IQ-Magazine-Issue-5

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issue 2 | page 4

IQ welcome 

Welcome to the fifth edition of IQ Business Magazine, a 

quarterly publication that offers insight and inspiration to 

SME business owners in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. 

Despite the snow over the 

first few months of 2013, it 

has been a fantastic start to 

the year for businesses in our 

local region. 

Cambridgeshire and Suffolk 

have both fought off the stark melancholy of a triple dip recession, instead 

instilling a strong sense of optimism with reported resilience in both the 

manufacturing and services sectors. This determination to succeed has been 

evident throughout all sectors, with more and more businesses working together 

to bring about a positive change for the region. 

The Celebration of Business, organised by the Ely Cathedral Business Group, 

paid testament to this, showcasing a wealth of businesses which it brought 

together in one location. Concluding with an evening of networking, in which 

key-note speeches by Bishop of Huntingdon, Rt Rev David Thomson, and 

George Freeman, MP, made further appeals for local business communities to 

remain connected, this event further instilled the region’s message of success. 

Find out more on page 48. 

With business cohesion in mind, it was brilliant to see so many local businesses 

attend IQ Magazine’s first networking event, held at The DoubleTree Hotel in 

Cambridge in April. 

Moving into this area, IQ Magazine hopes to bring together the talents of 

business owners and experts once a quarter to share, link and network with one 

another in an attempt to grow the SME business community further. 

This issue of IQ Magazine not only showcases this positive attitude, but, I 

hope, will also instil a ongoing sense of pride in the strong business capability 

of our region, which, despite the national trend, continues to develop. 

georgie campbell 

georgie@cubiqdesign.co.uk or visit 

www.iqmag.co.uk 

to receive your free issue of iq 

Visit www.iqmag.co.uk and sign up to the IQ database 

to receive your free copy of IQ each quarter. 

FOLLOW ON US TWITTER @iqbusinessmag 

FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/IQBusinessMag 

If you would like to pass any comment on this edition of IQ, or you have any business news 

to report, contact Georgie Campbell on 01638 666432 or email: georgie@cubiqdesign.co.uk 

issue 5 | page 5


issue 2 | page 6

IQ contents 

08 Business overview 

11 could corporation tax changes be good news? 

12 leading the way in innovation 

15 do you know where your employees stand? 

16 going it alone in suffolk 

19 recruitment: anything but easy 

22 a safe place 

27 standing to attention 

31 getting ready for change 

35 having a fit over energy prices 

36 is byod putting your business at risk? 

39 gadget update 

40 the reign of printed promotion 

43 business diary 

48 celebration of business 2013 

56 mixing business and pleasure 

59 hospitality hotspots 

63 the sweet tooth of business 

THe TEAM 

John Treby Creative Director | Gemma Treby Sales and Marketing Director / Editor | Georgie Campbell Content Editor 

Catherine Bradfield Publication Sales | Eugene Hector Designer | Sophie Barnes Designer 

Jess Pack Designer | Matt Cockerton Designerr | Steve Parr Designer | Oli Shilling Designer 

Expert Contributors Glyn Mon Hughes | Paul Brophy | Suffolk Chamber of Suffolk | Jacqui Kemp | Miles Vartan | Scott Thurston 

Emma Fryer | Bob Woodham | Steven Godfrey | David Jaggard | David Donnan 

Cubiqdesign | Goodwin Business Park | Newmarket | CB8 7SQ | 01638 666432 | www.iqmag.co.uk 

issue 5 | page 7

IQ business overview 

Looking forward to a slow, yet productive year ahead, Glyn Mon Hughes 

analyses the business progression across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk 

BUSINESS 

OVERVIEW 

more information 

Visit www.iqmag.co.uk for further 

stories and information 

There’s been a double dip, a long-expected triple 

dip, as well as multiple bailouts and a Eurozone 

crisis, which refuses to go away. Indeed, there 

have been so many black clouds in recent times 

that it’s easy to think that the bright light of 

economic recovery will never shine out over 

British business. 

Yet, reading between the lines of the media 

hype, there are good news stories around, and it 

would appear that Cambridgeshire and Suffolk are leading the way 

in the business optimism stakes. 

“I get annoyed when I hear about triple dip recession,” says 

John Bridge, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chamber of 

Commerce. “We need to look at the positives and remember that 

a recession is only an arithmetical calculation. The underlying 

economy in Cambridgeshire is very stable and we have never been 

in recession. All the froth and rhetoric we hear about the national 

economy doesn’t apply locally.” 

“If anything, we’re hit by a bout of Robert Peston-itis in these parts 

as the media constantly focuses on the negative rather than the 

positive. What we do need, though, is to get our confidence back.” 

Confidence does appear to be seeping back into business, as the 

British Chamber of Commerce’s recent Quarterly Economic 

Survey demonstrated. Following a national survey of 7,000 

businesses, key balances in both the manufacturing and services 

sector improved. Export balances in services were particularly 

resilient, with deliveries and orders close to the all-time high 

achieved in 1994. 

Business confidence and investment are also on the rise, and 

cash flow, though still relatively weak, is now positive for both 

manufacturing and service sector businesses. 

According to Richard Bindless, Policy Director of the Suffolk 

Chamber of Commerce, poor economic growth in the UK’s 

biggest overseas market – Europe – has not been helpful, though he 

believes it can be overcome. 

He states, “We also believe that the government could have done 

more in each of the last two budgets to free up enterprise and 

stimulate economic growth.” 

issue 5 | page 8

IQ business overview 

“There have been some welcome 

measures in the Chancellor’s 

statements, but there are still areas 

for improvement. For example, 

business rates are a major and 

growing expenditure for small 

businesses, and we have called for 

the level to be frozen.” 

The message is much the same from 

John Bridge. “The Chancellor 

should have been bolder in terms 

of what he delivered,” he suggests. 

“He should have looked at doing 

something now by investing in 

infrastructure – roads, railways 

and utilities. He also needs to look 

hard at the welfare budget and the 

overseas aid budget. Everything 

he talks about relates to 2015, 

and we really think he needs to be 

thinking about what needs to be 

done now, as 2015 will look after 

itself.” 

While Mr Bridge considers that 

Cambridgeshire will continue 

to accentuate the positive in the 

coming year, he’s keen for local 

businesses to feel that positivity. 

“It’s time for business to put a foot 

on the accelerator and invest,” he 

says. “Creation of wealth depends 

on this. And it’s a healthy economy 

in these parts which will generate 

the income for the Exchequer.” 

In Suffolk, too, firms have fared 

better than the national trend. 

“Suffolk’s economy has displayed 

a strong degree of resilience to the 

poor economic climate, perhaps 

partly due to the diversity of the 

economy, and partly because a 

number of growth sectors are 

well represented in the county, 

such as food and drink, and 

energy, especially renewables and 

nuclear,” points out Mr Bindless. 

Even so, growth in Suffolk has 

been sluggish and inconsistent. 

Both manufacturing and the 

service sector have, over the last 

year, looked as though they would 

take off, only for the next quarter’s 

survey to show that they had fallen 

back. 

So, in a year’s time, where will 

business be? While the signs 

of recovery are there, the UK 

economy is still not strong enough 

to escape unscathed from a major 

crisis in the Eurozone. 

Worries over Asian economies 

and the continued slow recovery 

in the USA are not helping. Yet 

confidence is increasing. 

According to John Longworth, 

Director General of the British 

Chambers of Commerce, the 

government needs to act quickly to 

find new ways to support business 

confidence and to implement the 

supply-side measures announced 

in the budget to get growth 

moving. 

“It is clear that any growth this 

year will be slow and steady,” he 

says. “It is important this does not 

veer off course. We should not be 

satisfied with a long and tortuous 

road to recovery.” 

He added, “Businesses up and 

down the country are working 

hard to drive the economy, create 

jobs and export, but they cannot 

accelerate this process alone. 

We must be proactive, bold and 

forthright to bolster business and 

foster every shred of growth, 

as this will propel our economy 

forward during the months 

ahead.” 

So, in a 

year’s time, where 

will business be? While the signs 

of recovery are there, the UK economy is 

still not strong enough to escape unscathed from 

a major crisis in the Eurozone. Worries over 

Asian economies and the continued slow 

recovery in the USA are not helping. 

Yet confidence is increasing. 

issue 5 | page 9


issue 2 | page 10

IQ finance 

COULD 

CORPORATION 

TAX CHANGES 

BE GOOD 

NEWS? 

Paul Brophy, Tax Partner at 

Streets Chartered Accountants, 

discusses the advantageous points 

of the 2013 Budget 


Paul Brophy is a Tax Partner with Streets Chartered 

Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy firm. 

Tel: 0845 880 0320 or email info@streetsweb.co.uk 

or visit www.streetsweb.co.uk 

There has been a great deal of press coverage following the 

recent Budget regarding Corporation Tax rates and their 

proposed reduction over the next few years. Whilst the proposals 

will undoubtedly benefit larger companies and multi-national 

businesses looking to invest in the UK, what do they mean for 

smaller businesses? 

The big announcement in the Budget was that the main rate 

of Corporation Tax, which has already been reduced in recent 

years from 28%, is to be further reduced from 24% to 20% by 

April 2015. 

Whilst this will benefit companies with taxable profits of 

£300,000 or over, the tax rate for companies with profits below 

that level will remain unchanged. The changes made since the 

coalition came to power means that the Corporation Tax rate 

will have fallen by 8% for large companies, but by only 1% for 

smaller companies. 

Nonetheless, operating businesses with relatively modest profits 

through a limited company can still be tax efficient, and the 

savings available have increased over recent years due to the 

higher rates of National Insurance now payable by sole traders 

and partnerships. 

Indeed, recent research has shown that small businesses could 

be wasting up to £4.2 billion in tax by operating as a sole trader 

rather than through a company. Taking into account income tax, 

National Insurance and Corporation Tax, tax savings of just 

under £1,900 can be achieved by a business with £30,000 of 

profits for the current year. And, for a business with profits of 

£100,000, the savings can increase to just under £4,900. 

To achieve these tax savings, it is important to make sure that 

monies withdrawn from the company are done so in the most 

tax efficient way. Typically, this would mean that a small salary 

of around £7,500 would be taken, with the rest of the profits 

extracted by way of a dividend. The tax savings could be increased 

further if it were possible to make a spouse a shareholder in the 

company too. In addition, significant deferments of tax can be 

made if some of the profits can be left in the company. 

The main disadvantage to incorporating a business is that 

statutory accounts will need to be filed at Companies House, 

which will mean that limited information about the business 

will be available to the public. And the professional costs of 

completing the company accounts are likely to be higher than 

those for a sole trader. However, the tax savings and the limited 

liability offered by a company will mean that, for many businesses, 

it is well worthwhile considering operating through a company. 

So, whilst the Budget was mainly good news for larger companies, 

the current tax regime means that operating as a company will be 

advantageous for many smaller businesses too. 

issue 5 | page 11


LEADING THE WAY 

IN INNOVATION 

IQ Magazine visits the region’s 

newest development, the 

Haverhill Research Park 


www.haverhillresearchpark.com 

Undergoing one of the largest business developments in 

our region at present, Haverhill looks set to welcome the 

Cambridge Technology Cluster to its environs with the 

opening of its new 30-acre Research Park in November. 

Launching a new home for technology companies, this 

prestigious park is proud to offer a unique build-ondemand 

process, with four major development plots 

proposed on the park, each incorporating the potential to 

increase square footage if required. 

Developed by Carisbrooke Investments, who have 

completed similar projects including the Haverhill Business 

Park, the Essex University Research Park, the Cambridge 

Research Park and Buckingway Business Park, the £100m 

park offers a high quality landscaped environment where 

people and businesses can interact and thrive. 

Also providing 450,000 sq ft of commercial 

accommodation for office, laboratory and technology 

space at the park’s central Innovation Centre, Haverhill 

Research Park has opened its doors to a wide spectrum of 

companies from start-ups to global players. 

Located just 10 miles from the A11 South Cambridge 

Science Park cluster, the Park and Innovation Centre will 

provide good quality, cost effective business solutions for 

those looking to adopt a new residence within the CB 

postcode area. 

Acting as the focal point for the Research Park, the 

Innovation Cepntre will be a major driver for the future 

success of the Park. Providing a range of facilities, 

including a variety of offices, R & D units, hot desks, 

virtual offices, meeting rooms and conference suites as well 

as business planning and development support for start-up 

companies, the Centre is set to welcome a diverse mix. 

Working with a wide range of potential partners, including 

St Edmundsbury Borough Council, MENTA and the 

Chamber of Commerce, Haverhill Research Park has 

recently confirmed its involvement with University 

Campus Suffolk (UCS) which has said that it will have a 

footprint within the Innovation Centre. Not only is this 

brilliant news for the Park itself, but for Haverhill which, 

issue 5 | page 12


with the presence of UCS, will now become a 

university town. 

Professional Bendon Noble of UCS, says, “UCS 

requires vehicles for research outputs. The 

proposed development would represent one of 

those vehicles.” 

Working as a charitable trust with St 

Edmundsbury Borough Council, Haverhill Town 

Council and other public sector stakeholders, the 

Innovation Centre aims to form and strengthen 

links between academia and business by creating 

a community for innovation. 

This public/private partnership proposal, which 

would add 300 jobs to the envisaged 1,600 on the 

Research Park, will operate on a not-for-profit 

basis, with any surplus reinvested in the centre’s 

facilities. 

Supported by many key figures in East Anglia, the 

Innovation Centre’s opening is highly anticipated. 

Matthew Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, says, 

“The centre will be a unique asset for the region 

and the UK more widely, and will maximise 

the economic impact of the enormous scientific 

expertise in the surrounding area. 

“East Anglia has already produced many thriving, 

innovative start-up businesses. The proposed 

Innovation Centre will form the heart of the 

Research Park, and will be hugely valuable 

in ensuring that high-tech growth in the area 

continues.” 

Well placed to take advantage of other centres of 

excellence within the region, Haverhill Research 

Park anticipates a prosperous future. Situated 

adjacent to the Spirit of Enterprise roundabout 

on the east side of the town, the project offers 

a low density and high quality landscaped 

environment for all to enjoy. 

Also providing 150 new homes to the region, 

Carisbrooke Investments has exchanged contracts 

with Taylor Wimpey East Anglia, which is now 

embarking on a residential scheme to provide a 

wide range of houses from starter units through 

to executive homes. 

Bryn Maidman, Managing Director of Taylor 

Wimpey East Anglia, says, “This is an exciting 

opportunity for us to play an important part in 

the future of Haverhill Research Park and to 

provide much needed housing for local residents. 

“Our new scheme will enjoy a prestigious 

location at the home of several world renowned 

companies, and will be situated within easy reach 

of Cambridge.” 

On completion, the 30 acres at Haverhill 

Research Park will provide up to 2,000 jobs and 

homes for over 350 people, making this one of 

our region’s most exciting ventures at present. 

Set to open in November 2013, the £100m 

park is one step in the right direction for the 

region’s business community. Coming to fruition 

after many years of planning by Carisbrooke 

Investments MD, Nic Rumsey, this project is 

close to the heart of both Nic himself and the 

Haverhill community, providing opportunities 

for all. 

issue 5 | page 13

IQ law 

DO YOU KNOW WHERE 

YOUR EMPLOYEES STAND? 

Burnett Barker Solicitors looks at the effect on 

employment through recent governmental changes 

With recent changes to employment law imposed by the 

government in April this year, statutory payment rates, 

redundancy, dismissal, equality and parental leave have come 

under scrutiny, but do you know where you stand as an employer? 

Increase in Parental Leave 

From 8th March, parents have 

been able to take a maximum of 

18 weeks unpaid parental leave per 

child, rather than 13 weeks, as the 

Parental Leave Directive has been 

implemented in the UK. Parents 

are still able to take a maximum of 

four weeks leave per year. 

Equality Act Amendments 

In March 2013, the government decided to 

make two amendments to the Equality Act 

2010. The first is to repeal the third party 

harassment provisions, under which a worker 

has a claim against his employer if they are 

harassed by a third party, such as a customer 

or supplier, on three occasions, and their 

employer does nothing about it. 

The second change is to abolish the 

discrimination questionnaire procedure. 

Employees will still be able to put questions to 

their employers and tribunals will still be able 

to take the responses into account. 

Increases in Statutory 

Payment Rates 

Although statutory payment rates 

increase at the start of every tax 

year, for the next three years they 

will be limited to a 1% increase. 

As of April, statutory sick pay 

increased to £86.70 per week and 

statutory maternity, paternity and 

adoption pay to £136.78. 

Collectiv e Redundancy 

Consultation 

Where 20 or more redundancies 

are planned within a 90-day period, 

an employer must follow additional 

procedures, such as consulting with 

representative of the employee. 

Previously, if 100 or more employees 

were involved, consultation had to last 

at least 90 days; however, this has now 

reduced to 45 days. 


Contact Burnett Barker Solicitors 

for your guide to Employment Law 

Facts & Figures April 2013. Please 

email law@burnettbarker.co.uk and 

quote ‘IQ Article May 2013’. 

Protection for Those 

Dismissed for Political Reasons 

As from April, anyone dismissed for 

their political opinions or affiliation 

will not need two years’ employment in 

order to bring an unfair dismissal claim. 

A dismissal for this reason will not be 

automatically unfair; unfairness will be 

judged in the usual way, and normal 

levels of compensation will apply. 

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general 

awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or 

professional advice. The law may have changed since this 

article was published. Readers should not act on the basis 

of the information included and should take appropriate 

professional advice upon their own particular circumstances. 

issue 5 | page 15

IQ current affairs 

GOING IT 

ALONE IN 

SUFFOLK 

IQ talks to ALEX TILL of Menta about why Suffolk 

is an ideal location for starting up a new business 

The demise of Business Link in November 2011 

came as a hammer blow for thousands of SME 

business owners who relied on the organisation’s 

army of 1600 experts for sound advice and 

guidance. At about the same time, the Coalition 

Government announced its plans to replace 

the service with a band of volunteers and a 

website, whilst demand from businesses and 

entrepreneurs was at a record high at around 

10,000 people each week. 

In the wake of the closure, enterprise agencies 

were still there to manage demand from businesses 

to cope with the challenges of the economic 

slow-down, but interestingly, and despite the 

economic doom and gloom, organisations, such 

as Menta in Bury St Edmunds, are reporting 

healthy numbers of enquiries from start-up 

businesses. 

“Since the closing of Business Link offices across 

the country, Menta, like many other enterprise 

agencies and business support organisations has 

seen an increase in business support demand,” 

says Menta’s chief executive Alex Till. 

“This, along with a pro-active approach and 

strong partnership arrangements with other 

organisations, has allowed me to re-evaluate 

the support we offer businesses and enterprises 

across the county, and introduce new services. 

“I am in the privileged position of seeing new 

and emerging businesses, and determined, 

enthusiastic entrepreneurs forge ahead into the 

world of trade and commerce.” 

Established in 1984, Menta has a strong presence 

in the region. Alex sees it as his job to assess new 

trends and the needs of emerging businesses in 

order to encourage them to start up, develop or 

settle in Suffolk. 

“I find that the challenge for support agencies 

across the UK is to identify demand and growth 

trends. We focus most on those people looking 

to start a business, listen to concerns, understand 

barriers, and have a strong working knowledge 

of our local economic and demographic needs. 

“In truth, new and emerging businesses basing 

themselves in Suffolk have a number of factors in 

their favour. Business owners are well placed for 

access to London, rents tend to be cheaper and 

we are very close to Europe – just a 30-minute 

flight away. There is a fairly wealthy local client 

base, and we have an excellent quality of life. 

“Over the past 12 months, we have seen two 

strongly emerging demographics. Currently 

more than 30% of new businesses based in 

the area are run by those from the over 50s 

age group, something that I would imagine is 

mirrored across the UK. 

“However, I can also see that there is a steady 

increase in the number of school-leavers 

attracted to setting up their own enterprises. 

They are particularly interested in what many 

would see as non-traditional businesses, such as 

online services, music and media based industries 

and bespoke creatives, such as textile printing and 

high-end, limited-edition dressmaking. These are 

issue 5 | page 16


all areas we can support with new partnerships 

created with experts such as music producers, 

film-makers and independent fashion designers. 

“Looking at the statistics recently, things have 

also moved away from complementary therapies 

and the softer skill businesses, and the trend over 

the past 12 months has been that we have seen 

more independent professional service providers, 

such as qualified chartered surveyors, financial 

controllers and HR professionals. We have also 

seen a levelling of the male-female divide to an 

almost 50:50 split rather than a significant female 

lead. 

“Yet this sort of achievement needs hard work, 

and what I have to remind people is that Menta, 

along with all the others support agencies around 

the country, cannot make successful businesses 

and entrepreneurs. But what we can do is ensure 

that the support, advice and assistance we offer 

is current, appropriate and first class. We make 

it our policy to understand the national and 

local economies, to know our client base and to 

remain constantly aware of the new industries 

and business sectors that are emerging. 

“We help individuals become the best business 

people they can be. Being a brilliant web designer, 

child minder, IT engineer or accountant doesn’t 

automatically mean you will have a robust, 

thriving business. We support and advise. We 

identify needs and help new, emerging and 

established businesses to become an important 

part of our future local and national economy.” 

What I have to remind people is 

that Menta, along with all the other 

support agencies around the country, 

cannot make successful businesses 

and entrepreneurs, but what we can 

do is ensure that the support, advice 

and assistance we offer is current, 

appropriate and first-class. 


Contact Menta at 0800 085 5090 or email: info@menta.org.uk. Website: www.menta.org.uk 

issue 5 | page 17


issue 2 | page 18

IQ recruitment 

RECRUITMENT: 

ANYTHING BUT EASY 

Discussing the tougher side of business growth, Jacqui Kemp 

of About HR tackles recruitment 

I recently 

managed three 

vacancies for 

a client, which 

brought nearly 

150 CVs through 

my inbox in 

January this 

year. Without 

having a decent 

process to handle 

applications, I 

would have been 

lost. 

All applicants, 

whether they 

are shortlisted 

for interview 

or not, could 

bring a claim of 

discrimination 

against you, so 

it is important 

to use neutral 

language in an 

advert, and to 

have a transparent 

process for 

shortlisting and 

interviewing. 

more 

information 

www.abouthruk.co.uk 

Create a long list... 

I quickly scan and score each CV using a matrix scoring system in Excel. 

This creates a long list of CVs that can be reviewed in more depth later. 

To create your matrix, start by defining 5 or 6 criteria to score all applicants against. 

• Is the applicant eligible to work in the UK? Job boards ask applicants 

about this. If you are advertising the vacancy yourself, then you need to 

ask that in the advert. If you aren’t a sponsoring employer, you won’t be 

able to recruit someone who is not eligible to work in the UK. STOP 

reading the CV if they are not eligible to work and you are unable to 

sponsor them. Score 1 if they can work in the UK. 

• Another criteria to use is ‘how engaged is the applicant?’ If the applicant 

does not personalise their covering letter by mentioning your organisation 

and their interests, or how their skills fit your needs, then they could 

be playing a numbers game and seeing what sticks. I like to know that 

the person applying understands something about the business or the 

requirements to do this role. Score this out of 3. 

• The other criteria I select are job specific, so if there are essential skills 

required to do the job, then look for evidence of the person having 

experience in that area. I give each item a score out of 3. 

Set up folders in your email system with rules to send emails with the job title 

into the folder. Review the number of CVs received regularly, and, once you 

have a good batch for one position, start to score on the matrix. 

Scan each CV against your matrix to create your long-list. After the closing 

date, review the top CVs with your interview panel to get a maximum of 3 

interviews per job. Never interview on a one to one basis, as this leaves you 

open to claims of discrimination. 

NEVER recruit if the applicants do not fit the bill. It is far better to start 

again by reviewing the job description, than it is to hire the wrong person for 

the job. Short term pain now will avoid the long term pain that comes with 

performance managing someone who just isn’t cut out for the job. 

issue 5 | page 19

DOES YOUR 

COMPANY COMPLY? 

Scott Thurston of The Qualifications Centre talks to IQ 

Magazine about the importance of the magic number five 

IQ business advice 

In this red tape filled world we live in, do you know 

what kind of training you should be providing as 

an employer? 

As a catch-all, The Health & Safety Act 1974, 

Section 2 (2) c states that employers must ensure ‘the 

provision of such information, instruction, training 

and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as 

is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at 

work of his employees’. 

In layman’s terms, if your employee is likely to 

encounter a risk that can be foreseen, they should 

undergo some form of training in that area. 

For example, if there is a possibility that a fire may 

break out, then someone in the workplace should be 

trained to deal with such an occurrence. They don’t 

necessarily need to be trained in how to put the fire 

out, but, as a minimum, they should be trained in 

how to reduce the spread of the fire and how to get 

people out of the building as safely as possible. 

The same theory applies to Food Safety Training for 

Food Handlers, First Aid Training for First Aiders, 

and so on. 

So the training is needed, but what training? It generally works as follows, although 

some subjects only go as far as level 2: 

It is recommended 

that all staff should 

hold a level 1 

qualification if the 

subject applies to 

their workplace. 

Those with a 

hands on role 

within the subject 

should hold a level 

2 qualification or 

higher. 

Those in a 

supervisory 

role should 

hold a level 3 

qualification 

where possible. 

Those in a 

management role, 

overseeing staff, 

should hold level 

4 qualifications or 

higher. 

But - and this is a crucial ‘but’ - at what point does this 

all become a must, as opposed to a recommendation? 

For the majority of compliance training, it’s all about 

the magic number 5. When you reach 5 employees, 

there are specific legislative requirements that must 

be adhered to. 

You must at this point ensure that you have a Health 

and Safety Policy, and that the person writing it 

holds the correct knowledge necessary – so training 

is essential. 

This Health and Safety Policy should include Fire 

Safety and First Aid. If the Policy states that actions 

are to be taken by certain individuals, then those 

taking the actions need to be trained. 

If you use subcontractors, you must make sure that 

either they themselves adhere to your policies and 

procedures, or that they are included in them. 

As an employer, the key thing to remember is that 

for as long as you neglect to train your employees, if 

or when something goes wrong, it will be you that is 

held responsible, and this could potentially result in 

fines and/or imprisonment, so don’t get caught out. 


The Qualifications Centre, 8 Hazlewell Court, Bar Road, Bar 

Hill, Lolworth, Cambridge, CB23 8DS. Tel: 0800 024 8678. 

www.thequalificationscentre.com. 

issue 5 | page 21

IQ health showcase and safety 

A SAFE PLACE 

Miles Vartan says businesses 

need to understand the law on 

health and safety and ensure 

they are offering a 

duty of care to 

employees 

As a new car driver I 

remember the first time that 

I drove in thick fog at night. 

It was the late 1970s, and the 

road between Stansted to 

Ugley was a particularly unfriendly place to be, with deep 

ditches either side of a windy road and no cats-eyes. When 

I turned the headlights onto full-beam, I was confronted by 

a wall of fog… 

After many years of working in line management and now 

advising on practical Health & Safety solutions, the ‘fog’ 

conundrum is one that I frequently get asked to resolve by 

directors as they try to understand how to comply with the 

law and provide a sufficient duty of care to their employees 

and others. 

Once asked to assist in developing a company’s health and 

safety policy by the respective business owner or director, 

I, like all competent advisors, will undertake a thorough 

audit; the output providing a list of priorities and 

action points. The key then is to make sure the 

respective issues are resolved and the company 

steps forward towards a safer future for all 

concerned. 

The debate as to what companies should have to 

adhere to in terms of responsibilities and obligations 

continues as reported in the press, discussed in Parliament 

and promoted by the Health & Safety fraternity. How the 

landscape will look in the future is becoming clearer – 

some of the established principles will remain the same as 

highlighted here. 


Miles Vartan Consultancy Ltd, Epsilon House, West Road, Ransomes 

Europark, Ipswich, IP3 9FJ. Tel: 01473 276175. 

Website: www.milesvartan.co.uk. Twitter: @milesvartan 

issue 52 | page 22

IQ health IQ and showcase safety 

safety 

principles 

3 

Make sure that any 

machinery, vehicles 

and tools needed to 

complete tasks are 

kept in safe condition 

and not used if unsafe 

1 

Provide a safe 

environment place 

for employees 

and others to 

work in 

4 

Ensure that the 

appropriate level 

of supervision is 

provided at all times 

with supervisors who 

‘get ‘health and safety’ 

2 

Make sure that all 

stakeholders are 

aware of the risks 

they face at work and 

what safe working 

practices they should 

follow 

5 

Provide ways in 

which health and 

safety observations 

can be passed to you 

and feedback can be 

passed back to the 

observer 

“Every observation leads to a conversation.” 

A number of high level projects sponsored by the government, including 

Lord Young’s ‘Common Sense; Common Safety’ and The Loftstedt’s Review 

made key recommendations some of which have been fully implemented. 

The reporting of 

injuries under 

RIDDOR being 

extended from three 

to seven days 

Easier 

to read 

legislation 

Guidance based on 

common sense and 

proportionality 

The momentum that has been gained to improve clarity, remove red-tape and to de-mystify 

legislation will continue during 2013; however inevitable virtual roundabouts will be and have been 

placed enroute for businesses to manoeuvre around as best as they can. One of the latest is FFI (Fee 

for Intervention). This arrangement provides a route for HSE Field Officers to charge £124 per 

hour in relation to the investigation of indentified contraventions. Make sure that your Health & 

Safety Policy is robust, practical and adhered to by all employees and prove to yourself that any such 

contraventions can be eliminated. 

issue 52 | page 23


issue 2 | page 24


BURY ST 

EDMUNDS 

WELCOMES 

HOT-DESKING 

IQ Magazine investigates the latest phase 

of the Northgate Business Centre 

The Bury St Edmunds’ Farmers Club is pleased 

to announce the roll-out of the latest phase of its 

Northgate Business Centre office suite complex. 

New suite conversions have now been completed 

and are available as long-term serviced office hire 

and as ‘hot-desk’ short-term desk lets. These new 

offices offer a range of 3-10 ‘desk’ suites, and also 

allow the Club to offer a new ’hot-desk’ service. 

For the first time in Bury St Edmunds, business 

people will be able to rent a ‘hot desk’ by the hour, 

in a professional working environment, a model 

already popular in London. 

The Farmers Club was originally set up for 

local businessmen and farmers in 1947, when its 

membership was drawn from the farming and 

agricultural industries most prevalent during this 

period. Over time, there has been a transition to a 

more diverse range of businesses, and John Howell, 

Club Chairman, sees this current move as part of 

the evolution of the Club and its building. 

John explains: “It’s important for us to still offer the 

traditional values that the Farmers Club has always 

embodied, but, at the same time, we need to 

embrace modern working and offer the amenities 

that will help businesses in this day and age.” 

To help achieve this evolution, the Farmers Club has 

been working with Bury St Edmunds born virtual 

services company, Virtual Head Office Ltd, which 

offers head office services to small businesses on a 

pay-as-you-go basis, from reception, to accountancy 

and telemarketing. 

Lynette Bucknall, Director of Virtual Head Office 

says: “We know there is a demand for desk space on 

an ad hoc basis. Many of our existing customers find 

themselves in a situation where they are in the area 

for a couple of appointments and have a couple of 

hours to spare inbetween. They need a professional 

environment where they can turn up and be able 

to get on with their work as if they’re in their own 

office.” 

The business centre, which will also offer serviced 

offices for hire on a monthly let basis, will be 

equipped with WiFi, printers, photocopying and 

faxing facilities and also has on-site parking and use 

of the restaurant and bar. 

Both Virtual Head Office and Bury St Edmunds’ 

Farmers Club are eagerly anticipating the 

opportunity to work together closely, as this will 

enable them to add value to their existing customer 

base and their membership respectively. 


If you have any enquiries about the business centre, hot-desking or office rental, please contact The Farmers Club, 

10 Northgate Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1HQ. Tel: 01284 363053. www.bsefc.co.uk 

issue 5 | page 25


issue 2 | page 26

IQ IQ current showcase affairs 

STANDING TO ATTENTION 

Wresting with interruptions herself whilst writing, Emma Fryer of Answer It, 

reveals the importance of Attention Management 

Businesses are bombarded with interruptions on a day-to-day basis, and with the rise of portable 

technology, it seems there are fewer places, if any, to escape to. Email, phones ringing, instant messages 

and SMS alerts are just some of the interruptions to battle against in today’s fast paced world. 

Time has and will always be our most finite resource, yet it has been estimated that interruptions consume 

almost one third of our working day. An interruption, by definition, is ‘an obstruction or hindrance’ yet in 

reality it is nothing more than an unexpected event. 

Many people categorise interruptions in two categories – good and bad – reflecting whether you are 

the one doing the interruption (good) or are the one being interrupted (bad); however, the process of 

interruptions can now be categorised as follows: 

Total Interruption 

This can come in the 

form of a telephone 

conversation 

or arrival of an 

unexpected guest. 

In this instance, no 

focus remains on the 

original task. 

Dominant 

Interruption 

Maintaining a small 

amount of focus, this 

form of interruption 

allows the original 

task to develop in the 

back of the mind, 

whilst another task is 

completed, e.g. going 

for a walk. 

Partial Distraction 

This is seen when 

attention is drawn 

away from the original 

task momentarily, 

letting it proceed, 

but in a slow and 

less accurate state. 

The arrival of a text 

message or email 

would constitute. 

Background 

Activities 

Similar to Partial 

Distraction, but 

without the intensity, 

activities, such as 

listening to music, 

may slow the process 

of the original task, 

whilst allowing it to 

continue. 

Dealing with these differing types of interruptions is important. Approximately 73% of people deal with 

them immediately to experience a sense of closure. Although this is admirable, the original task is bound 

to suffer. 

Researched by Franck Tetard of the Institute of Advanced Management Systems Research Centre in 

Finland, it has been suggested that 60% of interruptions can add between 10 minutes to 1 hour to any 

given workload. The recovery time, depending on the intensity of the interruption and the original task, is 

estimated to be between 5 minutes and 30 minutes. 

The impact on all sorts of businesses is clear; time is being lost. Everyone could do without interruptions 

while working, whether to minimise risk from a safety or, indeed, quality perspective. 

The most pressing of these is the telephone. Being called as you are due to go into a meeting, responding 

to a detailed email or preparing a proposal, can often mean you’re distracted when answering the phone, 

reducing the value to the caller and the task in hand simultaneously. 

If you would like this Total Interruption taken care of and help with your ‘Attention Management,’ the 

team at Answer-it (‘The Answerettes’) are ready to be interrupted! 


www.answer-it.co.uk 

issue 25 | page 27


issue 2 | page 28


DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS 

ON YOUR DOORSTEP? 

telecoms 

IT experts 

security 

graphic design 

bookkeeping 

Encouraging community and locality within the region, Miles Vartan from 

the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce explains how to get your business noticed 

The Heseltine Report published in October 2012 

has a key theme running through it. Suffolk County 

Council has recently launched a Growth Strategy 

that talks about it. The New Anglia Local Enterprise 

Partnership, which your Chamber works together with, 

has been charged with delivering it. But what is ‘it’? 

‘It’ equals driving the economy forward by ensuring 

that the effectiveness of both private and public 

sectors can be maximised. When your business needs 

‘something’ you should be able to source it locally at a 

competitive price and at a level of quality that reduces 

the need to look further afield. 

Therefore, how can you locate a local business to 

meet your requirements? Speak to your Chamber of 

Commerce and register on their Supply Chain Portals 

to ensure you are fully up to speed. 

The challenge for all those in business who are fighting 

their way through these challenging economic times is 

to ensure that buyers in both private and public sectors 

know about you. 

Have a persuasive offering that is based firmly on 

quality products and services. Encourage your 

employees to adopt innovative ways of working and 

continually drive up their skill base. Your Chamber of 

Commerce is the voice of business and is here to help, 

but there has to be a degree of getting out there and 

actually doing it – make buyers want to use you! 

Whatever your political persuasion, one of Michael 

Heseltine’s comments is probably right... ‘As the saying 

goes, we are all in it together.’ 


www.suffolkchamber.co.uk 

issue 5 | page 29


GETTING READY 

FOR CHANGE 

Jacqui Kemp 

of About HR 

looks forward to 

further change in 

employment law 

Employment Law is a hot topic this year with 

the introduction of new legislation following on 

from the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill. 

Looking back to the start of the year the 

proposed Employee Shareholder Contracts 

have now been delayed until September 

after the House of Lords voted against the 

proposal to introduce employee-owner or 

employee-shareholder contracts, which are now 

anticipated to come into force on 1st September. 

The recently renamed DBS checks, formerly 

known as CRB checks, were due to go online 

in March, making them transferable from one 

employer to the next. However, this has now 

been delayed until the summer. 

Looking forward to the summer months, 

additional proposals include the planned 

changes to the Enterprise and Regulatory 

Reform Bill. These changes have not yet 

received Parliamentary approval, and are 

currently expected in the summer months. 

These amendments are intended to reduce 

the number of Tribunal claims (186,300 

Employment Tribunal claims were received 

between March 2011 and April 2012). 

THE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE: 

• Compromise agreements will be renamed 

‘settlement agreements’. ACAS will provide a Code 

of Practice for the use of settlement agreements. 

• The majority of appeals to the Employment Appeals 

Tribunal will be heard by a judge sitting alone. 

• Whistleblowing claims will only be protected if the 

disclosure is made in the public interest. 

• Employment Tribunal Fees will apply. These will 

depend on the nature of the claim, and whether 

it is an individual claim or part of a multiple claim. 

Proposed fees include: 

• An issue fee of £160 or £250, depending on the claim; 

• A hearing fee of £230 or £950; 

• An Employment Appeal Tribunal issue fee of £400; 

• An Employment Appeal Tribunal hearing fee of £1200. 

• Tribunals will have the power to set financial 

penalties. The unsuccessful party may be ordered to 

reimburse fees paid by the successful party, and 

where a Tribunal considers there are ‘aggravating 

features’, such as malice or negligence, employers 

may face a financial penalty of £1,000 to £5,000. 

• Employees will have to notify ACAS before making 

a Tribunal claim, to allow ACAS to offer their 

support in resolving the dispute (Jan 2014). 

Action 

Carrying out an audit of your employee management systems will help to identify areas 

of risk to your business. Employment policies and procedures should be robust and in 

line with current legislation. 

Policies that are applied consistently and fairly across the business will help to reduce 

the risk of receiving a Tribunal claim. Ensuring your managers are able to effectively 

communicate with your employees and are trained in handling conflict and difficult 

situations will help avoid the misunderstandings that can lead to Tribunal claims. 


www.abouthruk.co.uk 

issue 5 | page 31


issue 2 | page 32

IQ business advice 

DON'T TAKE 

CHANCES WITH 

NON-ACCREDITED 

CERTIFICATION 

Bob Woodham of CambsQuality Ltd discusses the dangers of non-accredited certification 

An issue that is frequently apparent is that there are a 

number of certification bodies in the UK that provide 

certificates that are not accredited by the Government, 

which in practice means by the United Kingdom 

Accreditation Service (UKAS). 

In practical terms, this gives the wrong impression 

to your potential clients regardless of how good your 

systems are, and could cause you to be blocked from 

quoting for work without you being aware of it. 

There are many reasons why your organisation may 

be intending to gain certification to standards, such 

as ISO 9001 (quality) or ISO 14001 (environmental). 

Often these are a client requirement, or they may be 

beneficial to your organisation for marketing purposes. 

No matter what your reasons, if certification applies, 

it needs to be with a certification body that is UKAS 

recognised. 

The route to UKAS accredited certification is not 

as difficult as you might first image. Identifying your 

business’ EA code is the first step, which can be 

found through the UKAS website. This code is used 

to categorise organisations into groups, for example 

construction or IT, which enables easily understanding 

of certification requirements. From the UKAS website, 

you will also be able to locate accredited certification 

bodies that can certify to your relevant EA code. 

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? As well as the credibility 

pitfall from non-accredited certification bodies, some 

businesses can fall short of procedural error when 

undergoing the wrong certification, which are then 

audited against. 

Procedures can be given that are completely irrelevant 

to the business; documents have been found which 

were written for a different organisation, and this has 

become apparent only when looking at the document 

properties which have been found to retain a previous 

customer of the non-accredited certification body. 

With so much room for error, the safest and most cost 

effective way of retaining your business’ day to day 

practice and profitability is to ensure that you have 

approached a certified body. This information is readily 

available online and accessible by the UKAS website. 


CambsQuality, St. John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, 

Cambridge, CB4 0WS. Tel: 01223 421366. www.cambsquality.com. 

issue 5 | page 33

IQ energy 

HAVING A FIT OVER ENERGY PRICES 

Steven Godfrey of Auditel talks to IQ Magazine about the upcoming rise in energy prices 

and the damaging impact on business 

Finance directors and business owners should try the 

following exercise – assume energy costs of double the 

current level, then re-run your P&L. If this makes for ugly 

viewing, then read on. 

The UK has two legally binding ‘green’ energy targets 

to achieve – the EU’s Renewables Directive and the 

UK’s domestic carbon emission reduction target (34% 

reduction by 2020). 

Government policy is to encourage investment in 

renewable energy sources by subsidising their installation 

and output, then recouping these costs via surcharges on 

consumer’s bills. 

Climate Change Levy (CCL) has been with us for years. 

Householders with roof PV panels should already be 

receiving Feed In Tariff (FIT) payments, which, until 

now, meant the energy companies absorbed the cost of 

paying these into their charging structure. 

The sums involved are now too large to make this 

palatable, so FIT and RO (Renewables Obligation) 

charges will begin to appear as separate line items. This 

will make renewable energy sources comparably more 

attractive, increasing uptake, which will further increase 


Contact Steven Godfrey steven.godfrey@auditel.co.uk or call 07715 356651. 

surcharges on conventional sources - and so on. 

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) 

estimates that by 2020 ‘green’ policies alone will increase 

SME electricity costs by 43%, and gas costs by 24%. 

Please note that this solely addresses surcharges added to 

the underlying energy price - last autumn, energy prices 

increased by up to 11%. 

Unless mitigated by shale gas or energy saving 

technologies it is foreseeable that commercial energy bills 

could double by 2020. 

Energy-intensive industries are likely to enjoy certain 

protections; however, other sectors should be thinking in 

terms of incorporating energy management into their 

forward planning and working practices. The Carbon 

Trust’s website (www.carbontrust.com) is a useful starting 

point. 

Energy is no longer simply a matter of installing a pipe or 

cable and hoping for the best. Being properly ‘switched 

on’ about energy will require an integrated policy of 

renewable generation, usage management and active 

procurement - all of which might require professional 

advice. 

issue 5 | page 35

IQ technology 

IS BYOD PUTTING 

YOUR BUSINESS 

AT RISK? 

IT Consultant, David Jaggard, discusses the pros and 

cons of the Bring Your Own Device business culture 

Such is our desire to stay in 

touch with the office that we 

can read work emails from 

the beach, tweak tomorrow’s 

presentation from the coffee 

shop and chat to customers via 

Skype from the kitchen. 

But David Jaggard, director of 

IT consultancy Fluid, says that 

the high level of connectivity 

enjoyed by workforces can lead 

to a number of data protection 

issues. 

“There are numerous benefits 

to be gained by using mobile 

devices, but companies do 

need to adopt a level of 

caution and ensure they have 

clear policies in place when 

it comes to data protection,” 

says Jaggard, whose company 

supplies IT solutions to a wide 

range of customers, many of 

whom need high levels of data 

protection. 

Bring Your Own Devices 

(BYOD) is the term used to 

describe employees using 

personal equipment for 

business purposes. The term 

covers devices such as smart 

phones, laptops or tablets, but 

can also apply to business calls 

made from home or accessing 

customers’ contact details 

stored on a smart phone. 

Developing an appropriate 

BYOD policy should be 

a priority for businesses, 

and considering the speed 

of change, a high level of 

adaptability should be built in. 

Many companies will find their 

staff already use BYOD on an 

informal and uncontrolled basis 

and this, says Jaggard, is the 

biggest threat to company data. 

As a minimum level of control, 

the management should be 

raising awareness of potential 

problems among staff. 

Awareness of data protection 

risks such as leaving a laptop on 

a train, or losing a smartphone 

when out shopping, will at least 

encourage staff to take care 

with personal devices. 

But there are some very real 

risks with BYOD. Historically, 

the employer has been the 

controller of data and its 

security. This becomes difficult 

when the data is stored on 

an employee’s smartphone. 

Can the employer say that the 

employee cannot take their 

phone to the pub? The simple 

answer is “no”, but then would 

the customer want their details 

in a potentially unsecured 

environment? Again, we must 

assume the answer is “no”. 

So, Jaggard suggests some 

simple solutions that will help 

to lower risk: 

Staff awareness is key. Outline 

the extent of permitted use 

of personal devices and any 

limitations – for example a 

personal device might be used 

to access, but not store data. 

Emphasise the importance of 

reporting any lost or stolen 

devices. Staff who are leaving 

the company must return or 

erase any business data, and 

they should be warned that 

the employer can access any 

personal devices used for 

company business. 

Within the company policy on 

BYOD, ensure the sanctions 

for breaching data protection 

are known and understood by 

all staff. 

But, Jaggard stresses that 

BYOD is not a development 

to be nervous about. It allows 

workers a greater degree of 

flexibility and intelligent use 

of time, and, with buy-in and 

a degree of responsibility from 

all staff, there is no reason why 

BYOD should be anything but 

a company benefit. 


Visit www.iqmag.co.uk for more business news 

issue 5 | page 36

issue 2 | page 37 

IQ showcase


issue 2 | page 38

IQ technology 

GADGET UPDATE 

David Donnan, Managing Director of Igentics, a full service digital agency 

in Cambridge, puts a new gadget and business app to the test 

SuperTooth HD Voice 

£59 l Available from Amazon.co.uk 

Initial impressions 

Good quality packaging, with the product clearly visible. 

I gave it a quick test at my desk, paired to my iPhone 4. It 

used the voice dialling capability of the phone, working 

quickly and easily. 

I then tried it in the car. Many modern cars, like mine, 

have Bluetooth capability; in fact, the last four cars I 

have had, have had factory fitted Bluetooth and, without 

exception, it has been pretty poor. I think the general rule 

is that unless you’re stationary, then it is not a very good 

solution. 

This is where the Supertooth comes in. Clipping (via a 

handy magnet) to the sun visor, the microphone is very 

close to the driver’s mouth. I spoke to several people, 

switching between the in-car system and the Supertooth, 

and everyone commented on the fact that the quality was 

much better via the Supertooth. 

On the move, the system is simple and unobtrusive. It can 

be controlled via voice commands to a degree, although 

my iPhone took over, which meant that the advanced 

functions of the unit were unavailable. 

Other features can be enabled via the manufacturer’s 

website, which allow the system to read and write text 

messages, emails and Facebook and 

Twitter updates. This service is 

free for six months. It can also 

be used to stream music from a 

compatible device, or the output 

from a satnav. Given the quality 

of the speaker, I doubt many 

people will choose to do this. 

Summary 

If you don’t have a Bluetooth kit 

in your car, then this is a good 

choice. The ease of use and 

quality of speech are what makes 

this a good product. 

Dragon Dictate App 

Free l Download from iTunes 

Initial Impressions 

Talking to the computer, the 

stuff of dreams! Like many 

smartphone and tablet users, I 

find having to type more than a 

few lines very annoying; speech 

recognition could be the answer. 

Dragon Dictate claims to be up 

to five times faster than typing 

on a keyboard. With simple 

integration into email, text 

messages, social media and other 

applications, this could be just the thing for the job. 

A typically painless ios app install. In use the system sends 

your voice across the Internet for processing. The downside 

is that a decent connection is needed for the system to work. 

In my tests I found anything less than 3g and the system 

took far too long to be worthwhile. I had high hopes that 

this would allow me to send text messages from my car. I 

found, however, that unless the car was stationary the speech 

recognition was very inaccurate to the point of hilarity. 

However in a quiet room, speaking slowly, then the 

recognition is much better, so in the right situations some 

people will find it very useful. 

Summary 

I tried to dictate this review from home in my kitchen with 

a normal level of background noise. Although the speech 

was recognised, it seemed to be affected by the slightest 

sounds making it an impractical tool to use when on the go. 

Although I’m sure if I spoke even more slowly, then it would 

be even better. I will, however, be deleting it. 


Igentics offers clients a wide variety of digital services, whether to develop 

their current website or build a larger SEO strategy, and social media 

solutions. Current clients include Cambridge University Press, IPA, Norgren, 

Marley Eternit, Britvic and the University of Cambridge. 

Igentics Ltd, First and Second Floor, Boltons Warehouse, 23 Tenison Road, 

Cambridge CB1 2DG. Tel: 01223 311098. www.igentics.com. 

issue 5 | page 39

Merc Aug12.indd 1 24/07/2012 09:41 


THE REIGN OF 

PRINTED PROMOTION 

Proving that printed promotion carries merit in the world of marketing and 

branding, Robinsons Mercedes-Benz reveals its latest venture 

In a world named as the digital age, many have 

clashed heads on the topic of promotion, with 

some stating that the era of printed material is 

ending along with the reign of the magazine 

and newspaper, whilst others are determined to 

see it continue. 

Executive, says, “Due to our products having 

such great visual appeal, we have always 

considered print media important within our 

marketing plan, even with the digital shift. 

“Historically, we had great success with printed 

range brochures. We think our customers like 

Mercedes magazine:Layout 1 24/01/2012 22:14 Page 1 

magazine 

Issue 1 | February 2012 

Robinsons Mercedes-Benz 

Exclusive Offer 

10,000 miles worth of free fuel 

and 3 years free servicing 

The best or 

nothing 

Complimentary Issue where available 

Mercedes-Benz 

C 63 AMG Coupé 

You’re in 

good hands 

at Mercedes-Benz 

magazine 

Robinsons Mercedes-Benz 

Issue 2 | August 2012 

Exclusive Offer 

Up to £2400 saving on a new 

Mercedes-Benz 

New Mercedes-Benz 

for the sporty hatchback segment 

Luxury new C-Class 

Executive SE 

Complimentary issue where available 

Unleash Pure Power 

SL 63 AMG 

Apple and 

Mercedes-Benz 

Technology at its best 

Luxury must haves 

The new 

M-Class 

Luxury on, stress off 

Luxury must-haves 

Brains 

and beauty 

The New B-Class 

Some pleasures are made to last. Discover this for yourself with the Mercedes-Benz range. 

Mercedes-Benz 7 

Some pleasures are made to last. Discover this for yourself with the Mercedes-Benz range. 

Embarking on a new marketing plan, Robinsons 

Mercedes-Benz has joined forces with the 

Newmarket-based design agency, Cubiqdesign, 

to bring a plan to fruition… a plan to start the 

brand’s own lifestyle publication. 

With dealerships spread throughout East 

Anglia, Robinsons Mercedes-Benz offers a 

luxury-focused product to a range of differing 

commercial and consumer customers. It was 

to this broad target market that the Robinsons 

group wanted to present a new form of 

promotion and customer service. 

Lyndsey Pollard, Mercedes-Benz Marketing 

something they can pick up and feel. Our 

decision to move towards a lifestyle magazine 

came when we felt we were missing a trick to not 

associate our products with lifestyle messages 

and other high end products.” 

Approaching Cubiqdesign, a multi-disciplined 

design agency whose experience in the 

publishing sector includes many leading titles 

such as Velvet Magazine and IQ Business 

Magazine, Robinsons Mercedes-Benz was able 

to work with the Cubiqdesign team to bring the 

plan to life. 

“Although a fair investment, we certainly feel 

issue 5 | page 40


the benefit of our Robinsons Mercedes-Benz 

magazine which is written, designed and 

produced by Cubiqdesign, and are now proud 

to say it is in its fourth issue. 

“The magazine showed a good response from 

the first issue. After 4 weeks of the magazine 

being in print, we recorded 11 sales entirely 

from the magazine. We were able to monitor 

this through the use of a voucher offer presented 

inside the magazine,” Lyndsey adds. 

Working with the East Anglian based business, 

Cubiqdesign catered for all requirements from 

the Mercedes-Benz brand, photographing new 

car releases at local landmarked locations and 

ensuring that the look and layout of the magazine 

reflected the brand’s key demographic. 

“We consider our magazine key in creating 

leads for us to convert into sales during March 

and September, our busy plate change months,” 

explains Lyndsey. 

“Customers bring our magazine into our 

showrooms and tell us about it as their 

source of enquiry. Similarly, although the 

magazine is largely sent to our customer base, 

it also generates enquiries from new conquest 

customers. 

“We think this is entirely due to the dynamic 

content of our magazine, which most definitely 

captures people’s attention, builds their interest 

and, due to the opportunity it presents to 

promote our current finance offers inside, 

enables the start of the sales process.” 

Also able to incorporate specially selected 

local lifestyle brands into the magazine, such 

as fashion retailers, restaurants and interior 

companies, the Robinsons Mercedes-Benz 

magazine ensures a local identity, which is also 

key to the company’s ethos. 

Now working on its fifth issue, Robinsons 

Mercedes-Benz continues to emphasise the 

importance of printed promotion. Looking 

for a unique marketing aspect, the brand has 

been able to attract new and old custom with a 

personal touch. 


www.cubiqdesign.co.uk 

issue 5 | page 41


issue 2 | page 42

BUSINESS DIARY 

IQ diary 

Suffolk Business 

Exhibition 

The Suffolk Business 

Exhibition is the largest 

trade show of its kind in the 

local area. With a footfall 

of 1200-1500, it’s a great 

way of selling products 

or networking with local 

businesses. 

Date: 1st May 

Time: 11:00 – 19:00 

Venue: Trinity Park, Ipswich 

Organiser: ISSBA 

Booking details: To book a 

stand contact: www.issba.co.uk 

Free for visitors 

Business for 

Breakfast, Cambridge 

Join local businesses for 

breakfast at The Royal 

Cambridge Hotel every 

fortnight. A relaxed but 

structured networking 

meeting that accepts one 

person per industry sector 

to join. 

Date: 1st May, 15th May, 29th 

May, 12th June, 26th June, 10th 

July, 24th July 

Venue: Royal Cambridge Hotel, 

Cambridge 

Time: 6:45 - 8:30 

Organiser: Richard Tack 

Booking details: 

www.bforbcambs.co.uk 

The Social Media Show 

Ann Hawkins from the 

Inspired Group discusses all 

aspects of social media on the 

Social Media Show on Star 

Radio at Star107fm. 

Date: Monday evenings, weekly 

Time: 19:00 – 19:30 

Contact: www.star107.co.uk or 

www.theinspiredgroup.com 

The Very Early Lunch 

Club - Cambridge 

Networking, guest speakers 

and breakfast are offered at 

the Very Early Lunch Club 

event. With no pressure to 

attend every meeting, this is 

a relaxed and collaborative 

environment. 

Date: 3rd May, 7th June, 5th 

July 

Time: 7:30 - 9:30 

Venue: Anglesey Abbey, Lode 

Organiser: Ian Clemson 

Booking details: Tel: 01638 

745286 or www.velc.co.uk 

The Coffee Morning 

Every Thursday, the Rutland 

Arms Hotel in Newmarket 

opens its doors for a relaxed 

and informal meeting for 

local businesses. With free 

coffee and the opportunity 

to host a meeting, you can 

also sponsor a coffee morning 

for £30. 

Date: Every Thursday 

Time: From 10:00 

Venue: Rutland Arms Hotel, 33 

High Street, Newmarket 

Organiser: Roger Herring 


rogerherring@hotmail.com or call 

Roger on: 01638 666595 

South Cambridge 

Coffee Morning 

Focusing on building local 

business relationships, the 

South Cambridge Coffee 

Morning meets every Friday 

for a relaxed and informal 

networking event. 

Date: 3rd May, 10th May, 17th 

May, 24th May, 31st May, 7th 

June, 14th June, 21st June, 28th 

June, 5th July, 12th July, 19th 


Time: 10:00 – 12:00 

Price: £5 per event, pay on 

the day 

Venue: Holiday Inn Express, 

Cambridge Duxford, 42 Station 

Road East, Whittlesford, 

Cambridge 

Organiser: Gerrit van Deventer 


www.southcambridgecoffeemorning. 

co.uk email: info@ 

southcambridgecoffeemorning.co.uk 

Blogging for Business 

Workshop 

Using the power of blogs 

to develop your online 

reputation and attract 

customers, this workshop 

includes an introduction, 

strategy and key questions to 

consider amongst other vital 

points. 

Date: 7th May 

Time: 9:30 – 13:00 

Price: £95 + booking fee 

Venue: Cambridge Business 

Lounge, 1st Floor, Burleigh House, 

52 Burleigh Street, Cambridge 

Organiser: Cambridge Business 

Lounge 

Booking details: www. 

blogginforbusinesscbl.eventbrite. 

co.uk 

Best Of Bury Coffee 

Morning 

Established fortnightly, this 

informal coffee morning is 

held at Benson Blakes. To 

sponsor costs £30 with 15 

minutes allocated for you to 

speak, demonstrate or hold a 

Q&A session. 

Date: 7th May, 21st May, 4th 

June, 18th June, 2nd July, 16th 


Time: 10:00 – 12:00 

Venue: Benson Blakes, 88-89 

St. Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds 

Organisers: Best of Bury St 

Edmunds 


thebestof.co.uk/local/bury-stedmunds 

issue 5 | page 43


issue 2 | page 44



Pinterest for 

Business Workshop 

A Pinterest for Business 

course that helps your brand 

to maximise its opportunities 

through this new and very 

powerful social media 

network. 

Date: 7th May 2013 

Time: 14:00 – 17:30 






Lounge 


pinterestbusinesscbl.eventbrite.co.uk 

The Inspired Group 

Enjoy informal discussion 

at the Inspired Group 

networking meetings, which 

include supper. Book in 

advance and choose a menu 

option. 

Date: 9th May, 13th June, 

11th July 

Time: 18:30 – 21:30 


Venue: Stonetime, The 

Stoneyard, Whitelands Farm, 

Newmarket Road, Bottisham 

Organiser: Ann Hawkins 


theinspiredgroup.com 

Coffee Means 

Business 

Informal, monthly 

networking event with no 

membership, no pressure and 

the support of the Ipswich 

Chamber of Commerce. 

Date: Last Tuesday of the month 

Time: 9:30 - 11:30 

Price: £2 per person on the door 

Venue: Kesgrave Community & 

Conference Centre, Ipswich 

Organisers: MENTA 

Booking details: www.menta. 

org.uk, email: info@menta.org.uk 

FHDC Fact Finding 

Breakfast 

The Economic Development 

Team at Forest Heath 

District Council (FHDC) 

want to hear your views! Join 

the Newmarket & District 

Chamber of Commerce for a 

morning discussion. 

Date: 10th May 


Price: £15 members, £25 

non-members 

Venue: The Riverside Hotel, 

Mildenhall 

Organisers: Newmarket & 

District Chamber of Commerce 


newmarketanddistrict.co.uk 

Business Networking 

Lunch with Bid4Bury 

Guest speakers: Anthony 

Hilton, Senior Business 

Columnist for the Evening 

Standard and The 

Independent and Mike 

Spicer, Head of Research, 

British Chambers of 

Commerce, share their 

thoughts on what the future 

holds for West Suffolk. 


Time: 11:30 – 14:00 

Price: Free 

Venue: The Angel Hotel, Bury 

St Edmunds 

Organisers: Bid4Bury and 

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce 


suffolkchamber.co.uk 

The Bury Breakfast 

Club 

An independent, selfgoverned 

networking group 

that encourages business-tobusiness 

referrals and regular 

guest speakers. 

Date: 10th May, 24th May, 

14th June, 28th June, 12th July, 

26th July 

Time: 6:45 - 8:30 

Venue: The Malt House Project, 

Bury St Edmunds 

Organiser: The Bury Breakfast 

Club 


burybreakfastclub.co.uk or email 

theteam@burybreakfastclub.co.uk 

NDCC Business Lunch 

British Flat Champion 

Trainer, John Gosden, 

will reveal why training 

in Newmarket is vital to 

his business. He will also 

discuss how the racing 

industry works within the 

local community and other 

businesses. 




non-members 

Venue: The Bedford Lodge 

Hotel, Newmarket 

Organiser: Newmarket & 




Cambridge Premier 

Club 

A networking club exclusively 

for women in business. 

Becoming a member will 

allow you to extend your 

contacts and move ahead in 

your field. 

Date: 13th May, 3rd June, 1st 

July 

Time: 12:00 – 14:15 


Venue: The Menzies Hotel, Bar 

Hill, Cambridge 

Organiser: The Women’s 

Business Clubs 

Booking details: info@ 

thewomensbusinessclubs.com 

issue 5 | page 45


issue 2 | page 46



Link Up Business 

A relaxed breakfast time 

networking event for business 

with no membership 

required. Booking is a must. 

Date: 15th May, 19th June, 

17th July 

Time: 7:45 – 9:00 

Price: £14.50 per person, 

includes breakfast buffet 

Venue: The Fox Inn, 1 Eastgate 

Street, Bury St Edmunds 

Organiser: MENTA 

Booking details: www.menta. 

org.uk/linkupbusiness 

Business Growth 

Workshops 

The Inspired Group offers 

the opportunity to improve 

your sales pitches through 

this workshop created to help 

your business grow. Join the 

Business Owners Breakfast 

beforehand for some 

networking. 

Date: 17th May, 21st June, 

19th July 

Time: 9:30 - 12:30 

Venue: St John’s Innovation 

Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge 

Organiser: The Inspired Group 


theinspiredgroup.com 

Suffolk Chamber 

Business Networking 

Lunch 

Join the Suffolk Chamber’s 

networking lunch to 

hear guest speaker Mark 

Pendlington, Group Director 

of Anglian Water take to the 

floor. 


Time: 11:45 – 14:00 

Price: £22.08 (exc. VAT) 

members, £33.75 (exc. VAT) 

non-members 

Venue: Fynn Valley Golf Club, 

Witnesham nr Ipswich 

Organiser: Suffolk Chamber of 

Commerce 


suffolkchamber.co.uk 

#CambsHour Day 

Bringing together the online 

tweeting community of 

#CambsHour, this event 

offers a number of free 

hour-long workshops and coworking 

desks for all. 


Time: 8:30 – 17:30 





Lounge and Design Essentials 


speednetworkcambs.eventbrite.co.uk 

Creating High 

Performance Teams 

with First Ascent 

Expand your team’s 

performance with this two 

day event. 

Date: 4th - 5th June 

Time: 19:00 – 21:00 

Price: £195 + VAT 

Venue: Pendley Manor Hotel, 

Hertfordshire 


firstascentgroup.com 

NDCC Executive 

Breakfast 

The designer of the 

Raspberry Pi credit-cardsized 

computer, Eben Upton, 

reveals the inspiration 

behind his project and future 

prospects. 

Date: 6th June 



non-members 

Venue: The Granary Barn, 

Wooditton 





Speed Networking 

Cambridge Business Lounge 

and Design Essentials are 

delighted to announce 

that after the success of 

the 1st Cambridge Speed 

Networking Event in March, 

they’re bringing it back. Meet 

plenty of likeminded business 

people at this fun event. 

Date: 6th June 

Time: 19:00 – 21:00 

Price: £14.50 per person, 

including refreshments 





Lounge and Design Essentials 


speednetworkcambs.eventbrite.co.uk 

NDCC Raceday 

Linking with The Very Early 

Lunch Club this raceday 

presents a great opportunity 

to mix business and pleasure. 

Following the tour, a picnic 

at the July Racecourse and a 

day of racing. 

Date: 12th July 


Price: £50 for a full day (tour, 

racing and picnic) or £45 for a 

part day (picnic and racing). 

Venue: National Stud and July 

Racecourse 



and The Very Early Lunch Club 



issue 5 | page 47


CELEBRATION OF 

BUSINESS 2013 

Joining Ely Cathedral Business Group, IQ Magazine 

attends the week-long celebration 

Launching its second annual Celebration of Business 

in April, Ely Cathedral Business Group welcomed 

over 160 businesses from all sectors, including 

several social enterprises, to a week-long event that 

concluded with a networking evening attended by 

over 500 people. 

The evening ended with a reception held in the 

Cathedral, with keynote speeches from the Bishop 

of Huntingdon, the Rt. Rev. David Thomson and 

George Freeman, MP. 

Truly bringing the business community together, 

this exhibition presented the perfect platform for 

community cohesion, as business owners, employees 

and guests joined forces for a night of debate and 

education. 

Introduced by the Ely Cathedral Business Group 

Chairman, Tom Green, the event’s two keynote 

speakers continued the celebratory nature of the 

occasion with a lively evening debate. 

Lamenting the impact of the starvation of funding 

for so many hitherto government sponsored local 

initiatives, Bishop David said: “Now is the time for us 

not just to be talking about taking risks, but for action. 

Food banks made a good start, but I am interested in 

seeing not just relief work, but real enterprise, social 

enterprise on a proper business footing, and there is a 

lot of expertise around now to help make it happen.” 

Following on from this, George Freeman, MP for 

Mid Norfolk, described his theory of the ‘Crisis of 

Disconnection’ to the attentive audience, explaining 

that, in his view, the banking crisis should be seen 

as the symptom of a deeper problem in the way we 

have allowed our political economy to develop in 

recent years. 

Calling for a ‘Narrative of Reconnection’, he 

issue 5 | page 48


described Government, Parliament and the City 

as places where the crisis had been incubated 

and where the roots of the problem lie; in 

contrast, however, he went on to describe the 

local community as the place where people still 

feel much more connected, and where the roots 

of the solution lie. 

“We have the roots of recovery in the small 

businesses, the clusters of leadership and 

innovation in the new technologies, businesses 

and the markets of tomorrow, in which this 

county can lead. This can be seen clearly in the 

countryside, the county and the wider region 

around us here in Ely tonight.” 

Finally closing with a Q&A session, the evening 

perfectly complimented the enthusiasm shown 

for the Celebration of Business exhibition, 

bringing together businesses of all sectors from 

across the region in one location. 

With next year’s event already a highly 

anticipated occasion, the business community 

looks forward to joining forces once more. 


www.elycathedralbusinessgroup.org 

We have the roots of recovery in the small businesses, the clusters of leadership 

and innovation in the new technologies, businesses and the markets of tomorrow, in 

which this county can lead George Freeman 

issue 5 | page 49


issue 2 | page 50

IQ people 

FROM OK TO 

EXCELLENT 

IQ Magazine talks to Ann Hawkins, 

business advisor at The Inspired Group 

and presenter of two radio shows 

A Day In The Life Of... Ann Hawkins 

5.30am: Wake to the birds in the ivy, doze 

and plan a talk I’m giving. 

7.30am: Get up, leaving husband in bed. 

8.30am: Check Twitter to see 

what is going on in the world. 

9am: Prepare material for interviewing 

people on The Business Hub and The Social 

Media radio shows. Discuss potential topics 

and booking speakers for events, workshops 

and seminars. Check that all event info has 

been updated on web and social media sites. 

Answer emails. Check LinkedIn groups, 

block spammers, stir up discussions. 

10am: Mentoring call with client. 

Ann Hawkins is a business advisor and mentor 

who runs business growth programmes at The 

Inspired Group. A truly inspiring character as well 

as business coach, she advises individuals on how to 

better their businesses, identify goals and, ultimately, 

how to reach them. 

Educating its clients about specific techniques they 

can use to enhance business performance, with all 

advice given tailored to circumstance and supported 

by experts, The Inspired Group has helped many 

individuals across the region move from just ok to 

excellent. 

An expert in mentoring support, business finance 

guidance and managing new business routes, Ann 

aids everyone from start up businesses to those 

looking for a new path. 

Also co-presenting two radio shows, The Business 

Hub and The Social Media Show on Star FM, Ann 

actively engages with the B2B market in the local 

area and is a keen supporter of the importance of 

networking. 


www.theinspiredgroup.com 

10.30am: Meet with co-presenter of The 

Social Media Show, Eric Swain. Interview 

guests and plan material for future shows. 

12.30pm: Have lunch with a mentoring 

client, checking their progress. 

2pm: Walk around the garden, 

check in on Twitter, mix chat 

with posting news of events, links to blog 

posts, reading and researching. 

3.30pm: Prepare workshops for Business 

Growth Programme, make follow 

up calls to people interested in 

joining the programme. Book 

them in for taster sessions. 

4.30pm: Write blog posts. Dip in and out of 

Twitter. Record a Google hangout. 

6pm: Cook and catch up with other 

half. If we’re both in, listen to jazz, 

eat, read, watch television. 

11pm: Bed, out like a light. 

issue 5 | page 51

IQ book reviews 

BOOK 

REVIEW 

Face to Face in the Workplace: 

A Handbook of Strategies for 

Effective Discussions 

BY Julie Cooper 

Price: £20.00 

Publisher: CareerTrain Publishing 

Available: www.springdevelopment.net/ Amazon 

BIO: Julie Cooper has 20 years’ experience of 

helping people to develop their personal skills 

across a wide range of businesses. An innovative 

trainer and coach, and author of several books, 

she specialises in the face-to-face approach. 

Julie started her own business in 2000 and has also 

worked as an Associate of the Cranfield School 

of Management. She has previously co-authored 

‘The One to One Toolkit’ and ‘The Job Interview 

Toolkit’. 

REVIEW: More and more of our communication 

in the workplace is being done using technology, 

but the lines between what is, and what isn’t, 

acceptable to discuss via email and mobile phone 

are becoming blurred. 

How many times as a manager do you organise 

meetings with staff only to realise afterwards that 

you have failed to achieve the result you wanted, 

or that you haven’t even managed to broach 

that difficult subject. What happens if you need 

to have an uncomfortable conversation with a 

colleague? Do you plan a strategic approach or 

are you more likely to fire off an irritable email or 

shout instructions across the office? 

Using a 26-step guide, this essential handbook 

provides strategies to make those face-to-face 

conversations easier to approach and more 

effective. 

According to Julie, some situations always require 

face-to-face meetings: for instance, formal 

warnings, employee evaluations and appraisals 

should always be conducted in person. One 

section of the book, ‘The Dark Triad’, deals with 

some difficult areas of managing people. 

Julie says: “I thought long and hard before 

including this, but there are some things that 

cannot be fixed by good communication skills, 

and managers need to know that, so they stop 

pouring time and money down the drain.” 

issue 5 | page 53


issue 2 | page 54

IQ book reviews 

BOOK 

REVIEW 

Leadership Scaffolding 

BY Judith Elliott 

Price: £28.45 

Publisher: Woodhead Publishing 

Available: www.woodheadpublishing.com/ Amazon 

BIO: Judith Elliott is the managing director of el:consulting 

in Cambridge and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute 

of Personnel and Development. She works with clients 

to solve personnel issues, and says her strength is her 

ability “to walk in the client’s shoes”. She has worked 

with various organisations including: Booking.com, 

Cambridge University and the NHS. She also lectures. 

REVIEW: This book, about the practicalities of leadership for middle managers, will 

provide the framework - or scaffolding - for anyone who wants to be a better manager. 

Rather than providing readers with long-winded theory or hard-and-fast rules on how to 

delegate, motivate or write a strategy document, it tells them how to do things and how 

to do them seamlessly. 

“I call this scaffolding,” says Judith. “Different organisations have their own unique 

scaffolding, which is fine. Pizza meetings on a Friday afternoon work well in some 

workplaces, but not others.” 

Judith reviews the minimum amount of scaffolding that companies need, so, for those 

who already have well established scaffolding in place, the book can provide a pulse 

check. 

‘Leadership Scaffolding’ is aimed at middle managers who are caught between the 

company’s vision statement and a mixed ability team. It can help them to improve 

performance and to minimise stress. 

Judith shows how managers should select their scaffolding, then choose a communications 

structure and levels of involvement, empowerment and recognition for their teams. She 

then takes her readers through the process of how to develop the structure, as well as how 

to measure and develop performance feedback. 

Finally, she considers how employees’ progress should be monitored and reviewed, 

reminding her readers how important it is to question whether the scaffolding has 

worked, or whether it should be reviewed and redesigned. 

issue 5 | page 55


MIXING BUSINESS 

AND PLEASURE 

IQ Magazine spends an afternoon at Hotel Felix 

The historic charm, style and elegance of Hotel 

Felix lends itself perfectly to meetings, small 

conferences and business lunches and it is truly one 

of our region’s hidden treasures. 

Located on the outskirts of Cambridge city centre, 

Hotel Felix offers not only an inspirational space in 

which your business plans can flourish, but also the 

perfect way to reinvigorate your team’s enthusiasm 

and dedication. 

This privately-owned four star boutique hotel, which 

dates back to 1852, has a vibrant interior, which is a 

blend of contemporary interior design and elegant 

Victorian features. A fabulous contemporary 

art collection is displayed throughout the hotel, 

including works by Mary Clare Cornwallis, Trevor 

Price and James R Mylne, as 

well as a stunning collection of 

dichroic glass pieces created by 

Chris Wood, which greet guests 

as they arrive in the reception. 

This, in addition to the awardwinning 

Graffiti Restaurant, 

provides an impressive setting 

in which to meet and network with clients, work 

colleagues and associates. 

Inside, the hotel comes to life with natural 

daylight pouring into every room. Here you can 

enjoy the benefits of a light and refreshing venue 

in which to plan a strategy, entertain clients or 

instil team morale. The hotel has four elegant 

air conditioned reception rooms: Atlas, Calypso, 

Phoebe and Hyperion, and provides a tranquil 

setting conducive to meetings, small conferences, 

networking events and private parties, with 

delegate numbers ranging from 6 to 60. The 

Hotel is also able to reserve its spacious first 

floor landing area to give each business complete 

privacy and a break out area, or simply extra 

issue 5 | page 56


space in which to network. 

Fifty-two individually-designed bedrooms range from 

standard Felix King rooms to spacious Junior Suites and 

the fabulous Penthouse. All have comfortable Hypnos 

mattresses, laptop safes, direct dial phones, free WiFi, 

mini bars and flat screen TVs. The bathrooms are 

luxurious, yet simple in style, with underfloor heating, 

White Company toiletries and plasma TV screens at the 

end of the bath or Grohe Rain Showers in some. 24 hour 

room service is also available. 

The hotel is set slightly away from the main road into 

Cambridge and nestles in spacious landscaped grounds 

with plenty of mature trees. It provides an ideal space for 

a variety of team-building events, indoors or within the 

gardens, and offers free parking for up to 90 cars. 

Gaining an enviable reputation for the food that it serves, 

the hotel’s Head Chef has created an exciting range of 

seasonally-inspired menus. These too can be tailored to 

suit your company’s requirements and delegates with 

special dietary requirements are well looked after. 

Choose from a hot or cold buffet menu, with the likes 

of fillet of hake and roasted squash and fennel or sunblushed 

tomato and basil risotto with shaved Parmesan 

available to truly impress your delegates. Alternatively, 

indulge in the working lunch option on offer, which 

includes a selection of tasty sandwiches, wraps, chips, 

fresh fruit and brownies. Relax and enjoy in your 

meeting room or the stylish Orangery, which opens out 

onto the Terrace and is the perfect spot to kick back and 

recharge. 

Once your event has concluded, your delegates are 

invited to dine in the vibrant and stylish setting of 

Graffiti Restaurant, which has beautiful views out to the 

garden, or simply enjoy a drink in the Bar. Cocktails are a 

speciality, of which there is an imaginative choice. 

Whether you’re visiting for a short meeting or an all 

day event, Hotel Felix offers the perfect venue for 

your conference and accommodation needs. With its 

combination of good food, relaxed environment and its 

personal and flexible approach, Hotel Felix really does 

offer a mix of business and pleasure. 

Image credit (Third down on the right - Catherine Grassin-Hart) 


Hotel Felix, Whitehouse Lane, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LX. 

01223 277977 | conference@hotelfelix.co.uk | www.hotelfelix.co.uk 

Hotel Felix offers not only an 

inspirational space in which your business 

plans can flourish, but also the perfect way 

to reinvigorate your team’s enthusiasm and 

dedication. 

issue 5 | page 57


issue 2 | page 58

HOSPITALITY HOT SPOTS 

IQ Magazine looks at the region’s top hospitality spots 

IQ hospitality 

Cambridge City Hotel, Cambridge 

The Cambridge City Hotel offers 

one of the most exceptional venues 

in which to entertain your clients. 

Book one of its four event suites for 

entertaining larger numbers or enjoy 

a relaxed meeting in the Bloomsbury 

Restaurant and bar area. The relaxed 

and informal atmosphere and bright 

and spacious areas will ensure 

complete client satisfaction. 

Cambridge City Hotel, 20 Downing Street, 

Cambridge. Tel: 0871 942 9180. 

www.cambridgecityhotel.co.uk. 

Hotel Felix, Cambridge 

Perfectly complementing its Victorian 

origins with modern and stylish 

interior design, Hotel Felix offers the 

perfect retreat for all those looking to 

impress. Its fine cuisine is the perfect 

way to treat your clients or team, 

whilst its four individual meeting 

rooms can accommodate up to 36 

delegates in boardroom style and 50 

delegates in a theatre style set up. 

Hotel Felix, Whitehouse Lane, Huntingdon 

Road, Cambridge. Tel: 01223 277977. 

www.hotelfelix.co.uk. 

British Racing School, Newmarket 

East Anglia’s most unique conference 

and training venue, The British Racing 

School offers high quality facilities in a 

location with a difference. Its facilities 

include 6 meeting rooms, a state of the 

art training theatre and a training suite 

equipped with 12 computers. Invite 

clients to this impeccable hospitality 

spot for a dedicated event or staff 

training focus. 

British Racing School, Snailwell Road, 

Newmarket. Tel: 01638 665103. 

www.brs.org.uk. 

Madingley Hall 

Set in magnificent grounds just four 

miles from Cambridge city centre, 

and a mere 60 minutes from London, 

Madingley Hall provides a memorable 

location. Host larger client events and 

choose between the 11 conference and 

syndicate rooms available, catering for 

numbers of between 5 – 100 delegates. 

Break out in one of the region’s most 

historic venues, sit back and enjoy its 

historic surroundings. 

Madingley Hall, Madingely, Cambridge. Tel: 

01223 746222. www.magingleyhall.co.uk. 

DoubleTree By Hilton, Cambridge 

Overlooking the River Cam, 

DoubleTree by Hilton presents a 

stunning venue in which to hold your 

upcoming meetings this year. Allow 

your clients to enjoy the professional, 

stylish depths of the Twist Bar, or treat 

them to an exquisite meal inside the 

Riverside Brassiere Restaurant – one of 

Cambridge’s most popular venues for 

dining with views of the River Cam. 

DoubleTree by Hilton, Granta Place, Mill 

Lane, Cambridge. Tel: 01223 259988. 

www.doubletreecambridge.com. 

E-Space, Ely 

Offering flexible, professional meeting 

rooms in a convenient central 

Cambridgeshire location just off 

the A10 in the Littleport Business 

District, E-Space allows you to focus 

on your business without interruptions. 

Catering for as few as 2 people to as 

many as 50, enjoy a staffed reception, 

parking, in-house catering and 

refreshments. 

E-Space, 181 Wisbech Road, Littleport, Ely. 

Tel: 01353 865300. 

www.espaceely.com 

issue 5 | page 59


issue 2 | page 60

HOSPITALITY HOT SPOTS 

IQ Magazine looks at the region’s top hospitality spots 

IQ hospitality 

Poets House 

Cambridgeshire’s newest venue, Poets 

House, opened its doors in April, 

presenting one of the finest hospitality 

spots in the region. During one-on-one 

meetings in The Dining Room, enjoy 

the culinary delights of Executive 

Chef Leah Jenson; or host a larger 

event in The Writing Room, which is 

suitable for up to 100 people and also 

offers a private courtyard area. 

Poets House, St Mary’s Street, Ely. 

Tel: 01223 653111. www.poetshouse.com. 

The Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket 

Steeped in equestrian history, The 

Jockey Club Rooms makes a truly 

prestigious offering. Augmenting 

its recently refurbished facilities for 

presentations or meetings, it can offer 

guests after dinner tales of the rich and 

famous racing gentry, private tours of 

its art collection and early morning 

tours of the training gallops. 

The Jockey Club Rooms, 101 High Street 


www.jockeyclubestates.co.uk. 

The apex, Bury St Edmunds 

The apex offers a modern multipurpose 

venue catering for anything 

between 40 and 750 people. Treat 

your client(s) to a well-deserved 

performance, enjoy a coffee in the 

onsite facilities, or adapt its flexible 

and versatile spaces to suit your 

requirements, with its unique and 

innovative floor and seating structures. 

The apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds. 

Tel: 01284 758390. Email: enquiries.apex. 

uk@sodexo.com 

Ravenwood Hall, Rougham 

This venue’s elegant Edwardian 

pavilion offers a retreat from the 

hustle and bustle of city living. Enjoy 

a meeting in The Dining Room, with 

Head Chef Shayne Wood’s seasonal 

menu and home smoked meats and 

fish, or a drink in the bright and airy 

Garden Room. Alternatively, enjoy the 

spacious grounds for larger events and 

team building. 

Ravenwood Hall, Rougham, Bury St. 

Edmunds. Tel: 01359 270345. 

www.ravenwoodhall.co.uk. 

Graze Kitchen & Bar, Bury St 

Edmunds 

Located in the centre of Bury St 

Edmunds, Graze Kitchen & Bar 

presents a quirky yet sophisticated space 

in which to impress your team and 

clients. Enjoy the restaurant’s innovative 

small plate dining concept and unusual 

menus with the Express Lunch 

offerings, or invite up to 12 in its private 

function room. 

Graze Kitchen & Bar, 19-21 Angel Hill, 

Bury St Edmunds. Tel: 01284 704870. 

www.grazekitchenandbar.com. 

Tuddenham Mill, Tuddenham 

Set in an idyllic riverside location, 

Tuddenham Mill makes the perfect 

venue for your client hosting. Enjoy 

the award-winning cuisine of Head 

Chef Paul Foster who recently saw the 

Mill listed in the Good Food Guide for 

the second year running, or invite a 

larger group into its impressive Terrace 

Room, which caters for 30 people. 

This venue is sure to impress. 

Tuddenham Mill, Tuddenham, Nr 


www.tuddenhammill.co.uk. 

issue 5 | page 61


issue 2 | page 62

THE SWEET TOOTH 

OF BUSINESS 

IQ business profile 

Everyone enjoys a few perks of the job, and chocolate tasting sounds like the perk of all perks. 

IQ Magazine spoke to ISABELLE CHAPPELL, co-owner of Chocolat Chocolat in Cambridge, 

about the business of producing and selling chocolate 

The retail sector limped along in 2012 and before the 

year was out the economic downturn had claimed 

several big name high street casualties including Habitat, 

Blockbuster, HMV, Jessops and Comet. So the fact that 

an independent chocolate shop, which has been trading 

for less than four years in Cambridge, has not only 

managed to survive but has recorded a 25% year-onyear 

increase for its seasonal trading period is somewhat 

impressive. 

Isabelle and Robin Chappell opened their first chocolate 

shop in London in 2006. They moved to Cambridge 

in 2009 to take up premises in St Andrew’s Street, close 

to the Grand Arcade. According to Isabelle, this has 

been the best move they have ever made, “We both have 

retail experience so we knew this was a good location 

but we didn’t know it would be this good; Cambridge 

has exceeded all our expectations,” Isabelle comments. 

Originally trained in fashion, Isabelle’s passion for food 

stems from her mother’s enthusiasm for cooking. She 

taught Isabelle from an early age to cook meals from 

scratch using seasonal ingredients, so when Isabelle’s 

career in fashion began to lose its appeal she started to 

think about what else she could do and says she was sure 

of two things: she wanted to build a brand and to do 

something with food. “Once I knew that I wanted to 

make chocolate, I did plenty of research and trained 

with French and Belgium chocolatiers. The one thing I 

was very clear about from the start was that I wanted 

to make chocolate in front of people, so they could see 

the fantastic process chocolate goes through before it 

gets to the final product. I thought people would be 

mesmerised by this as was I initially, and this has proven 

to be the case.” Isabelle not only makes the chocolate 

displayed in the windows of Chocolat Chocolat, but 

she also runs chocolate making and tasting courses. She 


tastes every batch of chocolate she makes and uses only 

the finest ingredients which she sources from all over the 

world. The best selling chocolate at Chocolat Chocolat 

is Caramel with Sea Salt, but the choice available is 

enormous and everyone will find something delicious! 

The next new taste Isabelle is working on is chocolate 

with liquorice. Being able to make the chocolate herself 

is a huge advantage as she is able to experiment with the 

most up-to-minute flavours and offer them to customers 

quickly. 

In terms of growing the business, Isabelle believes that 

building the brand and expanding her own product 

range is key to the shop’s ongoing success. “Currently I 

make 20% of everything we sell in the shop, but the plan 

is to increase this to 30% this year” she explains. “We 

have also launched a new website, which will have an 

e-commerce section. We started to build a new business 

stream in the local corporate world last year and we have 

been delighted with the way this has grown. This stream 

has run hand-in-hand with our free business delivery 

service. We are expanding the range of chocolate courses 

we do as they have proved to be so popular. We also have 

plans for a recipe book.” 

Her advice to anyone considering a chocolate purchase is 

simple: “You get what you pay for,” she says. “The taste 

comes from the cocoa, so the quantity and quality of 

cocoa in relation to the amount of sugar is important. 

The way I see it, a person’s blood sugar level drops 

every 20 minutes, so chocolate is almost medicinal!” 

Continuing to develop the business, Chocolat Chocolat 

clearly demonstrates the need for constant planning and 

commitment to a clear business direction. By sticking 

to its core values of quality, in-house production and 

customer service, the business looks set for an exciting 

year ahead. 


Chocolat Chocolat, 21 Saint Andrew’s Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AX. Tel: 01223 778982. Website: www.chocolatchocolat.co.uk.

IQ food 

THE FOOD REVIVAL 

Organic and locally produced food is experiencing a revival as more and more 

consumers embrace the concept of supporting independent retailers and suppliers. 

IQ Magazine pays a visit to Tastes of Anglia to find out more 

Research shows that consumers are demanding 

healthier food that is ethically sourced and 

environmentally friendly, but perhaps more 

importantly in the wake of the recent horsemeat 

controversy, food that can be traced back to its 

origins. 

Tastes of Anglia was set up 21 years ago to 

support local producers and niche independent 

businesses supplying organic and locally 

produced food and drink. The organisation, 

based in the picturesque village of Witnesham 

in Suffolk, suffered a setback in 2004 when all 

its Government funding was withdrawn, but a 

re-organisation has meant that the group is now 

funded through a co-operative arrangement with 

its members. 

Food and drink suppliers and producers are all 

members and shareholders, and funding from 

the membership fee allows Tastes of Anglia to 

promote the concept of buying locally produced 

food to consumers at food fairs; by persuading 

supermarkets to stock items, it ensures growth 

of individual businesses and of the sector as a 

whole. 

Currently this amounts to 400 members selling 

1500 products, which includes everything 

issue 5 | page 64

IQ food 

from jams and pickles to sausages and cheese. 

All the major supermarkets now stock some 

locally produced food and drink, which proves 

testament to the quality of craftsmanship and 

products found within the region. 

The group’s commercial director, Andrew 

Bullard, is proud to work with the increasing 

number of members who each offer distinct 

qualities to the food and drink industry. 

“We are seeing a huge uptake in demand for 

alcohol products from microbreweries and the 

smaller bespoke producers,” he continues. “Our 

popular items are still in demand, with local 

produced jams, chutneys and salad dressings 

offering something different for the consumer 

market.” 

A member of the English Food and Drink 

Alliance, which is active in promoting unique, 

locally produced food, Tastes of Anglia has 

made a firm stand to ensure the safety for its 

corporation and members. 

“Tastes of Anglia is here to stay,” Andrew 

explains. “Tastes of Anglia exists for its members, 

but the work we do also ensures environmental 

stability and diversity for consumers. We have 

some fantastic members producing a wide 

range of food and drink, and are proud to work 

with all the major supermarkets to ensure the 

products grown and produced in East Anglia are 

recognised.” 

Continuing to develop the strong reputation 

for food and drink seen throughout the region, 

Tastes of Anglia is the perfect example of 

business battling back for pole position after 

funding loss. Drawing on support from members 

and a strong recognition from its consumer base, 

the organisation looks set for a successful year 

ahead. 


www.tastesofanglia.com 

Tastes of Anglia was set up 

21 years ago to support local 

producers and niche 

independent businesses 

supplying organic and locally 

produced food and drink 

Food and drink suppliers and 

producers are all members 

and shareholders 

Currently 400 members are 

providing 1500 individual 

products to supermarkets 

across the UK 

Tastes of Anglia exists 

for its members, but the 

work we do also ensures 

environmental stability and 

diversity for consumers. 

We have some fantastic 

members producing a wide 

range of food and drink, 

and are proud to work with 

all the major supermarkets 

to ensure the products grown 

and produced in East 

Anglia are recognised. 

Andrew Bullard 

issue 5 | page 65

IQ business profile 

BUILDING BUSINESS 

Building on an impressive track record in the last 

twelve months, Cubiqdesign is proud to announce 

that for the second year running the company has 

been listed in The Drum Design 100. 

Not only has the company made it onto the listing, 

but it has managed to climb 14 places overall on the 

register. 

Championing the top agencies in the UK, The 

Drum Design 100 is judged on a range of aspects 

and criteria, including recommendations by current 

clients, company turnover and profit per head. 

Also ranked 21 out of 100 in the Client Review 

section, Cubiqdesign has been praised for its client 

feedback. The success is testament not only to the 

work produced, but to the client and customer 

service offered by the agency. 

Working across a variety of sectors, including 

design, web, marketing, PR and publishing, the 

multi-disciplined team continue to develop as more 

cubiqdesign celebrates its recent success 


www.cubiqdesign.co.uk 


local and national clients approach the agency. 

Now working with a mix of local, national and 

international clients, including Ovo Energy Group, 

Robinsons Mercedes-Benz, G’s and Newmarket 

Racecourses, the company looks set for another 

successful year ahead. 

Cubiqdesign’s Director, John Treby, says, “Not only 

have we been included in the top 100 for the second 

year running, but to have climbed 14 places in the 

register is a true declaration of all the hard work we 

put in for our clients. 

“This award shows the creativity and excellent 

customer service we think each customer deserves.” 

Proudly offering a team of graphic designers, 

developers, copywriters, PR executives and 

photographers, Cubiqdesign continues to flourish, 

with a fully serviced in-house team who work 

cohesively and passionately with each and every 

client.

IQ-Magazine-Issue-5

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