Supercharge your voice

Next week sees the start of the annual NHS Stoptober programme aimed at helping people quit smoking for good.   If yourselves or any of your staff wish to quit smoking and would like support, we offer a free smoking cessation service which includes at least 6 weeks support from a trained advisor and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, gum, lozenges etc.).   We can also provide further information or can present to staff on smoking or Smoking vs Vaping, so if this would interest you, please get in touch.   Spaces still available for general Workplace Health support at the beginning of next year for those motivated to make changes in the New Year!   Find more here

As we waved goodbye to the hot weather with our Members' End of Summer Party a few weeks ago, it marked the start of the academic year - always one of the busiest times at Sussex Innovation. Not only are we welcoming back academics, researchers and students to the Sussex campus - and launching all of the associated enterprise programmes for this year - but many of our community are returning from their summer holidays ready to start something new. Whether you're finally going through with finding a new space to grow your team, taking the time to reconsider your strategy, or launching that passion project that's been on the back burner, drop us an email to let us know how we can help!   Thinking Innovation This month's innovation insights and trends: exploring the potential of health hubs to transform our approach to healthcare, and everything we learned about social media at last month's brightonSEO conference.   Read the latest articles    Healthcare in Focus: developing a place-based approachHealthcare provision in the UK has been under strain in recent years, and we've been working closely with local partners to understand how different models can have a significant impact on public health. As we take part in a new consultation project at the University of Sussex, here are a few of the lessons we've learned along the way. brightonSEO: how to level up your social contentHow do you hold people's attention on LinkedIn? What will stand out in a world of AI-generated content? Why do some TikTok trends go viral? Last month's international SEO conference brought some of the leading lights of digital content together to share their insights about how to make your marketing messages more effective. What's Happening? The latest news stories from the Sussex Innovation community include a new AI venture designed to reduce health inequality, and comment from DOCIAsport on the government's latest sport strategy to get more British adults physically active.   Catalyst Corporation launches new health equity AI partnershipTechnology innovation company Catalyst Corporation have announced their part in the creation of a new partnership designed to reduce health inequality and improve access to care for underserved populations. How can the UK's inactivity crisis be tackled?Ian Braid, MD and founder of DOCIAsport, was among the experts who spoke to the BBC for their investigation into health and fitness in the UK, and the barriers to entry for people trying to live more active lives.   Coming Up... The most important dates for your diary next month. Our upgraded calendar is at your fingertips; thoughtfully curated to showcase a handpicked selection of top-notch events, brought to you by our valued partners across the South East!    Check out our events calendar   University of Sussex Business Angels: Members Forum 5th October - the launch of our new angel investment network in partnership with the University of Sussex. If you want to invest in growing businesses in our community, join us to help shape it. Knowledge Hub Falmer: Understand and Convert Your Customers 10th October - James Dempster, MD and co-founder of marketing experts Fox & Bear, shares his strategies for creating compelling content marketing, by merging human empathy with objective data. Meet the Members Brunch Croydon 18th October - join our Croydon community for informal networking over tea, coffee and pastries, and hear from a few of the companies at Sussex Innovation about their work. Brighton Summit 2023: Human 20th October - this year's conference organised by Brighton Chamber takes place at the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts on the University of Sussex campus. See you there!        

Leading Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter is expanding its presence in the South East, following a merger with Chichester firm Pure Employment Law. The union will see Pure Employment Law become part of the Mayo Wynne Baxter brand, adding a new office hub in Chichester, four team members and around £500,000 in additional turnover to the firm's revenue. The new location will also create more than a dozen jobs in the local area. Acting for both employers and employees, Pure Employment Law was established in 2010 by employment law specialists Nicola Brown and Peter Stevens, who have more than 50 years' combined experience, having both previously worked at Thomas Eggar before setting up on their own. The merger will bolster Mayo Wynne Baxter's existing employment offering and the new Chichester hub will expand the firm's patch across Sussex, providing local clients with access to Mayo Wynne Baxter's 200 strong team of experts. Nicola, who will be joining Mayo Wynne Baxter as a partner, said: "Our client base has grown massively in the past 13 years and we felt ready for the next step, so began looking for a partner that could provide us with the infrastructure to grow. We're delighted to become part of a firm that has such a great reputation in Sussex and that has shown its commitment to building a full service offering for clients in Chichester." Mayo Wynne Baxter has confirmed it is looking to recruit at least 12 legal professionals in the area, to support local clients with a range of legal services. The merger follows shortly after the firm's announced union with Lawson Lewis Blakers in Eastbourne. Dean Orgill, chief executive partner at Mayo Wynne Baxter, said: "We're thrilled to have announced two key mergers, in relatively quick succession, that have not only brought in incredible expertise to our firm but also expanded our reach, taking us to nine locations across the region. "We've had a landmark year for growth already but won't be resting on our laurels. Our focus for the immediate future is recruitment and building a strong team." Martin Williams, head of employment at Mayo Wynne Baxter, said: "Nicola and Peter bring with them bags of expertise and business acumen, so we're delighted that they are joining our growing employment team. We are glad to be able to offer their existing client base a range of legal services and their team with excellent training and career development opportunities." There are no planned redundancies as a result of the merger. Mayo Wynne Baxter is proactively recruiting in Chichester and the wider Sussex area.

We are delighted to be able to share the exciting news with you that UK Growth Coach has just won the Best SME Management Consultancy in Sussex at the Management Consulting Awards run by Wealth & Finance International! The award is a real testament to not only the hard work and quality of the business coaching we provide, but the results and real-world impact our clients experience. Where the marketplace is flooded with big-business coaching concepts that aren't always fully relevant in an SME setting, our unique models (all developed by our own team) are a refreshing change. Our approach to coaching is based on concepts we've developed ourselves after years as business owners and coaches to more than 250 business clients.   Here are just some of the client results that helped us achieve this accolade:   Reduced one business owners working week from 80hrs to 45hr and enabled them to go on their first family holiday for five years. significantly bolstered a construction company's secured future work and cash security, from 4 weeks to 9 months. enabled a business owner to expedite the sale of their business, achieving a higher market price than initially anticipated. increased another company's year-on-year turnover by 35% empowered one firm to create six new jobs.   We don't just look at or focus on the business results, but also on the beneficial impacts to the lives of the company owners, their teams and the wider business society. By improving business results, we enhance the lives of business owners, employees, supply chains, and the community overall. SMEs who work with us deliver economic benefits to the communities they serve through job and wealth creation, as well as other contributions.   Why not take advantage of a complementary business review with one of our coaches, where together we will: Assess your business' current progression status. Explore your aspirations for the future and current barriers. Discuss ideas, opportunities, and make relevant suggestions. Consider how actions, support and education can make change happen.   Sound interesting? Give us a call on 01444 440500, or book directly here: https://calendly.com/timrylatt. You can also check out our website for more information: https://tr.growthcoach.co.uk/

Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October: no trains across vast majority of GTR network Friday 29 September, Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Thursday 5 and Friday 6 October: amended timetables with fewer trains Sunday 1 October and Thursday 5 October: first services start later than normal Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern, is warning customers that regrettably there will be no trains on the vast majority of its network on Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October owing to national industrial action by the ASLEF union. A limited shuttle service will run between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport on both days. These trains will be extremely busy and will not stop at any other stations. Queueing systems will be in place and passengers may not be able to board their chosen service, especially in the late evenings. Passengers are strongly urged not to travel to or from Gatwick by train if they have an alternative transport option, and to leave plenty of extra time for their journey if using a train is essential. As there are no trains across most of the country on these two days, there will be limited onward travel options from London Victoria, so travellers are urged to plan their whole journey ahead of time. On each morning following strike action - Sunday 1 October and Thursday 5 October - services will start up later than usual. Additionally, an overtime ban by ASLEF will mean amended timetables with fewer trains on Friday 29 September, and on Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Thursday 5 and Friday 6 October. These timetables have been designed to help passengers plan for their day, providing greater certainty of train times with fewer short-notice alterations. However, passengers should expect busier trains, especially in peak hours, and longer waiting times. GTR has contacted schools to ensure they are aware and can help ensure nobody is caught out. Jenny Saunders, GTR's Customer Service Director, said: "We know how difficult this ongoing national industrial action is for our customers and we're really sorry for the continued inconvenience it's causing. So that you can travel with confidence, we'll be operating the most resilient timetables we can, but when trains are running, they're likely to be busier than normal, especially in the peaks, and you might need to wait longer than usual. Please plan all your journeys carefully in advance, allowing plenty of extra time, and check again before you set off." Train times are now available for Friday 29 and Saturday 30 September in online journey planners such as National Rail Enquiries, and will be available five to seven days in advance for subsequent affected dates [see notes to editors]. Further information is also available on the Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express websites.

Accountants, business, and wealth advisers Kreston Reeves has announced the appointment this month of Susan Chadwick, who has joined the firm as HR Director.   Susan has over 20 years' experience working at a senior level within HR in the accountancy profession, initially at Deloitte and more recently at Rawlinson & Hunter LLP.   Susan has a track record of driving organisational growth through identifying and implementing innovative HR strategies and processes and is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and the Institute of Paralegals.   Commenting on Susan's appointment, Richard Heasman, HR Partner at Kreston Reeves, said: "We're delighted to welcome Susan to the team to lead our HR, employer brand and people engagement initiatives. Our people make our firm and she brings a wealth of experience in the accounting sector with her so we're looking forward to continued growth and development in this area."   Susan Chadwick comments: "I'm very pleased to join Kreston Reeves and I look forward to getting to know the people across the offices. It is an exciting time to join the firm as they continue to progress their journey as a B Corp™ and a purpose driven business.   "The firm's apprenticeship programme has also recently been recognised in CIPD's People Management Awards, as well as the national Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers List. I'm looking forward to continuing to build on the great work and culture that the firm has already developed".

Roffey Park Institute   This month we explore how to improve your own personal effectiveness, coaching and delegation skills to create behaviour change. We hear from a recent participant and explore the role of women in OD.   In our latest whitepaper - The DNA of Personal Effectiveness - we have taken a fresh look at personal effectiveness and how regular, sustainable changes can be made which directly impact your personal effectiveness. The paper outlines a new framework for personal effectiveness and is packed with practical exercises which have been drawn from our research and the work we do with groups and individuals from all levels within a wide range of organisations. Download your copy Influencing Behaviour Change as a Leader   How do you measure behaviour change? Track empathy or gauge attentiveness? We explore why learning and paying attention to what matters is where real change occurs. Read More Take a journey in OD with Rebecca Gane Recent participant of the Organisational Development (OD) Practitioners Programme, Rebecca Gane shares her fascinating personal journey. Read more Coaching and Delegation Skills - Manage priorities, create growth opportunities Long gone are the days when leaders and managers had all the answers, but there is still an expectation that they should and that's often not possible. This is where coaching and delegating, as key skills for any manager and leader's toolkit, come to the fore. Read more Women in OD How are women driving positive change in organisational development and how do we support their growth in the profession? We explore the importance of women in the field and the need for diversity and inclusivity to transform workplaces for the better. Read More  

Newly created CCO role will further enhance the customer experience Mark Pavlides brings significant travel, transport, customer and digital expertise Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern, has appointed Mark Pavlides as Chief Customer Officer. This new role is at the heart of decision-making for GTR and will further elevate the customer experience and customer care across the operator's network for all passengers. There will be a particular focus on ensuring the railway is accessible for all, innovating GTR's digital offering and encouraging rail travel across the operator's vast network of destinations. The role covers all elements of the passenger journey, from retail to the station and on-board experience, customer information and aftercare. Mark brings a wealth of experience to the position, including more than a decade leading customer service, distribution and technology for British Airways and Qantas Holidays in the UK and Australia. He spent six years in regional managing director roles leading the American International Group's travel insurance business across Asia Pacific. More recently, Mark was Global Director of Customer Services at William Hill and Customer Services Director for the Association for Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Mark said: "I'm delighted to take on this new role at GTR and I am absolutely committed to ensuring that the passenger experience remains at the heart of what we do, and how we do it, at all times. "It's an interesting time to join the railway and I think there are many opportunities to celebrate train travel's sustainable credentials and make more use of technology to better understand our customers and enhance their journeys. "I hope to bring my knowledge from across the travel sector and beyond to improve our customer offering and their experiences, so we continue to make improvements and ultimately ensure that customers love to travel with us." Patrick Verwer, Chief Executive Officer, said: "It's fantastic to announce this new Chief Customer Officer role for GTR, which will support our work to connect people and help local communities to thrive. I'm thrilled to have Mark on board ensuring that the customer experience is at the centre of our decision-making and innovation."

The central field was once part of an ancient woodland called Forest Copse, which we believe was felled during the Second World War. However, the soil of this field still has a 'memory' of that woodland, as evidenced by Bluebells and Oak saplings growing in the open field. Our vision is to see the woodland regenerate naturally in the coming years and decades.This is an important opportunity to make more space for wildlife.The other two fields will be managed to create species rich grasslands, which will be achieved by grazing and cutting to reduce nutrient levels. The hedgerows will be encouraged to spread into the fields to form dense scrub, the perfect habitat for Nightingales. This will also improve flightlines for bats and create corridors for Dormice. The purchase of these fields will further enrich a nature reserve that is already one of the most biodiverse in Sussex. Please help us make this vision possible by donating today. Help restore our landscape   Upcoming Events 26 September: Forest School Training - Brighton 28 September: Nature Tots - Tilgate Park, Crawley - Last 5 places 01 October: Birds and Breakfast - Rye Harbour Nature Reserve 27 October: Crafting your Screenplay - Rye Harbour Nature Reserve 11 November: Beginning Nature Photography - Henfield More events here

This October, Martin Searle Solicitors' Employment Law team are launching 'Disability Matters', their annual campaign to stamp out disability discrimination at work. This campaign will concentrate on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other medical conditions such as Long Covid and Fibromyalgia, which can produce similar symptoms. Despite disability discrimination in the workplace being outlawed we are dealing with increasing numbers of employees experiencing discrimination. A June 2023 study by the House of Commons library found that 53.7% of working-age disabled people are in employment, compared to 82.7% for people who are not disabled. For many with mental health conditions, including learning difficulties, the employment rate drops to just 28%. A 2020 study carried out by Citizens Advice found that disabled people were twice as likely to face redundancy at work. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) also found that disabled people earn 13.8% less on average than non-disabled people - almost £2 less per hour. The disability employment gap, which shows the difference between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people, begun widening during the Coronavirus pandemic, and is how at 29.8% - the widest point since 2018. Although the measures introduced by the government at the height of the pandemic have now been dropped, in January 2023 the ONS estimated that two million people (3.1% of the population) were experiencing long COVID symptoms, with 19% of these reporting that their ability to undertake day-to-day activities had been "limited a lot" since the onset of symptoms. As with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, employers are often unaware of their responsibilities to employees who are experiencing long COVID, and may not realise that their employees are disabled under the Equality Act, and that they could be inadvertently discriminating against them at work. Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law at Martin Searle Solicitors, said "We have been contacted by many employees who believe they have been unfairly selected for redundancy or whose employers have failed to make reasonable adjustments for their disability. We are a campaigning law firm who educate employers to follow best practice while fighting for employees who have been discriminated against. This is because we want to make disability discrimination at work a thing of the past." Martin Searle Solicitors have produced a series of free factsheets, case studies and FAQs for employers and employees covering basic disability rights, as well as avoiding disability discrimination in the workplace which are available on their website.Their campaign includes a virtual seminar for charities and non-profit organisations on Managing Ill Health and Disability, run in partnership with Community Works. This takes place on Thursday 19 October at 10.30am. For more information and to book, click here. They will also run a virtual seminar for HR and Employment Professionals on Managing Ill Health and Disability in association with MBL Seminars, from 1pm on Thursday 26 October which you can book here. Martin Searle Solicitors are providing a free 30 minute confidential advice line for employers and employees on disability rights and employer duties throughout October 2023. Employers,employees and workers can call 01273 609911 from 3.30pm - 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, please visit www.ms-solicitors.co.uk/disability-matters

Railway staff from Southern and Thameslink joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club and Brighton & Hove Buses at low tide on Monday to blitz a section of Brighton & Hove Beach as part of The Great British Beach Clean, the charity's annual beach clean and litter survey project, running until Sunday 24 September. The team of 35 volunteers braved torrential rain and strong winds to collect an astonishing 589 pieces of litter from just a 100m stretch, ranging from crisp packets to bottle tops and cigarette butts. They also found a ring which railway staff hope to reunite with its owner (see editor's notes). Each piece of litter that the team picked up is one less bit of rubbish that will enter the ocean and cause damage to the marine wildlife. Everything collected was also catalogued. This gives the Marine Conservation Society an invaluable insight into what is polluting the sea, enabling it to campaign for positive change to protect the ocean. The society has already helped implement plastic bag charges, better wet wipe labelling, and supporting a tax on single-use plastic items. Jason Brooker, Head of Environment at Govia Thameslink Railway which runs the two train firms, said: "Every year, between 8 and 13 million tonnes of plastic enters our oceans. This is a biodiversity crisis, blighting our shores and impacting the communities we serve. "With so many beaches on our rail network, it makes sense for us to do our part to keep them clean and inviting for our customers. Keeping our shores clean also helps protect local biodiversity, which is a key part of our environment strategy." Electric trains are the most sustainable form of public transport. With the worsening climate and ecological crisis, GTR also hopes the beach clean will highlight how sustainable rail travel is, encouraging people to switch from car to train to reach the coast. This would boost passenger numbers on a network that has lost 25% of its customer base post pandemic. Jason added: "Jointly, by making small but important changes with our passengers and local communities, we can make a real difference for our planet and the generations to come." GTR was joined in the clean up by Brighton & Hove Albion FC's Sustainability Manager Tom Harris and coach driver Martine Patey from Brighton & Hove Buses. Clare Trotman, Beachwatch Officer at the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We wouldn't be able to do the work we do at the Marine Conservation Society without the support of our volunteers heading out to the coast to collect vital information on what's polluting our seas. "A massive thank you to the Thameslink team for joining this year's Great British Beach Clean and protecting our coasts and sea from pollution."

Grieving families are being urged to beware of unqualified estate planning advisors by leading Sussex law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter after a new report reveals cases where incompetence has led to clients paying thousands of pounds in additional tax.   The latest survey[1] published by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) uncovers the impact of unqualified advisers in the estate planning sector which included cases of paying additional tax of up to £2m.   The law firm is calling for urgent regulation to save people from suffering financially due to poor advice at a time when they are going through the pain of a bereavement.   Jessica Partridge, partner specialising in private client law at Mayo Wynne Baxter, said: "It's appalling that families are being misled and taken advantage of by unqualified advisors, especially at a time when they may be grieving for a loved one.   "No-one should have to deal with unnecessary financial or emotional woes because of bad advice.   "Clients inadvertently enter these arrangements, thinking they have put their affairs in order, when really they have been let down and taken advantage of as the advisor lacks the specialist skills and knowledge to give what is extremely technical legal and tax advice.   "Sadly, some will writing firms prey on vulnerable clients, offering fixed fees they claim will be cheaper than a solicitor. But there are hidden costs, some of which may not be apparent until after death - and families can end up being forced to pay thousands to specific companies for estate administration work.   "The STEP report highlights that a professional will typically costs less than £500.   "We urgently need regulation for those who write wills and administer estates to ensure minimum standards of competence and behaviour to protect the public."   Bad practise includes dishonesty in the drafting and administration of trusts and cases where large parts of loved ones' estates have had to be spent on additional tax or legal fees to fix problems following poor advice.   The report highlighted cases where families paid far more in tax than they needed to because of bad advice given by advisors who did not consider enough factors, with extra amounts paid ranging from £25,000 to £2m.     Just over half of those surveyed (54 per cent) had come across firms making false claims about the wills they are selling to clients. Of those, 71 people said advisors had illegally told their clients they could avoid care home fees by putting their home and other assets into a trust.   Over half (55 per cent) had come across cases of incompetence or dishonesty in the drafting and administration of trusts, while almost 80 per cent of those surveyed said they had come across cases of wills with errors.     For more information please visit: https://www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk/