Issuu

Aspen Waite

Group News • Summer 2022

The courage to soar to great heights is in all of us.

In this issue

UK Global Economies - What can we expect What a load of rubbish, and what can be done Equality and diversity in the workplace Artisarni - It’s an art

Advise • Educate • Innovate

Don’t dream it. Achieve it.

- Amit Ray

CONTENTS

04 Welcome from Paul Waite 06 Evadere - An AWSE success story 10 UK Global and Economies - What can we expect? 14 What can I do to protect my business from the current economy? 20 Recession Ahead! – Getting your business through a cash crunch 24 Artisarni - It’s an art 26 What a load of rubbish, and what can be done 28 Aspen Waite Radio 32 Equality and diversity in the workplace 36 Grumpy Bear’s Cookery Corner

PAUL WAITE - FCA FCCA - CHIEF EXECUTIVE ASPEN WAITE GROUP

A warm welcome to the Summer edition of our quarterly magazine. If you are reading this and you would like to contribute an article, get in touch with me at Paul@aspen-waite.co.uk

I started writing this lying on my sun bed in my favourite holiday destination, Kefalonia. My last holiday was in September 2020 when we managed to escape to one of the best hotels in the world, the Belmont in Taormina Sicily. I don’t mind admitting that the pandemic affected me mentally and at one point the thought of the airport experience literally terrified me, but here I am enjoying my holiday. The last few weeks have been especially challenging particularly with my dad nearly dying, but then undergoing a remarkable almost Lazarusstyle transformation, this has helped to show me what is truly important in life and put to things into perspective. Post-World War 2 have there been more challenging times? I will touch on the economic situation in an article later but in summary the Russian Ukraine war, cost of living crisis, energy crisis, union discontent, depressed economy, conflict with the EU, rising taxes, rising inequality; could it get any worse? “Maybe” is the answer but we all must do the best we can, live, learn and adapt. On the home front we have had to contend with a near complete HMRC breakdown on the R&D tax credit side. We have seen the number of days to pay out more than doubling. The lack of communication from HMRC is equally exasperating. This is not what British Business needs or indeed what Aspen Waite needs.

It has been wonderful to have my long-term accountancy side kick, Tim Champion back, even better than before. Congratulations to Lara and Ben Eltham on their engagement. Lara is a creative genius who makes the quality of this magazine possible. Aspen Waite Radio no longer has a DAB licence, but we continue to go from strength to strength on the internet. We are building up a good international fan base and several bands: mostly down to the Redjam man. We will be launching a new finance offering shortly. Corporate finance is normally only offered at higher monetary levels, so we are looking at a one stop shop that serves even the smallest business. We have also been receiving quite a few enquiries especially regarding audit from several countries including Spain, Cyprus and Kazakhstan. My prime motivation now is to leverage the power of our network more fully. I hope to be able to report some positive developments in the next edition of this magazine. Johno Harris represents all that is good about Aspen Waite. I often refer to him as the soul of Aspen Waite and it is wonderful to see for instance how he embraced the concept of ‘Happy Business.’ He is now in Africa for a two-month holiday which also involves a trip to see his father, so we should get a great article from him in the next edition. I call him ‘Bushman’ and he calls me ‘Bossman.’

It is impossible not to like Johno. The Recovery Loan Scheme ended at the end of June and apparently a new scheme is due shortly, albeit a less attractive version. I am also always happy to talk to any reader about funding possibilities. I am going to end this piece talking about my friend and client George Farwell. George is based in Sway (the New Forest) and founded George Farwell Limited in 1952 the year of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Farwell’s is celebrating 70 years of business in the year that the Queen became the longest reigning UK monarch. George was born in July 1932 so is 90 years old. He is mentally as sharp as a button and still goes to work every day. Farwell’s has just had an extremely good year of trading and I am immensely proud to be associated with both George and the Company. Please take a look at their website https://farwells.co.uk/ He has also authored an excellent book about his life. George, I salute you sir. Enjoy the summer, lots of good rugby and cricket ahead and the Commonwealth Games.

Paul

ROSIE WALL, MARC CAREY AND LISA LAUDER ASPEN WAITE SOUTH EAST

Evadere Virtual Escape Room. An AWSE success story.

I’d like to share my warmest thanks. Ffion and Lisa at Aspen Waite have been the stars throughout this process, making it quick and easy, it’s made a world of difference to us at Evadere Luke Baker, Managing Director, Evadere

Aspen Waite South East celebrates the inspiring innovation associated with its successful Business Advice Client ‘Evadere’ - Virtual Escape Rooms. Working with Evadere Aspen Waite have provided a full suite of business support services. During the tedium of one of the many long lockdowns, the creators of Evadere joined a virtual escape room with their family to pass the time. Once having gone through the experience - they were inspired to create an even more dynamic type of gaming experience! As new business owners and never having been selfemployed this young couple reached out to Aspen Waite South East for help. A full suite of business support and accountancy services was put in place to enable this aspirational and uniquely creative company to go from strength to strength. This Company’s USP is that Evadere gamers can participate in any one of the dynamic virtual “other worldly” escape rooms from the comfort of their own home, and participants can also game at their own pace. Unlike many other Virtual Escape Rooms, Evadere also custom built the games into a bespoke website. Once customers enter Evadere’s shop and purchase one of their products they are sent a list of instructions on how to access games. Each game even has its own clues page to help you if you get stuck. Customers are welcome to use FaceTime, Messenger, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype or any other video calling method to work with team members if they’re in a different location. All the games are designed to be shared either by Zoom, FaceTime, or use of any other video call to connect with friends or family in a different household.

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Evadere’s list of exciting escape room games include: • A Second Chance • Operation London: Legend • The Chair • Christmas Crisis • Elf Detective Unit • Operation London: Newbie All are family friendly, however, and players of all ages will enjoy something from it. It’s also possible to purchase an Evadere gift card for as little as £7.50 to share all available games! Perfect for Team building, Cindy’s Bar, Operation London and Elf Detective can also be available to ‘work colleagues’ for as little as £2. This gives employees an opportunity to let off steam at work for some much-needed R&R! This has a minimum of 25 players with no maximum numbers! Evadere want customers to have the best experience, so they decided not to use generic sites such as Google Forms. The puzzles are given on webpages and customers must figure out the clues to get the right password! Entering it correctly will move you to the next part of the story. However, Evadere’s newer games are played via a unique online chatbot where customers can communicate throughout the game with a fictional character. They will help customers through any game and everyone can solve all the puzzles together!

Let’s hear it for Evadere and celebrate in their now proven success! Just scan above or visit: http://www.evadere-shop.co.uk/ to join in all the fun!

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PAUL WAITE - FCA FCCA - CHIEF EXECUTIVE ASPEN WAITE GROUP

UK Global economies. What can we expect?

We live in unparalleled times. The global economy still struggles with the legacy of COVID-19, and we are vulnerable to the possibility of another lockdown. Have we learned from our pandemic experiences? Somehow, I doubt it. The Chinese have adopted a zero risk COVID-19 policy and, as the country is responsible for 19% of global activity, the current shutdown is biting all over the world.

Continental Europe is experiencing inflationary pressure, mostly from the difficulties in obtaining energy supply and Ukraine was one of the breadbaskets of the world. The grain cannot get out of Odessa, and it is the poorer countries that are disproportionately suffering. The true global impact of the war is immense, and many things will never be the same again. Russia is likely to be a pariah state for years to come.

Just as the world was coming to terms with COVID-19, Russia invaded Ukraine.

The UK Government had a relatively enlightened attitude to COVID-19 compared to many countries but came out of the pandemic in a worst state than any other major economy.

The negative impact of this cannot be overestimated.

There was a double whammy for the UK with Brexit also to contend with.

The Guardian published a paper recently that predicted that the UK economy was already 5% lower because of Brexit. The UK has been referred to as “the sick man of Europe.” The UK Government offered several supporting measures in the pandemic, notably the Furlough Scheme and Government Assisted Loans. The latter arguably too easy to access, leading to hundreds of millions of pounds of loans in default. Aspen Waite availed itself of the VAT Deferment Scheme and the Bounce Back Loans but there is a sting in the tail; the VAT had to be repaid quickly and the loan repayments kicked in at the end of 2021.

Our business is highly dependent on our network and the collaborative work we undertake. The pandemic closed our network down and it was only in November 2021 that we saw the light switched back on. Business confidence has been battered and many owners fear for the future. The UK Government in its infinite wisdom chose to implement a hike in National Insurance, affecting employees and employers alike. This is a short sighted and counterproductive measure. But there is worse to come. Rishi Sunak is determined to stick to the hike in corporation tax up to 25% from next year.

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This, along with the abandonment of the business owner class when Entrepreneurs Relief was reduced from £10m to £1m, is the tax measure that has most upset me in my lifetime. Please do read my article called “The betrayal of the business class by the Conservative Government”. Despite the contraction in the UK economy in the last couple of months, the year is still likely to see economic growth more than 3%. My own view regarding the next 2 to 3 years is one of extremely low growth and worse given the possibility of variable factors further negatively impacting. Inflation could well reach 10% and energy costs are soaring. The £2 a litre petrol at the petrol pumps draws ever closer. The labour market is still on the employees’ side but is tightening and, of course, real incomes are falling. The difference between the haves and have nots across the world is growing with this position being particularly serious in the USA where the word “socialism” is considered dangerous so hundreds of thousands of citizens are abandoned to towns of the homeless. No ability to afford healthcare and no chance to live the ‘American Dream’. The USA economy was overheating mainly off the back of significant quantitative easing, a measure I am highly against. The Federal Reserve is now responding to this by raising interest rates fast.

Interest rates are likely to rise to at least 2% maybe 3%. Inflation will remain historically high to until 2024 and I then think it is realistic to see it return to near 2%, assuming, of course, no further pandemics or wars. The UK Government, in my opinion, has no credible economic policy and I can see many businesses failing in the months to come. The Recovery Loan Scheme ended on 30th June, and it is hoped that there will be a successor scheme. If your business needs to raise debt or equity finance and you would like help and guidance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In summary:• Expect inflation to continue at near 10% for at least 18months. • Interest rates to rise to over 2%. • Despite the “political decision” to raise tax rates, tax yields will fall. • The UK needs to adapt quickly post-Brexit. I fear we will see low growth for the foreseeable future. The Global economy desperately needs the Russo-Ukrainian war to end and China to end its close down. Over the medium term, the world will get there, but hang on for the ride.

We collaborate with some fantastic people and if it can be done, we will get it done. I am a great believer in planning and forecasting and this is even more important in the tough times. Again, we can help you with this and help you with all aspects of the advisory process. Immigration is a serious issue in the UK and is helping to fuel a housing shortage. We will probably see a contraction in property prices in the medium term. As an economist, the current period is the most interesting of my adult life.

Paul Waite BSc (Hons) Economics

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MATTHEW FOX, PARTNER & LICENSED INSOLVENCY PRACTITIONER AT BEACON

What can I do to protect my business from the current economy? Could there be a recession ahead? Following a fall in GDP by 0.3% in April 2022 fears of a recession are growing. That is to say, two successive quarters of decline in GPD - a measurement of the size of a country’s economy that has been used for many years - and if it should turn negative and the economy goes into decline could indicate a recession. It has been predicted by The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) that the UK will face a recession in the second half of this year. A warning has also come from the Bank of England that the UK could experience a “sharp economic slowdown.” NIESR further added that 1.5 million households are estimated to start to struggle to pay for food and energy bills causing a cost-of-living crisis. Their report predicted the Bank of England will have to raise interest rates to 2% by the end of 2022 and possibly to 2.5% next year to try and stifle increasing inflation.

The main causes currently are a combination of the war in Ukraine, growing inflation following industries re-opening following lock down and rapidly increasing energy prices. There is also a recognised shortage of stock and materials, pushing prices higher. The Monetary Policy Report issued in May said, ‘Household disposable income is projected to fall in 2022 by the second largest amount since records began in 1964’. The economy is expected to shrink by 0.25% whilst unemployment could reach 5.5% in the next few years. Other economists have indicated that it is increasingly likely that the UK will enter recession later this year. The UK will not be alone, other major economies are also likely to suffer warned the former president of the CBI, Paul Drechsler.

Latest Statistics The latest statistics issued by the Insolvency Service gave the number of registered insolvencies in May 2022 at 1,817. That is 79% higher than in the same month last year (1,014 in 2021) and 34% higher than the number registered three years previously (pre-pandemic 1,352 in May 2019). In May this year there were 1,584 Creditors Voluntary Liquidations which is 70% high than in May 2021 and 66% higher than May 2019. As regards other types of insolvencies, for example Compulsory Liquidations, there were four times as many in May 2022 when compared to May 2021. The number of Administrations was also some 96% higher than one year ago. Whilst Compulsory Liquidations numbered only 135, this is less than 50% of the number in May 2019 pre-pandemic. The pattern is similar with Administrations, 84 in May 2022, 95% higher than the prior year but 12% lower when compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Future trend

From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic until mid-2021, overall numbers of individual and company insolvencies were still low when they were compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, the one area that did see an increase related to CVL’s which are now much higher. Overall, across all forms of corporate insolvency, figures have steadily increased throughout 2021 and continue in 2022. The reason for this may be that compulsory liquidations and bankruptcies remained low due to the government measures that were put in place to support such businesses. The support initially came in the form of Bounce Back Loans, then CBIL’s (Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme). Then came the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA) which came into force on 26 June 2020. In brief this Act restricted the presentation of debt-related winding-up petitions where a company cannot pay its bills (including rent) due to COVID-19. The restrictions were due to end on 30 September 2020; however, they were then extended to 30 September 2021. New temporary measures were announced late last year which ran from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022. There were brought in to protect smaller businesses, particularly in the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors. Now such measures are being removed the continued rise in Liquidations, may well be down to underperforming companies receiving the threat of petitions. In addition, the fact that formal rescue procedures such as Administrations, are still relatively low when compared to pre pandemic

levels, would also indicate that many businesses are simply still not viable. Many businesses I see today have all taken out the bounce back loans, but this support was very much a quick fix, it did not replace lost customer orders, turnover or profit. It remains to be seen if there will now be a significant increase in bankruptcies and compulsory liquidations as a result. But current information would suggest it is highly likely.

What could be the causes? Overall, the trend for company insolvencies started to rise from February 2021 and is continuing to increase with a noted spike in insolvencies from early 2022. For many small businesses, the funding has simply not been enough to cover several months of closure, whilst potentially still having to pay rent, utility and other business costs. In addition, of course those businesses which took advantage of the bounce back loans are now having to make monthly repayments. At Beacon we have experienced a steady increase in business owners seeking help and advice. For many it seems the sectors they operate in are still in a period of recovery. For others, the work or customer orders simply are not returning to pre pandemic levels. This could be down to several reasons depending on which sector you operate in, such as the work from home ethic, businesses altering the way they operate, cutting costs to remain as efficient as possible. There are of course other more recent impacts that are contributing to a tough economic climate, with the cost of living on the rise and the actions of Russian in the Ukraine. The impact of historically high fuel costs and threat of rapidly increasing inflation.

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Whilst many have taken advantage of the government backed bounce back loans, this has sometimes still not been sufficient to carry the business through this difficult period and provide the working capital needed as trade picks up. At Beacon we are starting to see pressure grow from HMRC and Landlords requesting prompt payment and clearing any arrears. Whilst HMRC can offer time to pay in the right circumstances, unless your business is improving all the time and can service its current debt as well as the additional payments to clear arrears, without proper planning the business is still likely to fail. At Beacon we continue to provide free help and support to business owners who are worried about their company and how it might be able to survive.

Light at the end of tunnel? There is however encouraging news for contractors. Recent research conducted in 2021 looked at the impact of IR35, introduced in April 2021, on contractors and revealed some very promising results. Many large organizations are still keen to grow and seek out the best talent there is on the market. The research conducted between April to November 2021 saw an increase of 83% in contractors deemed operating correctly outside IR35. Large organisations have been positive and continue to ensure that they are operating in a tax complaint manner whilst also seeking to engage with the best the market has to offer.

How can I protect my company and manage debt? As a director or owner of a business it is always a challenge to manage business debt, especially in these uncertain times of pandemic restrictions, rising costs and interest rates. If you do find your business struggling to manage its debts, there are options available, but you must act. If you don’t, matters can soon get out of hand and your options can become extremely limited.

Understand your cashflow and liabilities If you don’t have a bookkeeper or hands on accountant, the first step is to understand just what debt your business has; amount and when due. Start off by creating a simple spreadsheet just listing all the debts. If you can, then break that down further, such as which amounts are due to be paid each week, or if monthly, the week they fall due in. Don’t forgot payments, such as rent, rates and HMRC that may not fall monthly. Factor in any loan and other financial repayments. You’ll soon then build up a picture of what is due to be paid each week and any potential peak weeks when monthly or quarterly payments are due. Next, look at your income, depending on what payment terms you offer your customers, you should be able to estimate what amounts are due to be received each week. Be sure to amend your plans if a customer is not able or willing to pay on time.

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Identifying the issues

Don’t bury your head in the sand

Look closely at how your business operates. Do you raise invoices promptly and issue them to your customers? Are there any reductions in expenditure that can be implemented? Make sure to review any non-essential expenditure. Consider any existing contracts you have with suppliers or utilities to see if savings can be made switching to alternatives.

If you are aware of a potential problem in paying an amount due to a supplier or other creditor, don’t ignore the problem. Pick up the phone and explain the issue, see if you can either make a part payment on account, agree a payment plan or just have more time to pay.

If it is an issue receiving timely payment from your customers, consider offering a discount for prompt payment. Alternatively, if payment is overdue, speak to your customers and understand the issue. If necessary, and to save your valuable time chasing debts, instruct a local debt collecting company. Is there a change that needs to be made to your business; are you competitive; do you need to change your pricing structure; can you be more proactive to raise your business profile and win more work?

The earlier you address the issue the more likely you are to get an understanding and agreement from creditors to extending payment terms. Create a plan of action, which is simple, clear, realistic and stick to it.

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Sources – The Financial Times, The Evening Standard and Insolvency Service Government Statistics

Seeking professional advice If you are concerned about the survival of your business, seek professional help as soon as possible. Make sure if you do speak to a professional that they are professionally qualified and fully licensed. Unfortunately, there are many advisers online who are unqualified; it pays to check. If in doubt review their website for professional body membership such as ICAEW, IPA and R3. A good adviser should be able to give you several options that are clear. You should be able to understand the consequences, advantages and disadvantages of each option. The earlier you seek advice; it is highly likely the more options will be available and as a result the higher the chance of success and your business surviving.

Matt Fox

Partner & Licensed Insolvency Practitioner BEACON For more information and advice please contact 023 8065 1441

PERRY LEWIS FCA CF, ASPENSAMI WAITE CORPORATE FINANCE TUCKER

Recession Ahead! Getting your business through a cash crunch. With global recession much on the cards, more and more businesses are likely to feel the impact of tightening credit and the effect on cashflow of the downturn. A fall in sales may have deprived the business of the fuel it needs to drive it forward - working capital. The business is feeling the impact of paying for purchases, wages, overheads and the additional debt taken on in the lockdown, including those unpaid bills. It is extremely easy to slip into panic mode avoiding calls from suppliers seeking payment, paying bills only if you really must and making false promises just to buy more time. Time for time out. Time to stand back and work out a plan to get you through from survival to “thrival” mode.

It may be that technically you are insolvent. This is defined as being unable to pay your debts as and when they fall due. This means you must be extra careful not to be caught in the “wrongful trading” trap where, as a director, you can be made to pay for the losses incurred because of your actions or inactions. Or to pay one creditor in preference to another when they both have equal rights in an insolvency. “Wrongful Trading” is defined in the Insolvency Act 2006 and governs the actions of the Directors where: “They knew, or ought to have concluded that there was no reasonable prospect of avoiding insolvent liquidation” and they did not take “every step with a view to minimising the potential loss to the company’s creditors” First some principals to stick to when making a survival plan:

Keep ahead of the business creditors: By taking the initiative to contact them, and explain you need say 14 days to take advice and come up with any proposals for payment

Involve your entire management team and brief all staff: Clearly there are sensitive issues involved which need to be respected. Conversely transparency is often better than uncertainty. The trick is to find the right balance.

Attention to detail: Go through every item of expenditure. Where can costs be cut? Can you find alternative and cheaper suppliers, negotiate payment holidays with the landlord or find smaller and cheaper premises? Can you negotiate discounts with essential suppliers, change working practices as regards staff working from home?

Government incentives: Apart from the various loan schemes available to businesses, the Research and Development Tax Credit Scheme affords the opportunity for significant corporation tax refunds to many businesses with the definition of eligible expenditure much wider than most businesses realise

Stop the situation getting worse: Hope and desperation is not a way to run a business. The plan should be realistic, and the cash flow reflect the results of running the core business as actioned without any insolvency getting worse

Time out: At the outset, set aside some time and space for yourself to assess the position of the company, take advice, and plan for recovery

No false promises: Your integrity is essential to win trust with all those dealing with the business including staff, customers and suppliers

Formulate your plan: By putting together a weekby-week cash flow projection for say the ensuing three months as well as a monthly cash flow projection

Turn assets into cash: Such as receivables, stock, plant & equipment, property? Is a sale and leaseback of plant or vehicles or property possible? Can you sell off obsolete or slow-moving stocks at a discount? Can you buy goods on sale or return? Can you rationalise your vehicle fleet? Defer capital expenditure?

Finance: Needless to say, the prospect of raising either equity or loan finance depends on the business demonstrating its prospects of successfully trading out of its difficulties, and its ability to service such finance/provide returns

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At Aspen Waite, we pride ourselves at standing by our clients and helping them with advice and support through thick and thin. So if you are worried over the impact of the impending downturn on your business, why get in touch with one of our experts today

Ideally your survival plan will show a surplus of cash available to make a proposal to creditors in respect of the payment to them of arrears on the basis that current supplies will be paid for within their usual credit terms. Whether any surplus is sufficient or not, it is essential to take advice from an insolvency practitioner before putting forward any such proposal. If there is a reasonable prospect of recovery, there are two forms of process that can be used if the risks involved in an informal arrangement with creditors are too great: Company Voluntary Arrangement (“CVA”): This is a process in which a company comes to a formal agreement with its creditors for the repayment of the debts which the company owes. A CVA can be desirable if a company has mounting debts and needs help in delaying, and potentially reducing, these debts. For a Company Voluntary Arrangement to be put in place, it requires the approval of at least 75% (in value) of the creditors (i.e., the people who are owed money). A CVA can last for any length of time as they can be used for a short-term or a long-term fix; and it must be monitored by a supervisor – who must be a Licensed Insolvency Practitioner. Administration: Here the company is put under the management of Licensed Insolvency Practitioners. The directors can appoint administrators through a court process to protect the company and their position as much as possible. The Practitioner is then charged with considering and putting into effect any recovery plan. With a CVA, the control and management of the company’s business vests in its directors, whereas in the case of an Administration, it vests in the appointed insolvency practitioner. However, the costs of an Administration are much higher, and the procedure is more appropriate to larger companies. Both these processes afford significant protection from the actions of individual creditors preventing a viable recovery plan being subverted. At Aspen Waite, we pride ourselves at standing by our clients and helping them with advice and support through thick and thin. So, if you are worried over the impact of the impending downturn on your business, call your Aspen Waite contact, or call 01278 445151 and ask to speak to a senior business adviser.

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LARA HONEYBUL, HEAD OF CREATIVE ASPEN WAITE

It’s an art. We sure do hope you’re not reading this whilst hungry. Artisarni is proud to reveal its delicious new brand elevation. Their fresh new look and feel delivered a vibrant new logo, mouth-watering website and ordering system, menu re-designs and social media channels complete with an array of colourful graphics to boast their fantastic range of sandwiches, wraps, salads and buffets, all made fresh using locally sourced ingredients. Artisarni is passionate about great food and service, which is why they only use the finest quality ingredients in their products. Their new menu caters for all, featuring a range of ‘free from’ alternatives for those with specific dietary requirements to Vegan and Halal options. There truly is something for everyone, and the team are always happy to customize orders to suit your needs.

BUFFET, YOUR WAY... Browse our menu to pick from a fantastic selection of sweet and savoury breakfasts, lunches, and tapas to build your bespoke buffet.

Are you looking to liven up your lunchtime routine? Artisarni specializes in fresh, mouth-watering wraps, sandwiches, salads, and buffets using sustainable ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. Every order. Moreover, every order is freshly prepared and professionally packaged for dispatch each morning so that you can enjoy a delicious and healthy meal without any hassle. Why not wow your clients, family, or friends with Artisarni’s range of healthy, delicious, and bespoke buffet options guaranteed to impress. They can customize a package to suit your event, budget, and clients. From handmade breakfasts and lunches to savoury, sweet, traditional, or continental platters and tapas - Artisarni has something for everyone. How it works...

...FOR THE VERY NEXT DAY

IT’S ALL IN THE DELIVERY

Feeling hungry? There’s not long to wait for food on your plate. Call TODAY before midday for FREE next day delivery

Every order is freshly prepared, professionally packaged and delivered with complimentary plates and napkins ensuring serving a breeze. So why not try something different for your next event?

Are any of your clients are looking for some creative inspiration or guidance? Why not get in touch today to view our full marketing services brochure and to book your complimentary one-hour Brand and Marketing consultation with Lara, Ross and Sam.

Contact Lara.Honeybul@aspen-waite.co.uk to learn more and start your creative journey today.

MONIKA STUKOVA, CFA AND CHRISTOPHER MOORE

What a load of rubbish... and what can be done The world is producing twice as much plastic waste as two decades ago, with only 9% successfully recycled, according to a new OECD report. The Report’s key findings include: 1. Plastic consumption has quadrupled over the past 30 years, driven by growth in emerging markets. Global plastics production doubled from 2000 to 2019 to reach 460 million tonnes. 2. Global plastic waste generation more than doubled from 2000 to 2019 to 353 million tonnes. Nearly 40% of plastic waste comes from packaging. 3. Only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. 19% is incinerated, 50% ends up in landfill and 22% evades waste management systems and goes into uncontrolled dumpsites, is burned in open pits, or ends up in terrestrial or aquatic environments 4. In 2019, 6.1 million tonnes (Mt) of plastic waste leaked into aquatic environments and 1.7 Mt flowed into oceans. In the UK, we generate over two million tonnes a year of plastic waste, equivalent to ~35kg per person. We recycle less than 40% of waste plastic packaging. Unlike other waste streams, which in general are easily recoverable and recyclable, plastics are persistent and non-degradable.

The problem will simply get bigger and bigger unless/until we do something to fix it. Local authorities have been affected by several issues related to plastic waste. China’s ban on accepting certain types have meant that local authorities must find alternative end destinations for plastic waste. This has in turn increased their costs, as it is often difficult to find recycling solutions for certain types of black plastic and low-grade plastic. We believe that the aim should be to persuade local and regional authorities to support the installation of community-scale WtE conversion plants, which can deliver “clean” energy to their communities, at competitive cost, independent of gas and oil market fluctuations. A truly “Circular Economy”, in which local businesses can participate at various levels. But how?

Global plastic waste

Well, for example, a single (or group) of waste management SMEs could engage with large and small shops/supermarkets/other retailers to handle specifically their waste packaging plastic. In addition, community Councils could provide “plastics only” collection bins (most, coincidentally, made from plastic) throughout the community, and make available sites and permits. The waste could be converted in small-scale plants to gas and/or liquid fuels. These modular processing plants are, and have been, available for many years and are likely to qualify for consideration within the Government’s proposed Industrial Carbon Capture and Green Taxonomy/ Carbon Accounting criteria.

In the UK, we generate over two million tonnes a year of plastic waste, equivalent to ~35kg per person. We recycle less than 40% of waste plastic packaging.

Did you know that mixed plastics waste contains approximately 22 MJ/kg of energy? PVC on its own contains 35 MJ/kg (compare this to ~15 MJ/ kg in dry wood). With the plastic packaging tax of £200/tonne looming, now might be a good time to reflect.

Should you wish to explore the potential options available for the creation or restructuring of a business to address this sector’s opportunities, please get in touch to see how we may be able to help.

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CALUM WAITE, DIRECTOR OF RADIO

Aspen Waite Radio Update Building a radio station takes time and we are still in a stage of relative infancy, but I feel like we finally have consistency and an identity. This is reflected by the fact that we now regularly have messages from fans and listeners. I’ve had personal messages from several completely unknown people in the last few weeks alone stating that they listen to the station all day long and that they think it’s the best thing on the airwaves, this is a great thing to hear, and I know that several other presenters have had similar interactions. One thing is for sure, we are a unique station offering unique content and I am confident that we would stand out from the crowd any day of the week anywhere in the world. The station is undergoing some pretty big changes currently! Richard Hill is leaving, Johno is heading back home to Africa for a few months, we have brand new shows, and the schedule has altered slightly, most notably with Nathaniel (Young Bullwinkle) taking over The Breakfast Show. We also recently dropped our DAB license in Cardiff which in my opinion was the right call. You could see it as potentially taking a step backwards, but it was necessary for the overall good of the company. When I took over as director of the station things were quite frankly a mess and we’ve been doing damage control ever since but with the help of Drew, Craig and several other things are now where they should have been a year ago. Also, let’s face it, we are living in the age of the internet now and most people choose to listen online

anyway, DAB is great but it’s just not necessary anymore, especially when you consider the costs. To take a positive from the whole DAB in Cardiff experience it definitely did expand our listener base. Many people got in touch when we handed over our license to check that they could still listen to the station and were of course reassured that they could listen to all the shows as normal online. The station is of course a team effort and as I don’t do it very often, I want to take a moment to properly acknowledge everyone that works on the station: Kate is a real team player and has recently taken over the Drive Time slot. Craig always has solid shows, has invaluable experience and is a tremendous help behind the scenes. Drew is my right-hand man and always strives to do what’s best not just for the station but for the company. He’s always happy to help both on and behind the scenes and on top of this has unique skills that benefit the station; this is shown in everything we do but particularly in all our various media projects. Sam is always unique in everything he does, his shows are niche, he’s extremely knowledgeable about the music he plays, and I consult with him regularly.

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Chris is like an excitable puppy! He’s extremely ambitious and hard working with his shows and this is reflected by his success as he progresses leaps and bounds every week. He now has regular interactions with successful up and coming musicians from all over the world and this is great to see. Chris is also brilliant at getting the AW Radio name out there and building the brand. The sky is the limit. Nathaniel (Bullwinkle) is a great lad; he always brings a lot to Pandora’s Box and his two individual show’s Rap Radar and Scenarios are very entertaining. I particularly think that Scenarios is brilliant, it’s just a great concept and because of the nature of the show every episode feels fresh and interesting. Bullwinkle has also been a big help to me and Drew behind the scenes at the Bridgwater studio since he came on board late last year and this has made both of our lives easier. Lara is a star! She’s great to work with and is always happy to help, her graphics are fantastic. Allis runs all our social media and does a great job, she’s flexible and adaptable which is exactly what a 24/7 radio station needs. She also always does a good job of politely kicking everyone up the backside to send her all relevant information! Thank you everyone.

My Show Updates

SAMI TUCKER

The Forest of Gleeb recently ended, along with The Dark Dell it was my first ever show so it was sad to say goodbye to it, but I felt like it had naturally run its course. I had a great time exploring European folklore and paganism with all my listeners while playing the best folk music the world has ever known but after a year and a half, I felt like my source material was starting to run dry and that I had said everything I wanted to say and played everything that I wanted to play. Fear not though folk fans, we still two hours of uninterrupted folk music every Sunday from 6-8pm on AW Radio. On the plus side finishing Gleeb has given me the opportunity to start two new shows that I’ve had in the pipeline for a little while now which I will provide descriptions for below.

The Sheriff’s Department (Sunday’s 10-11pm)

Gruesome Grimoires (Saturday’s 10-11pm):

This new show is all about the fascinating period of history that was The Wild West. Every Sunday your host Sheriff Hoit brings you information, facts and stories about the era all while playing you the best blues, bluegrass and country music that has ever graced the Earth. Think Spaghetti Westerns, Johnny Cash, Red Dead Redemption, Townes Van Zandt and Lynyrd Skynyrd all mixed in with real life historical facts about the period.

I’ve always been a big fan of horror literature with M.R James, H.P Lovecraft, William Hope Hodgson and Amelia B Edwards being notable favourites of mine. I love the rollercoaster ride a good horror writer can take you on from the comfort of your bed or from your favourite armchair. This show gives me (or rather Eldritch Oddbod) the opportunity to share some of these great authors’ works with you as I read out a different foreboding story every week to get you in the mood for bed. Expect tales otherworldly and macabre. As well as the stories I play an array of dark and spooky music ranging from classical music to heavy metal to set the mood.

That’s it in terms of updates for now. Thanks to everyone who tunes into Aspen Waite Radio every week! We appreciate you. Stay tuned,

Calum Waite

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SAMI TUCKER OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR/HR ASSISTANT

Equality and diversity in the workplace.

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An article like this is such a difficult one to get right, but something that I feel many organisations fail to consider or address in a detailed enough way. Many companies shy away from really shouting about the fact that they are addressing these issues which are sadly still rife today not only in the public eye, but also in the world of business. No-one can dispute that terminology and attitudes to equality and diversity have changed significantly throughout the last few years, and in all honesty, a lot of companies just haven’t caught up. Many places still see “equality and diversity” as a “fad” and that it is a “box ticking” exercise – but how we treat someone and how we speak to someone can be the difference between life and death in some instances. We have a duty to our employees, our peers, our families, our friends and even ourselves to educate ourselves and dispel the ignorance that many people still have regarding different types of equality and diversity in society.

As ‘Equality and Diversity’ itself is such a vast topic and cannot be encapsulated into a few paragraphs, I will just lightly touch on gender identity and sexual orientation. These two characteristics are part of the nine protected characteristics that form the basis of the Equality Act 2010. Based on the Government Legislation website1 these protected characteristics are: • age; • disability; • gender reassignment; • marriage and civil partnership; • pregnancy and maternity; • race; • religion or belief; • sex (biological) and gender identity; • sexual orientation

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Gender Identity

If you were to have a conversation with someone in their 70’s or 80’s, the likelihood is that they would still categorise “gender identity” as whether someone is born to be male at birth or female at birth. The attitudes and representations of this era reflect a different mentality to that of the 1940’s for example. Gender identity refers to the personal interpretation of the person’s gender at that specific time and this can fluctuate throughout a human’s lifecycle.

AGENDER Someone who does not identify with any gender

CISGENDER someone who identifies with the sex that they were assigned at birth

The World Health Organisation is one such organisation that notes that gender is a “social construct” and is nothing to do with the biological makeup of someone. The terminology “gender identity” became first known in the mid 1960’s. There are so many different gender expression terms, but some of the key ones that you might hear in common circulation are:

GENDERFLUID

NONBINARY

TRANSGENDER

someone who has a gender identity and presentation that shifts between or outside of society’s expectations of a particular gender

someone who does not experience gender within the gender binary

an umbrella term which encompasses all people that experience and identify with a different gender than they were assigned at birth

It is also important to consider which pronouns an individual would prefer to be used when speaking to them/about them. If you are unsure, it is not rude to ask – this shows respect for the person you are speaking to and will put them at ease. LinkedIn is one of the first social networking sites to introduce the ability to add pronouns to your profile to aid with this. This website here outlines the multiple different types of pronouns that can be used – some you might not have heard of: Gender Pronouns: A Comprehensive Guide | HER (weareher.com) There is such a lot of pressure to “get it right” and yes, it can be difficult to do so, but there are resources out there which might help you familiarise yourself with different terms and aspects of gender: https://www.genderspectrum.org/ https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/gender-identity/

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual

Hyposexual

Another issue that often crops up is that lots of people confuse gender identity with sexual orientation. This is completely separate and just because someone was born with the biological make up of a man and now identifies as a woman (often described as transgender) does not automatically mean that she might identify as being trans-sexual. Sexuality is again a highly fluid aspect of human identity and there are many types of “identified categories” including:

Homosexual

Lithsexual

Bisexual

Sapiosexual

Asexual

Skoliosexual

Pansexual

Polyamorous

Demisexual

Aromatic

Anthrosexual

And others!

Autosexual Graysexual

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Yes, this can be overwhelming, and many people won’t have heard of a lot of these. At the end of the day, it is about acceptance and respect – not necessarily an in depth understanding of how someone identifies.

to you are still valuable and should be treated with the same respect as you would treat anyone who might identify in the traditional way of “heterosexual male or female”.

Legally and morally, an employer has a duty to ensure that all their staff (and customers) are treated in a respectful and equal way. Policies and procedures are available through a company’s HR department, or you can find information on various websites as to the responsibilities of your employer towards equality and diversity. Aspen Waite has a zero-tolerance policy on bullying and discrimination within our organisation and we are keen to promote this culture in all aspects of how we do business. We were pleased to get behind National Pride Month in June and will continue to do so every year!

Sami xx

Stay safe,

People Department

Open up discussions within your work setting – provide the right culture and environment for people to feel comfortable discussing these matters. According to a national LGBT study by the British Government a huge 56% were not comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation in the workplace for fear of discrimination including being passed over for promotions! According to a survey by Stonewall – 1 in 8 trans-employees have been attacked by a colleague or a customer at work (either verbally or physically). I am so saddened to read statistics like this – societies changing of pace with gender identity and sexual orientation does not seem to be in sync within the work environment. So I ask you today, just to spend 5-10 minutes reading out gender identity and sexual orientation identities – you do not need to understand the reasons why, you do not need to be able to define the “labels” – but you need to be able to understand that there are a multitude of people out there and each and every one person that might identify “differently”

(Gov.uk)

Sexual Orientation: A Definition And The 13 Main Types https://healthywaymag.com/relationships/sexual-orientation 2

Summer is here, so fire up the barby before autumn comes!

Prawn, Mango and Lime Skewers John Porteous

John.Porteous@aspen-waite.co.uk

These are quick and easy – and so yummy. This recipe makes 8 skewers. 20 minutes prep and about 8 minutes cooking.

Ingredients • 16 large, raw tiger prawns, peeled and de-veined • 4 ripe mangoes, peeled and cut into 1inch (2½cm) cubes*

• 2tbsp olive oil • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 4 limes, cut into wedges *Cook’s tip: For anyone who has trouble peeling a mango, the best way to get at the lovely juicy flesh is to: 1. Place on its long edge and slice each side just past the seed (about ¼ inch from the centre)

2. Slice the flesh of each side into squares without breaking the skin 3. Pop the squares up by inverting the sides 4. Slice the squares away from the skin.

Method 1. If you aren’t using a barby, preheat your grill to high 2. Slide a prawn on to each of four long skewers, followed by a cube of mango and a wedge of lime. Repeat until you’ve used up all the prawns, mango cubes and lime wedges 3. Drizzle the oil over the skewers and season with the salt and pepper

4. Either pop onto the barby or place under the grill for a few minutes, turning once, until the prawns turn pink and are cooked through 5. Serve with a simple rocket salad, or whatever you like really

Vodka Marinated Steaks John Porteous

John.Porteous@aspen-waite.co.uk

Vodka is a great medium for other flavours. This is a great way of preparing beef for a good grilling. Serves 8

Ingredients 1.8kg (4lb) boneless sirloin cut into 8 individual steaks 1tbsp coarse sea salt 2tbsp crushed black peppercorns 3tbsp finely chopped parsley

2tbsp finely chopped thyme 3 garlic cloves, crushed 5tbsp vodka 4tbsp olive oil

Method 1. Rub each steak with the salt and pepper. Place in a resealable plastic bag. Add the parsley, thyme and garlic. Pour in the vodka and olive oil. Seal the bag and place in a bowl in the fridge. Marinate for 1-2 days, turning the bag twice a day

3. Cook your steaks to order on the grill, brushing them occasionally with the marinade 4. Serve with whatever other goodies you decide to have for your barbecue. You could even serve with a little ice cold vodka shot!

2. Let the meat stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours before cooking. Take the steaks out of the bag, and transfer the marinade to a little jug. NB: You can experiment with the marinade flavours as much as you like, maybe adding some spices to it, or trying sage, tarragon, etc. – or even flavoured vodka! The possibilities are endless.

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Seabreeze Sorbet John Porteous

John.Porteous@aspen-waite.co.uk

You need a cocktail at a party, so why not turn one into a little dessert. This will serve 6-8 glasses, takes 5 minutes to prep and 4-6 hours to freeze.

Ingredients • 2 pints (1140ml) fresh grapefruit juice

• 2fl oz (60ml) vodka

• ½ pint (300ml) cranberry juice cordial

• 1 egg white, lightly beaten

Method 1. Mix together the grapefruit juice, cranberry cordial and vodka*. Pour into an empty ice cream container and freeze until nearly solid 2. Remove from freezer, allow to soften slightly, then cut into cubes and put into a food processor bowl

3. Use the pulse button to break up the ice crystals whilst pouring the egg white through the funnel. Once the egg white has been mixed in, put the mixture back into the container and freeze until firm

*Cook’s tip: Be sure to measure the ingredients carefully as the mixture won’t freeze if there is too much sugar or alcohol. If this happens, just stir in a little more grapefruit juice and return to the freezer.

At Aspen Waite we’re here for you, always. So why not book a meeting today to start your journey? Head Office

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Editorial Team

Dedicated representation in Ireland and Scotland and trusted partners and associates nationwide.

Paul Waite, Editor in Chief Lara Honeybul, Branding and Design Ross Curry, Print and Digital Support Sam Waite, Proof Reading John Porteous, Proof Reading Sami Tucker Proof Reading Thanks to all our content contributors.