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Articles by Maarten Hoffman
Big Story: Mark Carney
With Canada, somewhat reluctantly but very stoically, finding itself as the first line of defence in an international trade war started by Donald Trump and his vandalising economic policy, it may have been an inopportune moment for the country to change its leader.
Countdown is on until entries close for the 2025 Central South Business Awards
The must-attend annual event is a prestigious celebration that recognises and honours the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals in the region, and with 500 black tie business leaders in attendance - this is the regions business event of the year. Maarten Hoffmann, Managing Director at Platinum Media Group and organiser of the event, commented: “With only days to go until entries close, now is the time for businesses to act.
The challenges of valuing a family-owned business
There are, according to Oxford Economics, some 4.8 million family-owned businesses in the UK employing 14 million people and contributing £575bn to the UK economy. They make up 85% of all privately-owned businesses. Their contribution to family wealth and the local and national economy is vital. Yet, the very nature of their ownership can make valuing a family-owned and run business challenging. Here is what family business owners need to consider. Why value a family business?
Sussex CCC announces Arundel Festival of Cricket
Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that both the men’s and women’s teams will play Metro Bank One Day Cup fixtures at Arundel in 2025, as part of a four-day Festival of Cricket, sponsored by Rathbones.
Bruce McLaren - Platinum Media Group
Bruce McLaren, the founder of McLaren Racing, was a most remarkable man with a total dedication to all forms of racing. 2024 saw the McLaren Formula One racing team win the Constructors’ Championship - the team’s first since the heady days of 1998. Maarten Hoffmann looks back at the all-too-short life of a pioneer, engineer, creator, disruptor – and factory sweeper and tea boy...
Carina Bauer - Platinum Media Group
During my school holidays, I used to accompany my dad to work which mostly involved him flying to Europe or the US, speaking at events, meeting business partners and striking deals. I had no idea what a formative experience this would be – being immersed in different cultures, travelling to extraordinary places and meeting inclusive, talented people was all in a day’s ‘work’.
Understanding your brain to craft a fulfilling career
By Naomi de Barra, C.Psychol, MSc, BSc, Chartered Psychologist and recent guest on St James’ Place Financial Adviser Academy’s podcast The Switch In my role as a Chartered Psychologist, I always like to remind people, “You are you!” We are all different and our brains are unique. Understanding your motivations, values, and the workings of your mind, can help you craft a career that is both fulfilling and sustainable.
Girls in the city
The City Girl Network is the UK’s largest women’s network, with 145,000 members and a spending power of £2.2bn. We’re the all-encompassing big sister, influencing buying decisions, property purchases and relationships. Friends are made, businesses are built and neighbourhoods are invested in as a direct result of our community. And it all began with a walk on Hove Promenade. I was 23 at the time. I’d just moved to Brighton to start my life after graduating from the University of Sheffield.
Big Story: Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
In March 2021, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) elected Nigerian economist Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General. She is both the first female and the first African to hold this role. She has held many important financial posts, both in her native Nigeria, the World Bank in Washington, DC, as well as her current role as the head of world trade.
LONDON GATWICK: Inaugural innovation summit
Local and regional businesses joined universities, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Innovate UK, Chambers of Commerce and global companies at London Gatwick’s inaugural Innovation Summit on September 27th. The Future Airports event was hosted at London Gatwick’s STEM Centre, with representatives from more than 50 organisations hearing from American technology company Nvidia’s Head of Smart Cities and Spaces, David Gregory.
Who is on your Christmas card list?
I don’t have a desk anymore. In fact, I don’t even have a place that I call my office. But if I did, you would no doubt look at me, sat there, and think I am very boring. For I would have been sitting at the same, now non-existent, desk in my, now non-existent, office for nearly quarter of a century. I would be the first to agree with those of you who say I’m boring for doing that, but I also reflect on it with great pleasure.
BIG INTERVIEW: Dr Arlene Egan
The Roffey Park Institute has been a fixture on the business scene of the South East for many years; with Dr Arlene Egan now as its CEO. Roffey Park offers exceptional facilities in the heart of rural Sussex to companies of all sizes and provides digital, blended and face-to-face learning, underpinned by 75 years of research and practice.
MVP testing - Platinum Media Group
Plus X Innovation provides hands-on support and a powerful ecosystem to help founders innovate and accelerate hundreds of innovative products and services each year. By Natasha Kingdon A successful business doesn’t just come from a great product, a successful business comes from delivering the kind of product that the market is hungry for. However, many startups and founders begin with their own idea and simply focus on building the product that is in their head.
What do businesses need to be aware of in relation to ESG responsibilities? - Platinum Media Group
Increases in compliance requirements for operating and reporting mean that environment, social and governance (ESG) issues should now be a high priority for businesses. If ESG fails to get on the agenda, a business is likely to suffer reputational damage; be on the end of legal action if laws and regulations are breached, bring about poor relations with stakeholders, and face potential issues relating to supply chain and potential loss of business.
MDHUB: Compromise is king
Cameron Fry started his professional working life training to become a furniture designer. In 2007, he founded the Liqui Group, a collaboration of companies that, in combination, form a one-stop shop for creativity, marketing, interior concept and design, and construction. In this time, Cameron has grown the practice into an award-winning, multi-disciplined design studio that has built its reputation on detail-focused creative thinking, and a belief that things can be different.
Gatwick's contribution to the economy
London Gatwick is more than an airport. Landside, it is a business, education and community hub serving the region. Here is what has been happening… Research conducted by economists Oxera reveals London Gatwick generated £5.5 billion for the UK economy, and supported more than 76,000 jobs in 2023. The majority of this vital economic activity took place in six local authority areas across the South East – West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Brighton & Hove, and Croydon.
Talking Heads: Exiting your business
After a lifetime of hard work, you make the big decision to exit by selling or merging your business, and it’s not a decision that should be taken lightly. It is of paramount importance to get things in order before announcing the sale and to contract with the right lawyer, financial planner, and business advisor. This can make all the difference.
Navigating UK Corporation Tax payments
Sam Jones, Corporate Tax Partner at Kreston Reeves, takes you through the Corporation Tax ‘dates for your diary’ – the dates you need to know As the tax landscape continues to evolve, staying abreast of essential statutory obligations is imperative for businesses of all sizes. One obligation is the payment of Corporation Tax, a significant aspect of a company’s fiscal responsibilities.
When life gets in the way of a great plan!
Many businesses wait for problems to emerge, rather than anticipating them. Early attention can save a lot of cost and aggravation later. Here is some food for thought, based on real examples. Shareholders agreements – a not uncommon tale Two brothers ran a communications business, which was growing quickly; one was considerably older than the other, but they complemented one another.
The Big Interview: Dominic W Mott
Dominic Mott has taken over as Head of Hurst College from Tim Manly, who has left the College to run the Hurst Educational Trust. Maarten Hoffmann sat down with Dominic to find out what his plans are for the school Maarten Hoffmann: Welcome to your new role, Dominic. Can you describe your route to this appointment? Dominic W Mott: I started at the College in 2015 as Head of the Senior School and was acting as the righthand man to Tim Manly, the Headmaster. I was, effectively, the Deputy Head.
Are references now a waste of time?
Throughout employment history, references have played a substantial role in the recruitment process. However, given the relative sparsity of information supplied by employers today, Pam Loch of Loch Associates Group asks – is it time for a rethink? Employment references first became popular during the Victorian era, when they were used by poorer individuals travelling across the country, who required written confirmation of employment to allow them to travel to take up a new role.
Cleankill strikes Gold to start the year off on a high - Platinum Media Group
Cleankill Pest Control has started 2024 with a bang after being awarded the Gold Investors in People accreditation for an incredible third time. No other pest control company in England has retained the Gold accreditation three times, and Cleankill joins an elite group of businesses that have achieved the treble. Paul Bates, Managing Director of Cleankill Pest Control, said: “This is a wonderful achievement for a small business and we are all absolutely thrilled.
Ridgeview’s Tamara Roberts named CEO of the Year at the Sussex Business Awards
Tamara Roberts of Ridgeview Wine Estate, has been named CEO of the Year at the highly contested 2023 Sussex Business Awards. The inspirational CEO has been a leading strength in her family’s international award-winning English sparkling wine journey, and a proud pioneering force in the English wine industry. Founded in 1995, Ridgeview Wine Estate was one of the first wineries devoted to the production of English sparkling wine, in what is now a thriving industry.
Within its sights: Energy transition in the South
There is untapped scope for the South to become a major player in the energy transition discussion, according to international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD). By Sebastian Briggs and Joanna Beattie-Edwards The firm’s annual energy transition report has highlighted the biggest threats and opportunities faced by energy and utility firms as they work to move towards net zero targets.
Cohabitation: Is the current UK legislation in need of reform?
Although couples in cohabiting relationships form part of the fastest-growing family type, many people are still under the impression that a mythical status of ‘common law spouse’ or a ‘common law marriage’ exists. Grant Parker, Partner & Head of Family at Mayo Wynne Baxter puts that myth to bed As part of Resolution’s Campaign for Change, the Annual Awareness Week 2023 focused on the need for reform of the law relating to cohabitees.
The callous heart of government
No doubt many of you will have seen the ITV programme Mr Bates vs the Post Office and the ensuing mass media coverage. It tells the heartbreaking story of the over 700 sub-postmasters who were prosecuted with great malice and spite by the Post Office over discrepancies in their accounts, most showing losses that the sub-postmasters were contractually due to repay, regardless of whether they were at fault or not.
Sussex Business Awards - Hyve Managed Hosting - Platinum Media Group
Winners of the ‘International Business of the Year’ at the Sussex Business Awards 2023, co-founders of Hyve, Jon Lucas and Jake Madders, spoke to Platinum about growing a global business and opening new offices in the USA and Germany Can you share the journey of Hyve’s international expansion and what inspired it? Jake: In the early days of Hyve, back when there were only a few employees, we dreamt of opening offices in other parts of the world.
Are employees calling the shots now?
The dynamics of the employer-employee relationship have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, marked by a shift in employees increasingly calling the shots. The recent firing and re-hiring of Sam Altman, the Chief Executive of OpenAI, drew extensive media attention in November 2023, when employees threatened to leave in response to his departure. This highlighted the growing power of employees in influencing corporate decision-making.
A planning debacle
We all know that we have a problem in this country with too many homes required for the space we have available. There is, rightfully, strong resistance to building on green field sites but with so few brown field sites available, we have a problem that will not go away. When a council then decides to expand their remit, as with Wealden Council’s attempt to expand the Ashdown Forest ‘no build area’ by another 7km, they just compound the problem.
Platinum Classics
The Porsche 928 was a revelation to me when l first bought one back in 1992 and having owned a 911 SC immediately prior l, like many others, considered that to be the ultimate Porsche. After ten minutes in my 928 GTS in fire engine red with oatmeal interior with a thumping great 5.0 litre engine, l was hooked. The 928 is now climbing in value with an average 2.8% uplift in value per quarter, therefore around 1% per month.
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