SBT 2021 round up

Although 2021 has been a year of unprecedented challenges, it has also been one of resilience with some standout business success stories across Sussex. Firms have innovated and evolved to harness growth. This features looks back on some of those success stories and celebrates the positives that will serve as a springboard to future prosperity as we head towards 2022.

The Sussex Business Times has produced eight issues during the year as well as numerous podcasts. Here are some of the highlights. 

In January, we introduced readers to Dean Orgill following an announcement that he was the new Chief Executive of one of the South East’s most prominent regional law firms, Mayo Wynne Baxter. He succeeded Chris Randall, who had been at the helm for well over a decade. As well as giving a brief overview of his life and career, he spoke about the changing commercial landscape. Mr Orgill said: “The biggest significant change has to be the rise of digital technology. When I started at Wynne Baxter Godfree, there was no internet – incredible but true. It is almost impossible to imagine any business now, no matter how traditional, that does not use digital technology in one way or another. Plus, of course, there are whole swathes of businesses that would not exist at all without digital technology, and Sussex has many clusters of world-leading companies in that sector.”

Sussex Cricket launched a ground-breaking Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub with support from cricketing great Sarah Taylor. The NHS-backed initiative was the first of its kind and devised in response to the fallout of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

MHA Carpenter Box gave us an overview of what the Brexit deal meant for business in Europe and we revealed that industrial development Brighton Works was such a success that it was almost at capacity. Meanwhile, Creative Pad gave some great pointers on how to get your business through a global pandemic and, in a Charity Special, we paid tribute to Ryan Heal who stood down as CEO of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity after a remarkable 8 years. We also checked in with Brighton Gin, which was celebrating success by claiming the Business Pivot Award. In technology, Extech Cloud asked businesses if they were being held to ransom by IT managers and explained how to get tech right for growth. We also threw a spotlight on women who work in IT. 

In March, we threw the spotlight on a small Shoreham-based business making big moves in the automotive industry. 67 Degrees is a specialist in developing impactful websites and offers creative marketing services exclusively to the automotive industry. After winning another Car Dealer Power Award, co-director Laura Coleby explained: “We’ve been fortunate enough to win this award for three consecutive years now, however, this year’s win feels particularly special given the global situation we find ourselves in. When Justin and I started the business, we pledged to provide fantastic customer service teamed with hands-on support and guidance. We are extremely passionate about what we do here at 67 Degrees. Many of us have worked in the automotive industry for many years now and we have a real desire to see our customers and the wider sector performing well.”    

In the same issue, it was revealed that Midnight Communications had further expanded its portfolio and Acumen Business Law launched a bid to find the Top 50 Fastest Growing Businesses in Sussex. There was more good news with the launch of the Table Talk Foundation in Sussex, which educates children about food. Our contributors had plenty of advice on issues caused by the pandemic – tackling everything from redundancies to evictions. MHA Carpenter Box explained how the Spring Budget may impact businesses and Stephanie Prior gave us an insight on the topic of racism and explained how marketing can challenge perceptions. We also introduced you to interactive platform TruChallenge and found out more about the Sussex Cancer Fund. 

Meanwhile, Rivervale Leasing talked us through a fascinating topic – the value of Britain’s most popular car colours. The business also explained new changes to the Electric Company Car Tax. Network My Club outlined how to be an effective networker of the future and Sussex Chamber of Commerce explained how cash was still the biggest problem for businesses still trapped in lockdown.

In April, our cover feature was about the future of business networking. With sectors emerging from lockdown, networking was still limited to online activity. We spoke to Bradley Hatchett, founder and Managing Director of Network My Club, who explained: “We’re running all kinds of online events for clients, including online exhibitions, awards ceremonies, charity fundraisers, live cooking demonstrations, Q&As, pub quizzes, company social and team-building events, webinars, networking and many others. We even opened our own virtual pub, Network My Pub, last year. Not a sentence I thought I’d be saying over a year ago. This has proven extremely popular on Friday afternoons when we open it and has helped people stay connected socially in a fun way during lockdowns.”

In the same issue, Acumen Business Law officially named its Top 50 Fastest Growing Business in Sussex with a plethora of success stories across multiple sectors. We updated readers on significant progress being made on Brighton’s Edward Street Quarter and Richard Freeman, SEO of alwayspossible.co.uk, talked about how businesses could emerge from the pandemic fitter than before Covid-19 struck. Meanwhile the Culture Recovery Fund was launched and Servo Private Wealth broached the topic of how much money you will need for the rest of your life. 

We also took a closer look at Metro Bank and Mayo Wynne Baxter explained some points to consider for hospitality businesses in respect of outside seating areas. Mortgage Medics outlined the state of the mortgage market and, in HR news, six experts talked about best practice in hybrid and flexible working. Also on HR, Business Doctors told us about the Kickstart Scheme. We caught up with the latest positive developments at Whitespace as well as Agency 53. Adapting to the reality of remote working was the topic of a feature from NWT and, in charity news, we learned from Turning Tides how the economic fallout of the pandemic was impacting homelessness locally. 

For May’s cover feature, we sat down with Co-Founder and Managing Director of Fox&Bear, James Dempster. Having re-branded from Cobb Digital, 2021 marked a significant period of growth for the 18-strong team who deliver integrated marketing campaigns for a wide range of clients. On the topic of how the pandemic had changed marketing needs he said: “It has been really interesting to see how this year has unfolded for our clients. We work across a number of sectors, so no two clients have faced the same challenges and it’s certainly kept us on our toes as we look to re-think marketing campaigns, change tactics and build new strategies. For example, if we’re seeing a much larger number of sales as a result of our Facebook advertising campaigns, rather than our Google campaigns, we’ll divert spend to Facebook ensuring that we’re efficient with investment, delivering the strongest returns. We look at this across all marketing channels so that we can be sure we’re delivering the strongest return on investment.”

County Business Clubs Sussex revealed the winners of its Virtual Business Awards. Meanwhile, Sussex brewery Hepwroth & Company offered free beer to pubs to celebrate the launch of its light ale Tier Drop. Carpenter Box offered valuable advice to businesses welcoming employees back to the office and we met the co-founders of award-winning currency specialists Spartan FX. Mayo Wynne Baxter offered some sage advice on whether or not a business should be a limited company and 365 Employment Law talked about Covid-19 vaccinations in the workplace. 

In charity news, Rockinghorse announced plans for its Charity Golf Day. Back on the pandemic front, HR Dept. answered some of your questions in a troubleshooting feature for businesses re-opening. Stephanie Prior explained how listening to business leaders is an empowering experience and Consortium offered advice for businesses thinking of entering awards competitions. 67 Degrees marked its fifth anniversary and we met ‘Charity of the Year’ Chestnut Tree House.

Our cover feature in July was an interview with Plus X Brighton co-founders Mat Hunter and Paul Rostas. We wanted to know what the innovation hub brought to a county like Sussex and how the pandemic had changed the way people work. Mat explained: “We had a short golden period between the two lockdowns but last winter got much tougher.  We were working with people who made physical things and the government guidance allowed us to stay open.  In fact, during the first lockdown we were making PPE for the NHS.  So when we came to open this place, we had a lot of experience of operating during the pandemic.  Month on month people continued to come and said psychologically and practically, they needed that.  And here we are towards the end of lockdown with 300 people in the building.”

In the same issue, an urban cricket plan was announced for Greater Brighton & Hove and Shoreham-by-the-Sea was announced as one of the best places to work in the UK. In more good news, the Government announced £11.8m funding for the new Lyminster bypass. Meanwhile, Designate was celebrating success after scooping a major award for its VisitBrighton campaign. We celebrated innovation with a special section for start-ups and also took a look behind the scenes at Whitespace. Meanwhile, we reported that former CEO of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity Ryan Heal was made Honorary Patron in recognition of his outstanding work. Sussex Chamber of Commerce launched a new service to help local businesses that import or export. 

In-person networking was back in vogue and we caught up with the Best of British Members Club at its launch event. Network My Club revealed the five books that will help anyone become a better networker. Our Lunch Review was back and we sampled some of what Nostos has to offer in Hove. We also revealed that a new Tapas Revolution was opening in Brighton. To celebrate English Wine Week, County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month came from the Plumpton Estate in East Sussex. 

For our August cover feature, we spoke to the founder of Britton & Time Solicitors, Paul Britton. He said: “When people ask me why I got into law, I usually give them two answers: the lawyer’s answer, and then the real one. What’s the difference? None. Not because the answers are the same, but because it really doesn’t matter what the answer is. What matters in this profession is how persuasive you can be, how compelling your story is and how strongly you can evidence the narrative. And 9 times out of 10, that’s also the law.” On the pandemic, he said: “As we’ve eased out of lockdown, what’s struck me most is how businesses have adapted to the challenges it presented. Some haven’t been able to operate at all, some were faltering and were dealt a death blow, and others have thrived through sheer determination and good strategic planning.”

In the same issue we discovered how sales had taken off following a revamp at Eastbourne Car Auctions and we reported that demolition work was under way at Sackville Road ahead of redevelopment. Kreston Reeves explained probate fees were set to rise and, in legal news, Simon Baillie-Hamilton, partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter, explained why you should always keep your business advisors in the loop. In marketing news, we learned how new estate agents Hamlyn Smith developed a brand. The Business and IP Centre Sussex gave some sound advice to start-ups and told them to do their research. 

We threw the spotlight on new Worthing business Bare Cacao and Coastal West Sussex explained how innovation it cutting carbon emissions across the county. In charity news, we met Little Lifesavers. Brighton Chamber was back to in-person meetings and Sussex Chamber of Commerce was announced as a pilot for the Skills Accelerator Programme. 

In September, we interviewed Best of British Events founder Ryan Heal, who was flying the flag for the return of live events. The well-known and award-winning businessman said of the events organisation’s first six months of 2021: “Due to the restrictions, the first couple of BBMC (Best of British Members Club) meetings were very much Members only due to the guidelines at the time. Thankfully, our Members can now bring guests to our meetings which is great. As far as Membership is concerned, we are at full capacity until 2022. Despite the demand for Memberships, I had to stay true to the original vision for the BBMC which was that we will never be more than 50 Members…For me, this provides genuine exclusivity for our members, who are all business owners/directors, who can now experience the best hospitality at the best venues hearing from the best speakers in a safe space environment.”

Elsewhere in the magazine, we introduced you to James Roberts who was the new director charged with overseeing future growth at The Beacon in Eastbourne. Meanwhile, Ardingly Football Club marked its 125th year and we highlighted Startup September. Andy Scowen revealed how he had diversified in the pandemic – moving from print and distribution to mail order sweets. We featured Seofon Business Services and Sussex-based entrepreneurs were named among Servo Primate Wealth’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’. Meanwhile, 365 Employment Law shared some legal insights following the end of the furlough scheme.

Bruce Williams was announced as the artist set to create new work for Brighton’s Edward Street Quarter and, in charity news, Rockinghorse announced the return of its Bonfire Night Quiz. Rivervale Leasing revealed the best and worst vehicles for the environment and Sussex Chamber of Commerce opened entries for its 2021 business awards. Network Albion returned to the Amex stadium with a sell-out event. 

Our October cover feature marked National Fertility Awareness Week. We met Kuljit Moore-Juneja, owner of the Sussex Downs Fertility Clinic. She explained: “Recently a number of key employers, such as Natwest and Centrica, have included the cost of fertility treatments as part of their wider employee benefits package. This is something that I am passionate about. It gives people support and choice especially to career minded women who may not have thought about this.Fertility checkups and services should be available as part of a corporate benefit package. Once people are aware of their ‘fertility status’ then they can make decisions and choices.”

Bonners celebrated the launch of a new flagship store in Eastbourne and we were thrilled to bring back Ask The Expert with s special feature to mark Mental Health Awareness Day. In the hot seat was Yaron Engler, who spoke about his successful work with men. Spirit of the Downs won a top award for its hand-crafted brandy and Silicon Brighton launched an initiative to address inequalities in tech. Entrepreneurs shared secrets on how to turn a side hustle into a career and, in HR news, Mo Kanjilal, Co-Creator of Watch This Sp_ce, talked about future proofing businesses in an inclusive way. 

Multigenerational workplaces and remote working was the topic of a feature with Loch Associates Group and Mayo Wynne Baxter touched on the thorny topic of doubling ground rents. Michael Gietzen was included in the UK’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2021 and we had a special feature on what growth looks like for small businesses following a year like no other.

All issues of the magazine are available to read online for free. You can access back issues and our latest podcasts at http://thebusinessgroup.co.uk

From all of us here at SBT, we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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