey busi-nesses get their share!

Next week is probably one of the busiest in the chamber’s cal-endar. We are running an exciting Meet the venues Event on Thursday October 11 which brings more than 25 venues un-der one roof. The event is free to attendees who can save them-selves hours by finding out about many of Surrey’s spectacular ven-ues in one afternoon.

We can be found at Woking means Business on Wednesday October 10 and we will be rally-ing businesses to take on appren-tices at a breakfast at Epsom racecourse on October 9. No chance for any lie-ins next week but we will certainly be contrib-uting to helping the local econo-my grow. For more details go to www.surrey-chambers.co.uk or call 01483 735540

Lobbying work reaps its rewardsBy Louise PunterSurrey Chambers of CommerceChief Executive Officer

October 20128

Investment watch Keeping an eye on the markets

Current OverviewLow relative trading volumes continue to be a feature in a mar-ket which has just revisited levels close to the March highs.

The short term uptrend which commenced at the end of May re-mains in place and the chart would seem to point to further upside. That is just the chart though and more than just techni-cals (in my view) affect market di-rection. The BoE, the ECB, the US Fed and now the Bank of Japan are all either implementing fur-ther stimulus or getting close to putting it in place. In the case of Europe and the US, blank cheques are on the table, in other words bond buying (QE) support will es-sentially be unlimited. The Fed will now buy mortgage backed se-curities to keep mortgage rates low and thus encourage invest-ment in other areas in an effort to unclog the housing sector, spur bank lending and ultimately cre-ate jobs. The unemployment rate has remained a bugbear in the US for some time but on many other economic metrics, the US has shown reasonable consistency for a number of monthsuntil just recently.

Caution remains at large about China and the equity market there remains depressed accordingly.

The Chinese have just implement-ed a $160 billion infrastructure spending programme and further monetary easing is seen likely soon. It was also interesting to hear the Chinese premier at the world Economic Forum earlier in the month saying China will hit 7.5% growth this year and that sta-ble growth will be maintained be-yond. A unique and historic change in the Chinese govern-ment towards the end of the year is also a market event to be aware of. There are many signs suggest-ing oversold conditions and con-trarians and expecting a recovery in the final quarter of 2012.The quandary facinginvestors right now

Having been cautious and gen-erally wary of the current level of the market for some weeks, I find myself asking what may act as a trigger for possible renewed mar-ket weakness. I had felt that this month could see a test in the mar-ket (it still may, perhaps it will be next month) but clearly I have to respect and take note of the ongo-ing resilience and relative short term strength in share prices. As a market advisor, one has to reserve the right to alter one’s view as time moves on and more newsflow emerges. I see the positives in the back stop support the central banks are putting in place. I un-derstand that market interest rates will remain low for some time yet which continues to boost the in-vestment appeal of equities. I also

continue to see many companies delivering robust results in very tough economic conditions. Indeed if an investor is prepared to take a medium to long term view and would prefer not to try and ‘time’ optimum entry and exit levels, I can see how putting some funds to work now will likely yield reasonable returns going forward.

on the other hand, some peo-ple question the effectiveness of unorthodox monetary policy (QE), and the inflationary pres-sure it creates. Let us not forget that 11 years after the Japanese became the first to implement modern day QE, their economy remains in perpetual slump. In fact, they have just put in place their 8th round of stimulus! Driving bond yields lower by mass bond buying also has the negative counter effect of requiring compa-nies to have to put more funds into company pension schemes. Company money that might ordi-narily be spent growing business-es (creating jobs) or paying out dividends is having to simply fund further pension schemes which obviously offsets so called posi-tives of QE. The CEo of FTSE 100 listed Smiths Group, Philip Bowman has highlighted this problem yesterday. To the extent that markets are on the front foot largely to do with multi central bank stimulus plans, how confi-dent can one be that all is now under control. I would suggest that the wild card for any renewed

concerns remains Europe.The big bazooka ECB plan can-

not be put in force until Spain for-mally requests a bail out and what if they don’t ask for one? Here in the UK, economic growth needs kick starting and further stimulus through bond purchases in isola-tion probably won’t achieve it. Significant policy changes are also required.In closing, M & A returningto the market?

It has been a long time since takeover rumour and corporate activity have featured much in the markets. Back in the pre-credit crisis days of 2007, almost every day at least one blue chip would be moving higher in heated chit chat that yet another takeover bid was on the cards. As bank credit has dried up in the risk averse, post-crisis environment we find ourselves, it has been of interest to see BAE Systems in mega merg-er talks with EADS of Europe as it has rumours of bid interest in both Marks & Spencer and Sage. Such gossip does not tend to do mar-kets any harm; indeed it often highlights that valuations are not demanding in the eyes of some.

This report was written by Philip Scott, Head of Advisory Stockbroking at Simple Investments on 1/10/12 when the FTSE 100 was trading at 5750. The writer does not hold a position in any equities mentioned above, although his clients may.

By Philip ScottHead of Advisory Stockbrokingat Simple Investments

Market upbeat on concerted stimulous action and renewed M&A

Philip Scott.

CrEATIvITEA, based in Mill-brook, underwent a high-end stu-dio refurbishment last month, with ergonomic furniture in-stalled.

Best friends rik Barwick and Lloyd Bedford set up the company in 2008 and four years later have seen it blossom into one with a

strong brand identity and a long list of clients.

The success that the team has had over the past four years is re-flected in the new studio design which features high-tech equip-ment and bright, bold and mod-ern furniture.

The studio has also expanded

to include a new meeting room, while all the furniture, recom-mended by Healthy Home office in Guildford, can be tailored to the staff to allow healthy posture.

“we are thrilled to now be cele-brating four years in business,” said Mr Barwick. “It’s a real achievement for the team as a whole, and the studio is a way of rewarding the team for all of their hard work.

“The studio’s refurbishment fits in perfectly with our Creativitea brand, just as it should. we’re pas-sionate that a brand isn’t just a logo or one aspect of your market-ing – it’s everything, including your staff and your workspace.”

Since starting out doing free-lance work, the Creativitea team has expanded to six designers who have worked on projects for cli-ents such as Freeview, Carphone warehouse, and Electronic Arts.

Mr Bedford added: “we are keen to use local companies where possible, and we like to do our bit for the community.

“we love being based in Guildford. It’s a beautiful city and inspiring to work in. It seems to be an up and coming area for crea-tives too.

“I don’t think there’s a belief that you have to be in London. we have some local clients and some further afield but when a client is confident that you can deliver quality at the right time, that’s all that matters.”

... and in with the new

Out with the old ...Creative business partners at a Guildford design agency celebrated four years in business by treating themselves to some new studio equipment

IN keeping with the forward thinking reflected Creativitea’s studio makeover, all the old fur-niture was donated to a Cran-leigh school for autistic chil-dren to help them develop a creative spark of their own.

Children at Jigsaw School, situated at Dunsfold Park, are now benefitting from a fresh change of their own after the Guildford design studio under-went its refurbishment last month.

Joint managing directors Rik Barwick and Lloyd Bedford do-nated the furniture under Rik’s name as a personal gift to the school, in keeping with their aspiration for the company to

be a positive part of the community.

Steven Morgan, fundraising officer at Jigsaw, says: “We are hugely grateful to Rik and Creativitea for donating the ta-bles and chairs to us.

“It has come at exactly the right time as we are further ex-panding our art facilities here at Jigsaw. The art programme is producing some fantastically creative work and the children will really benefit from having more space in which to create their larger painting and textile works.

“It’s very rewarding for us to have support such as this from local businesses and we very

much appreciate Creativitea’s recycling initiative in passing on some of their older design studio furniture as they under-go a studio update and refit.

“The furniture is terrific qual-ity and absolutely perfect for our students.”

The Jigsaw Trust was set up in 1999 by a group of parents with children with autism spectrum disorders. It aims to provide a specialist resource for children diagnosed with the lifelong dis-order, and is one of only ten schools in the UK to use Applied Behaviour Analysis to teach pu-pils to modify their behaviour through the course of their learning.Rik Barwick and staff celebrating four years in business.

Youngsters at Jigsaw School get the benefit of the recycled furniture.