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(Print) ISSN 1469-5162
(Online) ISSN 2051-9524
Issue 168 | September 2020
www.londonbusinessmatters.co.uk
COV ER S TO RY
Georgia – new era for
trade and investment
Pages 14-15
2 September 2020 Issue 168 (Print) ISSN 1469-5162 (Online) ISSN 2051-9524
Regulars
Overseas business opportunities
From Spain to Romania
Page 17
Events – the
London resilience
business webinars
Pages 22-23
Two minute interview
Susanna Tóth, founder
of the UK-Central
Europe Business Summit
Page 28
Enterprise Europe
Network
News and events
Pages 46-50
New members
Fourth plinth: on camera under Nelson’s Column – the latest challenging work of art in Who has joined LCCI recently?
6-7 Trafalgar Square Page 52
Features
London economy LCCI in the news Sochi 2014
Government support for Negotiating the moral maze Investigating a scandal
business still needed
3 4-5 10-11
Queensland Tony Pidgley EU exit
Trade opportunities in Tributes to a giant of the LCCI hub launched
Australia’s subtropical north construction industry
12 13 16
Yintong talks to … Business declares … Arbitration and mediation
… Tim Tian of Volitation Ltd … a climate emergency Claire Broadbelt on
resolving disputes in
uncertain times
18 20 21
Data Environment Data protection
How to achieve a better Sir James Bevan in praise of The hospitality sector
regime red tape
38 40-42 43
London Business Matters is edited by Peter Bishop – pbishop@londonchamber.co.uk
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September 2020 News 3
Government support still needed
for London business to recover
When, in June, of commerce based throughout the
Stephen Jones capital. Through LCCI’s own net-
last reported for works, and those of the local cham-
LBM the capital’s bers, we continue to push out infor-
economy was at mation and advice to thousands of
a standstill. Here is his latest London businesses.
analysis
Rebound
T
he impacts of the national We stopped producing the weekly
– and indeed global – lock- ‘sitreps’ at the back end of June but
down were seen in our Q2 continue to interact with businesses
results for the Quarterly Economic on the challenges they are facing. It
Survey. Two-thirds of the 500 busi- is vital that we at LCCI hear from
nesses surveyed reported a decline firms on what more can be done to
in domestic sales in Q2. Export sales help them, and we will look to aid
were down sharply too, while com- however we can.
pany expectations for profitability In the meantime, I will be await-
and turnover all deteriorated. ing the next set of results of our
It is unlikely that require long-term support. In terms Quarterly Economic Survey, which
Decline of aviation, job cuts have already are likely to show a rebound in ac-
This corroborated the national central London’s been announced at one key London tivity. How big that rebound is re-
picture: the UK entered into reces-
sion in Q2, with real gross domestic
economy will recover airport, while airlines have begun
redundancy processes too.
mains to be seen.
product (GDP) contracting 20.4 per in earnest until LCCI have also been working Stephen Jones is policy research
cent compared to Q1. According to closely with the 18 local chambers manager at LCCI
the Office for National Statistics, this international
was the biggest decline on record.
Over the past months, various
tourism bounces
measures of the Covid-19 pandemic back
lockdown have been pared back in
England by government – and by the level seen in February.
the devolved authorities in Scot- It is unlikely that central London’s
land, Wales and Northern Ireland. economy will recover in earnest until
As the restrictions on movement international tourism bounces back
have eased, the UK economy has
shown tentative signs of recovery.
as well. The government has eased
its quarantine rules for travellers Power Your Business
Monthly estimates of GDP point to from several countries – but has also
increases in output in May and June. shown it will act quickly to remove With IT That Works!
Timelier data show that in July, countries from its ‘safe list’ should
retail sales as a whole climbed be- rates of infection increase rapidly.
yond their pre-pandemic levels. For London Chamber of Com-
Nevertheless, there are pockets merce and Industry, our work on
of strength and of weakness. Sales the policy side continues to focus on
at clothing shops remain 25 per the support for businesses from gov-
cent lower than the pre-pandemic ernment. Schemes such as Eat Out
Our four step process is simple and designed to work
level. Data from Springboard sug- to Help Out appear to have been a
gests footfall for retailers in central broad success, while pressure from around the needs of your business!
London was 61 per cent lower in the LCCI and London Councils saw the
1 2
week to 22 August 2020, compared deadline for local authority grant Meet us to Allow us to propose
discuss your IT a personalised
to the same week in 2019. applications extended. requirements support plan
Pressure Significant
The NatWest PMI reported for July Some sectors will not be able to
Work in
3 4
showed that economic output rose recover as quickly. Government Agree a timeline to
fit the needs of your partnership to
in London for the first time in five will need to maintain sector-spe- buisness execute the plan
months. However, the employment cific support for those parts of the
index of this report fell steeply in July. economy that will not return to
Furthermore, the necessary – but ex- normal for a significant period of
pensive – Covid-19 secure measures time. Industries such as aviation, Call us now for a friendly, no-obligation chat to see how we can help.
that businesses have had to enact are tied intrinsically to overseas tour- 020 3790 7500 Enquiries@LabyrinthIT.com
likely to put pressure on margins for ism, and the events sector – limited
the foreseeable future. Indeed, UK in its ability to put on shows due to www.labyrinthIT.com
GDP in June was nearly a sixth below social distancing – these areas will
4 Your business September 2020
Negotiating the moral maze
LCCI in the news by Steve mask compliance levels and a new
Reilly-Hii TfL commuter reassurance cam-
A
paign.
s I write this, Central Lon- Facemask wearing is now man-
don economic recovery datory in shops as well as on public
from Covid-19 is slow – transport. LCCI welcomed the gov-
though faster for some outer Lon- ernment decision, saying it would
don boroughs – as is progress on provide both clarity and confidence
trade deal negotiations between the to consumers. Our media appear-
UK and EU. ances on the subject included a debut
I’ve no doubt that LCCI will on recently launched Times Radio.
be filling column inches, screens
and airwaves talking about both Creativity of approach
throughout the final quarter of the Continuing to focus on the cre-
year. ativity of approach of London em-
The challenge of regenerating the ployers, LCCI released polling (in
economy of central London, whilst partnership with Savanta ComRes)
not overwhelming the transport to the media, showing 37 per cent of
system and increasing Covid-19 500 London firms saying they would
transmission, is a substantial one. allow more home working from
And as you would expect, as Lon- now on. National media took par-
don’s largest independent business ticular interest in the statistic that 13
community, we have been very ac- per cent plan to continue working
tive in the media over recent weeks, from home altogether, rather than
talking about potential solutions. change of message tone – from one LBC, City AM, BBC Radio (includ- an office. The Independent, Tele-
of discouragement to a more pos- ing on the Moral Maze on Radio graph, Guardian, Sun, Heart FM and
Change of tone itive narrative about safe recovery, 4), Burge talked about the need for regional media titles throughout the
LCCI chief executive Richard Burge focussed on what can be done. employers to risk assess workplac- UK used that as the basis of discus-
has urged a need for an overall Amongst coverage on Sky News, es, be flexible regarding staff arrival sion, and some London outlets pon-
and departure times, creative with dered the boost it may bring to outer
staff rotation, and mix central office London local economies.
return with home working in order
to support London’s economy but Recovery
mitigate transport pressure. London’s aviation sector is of course
LCCI hosted a webinar with TfL key to the economic recovery of
about the role of business in man- central London. LCCI had been
aging commuter pressure during the highly critical of the government’s
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September 2020 Your business 5
We welcomed a country by coun-
try approach being introduced, but
have joined airports and other busi-
ness groups in calling for an evolu-
tion of the policy to one of health
screening for arrivals into the UK –
which when combined with the
government’s track and trace system
could support further economic re-
covery. The Financial Times report-
ed on this campaigning.
As I bring another LCCI in the
news to a close, we are speaking issue discretionary grant funding how LCCI continues to work with
with media about our call for gov- to businesses who have previous- media to speak up for the needs of Steve Reilly-Hii is senior media
ernment to extend the period of ly been unable to access support businesses of all sizes and sectors relations manager at LCCI
time that London’s councils have to grants. This is another example of during this crisis.
His Lordship Employee Assistance
Programme (EAP).
Support for
the mind.
Anytime,
Anywhere.
Former LCCI chief executive of the same year he answered
David Frost CMG was elevated the call from Downing Street to
While employees adjust to new Help your people boost their
to the peerage last month. In lead the UK’s trade negotiations ways of working, they’re likely mental wellbeing today
the official prose used for such with the EU and left with the to need extra emotional and
appointments he was “gazetted Chamber’s blessing. practical support. 0330 127 3495
in the name, style and title of With Healthy Minds, they’ll have option 3
This month Lord Frost also takes
Baron Frost, of Allenton in the access to a range of confidential, bupa.co.uk/eap
on the hugely important role of 24/7 support from our experts.
County of Derbyshire.” We may record or monitor our calls.
the UK’s national security adviser. This can help them build resilience
and manage worries before they
Blessing Lord Frost is pictured addressing
turn into more serious issues.
Lord Frost’s tenure at the LCCI members at last year’s Bupa Employee Assistance is provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England
and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ
Chamber was a short one. He summer reception in The College MAY20 CLI 00651
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6 Your business September 2020
On camera under Nelson’s Column
V
isitors to Trafalgar Square this
summer cannot have failed
to notice one of the most
eye-catching works on the fourth
plinth of recent years. The latest com-
mission in the Mayor of London’s pro-
gramme, THE END by Heather Phil-
lipson, is a vast physical and digital
sculpture.
Apocalyptic
According to the inscription un-
der the work It has been designed as a
“response to Trafalgar Square as a site
of mass gathering, protest, broadcast,
exuberance and unease”. Further de-
scribed as a monument to hubris and
impending collapse, the creation is
topped with a whirl of whipped cream,
a cherry, a fly and a drone camera. THE
END, it is claimed, “magnifies the ba-
nal and our collaboration with other
life forms to apocalyptic proportions.”
The camera transmits a live feed of
the surrounding area and visitors are
warned that if they are within a 20 me-
tre radius of the sculpture their image
will be included.
You can watch the live streaming at
www.theend.today
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September 2020 Your business 7
SPONSORED COLUMN
Managing your business-
critical IP during the
COVID-19 crisis
Victor Caddy, Director
Trade mark and design attorney
Wynne-Jones IP
UK businesses are fighting for What do you need to do in
survival during the COVID-19 times of business crisis?
outbreak and trying to trade
under difficult conditions. 1. Have a risk management
plan
If you’re worried your business It’s vitally important that you
is going to the wall, intellectual have identified, assessed and
property (IP) probably isn’t front mitigated the risks across all
of your mind, right? Where is the your business functions. You
money coming from to invest cannot take steps to protect
in such luxuries when staff are your business, including your IP
being furloughed and orders have assets, unless you have this in
been postponed? place and know what you are
going to do.
Protecting your products, ideas
and brands is not a luxury, not 2. Include IP in your risk
even in these sanity-challenging management plan
Excitement and times and it’s still as important
in managing the strategic risk to
As part of this risk management
plan you need to identify your
controversy Issue 145 | May 2018
INSIDE
(Print) ISSN 1469-5162
(Online) ISSN 2051-9524
Strong leadership needed
for a cleaner city
your company. IP assets and assess whether
they’re business critical. Being
What are the risks?
Page 3
business critical means that the
THE END is the thirteenth work of
1. You risk damaging your IP assets are essential to the
www.londonbusinessmatters.co.uk
art to appear on the fourth plinth in a
business recovery delivery of your business goals,
series that has been going for 21 years
and rarely fails to create excitement
SMEs that have filed at least one both during and after the crisis.
and often controversy. It replaces intellectual property (IP) right are
The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist 21% more likely to experience 3. Don’t risk losing your IP
(pictured right) which was constructed a growth period afterwards and If an IP asset is regarded as
from 10,500 Iraqi date syrup cans. are 10% more likely to become a business critical you need to
Created by Iraqi–American artist high-growth company than those protect it. If you already have
Michael Rakowitz, the piece was a COV ER S TO RY
The fourth plinth
without rights applications. In IP rights in place you need to
reconstruction of the Lamassu, an fact, SMEs with an IP portfolio in ensure you keep them alive.
Page 4
ancient winged bull and deity that place actually boost their chances You risk the viability of your
guarded the Nergal Gate of Nineveh, of high growth by a third. There is business by not protecting
near modern-day Mosul in northern no reason to believe that this will business-critical IP; it’s that
Iraq, from 700BC until ISIS destroyed not also apply in the current crisis. simple.
it in 2015.
Previous installations were: 2. You risk not being able to 4. Identify financial support
achieve your business goals Find out if there is funding
• Really Good by David Shrigley, 2016
If you don’t invest in IP when it’s available that may be used to
• Gift Horse by Hans Haacke, 2015 needed you risk others stealing it pay for protection of IP rights.
• Hahn/Cock by Katharina Fritsch, or registering IP rights in similar If you use an IP firm, see if you
2013 areas that will prevent you from can negotiate a payment plan
• Powerless Structures, Fig. 101 by using yours once the crisis has with them.
Elmgreen & Dragset, 2012 passed.
• Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle by Yinka 2013 If you don’t have an IP firm in
Shanibare MBE, 2010 3. You risk missing out on place, Wynne-Jones IP would
increased company value be happy to offer advice and
• One & Other by Antony Gormley,
Having IP assets locked down guidance on all aspects of
2009
can be a key requirement for protecting your business-critical
• Model for a Hotel by Thomas Schütte, investors. IP can also add to the IP assets during this difficult
2007 overall value of a business should time and beyond. Contact us
• Alison Lapper Pregnant by Mark you be looking to sell or merge in if you want a friendly ear and
Quinn, 2005 future. practical advice.
• Monument by by Rachel Whiteread,
2001
• Regardless of History by Bill London - T: +44 (0)20 3146 7888
Woodrow, 2000 www.wynne-jones.com
• Ecce Homo by Mark Wallinger, 1999. 2010
8 Your business September 2020
SPONSORED COLUMN
Common Law Right
To Terminate
Richard Silver, Senior Partner,
Silver Shemmings Ash
In cases of breach of contract an It may be implied if, with
innocent party will have a right knowledge of the breach and of
Because I’m
to terminate in the following his right to choose, the innocent
situations: party does some unequivocal
i. Where such breach is so act from which it may be
serious in itself that it would inferred that
be unreasonable to expect the • he intends to go on with the
a Londoner
innocent party to continue contract regardless of the
with the contract; repudiatory breach;
ii. Where such breach, whilst not • he will not exercise his right
so serious, is so protracted to treat the contract as
or repeated, despite the repudiated.
protests and/ or notices of the
innocent party, that it either Where the other party persists
demonstrates a subjective with the breach, the fact that
intention not to be bound by the innocent party continues
the contract, or an objective to press for performance this
involuntary inability to perform will not normally preclude the
the contract properly: innocent party in the future
iii. Where the innocent party is from electing to accept the
informed by the other that he repudiation.
no longer intends to perform the
contract, either in the present Where both parties have
or in the future, or where the committed a repudiatory
other party’s action are such as breach each of which give right
to render his future performance to terminate, regard will be
A
impossible (referred to as given to the order in which the
s the city continues to reo- promote your business.
“anticipatory” breaches). breaches occurred.
pen safely, LCCI is support- By joining, we are all playing our
iv. Where the contract expressly
ing a citywide campaign, part in kickstarting London’s econ-
provides for termination upon a Following the termination, the
Because I’m a Londoner, that aims to omy alongside London & Partners,
specified breach. innocent party will be released
get London’s economy going and en- the Mayor of London, Transport
from all further performance of
courages people to get behind their for London, London Councils, and
Following a repudiatory breach, his obligations and also will be
local businesses and rediscover their hundreds of businesses across the
the innocent party has the option entitled to damages, including
neighbourhoods. capital.
to treat the contract as continuing loss of the contract, resulting
(to ‘affirm’ the contract) or accept from the termination.
the repudiation resulting in
Promote your business To get involved in the collective
This campaign helps Londoners effort to rebuild consumer
termination. But be warned, very rarely will
to feel confident that going out confidence across our city register
the other party accept that it
and spending locally is safe and at
Termination will not occur unless has committed a repudiatory
the right thing to do. If you run a https://business.london/
and until there has been a clear breach. Rather, the other party
London business, you can sign up joinalliance.
and unequivocal acceptance of will assert that it is you who
for free-to-use downloadable as-
the breach by the innocent party has committed the repudiatory
sets, including videos, images, and Once you have signed up, post a
either by word or action. breach and it will seek damages.
social media posts. You will also be message on your social channels,
informed about ongoing campaign using #BecauseImALondoner, and
The innocent party will not be Richard Silver is the Senior
activities and gain access to more share the campaign with your
considered to have elected to Partner at Silver Shemmings
tools – including a handy guide – to customers.
affirm the contract until after he Ash, he is multi qualified as a
has knowledge of: Barrister, Solicitor & Chartered
i. the facts giving rise to the Quantity Surveyor with over
breach; and 30 years of experience in the
ii. his legal right to choose Construction Industry
between affirming the
contract or accepting the
repudiation.
richardsilver@silverllp.com
Tel: 0207 167 6602
Mob: 07900 166 749
www.silverllp.com
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10 Your business September 2020
Sochi 2014 –
SPONSORED COLUMN
Investing in PR is for all
seasons, not just a crisis investigating
• You are considering going
virtual or managing a situation
where some want to return to
an office and others don’t
a scandal
was then swapped with a clean one
provided months earlier and passed
• You find your business by Martin Dubbey back for later examination.
inadvertently becoming a
COVID hotspot and is forced to Question: why is the Oscar Doping control
shut down again winning drama/documentary Apologies in advance for dwell-
Jon Gerlis MCIPR, PR and Policy Icarus on the Russian doping ing on such a subject but readers
Manager, CIPR More than media relations scandal and the Sochi may be aware that the colour and
Our recent State of the Profession
R
Olympics featured in this consistency of the urine would have
ight from the top of report shows the diversity of skills month’s LBM? changed over the months and this is
government through to the and knowledge that exists within something recorded at doping con-
local pub, the need to explain the profession. It shines a light on Answer: the investigation and trol. In order to counter this, those
decisions, policies and procedures a profession that does more than forensic work in exposing involved would use water to dilute
has and will be a crucial part of just media relations - an activity the scandal was principally and lighten samples. In other cas-
keeping people safe, rebuilding that has fallen out of the top undertaken in London, led by es, they would add salt and coffee
confidence and supporting the three most commonly undertaken investigation company Harod granules to thicken samples.
economic recovery. The need - and instead is engaged in Associates – an LCCI member – These were the incredible alle-
– indeed desire – for clear and strategic planning and research, and coordinated with forensic gations facing Harod working with
consistent communications is one evaluations and measurement. service providers in the area. enquiry chairman Richard McLar-
of the key lessons of the pandemic The fast-emerging activity of
T
en. They were made by Dr Grigory
businesses must take from this influencer marketing – often he story around the scandal Rodchenkov, the former head of
crisis if they are to emerge stronger. misunderstood as simply selling is straightforward. In order to the Russian Doping Control Lab-
products – is now practised by win more medals at the Sochi oratory. In fear of his life in 2016,
The sharp focus on forward- 34% of senior practitioners. Winter Olympics, there was a state Rodchenkov managed to escape to
facing communications has sponsored effort to manipulate the the USA. It was vital to debrief him
been driven by the crisis but Crisis and issues management – a results of the drug testing controls of all his knowledge and this took
writing and editing is only one skillset that those who proactively by Russian authorities. This ensured place over several months. It was
part of an ever-expanding set of invested in have been able to put certain athletes could take steroids also vitally important to establish if
skills required for today’s public to good use of late – is identified to enhance their performance and there was any forensic evidence to
relations practitioner. Those who as a strength together with compete without being caught by back up and corroborate his claims.
have invested in public relations copywriting, editing, and PR doping controls.
as a management function, programmes and campaigns. To achieve this, selected ath- Tell-tale signs
rather than fast-tracking them letes were required to provide clean This led to the most important
into board-level discussions in Lessons learned samples of their urine around three discovery, that the lids of the tam-
the event of the crisis, have found The biggest challenges identified as months in advance of the competi- per-proof bottles could be removed.
themselves better prepared. Just facing the profession prior to Covid tion. These samples were then frozen Harod’s forensic expert identified
in case, rather than just in time. were the under-representation of and stored. During the competition that the bottles could be opened by
PR at board level and not being when an athlete had to give a urine using very thin strips of metal to
But PR is for all seasons, not just seen as a professional discipline. sample to the doping control, they carefully manipulate the lids lock-
for a crisis. It’s a discipline which Going forward, these should read would use supposedly tamper-proof ing mechanism. At the same time,
looks after reputation, with the differently; if there were questions bottles. These were then sent to the whilst not obvious to the naked eye,
aim of earning understanding and surrounding PR as a professional Sochi laboratory in the Olympic but apparent under microscope,
support and influencing opinion discipline, the experiences of the Village for analysis. However, dur- tell- tale signs of scratches caused by
and behaviour. last four months should have ing the night the bottles were smug- this activity could be evidenced.
provided some answers with a gled out of the laboratory, through This was clearly a major break-
Good communication and place at that top table warranted. a mousehole cut into a wall within through. More was to be found by
strong relationships – with our Businesses, if not already, should the secure area. The ‘dirty’ sample Harod’s forensic providers based at
colleagues, external stakeholders, now be investing in their public
and customers – will be crucial in relations and positioning them at
Photo by: SKas (CC BY-SA 4.0)
moving forward whether; the heart of communicating and
• You are looking get your staff delivering their strategies.
back into the office working
comfortably and trusting you For more information visit
to keep them safe www.cipr.co.uk
Sochi Olympic ParkSeptember 2020 Your business 11
Kings College London. They were by demonstrating through the shade
able to prove that the contents of
the urine samples were found to
have been tampered with, as de-
and strips of light involved in the
photograph. It was further proved
that the photographs were taken in
More Crossrail delay
tailed by Dr Rodchenkov. In some the Sochi Laboratory by triangulat-
The Crossrail board’s latest
cases, the urine samples were so ing them with images from Google progress assessment of the
diluted there was minimal salt pres- maps. delivery of the Elizabeth line
ent and in other cases so much salt came at the end of August
added that in both instances it was Compelling and was not good news.
impossible for a human being to The proof of these compelling Estimates for the opening date
have been alive and passed them. facts was sufficient for the IOC to ban of the central section between
The final proof of systematic tam- Russia from the subsequent Olympic Paddington and Abbey Wood
pering came from the DNA Unit Games in South Korea. Many Rus- have been put back to the first
at Kings College London who were sian athletes appear as neutrals in half of 2022. Furthermore the
able to show instances of mixed competition, whilst the whole scan- costs have gone up too – up
DNA in the urine content. dal has yet to be fully resolved. to £1.1bn above the financing
London can clearly be proud of package agreed in December
Manipulated the role it played in uncovering this 2018 – £450m more than
So now it was possible to prove scandal. Without the investigative the upper end of the range
that the bottles had been tampered and forensic evidence, it would have announced in November 2019.
with and the samples manipulated. been quite easy to have brushed these
There remained an intriguing part allegations aside. Fortunately, for the Constraints
“Everyone working on the
of the case that involved the sug- benefit of sports in general these types
Covid-19 has of course been a Crossrail project knows London
gestion of a mousehole to pass the of forensic services enable investiga-
factor. The company reports needs the Elizabeth line more
samples out of the laboratory. This tors to get to the heart of the truth. that the “pause of physical than ever and we are doing
time, Harod asked London based activity on our sites and everything possible to deliver
‘Evidence Talks’ to examine the pho- Martin Dubbey is managing significant constraints on the railway as safely and as
tographs of the mousehole, albeit director of Harod Associates who ongoing work has resulted in quickly as we can.”
partially covered. They were able to provide specialist investigation time being lost, only some of
reconstruct the room and the pho- services including due diligence which can be recovered. www.crossrail.co.uk
tographs in three-dimensional im- and asset tracing
agery and prove that the hole existed www.harodassociates.com
CHELSEA
CENTRE
PART OF
MORLEY COLLEGE LONDON
COVID-19 is changing the
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discover YOUR new normal
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digital skills or invest in your
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LCCI members are eligible for discounts on courses at Morley.12 International September 2020
Spotlight on Queensland, Australia
W
ith the global economy
reeling from the im-
pacts of Covid-19, it can
seem challenging to look ahead to
future business ventures. But now is
the time for those who can, to take
advantage of new opportunities –
and locations – that are best placed
to thrive in the world of the ‘next
normal’.
Located in Australia’s warm
Game on
subtropical north, Queensland
is well placed to offer new trade
and investment opportunities to
British business. Queensland has Queens Wharf development Many of the UK businesses
managed the pandemic well and is currently working on
looking to the future, supported by the Birmingham 2022
the government’s strong economic Commonwealth Games were
recovery strategy. Moreover, Trade interested visitors to the
and Investment Queensland has Gold Coast Commonwealth
specialist advisers based in London Games 2018 in Queensland.
Queensland suppliers and
who can meet with UK companies
contractors helped to deliver
to discuss potential opportunities.
a highly successful games,
contributing across areas such
as logistics, IT, venues, and food
and beverage supply.
If you’re a UK firm supplying to
the Birmingham Games, contact
Trade and Invest Queensland’s
Queensland’s economic strength nology and services to the world. London staff about possible
owes much to its natural advantages. Queensland is also succeeding partnerships with Queensland
in future-focused industries such businesses who may be able to
Mission beach With the largest area of agricultur-
add value to your systems or
al land in Australia, it is a gourmet as renewables (including green hy-
supply chains.
food bowl for Asia, a global leader in drogen), advanced manufacturing,
Advantages tropical agriculture and the country’s biotech and biomedicine, aerospace,
Australia’s third-largest state, largest producer and exporter of beef. smart cities, agtech and more. Eight hours’ flight from key Asian
Queensland is home to some of the Queensland’s mineral resources Each of these sectors offers real destinations, Queensland operates
world’s most beautiful beaches, rain- include high-quality coal, metallif- opportunities for UK investors, buy- in a time zone that is within two
forests and the natural wonder of the erous and industrial minerals, vast ers and entrepreneurs. hours of many major Asian cities,
Great Barrier Reef. It is also one of petroleum and gas resources, and making it easy to do business with
the most attractive business destina- an emerging opportunity for signif- Gateway to Asia its neighbours. It is an ideal and af-
tions in Australia for investors, buy- icant production and processing of Queensland is also strategical- fordable base for European compa-
ers, business migrants or potential rare earths and strategic metals. The ly located, providing a gateway to nies looking to establish a presence
partners; and its advantages include: state is major resources exporter many of the world’s fastest growing in the Asia-Pacific.
• a resilient and diverse economy and sells mining equipment, tech- Asian economies.
• a highly educated and skilled Building the future
workforce Despite the uncertainty of recent
• sophisticated transport and com-
munications infrastructure UK investment in months, Queensland is continuing
to build its future, with $49.5 billion
• an enviable quality of life
• a pro-business environment, in-
cluding competitive taxation rates
Queensland sunshine in Queensland government funding
committed to infrastructure devel-
opment over the next four years.
• vast endowments of natural re- Even in these troubled times, smart money is continuing to seek
sources out strong investments. A case in point is UK investment group Major private-sector projects are
• a strategic location close to major United Green, which in July this year announced it would purchase also underway across the state, in-
Asian markets. a majority share in Queensland’s AUD$350 million Rodds Bay Solar cluding flagship developments in
Farm, one of Australia’s largest renewables projects. With around the capital city, Brisbane, such as the
Entrepreneurial 300 days of sunshine each year, Queensland has unique natural $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf integrat-
The Queensland economy has advantages when it comes to globally competitive solar projects. ed casino and resort development
remained stable and prosperous This is reinforced by the Queensland Government’s commitment to and the $2 billion Brisbane Live en-
since the 1990s and was worth 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. tertainment precinct.
AUD$362.7 billion in 2019. It is United Green’s investment is a vote of confidence in Queensland’s
driven by an entrepreneurial mind- renewables sector. And they aren’t alone – Spain’s ACCIONA also To discuss trade and investment
set and a population of over five mil- recently committed to Queensland’s MacIntyre Wind Farm, which is opportunities in Queensland
lion people, who offer employers a expected to be one of the world’s largest onshore wind farms. contact london@tiq.gov.au
world-class talent pool to draw on. www.tiq.qld.gov.auYour business September 2020 13
Tony Pidgley – a life
SPONSORED COLUMN
of energy and passion How to improve
year LCCI role in 2018, his contri- your cashflow with
bution was summed up by his suc-
cessor Jeff Adams. “Tony has given
more time to the Chamber than an-
R&D tax credits
yone had a right to expect given his
busy schedule as one of the capital’s By Chris Sparkes, Partner
most successful business people. at Lubbock Fine
Debt of thanks
“His wise counsel on a host of
Many SMEs are facing “A typical SME
cashflow challenges during
Tributes from across the
business spectrum have
issues from Brexit to business rates
has been invaluable. He has hosted
the coronavirus pandemic. can obtain an
been paid to Tony Pidgley, delegations and made introductions However, if your business additional 130%
the founder and chairman which resulted in new members incurs expenditure on
of chairman of the Berkeley and much prestige for the organi- research and development deduction on its
Group and former LCCI sation. The LCCI owes Tony a huge
debt of thanks.”
(R&D), you may be able to qualifying R&D
president who died earlier this reduce your corporate tax bill
summer. Colin Stanbridge, Chamber chief or receive a payable tax credit. expenditure”
P
executive for all of Pidgley’s in-
roperty Week – the must-read volvement with the LCCI has put Does your R&D project additional 130% deduction on its
magazine for the industry in on record the unstinting support he qualify for tax relief ? qualifying R&D expenditure taking
which Pidgley excelled – fea- received from the property special-
tured an impressive Who’s Who in ist and thanked him for “putting the Qualifying R&D is undertaken the total tax deduction received
the property world – from Sir Stu- Chamber on the map.” by many businesses in the for qualifying R&D costs to 230%.
art Lipton to Liz Peace – lining up course of resolving the scientific If your business is making a
to praise and assess his huge contri- or technological uncertainties loss, you may be able to claim a
bution. that their businesses face. R&D payable tax credit of up to 14.5%
is undertaken by businesses of the qualifying R&D costs.
Brilliant working in a wide variety of
Rob Perrins, a long-standing col- If you are claiming R&D relief for
fields from everything from
league and Berkeley Group chief the first time you may be able
digital services to traditional
executive, said: “Losing Tony was to go back to the two previous
a terrible shock and these are very manufacturing. R&D can arise
accounting periods to claim R&D
sad days for Berkeley. His passion in the creation of new products
or services as well as in the relief in respect of these.
for placemaking, his drive for per-
fection, his humour and his zest for modification of existing products,
What should you do next?
life will be greatly missed. He was a processes or services. All
brilliant man. businesses should review their At this difficult time, Lubbock
“Tony’s story is unique. He start- scope to claim R&D tax relief. Fine can help you to manage
ed by building one home and his vi- the whole process of claiming
sion grew Berkeley into a FTSE 100 To qualify for tax relief your
R&D tax to help you improve
company. He knew he would never R&D costs must meet certain
retire so he ensured that his culture Empowering youth requirements. There are two
your short term cashflow.
was embedded in the company for The award to Tony Pidgley of a separate R&D tax relief regimes We are a full-service firm who
when this sad day came. CBE for services to the housing sec- which apply to SMEs and Large can help you through the
“Berkeley and I owe Tony a huge tor and the community in HM The Companies respectively. process from start to finish,
debt. With my team I will ensure Queen’s 2013 New Year’s Honours
We will be happy to advise from determining if you qualify,
this debt is honoured by continuing was richly deserved. He could equal-
you on what enhanced R&D through to liaising with HMRC
to position Berkeley as the leading ly have been honoured for services to
place-maker and ensuring it con- London as the city rated high in his relief may be available to your to claim your tax relief.
tinues to be a company of which he affections. For many years he led the company and which R&D
would be proud.” Chamber’s presence at MIPIM – the Get in touch
regime applies to you.
annual international property fair in If you would like further advice
Engaging Cannes – and focussed on inward in- What relief could your in this area, please contact
His epic rise from rags to riches, vestment to the UK’s capital. business receive? Chris Sparkes chrissparkes@
a Barnardo boy who became such Empowering youth though was
A typical SME can obtain an lubbockfine.co.uk.
an influential figure in the property perhaps his favourite theme and
and construction industry, has been provides a fitting epitaph. Address-
well recorded. At the LCCI where ing school children and students
he was the longest serving president at a London Real Estate Forum he Lubbock Fine
in recent history he was known as advised them: “‘Don’t let anyone put Paternoster House
an approachable and engaging man you off – talk to people, learn, read, 65 St Paul’s Churchyard
who was keen to contribute to the understand. Put energy and passion London EC4M 8AB
business community and good into it and you will get there.” t +44(0)20 7490 7766
causes. www.lubbockfine.co.uk
On standing down from his five- Tony Pidgley CBE 1947-202014 International September 2020
A new era for Georgia-UK
“The World Bank’s
annual Doing
Business rankings
places Georgia
seventh best in the
world as a place to
by HE Sophie Katsarava MBE,
Ambassador of Georgia to the UK do business.”
G
per cent in 2019, with even better
eorgia is a small country that growth than projected before the
perhaps attracted wider at- Covid-19 pandemic hit.
tention only during the brief
war with Russia in 2008, Georgia’s Generous
territory was invaded and occupied. Over the past decade, the broad-
Twelve years later, this illegal occu- er relationship between the UK
pation of 20 per cent of our territo- and Georgia has advanced on all
ries remains in place. fronts. Defence and security co-
operation has increased, including
Three pillars through Georgia’s participation in
This rather negative association is core NATO Missions in Afghani-
highly unfortunate because Geor- stan. UK has continued to provide
gia, like the UK, has a long and generous support for the Georgian
proud history, stretching back thou- government’s efforts to reduce pov-
sands of years. Indeed the earliest erty and widen access to education;
known evidence of winemaking is and politically it has been a strong
from Georgia around the sixth cen- supporter of Georgia’s independ-
tury BC. In modern times, specifi- ence and territorial integrity in the
cally over the past decade, Georgia face of Russian aggression and dis-
is also one of the greatest success information – a curse that has been
stories of free markets and liberal felt on the streets of e.g. Salisbury in
economic reforms. The country has policies introduced by the govern- recent years.
built a modern economy, a strong ment in recent years that have led to Seamless transition However, the coming years will
democracy, and a firm attachment macroeconomic stability. Georgian The agreement comes into force surely represent a turbocharging of
with the West despite our challeng- GDP grew by 5.2 per cent in 2019, on 1st January 2021 and will en- the economic relationship, for two
ing geographic location. The reform compared to a forecast of 4.6 per cent, sure a seamless transition for trade core reasons. First, the stated com-
programme is built on three pillars: with the current account deficit de- in goods and services, intellectual mitment of the UK government to
reducing poverty, delivering stable clining to a record low of 4.4 per cent. property, sanitary measures; and promote free trade around the world
and secure economic development, Inflation has also declined, falling government procurement. It also following Brexit; and second, the ev-
and tackling corruption. from seven per cent to 5.7 per cent in includes important elements on er-expanding reform programme of
While Georgia’s recent West- July 2020. Importantly, public invest- deepening political dialogue and the Georgian government that is de-
ern-orientated economic reforms ment grew to a record high (eight per other forms of UK-Georgia coop- livering the greatest level of prosper-
may not be common knowledge, cent of GDP), including funding of eration, including on human rights ity and innovation that the country
they have been noticed by interna- major infrastructure projects. and security. has experienced in modern times.
tional institutions. The World Bank As a result, the World Bank’s an- The agreement will represent a
recently praised Georgia as a “star nual Doing Business rankings places new and exciting era for trade and Decisive action
reformer” as a result of the Georgian Georgia seventh best in the world as investment between the UK and The necessary qualifier in any ‘good
Dream government’s “deep reforms a place to do business – well above Georgia. The UK is currently the news’ article currently is of course
in economic management”. The 26 of the 27 EU Member States. seventh-largest market globally Covid-19. The pandemic has sig-
bank highlights that poverty has The current Georgian govern- for Georgian exports, and UK ex- nificantly impacted global trade in
been cut in half from 30.5 per cent ment’s strong desire to push forward ports to Georgia include transport addition to the vast human suffering
in 2006 to 15.7 per cent in 2018 as with further growth and trade has machinery, pharmaceuticals, and it has caused. Georgia’s public health
“the poor have benefitted consider- specific benefits for the UK in the spirits. The really good news is that response has been widely praised,
ably from the government’s social post-Brexit world. In October 2019, there is a lot of room for growth: including by the World Health Or-
policies” and “new economic op- Georgia and the UK signed a Stra- trade between our nations hovers ganisation. Early and decisive action
portunities.” tegic Partnership and Cooperation around £100m annually (in 2019 bi- from the government has kept cas-
Agreement. This was the UK’s first lateral trade increased by 11 per cent es low and only 19 people have lost
Macroeconomic such agreement with any European and amounted to £133m), which is their lives to date.
stability country after the vote to leave the a fraction of the potential when you In the light of this crisis, what
The International Monetary Fund’s European Union, further evidence consider that the economic reforms we also observe now is an upsurge
latest report on the Georgian econ- of our two countries’ close and en- that Georgia has undertaken have of interest from global big busi-
omy praised the fiscal consolidation during partnership. seen the economy grow at over 5.1 ness towards Georgia, including ofSeptember 2020 International 15
trade and investment
course UK-based companies, which
is a good signal of how the eventu- Tourism
on the rise
al global trade and investments re-
bound will look.
Georgia is seen as an attractive
Mountain villages, Black
destination for investment not only
Sea beaches, wine growing,
due to its overall security and out-
ancient monuments … no
standing performance in interna-
wonder Georgia has become a
tional business rankings, but the
must-visit destination.
exciting opportunities which Geor-
gia can offer investors in different
sectors. For example, a critical con-
sideration for any business looking This fact, coupled with a strategic mies though who will surely lead the
to enter a new market is the availa- geographic location and lower op- world out of the crisis. When that
bility of skilled labour, and Georgia’s erating costs, also makes Georgia a does happen, the sky is the limit.
talent pool in terms of language and competitive location for export-ori-
professional competence skills, cou- ented manufacturing. This is a very Committed
pled with cost efficiency and time lucrative value proposition to inves- All of the necessary conditions ex-
and cultural proximity to Europe, tors, especially today, when the pan- ist for a new and exciting era of
make the country an ideal nearshor- demic-related global supply chain Georgia-UK trade and investment:
· https://georgia.travel
ing destination for service outsourc- disruption has shown the need of my government remains fully com- · www.facebook.com/
ing industries. site relocations and geographical di- mitted to reform and further boost georgiaandtravel
versification. economic development; Georgia’s · www.instagram.com/
Value proposition Nevertheless, the economic shock Western direction will continue and georgiatravel
The country’s solid free trade net- caused by decreasing global trade accelerate; free and fair elections
work enables manufacturers to and much-reduced tourism, will will be held next month; and the
access a consumer market of 2.3 negatively affect Georgia’s economic UK-Georgia Strategic Partnership For more information on business
billion in an area without customs growth, as it will here in the UK. It will kick off in January. I cannot wait success in Georgia, visit
duties stretching from China to EU. will be open and dynamic econo- to get started. www. investingeorgia.org
A Broader Perspective
in Supply Chain
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Email: sales@vasanda.com16 International September 2020
EU exit: LCCI hub launched
C Key considerations
ovid-19 remains a priority
concern for many business-
es across the capital but the for business include
UK’s exit from the EU must also be
addressed as the end of the transi- supply chain
tion period will bring in new rules management, staff
that could affect business, even if
they do not trade with or do busi- recruitment,
ness in the EU. Supply chains, staff
recruitment, services and contracts
business travel,
could be impacted. trade in goods,
Support contracts and
LCCI is helping the London busi-
ness community to prepare and re-
regulation
cently launched an EU Exit Hub on deals. As these develop, it will be im-
the Chamber website. This contains portant for businesses to remain up-
a range of information and links to dated on country-specific guidance.
official guidance on staff employ- The right paperwork will of
ment, trading in goods and services course be essential, and while some
– with EU and non-EU countries, clarity rests on the ongoing negoti-
business travel, and regulation ations, it will be important to get as
changes. ready as possible for new documen-
A support helpdesk has also been tation and procedures.
set up for LCCI members’ queries
to provide information on key areas Contracts and
that will be affected by EU exit, in- regulation
cluding supply chains, logistics and It is advisable to check contracts
cross-border regulation, via Cham- in case any terms rely on EU reg-
berConnect: Ask the Expert service. for settled status before 30 June 2021 if is certain regardless of the outcome ulation, refer to the EU, or need to
Key considerations for business they have not done so already. It is also of trade talks. Customs declarations be reviewed for any other reason
include supply chain management, advisable to consider skills and hiring will become necessary for UK ship- in light of the end of the transition
staff recruitment, business travel, requirements and check how you ments to and from the EU – see box period.
trade in goods, contracts and regu- might be affected by the new points- below on the Chamber’s new service It will be critical for businesses
lation. based immigration system if you need to help companies with these. that process the personal data of
to hire from outside of the UK. Trade beyond the EU could also stakeholders, customers, and any
Supply chains be impacted. Leaving the Customs other contacts to be prepared for
Covid-19 highlighted the impor- Trading in goods Union and Single Market means regulation changes. Rules governing
tance of supply chain resilience, and As trade negotiations continue, that we are also leaving the EU’s data protection after the transition
it will be equally important for en- the exact details of how goods will be trade agreements with other coun- period have not yet been deter-
suring as little disruption as possible moved between the UK and EU re- tries. The UK has therefore been mined, but you should check the
once the transition period ends. If main to be determined. Nonetheless, negotiating continuity agreements Information Commissioner’s Office
you are a buyer or seller, it will be it is still critical that businesses con- with these countries in efforts to guidance to ensure you are as ready
important to review how changes sider how they might be affected by minimise disruption, in addition as possible.
for businesses across your supply trading on WTO terms. One thing to negotiating new bilateral trade E-commerce will also be affected,
chain might affect you. Tariffs and as the eCommerce Directive (the
Customs declarations
other changing costs could indirect- EU’s legal framework for online ser-
ly impact your own costs, and new vices) will not apply to UK compa-
border checks could cause logistical nies after the transition period ends.
delays. From 1 January 2021 the UK will no longer be in the EU single
market or customs union. This means that goods moving between Government advice
Staff recruitment and the UK and EU – both imports and exports – will be treated The government has launched a
business travel differently from now. Customs declarations will need to be campaign prompting businesses to
A new UK immigration system completed for UK exports to the EU with immediate effect at the start getting ready for these chang-
will be introduced on 1 January beginning of the year. es. As part of this initiative, it set up
2021. The end of freedom of move- The requirement for individual customs declarations for imports
www.gov.uk/transition where busi-
ment will mean changes to UK cit- from the EU has been put back for six months i.e. until 1 July 2021 nesses are encouraged to access tai-
izens’ travel to European countries. though traders will need to keep specific records to then complete a lored information by responding to
Factors such as passport renewal, summary declaration. Duty and VAT as appropriate will also need to a set of questions and signing up for
recognition of qualifications, data be paid or accounted for. updates on forthcoming changes.
roaming charges, insurance, and
documentation for driving will need LCCI has joined with ChamberCustoms to provide a Customs For further information on trading
to be considered in advance. Declaration service to help exporters and importers comply with this in services, taxation, accounting
new requirement for trading with the EU, and indeed with the rest of
It will be important for employers and auditing, intellectual property
the world where such declarations will continue to be needed. The
to review their staffing situation. If laws, and public procurement visit
service will be available in good time for the 31 December deadline
you currently employ an EU, EEA or www.londonchamber.co.uk/eu-
and will be publicised here and on the LCCI website.
Swiss citizen, they will need to apply exit-hub/eu-exit-hubYou can also read
