SBT issue 502

SHARING BUSINESS STORIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS

MORE THAN

WHATEVER YOUR VEHICLE CHALLENGE, RIVERVALE HAS A SPECIALIST READY TO HELP. MEET THE TEAM MAKING MOTORING MANAGEABLE.

Welcome to Issue 502 of Sussex Business Times.

Every edition of SBT celebrates the businesses, organisations and people helping to shape Sussex. This month is no exception, with stories that remind us that great businesses are built on more than products and profits – they're built on people, purpose and community.

Our cover story shines the spotlight on Rivervale, a business that has grown into far more than a vehicle leasing company. Their mission of Making Motoring Manageable is underpinned by trust, expertise and outstanding customer service, demonstrating that long-term success comes from putting relationships at the heart of everything you do.

June also marked Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and we're proud to feature Sam Thomas' thought-provoking article, What Does It Mean To Be A Man? It explores how our definition of success influences wellbeing, why so many men struggle to ask for help, and why creating emotionally healthy future generations is a conversation that belongs in every workplace, every school and every community.

You'll also notice a strong charity and community theme running throughout this issue. From the incredible work of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, Webtrends Optimize's charity grant scheme and Rockinghorse Children's Charity, to the fundraising efforts of Search Seven and FirmBalls, these stories highlight the remarkable generosity that exists across Sussex. They are a powerful reminder that business can be a genuine force for good.

Alongside these features you'll find practical insights from experts across finance, recruitment, founder transitions and business growth, all designed to help organisations navigate change and continue to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this edition and to our readers for your continued support of Sussex Business Times. It is your stories, your expertise and your willingness to support one another that continue to make our business community so special.

I hope you enjoy Issue 502

Jackie Irving Managing Director & Publisher

Sussex Business Times

Managing

Jackie Irving jackie@countybusinessclubs.co.uk 07727 243202

Chairman/Chief Storyteller

Sam Thomas sam.thomas@countybusinessclubs.co.uk 07894 762304

Production

Kim Butler kim@lifemediagroup.co.uk

MONTHLY NEWS

FOUNDER TRANSITIONS

MENTAL HEALTH

FINANCE

NETWORKING

RECRUITMENT

WINE OF THE MONTH

Simon David Eden's Powerful Brighton Fringe Exhibition Sparks Conversations on Grief, Mental Health and Healing

Following the success of his deeply moving Brighton Fringe exhibition, Shadow Light: Songs My Brother Taught Me, Simon David Eden has been reflecting on what proved to be an extraordinary and impactful two-week run exploring brotherhood, grief, mental health and healing.

Hosted at the Phoenix Project Space in Brighton, the exhibition welcomed several hundred visitors, with many describing it as one of the most powerful and best-attended exhibitions ever staged in the venue. Throughout the run, visitors were visibly moved by Simon’s work and accompanying poetry, with many sharing personal stories of loss, resilience and recovery.

The exhibition also received praise from respected art critic Dr Mark

Sheerin, who described Shadow Light: Songs My Brother Taught Me as "a show about suicide, both its acceptance and its prevention." Reflecting on the emotional impact of the exhibition, he wrote that Simon had created "a resonant gift for anyone who has known the loss of someone to suicide," adding that through the exhibition, Simon's brother "has been brought back to us."

The exhibition created exactly the kind of open and compassionate conversations around suicide, stigma and mental health that Simon hoped

to inspire – proving once again the profound impact art can have in helping people feel seen, heard and understood.

Reflecting on the experience, Simon said: "This exhibition was never just about the artwork – proud though I am of the new body of work – it was about creating a space where people could feel safe and supported enough to reflect, to share their own experiences and have conversations that are often incredibly difficult to start.

The emotional response was deeply moving and so powerful and profound

it even took me by surprise. Day after day total strangers felt able to open up about their own journeys with grief, loss, and struggles with mental health. And that in turn reinforced exactly why creativity can play such an important role in the healing process.

If the Shadow Light: Songs My Brother Taught Me exhibition helped even one person feel less alone, then that is a truly beautiful and meaningful legacy, and one that lives on way beyond the run of the show. Sincere thanks to all who came, saw and opened their hearts."

future creative writing and markmaking workshops in Brighton later this year, offering opportunities for connection, mentorship and artistic encouragement for those inspired by the exhibition. Those who connected

follow Simon on social media or get in

Special mentions also to Sam Thomas, Marketing for their continued support and advocacy around these important conversations.

Congratulations to Simon on such an impactful and courageous body of work.

A model meeting

The Brighton Toy & Model Museum is a unique business event venue

Meeting rooms often feel so dull. How many times have you sat in a soulless hotel suite, surrounded by the same decor. It;s time to think differently.

Brighton Toy & Model Museum impresses your guests as soon as they arrive.

The museum sits beneath Brighton Station in the historic arches of Trafalgar Street. It offers businesses a space with real character, warmth, and a sense of discovery. Whether you’re hosting a

networking event, team gathering, client reception, presentation, meeting, or staff celebration, this venue gives guests something to talk about right away.

A big advantage of hosting an event at the museum is that many guests may never have visited before, even if they always planned to. That’s often true with local attractions.

Visitors to London make a beeline to the Tower of London, but most Londoners have never been there. When Londoners visit New York, they

go straight to the Empire State Building, while New Yorkers ignore it.

People can live, work, and network close to amazing places without ever finding the right time to visit. Hosting a meeting, presentation, or networking event at the museum gives them that chance. It turns a business gathering into an invitation to explore one of Brighton’s most interesting hidden spaces.

The museum features a world-famous collection of vintage toys, models, railway layouts, dolls, construction kits, and childhood favourites.

For networking, this is gold dust. Instead of guests standing awkwardly along the edges of a room, the museum naturally encourages movement, conversation, and curiosity.

People remember the toys they had, the trains they loved, the characters they grew up with and the childhood memories they had not thought about for years. That shared sense of nostalgia can soften even the most formal business event and help create an atmosphere where genuine relationships form.

The museum is also practical. It seats up to 35 people in a lecture setup or holds 70 standing, making it great for smaller business events where meaningful connections matter more than size. It’s ideal for breakfast briefings, evening networking, private client receptions, team sessions, charity events, product previews, board meetings, talks, and presentations.

The location is another big plus. The museum sits right beneath Brighton Station, making it easy for guests to arrive by train, on foot, or from anywhere in the city. For businesses bringing people from Sussex, London, or further away, this accessibility removes a common event-planning worry.

You can tailor event hire to match the occasion. For daytime meetings or presentations, tea, coffee, and pastries create a relaxed atmosphere. For informal staff gatherings or networking, a finger buffet with soft drinks keeps things simple and friendly. For evening receptions, wine and canapés or cocktails and canapés make the event feel more festive. You can also hire a PA system, projector, or DJ, depending on your needs.

If you want to make your event extra special, the museum offers guided tours and can run the exotic O gauge railway layout with founder Chris Littledale. You won’t find this kind of extra in a typical hotel function room. It makes your event a real experience and gives guests a story to remember.

There’s another good reason to choose the museum. Brighton Toy & Model Museum is a registered charity, run by a dedicated team and volunteers who care about preserving the collection for the future. Every private or corporate booking helps maintain and restore the museum’s collection, so these objects, stories, and memories can be shared for years to come.

This adds extra meaning to corporate events at the museum. Hosting a meeting, networking evening, or staff event here is more than just another booking. It’s a way to support one of Brighton’s hidden cultural gems. For businesses that value community, heritage, creativity, and local impact, that’s a strong message.

If you want your event to stand out, Brighton Toy & Model Museum offers something special. It’s a venue that feels intimate, interesting, and truly Brighton. It has all the practical essentials, but it also has real personality. It can host a presentation, spark a conversation, welcome clients, and make them smile.

In a world where business events often feel the same, choosing a venue like this sends a clear message. It shows your gathering matters. It shows your guests deserve something different. And it reminds us that business, like childhood play, can benefit from curiosity, imagination, and a little bit of wonder.

Contact Jan Etches on 01273 749 494 or at jan@brightontoymuseum.co.uk

www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk

Redefining Success: Why Motherhood No Longer Means Pressing Pause on Ambition

As Prior Media & Marketing enters a new era of growth, founder Stephanie Prior is proving that with the right support, strong relationships and creative vision, women in business can build both a family and a thriving career, while bringing fresh momentum to Sussex’s marketing landscape.

Founded in Sussex and built on a strong belief in relationships, storytelling and community, Prior Media and Marketing has become one of the region’s growing independent agencies, supporting businesses with PR, marketing, events and communications across a wide range of sectors.

Monthly News

From professional services firms and hospitality brands to business events and personal profile-building, the Brighton-based agency has spent recent years helping organisations strengthen their visibility and connect more

effectively with audiences across Sussex and beyond. Its approach has always focused on combining strategic marketing support with a personal, relationship-led style that reflects the character of the local business community.

This year, however, has marked a particularly important chapter for founder Stephanie Prior, both personally and professionally.

In April, Stephanie stepped away on maternity leave ahead of welcoming her first child, Rocky George Weeden. The announcement was met with warm wishes from clients, partners and contacts

across the Sussex business network, many of whom have worked closely with Stephanie through events, campaigns and collaborations over the years.

Sharing the news online, Prior Media & Marketing introduced Rocky as the agency’s “newest (and undoubtedly cutest) team member”, joking that although he is “currently spending most of his time asleep on the job”, he is already settling into the role perfectly.

Reflecting on the last year, Stephanie said: “The last 10 months have challenged me in a completely new way. As the business entered its third year,

I questioned whether Prior Media & Marketing could continue to grow while I prepared for motherhood. But with the right people around me and fantastic clients who believed in us, we have done exactly that.

“To eventually step away from the business while still being able to deliver great results for clients is exactly what I hoped for, and I am incredibly grateful to Andy for helping me achieve this. It has allowed me to focus on precious time with my newborn baby while also giving me the space to reflect, reset and think creatively about new campaigns and ideas for the future.

“I worked extremely hard for this moment and, for the first time ever, I truly feel like I am living in the moment.” At the same time, the agency welcomed Andy Stenning as Marketing Director, an appointment that has brought fresh momentum, additional strategic value and a new dynamic to the business during an exciting period of growth.

The appointment also represents something of a full-circle moment professionally for Stephanie. Andy originally employed her in her very first marketing role and, as an entrepreneur himself, played an important part in shaping her commercial and creative approach to business development. Stephanie credits Andy with teaching her how creativity can help businesses appear bigger, more established and more valuable, not only supporting dayto-day sales activity, but also helping position a business for long-term growth and eventual sale.

That shared understanding of how sales and marketing work together continues to shape the agency’s approach today. Rather than viewing marketing simply as content creation or social media management, Prior Media & Marketing works closely with clients to support

wider business growth, profile-raising, lead generation and relationship building.

Alongside strategic marketing support, the agency has also developed strong relationships across Sussex’s media and business landscape. Through ongoing collaborations with platforms including Sussex Business Times, Sussex World and Latest TV, as well as connections established through years of networking and event partnerships, Prior Media & Marketing is able to offer clients valuable visibility opportunities that extend beyond traditional agency services.

These relationships, combined with the company’s strong local presence and personal approach, continue to give the agency a unique edge within an increasingly competitive marketing sector.

As Prior Media & Marketing continues to evolve, the business remains focused on supporting clients through authentic storytelling, meaningful connections and creative campaigns that place people at the centre of communication.

For Stephanie, this next chapter represents not only growth within the business, but also a clear example that with the right team, clients and vision, family life and entrepreneurship can successfully grow side by side.

www.prior-media.com

Tech Connected Launches New Business Networking Community for Sussex

A new business networking initiative is set to launch in Crawley this summer, bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders who recognise the growing role technology plays in modern business success.

Tech Connected Business Networking will hold its inaugural event on Wednesday 8th July from 4pm to 6pm at the Crawley Innovation Centre, creating a platform where organisations from all sectors can connect, collaborate and explore how technology is shaping the future of business.

While technology is often viewed as the domain of specialist IT companies, digital innovation now influences every organisation, regardless of industry. From

professional services and manufacturing to retail, hospitality and healthcare, businesses are increasingly relying on technology to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences and drive sustainable growth.

Tech Connected has been established to create a space where those conversations can happen. Rather than focusing solely on technical solutions, the network aims to bring together businesses of all sizes to share experiences, discuss challenges and discover opportunities through

collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

The launch event marks the beginning of a series of bi-monthly networking events, providing Sussex businesses with regular opportunities to build meaningful connections while gaining valuable insight into emerging trends, innovation and business development.

The choice of venue reflects the ambitions of the new network.

The Crawley Innovation Centre, located within the Manor Royal Business District, was established

to support ambitious start-ups, growing businesses and innovative organisations. Offering flexible workspace, meeting facilities and a collaborative environment, the centre has become a focal point for entrepreneurship and business growth within the region.

As one of the South East's leading business locations, Crawley and the wider Gatwick Diamond continue to attract investment, talent and enterprise. The Innovation Centre plays a key role in supporting this growth by providing businesses with access to facilities, expertise and a community designed to encourage innovation and collaboration.

Adding further value to the inaugural event will be guest speaker Gerry Lawrence of Freeman Clarke, who will share his insights on technology, business performance and growth. Drawing on his experience of helping organisations make better use of technology, Gerry's presentation is expected to provide practical takeaways for businesses looking to remain competitive in an increasingly digital world.

Alongside the speaker session, attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow professionals from across Sussex, creating new connections and exploring potential partnerships in an informal and welcoming environment. Creating the perfect atmosphere for the launch, Coordination Event Hire will be setting the scene with their event expertise, helping to deliver a professional and engaging networking environment for all attendees.

The launch event will also showcase local brands through the support of drinks sponsors Devils Dyke Gin and TKO Rum Punch, both of whom will be providing refreshments for guests. Soft drinks will also be available throughout the event.

Tickets are priced at £10 per person, offering excellent value for those looking to expand their professional network. Admission includes access to the networking event, guest speaker presentation, refreshments and entry into a prize draw. The prize draw is being generously sponsored by IT Document Solutions and ITDS Managed, further enhancing the value of attending the inaugural event.

As businesses continue to navigate rapid technological change, opportunities to learn from others and build trusted relationships are becoming increasingly important. Tech Connected aims to create a community where innovation is encouraged, ideas are shared and meaningful business connections are formed.

For business owners, directors, entrepreneurs and professionals looking to stay connected to the evolving world of technology and business, the

launch of Tech Connected represents an exciting new addition to the Sussex business calendar.

The first Tech Connected Business Networking event takes place on Wednesday 8th July, 4pm–6pm, at the Crawley Innovation Centre.

Businesses interested in attending can book their place now by visiting www. tech-connected.co.uk. With places limited for the inaugural event, early booking is recommended.

As the first of many bi-monthly gatherings, Tech Connected is poised to become a valuable hub for collaboration, innovation and business growth across Sussex.

www.tech-connected.co.uk

More Than a Degree: How Sussex's universities are betting on the region

There is a familiar tension at the heart of British higher education right now. Universities founded on grand ideas (knowledge as a public good, research as the engine of progress) are navigating a financial model that isn't working and a skills agenda that keeps shifting. In Sussex, when big local governance structures are promising lots for the economy, skills

and innovation, university leaders are grappling with all of this at once. The Sussex And The City devolution project spoke to some key people trying to make it work.

Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sussex, has been candid about the structural mess. Tuition fees frozen well below the cost of teaching, no direct state funding to speak of, and roughly

three quarters of UK universities posting deficits this year. "It's not a real market," she says, "and it's not working for students or universities either." The system, she argues, inherited the worst of both worlds; the ideology of consumer choice without the pricing mechanism to sustain it.

But financial pressure is only part of the story. The more urgent question, running through all three conversations, is what

universities are actually for in a region like Sussex and who they're for.

Joanna Havers, Associate Director for Knowledge Exchange at the University of Brighton, has spent fifteen years working on that question at close quarters. Her team's work, connecting academic expertise with businesses, public bodies, schools, community organisations, is what the sector calls the ‘third strand’, sitting alongside teaching and research. It's also the bit most people outside academia rarely see. "We're not an island," she says simply. The University of Brighton secured over £8 million in skills funding between 2020 and 2023, match-funding nearly the same again from its own resources. That kind of leverage is the logic underpinning a civic university model: institutional money pulling in external investment for regional benefit.

Professor Symeon Dagkas, Vice Chancellor of the University of Chichester, has framed the problem in terms of what Sussex's economy structurally lacks. A landscape dominated by small and microbusinesses, pockets of deep deprivation alongside considerable wealth, skills qualification levels below the national average in parts of the region, and a labour market still too heavily weighted towards lower-skilled roles. "Sustainable growth cannot be achieved through skills provision alone," he told the Sussex And The City project. The gap is about attributes. Adaptability, problem-solving, the capacity to keep learning across a career that will change shape multiple times.

These three institutions signed a Civic University Agreement together, along 18 other major regional organisations, before the creation of the new Mayoral Strategic Authority. The compact wasn't a political response to devolution; it preceded it. What devolution now offers is a structural framework and, potentially, access to funding streams

that have historically bypassed Sussex in favour of the North and Midlands.

"We've been losing out," says Roseneil, "by not having a mayoral authority." Havers is more pointed: Sussex isn't an old industrial region with a single defining cluster. It's a conurbation; dispersed, diverse, with great strengths in clean growth, creative industries, health innovation and, increasingly, quantum technology, but without the narrative gravity that attracts government attention. "We are not London. We are not the OxfordCambridge corridor. We are Sussex," she says. "And we're forgotten."

That may be changing. The FE and HE Sussex Strategic Alliance is now mapping provision across the region from entry level to PhD, looking for gaps and inefficiencies, thinking about how further and higher education can work as a system rather than a patchwork. Sussex's quantum computing research, ranked first in the world for physics research impact, is the basis of a proposal for what Roseneil calls a "quantum Silicon Valley," if investment can be secured before spin-out companies, as so often happens, are absorbed by better-funded ecosystems elsewhere.

The vision these three universities share is less about any single institution than about what a genuinely connected regional ecosystem could look like. One where coastal towns aren't written off, where small businesses can access graduate talent, where a young person in Hastings has a clear educational pathway, and where the mayorwhoever that turns out to be - has the universities at the table when making the case to government.

"Sussex would be a less unequal region," says Roseneil, asked to imagine it. "Young people will have good mental health and opportunities to realise their potential."

It's utopian, perhaps. But it seems that the groundwork is being laid.

Asking for Help Is the Bravest Thing You'll Do

By Joel Lawton – Founder Transition Expert

The summer solstice has just passed. The longest day before light slowly recedes. There's an invitation in this moment. Not to push harder. But to pause and notice what we've been hiding in the shadows.

Founder Transitions

For most successful founders, that light reveals something uncomfortable: distance between what looks like success outside and what can feel like a nagging emptiness on the inside.

The Resistance

Many founders won't ask for help. Not because they don't need it. But because asking threatens something fundamental about how they see themselves.

"I've done it all up to now. Why would I need help now?" You got here through relentless drive. Solving problems yourself. Asking for help feels like admitting that approach has limits.

"I'm the leader. I should have the answers." Your team depends on you knowing the direction. How can you ask for help when people are counting on you to have it figured out?

"If I ask for help, I'm surrendering control. I need to be driving this." Asking for help means giving up agency. Letting someone else influence the direction. The thought of not being in command of your own destiny feels unbearable.

"What will actually be revealed if I ask for help?" Asking for help means

looking inward. And looking inward might show you things you've been avoiding. Emptiness beneath the success. Truths you're not ready to face.

"If I admit I need help, it means I'm not enough." You've built success by having it all. Admitting you lack something feels like admitting you're fundamentally insufficient. If people know you struggle, they'll see you as less capable than you appear.

So instead of seeking support. They keep building. Keep performing. Until something breaks.

My Story

Eight years into running my business, we had a bumper year. We hit our biggest revenue result. In twelve months, we

launched a new service, moved our entire inventory team from freelance to permanent employment, built our own app. A full rebrand. All of it.

It was extraordinary. It was also unsustainable. I was exhausted in a way sleep couldn't fix. I had success, growth, a strong team. Yet something no longer fit as it used to.

That's when I took a month away. Not a holiday. A sabbatical. Four weeks in Mallorca with my family. No work. No emails. Just slowing down. Noticing. Being present.

That month created space for honest reflection. And I realised something uncomfortable. I didn't just need better

systems. I needed help with something deeper. I needed to understand what was actually driving me, what I needed, where I wanted to go.

The Bravery of Raising My Hand

My feelings around asking for help were ones of failure. Of embarrassment at not knowing. I was driven by fear of external judgment. The business was operating fine, so what could I possibly need help for?

But I was missing the point. The exact reasons why I couldn't seek support were the exact reasons I needed it. Our businesses are like mirrors. If we open our eyes, they reveal how we can improve and grow as humans.

It requires being willing to discover what's actually going on beneath the success. That's terrifying. And that's exactly why it matters.

Because the business didn't fail when I asked for help. It didn't collapse when I admitted I couldn't figure it all out alone. It didn't crumble when I became honest about what was missing inside me.

What happened was the opposite. I became clearer. More present. More connected to what I wanted from life, how I wanted to feel, how I wanted to show up. That clarity changed everything, not because I worked harder, but because I worked from a different place.

The Spaces That Matter

The resistance to asking for help is real. The fear is legitimate. But those resistances are exactly why you need safe spaces where you can be honest without performing. Where admitting you don't have the answers isn't weakness. Where being heard and seen by people who understand late-stage founder work is essential.

These spaces exist in different forms. Some are one-to-one. Some are group settings where you realise you're not alone. What matters is that they're places where you can ask for help without justifying it. Where vulnerability is met with understanding.

It is in these spaces that new exciting chapters are written.

If something's been sitting with you, that unnamed discomfort, that sense that something needs to shift, this might be where it starts.

The Clearing is a half-day, one-to-one session in nature. A held space to get honest about where you are, where you want to be, and what's in the way.

Your Away Day is a full day with other founders navigating similar terrain. Real conversations happen. People leave changed.

Both are invitations to do the bravest thing a founder can do: ask for help. Book a free conversation: www. inyourcorner.co/coaching

Because asking for help isn't weakness. It's how you build something that actually lasts, and a life that actually feels worth living.

What Does It Mean To Be A Man?

June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental Health

Every year around this time, we hear the same messages.

"Men need to talk."

"Men need to open up." "Men need to ask for help."

And whilst I understand the intention behind those messages, I've often found myself wondering if we're asking the wrong question.

Because after spending the last five years interviewing more than 150 people on the Different Hats Podcast, facilitating conversations through You Alright Mate?, and working with men in businesses, communities and schools, I've come to believe that many men aren't struggling because they don't know how to talk.

They're struggling because they don't know who they're supposed to be.

What does it actually mean to be a man in 2026?

For generations, men were handed a fairly simple script. Provide. Protect. Stay strong. Don't cry. Keep going.

Somewhere along the way, success became attached to money, status, achievement and recognition.

The result?

Many men have spent their lives pursuing goals that they believed would make them successful, only to arrive there and discover something was missing.

I know because I've been one of them.

For years, I chased the idea of success I thought I was supposed to want.

The business. The house. The milestones. The external validation.

Yet some of the most challenging moments of my life came when I realised those things alone weren't enough.

That realisation ultimately became the foundation of both the Different Hats Podcast and the You Alright Mate? movement.

Because when you ask enough people how they define success, a fascinating pattern emerges.

Very few people mention money. Very few people mention status. Instead, they talk about relationships.

Purpose. Health. Connection.

Being present. Making a difference. Feeling fulfilled.

Things that don't appear on a balance sheet.

This is why I believe the conversation around men's mental health is inseparable from the conversation about success.

If we continue teaching boys and men that their worth is tied to what they achieve, earn or produce, we shouldn't be surprised when many struggle the moment life becomes difficult.

And life always becomes difficult. One of the biggest reflections I've had recently came whilst observing the rise of the so-called "manosphere."

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, I think it's important we understand why it exists.

Millions of young men are searching for guidance.

They're searching for belonging. They're searching for identity. They're searching for answers to questions previous generations rarely discussed.

The desire itself isn't the problem. In many ways, it's completely understandable.

The challenge is that some of the answers being offered are rooted in fear, division and performance rather than connection, compassion and self-awareness.

Young men don't need to be told they are broken.

Nor do they need to be told they must dominate others to be valuable.

What they need is a healthier definition of masculinity.

One that allows strength and vulnerability to coexist.

One that says courage isn't the absence of emotion but the willingness to feel it.

One that teaches boys that asking for help is not weakness.

One that reminds men that their value doesn't disappear on the days they aren't winning.

This is exactly why we're developing the You Alright Mate? schools programme.

“We don’t need to fix broken men, we need to raise emotionally healthy boys”

Because if we can help children understand from a young age that success is about more than wealth, fame and achievement, perhaps we can prevent some of the struggles we see later in life.

Perhaps we can create a generation who understand that being successful means being balanced, authentic, present, fulfilled and connected.

The five pillars that now sit at the heart of everything we do.

And perhaps that starts with something incredibly simple.

Three words.

One question.

You Alright Mate?

Not as a throwaway greeting. Not as something we say whilst walking past.

But as a genuine invitation. An opportunity to pause.

To listen.

To connect.

To remind someone that they matter.

Because maybe being a man isn't about having all the answers. Maybe it's about having the courage to ask the questions.

And perhaps the most important one of all is the question that sits at the heart of this movement.

You Alright Mate?

If you reading this at the end of June, Men’s Mental health month, or whenever you read it, my ask is simple, please take action now.

Send a message and ask… “You Alright Mate?”

Send someone a message and tell them you see them and you’re proud of them.

Finally send someone a message and tell them you love them.

You never know that message might land exactly when someone needs to hear it, and it may just save a life.

Sam Thomas Founder of You Alright Mate?

Sam@different-hats.co.uk www.different-hats.co.uk

For more information about our programmes scan the QR code

Why outsourcing your finance function can benefit your business

Finance Raymond Cheung, Head of Outsource Finance Function, Carpenter Box

For many growing businesses, the finance function starts out simple enough. A founder, office manager or small internal team may handle invoices, bookkeeping, payroll and basic reporting. But as your business expands, financial management becomes more complex. There are more transactions to process, more decisions to make, more compliance obligations to meet and a greater need for accurate, timely information.

At that point, many small and mediumsized enterprises face a familiar question: should they continue building an in-house finance team, or outsource some or all of the function to external specialists?

Five benefits of outsourcing your finance function

When done well, outsourcing can strengthen the way a business operates, plans and makes decisions. Below we outline five benefits to outsourcing your finance function.

1. Access to specialist expertise without building a full internal team

One of the clearest benefits of outsourcing your finance function is the ability to access a wider range of finance skills than most SMEs could realistically employ in-house.

As a business grows, its finance needs often become more varied. Bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, management accounts, forecasting, credit control and financial reporting all require different skills and

levels of experience. In a small internal team, these responsibilities may fall to one person, or to employees whose main expertise lies elsewhere in the business.

Outsourcing gives businesses access to a team of finance professionals with different areas of knowledge. This means the right person can deal with the right task, whether that is processing transactions accurately, preparing timely management information, supporting cash flow planning or advising on financial controls.

This can be particularly valuable for SMEs that need reliable, professional finance support but do not yet require a full-time finance manager or financial controller. Instead of trying to recruit one person to cover every finance requirement, businesses can draw on a broader pool of expertise as and when they need it.

The result is not just additional capacity, but better-quality financial support.

2. Greater flexibility as the business changes

Businesses rarely grow in a straight line. There may be periods of rapid expansion, quieter trading periods, seasonal peaks, one-off projects or changes in structure. An in-house finance team can sometimes struggle to flex quickly around those changing demands.

An outsourced finance function offers a more flexible model as businesses can scale support up or down depending on what they need at a particular time. For example, a company might need additional help during a growth phase, support with year-end preparation, assistance with a system implementation, or more detailed monthly reporting as management

information becomes more important.

Rather than committing to fixed internal costs, outsourcing allows businesses to choose a level of service that reflects their current circumstances. This can make financial planning easier and reduce the risk of paying for capacity that is not always required.

Flexibility is also valuable when a business is preparing for change. Whether seeking investment, entering new markets, improving profitability or planning for succession, the finance function needs to provide reliable information and strategic insight. Outsourced support can help ensure that financial processes, reporting and controls are strong enough to support those ambitions.

3. Better use of accounting technology

Technology has transformed the way businesses manage their finances. Cloud accounting platforms, digital payment tools, reporting dashboards and automated processes can all improve efficiency and visibility. However, keeping up with the latest systems can be timeconsuming and costly.

Many SMEs invest in accounting software but do not use it to its full potential. Processes may remain manual, reports may be underused, and valuable data may not be captured or interpreted effectively. This can lead to inefficiencies, duplicated work and delayed information.

By outsourcing the finance function, businesses can benefit from a team that understands how to use accounting technology properly. An experienced outsourced finance team can help streamline processes, reduce manual input, improve accuracy and produce clearer, more timely financial reports.

This can have a real commercial impact. When business owners and managers

have access to up-to-date information, they are better placed to monitor performance, manage cash flow, identify issues early and make confident decisions.

4. Clearer costs and fewer hidden overheads

The cost of employing finance staff is often higher than the headline salary. Recruitment fees, onboarding, training, employer contributions, software licences, equipment, holiday cover, sickness absence and management time can all add to the overall cost. There may also be additional expense when systems need upgrading or when extra temporary support is required during busy periods.

Outsourcing can replace many of these variable and indirect costs with a clearer, agreed fee for the services required. This makes it easier to budget, compare value and understand exactly what level of support the business is receiving.

It can also reduce the financial impact of disruption. If an internal finance employee leaves, the business may face recruitment costs, delays and a temporary loss of knowledge. With an outsourced team, there is usually greater continuity because more than one person understands the client’s systems and processes.

5. More time to focus on running the business

Perhaps one of the most important benefits of outsourcing is the time it gives back to business owners and senior teams. Financial administration can be time-consuming, particularly when handled by people whose main role lies elsewhere in the business.

By outsourcing routine and specialist finance tasks, management teams can focus more of their time on clients, staff, growth and strategy. At the same time,

they can receive better financial insight to support those decisions.

This is where outsourcing moves beyond cost saving. A well-run outsourced finance function can help create a stronger, more disciplined and betterinformed business. It can improve processes, support compliance, provide timely reporting and give leaders confidence in the numbers.

Summary

Outsourcing your finance function is not about losing control. In many cases, it is about gaining better control: clearer information, stronger systems, more reliable support and a finance function that can grow with the business.

For business owners looking to improve efficiency, manage costs and strengthen financial decision-making, outsourcing can be a practical and commercially valuable option.

To find out how our outsourced finance function can support you, please get in touch with us on 01903 234094 or visit www.carpenterbox.com. Our dedicated team would be happy to discuss your requirements and help identify the right level of support for your business.

Giving the next generation a stronger financial start

Young people today face big financial challenges. House prices are high, jobs can be uncertain, and saving for the future is tough. With education, rent, and daily costs rising, it is no wonder families want practical ways to support their children and grandchildren.

The good news is there are many ways to save and invest for younger family members. The right choice depends on the goal, when the money will be needed, how flexible you want to be, and how much control you want to keep.

Some options work best for long-term growth, while others are better for short-term savings or teaching kids about money.

Time on their side

Children have a big advantage: time. Money saved early has more years to grow through compounding. While growth is never certain, starting early can make a big difference. Even small, regular contributions over many years can add up to something significant.

UK resident children have their own tax allowances. In the 2026/27 tax year, they can earn up to £12,570 before paying income tax, and capital gains tax only

applies to gains over £3,000. They may also get a personal savings allowance of £1,000 and up to £5,000 under the starting rate for savings, depending on their income.

However, if a parent gives money that earns income, special rules may apply. This matters when choosing between savings accounts, investments, and trusts.

A junior ISA, or JISA, is a popular choice. Like an adult ISA, any interest, income, or growth in a junior ISA is free from income

tax and capital gains tax. For 2026/27, the annual JISA limit is £9,000. You can put money into cash, stocks and shares, or both, up to this limit.

Only a parent or legal guardian can open a junior ISA, but after that, anyone can add money. This is helpful for grandparents, godparents, or other relatives who want to contribute. The money belongs to the child, but they cannot access it until they turn 18. At that age, the account becomes theirs to manage.

How much access?

It is important to think about when the child can access the money. For some families, a JISA is a great way to help pay for university, training, travel, or a first home. Others may worry about giving an 18-year-old full control over a large amount. JISAs can work well, but families should be comfortable with when and how the money is used.

If you are planning for the long term, a child’s personal pension is another option. You can usually contribute up to £2,880 per child each tax year, and basic rate tax relief is added automatically, making the total £3,600. Like a junior ISA, only a parent or legal guardian can open the pension, but others can add money once it is set up.

The benefit of a pension is the very long investment horizon. Money paid into a pension for a child may remain invested for decades, giving it substantial time to grow. The downside is that it cannot normally be accessed until later life, currently from age 55 and rising to 57 from 2028. This means a pension is not designed for university fees, a first car or a house deposit. It is a way of giving a child a head start on retirement, not solving nearer-term financial needs.

Trusts can be helpful, especially for grandparents who want to pass

on money in a structured way. An investment account in trust offers flexibility and has no set contribution limit. This can be useful if ISA and pension allowances are already used up.

In a bare trust, income and growth usually belong to the child, who gets the assets at 18 in England and Wales. If a parent puts money into the trust and it earns more than £100 in a year, that income may be taxed as the parent’s. This rule is different for gifts from grandparents or others.

If families want more control over when and how money is used, a discretionary trust could be a good choice. Trustees decide how to distribute the funds, which can help prevent money from being spent too quickly. Discretionary trusts can also support different family members over time and are useful in complex situations, such as when a child is disabled or vulnerable. However, trusts can be complicated, and the tax rules are not always simple, so getting professional advice is important.

Children’s savings accounts might be better if the money will be needed soon or if easy access is important. These accounts can also help kids learn good habits, like saving regularly and understanding interest. Some offer good

rates, but cash may not grow much over the long term if inflation reduces its value.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Many families use a mix of savings accounts, junior ISAs, pensions, and sometimes trusts. The important thing is to choose the right option for your goal, whether that is short-term access, medium-term support, or long-term security.

Just as importantly, families should talk to children about money as they grow. Helping them understand saving, investing, spending and responsibility can be just as valuable as the money itself. A financial gift can provide opportunity, but good habits can last a lifetime.

www.southoverwealth.co.uk

Southover Wealth is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

More Than Accountants: A New Chapter for Plus Accounting

There are moments in every business journey where it makes sense to pause, reflect and look ahead. For us at Plus Accounting, this feels like one of those moments.

As we launch our new website and continue to evolve as a firm, we wanted to take the opportunity to reintroduce ourselves to the Sussex business community, share what matters most to us, and talk about what comes next.

Who We Are

Plus Accounting has been supporting businesses, individuals and organisations across Sussex and beyond for more than three decades.

While accountancy and tax remain at the heart of what we do, we have always believed our role goes beyond compliance.

Our purpose is simple: helping people realise their potential.

Whether that is supporting a start-up founder taking their first steps, helping a growing business navigate change, advising creative studios on specialist tax reliefs, or working with established organisations on their long-term plans, we see ourselves as part of our clients' journeys.

Success is rarely just about numbers. It is about people, ambitions, challenges and opportunities.

Over the years, we have grown alongside many of our clients, celebrating milestones, navigating uncertainty and supporting businesses through periods

of change. Those relationships are what continue to drive us forward.

What We Stand For

Our services have evolved significantly over the years, but our values have remained remarkably consistent.

We believe business can be a force for good.

That belief was one of the reasons we pursued B Corp Certification in 2024. While achieving certification was an important milestone, it was never intended to be the destination. Instead, it formalised many of the things we were already striving to do: balancing commercial success with

positive impact for our people, clients, community and environment.

Being a B Corp influences the decisions we make every day. From how we support our team and engage with our local community, to the clients we work with and the initiatives we choose to champion, it encourages us to think beyond short-term outcomes.

We are proud to work with ambitious businesses across a wide range of sectors, many of whom share similar values around sustainability, innovation, wellbeing and creating positive change.

A New Website for a New Chapter

Our new website represents much more than a design refresh.

It reflects how the firm has evolved and where we are heading.

Over recent years we have expanded our specialist sector expertise, strengthened our advisory services, invested in technology and welcomed new talent into the business. The new website provides a clearer picture

of the breadth of support we offer and makes it easier for clients and prospective clients to access the resources, guidance and expertise they need.

Most importantly, it has been designed with our users in mind.

Business owners are facing increasing complexity, whether that is changes to legislation, advances in technology, recruitment challenges, succession planning or economic uncertainty. We want our website to be a practical hub of knowledge and support, helping people find answers, access expert guidance and make informed decisions.

The website also reflects our commitment to being accessible, approachable and proactive. We want clients to see not only what we do, but how we work and what they can expect from a relationship with Plus.

Building the Future, Together

One of the things we are most proud of at Plus Accounting is the community that exists around us.

Our team, our clients, our partners and the organisations we support all play a part in shaping who we are and where we are heading. As we continue to grow, our ambition is not simply to increase the number of clients we work with or the size of our team, but to strengthen those connections and create more opportunities for people to succeed.

The launch of our new website marks an exciting milestone, but it is only one part of a much bigger story. We are investing in our people, developing future leaders, embracing new technology and creating better ways to support businesses through every stage of their journey.

There is a real energy within the firm as we look ahead. We are ambitious about what the future holds, but equally committed to staying true to the values that have guided us for many years: supporting people, sharing knowledge, building relationships and making a positive difference.

For us, the future is not just about growth. It is about growing well.

www.plusaccounting.co.uk

More Than Leasing: Meet the Rivervale team making motoring manageable

Choosing a vehicle used to feel simpler. For many drivers, it was a question of make, model, budget and delivery date. For businesses, it was often about finding the right vehicle at the right price and keeping people moving.

Today, the decision is rarely that straightforward. The UK vehicle market is moving quickly. Electric vehicles continue to grow, hybrid options are becoming more common, new brands are entering the market, funding choices are wider, tax rules are changing, and businesses are under more pressure to control costs, support drivers and make the right long-term decisions.

Cover Story

For van users, the question is not just

which vehicle looks right on paper. It is whether it can carry the right load, support the right working day and make sense financially. For fleets, the challenge is keeping vehicles maintained, compliant and cost-effective. For schools, charities and care providers, safety and minibus compliance matter as much as supply. For employers, salary sacrifice is becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation around electric vehicles and staff benefits.

For brokers and dealers, there is also

growing pressure to offer more value to their own customers without adding unnecessary infrastructure.

This is where Rivervale has continued to evolve.

From its new base in Shoreham, the business has grown far beyond traditional car leasing. Today, Rivervale brings together personal leasing, business leasing, van leasing, fleet management, salary sacrifice, minibus leasing, minibus driver training,

maintenance support, and broker and dealer partnerships.

At the centre of it all is one simple purpose: Making Motoring Manageable.

Rivervale’s vision is to be the UK’s most trusted vehicle provider. That trust is not built through words alone. It is built through people, advice, relationships, service and the confidence customers feel when they know they are being properly looked after.

A business built around trust

For Vince Pemberton, CEO of Rivervale, the direction of the business is clear.

Rivervale has grown, moved and adapted, but the focus remains the same: helping customers make confident vehicle decisions.

“Our job is to live by our mission of making motoring manageable, whether someone needs one car, a van, a full fleet, a minibus or support as a broker or dealer, we want them to feel they are in safe hands.”

That phrase, “safe hands”, matters. In a market where customers are surrounded by choice, comparison sites, changing prices, changing legislation and mixed messages around electric vehicles, trust has become one of the most important parts of the buying and leasing journey.

A customer might begin by asking for a personal lease quote. A business might need one van. A school might need a minibus. A finance director might want to reduce fleet costs. A HR team might want to introduce salary sacrifice. A broker might want access to better supply or maintenance support.

Each of those conversations is different, but the need behind them is often the same. People want clear advice. They want someone who understands the detail. They want to feel reassured that the recommendation is right for them. That is where Rivervale’s team structure becomes important.

Rather than being a business focused on one type of vehicle or one type of customer, Rivervale has built specialist teams across different areas of motoring. Those specialists work together to support customers at different stages of their journey.

Sales with advice at the centre

As Sales Director, Duncan Stocks sees first-hand how much the customer journey has changed.

Price will always matter, but it is no longer the only consideration. Customers want value, but they also want clarity. They want to know whether a vehicle is suitable, whether the terms make sense, whether electric is right for their circumstances, and whether there are other options they should be considering.

“Customers do not just need a price, they need someone who understands what they are trying to achieve and can guide them through the right options.” That approach sits at the heart of Rivervale’s sales culture.

For private drivers, that might mean helping someone understand the difference between personal contract hire and other funding options. For business customers, it might mean looking at whole-life costs, driver needs, tax position, mileage, maintenance and vehicle availability.

For many customers, especially those considering electric vehicles for the first time, the conversation is also about confidence. Range, charging, home setup, public charging, Benefit in Kind, running costs and suitability all need to be explained clearly.

The role of the salesperson has

changed. It is not about pushing a deal. It is about helping the customer make a decision they feel comfortable with.

Strong relationships, wider choice

Behind the customer-facing advice sits another important part of the Rivervale business: commercial relationships.

Simon Fuller, Commercial Director, works closely with manufacturers, suppliers and partners to help create opportunities for customers across the business.

Those relationships matter because vehicle supply is not always simple. Availability, lead times, model changes, tactical offers, manufacturer targets and market demand can all affect what customers can access.

“Our relationships with manufacturers and suppliers help us give customers access to the right vehicles, the right terms and the right support,” says Simon.

This is especially important in a market where choice is expanding quickly.

The rise of electric vehicles, the growth of hybrid models and the arrival of new brands have given customers more options than ever before. That is positive, but it can also make the decision harder.

A trusted provider has to do more than list vehicles online. It has to understand what is changing, what is available, what represents good value and what will genuinely suit the customer.

That is where Rivervale’s blend of supplier relationships, pricing knowledge and customer advice becomes valuable.

Keeping businesses moving

For many organisations, vehicles are not simply a benefit or a convenience. They are essential to how the business operates.

That is where Fleet Director Jaymie Stanbrook and the Rivervale Fleet Management team come in.

Fleet management is about much more than arranging vehicles. It is about keeping businesses moving, helping control costs, reducing downtime, supporting drivers and giving decisionmakers the visibility they need.

“Good fleet management gives businesses control,” says Jaymie. “It helps reduce admin, manage costs and keep drivers on the road.”

For a business running multiple vehicles, small issues can quickly become expensive. Unexpected maintenance, downtime, poor vehicle fit, driver queries, compliance gaps and unclear costs can all create pressure.

Rivervale’s fleet support is designed to remove that pressure. From vehicle sourcing and maintenance planning to driver support and ongoing management, the aim is to give businesses a clearer, more controlled way to run their vehicles.

For some customers, that means full

fleet management. For others, it may mean fixed-cost maintenance support or help reviewing an existing fleet.

The common theme is practical support. Businesses want vehicles to do their job. They want drivers looked after. They want costs under control. They want fewer surprises.

That is what fleet management should deliver.

Salary sacrifice and the EV opportunity

The shift towards electric vehicles has also opened up a major opportunity for employers.

Salary sacrifice allows employees to access a brand-new electric car through their employer, often in a tax-efficient way. For businesses, it can become a valuable staff benefit, helping with recruitment, retention and sustainability goals.

Warren Keech supports this growing area for Rivervale.

“Salary sacrifice gives employers a practical way to support their teams while helping more drivers move into electric vehicles,” says Warren.

The opportunity is clear, but employers still need guidance.

A salary sacrifice scheme has to be explained properly. Employees need to understand how it works. Businesses need support with setup, communication and vehicle choice. Questions around insurance, early termination, charging, mileage and suitability all need clear answers.

That is where Rivervale’s hand-holding approach becomes important. The aim is not simply to launch a scheme. It is to make the process feel manageable for the employer and reassuring for the employee.

As electric vehicle choice grows and more drivers consider making the switch, salary sacrifice is likely to become an increasingly important part of Rivervale’s future.

Vans that work for real businesses

For sole traders, local businesses and growing SMEs, a van is rarely just transport.

It is a workshop, delivery tool, mobile office, brand advert and business essential. Choosing the wrong van can create problems from day one. Payload, access, load length, roof height, range, towing ability, fuel type, running costs and monthly budget all matter.

That is the world Shaun Wares comes in as Rivervale’s LCV Specialist.

“The right van can make a real difference to how a business runs,” says Shaun. “My job is to understand how it will be used and help the customer choose properly.”

That starts with asking the right questions.

What will the van carry? How far will it travel each day? Will it need racking? Will it be used in a city or across longer routes? Does the customer need one vehicle now and more later? Is electric suitable? Would contract hire, hire purchase or finance lease make more sense?

For smaller businesses, this advice can be especially useful. Not every customer has a fleet manager or someone in-house who understands the vehicle market.

Rivervale’s role is to give those customers access to specialist support without making the process feel complicated.

For larger operators, the conversation can develop naturally into fleet support, maintenance, funding and long-term planning.

That ability to support customers as they grow is one of Rivervale’s strengths.

Minibus support beyond the vehicle

Minibuses sit in a specialist part of the market.

For schools, charities, care providers, sports clubs and community organisations, the vehicle is important, but it is only one part of the responsibility.

Safety, training, compliance and ongoing support all matter.

John Peterson, Minibus Director, leads this area for Rivervale.

“With minibuses, the vehicle is only part of the story,” says John. “Training, compliance, safety and ongoing support matter just as much.”

That is why Rivervale’s minibus proposition goes further than supply.

Customers may need help understanding which vehicle is right, how it should be funded, what licences or training are required, and how to keep their organisation compliant. For many, especially schools and charitable organisations, getting that support right is essential.

The people being transported may be pupils, service users, residents, club members or community groups. The duty of care is high, and the margin for error is low.

Rivervale’s role is to make the process clearer and safer.

That includes helping customers choose the right minibus, understand their responsibilities and access the right training and support.

Helping brokers and dealers offer more

Rivervale’s growth is not only focused on direct customers.

The business is also developing opportunities to support brokers and dealers through vehicle supply and service, maintenance and repair packages.

This is led by Lydia Pemberton, Broker & Dealer Partnerships Manager.

For brokers and dealers, the challenge is often about adding value for customers without having to build extra infrastructure. Rivervale can help by providing access to supply opportunities, manufacturer-backed terms and monthly maintenance packages that partners can offer to their own customers.

“We can help brokers and dealers give their customers more without needing to build everything themselves,” says Lydia. “It is about partnership, support and creating opportunities that work for both sides.”

This is a strong example of how Rivervale is thinking about the future.

The business has knowledge, relationships, systems and operational experience that can support others in the industry. By working with partners, Rivervale can help them offer a wider service to their customers while creating new routes for growth.

It also reflects a wider truth about the automotive sector. Businesses are stronger when they work together, share expertise and build trusted relationships.

As Group Marketing Manager, Ben Freakley sees the changing vehicle market from a different angle.

Before a customer speaks to the sales team, they will often have searched online, compared deals, read reviews, watched videos, looked at social media, opened emails or visited the website several times.

That means trust is being built long before the first enquiry.

“Marketing at Rivervale is about more than visibility,” says Ben. “It is about helping people feel informed before they even speak to us. In a market full of choice and confusion, our content and digital channels have to act like a safe pair of hands.”

This has become even more important since Rivervale moved from its longstanding home in Portslade.

The new Shoreham base gives the business the operational space it needs for the future, but it also marks a shift in how many customers experience the brand. Without a traditional storefront, the website and digital channels now act as Rivervale’s front door.

That front door has to do a lot. It has to explain what Rivervale does. It has to

make leasing feel understandable. It has to showcase offers clearly. It has to help customers compare options. It has to answer questions around electric vehicles, salary sacrifice, vans, fleet management and minibuses. It has to build confidence.

It also has to reflect the personality of the business.

Rivervale’s brand is not just about vehicles. It is about people, advice and trust. Content plays a major role in showing that.

Whether through website guides, vehicle reviews, YouTube videos, social media, email updates, customer stories or industry commentary, Rivervale is increasingly using content to help customers understand the market and make better decisions.

That is especially important at a time when

the vehicle market is changing quickly. New registration trends show the balance of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles continuing to shift. Electric vehicle choice is growing, but many customers still have questions. Van operators face different challenges around cost, tax, payload and practicality. Businesses are reviewing fleet costs. Employers are looking at salary sacrifice. Brokers and dealers are looking for new ways to support their customers.

In that environment, content is not just marketing. It is part of the customer experience.

The better informed a customer feels, the more confident they are likely to be.

Local roots, national reach

Although Rivervale supports customers across the UK, its roots in

Sussex remain an important part of the business.

The move to Shoreham represents a new chapter, but not a step away from the local community. The business continues to support customers, partners, charities, events and organisations across the region, while also growing its national presence.

That combination is important. Rivervale has the scale and supplier network to support customers across the country, but the personality of the business still feels personal. People know who they are dealing with. They can speak to specialists. They can get advice. They can build relationships.

For a vehicle provider, that matters.

A car, van, fleet or minibus decision is not always small. It often carries financial, operational and practical importance. Customers want to know that the business behind that decision will be there when needed.

That is the kind of trust Rivervale wants to build.

Where Rivervale is heading next

The future of motoring will not become simpler overnight.

Customers will continue to face changing technology, new brands, shifting legislation, different funding methods and more information than ever before.

For Rivervale, that creates both responsibility and opportunity.

The responsibility is to keep making things clear. To keep giving honest advice. To keep supporting customers properly. To keep investing in people, partnerships, content and service.

The opportunity is to become the trusted provider customers turn to when they need help with anything vehicle related.

That could be a personal lease, a business car, a van, a full fleet, a

salary sacrifice scheme, a minibus or maintenance support.

For Vince, the vision brings all of that together. “Our vision is to be the UK’s most trusted vehicle provider,” he says. “That trust is built in every conversation, every partnership, every customer journey and every piece of advice we give.”

That is the story of Rivervale today:

• A Sussex business with national reach.

• A vehicle provider built around people.

• A team of specialists helping customers navigate a changing market.

• More than leasing.

• Making Motoring Manageable.

Whatever your vehicle challenge, Rivervale has a specialist ready to help.

Visit rivervale.co.uk to find out more or follow them on socials.

Foundation Delivers Record-Breaking Weekend For Disability Cricket

Sussex Cricket Foundation (SCF) has delivered a landmark weekend for Disability Cricket, welcoming record participation and showcasing inclusive sport at its very best. The celebrations reinforced Sussex’s growing reputation as a national leader in accessibility, participation and performance across the game.

At the centre of the weekend was the hugely successful DIScoverABILITY Day, which attracted more than 750 registered participants from across Sussex and beyond. Over 45 schools, colleges and charitable organisations came together to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where people of all ages and abilities could engage with sport.

The event was made possible through collaboration with nine specialist sports partners, offering participants a wide

range of adaptive activities. Partners included Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation, JOLF, Brighton Table Tennis Club, Sight Support Worthing, Sussex VI Sharks, the UK Wheelchair Cricket Association, WBC Cares UK - Adaptive Boxing and Defiant Sports, alongside West Sussex-based organisations; ensuring there was something for everyone, regardless of ability or experience.

A key feature of the day was the contribution of people behind the scenes. 70 young leaders from Sussex state schools and played a vital role in

delivering sessions, supported by over 50 volunteers from local businesses, community organisations and the wider Sussex Cricket network.

The impact of the day was reflected in the feedback from visiting schools. A teacher from Saxon Mount School said: “Can I say a big thank you from Saxon Mount School - we had over 55 pupils and staff who visited Discoverability last Friday - it is a highlight of our school year. It must take a huge amount of organisation but was smooth and easy getting into and out of the ground. This year, we

got to meet Sandy and Sid - a bonus. Thank you to all the people who ran the sessions and coached - it was another good visit.”

The weekend also celebrated performance cricket, with The County Ground hosting a competitive Mixed Disability 1st XI fixture against Hampshire. The match was live streamed, allowing audiences further afield to experience the quality and spirit of Disability Cricket.

Players enjoyed a full elite matchday experience, including access to the first team changing rooms, support from Sussex Cricket’s performance analysis team led by Luke Dunning, the unveiling of new match shirts, and a special capping ceremony conducted by John Barclay, in honour of newly appointed Mixed Disability Pathway Club Captain,

James Bunday. SCF also paid tribute to match officials, volunteers, ground staff and stewards, while thanking Hampshire for their sportsmanship and contribution to an excellent contest.

Reflecting on the weekend, Tom Belcher, Disability Cricket Manager at Sussex Cricket Foundation said; “The collective efforts of players, families, volunteers, coaches and staff has been incredible. This weekend truly highlights the shared commitment to driving Disability Cricket forward across the county and beyond.”

SCF now supports more than 1,000 children, young people and adults through a comprehensive programme that spans grassroots and elite pathways. Provision includes SEND school programmes, Super 1s hubs, Disability Champion Clubs, Mixed

Disability Super 9s (Soft ball) & D40 (Hard ball) and Visually Impaired performance pathways.

The success of the weekend was further underpinned by the continued support of key partners, with special thanks paid to Webtrends Optimize for its ongoing sponsorship.

As Disability Cricket in Sussex continues to grow, the Foundation remains focused on breaking down barriers, creating high-quality opportunities and ensuring everyone has the chance to take part, compete and thrive in the game.

To find out more about the work of the Sussex Cricket Foundation please visit their website.

https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussexcricket-foundation

Webtrends Optimize announces charity grant scheme winners

For the first time in Webtrends Optimize’s history, it has selected two charities to receive a unique grant to help improve their websites, giving them free access to their conversion rate optimisation (CRO) platform.

Charity

After running for six weeks and being overwhelmed with applications in the first year of its Conversion For Good grant scheme, Webtrends Optimize awarded Headway and MQ Mental Health Research a free 12-month licence to its full-stack, all-inclusive SaaS platform.

Headway UK supports people affected by brain injury, including survivors, families and carers and professionals. And MQ Mental Health invests in world-class scientific research into mental health conditions to better understand, effectively treat and ultimately prevent mental illness.

We sat down with Matt Smith, CEO

of B Corp™ certified global business, Webtrends Optimize, to ask him why he decided to run the scheme and what impact he hopes it will make.

Why did you decide to run Conversion For Good?

We already offer a 25% discount to charities and non-profits as a way to support them on an ongoing basis and annually we donate 2% of our revenue to charitable causes. Our staff also regularly volunteer their time at various charity events and initiatives and we give gift-in-kind fundraising support. But it has repeatedly come up that we want to do more to support charities and keep pushing ourselves to give even more back. And this was the next step in looking to achieve that.

Were you surprised with the reaction you received?

We were delighted to receive so many applications and initially we were going to award one charity this grant but it ended up being a difficult decision to provide this to just one charity, so after much deliberation we decided to support two charities.

We know how tough it is to run a charity and how important it is to have an effective website. A free licence enhances the support we can offer to charities, especially to one that might not be able to afford this sort of technology without it. We want to help as many people as we can and save them money on things like this, so they can use that money elsewhere. We feel confident that with our support, this grant will make a real difference.

Aside from Conversion For Good, what does your charity involvement look like?

As a business, we have always been aligned with giving our time and money wherever we can to support charities and have been incredibly lucky to build a team of people who share the same values. Our focus over the last few years has leant heavily towards local charities, as we have supported TogetherCo, a loneliness charity in Brighton, the Sussex Cricket Foundation, who are committed to making a difference in communities through cricket, and The Starr Trust, who support young people to reach their full potential. We have also supported Cancer Research UK and Crohns and Colitis UK.

From the very beginning, we have held the belief that we should be making a difference beyond what we offer as our product and service and have felt we have the means and capabilities to do so. Our goals have always centred around more than just making money, and we really do believe in trying to have a positive impact on communities and society in general. When we look at our strategy and

goals for the year, this always comes into it and plays a big part in what we want to achieve.

We recently achieved B Corp Certification, but even before this, our values and beliefs were very closely aligned to that of a B Corp, and the certification formalises that belief that it is important for businesses to assess their impact, understand it, and fix it.

What positive impact do you hope this grant has for the chosen charities? The impact of this grant could be a gamechanger for a charity as you can gain detailed insights, test different ideas and concepts, and more, which starts to add even more value to their eCommerce site and digital output.

Headway told us that they had recently started a project to redesign their website, so receiving this grant is an ideal moment for them to now embed conversion rate optimisation into their plans. They want to ensure more visitors can quickly find the information they need, especially as many of their users are navigating cognitive, emotional or crisis

situations after brain injury and clarity and ease of use are essential. This also provides an opportunity to strengthen the fundraising and engagement that make that support possible.

And MQ Mental Health Research said it will now allow them to test and improve messaging, page design, calls to action, and the overall user experience to help support even more vital mental health research. It will also help identify barriers that may prevent someone from donating, whether that is the location of their donation page, how the case for support is communicated or friction within the donation form itself.

We are incredibly proud of the response we have had to our first grant scheme and looking forward to running more initiatives.

For further information on Webtrends Optimize visit www.webtrendsoptimize.com or call 0333 444 5502.

Kids can make a Big Splash for children’s charity this summer!

Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, your local children’s hospital charity, is launching a brand-new children’s swimming event this July.

Charity

Following the success of their 12hour Rockinghorse Relay swim event at Sea Lanes on Brighton seafront for the last two years, the charity wanted to offer a similar event for younger people.

Offering young swimmers the chance to experience this great beach-side pool whilst supporting other children in their communities was too good an opportunity to miss, so say hello to The Big Splash!

Taking place on Sunday 5 July, The Big Splash is designed for swimmers aged 7 – 14 where they can choose their distance (200m, 400m or 800m) and raise funds for Rockinghorse to help them support other young people right across Sussex.

Jules Billings, Fundraising Manager for Rockinghorse, explains more about how this new event came about. She

said, “We have seen how popular our 12-hour Rockinghorse Relay has been so we thought it would be great to be able to offer something similar to younger swimmers.

“Our aim is that giving young people the chance to make a real difference to the lives of other children will hopefully spark a life-long passion for giving back to charity. Plus, they can show off their swimming skills in this great venue!”

The event, kindly sponsored by Hurst College, is split into three different age groups sessions; 7-9 years, 1012 years, and 13-14 years, so young people will swim with other people their own age. And every finisher will receive a special medal and certificate to mark their achievement.

The event costs just £25 to sign up with a minimum fundraising target of £50 for each entrant.

With music, food and what’s sure to be a brilliant atmosphere on the day, it’s a summer event the whole family can enjoy and one your child will never forget.

“Being able to swim in this stunning six lane national open water swimming centre, a stone’s throw from the beach, really isn’t one to miss - what a great opportunity to be able to share with our young supporters. Make sure you get your place now,” added Jules.

To sign up, just head to the Rockinghorse website at www. rockinghorse.org.uk and search ‘The Big Splash’ to sign up.

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Drinks by the Rinks at The S7 Bowls Battle 2026

By Gavin Willis, founder & CEO of Search Seven

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s S7 Bowls Battle, organised and hosted by Search Seven, the current SME of the year in Brighton & Hove.

This was our fourth Bowls Battle and, somehow, it just keeps getting better.

What started as a simple idea to bring together brilliant people from across the business and agency community has grown into something really special. Every year we see competitors, sponsors, supporters, clients, partners, friends and local businesses come together for a day of friendly competition, fundraising and community spirit. This year was no exception.

After a recount, and adding in the £750

profit that the Portslade Bowls Club made on food and drink on the day, I'm delighted to share that together we raised an incredible £4,250 for charity and community causes, our best total from an S7 Bowls Battle event to date.

While the bowls matches are always fiercely contested, the real winner is the impact we can create when people come together behind a shared purpose. This was demonstrated and highlighted by the Bowls Club Chair, Marion, and Sharon from Rockinghorse, who told us how the funds are spent to make lives better for everyone!

A special thank you to our team captains and headline sponsors:

♥ Matt Smith and Ben Charlesworth from Webtrends Optimize, leading the Agency Team once again

♥ Mark Mulligan and Gary Coombs from IMEX Events, captaining the Business Team

Congratulations to the Business Team, who retained their title and claimed victory once again.

A huge thank you also goes to our fantastic rink sponsors, whose support helped make the day possible:

• Xoomtalk

• The Directors' Hub

• Servo Private Wealth

• Whitespace

The raffle was another huge success and featured some brilliant prizes generously donated by:

• Ridgeview Wine Estate

• Nostos Hove

• Rockinghorse Children's Charity

• Xoomtalk

• Golf vouchers from Servo Private Wealth

• An amazing hamper from Portslade Bowls Club

A special mention must go to Amy Wonnacott for all her help promoting the raffle. Her support made a real difference and helped us maximise the fundraising throughout the day. Thank you.

One of the things I love most about events like this is seeing people from different industries, businesses and backgrounds come together. In a world where we spend so much time on screens, video calls and emails, there is something incredibly valuable about stepping away from the day-today, meeting people face-to-face and building genuine connections, all while supporting causes that matter.

The atmosphere throughout the day was fantastic. There was healthy competition, plenty of laughs, lots of networking and, most importantly, a shared commitment to making a positive impact.

The funds raised won't just sit in a pot. They will make a real, tangible difference.

Part of the money raised will support Portslade Bowls Club, who continue to be

incredible hosts year after year. The team always goes above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome, and the club plays an important role in bringing people together within the local community. We are proud to support them and help ensure the club continues to thrive.

The remaining funds will contribute towards our #Share177 campaign at Search Seven.

For those who haven't come across our Share177k campaign before, it sits at the heart of our business. Every member of the Search Seven team chooses a charity close to their heart, and together we dedicate time, fundraising and support to helping those organisations make an even bigger impact.

Through Share177k, we've been fortunate to support an incredible range of charities and community organisations over the years, helping raise awareness, funds and opportunities for causes that mean a great deal to our team. The Bowls Battle has become an important part of that mission, enabling our wider network to play a role in creating positive change. To date, we have raised just over £185,000!

What makes me most proud is that this isn't just about Search Seven. It's about a community of people who

choose to show up, sponsor, donate, volunteer, buy raffle tickets, give prizes, bring energy to the event and help create something bigger than any one organisation could achieve alone.

Every ticket purchased, every sponsorship contribution, every raffle prize donated and every conversation had throughout the day contributed to the final result.

Together, we've shown once again what can happen when businesses and agencies put competition aside and unite around a common goal.

Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, donated prizes, bought raffle tickets, supported the event behind the scenes and helped make the day such a success.

We're incredibly grateful for every single person who played a part.

Here's to the relationships built, the memories made, the funds raised and the positive impact that will follow.

And here's to making an even bigger difference together in 2027. ♥

Speedee Boarding at Hove Lagoon

The recent Speedee Boarding event at Hove Lagoon proved to be another fantastic celebration of paddleboarding, teamwork and good humour, bringing together competitors, supporters and spectators for an action-packed day on the water.

Networking & Events

Not the best weather or conditions, teams battled it out across a series of fastpaced relay races, combining speed, balance and plenty of determination. As always, the event delivered its fair share of dramatic finishes, spectacular wipeouts and plenty of laughter, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for everyone involved.

The day's competition culminated in an exciting Trophy Final, where Bukyo Flappers (Focus Group) emerged as worthy champions after a superb display of teamwork and consistency. They claimed first place ahead of Eternal Optimists (Optimist Performance) in second, while Evolve Like Darwin (Evolve Pipedrive) completed the podium with a strong third-place finish.

The Plate Final also produced some closely contested racing. Ora Some 4

Some paddled brilliantly to take first place, followed by Acc-Legg in second, with Fish, Chips & Haggis securing third after a determined performance.

Away from the main racing, one of the most anticipated moments of the day was the ever-popular Demolition Derby, also known as the British Bulldogs competition. After an entertaining battle of balance, agility and resilience, Bruce Bignall claimed victory to the delight of the crowd.

No Speedee Boarding event would be complete without recognising the most memorable wipeout of the day. The award for Best Crash/Dismount off a Paddleboard, along with a generous £100 voucher kindly donated by Terra Restaurant, went to Jamie from Mission Homes, whose spectacular dismount had both competitors and spectators cheering.

The marshals, who played a vital role in ensuring the event ran safely

and smoothly throughout the day, selected Oscar Laughton as the Best Competitor . The award recognised not only his paddling ability but also his outstanding sportsmanship, positive attitude and encouragement of fellow competitors.

The event once again highlighted the fantastic community spirit that makes Speedee Boarding at Hove Lagoon such a unique occasion. From first-time paddlers to experienced racers, everyone embraced the friendly competition and enjoyed a day packed with excitement, camaraderie and plenty of laughs.

Congratulations to all the winners, competitors, volunteers, marshals and supporters who made the event such a success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Hove Lagoon for the next edition of Speedee Boarding, where even more memorable racing and unforgettable moments are sure to follow.

Cricket, Connections and Sunshine at Sussex Cricket Ground

by Jackie Irving-Wilkinson

Networking & Events

On 19th June, the beautiful surroundings of Sussex Cricket Ground provided the perfect setting for a wonderful afternoon of cricket, networking and connection. With glorious sunshine overhead and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the day, 40 like-minded professional women came together to enjoy afternoon tea, watch some exciting men’s cricket and build new relationships.

The event brought together women from a wide range of industries

and professions, creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment where conversations flowed naturally. Over tea, coffee and a delicious afternoon tea, guests shared ideas, exchanged experiences, and made valuable new connections while enjoying one of Sussex’s most iconic sporting venues.

As the cricket unfolded, attendees enjoyed an entertaining afternoon of live sport, the game's excitement provided the perfect backdrop for networking and socialising. The combination of excellent cricket, great hospitality and a wonderful group of people made for

a truly memorable occasion.

The sunshine certainly enhanced the experience, with the picturesque setting of Sussex Cricket Ground looking at its very best. Guests relaxed, enjoyed the match and took in the atmosphere of a beautiful summer’s day. It was a great reminder that networking does not always happen in formal meeting rooms; sometimes the best conversations and connections happen in a more relaxed setting, surrounded by shared experiences.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the genuine sense of community

among everyone who attended. The event created the perfect opportunity for professional women to come together, support one another and celebrate the value of building strong local networks. Whether conversations focused on business, personal experiences or future opportunities, there was a real feeling of collaboration and encouragement throughout the day.

The afternoon also proudly supported the Starr Trust, a fantastic charity dedicated to helping young people achieve their potential by providing opportunities and support when they need it most. It was wonderful to combine an enjoyable afternoon of cricket and networking with the chance to contribute to such an important local cause. Supporting the Starr Trust added an extra sense of purpose to the event and reflected the generosity and community spirit shared by everyone involved.

A very special thank you goes to Sarah Manser from Sussex Cricket Ground, whose support, organisation and warm hospitality helped make the afternoon such a success. Sarah’s attention to detail and commitment to creating a welcoming experience ensured everything ran smoothly, allowing guests to relax and enjoy every moment of the day.

Events like this highlight the importance of bringing people together in meaningful ways. By combining professional networking, great sport, delicious food and a fantastic venue, the afternoon provided the perfect opportunity to create new connections while enjoying a memorable day in the sunshine.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the event such a success. It was a fantastic afternoon celebrating connection, community and the enjoyment of cricket at Sussex Cricket Ground.

Tracey Starr, Partnerships Liaison at the Starr Trust said: "Thank you ladies for your wonderful support of the Starr Trust. Your generosity and encouragement help us make a real difference to the lives of young people in our community, and we are incredibly grateful. We also really enjoyed seeing some familiar faces as well as making new connections and would love to keep in touch with you all."

To learn more about the young people the Starr Trust supports, to get involved or sign up to hear about upcoming Starr trust events please visit:

www.starrtrust.org/get-involved/ businesses

Brighton & Hove Business Show - a standout success

The Brighton & Hove Business Show showed once again why meeting in person is so valuable.

Networking & Events

Held at Amex Stadium Brighton, the event brought together exhibitors, visitors, speakers, sponsors, and local business leaders for a full day of networking and new opportunities.

Right from the start, the exhibition floor was full of energy. People were talking at every stand, making introductions, sharing ideas, and businesses from all over Sussex had the chance to meet new audiences.

For exhibitors, the day offered far more than a space to display a banner. It created a live platform to build relationships, generate leads, strengthen visibility and connect with other businesses who are actively looking to grow. For visitors, it was a valuable opportunity to discover local suppliers, attend expert sessions and meet the people behind some of the region’s most ambitious and interesting organisations.

The success of the Brighton & Hove

Business Show also shows how strong the local business community is. Right now, many businesses want new ways to reach customers and get noticed. Events like this offer something digital marketing can’t always provide: real conversations, real connections, and real business opportunities.

The momentum is set to continue with two big opportunities for businesses in Sussex, Surrey, and the wider South East.

The Eastbourne Business Show is back on Wednesday 9th September 2026 at The Kings Centre, after a very successful first event. The event, which is sponsored by Lightning Fibre, is shaping up to be another key date for the region. If you want to grow your profile in East Sussex, make local connections, and meet new customers or suppliers, booking a stand is a great way to get involved.

The Gatwick Business Show, in partnership with Gatwick Diamond Business, follows on Thursday 8th

October 2026 at Lingfield Park Resort, Pavilion Suite. The show gives exhibitors access to a strong regional audience, great facilities, and the chance to meet business owners and decision-makers from across the South East.

Both shows are set up to help businesses get more than just an event experience. Exhibitors get pre-event promotion, a spot on the show website, support during the day, and the chance to keep conversations going afterwards. Whether you’re an established business or a new organisation looking to raise your profile, exhibiting is a direct way to meet the right people.

With the success of Brighton & Hove, it’s clear these shows create real opportunities. If your business wants to get noticed, now is the time to book your stand for Eastbourne or Gatwick.

For stand bookings and more information go to https:// brightonandhovebusinessshow.uk

More Than a Football Tournament: Creating Connection at the Amex

On a wet Wednesday morning in June, 160 business professionals gathered on the Halo Turf at the home of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club for what has become one of the highlights of the FirmBalls calendar.

Networking & Events

The weather may not have received the memo.

Rain poured for much of the day. The FirmBalls weather guarantee was nowhere to be seen. Yet despite the conditions, the atmosphere was electric.

Over four hours of football, 16 teams competed, laughed, connected, and reminded us all why sport remains one of the most powerful tools for bringing people together.

At the end of a fantastic tournament, Skerritt Financial Planning, led by Jack Skerritt APFS, lifted the trophy and were crowned FirmBalls 2026 Champions, overcoming last year's winners, Jamie Salvidge & Co Property Lawyers, in the final.

But as with many FirmBalls events, the football was only part of the story.

Football With Purpose

Since getting involved with FirmBalls back in 2013, my belief has always been that football can be a vehicle for something

much bigger than the game itself. Yes, competition matters. Yes, people want to win.

But the real magic often happens in the conversations before kick-off, on the sidelines, or over a drink afterwards.

This year's tournament was a perfect example.

Together, the event raised nearly £3,000 for charity, including an incredible £1,200 from the raffle alone for The Starr Trust, a charity I am proud to serve as an ambassador for.

The generosity didn't stop there.

Champions Skerritt Financial Planning chose to donate their £1,000 winners' prize to Rockinghorse Children's Charity, another organisation doing incredible work across Sussex.

Meanwhile, runners-up Jamie Salvidge & Co Property Lawyers donated their £500 prize directly to The Starr Trust.

In a world where headlines can often leave us feeling disconnected, these moments serve as a reminder that kindness, generosity, and community are alive and well.

The Power of Storytelling

Before a ball had even been kicked,

players gathered to hear from my good friend Matthew White.

Matt shared elements of his personal journey, speaking openly and honestly about the challenges he has faced and the lessons he has learned along the way.

One of the things I have learned through hosting more than 150 episodes of the Different Hats Podcast is that stories have power.

They remind us that behind every business card, job title, or LinkedIn profile is a human being navigating their own challenges, hopes, fears, and dreams.

Matt's story set the tone perfectly for the day.

A reminder that success is not simply measured by trophies, turnover, or titles. It is measured by resilience, relationships, and the impact we have on others.

A Simple Question

June was Men's Mental Health Awareness Month.

With 160 players gathered together, it felt like an opportunity to talk about something that matters.

Before kick-off, I asked every player to take three simple actions.

Firstly, check in on someone and ask the question:

"Are you alright mate?"

Secondly, send a message to someone

and tell them that you see them, appreciate them, or are proud of them. Finally, tell someone that you love them. Simple actions.

Simple words.

Yet words that can have a profound impact.

When you think about it, if every player followed through, that would be 480 positive messages sent into the world.

Perhaps most would simply brighten someone's day.

Perhaps one message would arrive at exactly the right moment for someone who was struggling.

Perhaps one conversation could change a life.

That is how change happens. Not through grand gestures. But through small actions repeated consistently.

One conversation.

One message.

One person at a time.

A Personal Moment

For me personally, the day carried an extra layer of significance.

After eight years away from competitive football following a serious ACL injury, I finally pulled my boots back on and returned to the pitch.

There were moments over the years when I genuinely thought I would never play again.

The surgery, rehabilitation, setbacks, and self-doubt all formed part of the journey. So simply stepping onto the pitch felt like a victory.

The fact that I may have managed to score a goal as well was an added bonus.

Although if you happen to see me in person anytime soon, be warned, there is a very good chance I will tell you the full story in great detail!

Community Wins

Events like this never happen because of one person.

They happen because a community comes together.

A huge thank you goes to our headline sponsors, SEICO Insurance & Mortgages, all 16 participating teams, our photographer Michael

Cheetham, videographer Howie McConnell, Martin Leppard and the H2 Productions team, the incredible team at The Starr Trust, and everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club who helped make the day possible.

Most importantly, thank you to every player who turned up, embraced the weather, supported the charities, and contributed to the atmosphere that made the day so special.

When I looked around the pitches throughout the morning, I saw much more than football. I saw friendships being formed. Business relationships developing. Stories being shared. Laughter. Support. Connection. And perhaps that's what FirmBalls has always been about.

Football is simply the excuse. People are the point. Until next year.

By Sam Thomas, FirmBalls

You Alright Mate?

sam@different-hats.co.uk

Who We Are

With over two decades of recruitment experience, Placr Recruitment is dedicated to delivering a personalised, high-quality service to both employers and candidates.

Based in Sussex, our reach extends nationwide, and our mission is simple: we place the best candidates into the best companies, fostering growth and success for both

Our Services

Permanent Recruitment

We specialise in permanent recruitment, ensuring long-term

placr top job

Location: Hybrid Working – 3 Days in the Brighton Office, 2 Days from Home Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience Contract: Full-time

Placr Recruitment are looking for an experienced Senior Paid Media Analyst to join a growing and innovative digital marketing agency based in Brighton.

Key Responsibilities

• Create, manage and optimise Paid Media campaigns across Google Ads and Microsoft Ads.

• Collaborate with Organic, Data, Creative and Technical teams to deliver integrated marketing strategies.

• Manage campaign budgets

• Continuously optimise targeting, audience segmentation, ad copy, landing pages and account structures.

• Build strong client relationships

• Analyse performance data using Google Analytics 4, Google Ads and Looker Studio.

• Conduct A/B testing across creative assets, landing pages, audiences and bidding strategies.

success for both businesses and candidates. Our team is committed to understanding your specific needs and finding the perfect fit.

National Reach

Though we’re based in Sussex, our recruitment services extend across the UK. Whether you’re looking for talent locally or across the country, we’ve got you covered.

Industry Expertise

Our expertise spans multiple sectors, allowing us to match toptier candidates with leading companies in various industries.

Senior Paid Media Analyst

Skills & Experience Required

• Strong experience managing Google Ads and Microsoft Ads campaigns.

• Excellent knowledge of Google Analytics 4.

• Experience managing Search, Shopping, Performance Max and Remarketing campaigns.

• Strong understanding of attribution models, conversion tracking and enhanced conversions.

• Experience using Google Tag Manager, Consent Mode and tracking solutions.

• Ability to interpret campaign data and provide actionable recommendations.

• Experience with budget management, bid strategies and ROI optimisation.

• Proficiency in Looker Studio and performance reporting.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Experience writing high-performing ad copy.

• Knowledge of A/B testing methodologies.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Strong client relationship management experience.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

The Opportunity

Working closely with an experienced Financial Planner, you will play a key role in supporting client relationships, maintaining service standards, and assisting with the ongoing growth of the client portfolio.

Duties will include:

• Coordinating and scheduling client review meetings

• Preparing client documentation and reports for meetings

• Managing post-review actions and maintaining accurate records

• Liaising with providers and third parties to obtain information and updates

• Supporting the onboarding of new clients and transferred portfolios

• Maintaining accurate client and policy data across internal systems

• Identifying opportunities to improve the client journey

Mechanical Assembly Technician

JOB PURPOSE/PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

You will be responsible for the assembly of UHV Manipulation & sample handling sub-assemblies including pre-test data recording and QC evaluation working in our UHV Cleanroom.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Assembling mechanical and electrical components to build complex systems according to engineering drawings and specifications. Carry out specialist UHV compatible instrument wiring & electrical testing.

• Maintain 'UHV clean' process standards with all 'in vacuum' component parts and sub-assemblies.

• Support transition of new hardware from NPI through to routine production including writing any required manufacturing information documents & guides

• Support the maintenance of departmental records, particularly test data, quality control information and serial numbering of instruments to provide navigable history of future service and support.

• This role involves travel to client sites.

Location: Brighton • Hours: Full time

and support business growth

• Assisting with compliance administration and regulatory processes

• Handling client communication professionally via phone and email

About You

Our Client is looking for someone highly organised, personable, and proactive, with strong attention to detail and the confidence to manage multiple priorities.

Ideal skills and experience:

• Previous experience within financial services, wealth management, pensions, banking, or professional services administration

• Strong organisational and communication skills

• Comfortable working with data, systems, and documentation

Location: Lower Dicker • Hours: Full time

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Familiarity with the production of UHV compatible devices & instrumentation that utilises electron optics & ion optics principals would be advantageous.

• Previous experience in a low volume customised product manufacturing environment is preferred. Ideally yielding a broad understanding and appreciation of precision hand fitting techniques, specialist wiring and product test procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ideally a relevant engineering degree/HND/HNC or time served apprenticeship candidates can be considered.

• Mechanical engineering Level 3

• Previous experience in a high technology manufacturing environment or clean room.

PERSONAL QUALITIES/ATTRIBUTES

• Resilient under pressure

• Organised and punctual

• An attention to detail

County Business Clubs’ Wine of the Month June 2026

Bolney Chardonnay 2023

This month's wine of the month is the Bolney Chardonnay 2023, is a prime example of the quality now being achieved by English winemakers. Produced by Bolney Wine Estate, founded in 1972. Bolney Wine Estate has been a pioneer of the English wine industry for over fifty years. this Chardonnay showcases the remarkable potential of Sussex to produce elegant, expressive wines that comfortably stand alongside many of their continental counterparts. Located in the heart of West Sussex, the estate has earned an outstanding reputation for producing premium still and sparkling wines, benefiting from the region's ideal combination of chalk and clay soils and a temperate climate.

The grapes for this Chardonnay are grown exclusively in Sussex, where long summer daylight hours and cool nights allow the fruit to ripen slowly, developing vibrant flavours while retaining refreshing natural acidity. This wine is cool fermented in stainless steel with a small portion of 10% fermented in new French oak to add structure and weight.

In the glass, the wine displays an attractive golden-yellow colour, immediately suggesting richness and maturity. On the nose, vibrant citrus aromas lead the way, followed by richer enticing notes of quince and ripe apricot. As the wine opens, delicate hints of vanilla emerge, reflecting gentle oak ageing that has added subtle complexity without overpowering the fruit. Fresh

pear aromas complete a wonderfully inviting bouquet.

The palate delivers bright lemon and grapefruit flavours that provide freshness and precision. The careful use of oak has softened and rounded these citrus characteristics, creating a harmonious balance between freshness and richness. Lees ageing contributes additional texture and depth, giving the wine a generous mouthfeel with impressive body and persistence.

It possesses excellent fruit concentration and depth of flavour while maintaining the lively freshness that makes English Chardonnay so appealing.

Food pairing

of how English wine continues to evolve and compete on the international stage.

The combination of ripe fruit, restrained oak and well-integrated acidity creates a sophisticated wine that will pair beautifully with roast chicken, grilled seafood, creamy pasta dishes or mature English cheeses.

In summary

Overall, the Bolney Chardonnay 2023 reminded me very much of a highquality Chablis which is one of my favourite regions for summer wines. It offers freshness, together with lovely fruit and remarkable depth, while the lees ageing provides body and complexity rarely found in still English wines. It is another fine demonstration

Where to buy?

This wine can be bought for £30 a 70cl bottle from or 10% discount a case of 6 online or from visiting the vineyard.

Written for County Business Club by Michael Yeoman, English Wine Specialist and producer of Spirit of the Downs, award-winning local artisan Sussex Brandies, Grape Vodkas and Liqueurs based at Bolney.

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