Each year I take on a personal challenge in support of our Foundation and charity of the year. This year the RPD Foundation is supporting Home Start Crawley, Horsham and Mid-Sussex.

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening in the enchanting surroundings of Ashdown Park Hotel. Wings of Hope Charity Dinner In support of the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance ????Saturday 8 November 2025 ???? From 6:00 PM

Saturday 6 September saw Victoria Park in Haywards Heath brimming with excitement for Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity’s (DVLCC) annual sponsored walk, ‘Walk Together’. Families, supporters, and local businesses laced up their walking boots to raise vital funds to support children with cerebral palsy, chromosome abnormalities and rare genetic disorders.

Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity (DVLCC) hosted their annual sponsored walk, Walk Together, on Saturday 6 September. Families, supporters, and local businesses laced up their walking boots to raise vital funds for children with cerebral palsy, chromosome abnormalities, and rare genetic disorders.   Over 100 walkers enjoyed the 5k and 15k routes around Haywards Heath and Bolnore Village. Families supported by the charity, past and present, walked alongside supporters of all ages. One of the highlights was seeing some of the children joining the route using their walkers and wheelchairs - such powerful moments that reminded everyone taking part what they were walking for.     The Town Mayor of Haywards Heath, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, officially opened the event, alongside Richard Taylor-Johnson, who shared how the charity has transformed his family’s life.   The walk was supported by employees from local businesses, including GDB members David Mindham and Holly Ward from Carnegie Group, Warrick Francis from Newman Thompson, Mark Newey from Bespoke Law Services, and Steve Powell from Fresh Display. Together with over 100 walkers, they helped raise an incredible £20,000 (with donations still coming in) to support the charity’s life-changing work.   Sophie Barriball said: “It has been amazing to receive so much support from GDB members with our recent sponsored walk, and it was incredibly special for them to join many of our families and see how their support directly makes an impact. We are so grateful to all the members who joined us, and to others who continue to support our work.”   The funds raised will help DVLCC continue supporting more children and their families across the Southeast, helping children with cerebral palsy unlock their full potential.   You can view pictures from the event here. 

Metrobus, which runs buses across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, has generously gifted a unique branding opportunity for St Catherine’s Hospice. A double-decker bus wrapped in St Catherine’s signature orange and featuring the charity’s iconography will be travelling on their routes for a year.

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.

Susan Fleet MBE invites you to sponsor a very special two-night concert celebrating 55 years of charity performances. This joyful celebration of music and friendship will raise funds for three charities close to her heart.

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.

Sussex Wildlife Trust is challenging the decision by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to allow Brighton Marina to keep dumping dredged sediment in Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), an activity that should not be allowed in a protected area.   Our legal action exposes the current inadequate protection given to marine protected areas. If 100,000 tonnes of dredged spoil can be dumped annually in a designated Marine Conservation Zone, it's clear these areas are protected in name only.   Beachy Head West MCZ is a nationally important wildlife hotspot, home to Short-snouted Seahorse, Blue Mussel beds and a unique chalk reef. Dumping dredged sediment in this protected area is impacting the sensitive chalk reef and harming its wildlife.   Brighton Marina’s application for a renewed licence to continue dumping dredged spoil into Beachy Head West MCZ was approved by the MMO in May this year. The licence was originally granted before the MCZ was designated, but now that the area is protected, this harmful activity should not be allowed to continue.   Sussex Wildlife Trust, alongside other environmental charities and hundreds of individuals, responded to the consultation to object to the renewal of the Marina’s licence. Over 1,500 emails were also sent to Secretary of State, Steve Reed MP, sharing concerns about continued dumping in a protected area.   Despite strong objections, the MMO granted permission for the continued dumping of 100,000 tonnes of dredged spoil into Beachy Head West every year, for the next ten years. As an environmental charity we do not take the decision to make a legal challenge lightly, but we believe we must act as a voice for nature and continue to fight for this protected area. Therefore, Sussex Wildlife Trust has applied for a judicial review of the decision.   What is a judicial review? A judicial review is a legal process by which a court examines the lawfulness of a decision made by a public body (in this case the Marine Management Organisation). It is not about whether the decision is right or wrong, but the process by which the decision was reached.   Henri Brocklebank, Director of Conservation, Sussex Wildlife Trust said: “Bold action is the only way to continue to fight for this protected area. By applying for judicial review, we are following our own values of being the strongest advocate for nature in Sussex. Inaction will see the continued dumping of 100,000 tonnes of dredged sediment in our MCZ every year for the next 10 years – this is not acceptable in a protected area and is a terrible precedent to set for the future management of all 91 Marine Conservation Zones around the English coast.” Rowan Smith, Senior Associate Solicitor, Leigh Day said: “Our client’s legal action seeks to rescue the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone from further pollution. We are arguing on our client’s behalf that significant harm to this protected area resulting from the disposal could not be lawfully ruled out, because the Marine Management Organisation had failed to properly assess the impact. Our client is rightly concerned about the steps that led to the new licence, and we hope the Court will grant permission for a hearing to fully scrutinise that decision-making process.” In the midst of a nature and climate crisis, it’s vital we take every step possible to secure nature’s recovery. We need to make sure Beachy Head West, and all marine protected areas are properly protected.   Our legal costs have partially been covered by a generous donation, but we expect that proceedings will cost thousands of pounds more. If you are able to support this action and our work to protect the precious marine habitats off our coast every donation makes a difference. Donate here

Humanimal Trust would like you to share your views and invite you to take part in a short survey that will only take 10 minutes to complete.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join us for an evening of trivia, teamwork, and top-tier fun.

On 12 September, Martin Searle Solicitors are holding their second annual sponsored walk to raise funds and awareness for Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

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?

Cripps has raised more than £30,000 over the past year to support Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (AAKSS).

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

Help make hospital better for children Surrey & Sussex Healthcare Charity, the charity for East Surrey Hospital in Redhill / Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, has launched an urgent appeal to transform the children's services at East Surrey Hospital. The Children's Appeal is inspired by local parents, and aims to raise £156,000 to create a more comfortable and welcoming environment for young patients and their families.

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

At nTrust, we’re proud to support our local community and this year we’re excited to be backing the amazing work of Stripey Stork, a local charity that provides essential items to families in need.

When resources are stretched, relationships matter more than ever. This interactive session explores how to build operational resilience through smart prioritisation, collaboration, and trust — even when budgets are tight.