The Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Cllr David Powell welcomed over 70 attendees from local businesses to join him for ‘A Celebration of Success’. Five superb speakers showcased their thriving locally based businesses, all those who attended gleaned some practical knowledge. Many thanks to Cubic Transportation Systems, Just Retirement Partnership, RDO Kitchens, Chalk Hills Bakery and The Clink for their insightful presentations and speeches.
Roger Crow, Managing Director of Cubic Transportation Systems, who led us on a tour through Cubic’s history, with a history of more than 30 years in the UK, their European HQ Redhill, Cubic has established itself at the forefront of enterprise management systems and services for what is considered one of the largest and most complex, and arguably the world’s finest smart card ticketing system – the Oyster Card. We heard how the Oyster smart payment cards have recently been extended to Gatwick Airport.
From its modest beginnings, Cubic has embraced a philosophy of innovation which has kept the business ahead of the curve. The company now operates out of 60 countries, employing 8,000 (est.) worldwide and is recognised as a top class global business that is constantly moving and innovating to adapt to the changing market.
Collaboration triumphs
The next speaker, Jenny Burns, Director of Brand and Customer Experience at Reigate based Just Retirement Partnership Group, gave an inspired speech that emphasized the value of collaboration over competition.
Just Retirement was set up in 2004 to help people make the most of their retirement. Today they’ve helped an estimated 200,000 retirees to enjoy their retirement by securing a better income for them or releasing equity from their homes. Having recently gone through a merger process with Redhill and London based Partnership Assurance, Jenny’s call for businesses to pursue collaborative projects and partnerships to deliver best practice solutions.
When everything changes, change everything
John Aylott of RDO Kitchens, a Reigate based Kitchen and Appliances Studio that has been operating for over 60 years.For RDO, like many other high street businesses, the game changed with the growth of online shopping. The dynamic of the high street became less about weekly shopping and home essentials and became more of a shopping experience.
RDO realised the potential of the changing dynamics and made a dramatic change in their operation. They turned the business upside down metaphorically and physically. Today their Kitchen and Appliances studio has a luxurious quality to it that entices customers into the shop for a leisurely peruse around. A virtual tour around the store from the comfort of your own home. John’s recommendation to keep your business adaptable to the economic climate and business environment is certainly well-founded; RDO is a prime example of a business that has listened to the market and made it work for them.
Carpe diem!
Next was the charismatic Chris Robinson of Chalk Hills Bakery.
Chris explained how Chalk Hills has become a well-recognised and loved bakery. Modestly stating that ‘it’s just bread’, he went on to describe how Chalk Hills worked hard at producing a higher quality product offer to boost profit margins. Chris explained the importance of establishing a strong brand and developing key local relationships with customers, staff members and suppliers but that the real crux of a successful business is seizing opportunities when they present themselves.
One such opportunity for Chris was a Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s tweet for Coast to Capital growth funding applications a few nights before the deadline. His bid was successful and went towards the purchase of a new oven. Also, preparing the shop for a last minute shooting of the BBC programme ‘The Apprentice’, although it didn’t come to fruition.
Owners Chris and Rosie’s innovative, flexible and proactive business mind-set has generated some great business opportunities for them and it is something that should be held in high regard for any business planning for growth.
A second chance
Alberto Crisci MBE, founder of The Clink, described how as catering manager of HMP High Down, he set out to improve the life chances of offenders through rehabilitation and training, by developing their catering skills. Alberto was able to raise funds to establish a high quality restaurant facility at HMP High Down and the Clink Charity was formed. They were then able to invite large catering employers to showcase the skills of the prisoners, leading to firm job offers on release.
The national re-offending rate is typically around 60-70% depending on the crime. In stark contrast, at High Down the rate is closer to 10%. This astonishing improvement means that more people than ever before leaving High Down are able to find secure work, a place to stay and are enabled to positively contribute to society. This scheme has been rolled out to other prisons and expanded to include growing fresh produce and event catering. The Clink team provided and served a lovely selection of High Down created nibbles on the evening which were a big success.
Concluding the celebration
The event not only showcased some fantastic local businesses but gave others food for thought. So for those who attended, we hope that you enjoyed the event and gleaned some practical knowledge that can be applied to your business.
Of course this wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing speakers. We greatly appreciate the time that they gave to present, and a big thankyou to all for making this evening an incredibly insightful and stimulating one.
Special mentions
One particular aspect of the event that had attendees whizzing around the room was the national award-winning eFOLDi. Local inventor Sumi Wang and joint creator of the eFOLDi, an electric scooter that converts into a transportable case joined us for a Celebration of Success.
After receiving grant funding and business support from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, eFOLDi has gone on to win British Invention of the Year 2016 and has recently come runner up in Virgin’s Media Business VOOM 2016 competition as Start-up of the year. Thank-you to Sumi for bringing the innovative eFOLDi, this rising star is no doubt set for great things; we hope that you enjoyed the evening and wish you every success. Huge thanks also to Surrey Chambers of Commerce for their tireless assistance, Avocado for providing the sound equipment and to Kingston Smith Accountancy for courteously supplying the wine.
Find out more about how Reigate & Banstead Borough Council can support your business.
