Prosper Autumn, Black Country Chamber of Commerce magazine

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BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER: CHAMBER AWARDS New date for Chamber Awards Our winners the last time the awards were held live, in 2019 Date: October 14 Venue: Wolverhampton Racecourse Time: from 7pm After the sad news of the passing of the Queen, Black Country Chamber took the decision to postpone its annual awards ceremony, scheduled for September 16, as a sign of our deep respect for Her Late Majesty. After talks with our venue hosts, Wolverhampton Racecourse, and the event’s sponsors and nominees, we have rearranged the awards for Friday, October 14. This sell-out event will shine a spotlight on individual businesses and people working in vital parts of the region’s economy while championing innovation, collaboration and outstanding practices which put the Black Country on the map. The Black Country Chamber Business Awards, delivered by the region’s longest established business support organisation, are supported by a judging panel of industry representatives along with a distinguished list of business sponsors. The Chamber Awards are now sold out. Please contact calumnisbet@ blackcountrychamber.co.uk for more information. 2022 Award Categories… Large Business of the Year – sponsored by Ignite Family Business of the Year – sponsored by Azets Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Sandwell Council Start Up Business of the Year - sponsored by Black Country and Marches Institute of Technology Excellence in Professional Services – sponsored by Walsall Council Excellence in Manufacturing and Engineering – sponsored by CK Chartered Accountants Third Sector Business of the Year – sponsored by Sandwell College Excellence in International Trade – sponsored by Birmingham Airport Black Country Businessperson of the Year – sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton Business Commitment to the Community – sponsored by Thomas Dudley Marketing or Communications Campaign of the Year – presented by This is The Black Country Excellence in Diversity and Equality – sponsored by Dudley First Excellence in Tech and Innovation – sponsored by EBC Group Outstanding Support to the Armed Forces 26 PROSPER AUTUMN 2022
ADVERTORIAL SPOTLIGHT: THURSFIELDS Keeping it hush-hush Hannah Clark of Thursfields Solicitors looks at the issue of confidentiality in the workplace and considers what information can be safely described as ‘confidential’ – and what businesses can do to keep their secrets safe Information is one of a business’s greatest assets. There are lots of reasons to keep certain information confidential and they are largely based on the financial integrity interests of the business. Knowing how the product is priced, who the suppliers are, who the customers are, how the product or service is created, etc, can all be vital to the financial integrity of the business. There are four types of information: Public information – this is information that is in the public domain and can be accessed on a non-confidential basis. For example, the information about your company that is filed with Companies House – who your shareholders are, who your directors are, your annual accounts. You cannot generally protect this – it’s already out there for the world to know. Knowledge and skill – this is information that a person picks up “on the job” which is confidential but it is in their head just by virtue of being used. For example, an engineer uses a method of repairing a machine that is only known by your business but because they are regularly carrying out your processes, it’s in their head and they would naturally take it with them if they left. Mere Confidential Information – this is confidential information which is more easily protected. Employees only have a duty to keep mere confidential information, confidential during their employment, so you should consider including specific confidentiality clauses in their contracts of employment so the information is protected post-employment, too. Trade Secrets – “Need to Know” “For your eyes only!” – the most confidential of confidential information. That is why it is very important to protect that information. There are some practical steps you ought to take, such as password protecting confidential information, restricting access to only those who need to know, and actually marking it as “confidential”. All of these steps practically demonstrate you value the information and are serious about its protection. You would find it very difficult to argue that information should be classified as a trade secret if you leave it lying around the office (or server) for anyone to read, copy, access or take. The big danger areas arise when that information has to be shared. That is where contractual safeguards can assist. There is merit in having in place a non-disclosure agreement at the point that negotiations begin. It can be hard to evaluate whether a commercial relationship will work without sharing some information. The commercial relationship may generate information which needs to be protected, either because a consultant is advising and making recommendations or the research and development is identifying new product or service methodologies, new market data, etc. It’s important therefore to also ensure that there are appropriate confidentiality protections in your terms and conditions. The timing of the protection can also be crucial. Most confidential information has a shelf life – marketing strategies or pricing information may become obsolete after 12 months. Other information may need to remain confidential forever – the secret recipe for KFC or Coca Cola, for example. It’s important that any protections put in place, are in place for a sufficient period to provide the necessary protection. Thursfields’ Commercial Team can assist you in protecting one of your most valuable assets. For more information contact Hannah Clark on 0345 20 73 72 8, email info@ thursfields.co.uk or visit www.thursfields.co.uk. PROSPER AUTUMN 2022 27
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Page 4 and 5: CONTACTS Editor Sarah Thompson 0330
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Page 10 and 11: NEWS IN BRIEF Doocey Group, a local
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Page 29 and 30: Standing, Richard Lane and Johnatha
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Page 33 and 34: significant movement in these areas
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Page 38 and 39: PROSPER SPOTLIGHT: KEVIN ROGERS, PA
Page 40 and 41: PROSPER SPOTLIGHT: CARL RICHARDSON
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Page 44 and 45: ADVERTORIAL SPOTLIGHT: MET RECRUITM
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Page 48 and 49: PROSPER SPOTLIGHT: THE GENDER INDEX
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Page 56 and 57: INTERNATIONAL TRADE WMCA Series - F
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