Member News

SSCS are featured in this month’s SPE Magazine celebrating 30 years servicing the offshore energymarkets by providing permanent low cost scour protection for assets including platform legs, subsea pipelines, wind turbine foundations, etc. This article also promotes our newly finishedanimated video that demonstrates how the SSCS Frond Mats provide this level of protection, andthe installation methods used for deployment.

The video and full article are available from https://www.spe-gy.co.uk/, and will be available from our website shortly.

TVC will be moving to new premises over the next two months.

The move is as a result of ever increasing demand for our products and the integration of the ASAMS Subsea MPI equipment manufacture. It will also allow the entire company to be under one roof for the first time since 2007.

The ASAMS MPI manufacturing facility has already moved in to the new building with the bulk of the company following over the next couple of months.

Further details will be posted once the move is complete.

At ESE Direct we pride ourselves on getting the best people in to our team. Everyone at ESE Direct is dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate about what they do.

ESE Direct has been enjoying a year on year growth for the last four years and with that comes the expansion of our warehouse by 40% and growing our team of truly talented individuals.

We have especially been growing our team steadily in 2014 and our newest members are Kelly Raynsford who very recently joined us as our newest Sales Co-ordinator and Julie Davidson who joined in February as our Sales Development Executive.

We were thrilled when Julie joined us in February; she brings with her a wealth of experience in sales having previously worked at a major educational book retailer as well as a national pest control company.

You may hear from Julie in the very near future to see whether we can help with any of your business product requirements.

Kelly joins us from Quotatis where she was as an account manager having previously worked at BT Local Business; she has experience in lead generation, sales as well as knowing the importance of customer service.

So the next time you call through to our team you may very well be talking with Kelly.

We are also growing our I.T department and we have welcomed Kevin Tootill who has previous experience with Aviva, RAC and the Co-Op. Kev will be helping to develop and optimise the website as well as increasing performance across mobile device channels.

We give Kevin, Kelly and Julie a warm welcome and look forward to their contribution to the ESE Direct family.

A recent survey conducted by Airport Parking and Hotels has revealed that of the UK’s 25 main airports Norwich International Airport is one of only four to provide passengers with unlimited free Wi-Fi access throughout the terminal building.

Gary Blake, Customer Services Manager of Norwich International said: “We see the provision of unlimited free Wi-Fi access as essential to our passengers experience as so many people now travel with Smartphone’s, tablets and laptops. In addition, we also offer a free to use Business Zone which is a dedicated quiet area within our departure lounge offering free access to a Wi-Fi printer, charging points and work stations to enable our business travellers to keep connected with their office or prepare for their next meeting while waiting for their flight”.

The other airports providing unlimited Wi-Fi access were named as Aberdeen, Birmingham and London City.

If you provide goods or services to consumer customers you will need to review your current terms of business and sales practices to ensure that you comply with new legislation coming into force on 13 June 2014. The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2014 will affect you if:

• You sell goods or services to consumers online
• You sell goods or services to consumers by telephone
• You sell goods or services to consumers in their own homes
• You sell goods or services to consumers from a shop or business premises, including a market stall
• You sell digital content to consumers via either a tangible medium (such as a CD or DVD) or intangible medium (downloads)

The new Regulations apply to both sole traders and to those trading through a business entity such as a limited company or partnership. You will still need to comply with the new Regulations even if you trade through an agent or sub-contractor or if you are a government department, local or public authority.

However, you will not be affected by the new Regulations if:

• You only sell to other businesses
• You sell goods or services to consumers but the type of goods or services that you sell are exempt under the Regulations (for example package travel services, financial services or consumables provided by roundsmen such as milkmen)

The new Regulations replace the Distance Selling Regulations (The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000) and the Doorstop Selling Regulations (The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008). The steps which must be taken to ensure compliance with the new Regulations will vary for each business but some of the issues that you may need to consider include:

• Information requirements – do you provide all of the information required under the new Regulations? Are you providing the information at the correct time and in an appropriate medium?
• Delivery – can you comply with the requirement to deliver goods within 30 days? If not, do you have a procedure in place to obtain your customer’s consent to delayed delivery? Do you need to renegotiate terms with your courier company?
• Cancellation rights – have you updated your terms of business to reflect the extended cooling off period of 14 calendar days under the new Regulations? Have you made the Model Cancellation Form available to your customers?
• Returns & refunds -have you reflected the new rules on returns and refunds in your terms of business? In particular, have you made it clear how goods must be returned and who must pay for the return, what time limits apply to returns and when you may make a deduction from a refund to reflect any diminished value of the goods returned? Do your terms make it clear that you will not pay any refund until goods are returned (or evidence of their return is provided)?
• Ancillary contracts – are you aware that any ancillary contracts you enter into (such as warranties or service contracts) will automatically terminate if the customer cancels the main contract? Have you discussed how you will handle this with any third party providers you may have arrangements with?
• Additional payments – are you aware that you must now obtain your customer’s express consent before taking any additional payments (no pre-ticked boxes allowed)
• Premium rate telephone lines – you must not make your customers call a premium rate line to discuss an order they have placed with you. Do you need to use a new contact number?
• No excessive payment surcharges – do you need to revise the methods of payment that you will accept in light of the ban on imposing additional charges if customers pay by certain means, such as credit or debit card?
• Pay now – if you trade online you must clearly mark any button or method to pay with wording such as “order with obligation to pay”. In its guidance, BIS has suggested using “pay now” buttons.

Failure to comply with the new Regulations can render your contracts unenforceable and, in some cases, will amount to a criminal offence.

If you would like further guidance on the steps that your business must take to comply with the new Regulations please contact Kitty Rosser on 01603 281141.

Young entrepreneurs are helping to drive a Great Yarmouth economy that is going through a period of sustained rejuvenation, says James Shipp who, at the age of 36, has just been made a partner of BDO accountants and business advisers.

“There is a clear trend which is seeing younger business people starting and building successful businesses in the Great Yarmouth area, and playing a big part in boosting the regional economy,” said Mr Shipp, who has taken the helm at BDO’s office at Beacon Park, Gorleston.

“I’ve taken on this role at a very exciting time, with distinct signs of growth in the energy and engineering sectors and a positive mood among clients in the hospitality business. This is particularly apparent among those who have invested in their businesses during the economic downturn. They are the ones who seem to be reaping the benefits now that the national and regional economy has turned the corner.”

Mr Shipp is a co-founder of the Great Yarmouth Lunch Club networking event, which meets every two months and is consistently a sell-out. “It’s very informal and a large proportion of those who attend are business people in their 30s,” he said.

“It’s a great reflection of the borough’s economy – a mixture of dynamic younger people working their way up the corporate ladder with established companies and those who have set up their own businesses.

“It is extremely encouraging to see such confidence in the town’s economic future, and to witness ambitious younger people playing such a crucial part.”

He said the general economic indicators for Great Yarmouth were fuelling this confidence. These included the establishment of the enterprise zones, the injection of an additional £3m of government money into Beacon Park and the recent news that the port will serve as the base for the new Dudgeon offshore wind farm.

Mr Shipp, who was born in Great Yarmouth and studied at East Norfolk Sixth Form College, joined a local firm of accountants in Norwich at the age of 18, moving to PKF in Great Yarmouth in 2010 as a manager. PKF merged with BDO last year.

He progressed to senior manager and then director before his recent appointment as partner in charge of BDO’s Great Yarmouth office. Married with two children, Mr Shipp is a former English schools 200m sprint champion, who went on to represent his country against Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

He intends to be fast out of the blocks in his new role. As well as encouraging and supporting local businesses through traditional accountancy and tax services, he is keen to see companies tap into the full range of services that BDO offers, including human resource and IT consultancy, payroll and financial outsourcing, company secretarial advisory and supporting local businesses trading internationally.

“BDO is a major international player with a whole raft of cutting-edge services and expertise that local companies can access to fuel their growth. This is a great time to be in business in Great Yarmouth,” said Mr Shipp.

Ends

Issued for BDO by TMS Media. For further information please contact: James Shipp at BDO on 01493 382531 or james.shipp@bdo.co.uk Steve Scott at TMS on 01493 662929 or steve.scott@tms-media.co.uk

Caption James Shipp, who has become a partner at BDO, at the age of 36.

Editors’ Note Accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO LLP, is the UK member firm of the BDO International network. BDO LLP operates across the UK, employing 3,500 people offering tax, audit and a range of advisory services. BDO LLP has a clear ambition to be the firm known in the market for exceptional service delivered by empowered people. The 2013 Mid Market Monitor analysis shows that BDO is the market leader for client satisfaction for the second year running – outperforming all its major competitors and the only organisation to see an improvement over the past four years. BDO LLP, a UK limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under number OC305127, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. A list of members’ names is open to inspection at our registered office, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU. BDO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to conduct investment business. BDO is the brand name for the BDO International network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. BDO Northern Ireland, a partnership formed in and under the laws of Northern Ireland, is an associate firm and licensed to operate within the international BDO network of independent member firms. The combined fee income of all the BDO Member Firms, including the members of their exclusive alliances, was $6.45 billion in 2013. The global network provides business advisory services in 147 countries, with more than 56,000 people working out of 1,264 offices worldwide.

Before the Enduring Powers of Attorney Act (EPA) was introduced in 1985, there was no facility for power of attorney to continue once the donor had lost their mental capacity. Karen Bacon, head of wills, probate & tax at SteelesLaw,explores the subject of enabling digital by default.

Click here to view the article in full published by The Gazette.

In January 2014, a formal agreement was signed between The Validation Centre (TVC) Ltd and ASAMS LTD, where TVC would manufacture all ASAMS subsea MPI and associated equipment under an exclusive licence.

Over the past few months the required infrastructure has been put in place and production of the equipment has now been formally and physically passed over to TVC.

Dave Baran from ASAMS has been the linchpin for this equipment for many years and is one of the most experienced subsea equipment technicians in the industry. Dave is currently training TVC technicians and will remain the main point of contact for all matters relating to the ASAMS equipment for the next couple of months.

Rigby Group Acquires Norwich International Airport

Rigby Group Plc has today announced the acquisition of Norwich International Airport from Omniport for an undisclosed sum.

Norwich International Airport is the principal aerial gateway to and from East Anglia, serving Norfolk, Suffolk, and East Cambridgeshire. It has a long history and sound levels of activity on scheduled and charter passenger activities, as an aircraft maintenance base and an operating hub for the southern North Sea oil and gas industry.

The facility will now be managed by Rigby Group’s airport division Regional & City Airports (RCA), which also already owns and operates Coventry and Exeter Airports – which it acquired in 2010 and 2013 respectively.

The company also holds management contracts for both Blackpool International Airport and City of Derry Airport and is actively building its portfolio of owned or managed airport assets across the next five years.

Chairman and Chief Executive Sir Peter Rigby said: “We have continually reiterated our belief in the importance of regional airports to local and regional communities and their economies. We are intent on developing our aviation business within the Rigby Group, and have made another significant acquisition here. I am delighted to welcome Norwich’s staff to a workforce that now safeguards approximately 650 aviation jobs, and look forward to working with them as we plot out a secure, sustainable and positive future for the facility.”

The move will see the management teams at Norwich, Coventry and Exeter work together for mutual benefit as well as attracting more corporate and general aviation.

Norwich International Airport CEO Andrew Bell added: “This is a significant and very positive day for the Airport. As a highly respected and stable organisation, Rigby Group’s involvement will enable us to build on the many achievements of recent years, safeguarding the future of the business and providing us with a platform from which to build an even more prosperous future for the Airport itself and the region.”

The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (“the Regulations”) will come into force and apply to all contracts entered into on or after 13 June 2014.

The Regulations will affect all those who sell goods or services to consumers, and in particular will affect those who do so at a distance, for example via a website.

The Regulations replace the Distance Selling Regulations (Consumer Protections (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000) and the Doorstep Selling Regulations (Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work Regulations 2008) with a single set of regulations, but also go further and impose additional requirements on retailers.

The key changes centre on the information to be provided to the consumer and the rights of the consumer to cancel the contract, but also bring in some more specific provisions, as set out below.

Key changes

‘Pay now’ button

The vast majority of online retailers already have a button which makes it clear to the consumer that they are committing themselves to paying for the goods or service, but this is now a legal requirement.

According to the regulations, the button must be marked with the words ‘order with obligation to pay’, although the Government guidelines suggest that ‘pay now’ is a sufficient alternative, although ‘confirm’ on its own is possibly no longer sufficient.

Express consent before taking additional payments

Using a pre-ticked box for additional payments is no longer permitted. This will be relevant if, for example, a business offers a range of delivery options and the default ‘pre-ticked’ setting is to a delivery option for which the consumer pays extra. A pre-ticked box on a free delivery option is still permitted.

Cancellation period

The cancellation period, which under the Distance Selling Regulations gave the consumer 7 working days to cancel a distance contract without having to give a reason, has been extended to 14 calendar days.

Extended cancellation period

In the event that a retailer fails to provide the consumer with all the necessary pre-contract information (which includes details on the cancellation period) the cancellation period extends to 14 days after the correct information is provided, or in the event that it is not provided at all, to 12 months after the date the original cancellation period would have expired had the correct information had been given pre-contract.

Refunds

If a consumer cancels the contract the goods must be returned to the retailer within 14 days (or the consumer must show proof of return within 14 days). Once the goods are received (or the consumer has provided proof of return), the retailer must provide the refund within 14 calendar days.

Retailers have the right to deduct monies from the refund if the goods show signs of use. Such use must be actual wear and tear, not just that packaging has been opened by the consumer to check the product, if they would have been able to check the product in the shop in that manner.

Retailers must refund the price of outgoing delivery (unless the consumer has arranged delivery themselves) but need only refund the standard delivery cost even if the consumer has opted for a more expensive delivery option. Further, providing the consumer has been advised accordingly, the retailer need not refund the consumer for the return postage. It is particularly important that a consumer is advised in advance of the likely cost of a return when, for example, the goods cannot be returned by normal post.

Cancellation Form

All companies must provide a model cancellation form, this should be easily accessible by the consumer, usually by a link on the company’s website.

Schedule 3 of the Regulations sets out the model cancellation form which should be used, although a consumer may also choose to cancel by calling the consumer service line or equivalent (if such a telephone line is provided) or by emailing the retailer direct.

Digital content

The concept of ‘digital content’ is new and aimed at retailers who sell digital content downloads.

Many of the rules which apply to all other distance contracts will apply equally to digital content, but the rules on cancellations are different.

Consumers do not have the right to cancel a contract after the digital content starts downloading, provided that they have been advised of this before the contract was entered into and expressly consented to waive their cancellation rights. The best way to evidence such consent is to have a tick box which the consumer must tick before contracting (much in the same way as there is a tick box for accepting the terms and conditions).

Ancillary contracts

If a consumer exercises their right to cancel during the cancellation period, it is the retailer’s responsibility to ensure that any ancillary contract, for example insurance offered by a third party via the retailer, is cancelled. If a client has, for example, arranged their own separate insurance this is a matter for them and not the retailer.

Premium rate telephone lines

If the retailer chooses to provide a telephone number for a consumer to call to discuss a concluded contract, this must not be a premium rate number.

Premium rate numbers can still be used in other circumstances and there is no obligation for a telephone number to be provided at all as long as a different method of contact, such as email or post, is made available to the consumer.

Failure to comply

The consequences of failing to comply with the Regulations include fines, unenforceable contracts, refunds to consumers, damage to reputation and, for failure to advise a client of their right to cancel, could even mean a criminal conviction.

Next Steps

Retailers should take this opportunity to fully review their consumer contracts and in particular the way in which their website operates to avoid being caught out when the Regulations come into force on 13 June 2014.

If you require any advice on amending your consumer terms and conditions, or would like to take this opportunity to carry out a full review of your website and consumer terms and conditions, contact Lindsey Crockett at commercial@steeleslaw.co.uk or on 01603 598000.

Matt Dobson and Dr Duncan Barclay of ei Technologies were in an innovative mood when considering how best to build an app that can tell what mood you’re in. Thanks to a collaborative consultancy with Professor Stephen Cox, from UEA’s School of Computing Sciences, a Beta version is due to launch soon and they’ve won further funding. Now a new funding scheme can help you access UEA’s expertise, talent and facilities so you too can bring your innovations to life.

The University of East Anglia, (UEA) has partnered with the New Anglia Growth Hub to create a funding scheme for SME businesses throughout Norfolk and Suffolk. This will enable access to academic expertise in the form of consultancy, mentoring, or the hiring of specialist facilities in order to stimulate business growth.

ei Technologies Ltd, founded in 2012, wanted to build an app that would listen to a user’s voice whilst they went about their daily routine. It would not record any words, but instead would listen to the acoustic features and pitch, the tell-tale signs of emotional states, and list the user’s differing moods.

The app is expected to help people who suffer from anxiety, depression or stress, as they’re often asked to record their mood changes to help psychologists fine-tune their treatment. The company was looking for help from an expert in paralinguistic research to fill the gaps in their combined experience.

After speaking with several experts, they felt that Prof Stephen Cox, from UEA’s School of Computing Sciences, had the right understanding of what they were trying to achieve. His commercial experience and previous industrial collaborations made him approachable and a comprehensive source for both the theoretical and technical issues the company faced.

After the initial consultancy period ended, with Stephen’s further collaboration, ei Technologies were able to achieve additional funding from the Technology Strategy Board for a nine-month project, and are expected to launch a Beta test version of the app “Xpression” in 2014.

“Fast computers and powerful machine-learning algorithms mean that we can analyse the speech signal in ways that were impossible only a few years ago. The TSB award will enable us to research systematically the best way to detect emotions in the voice”. Stephen said.

The Regional Growth Fund is a £3.2 billion fund designed to help companies in England to grow and supports projects and programmes committed to deliver sustainable jobs and economic growth. A sixth round will launch in the summer.

The fund can also be used towards the hiring of a graduate via UEA’s internship programme; this could be for a period of 6 months up to a year.

The scheme will run until March 2015, and will allow UEA to offer match funding from £2,000 to £20,000.

Contact details:

consultancy@uea.ac.uk

01603 591610

www.uea.ac.uk/business/innovationvouchers

Established Ipswich insurance brokers, Pound Gates, found that winning the Best Employer award for Employee Values in 2012 provided welcome confirmation that their engagement strategy was a success. Staff gave their bosses top marks in the Best Employer survey for taking care of their interests and listening to their opinions.

The feedback and award served not only to reinforce the firm’s commitment to being a ‘values led’ business, but it also created an opportunity for staff to gather together and celebrate with cake bought by senior management!

Rob Thacker, Director of Pound Gates, reveals why the firm got involved in the Best Employer initiative and tells us more about the firm’s approach to employee engagement. Enhancing business profile and reputation

Around the time of the award-win Pound Gates was just finishing the process of securing chartered status with the Chartered Insurance Institute. And although the firm’s expertise has led them to win national and industry awards before, the regional accolade added yet more shine to its gleaming reputation.

Rob explains: “The award raised our profile locally and put us in a great position for when we have been recruiting. It was particularly good to receive a regional award, which is where a number of our clients are based, so awards like this are great for our PR.” Value of an independent survey

The impartial survey, provided by Pure and eras Ltd, provided Pound Gates with very useful, objective feedback. “Although we undertake our own bi-annual staff survey, we are always conscious that it is us – the management of the business – organising it, so it could have some form of bias. We like to think not, but you cannot ever be certain,” says Rob.

“So by using a third party, confidential system meant that although clearly we would see overall results, it was an independent assessment. Although our results were great they also indicated other areas for us to take on board and look at.”

Since winning the award, Pound Gates has continued its successful engagement programme, maintaining a “regime of regular interaction, and training on sales and good business habits”. Winning engagement techniques

The 25-year-old insurance firm’s strategy reaches far beyond its risk management expertise. The approach to engagement is also well-planned and effective – and, in some cases, fun. Every two weeks, managers have one-to-one coaching sessions with team members. Using the GROW model, which helps people identify areas of development, set goals and work out solutions to problems, managers talk to staff about the direction they are taking. This can also include looking at whether, ultimately, Pound Gates can fulfil those ambitions.

Rob recalls: “One person wanted to start their own business, and another aspired to be a managing director’s PA. Both achieved these goals – but not at Pound Gates. Success for people cannot always be measured in simple, business economic KPIs. Our coaching ensures that the people joining us truly develop and grow, even if it is to fulfil ambitions elsewhere!” In addition, the firm offers weekly, half-hour Business Enlightenment sessions including themes such as Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People . Its corporate social responsibility work includes painting a sports facility for local charity, Inspire Suffolk. Staff and their families take part in the Orwell Walk and Santa Cycle to raise “tremendous amounts” for other fantastic local causes. There’s also a monthly Entertainments Club for staff, with activities ranging from go-karting, treasure hunts and meals out.

Plans for the 2014 Best Employer survey

Pound Gates employees are taking part in the survey again this year, so the firm can compare how they are doing now, compared to two years ago. Also, Rob feels it is vital to make the most of the opportunity to help spread the word of its engagement activities so other businesses in the East of England can benefit.

Why employers need the Best Employer survey

Clearly, an advocate of the survey and awards, Rob encourages other employers to take advantage of the survey: “I would encourage all employers to take part because the feedback you receive from eras is extremely useful. But make sure you and your people are interested and engaged in doing it. If not, do the survey anyway to find out what else you could be doing to engage staff!”

The survey is free but it is open for a limited time, closing in August. Contact Pure’s Marketing Manager, Anna Hill, on: 01223 209888 or Anna.Hill@prs.uk.com.