Celebrating success, boosting Havering charities and lots of networking opportunities

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News for businesses in Havering. Monday 30 October 2017.


Celebrate and be inspired

Bus of the Yr 2016
Last year's Havering Business of the Year, Crafty Arts, celebrate success

It's still not too late to enter the Havering Business Awards 2017/18 and it's never been easier.

You can enter as many categories as you want to and the winner of each category will be automatically considered for Havering Business of the Year. There's no need to download an entry pack - it's all online for you.

The awards will take place at the borough’s prestigious event venue - CEME Conference Centre in Rainham, also one of Havering’s biggest business hubs, on Thursday 8 February 2018. 

This year’s categories are:

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Ardleigh Green

Best Customer Service

New Business of the Year

Growing Business of the Year, sponsored by Haines Watts

Small to Medium Business of the Year, sponsored by Romford Recorder

Large Business of the Year

Business Person of the Year

Havering Business of the Year

Entries close on Monday 13 November.

Other sponsors of the event include Time 107.5, Respondit Web Design, and CEME Conference Centre.

Enter here


Business boosts local charities

SERCO donations Oct 2017

Ten charities from across the London Borough of Havering have been given a boost by Serco, Havering Council's waste collection and recycling provider, receiving donations of £1,000 each as part of Serco’s commitment to supporting the local community.  

The ten local charities were selected from a large number of applications due to the vital contribution they make in the local area, from supporting vulnerable local people to providing facilities for the whole community’s benefit.

More


Global Entrepreneurship Week

GEW 2017

13 – 16 November is Global Entrepreneurship Week. The international campaign is commemorating 10 years of helping millions of people unleash their ideas to start and scale new businesses.  Various events are taking place during #GEW2017, which will connect entrepreneurs to collaborators and mentors. 

Havering Council and partners will be hosting a range of events, including: 

Monday 13 November – Havering StartUp Programme: How to Make Sales Workshop, Romford

Enterprise Nation will be bringing a specialist to support Havering start-ups in understanding how to effectively approach sales for your product/service. 

Wednesday 15 November – Growing Your Business Through Fantastic Leadership & Management, Romford

Pro-Actions Business Coaching & Support will help you explore these two very different disciplines to help you get the most out of yourself and your people.

Friday 17 November – Havering Landlord & Property Expo, Rainham

Midas Production Ltd and Havering Council will be providing various seminars and exhibitions for owners, landlords, letting agents and developers who are interested in increasing the amount of good quality accommodation provided across Havering. 

For more information please email businessdevelopment@havering.gov.uk


Showcasing business

HCCI showcase event Oct 2017

A business showcase held at Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch and organised by the Havering Chamber of Commerce earlier this month attracted more than 200 local business people.

There was lots of positive feedback so its likely the event will be repeated next year.

More


Being smart about travel

Cycle confident training course

There are lots of ways Havering Council's Smarter Travel Team can help your business. Here are just a few:

Free Driver CPC Training – Attending these fully accredited driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) training courses contributes a full day towards the 35 hours Driver CPC training that professional drivers need to complete every five years.

Electric Vehicles / Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles – information and some helpful facts about EVs and their benefits.

Small Grants for Business – apply for a grant worth up to £3000 to help you increase active travel (cycling and walking) at your business.

Please contact Martin Day to discuss any of these opportunities or about applying for the grant.


Great result for local law firm

Pinney Talfourd Oct 2017

Pinney Talfourd LLP was recommended in ten categories when the Legal 500 UK results were published earlier this month.

Legal 500 is widely seen as the definitive list of best legal practices around the world. The UK rankings are split into regions and are carefully selected after rigorous assessment including client interviews.

Their Employment law team moved up the rankings to be named the best in Havering.

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Feeling entrepreneurial?

Innovate 2017

Innovate 2017 is Innovate UK's annual event showcasing innovation. This year, the event will focus on global challenges and how they affect government, businesses and individuals. 

Practical advice and business development support will also be available. Held from 8 - 9 November 2017 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Book


Get Smart

Factory exhibiiton

Smart Factory Expo takes place on 15-16 November in Liverpool's state of the art Exhibition Centre. It's a great place to learn about the latest technologies, and how they're changing the face of manufacturing.

More


Networking in Havering

Business networking

Networking is a proven way to build good relations with other businesses, which can lead to referrals and new business. There are a number of networking groups in Havering including those listed below.

Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry hold regular breakfast networking meetings on the second Friday of each month at Havering Museum in Romford. 

Havering B-Hive geared towards start-up businesses meet at various locations around the borough on the third Thursday of each month at 9.30am. It includes informal networking with presentations and pitches.

The Havering Business Network provides a unique opportunity for the local business community to engage with the Members and/or Senior Officers from the Council. Their next event is on Wednesday 30 November.

Havering Young Professionals Network aim to give the youth of Havering's businesses a platform to grow and develop long lasting relationships, in their own way. Events are held monthly at various times and locations, with a blend of traditional business networking with a youthful twist.

BNI Evolution Chapter meets each Wednesday morning at Maylands Golf Club, Colchester Road, Harold Park,  RM3 0AZ from 7 - 8.30am.

BNI Valour chapter meets each Tuesday morning at Thames Gateway YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH from 7 - 8.30am.

Collier Row Business Network Forum holds a number of workshops, and seminars throughout the year and is a chance to network with other local Collier Row businesses. The Forum is for all businesses including sole traders and home businesses to discuss and support each other. 

4N networking group meets every fortnight at Liberty Bell, Mercury Gardens, Romford, RM1 3EN on Thursdays from 8 - 10am.

ebn Upminster and Hornchurch group meets at Manor Hotel, Berwick Pond Road, Rainham, RM13 9EL from 8 - 10am on alternate Tuesdays.

Romford Makerspace Meetup Are you are a maker, a 3D print enthusiast, or into robotics? Do you like tinkering with electronics and technology? Then, this is the group for you. Join in a twice monthly meet-up to share ideas. 

WordPress meetups are the chance for  WordPress users to get together and discuss various aspects of designing, developing and marketing WordPress websites and blogs. Meeting on the third Tuesday of every month from 6pm at The Retailery, in Romford's Market Place.

Your Business Community has recently launched a breakfast networking event taking place every two weeks on a Wednesday. The event is held at the Liberty Bell in Romford starting at 8am. On-site parking is free. The group is a SME support organisation providing a comprehensive range of membership benefits.

Check group websites for latest info. 


Space to rent

Romford Shopping Hall has an office available to rent with views over Market Place and its own meeting room. The office will accommodate 6 - 7 people and the meeting room up to 10. Rent is £375 per week plus VAT. Business rates and service charges are included. Contact Michelle for further details and viewing on 01708 740492.