0288_INSPIRE_5_ISSUU-ready

1
Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
ISSUE FIVE • AUTUMN 2014
WOMEN IN ENTERPRISE
Sarah wins jewellery
award
Page 20
SOMETHING ABOUT MARY
Mary Seacole’s charity
fundraising ball
Page 4
BROUGHT TO BOOK
Writing a book can
benefit your business
Page 16
Behind the Lines
How former soldier Gordon Lines came back from the brink.
Pages 18 & 19
WELCOME
to the region’s
newest and best
business
magazine
Making an exhibition
Business to business event in October. Page 12
Perils of pensions
Tony Byrne’s new column. Page 11
MAIN FEATURE
IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO INSPIRE YOUR BUSINESS

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Issue FivePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
Velocity scheme helps
business grow (p5)
What if the worst happens?
Be prepared! (p7)
Inspiring offers. How to
advertise in this magazine
(p17)
Head of steam for East
West Rail (p26)
Louise’s salon days (p27)
News round-up (p34)
welcome
In this issue
5
7
27
EXPERIENCES TO FILL MANY LIFETIMES
GORDON LINES, THE SUBJECT OF THIS EDITION’S MAIN FEATURE,
COULD FILL SEVERAL LIFETIIMES WITH HIS EXPERIENCES.
A former soldier, Gordon has faced death behind the lines and in business
life looked down the barrel of a shaking robber’s gun. You can read his
inspirational story in the centre spread of this edition.
But he’s also seen rock bottom. Huge stresses from his professional and
personal life led to alcoholism and a nervous breakdown. To top it all, he’s
also suffered a heart attack. A trained military medic, he knew what was happening and
drove himself home and called the ambulance.
Stress, he believed, may have caused a lump of cholestorol to go spinning through his
bloodstream before becoming blocked in his heart.
Like many ex-servicemen Gordon has many skills for business and a fighting spirit to boot.
But like life in the military, he couldn’t do it alone. Gordon has many people to thank in his
own family, his patient and caring wife, his GP, staff at Milton Keynes hospital and a charity
helping him come to terms with post traumatic stress disorder.
The rest of us, too have others to thank for our success. Nobody does it alone.
Here, at Inspire we appreciate all the people who make it possible. Bartham printers,
publisher Mostaque Koyes, designer Heather Ellis, our fabulous readers and growing band of
advertisers, the receptionists who take copies and our distributors.
All vital cogs who make it possible for Inspire’s wheel to turn.
Thank you for reading the magazine and being a part of #TeamInspire. Follow us on Twitter
@inspirebizmag or email me inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk
For copies of the magazine for your reception
or to receive a top-up supply, email
inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
@INSPIREBIZMAG
Publisher:
Community Communications,
12 Alexandra Avenue, Luton Beds, LU3 1HG
Editor:
David Tooley
Advertising:
Mostaque Koyes
mostaque@communitycommunications.co.uk
Design:
Heather Ellis
heather@communitycommunications.co.uk
Printed by:
Bartham Group
www.barthamgroup.com
Disclaimer
Any views expressed in Inspire Business Magazine
are those of the individual authors and not
necessarily those of the publisher.
No part of the magazine should be copied or
distributed without the prior consent of the
publisher and remains the property of the publisher.
welcome

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Autumn 2014 Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967
feature
Mary’s having a Ball
There are many reasons why high profile events can
be good for business, especially if you run a good
cause like Mary Seacole Housing Association, writes
David Tooley.
It’s not all about the money although of course the Friendly Society,
which provides supported accommodation in six premises for young single
homeless people aged between 16 and 35, needs a steady income to keep
its vital services going around the clock.
Last year’s Mary Seacole Fund Raising Ball was attended by around 400
people from various voluntary agencies, staff and the general public who
supported the event.
“Engaging with our supporters is a vital reason for us holding big
events”, said charity ball organiser Elaine Cruise. “By giving people a good
time, we are helping reinforce their relationship with us.
“Organising the event is a major commitment for us, so there is a cost
but it will be worth it... and I am looking forward to the day after when I
can relax!”
Previous charity balls have helped to highlighted the plight of young
homeless people, some of the reasons why they became homeless, how
this made them feel and some
of the choices that they made
as a result of their dilemma.
Three residents of the
association volunteered to
participate at a previous event;
two of the residents spoke
about their real life experiences
and one of them sang a
very touching song for the
audience.
Many commented afterwards on how moved they were by the actual
experiences, and how much they had enjoyed the event.
Elaine added: “It is important for us as an organisation to get across the
message about why we are here and what we do. Events, attended by our
supporters, friends and their guests, is one of the main ways we do that.
“As a charity we help to transform the lives of some of society’s most
vulnerable people. That is a message of real hope and we celebrate that
with fun and enjoyment.”
This year’s charity ball, at The Auction House, Cresent Road, Luton, on
Saturday, November 1, will have a 1920s Gatsby Theme.
MSHA was founded in 1986 by Cllr Desline Stewart MBE, in reaction to
the increasing number of homeless young people in Luton. Her work was
influenced by the caring model developed by solders during the Crimean
War.
Tickets for the Charity Ball on Saturday, November 1 at
the Auction House, Crescent Road, Luton, are available
from Training & Events Manager Elaine Cruise email
ecruise.maryseacole@btconnect.com for further details.
EVENTS ARE VITAL FOR MARY SEACOLE HOUSING
ASSOCIATION, NOT JUST FOR RAISING MONEY

5
Delivery and courier business picks
up Velocity!
Growth workshops launched
growth
Delivery and courier business
National Sameday in Luton has
hired four new employees and
safeguarded the jobs of two
others thanks to a grant awarded
by Velocity Business Support.
National Sameday has been awarded a
significant contract to provide bespoke courier
services for an aerospace company, requiring
additional drivers and support staff to work
specifically on the contract, which it won as
a result of a grant worth over £7,000 from
Velocity.
Velocity, which is free and available to
businesses across the South East Midlands,
provides grants of up to £10,000 and worked
closely with National Sameday to help the firm
develop a bespoke IT system in order to tender
for the aerospace contract.
Partha Dey is Managing Director of National
Sameday, he said: “The grant from Velocity
has had a major and immediate impact
on the business. This month, we’ve seen a
significant breakthrough in the performance
of the company and recorded our highest-ever
turnover in the 22 years since we started, and
we’ve had to recruit four new employees to help
us deliver the contract we have just won.
“Not only that, but we’ve also been able to
safeguard the jobs of two existing employees,
who will now work solely on this new contract,
which will operate seven days a week.
“The Velocity grant enabled us to develop
and build a brand-new back office system to
improve business processes and productivity,
which was required in order to tender for the
aerospace contract. This new system allowed us
to rub shoulders with the’big boys’ in delivery
and courier services and we beat off major
competition to win this lucrative and significant
contract, which we wouldn’t have done without
the grant from Velocity.
“We are now in a position to tender for more
contracts on this scale which, if successful, will
require the recruitment of between eight to ten
more drivers.”
National Sameday contacted Velocity via the
Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, which is
delivering Velocity across the county. Partha met
with both Justin Richardson from the Chamber
and Richard Cooper, Velocity’s Bedfordshire
Business Adviser, who guided Partha through
the grant application process.
Richard Cooper said: “Very quickly we were
able to identify an immediate need for new
technology that would help National Sameday
tender for this contract. The likes of the larger
delivery companies already have this in-house
but National Sameday needed financial support
to invest in the development of a new system.
“This is exactly what the Velocity grants
are here to do; help businesses like National
Sameday win new business or retain existing
business, leading to an increase in profit and the
creation and safeguarding of jobs.”
To find out more about Velocity’s grants and to
book a 1-1 appointment with a Business Adviser,
call 0300 01234 35, email
enquiries@velocitybusinesssupport.com or
visit www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com
Velocity is a business support initiative
provided free for companies across the South
East Midlands and has been made possible
thanks to grants worth £1.75 million from the
Government’s Regional Growth Fund through
Lancaster University and South East Midlands
Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP).
Velocity has been set up to make it easier for
businesses to maximise their growth potential
with grants from £1,000 to £10,000 available.
Grant recipients are required to invest some of
their own funding in order to receive the grant,
at a ratio of 2:1. For example, if a business
wishes to apply for a grant of £5,000, it would
be required to spend £10,000 of its own money.
Velocity is also providing free help
and support via an online portal
www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com,
one-to-one mentoring and support from
locally-based Business Advisers and a
programme of events and webinars.
National Sameday wins significant aerospace contract
creating four new jobs and safeguarding two others
A series of 58 free business
growth workshops have been
launched across the South
East Midlands, including in
Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire
and Milton Keynes.
Aimed at owners and directors of businesses,
finance managers, senior members of staff and
marketing managers, workshops will focus on a
range of topics including new ways to finance
your business, smashing your sales targets, and
attracting and managing investors, as well as
sessions on digital marketing, negotiation and
product pipeline planning.
Richard Thompson is one of Velocity’s Business
Advisers, he said: “These free workshops are a
valuable addition to the portfolio of services we
can offer growing businesses.
“Each workshop has been designed to
respond to a challenge or need currently faced
by firms trying to grow and we hope these
free in-depth sessions will give them the skills
and knowledge they need to break through
any barriers and take their business to the next
level.”
Each workshop is offered completely free
of charge and will run from 9am until 12pm.
Demand is expected to be high so early booking
is recommended.
For more details on the courses please visit
www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com/workshops
To book a place on one of the courses, and
there is no limit on the number of courses you
can attend, please call 0300 01234 35.

6
employment
LETS work together to
reduce unemployment
A SERIES OF EMPLOYMENT FAIRS IN LUTON HAVE HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE
DOWNWARD EFFECT ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. INSPIRE INVESTIGATES
An employment, training and skills fair held regularly
in Luton has had a noticeable effect on the town’s
unemployment rate.
Attended by hundreds of jobseekers and potential employers the
LETS Fair is organised to match people with opportunities and pass on
skills including interview techniques.
Organiser Mostaque Koyes said local businesses were finding it
difficult to employ people with the necessary skills to fill vacancies,
including in apprenticeships, despite the unemployment rate in Luton
being higher than the national average. Volunteers were also hard to
find.
Mr Koyes, who runs the Bartham print company in the town, said:
“Our aim through the LETS Fair is to provide opportunities between
local employers and job seekers... all under one roof.
“We bring employers to meet potential employees in an informal
setting and also give job seekers the chance to learn more about the
potential employers and all the job and training opportunities open to
them in and around Luton.”
The latest installment of Luton Employment, Training & Skills (LETS)
Fair took place in Venue Central, in Chapel Street, on Thursday,
September 18.
There have been four of these events so far, with each one attracting
more than 1,000 delegates. Some 25% who were on benefits found
an opportunity to get them off reliance on the dole.
In number terms, more than 500 people found employment or
gained a training place from attending the 2013 events.
Organisations including Luton Borough Council and Jobcentre Plus
have been involved in the LETS Fairs.
Mr Koyes, who also organises the annual Luton Community Awards,
added: “I know the LETS Fair raises aspirations, inspires people to
improve their lives, improves people’s prospects, increases the number
of people in learning, reduces worklessness and increases the number
of people in paid employment.
“It also reduces the number of people with no qualifications and
increases the number of people exploring apprenticeships.
“Our aim is to continue to organise LETS Fairs throughout the year,
so we can make a real difference to people living in Luton who need a
little bit of support to get back into employment or training.”
There is no charge to employers and job seekers can also attend for
free.
The benefits to businesses of being involved include:
• They can meet potential candidates in an informal setting and
discuss vacancies.
• Recruitment efforts can be maximised while minimising costs.
• Employers can meet a large pool of potential employees under one
roof in a single day.
• Advertising is done for you.
• CVs can be collected or firms can hire on the spot.
• It’s a great opportunity to increase your business,voluntary and
public sector contacts.
To discuss exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at future
LETS Fairs contact: Mostaque Koyes on 07931 973967 or for
more information visit www.letsfair.co.uk

7
It’s time for a business MOT
legal
As another all-too-brief British
summer fades from memory,
many business owners are
returning to their business
rejuvenated from the holiday
season.
For most, the focus will understandably be
on growing the bottom line, and the everyday
pressures of running successful enterprises can
absorb a large proportion of management time and
attention.
However, all the value built up in a business can
be at risk if the owners do not put their businesses
through the equivalent of a regular MOT. They
should take stock of their business and whether
they are using the law to protect themselves and
their assets as far as is practicable.
Part of the analysis, of course, is to evaluate
potential threats affecting the business and to
try to guard against nasty surprises. Quite often,
however, business owners have already identified
nagging concerns but have parked them on a ‘to
do’ list and postponed taking action until another
day. By the time they get around to it, it might be
too late.
The particular risks will vary from business to
business, but we identify below some of the issues
which most will have in common.
What happens if you fall under a bus?
As the old cliché has it, none of us can escape
from death and taxes. At a fundamental level,
putting in place proper protection for your business
is about protecting your family if the worst should
happen.
If the arrangements in respect of your business
have not been placed on a sound footing, the
problems which are left behind can be very thorny.
The types of issues falling to be considered
include:
i) Do you have an up-to-date will?
ii) Are your personal liabilities and those of the
business separate? What will happen if any
personal guarantees have been provided in
respect of business debts?
iii) Will the business be able to function without
you?
iv) Will a business partner buy out your share
in the business or can your spouse or other
beneficiary continue to own your stake?
v) Are your life insurance policies in place?
Who owns your business and on what basis?
This deceptively simply question is sometimes
harder to answer than people initially expect.
In many cases the circumstances will be very
straightforward but consider whether:
i) If the business is shared between multiple
owners, is it clear who owns what proportion?
ii) Is there an agreement in place detailing
ownership interests, and if so does it reflect
the actual position? Sometimes ex-business
partners have left but the documentation
has not been updated and there can be
scope for disagreement subsequently. On
other occasions, one or more shareholders
might have injected additional funds into the
company in return for extra shares, but the
shares were never formally issued.
iii) Is it enough to establish who has formal
ownership or are there other issues to consider,
such as interests which should be held on trust
for family members or others?
iv) Is there a partnership agreement, shareholders’
agreement or equivalent document to regulate
matters such as who is entitled to what
proportion of the profits of the business?
Mere verbal understandings can be difficult to
enforce at a later stage, especially if the parties
should have fallen out in the meantime.
How is your business financed?
You should consider, especially if others are also
involved in the ownership or management of the
business:
i) How will the business be funded? Will external
lenders make available sufficient working
capital or other debt facilities, or will the
owners of the business need to inject further
funding? What is the suitable gearing ratio?
ii) If the shareholders or partners are to provide
funds, how will it be structured eg loans,
capital contribution, share subscription etc.
iii) What if some, but not all, of the owners
wish to make available further funds? Can
the interests of those who do not contribute
be diluted and what will be the wider
ramifications of that?
iv) Could any existing indebtedness be discharged
or refinanced on better terms?
How will you derive value from your business?
Securing a return from your investment should
be assessed by reference to the day-to-day running
of the business and the ultimate disposal of your
ownership interests. Matters to evaluate might
include:
i) Is there an agreed dividend policy?
ii) Is there an agreed split in terms of value
extracted by different methods, such as
directors’ fees, remuneration or bonuses
by way of any employment contract, and
distributions to shareholders?
iii) How can shares or other ownership interests
be sold voluntarily? Must co-owners be given a
right of first refusal before any third parties can
acquire a stake?
iv) Should there be any circumstances in which
some owners (eg minority shareholders) could
be compelled to sell their interests at the
behest of the others, and what criteria would
apply?
How is your interest being safeguarded?
Protecting your investment is an ongoing
responsibility and will encompass a plethora of
issues, such as:
i) Does your business have suitable employment
contracts in place with key employees,
including restrictive covenants to protect the
business if they should leave?
ii) Does your business review regularly any
standard terms and conditions and other
contractual documentation upon the basis of
which it operates?
iii) Are your procurement teams trained
periodically on topics such as the anti-bribery
regime?
iv) Is the scope of the insurance for your business
and its key personnel appropriate?
v Does the business review its risk management
housekeeping from time to time, including
factors such as the claims management process
and document retention policies?
One size does not fit all
Many of the general topics outlined above will
be relevant in the case of most businesses, but
every business is unique and must adopt a tailored
approach with appropriate legal, financial and tax
advice. Ultimately the owners of the business carry
the responsibility and should set aside time to give
their businesses periodic health checks, especially if
they have at the back of their minds concerns which
tend to be too often postponed until another day.
For further information or advice on
any commercial law issue, please contact
Pictons on 01582 870870.
Owners should take regular stock of their companies to
guard against nasty surprises, says Tony Roberts of Pictons

8
Winter’s on its way!
security
I know, it’s not our
favourite subject either,
but it is coming close to
that time of year when
the nights get longer
and the burglary rate
goes up.
With this in mind we
thought it would be good to
share some hints and tips to
prepare your home or business
premises for the dark nights ahead.
These tips have been put together with my team at Dyno who have
years of experience securing properties:
Security lights - these are a great way to attract attention and scare
away any threats to your property
Trees and bushes - if any of your building is covered by bushes, ensure to
cut these back, keeping all entrances visible
Gardening tools - put away any garden tools and ladders, let’s not make
their job any easier!
Upgrade your locks - installing anti-snap locks and deadbolts to all entry
points all work toward making your property as impenetrable as possible
Sash jammers - these fairly cheap products can be fitted to any window
or door helping secure them more efficiently
CCTV - this can be a great deterrent against vandalism and theft, with
packages to suit all why not call us now?
And last but definitely not least, have a professionally fitted Alarm.
The most effective deterrent of all. With over 90% of burglars saying
they would avoid a house with an alarm.
But remember, always ensure you utilise all of your security
measures. An unset alarm or unlocked door provides burglars the
opportunity to invade. Reminders at the door with a checklist can be a
great idea.
If you are ready to get your house prepared for the long nights
ahead - but not sure where to start, why not call us at Dyno and
arrange a Free of charge no-obligation security survey? This will help
you plan for all eventualities when it comes to your security and we
Always offer Best advice above a sale.
So why not take advantage and call us now on 01582 519910
to book. Alternatively if you have any questions about any of the
security measures we have suggested please do not hesitate to contact
me on 01582 519910 or email jon@dynoalarm.co.uk
Be safe people!
Get ready for the dark nights - they
are coming! That’s the alert from
Dyno’s JON SPELLEN who gives
some security hints and tips

9
The middle man.
Help or hindrance?
Customers often perceive any middle man as an
unnecessary third party that adds cost, causes
delays, and possibly makes mistakes. Advertising
by insurers to ‘go direct’ has only compounded this
feeling.
How can the middle man help consumers?
1. Better prices
Using a middle man is not always more expensive. For example,
buying insurance through a broker such as A-Plan is often better
priced than direct insurance.
How is this possible, you may ask? Ultimately it’s because we can
negotiate on your behalf and reduce the risk for the insurer. As
a broker we have access to negotiated rates from many different
insurers, and our staff are professionally trained to help choose a
policy that’s right for you.
This generates better
results for insurers and
filters through to lower
premiums for buyers like
you.
‘Cutting out the middle
man’ does not always
save you money.
2. Speed and Ease
Going direct usually
means going online, and
the experience can be
slow and frustrating. The
forms are long and often
confusing, and the whole
process can take a lot
longer and be a lot harder
than expected.
At A-Plan we speak
to you to ensure that
nothing is missed, and we are available to advise and reassure you
along the way - ensuring you get the right policy as quickly and
painlessly as possible.
We do the shopping around so you don’t have to.
3. Peace of mind
Policy wording and options can be complex and confusing and
answering questions wrongly could mean that you are not adequately
covered in the event of a claim. We can help you with this. We check
through the information that you provide at the start of your policy
to ensure that nothing has been missed, that your needs are met and
that you are fully covered.
If you do have a claim and deal direct with the insurer it is down to
you to negotiate with them. At A-Plan we are with you every step
of the way. If there is a query or dispute, we are there to act on your
behalf and to help put it right. You only need to make one call to us
and we will handle the rest for you.
We make sure you get the cover that you need.
So who wins? A-Plan or direct?
Whilst conventional wisdom dictates that the middle man offers little
to the discussion and always has his price, in the complex world of
insurance things are not so simple.
At A-Plan our business continues to grow because we consistently
deliver the advice and service that people want when looking for
insurance, and often save them money at the same time. Customer
loyalty is a good indication of success, and that’s why we are so proud
that 9 out of 10 of our clients choose to stay with us at renewal.
legal
Martin Blower speaks in favour of brokers when it comes to buying insurance
“Policy wording
can be complex
and confusing
and answering
questions wrongly
could mean you
are not adequately
covered”

10
Get your cash flow
under control
As autumn gets underway, business owners
sometimes need to reinvigorate their businesses
and, in particular, focus attention on their cash flow
and credit control procedures.
If payment from a customer is not obtained and the goods or
services have been provided, your cash flow is likely to be under
pressure. Ensuring that customers pay on time will make managing
your business easier.
The first thing you should do is get to know your customers. This
should start before you take on a new customer and before you give
them any credit.
The bare minimum of what you should know is:
• the exact name of the customer and the trading address
• their type of business structure, e.g. are they a sole trader, a
partnership or a limited company?
• their credit rating.
Before you provide goods or services to any customer, make sure you
address the following:
• discuss and agree payment terms with the customer before
accepting the order
• agree the terms in writing
• review any documentation from the customer where they try to
change the agreed payment terms
• negotiate and agree payment terms with suppliers before accepting
the order
• if there is a gap between customer and supplier payment terms,
consider whether finance is available to bridge the gap.
• have a standard policy in place to ensure that payment terms
cannot be altered without appropriate authorisation
• ensure that you have the right to apply late payment and interest
charges on invoices.
After you have provided goods or services to a customer ensure that
you:
• raise invoices promptly
• raise invoices accurately to ensure all items are included at the
quoted prices
• include a reference number for the order and then quote this if any
dispute arises
• have everything the customer requires on the invoice
• have a process for chasing invoices
• have a process for dealing with disputes
• keep a log of disputes to ascertain whether similar disputes or
customers occur
• ensure that your invoices are fully compliant with HMRC for VAT
purposes.
Remember that not paying your suppliers on time is a bad business
habit and it may harm your reputation as well. You should:
• ensure you advise your suppliers of any disputes as soon as they
occur
• pay on time by ensuring that your creditor’s ledger is accurately
aged and
• keep your suppliers up to date with any issues you have with
paying on time.
Some businesses unfortunately go ‘bad’, so you may wish to
consider obtaining credit insurance. You may also consider obtaining
factoring and financing options.
If you are struggling with credit control and cash flow
management in these more difficult times, then we would be
happy to discuss this further with you. Please contact us at
Stoten Gillam for more detailed advice on 01582 608601 or via
john.wright@stotengillam.co.uk
finance
JOHN WRIGHT OF STOTEN GILLAM UNDERLINES THE
IMPORTANCE OF CONTROLLING CASH FLOW FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Page kindly sponsored by Telephone: 01582 608601

11
Pension perils ahead
Back in March in his Budget
speech the Chancellor
George Osborne announced
the most radical changes to
pensions legislation affecting
money purchase pension
schemes we have ever heard.
One of his proposals was that anyone
with such a pension would be able to
access all of it rather than be limited to
25% tax free as a lump sum with the rest
taken as a taxed income with effect from
April 2015.
Before this announcement there was only one way in which you could
do this and that was by using a method known as flexible drawdown but
even then it had strict qualifying conditions and few people in practice
could ever benefit from it. The new proposals have no such qualifying
criteria.
So what is a money purchase pension scheme? Basically it is a pot
of money which pays you a pension based on how much you have
contributed into it and how well it has performed.
This is totally different to so called occupational final salary schemes
which are mainly offered by the public sector and increasingly rarely by
large private employers.
These pensions by contrast pay you a guaranteed pension based on a
formula which is calculated based on your number of years of service for
your employer and your ‘final salary’. These pensions aren’t affected by the
new rules.
Whilst on the one hand it does appear to be very generous of the
government to allow complete freedom for individuals to access 100%
of their pots, the sting in the tail is that they could potentially end up
paying significantly high tax charges on the monies withdrawn from their
pensions unwittingly. Why is this so?
Well as before you will continue to be entitled to withdraw up to 25% of
your money purchase pension as a tax free lump sum. However, the rest of
it will be subject to Income Tax.
So far nothing in the rules has changed. The problem is that the money
you withdraw from the remaining 75% gets added to your income for the
year and is taxed at your highest rate.
Let’s assume your total retirement income is just £5,000 a year before
you access your pot. You are a basic rate taxpayer paying a top rate
of 20% Income Tax. You have a money purchase pension fund worth
£250,000. You decide to take the whole lot as a lump sum immediately.
Well the first 25% (£62,500) is tax free but the balance of £187,500 is
added to your income of £20,000 and taxed at your top rate of Income
Tax of up to 45%! That represents a huge tax penalty to the pensioner
and a massive benefit to the government. Now it is clear why they have
introduced the changes. It’s because it is a significant tax raiser for HM
Revenue & Customs.
The other danger is of course that the type of person used in this
example could be a big spender who blows all of his pension pot and
then becomes a burden on the state. Admittedly only a small proportion
of people, the gamblers of society, are likely to do this nonetheless it will
inevitably happen.
pensions
Tony Byrne, one of the country’s most highly qualified
financial planners tells Inspire how you could lose out
from the Government’s pension changes
Tony Byrne, Chartered and
Certified Financial Planner
author of Wealth Magic,
Financial Planning Director,
Wealth And Tax Management

12
Four business gurus have
teamed up and are on a mission
to stop wealth and money
leaking out of the Milton Keynes
economy.
Peter Barnett, Katherine McAdam, Dale
Adkins and Darren Thomson are the top team
behind the MK Exhibition being held in the city
in the autumn. Peter, who set up his sales and
marketing company Sales Managed four years
ago, said: “Local companies like ours can grow
by getting to know each other and working
together instead of perhaps buying services
from other parts of the country.”
MK Exhibition will be held at MKCC, in
Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, on
Friday, October 17. It is set to attract hundreds
of visitors to dozens of exhibition stands.
Peter added: “MK Exhibition is our only
exhibition and is dedicated to supporting local
charities and the growth of local economy,
we are not running events outside of Milton
Keynes.”
Peter, the former business development
director of Frosts in Woburn Sands, has been
joined in the venture by design guru Katherine
McAdam, of Brand Magic Media Ltd, which she
set up in 2008.
Dale Adkins, the conferencing manager at
the MKCC, has achieved success in promoting
the MKCC as the first choice meeting venue for
local businesses.
Completing the talented organising team
is highly experienced videographer Darren
Thomson, of Movey Video Marketing. Darren
has produced and trained a large number of
students in the craft of creating professional
quality video for business, education and local
government.
Together they have already organised one
successful MK Exhibition and the next one is set
to be even better.
Visitors and exhibitors to the 8am to 4pm
event can expect lots of business networking,
advice workshops, an MK Dragons Den-style
event, free advice clinics from local professionals
and lots more to be announced.
MKCC is a top-class conference and meetings
venue based half a mile from Central Milton
Keynes and a mile from the railway station with
more than 100 free car parking spaces!
For more information visit:
www.mkexhibition.co.uk/ phone 01908 900
908 or email info@mkexhibition.co.uk
Exhibition
organisers are on
a mission to keep
money in their local
economy
exhibition
Championing
the MK economy

13
New jobs and businesses could be created in the
region’s aerospace sector with the arrival of a new
£35million world-leading research facility opening at
Cranfield University in 2016.
The Aerospace Integration Research Centre (AIRC) is to be built at the
university with co-investment partners Airbus and Rolls-Royce, following
the award of funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for
England (HEFCE).
Through the integration of airframes propulsion and other systems and
technologies, the centre will research innovative aerospace technologies
to enhance performance, emission control and efficiency targets on future
aircraft.
Prosperity
It is anticipated that the centre will directly contribute to the
competitiveness and prosperity of the aerospace industry and the wider
UK economy, safe-guarding existing jobs and creating additional work
opportunities within the UK aerospace and academic sectors.
The centre will provide dedicated space and specialist equipment to
address future grand challenges which face the aerospace sector.
Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of
Cranfield University, said: “The investment from Airbus and Rolls-Royce in
this collaborative centre will change the design of future aircraft.
“It will reinforce Cranfield’s reputation as a global leader in
transformational research, strengthen our strategic relationships with
world-renowned businesses and meet the needs of business, government
and wider society.”
Iain Gray CBE, the current chief
executive of the Technology Strategy
Board, has been appointed the
Director of Aerospace at Cranfield
University, with effect March from
2015.
Iain will lead the extensive
aerospace capabilities across the
University and their strategic
relationships with the world’s major
aerospace industrial organisations.
Prior to the Technology Strategy
Board, Iain was engineering director
and then managing director at
Airbus UK during the development of the Airbus A380, the world’s largest
passenger airliner.
Iain Gray said: “The University’s pre-eminent business and government
relationships places it in an ideal position to provide academic leadership in
collaborative research to develop new products, processes and services for
the aerospace sector.
“I’m proud to bring my experience of, and passion for, one of the UK’s
most important industrial sectors and to progressing Cranfield’s long
heritage in this area.”
Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Cranfield’s Chief Executive and Vice-
Chancellor, said: “Our University has a fundamental role to play in
maintaining the UK as a leader in aerospace.
“Iain’s thought leadership will enhance Cranfield’s impact in this
important sector.”
aerospace
Cranfield is taking off
ROOM FOR
GROWTH
A NEW £35M AEROSPACE CENTRE IS TO BE BUILT AT CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY,
ENHANCING ITS STATUS AS A HUB FOR THE UK’S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
In another part of the university - the Technology
Park - two enterprising businesses are expanding
into new offices.
Tendering expert Bidwriting.com is moving to a new 675 sq ft office - a
40% increase - within the Cranfield Innovation Centre (CIC), in order to
accommodate its growing workload from clients looking to secure key
tenders and new opportunities.
At the same time, high technology recruitment firm Vector Recruitment
has moved to 75% larger premises in the CIC to cope with demand as
companies in the UK’s booming engineering, science and technology
sector expand their teams.
New deals at the Cranfield University Technology Park follow a series of
major lettings over the last 12 months, including food freshness firm It’s
Fresh!, Impetus Automotive and Japanese car-seat manufacturer, Tachi-S.
Meanwhile existing tenants SEMLEP, Alere and Comms 365 have all moved
to larger offices in the CIC, taking advantage of the CIC’s flexible leases to
support their expansion.
Rupert Wood, regional director at St. Modwen which manages Cranfield
University Technology Park said that both these moves reflect an overall
confidence in the marketplace and the economy: “The fact that these
specialist firms are expanding is a clear indication of the improving market
in the region and UK as a whole, as companies look to recruit and invest.
“Allowing flexibility for businesses to move offices is fundamental to our
offer on the Tech Park, allowing us to accommodate businesses ranging
from start-ups to multi-national firms.”

14
Recent football success in the
triumphant return of Luton Town
Football Club to the league and
the 4-0 shock cup demoliton of
Manchester United by the MK
Dons has brought the economic
importance of sport to the fore,
writes David Tooley.
Tourism chiefs in Milton Keynes estimated that
the league cup game, which saw stadium:mk
packed out with more than 29,000 spectators,
would bring in £2million to the local economy
by way of spending in hotels, taxis and
restaurants.
Luton Town, known as the Hatters, saw their
Kenilworth Road stadium packed out last year
as fans shared in the glory of the ending of the
club’s five year exile in non-league. This season
the club - and the town - should benefit from
being back in the big time. According to Sport
England, the English economy benefited to the
tune of a whopping £20.3billion from sport in
the latest figues, going back to 2010.
As a little aside, my local shopkeeper once told
me that his small newsagents’ benefited to the
tune of £500 in sales when the local children’s
football team played at home.
In total, coming in at 1.9% of the total value
of the English economy placed sport in the
top15 industry sectors in the country. That’s
above motor vehicles, telecoms services, legal
services, accounting, publishing, advertising and
the utilities.
Of course, football is only part of the total
sport package but a pretty big one locally at
that.
Research commissioned by Sport England and
carried out by AMION Consulting found an
important and resilient sector.
In terms of employment, sport remains a
crucial component of the economy. The number
of people with sport-related jobs in 2010 is
estimated at over 400,000 - that’s 2.3% of all
employment in England.
Benefits
But the benefits are much wider than that.
Volunteering in sport, and the health benefits
from sport, also have an impact on the
economy, says Sport England. The estimated
economic value of sport-related volunteering is
£2.7 billion.
Then there are the health benefits, estimated
at £11.2 billion.
There have also been a number of studies on
the economic impact of sport in recent years.
The Cardiff Millennium Stadium and the City
of Manchester Stadium both had a positive
impact on local property markets, one study
found.
Locally, the development of stadium:mk and
the associated shopping destination has brought
in many visitors.
Other researchers have studied the economic
impact of non-elite, mass-participation events
such as marathons.
They found such events can raise the profile of
a host location and generate tourist income for
minimal infrastructure investment.
The growing Milton Keynes Marathon is
building a brand as the greenest marathon and
attracts runners from across the country.
Sport England has launched a new modelling
tool to enable local authorities to show how
sport benefits their economy.
The ‘Economic value of sport - local
model’ provides each local authority, county
sport partnership (CSP) and local enterprise
partnership area with estimates on sports’
contribution to the local economy in the form
of business output and jobs as well as wider
benefits like health. It also includes guidance on
how to best use this evidence.
Kevin Fenton, national director of health and
wellbeing at Public Health England, said: “We
know physical inactivity is one of the major
causes of ill-health which is entirely preventable.
“This easy to use model will support local
areas to understand the positive impact of sport
as part of economic regeneration as well as the
positive impact on health.
“This reminds us that the true value of sport
isn’t just to get people active: it has the potential
to save lives.”
The model will also help local partners assess
the ‘impact’ of change, showing the effect of
increasing or reducing the number of people
playing sport, for example if new facilities are
built, facilities are closed or more marketing is
done to attract those not playing sport regularly.
Councillor Flick Rea of the Local Government
Association, said: “Sport plays a huge role in
communities and anything which helps local
areas derive all the benefits sport can bring is
positive.”
sport
RECENT SUCCESSES ON THE FIELD HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE ECONOMIC
IMPORTANCE OF SPORT. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK
We’re football crazy
Photograph by Gareth Owen, official photographer of Luton Town Football Club

15
Why bother with Uni?
In a new campaign government
and employers have called on
young people to ‘Get In. Go Far’
by choosing an apprenticeship.
It coincides with the introduction of 40 new
employer-designed apprenticeships in sectors
including engineering, hospitality and the
legal profession.
These new opportunities will give people
the chance to earn whilst they learn on
apprenticeships which have been designed by
businesses in a variety of sectors.
Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for
Business said: “For too long there has been
a divide between university and vocational
education which has been damaging for
both employers and young people. Placing
university degrees and apprenticeships on an
equal footing will help to break down barriers
and better meet the needs of business.
“Since I became Secretary of State we have
expanded apprenticeship numbers greatly,
particularly higher apprenticeships.
“The reforms to apprenticeships
enable employers to design and deliver
apprenticeships that meet their needs, giving
young people valuable qualifications and
helping them to build successful careers
from television production to advanced
manufacturing.”
The campaign showcases the variety and
quality of apprenticeships on offer. With
the strapline ‘Get In. Go Far’, it features real
apprentices in varied sectors giving their own
thoughts on their experiences.
The apprentices, shown in the adverts
taking selfies in their places of work, will
appear on TV, posters, digital channels and in
print media.
To mark the launch of the campaign,
Skills Minister Nick Boles has been visiting
apprentices to see for himself the impact the
scheme is having on young people.
He took ‘selfies’ with the apprentices at
Google which will be pinned to an interactive
‘work selfie’ Pinterest map, plotting the
many apprenticeship opportunities across the
country.
Mr Boles said: “Through an apprenticeship
young people can achieve a degree and work
at some of the biggest companies in the
country.
“The new campaign features some great
success stories which show exactly how far
an apprenticeship can take you. I would
recommend any young person that isn’t sure
what to do next, to look at some of the new
and exciting apprenticeship opportunities
available to them.”
The new apprenticeships which have
been launched are from a broad range of
industries and include roles such as, a land-
based service engineer, senior culinary chef,
solicitor, journalist and a dental practise
manager.
Throughout the process over 200 employers
and training providers were involved in
designing the 40 new apprenticeship
standards that have been approved.
Skills
Employers will be able to ‘grow their
own’ talent, ensuring the next generation
of professionals have all the practical skills
and experience needed to continue the high
standards expected in dentistry.
This in turn will also help combat the falling
numbers of British technicians, strengthening
the dental industry and UK economy.
This forms part of the apprenticeship
trailblazer project which was launched in
October 2013, the second phase of which
was launched during National Apprenticeship
Week in March 2014.
A survey with employers found that
96% of businesses which have taken on
an apprentice believe their company has
benefitted.
For more information on
apprenticeships and the apprentices
that are being featured in the campaign,
visit: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk.
apprenticeships
A new campaign has been launched to persuade young
people to consider apprenticeships instead of academia

16
marketing
Free marketing
with the wow factor!
In the digital age, it’s never
been easier to write and publish
a book - but why might you
want to? Essentially, because it’s
another weapon in your marketing
armoury and it can be done at
zero or low cost.
But won’t it take ages, I hear you ask? It
doesn’t have to. While it takes me six months
to write a work of fiction, that’s because I’m
making up a thrilling 60,000 word story and
I have to research what I don’t know - such
as how to murder somebody, or smuggle
counterfeit cigarettes, or run a police
investigation.
On the other hand, you could quickly draft
thirty pages of facts and opinions about a
subject you know well. Ask yourself what
your customers would find useful. Chances
are, they’re busy and prefer it short and
sweet.
As a small business, publishing a book
about your area of expertise - provided it’s
well-written, with useful content - will give
you instant credibility in your field.
An e-book is a great calling card, emailed
in an instant to your customers and targets.
If you ask your clients to share the link or
e-book with their friends, you’ll reach out
to a wider audience for your products and
services.
You can use it to build a mailing list too, by
offering a free download if the recipient signs
up for your newsletter.
You needn’t even list your e-book for
sale, but you’re kissing goodbye
to good money if you don’t. It’s
straightforward to list an e-book
on Amazon, and free. You can use
Microsoft Word to produce both
the interior pages and cover at zero
cost. Amazon allows you to choose
any price from 77p, and pays a 35%
or 70% royalty. You’ll sell more
copies at a low price, but consider
charging more; it indicates high
value and exclusivity. Imagine how
your customers will feel when you
email them a free book that’s usually
priced at £9.99!
You can also publish a paperback
at no or low cost through Amazon’s
www.createspace.com division
- or pay an upfront fee to use a
printer like Milton Keynes outfit
LightningSource at
www1.ingramspark.com.
Convinced? Switch on your PC,
line up friends with an eye for typos
to read your draft, and start typing.
By the way, there are lots of helpful
tips at www.thecreativepenn.com
if you’re unsure of anything. As ever, it’s
all about your customers. Give them great
content and value for money, and they’ll
repay you with loyalty and referrals.
AA Abbott was brought up in Luton,
and has spent decades working for large
multinationals, often commuting into London
from Leagrave. She writes fiction about office
life - with added thrills. Take a look inside her
entertaining thrillers at http://aaabbott.co.uk,
especially new book, After The Interview -
have you ever wanted to turn the tables after
a bad interview? Stay in touch on Facebook +
Twitter @aaabbottstories
AA Abbott, writer and publisher of thrillers After The Interview
and Up In Smoke, says you could quickly draft 30 pages
of facts and opinions about a subject you know well

17
Inspiring offersSCAN YOUR BUSINESS CARD AND GET THOUSANDS OF COPIES FOR JUST £40
inspiring offer
You can get some great offers on business cards,
including from Bartham Press the printers of Inspire
business magazine!
But we have a great offer for you if you have a business card.
How about you scan a copy of your business card and send it to us at
We will then print thousands of copies. Not only that, because we
distribute to venues across the MK, Luton, Bedford, Aylesbury, Hitchin and
Hemel Hempstead area, your business card will be distributed, too.
We also hand out copies of the magazine at business networking events.
With your business card. Now that’s a great offer.
But wait... there’s more... we’re active on social media, too. Follow us on
Twitter @inspirebizmag and see how we promote the magazine and the
people and businesses who support us. We call it #TeamInspire
We’re also online at http://issuu.com/inspirebizmag where we attract
hundreds of readers. For an offer like that, with printing and active
promotion, you’d expect the cost to be sky high. Well, how does £40+VAT
sound? Good eh? Don’t delay, scan your business card and send it to
inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk now.
The first to apply, quoting #InspireOffer will get a surprise discount.
Email inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk NOW
Business
Innovation
Support
Contact the team on 01582 743544
or innovationbridge@beds.ac.uk
From more info visit
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/innovationbridge
Unit A • Park Avenue Industrial Estate
Sundon Park Road • Luton • LU3 3BP
T: 01582 573471 Ext: 225
M: 07931 973967
E: mostaque@barthamgroup.com
Mostaque Koyes
Senior Account Manager
For more information and to join visit
www.fsb.org.uk/bedscambsherts

18
From rock
bottom to
the top again
Former military covert operative
Gordon Lines has had enough
traumatic experiences to fill three
or four lifetimes - ‘more lives than
a cat’ he says smiling - including
having a pistol held to his head by
a nervous robber, hijack attempts,
and a bombing.
Gordon, now the managing director of ISO
Enigma Solutions Limited, has been to the brink
of suicide and back after serving for 14 years in
the military in close protection work and as a
covert intelligence operative.
“During my time in the military I began to
experience some issues with stress,” said Gordon,
who served behind the lines in Northern Ireland
and Gulf War 1.
“I served for four years in Northern Ireland at
the height of the troubles. After two years there,
I was ready to come home but my tour of duty
was extended by another two years, but it was
not ‘the done thing’ to mention the issue, and
therefore, like many others, I said nothing, which
compounded the gathering ‘post traumatic’
symptoms.”
His work included going undercover into pubs
and clubs to check whether they were safe for
military personnel to use.
“We were very vulnerable and on high alert
24/7, trying to sleep but not being able to.
“In the Gulf, as we arrived before the main
forces, we were ‘not officially there’, this made
the job a lot stickier, including avoiding being
stopped by chasing civilian police cars!
“When I returned to the UK, my then wife told
me I’d changed, I had ‘dead eyes’, and she was
frightened of me.
“Today - Even small things like a slamming door,
or a child’s scream can put me on edge. If I hear a
‘familiar’ sound - I need to find out what caused
it. Busy places like shopping centres, and airports
are hard work, memories come flashing back. I
still sit with my back to the wall in restaurants,
coffee shops and the like.
The stress off the job was relieved by alcohol,
and, with an inability to discuss experiences (due
to the Official Secrets Act), and a reluctance
to talk proved disastrous to both Gordon’s
marriages.
“I left the military in 1991 after 14 years
and emigrated to South Africa. While in South
Africa I began to suffer from severe symptoms
of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I had been
self-medicating with alcohol for years and I was
literally near death. I was at rock bottom.”
Gordon, who was born and bred in Fenny
Stratford, Bletchley, became the operations
manager of a security company in Johannesburg
South Africa, managing 500 staff. At one point
he was caught in the crossfire of a gun battle
between warring gangs in Johannesburg.
“Drinking became the only way to sleep, which
wasn’t helped by the drinking culture in South
Africa,” he said. His work involved securing a
polling station for ex-pats during the 1994 first
free and democratic elections, working closely
with the International Electoral Committee
(IEC),”It’s fantastic to see South Africa come out
of it the other side, I’m very proud to have been a
small part of the process” he commented.
In 1992 he had married for a second time and
his wife gave birth to “two beautiful girls”; but
later events would see them grow apart.
In 1996 he suffered a complete nervous
breakdown. “I didn’t listen to the symptoms,”
he said. “I had headaches, backaches and it got
worse, palpitations, and panic attacks. One day
on a drive to work, I started crying inconsolably. I
was off work for four or five months.”
“There was desperation, desolation and
isolation and I was wondering what it was all
about. I was suicidal.”
But Gordon pulled through and he and his
wife invested in a Spa supermarket. Things went
so well that they paid off a five year loan in 18
months.
“But because the business was cash-driven
we had 13 armed robberies in six years,” said
Gordon. “The worst was a customer being shot
during one of the robberies, one time, an armed
GORDON LINES TELLS INSPIRE
HOW HE FOUND THE STRENGTH
TO RECOVER FROM THE DEPTHS
OF DESPAIR AND ALCOHOLISM
Inspiration

19
robber held a pistol between my eyes, I knew the
model of gun and could see the safety was catch
off and that he was shaking.
“Strange thoughts go through your mind at
moments like that. I thought, he’s going to pistol
whip me, ok, but not my teeth, anywhere but
not the teeth! He told me to lie on the floor,
threatening to shoot a customer if I didn’t stay
down... He ran off and after counting to about
six I ran after him.”
In 2000 the crime-wave had risen so much
that the couple had to hand the keys in to the
businesses and the house. At the same time his
marriage fell apart and his wife and children left
to live in Port Elizabeth.
His wife said: “We are going to live in Port
Elizabeth and there is no room for you anymore,”
Gordon who had to sleep in his car and then a
local pub’s bath - turned to the booze again.
Fortunately he was helped to return to the
UK and live in his sister’s caravan but, as he says
himself, “I was virtually unemployable, homeless,
and broken psychologically, spiritually and
physically.
“After a year of battling with life and
wondering what it was all about, I sought help
from the NHS. It was the key moment for me,
realising that I needed help.
“I had lost my self-esteem and self-respect
and everything. I had lost my will to live - but I
was too tired to live and too tired to die,” said
Gordon.
Inspiration for Gordon came in 2006 - realising
that everything he had been doing, in training,
in retail, in leadership and the military meant he
had amazing skills to offer. Things started falling
into place. He established ISO Enigma Solutions,
becoming a Limited Company in 2008
Marvellous
“I met my long-term partner, Diane in 2007,
she has been - and continues to be - my rock. She
has been marvellous and so understanding.”
A charity, specialising in helping ex-military cope
and recover from post-traumatic stress disorder
called PTSD Resolution and his GP at Shenley
Church End joined in ‘Team Gordon’s fight-back’.
Life however was to throw Gordon another
curve ball, in the shape of a heart attack in
2008. Having a military medic’s background he
realised the early symptoms while at Morrisons
supermarket in Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes.
So he drove himself home, left the door open,
took his keys out of his pockets and started
making phone calls. The upshot is he spent
five days at Milton Keynes General Hospital -
miraculously - there was no lasting damage to
his heart from the incident - and he made a full
recovery.
Since then, it has been onwards and upwards
for Gordon, who has recently been offered and
accepted a three day a week permanent contract
to act as operations director at a £10m pa
turnover company, leaving him able to carry on
his management consultancy business two days
a week. He specialises in: executive coaching,
management mentoring, he is an expert in
food safety and quality management systems,
and a qualified trainer / teacher amongst other
expertise.
Now aged 53 Gordon’s objective is to be a
global name in coaching, mentoring, food safety
and hygiene, he says, “I often think of Robert
the Bruce, and the spider. It gives me constant
inspiration.”
Highly qualified, he’s a beacon for the try-try-
and-try again, until you succeed mentality.
“For anyone just starting out in business - it’s
vital not to be afraid of failure. It is much better
to try and fail than to fail to try at all. Dream big,
but take baby steps”.
“Talk to others in business, especially the
‘winners’ and recognise when you have got an
issue. Strategise properly and have a plan B,
especially in the early days.
“Keep learning, develop listening skills and
show respect for all around you - everyone has a
lesson in life - especially for you.”
Gordon’s final words at the conclusion of the
interview, “I have spent my adult life avoiding
publicity or photographs or interviews - and at
one stage - avoiding life!
“I agreed to this interview with one aim - to
inspire and empower others to take up the
gauntlet and run with it, no matter where you
are from, your formal education, or any other
disability, whether as part of a management
team, or as an emerging business leader. The only
thing to fear, is fear itself.”
For more information visit PTSD Resolution
www.ptsdresolution.org and
www.isoenigmasolutions.co.uk
Inspiration

20
20
A plan set to have a major impact on the centre of Wolverton is
entering its final stages.
The Town Centre Neighbourhood Plan seeks to kick-start the regeneration of Wolverton Town
centre through seven policies which are designed to help deliver the redevelopment of the Agora site,
support small, independent shops and businesses and conserve historic shopfronts in the town.
The town council has been consulting with the public over the summer. Changes will be made to
the plan, which will then be submitted to Milton Keynes Council..
The borough council will then carry out a further six weeks consultation, during which the Examiner
plan will be appointed. The Examiner may choose to carry out a hearing which is likely to happen
early in 2015. A referendum could be held in May 2015.
Copies of the draft Neighbourhood Plan, Sustainability Appraisal and comments form are online at:
http://futurewolverton.org/projects/neighbourhood-plan/
Milton Keynes entrepreneur
Sarah Jane Wilson has won an
Editor’s Choice award for the
most innovative collection at
International Jewellery London’s
sixth competition.
Sarah Jane, pictured, who lives in Milton
Keynes, is a member of Women in Enterprise,
the local businesswomen’s networking group
and has given many of her pieces to charities
to help them raise funds. Sarah Jane creates
statement stone jewellry by hand, selecting
the stones that she has a connection with
from their look, feel and touch.
She said: “IJL has represented such a
journey for me. In the past 12 months I have
accomplished so much. I am over the moon
at winning the Editor’s Choice Award in that
it recognises the unique and innovative way
that I put my jewellery together.
“It is amazing to be recognised in this way
by such a prestigious authority.”
Businesses in Buckinghamshire
are wondering if it would make
sense to axe layers of local
government in parts of the county.
Business organisation Buckinghamshire
Business First (BBF) is running a campaign to
cut the cost of local government and save
between £5m and £25m a year.
Rethink
Most businesses responding to a survey
expressed the view that the time has come
to rethink the current five council, two tier
system.
BBF has raised £25,000 from crowd-funding
to finance some high-quality, independent
research, examining the pros and cons of a
variety of different unitary models of local
government.
They believe the savings could pay for
pothole fixing, superfast broadband, Council
Tax rebates and rate relief for businesses.
Visit https://make-a-donation.org/campaign/
cutting-the-cost-of-local-government
In the news
Future of Wolverton Cull of
councils
Editor’s choice
in the news
For more news
turn to pages
34 and 35.

21
Hotels with chips
in their folders
A competitive spirit has been
introduced between hotels in
Milton Keynes with a referral
scheme with the local super
casino.
Guests will receive a bespoke ‘gaming chip’
from their hotel reception which entitles them
to a complimentary drink and a £5 free bet at
The Casino MK. The Casino MK will record the
number of redeemed chips to determine which
hotel has reached their target first to win their
very own Christmas Party.
Among the first hotels to take advantage of
the partnership were The Holiday Inn Milton
Keynes, Mercure Milton Keynes Abbey Hill and
Novotel Milton Keynes.
Casino group operations director Austin
Graham, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity
for The Casino MK to build strong relationships
with local and regional businesses.
“As a leading leisure destination, it’s important
for us to work with the business community
to encourage those who visit Milton Keynes to
get out of their hotel rooms and see what our
fantastic city has to offer. We look forward to
working with hoteliers to provide customers
with the best possible entertainment experience
when visiting Milton Keynes.”
Rob Unson, general manager at Novotel
Milton Keynes, who were the first hotel to
provide a referral, said: “We’re really excited
to be part of The Casino MK’s hotel referral
scheme. This is a unique opportunity for us
to work closely with the Casino and offer our
guests a variety of entertainment options under
one roof.”
To find out more about The Casino MK, visit
www.thecasinomk.co.uk
BUSINESSES IN THE MILTON KEYNES AREA HAVE EMBARKED
ON A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COLLABORATION
news
The Casino MK opened in
September 2013 at the Xscape
entertainment complex in
Central Milton Keynes. It offers
more than 100 slot machines,
30 gaming tables, a large poker
room, restaurant, two bars,
including large sports screens.
The Casino MK operates 24 -7.
Since opening it has attracted
more than 300,000 visitors. The
Casino MK is operated by the
Aspers Group.

22
Now go and run the world!
Hundreds of University of
Bedfordshire Business School
students were told they have
the potential to be leaders of
the future at their graduation
ceremonies in the summer.
Ceremonies in Bedford and Luton saw more
than 3,500 students graduate, more than
900 of them were from the uni’s business
school.
Bedfordshire’s summer graduations
concluded with the installation of the Rt Hon
John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of
Commons, as the University’s new Chancellor.
Taking place at Putteridge Bury and Luton’s
St Mary’s Church, the four Business School
ceremonies saw both undergraduates and
postgraduates honoured, with the courses
recognised ranging from business studies and
accounting to marketing communications
and public relations.
Alongside the graduates receiving their
degrees was guest of honour, Mark Newton,
Assistant Chief Constable with British
Transport Police, who once studied at
Bedfordshire.
Mark said: “I’m delighted to be back here
at the University. I’m a proud graduate of this
Business School, and to this day I still utilise
the skills I developed at Bedfordshire.
Dedication
“I recognise that not one of you would have
attained your degrees today without sacrifice.
To continue to study when things get difficult
requires application and dedication - the
qualities we as employers value strongly.
“You have the potential to be influential
leaders in the future.”
Further highlights of the ceremonies
included the presentation of special prize
awards to some of the highest achieving
students in the Business School, with Luton
resident Adam Mullen scooping the Dean’s
Prize for Marketing.
Dr Gordon Mellor, Acting Executive Dean of
the Business School, added:”Adam is a man
of great talent and modesty.
“What you want in a student is ability,
application and enthusiasm.
“When this is combined with a person who
can work effectively and supportively with
their peers, then you have something special.
Adam has these qualities in abundance.”
Prizes
Other Business School prizes included
the J E Cule Prize, with winner Nicole
Pidgeon completing a full-time Master’s
Degree in Human Resource Management
while raising a family of four children aged
one to six.
Investment
The University of Bedfordshire
(www.beds.ac.uk) is the largest higher
education institution in the county with more
than 24,000 students, representing over 100
countries.
Between 2006 and 2013 over £180 million
has been invested in new facilities at the
university, which contributes approximately
£300 million annually to the local economy.
trade local
MORE THAN 900 UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE BUSINESS SCHOOL GRADUATES
WERE GIVEN A PEP TALK AT THEIR GRADUATION CEREMONIES

23
focus on hemel hempstead
Shopping treats
Shopping isn’t just about spending money any
more... customers are looking for an experience they
can share with their friends.
It’s one of the biggest challenges facing the high street as the
internet grows. What do they have that can be described as a wow
factor?
In the Hertfordshire town of Hemel Hempstead the local council -
Dacorum Borough - recognises some of the challenges facing the high
street and is giving its shopping areas a makeover.
Under a programme called Evolution, the council is investing in what
it calls ‘improvement works’ in the pedestrianised shopping area and
Bank Court in Hemel Hempstead town centre next week.
Building contractor Greenford has started to bring life to the new
design.
The council has already faced huge criticism for works to ‘improve’
the Old Town areas of Hemel Hempstead, which dragged on for
months, with businesses claiming they’d been brought to their knees.
On this new project, the council says work will pause over the
Christmas period to minimise disruption to retailers and businesses.
The project is set for completion by autumn 2015.
Councillor Andrew Williams, leader of the council and lead on
regeneration issues, said: “These improvements are part of our wider
Hemel Evolution regeneration programme to transform the heart of
Hemel Hempstead into a place that visitors will want to shop, work,
live and enjoy.
“We are working closely with Greenford to minimise disruption to
businesses, residents and visitors and complete the improvements as
efficiently as possible.
“We are very excited to be starting this ambitious project and look
forward working with local residents and businesses and seeing the
changes that will take place over the coming year.”
Key features of the new design include an events space, a new
interactive water feature, a series of play areas along Marlowes,
improved seating and some new paving and landscaping, including
trees and planting.
Dacorum Borough Council is investing £30 million in the overall
improvements (including £4 million just on Marlowes and Bank Court)
to encourage shoppers, support local businesses and attract further
investment to the town and wider borough.
Keep up-to-date with what’s happening by going to the website
www.dacorum.gov.uk/hemelevolution and by following the Council
on facebook.com/dacorum and on Twitter @dacorumBC #HemelEvo
AS SHOPPERS EXPECT BETTER QUALITY FROM THEIR RETAIL EXPERIENCES, ONE
HERTFORDSHIRE TOWN IS INVESTING HEAVILY IN CREATING THE WOW FACTOR
How do you
a whole
Maximise your reach and your budget. Get the attention of a wider
audience and let your message be heard loud and clear.
Inspire Business Magazine and Community Magazine.
Sometimes two reads are better than one.
www.communitycommunications.co.uk

24
Bankers say credit conditions have eased in recent
months leading to lower borrowing rates which are
feeding through into cheaper lending rates.
At the end of August the Bank of England issued stats on the
Funding for Lending Scheme, whereby the government incentivises
the banks to lend to businesses on preferential terms.
The British Bankers Association’s executive director of business
finance Irene Graham said, “We are starting to see a pickup in
borrowing by small and medium sized businesses.
Healthy
“It is also encouraging to see that the Funding for Lending Scheme
is continuing to be used to help businesses. Companies are also
increasing their cash reserves, which suggests that the sector is in a
healthy position.
“The majority of businesses who approach their bank for a loan
are successful and if they are not there is a process in place that
allows them to appeal the decision. We’d encourage business owners
thinking about borrowing to approach their bank to learn about the
range of financing options that are available.”
£7.4 billion of new SME borrowing was approved in Q2, 16% more
than in the same quarter last year and the highest quarterly amount
since 2011.
This increase in borrowing was broadly-based across industry sectors
and geographical regions. Demand from medium-sized businesses
was notably stronger in Q2, leading to a net expansion in their
borrowing.
Figures are also showing SME holdings of cash are continuing to rise
strongly.
Deposit levels are up 9% year-on-year and now exceed borrowing by
more than £43 billion.
Net lending was up slightly overall by £100 million for small and
medium-sized businesses.
Gross borrowing by SMEs in the last three months for which figures
are available (April - June 2014) rose 28% on the same three months a
year earlier to £13.1 billion.
Bank of England data shows that gross lending to SMEs began to
rise in April last year and has risen every month since year on year.
And even as new lending rises, businesses are continuing to repay
loans. In Q2 2014 SMEs repaid £5.6 billion of existing loans.
Companies are also holding healthy cash reserves. At the end of Q2
SMEs were holding £143.1 billion in cash in bank accounts. This is a
rise of 9 per cent on the same quarter in 2013.
Every silver lining has a dark cloud, however and some businesses
see the economic climate, regulation and late payment rates as major
obstacles.
Alternative
The banks also say they are working to increase access to alternative
finance providers, recognising that a traditional loan might not be the
most funding sensible option.
Partnerships with institutions like the UK Business Angels Association
and Community Development Finance Institutions give businesses that
are inappropriate for finance from banks the option to be referred to
Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs).
The BBA and some of the major banks have launched a pilot referral
program for Start Up Loans. As part of this pilot, business start-ups
that are inappropriate for bank finance will be given the option of
being referred to The Start Up Loans Company.
A new Finance Finder - betterbusinessfinance.co.uk - offers
businesses access to 500 finance providers across Britain.
Levels of alternative finance are growing, including invoice
discounting and peer-to-peer lending.
The BorrowersBUSINESSES ARE INCREASINGLY LOOKING TO
INVEST TO GROW, FIGURES SUGGEST
finance

25
A Milton Keynes organisation
that helps out of work managers
and professionals back into
employment or into starting
their own businesses has had a
staggering success rate.
More than 250 people have attended
Milton Keynes Executives Action (MKEA) and
more than 80% of them have moved into
employment or created new businesses.
MKEA can rightly boast that it is one of
the premier organisations of its type in the
country.
It achieves success by building the
confidence and skills of people who have
suffered from unemployment.
Redundancy and unemployment is probably
the most stressful, frustrating and lonely
period anyone will encounter during their
career.
MKEA builds confidence and skills by
running free formal training as well as what
might be described as support sessions,
where people can just pop in for a chat.
Training sessions are run on Wednesday
evenings and coffee stops on Thursday
mornings. Both the training and the
drop-in are free to attend and there is no
membership costs.
The training sessions operate during term
times only and are held in the Milton Keynes
College, at Woughton Campus West, off
Chaffron Way.
Improving
They start at 6.30pm and last for two to
three hours. The range of subjects includes
improving you CV; well-being and self
confidence; social media and job hunting;
starting your own business from an interest
or hobby; interim management; introduction
to networking etc.
Advice
On Thursdays the drop in coffee stop is
help at Strudwicks Coffee Bar at the MK
Christian Centre and a group of members are
available to just sit and talk about any subject
or perhaps give some advice on issues of the
day for the person concerned.
Besides these two events each week they
also provide 1-2-1 advice on CV’s, job search,
business plans etc and occasionally have full
day sessions on topics such as competancy
based interviewing, LinkedIn, etc.
Interview
MKEA also arranage for mock interviews to
help those how have an interview planned
and not been through that process for some
time.
A successful but unnamed member
of MKEA said: “MKEA demonstrates
the necessity for an effective targeted
comprehensive job search and then provides
the training and expertise to implement it.
I recommend it to all job seaking executives
and professionals.”
MKEA services are provided FREE to
jobseekers and those facing redundancy,
but donations will be gratefully received.
To find out more about MKEA contact
John Dale by phoning 0773 645 4327
or emailing dalejohno@aol.com
There is also a website at:
www.executives-action.co.uk
Making a
difference
feature
Unemployment can
be a shattering blow.
INSPIRE finds out
about one group
that holds out a
helping hand

26
east-west rail
The East West Rail project is already set to connect
Aylesbury with Milton Keynes and Bedford but a new
study says it would make sense to take it further and
complete the route to Cambridge.
The East West Rail Consortium claims the delivery of new rail services
between key locations could deliver substantial economic benefits and
support significant growth.
The report concludes a study by Atkins Consultants and is the first step
towards developing an outline business case for the East West Rail ‘Central
Section’.
Network Rail, working with the consortium and Department of Transport,
will lead the next phase of work to consider and examine the engineering,
operational and planning feasibility and cost of several potential route
options.
The aim is to establish a scheme with a robust and convincing business
case that can be submitted to Government in 2016 to secure inclusion
of the scheme, subject to funding availability, in the 2019-24 investment
plans for the rail industry.
It has been a long term aim of the East West Rail Consortium to improve
rail connections within the region by re-instating the former ’Varsity Line’
between Cambridge and Oxford.
This would provide the rail infrastructure for train services to run from
East Anglia to Oxfordshire (and beyond) with connections to all national
mainline services to the north, west and south of England.
Bob Menzies, service director for strategy and development at
Cambridgeshire County Council, who chairs the East West Rail Central
Section Steering Group, said: “Now that the Western Section between
Oxford, Bedford and Milton Keynes is going ahead, we are working to
develop the business case for the Central Section to complete the missing
link.
Benefits
“To do this, we need to identify a route that will deliver the greatest
benefits to support the case for investment.
“The good news is that this study shows there is significant economic
growth potential that could be unlocked through new rail services and that
the Government is providing funds for Network Rail to undertake the next
vital phase of feasibility work to identify a preferred route.
“The former line between Bedford and Cambridge has been dismantled,
the land sold and sections used for other purposes, including housing. This
means that we are looking at constructing a brand new stretch of railway.
“Several routes have been considered in the past but until now there has
not been clear justification for investment.
“This is why we commissioned Atkins to identify where the greatest
economic benefits could be realised through improved transport links. The
study considers forecast population growth, employment levels, economic
activity and planned growth as well as a review of existing and forecast
transport requirements.”
Dr Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge and vice chair of the All Party
Parliamentary Group for East West Rail said: “There’s no doubt that we
need this railway - linking Norwich and Ipswich through Cambridge to
Oxford and Reading has huge benefits; that’s why I’ve pressed for it for
years.
“But the route is hard to find, and people have quite rightly been asking
which route would be taken, how much it will cost and when it will finally
happen - this study helps us to answer those concerns. I am delighted that
Network Rail will now take forward the next phase of route design and
produce a business case.”
For more information: www.eastwestrail.org.uk/central-section
Search is on for a railway route between
Bedford and Cambridge after study
supports economic case for investment
The rail deal
Advertise your
vacancies with Inspire

27
A female body building champion is bringing her unique spray tanning
offer to a business centre in Newport Pagnell.
Louise Beard, who was placed third in the world at championships in Russia in 2012,
specialises in high volume tanning with care and excellence and includes athletes preparing for
their shows and photo shoots.
Louise, a separated, single mum of three children, said: “I fell into spray tanning through
my personal trainer Karen Marillier, I have built a mobile spray tanning business and now I’m
opening a fixed base for Sexi Skin at the I:Centre in Newport Pagnell. The business has grown
tremendously during the last six years.”
Louise, a degree educated graduate of the University of Bedfordshire, and Karen run Show
Tan, the UK’s first dedicated spray tanning company for fitness models and bodybuilders. Last
year she was appointed UK and Ireland spray tanning trainer for USA-based Liquid Sun Rayz.
Europe is also added into the role.
Professional
A published author, Louise has rewritten training manuals and teaches two types of courses,
salon tanning and competition tanning. Louise counts among her customers, world class
professional athletes and promising local athletes who are flying her as their personal tanner to
The Netherlands where they intend to compete in bodybuilding couples category and Jessica
Ennis’s body double.
Louise said: “A tan is so very important in this competitive arena that it can actually make or
break a physique and an athlete’s placing can be seriously affected by having a bad tan. The
level of care and service I have to put into my athletes and models has been transferred into my
mobile tanning work and now my studio Sexi Skin.”
She counts theatre actors among her clients but says: “My work is mostly centred on every
day people needing a tan for a special occasion such as a wedding, night out, weekend away
with someone special, pre-holiday tans, hen parties, bridal and anything else in between!”
“For customers a spray tan treatment has the power to lift their spirits, make them feel more
confident, feel good and look great!
“I feel am really involved in making them happy, my reward for that is real job satisfaction
which makes me happy.”
The Sexi Skin spray tanning studio will give customers the opportunity to get a feel for what
it is the client really wants from their tan experience and for Louise to assess their skin type
through asking a few simple questions and building that all important rapport.
Each consultation can last up to 45 minutes dependent on client time constraints.
Joe Muscat, owner of Bucks Biz business centres, said: “It’s fantastic to attract world leading
business people like Louise to the I:Centre. We hope her association with the I:Centre will be
long and profitable.”
MUM-OF-THREE LOUISE HAS MOVED INTO A FIXED
BASE AFTER BUILDING A MOBILE TANNING BUSINESS
my story
Body
BRILLIANT!

28
export
Currying favour in India
Companies from Luton and
Bedford were among a 40-strong
trade delegation that went across
to India at the end of August.
The new Indian government, lead by Prime
Minister Narendra Modhi, was elected in May
with a clear focus on economic growth.
The British government believes this new
administration will open up opportunities for
UK companies to do business.
Gravitas
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and
Ed Davey, the Secretary of State for Energy
and Climate Change provided the political
gravitas.
Bedford company Blue Bear took part in
the three day event to promote business
development in the aerospace and advanced
engineering sector.
Yoge Patel, Blue Bear’s representative, said:
“As a SME, it’s a huge privilege to be asked
to attend the VVIP Trade Mission backed by
a government delegation and we are very
excited to have the opportunity to explore
potential relationships within India.
“As a rapidly emerging market, India has
enormous potential for our agile unmanned
systems in aerospace and maritime, and we
look forward to discussing openings in both
the civil and military sectors”.
Blue Bear has been trading for 14 years and
originates from an R&D company specialising
in autonomy, unmanned systems and flight
management and control software.
Blue Bear was joined by Luton company
Jaltek Systems Limited.
Remarkable
Jaltek is an integrated electronic
manufacturing and design service provider
offering a full turnkey capability in the
design, development and manufacturing of
complex electronic products, systems and
assemblies.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:
“This (India) is a remarkable country with a
young, dynamic and enterprising population.
“Over the last 20 years, it’s grown to
become a global economic heavyweight.
India’s people are even more ambitious
for the future and Prime Minister Modi
has pledged to attract more investment,
create jobs, boost trade and pursue greater
prosperity.
Milestone
“I would like this visit to be a milestone in
our drive to forge a new special relationship
with India.”
He said British businesses have increased
exports to India by 50% making the UK the
biggest investor in India of any country in the
G20.
As far as trade the other way goes, Mr
Clegg said India invests more in Britain than
it does in the whole of the European Union
combined.
The delegation was organised by UK Trade
and Investment(UKTI), the government
department that helps UK-based companies
succeed in the global economy.
TWO BEDFORDSHIRE COMPANIES WERE IN A BRITISH TRADE DELEGATION
TO THE SUB-CONTINENT. INSPIRE LOOKS AT THE OPPORTUNTIES
Picture printed with kind permission of the Cabinet office

29
Just the job
Bedford College is reinforcing
its links with thousands of
businesses across Bedfordshire
and Milton Keynes by launching a
Job Shop for students.
The new scheme will guide students on
from the award-winning careers advice given
to them at college, towards the real world of
work.
Andrew Bridges, Bedford College Job Shop
manager, said: “There is a gap between
having great qualifications, knowing the sort
of career you would like and being able to
convince a HR manager or business owner
that you are the employee they are looking
for.
Sustainable
“The Job Shop aims to help bridge this gap
by supporting employers and students to
come together, creating mutually beneficial
and sustainable employment opportunities
that benefit all parties.
“We will also take the pain and strain of
employing people away from the business,
working to help potential employers identify
what skills and qualifications they require. We
will also be advising them on employment
options, such as apprenticeships or full-time
employees.
“We aim to offer a high quality recruitment
service, offering pre-vetting, short listing and
interview space for employers, presenting
them with high quality candidates who fit
their needs. On top of this our service to
businesses will be free.
“Apart from this free service, the other
benefit for businesses is that Bedford
College’s expert team is best placed to
advise businesses if there is any Government
funding for work-related training for such
employees.
“We have a great talent pool here,
incorporating some the most employable
young people in the region; it makes
complete sense for the college to match
these up with local businesses.”
Andy comes from a background of
supporting young people and diverse
groups become more employable. He has
also successfully built his own businesses in
outdoor pursuits and product distribution.
“Students will be helped with CV writing,
interview skills and more, so when they
present themselves to businesses they stand
out,” he said.
Opportunities
“There may also be opportunities for
employers to test out some of our students
through work placements, holiday and
part-time employment. That means valuable
work experience for our students and gives
employers the chance to see what our young
people can offer.
“I will be talking to local employers,
business groups and College contacts to
explain how we can bridge that gap between
college and work. Anyone who would like to
know more can ring me on 01234 29166 or
email abridges@bedford.ac.uk”
Bedford College works in close co-operation
with Job Centres and other employment
agencies and outlets and will continue to do
so via the Job Shop.
The Job Shop is based at the Bedford
College Cauldwell Street campus and was
officially launched over the summer months.
STUDENTS HAVE
BEEN CRITICISED
FOR NOT HAVING
WORK-READY SKILLS.
ONE COLLEGE IS
AIMING TO CHANGE
ALL THAT, INSPIRE
TAKES A LOOK
young people

30
Business
satelliteMilton Keynes and businesses
across the South East Midlands
region could benefit from having
their own satellite - or at least
using their valuable data.
That’s the view of Biztech - the business
and technology forum - who together with
UCMK will be hosting an MK Innovation Den
‘Ask the Expert’ event in the city on Thursday,
October 9.
Fredi Nonyelu, the chairman of Biztech,
said: “The Milton Keynes region is known for
aiming high - how much higher can we get
than our own satellite?
Exciting
“It’s not a pipe dream because there is
exciting work going on now, today, to use
the information to transform every aspect of
our everyday lives.”
Fredi added: “There’s a vast array of
possible applications, including better GPS
and traffic management, pollution control
and control of urban development.
“Satellites can also help control disease
in trees, which is very important in Milton
Keynes, where we enjoy having 22 million of
them.
“Flood control, better ploughing and
fertiliser use and things like intelligence
for the insurance industry and emergency
responses are all areas that could benefit
greatly by using satellite data.”
The Innovation Den event on October 9
will see two highly regarded expert speakers
describe the benefits and opportunities of
satellite applications.
Richard Hilton is the Head of Earth
Observation at the Satellite Applications
Catapult, and Dave Fox, chief executive of
Geospatial Insight.
Dave’s company is a great example of how
unlocking space data can help the finance
sector make better commercial decisions.
Benefit
The idea behind Biztech and UCMK’s
Innovation Den series of talks is to spread the
message of new technology and how it can
benefit people and businesses. The global
space sector is forecast to be worth £400
billion by 2030.
The Ask the Expert event will be held from
5.30pm to 7.30pm at University Campus
Milton Keynes, at 502 Avebury Boulevard,
Milton Keynes (MK9 3HS), on Thursday,
October 9.
Tickets are priced £20 for non Biztech
members and £15 for Biztech members.
For details of how to get tickets visit http://
goo.gl/8fascN
Event sets out to look at the commercial opportunities from space technology
technology

31
Issue ThreePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.
skills
Luton has been approved for
Assisted Area Status which
means local businesses will be
eligible to bid for extra funding and
tax breaks to create jobs, invest in
new premises or machinery and
grow.
Assisted areas are recognised in European
state aid rules as being less economically
advantaged places that would benefit from
additional support for development.
As a result, financial support from
government is permitted to businesses,
for new investments. The government’s
Department for Business Innovation and
Skills points out however that being located
in an assisted area does not confer any right
to financial assistance; rather, it allows the
public sector to provide certain types of
assistance if it wishes.
The new assisted area map came into force
on 1 July and runs until December 2020.
Luton councillor Sian Timoney, portfolio
holder for environment and regeneration,
said: “We are very pleased to be included on
the new Assisted Area map, which will help
our local businesses to grow and create jobs.
Businesses in assisted area wards will benefit
immensely and it should boost our local
economy.”
She urged businesses to apply for Round 6
of the Regional Growth Fund. “This is a great
opportunity for businesses to make
a difference in their area and help to
grow the economy,” she said.
Local authority wards in the town
that are covered by assisted area
status are Biscot, Challney, Crawley,
Dallow, High Town, Lewsey, South,
Stopsley and Wigmore.
Growth
Michael Fallon, the former Business
Minister in the Coaliion Government
said: “Assisted Area status can be a
shot in the arm for growth and jobs
across the UK.
“It makes local businesses eligible
to bid for additional funding and
support that can help them to create
jobs, invest in new premises or
machinery, develop and grow.
“We listened carefully to local
groups to identify places where
regional aid can have the biggest
impact and help to rebalance the economy.
The regeneration of a range of industrial
centres, coastal and urban areas has been
given a boost.”
Assisted Area status makes businesses
eligible to apply for regional aid, which is
typically offered as capital investment for
businesses in less prosperous local economies.
Programmes in England that offer regional
aid include the Regional Growth Fund (RGF)
and the Advanced Manufacturing Supply
Chain Initiative (AMSCI).
Eligible areas were selected based on a
combination of economic need and economic
opportunity. Places with the potential for
business growth, particularly manufacturing,
have been favoured.
There have been 2 consultations on which
areas should qualify, with input from Local
Enterprise Partnerships and local authorities
ensuring that local intelligence was a key
driver in the process.
Further information on state aid in the UK is
available at www.gov.uk/state-aid and www.
ukassistedareasmap.com
Giving a
helping handNew status gives businesses in Luton the
chance to apply for certain types of assistance
Photograph by Richard Thomas - From geograph.org.uk

32
A social media guru has used her business skills to
help an 81-year-old retired professor how to blog.
Cassie Hicks Kerr runs MMSpark (Modern Marketing Spark) from her
home in a south Beds village from where she helps 150 clients across
Beds and Hertfordshire reach new customers by using social media.
Cassie said: “Michael Bassey is an education campaigner but he
didn’t have a website and didn’t know how to use social media to get
his message out.
“Michael happens to be 81 but there are many people, including
small businesses, that don’t have a clue about the power of social
media.”
Cassie built www.labourneedsapolicyfortodaysprimaryschools.com
for Michael at and taught him how to blog over the telephone. Now
he’s going from strength to strength.
Prof Bassey is full of praise for Cassie’s work, just like many of her
business clients.
Prof Bassey said: “Cassie Hicks Kerr offered ‘out of the blue’ to sex
up my website. In the event we set up a new one and she did an
excellent job in responding to my ideas. Whether it is sexy I doubt! I
am happy to commend her workmanship to others - she does a good
job and quickly.”
Cassie added: “The ‘sexing up’ reference is from a friend of mine
who told him his site needed to be ‘sexed up’ and referred him to me!
“Michael is a great example of someone who is open to learning
new things and is now seeing the benefits. Many small businesses are
in the same position in that they just need the tools and knowledge to
take advantage of modern marketing.”
For more information on the Modern Marketing Spark visit
http://mmspark.com
CASSIE HICKS HELPED AN 81-YEAR-OLD
PROFESSOR HOW TO BLOG
social media
Sexing up
social media
BUSINESS IS
BOOMING!
Make sure you’re part of it.
Advertise with Inspire.

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