Following more than a decade of dedicated leadership, the Chief Executive of St Catherine’s Hospice has announced he will retire from his role at the end of January 2027.

Carers Support West Sussex (CSWS) is offering FREE HELP to West Sussex based employers supporting unpaid carers. We have launched the Carers in Employment project focused on helping employers recognise carers early, support managers, and reduce avoidable pressure on staff attendance, wellbeing, and retention.

If you're running a business with employees this free event is for you. We'll cover off key changes that you'll need to be aware of and have a plan for and have time for you to connect with other local business owners. 9-11am 29th April The Light Redhill

Morningside is entering an exciting chapter of growth under our new CEO Frédéric Beylier. Within the Questel group, we deliver outstanding quality translations within budget and always on time. We’re looking forward to scaling up our services for our growing client network.

Developing talent, strengthening teams, shaping the future of our organisations

As the regional business landscape continues to evolve, visibility and community presence have become essential ingredients for growth. At G4CP Consulting Ltd, we are embracing this moment by investing in a series of local promotional initiatives designed to strengthen our connection with the businesses we support—while celebrating the vibrant community we operate in.

We are delighted to welcome Jon Wheale, the newest member of our Employment Law Team. Historically our firm has always attracted more women than men so we are pleased to show our commitment to diversity by recruiting our team's fourth male employee ????

Kreston Reeves has today announced the promotion of Jamie Servante to Partner. The promotion takes effect from 1 November 2025.

South East law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter has announced six promotions, effective 1 November 2025.

In January 2026, St Catherine’s Hospice is running its popular Christmas tree collection service once again, in partnership with Just Helping. Now the local hospice is calling on volunteers to help.

Leading Sussex and Hampshire accountancy firm Carpenter Box has welcomed a record 27 new trainee accountants, tax and business advisers over the past 12 months, with 12 joining in September.

FREE 7-day pass at K2 Crawley Leisure Centre

B Corp PR agency Midnight has joined forces with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consultancy Edge of Difference to launch a new partnership built on shared values and a passion for helping businesses do better.

A coalition of 143 British hospices, led by Hospice UK, continue their “This is Hospice Care” campaign, to encourage people to consider leaving a gift in their Will to secure the future of British hospices and provide sustainable income for hospice charities. 

Tilgate Park reverberated with the beat of Dragon Boat drummers this weekend as corporate teams paddled hard to raise vital funds for St Catherine’s Hospice at the charity’s annual Dragon Boats event.

Cripps is delighted to announce that its first solicitor apprentices, Aimee Mitchell, Megan Pitt and Rosie Harvey, have now qualified as solicitors.   The firm was one of the first in the South East to launch the Trailblazer Solicitor Apprenticeship scheme in 2018, offering an alternative to the traditional university route. The programme combines academic study with hands on experience across different practice areas, with apprentices working towards qualification through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).   Fiona Chamberlain, future talent manager at Cripps, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Aimee, Megan and Rosie. They’ve shown real commitment and resilience since day one, and it’s been inspiring to watch them grow. It’s wonderful to celebrate their success and the contribution they’re already making to our clients and colleagues.”   In September, they will step into their new roles as associates, with Aimee joining the commercial and tech team, Megan moving into corporate transactional, and Rosie focusing on specialist disputes. This milestone marks the next chapter in their careers and underlines the firm’s ongoing commitment to opening up opportunities in the legal profession and supporting the development of future lawyers.   Fiona added: “Being one of the first firms in the South East to take on solicitor apprentices was a big step for us, and seeing our first cohort qualify today shows just how valuable this route can be. We currently have 24 apprentices at various stages of their training, and this scheme continues to demonstrate that there are credible and rewarding alternative routes into law.”   Applications for the 2026 solicitor apprenticeship cohort open in October, continuing Cripps’ commitment to developing the next generation of legal talent.

Finance Directors and business owners are invited to attend MHA’s upcoming FD Update Webinar on 18th September 2025, from 8:30AM, providing 3 hours of verifiable CPD. This free event is designed to keep your technical knowledge up to date to help you comply with the ever-changing regulatory environment in the worlds of Financial Reporting and Tax.

The old "hard sell" is out. Today's customers want solutions, not just products. This is where a consultative approach makes all the difference. It's about being a trusted advisor, a true partner in their success. When you help solve their problems, you build lasting relationships, not just one-off transactions. The CREATE Process: A Framework for Consultative Selling Ready to transform your sales and become a problem-solver? Here's a six-step framework and process, which we call the CREATE process, to help you on your way. 1. Connecting: Build Real Rapport First, connect. This initial impression is crucial for building rapport and trust. Adapt Your Style: Gauge your customer's preferred communication style—are they direct, detail-oriented, or relationship-focused? Adjust your approach accordingly. Be Genuinely Curious: Ask questions that show a real interest in them. Find common ground. A true connection opens doors. First Impressions Matter: Be punctual, prepared, and positive. Your enthusiasm sets the tone. 2. Researching: Ask, Listen, Understand You can't solve a problem you don't fully understand. Ask strategic questions and truly listen. Ask Probing Questions: Move beyond surface queries. Ask about challenges, goals, and frustrations. "What challenges keeps you up at night?" or "What would your ideal solution look like?" Active Listening is Key: Focus intently on what they say, and what they don't say. These cues are vital. Paraphrase and Clarify: Summarize what you've heard: "So, if I'm understanding you correctly, your main pain point is... Is that right?" This confirms understanding and demonstrates you've been listening. 3. Exhibiting: Communicate Your Value Communicate a value proposition and solution based on their specific needs. Remember: you want to help them, you can help them, and you will help them, but it must be based on "their world." Problem-Centric Focus: Explain how your solution alleviates their pain and helps them achieve their goals. Use their language. Highlight Benefits: Instead of focusing on features, explain what the benefit does for them. Customize Your Proposal: Show how your solution is tailored. Generic pitches fail. Demonstrate you've listened to them. 4. Approving: Overcome Objections and Secure Commitment Guide them toward a decision. Understand the buyer's profile and view objections as requests for more information. Align with Their Style: Some buyers need data, others need social proof, others a guarantee. Adapt your approach to help secure a commitment. Seek Commitment, Not Just the Sale: Propose clear next steps. "Based on our discussion, shall we schedule a review with your team next week?" Embrace Objections: Don't get defensive. See it as a question: "That's a fair point. Could you tell me more about your concern...?" Then, address it directly. 5. Tending: Cultivate Long-Term Relationships This step is about cultivating a long-term, sustainable relationship. Ongoing Value: Continue providing value. Share relevant articles, market insights, or connect them with others in your network. Strategic Tools: Use CRMs to track interactions and proactively follow up. Regular Check-ins: Don't just surface for problems or new pitches. Schedule regular check-ins to understand evolving needs. 6. Extending: Leverage for New Opportunities The final step: leverage relationships to identify new business opportunities. Satisfied customers are your best advocates. Referrals Are Key: When you've genuinely solved problems, clients will refer you. Make it easy. "Who else might benefit from a solution like this?" Networking Through Success: Clients open doors. Ask for introductions or permission to use their success story. Become Part of Their Network: The deeper you're embedded in their success, the more likely you are for future projects or new departments. Master the Art of Consultative Selling By embracing these six steps, you're not just selling; you're building trust, communicating real value, and creating a sustainable foundation for business growth. Our sales training workshops are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client, ensuring you and your team gain the skills necessary to master this powerful approach. We're here to help you move from pitching to problem-solving. Are you ready to start solving?

Accountants, business and wealth advisers Kreston Reeves has today announced the election of a new Managing Partner.

West Sussex County Council has launched Skills Bootcamps, an exciting new initiative designed to help people gain the skills local employers are looking for.