The Civic Centre in Addlestone was the venue for a successful Brexit clinic hosted by Business Runnymede, in collaboration with the Enterprise M3 Growth Hub and Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

A panel of speakers gave concise talks on their area of expertise, followed by 1-2-1 sessions with businesses to discuss specific issues affecting them.

Representatives from the Department for Business and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport gave their advice on business readiness, exports and imports, data protection and GDPR.

Barrister Linda Bazant was in attendance to give her view on contract negotiation, governing law and court judgements as a result of leaving the EU. We also heard the legal standpoint on changes to employment law from solicitors Barlow Robbins.

Ian Martin, Enterprise M3 Growth Champion, closed the event by giving a talk on general scenario planning and risk assessment.

Businesses in attendance commented that the content of the talks were extremely useful.

Many thanks to all those who attended, and to our partners at EM3 Growth Hub and Surrey Chambers for helping to put on the event.

For further information, visit our Brexit page here.

Bourne Business Park in Addlestone is having a successful start to the year.

A recent letting to Schindler Lifts is the latest in a flurry of leasing deals at the park. Last year saw CHEP move from nearby Weybridge to take 14,000 sq ft, shortly followed by Orica UK and Mundays LLP, who took 7,000 and 13,500 sq ft., respectively.

Bourne Business Park puts an emphasis on employee wellbeing with high-quality amenities including a brand-new cafe, trim trail, free yoga classes, plenty of cycle spaces and ample shower facilities.

Its envious credentials have led to it winning the Regional Award (South of England and South Wales) for best commercial workspace from the British Council of Offices and the Small Scale Project of the Year Award from the CIRIA Biodiversity Challenge Awards.

Well done Bourne!

image: Bourne Business Park

Are you an SME interested in the possibility of securing a commission with a cash value of £60,000 which can rise to nearly £90,000 with an in-kind support offer?

StoryFutures is delighted to annouce 'Re-fuse: The Heathrow/Costa Sustainability Challenge'. Four SMEs located within the 'Gateway Cluster' region which covers Runnymede, and which carry out work in the cluster, will have the opportunity to be a part of an innovative process to explore how new storytelling techniques and technologies may positively impact passenger experience at the airport and improve recycling performance.

The breadth of support includes: audience testing and insight data, expertise in story form, green screen and motion capture facilities, help with spotting IP potential, and access to cutting-edge technology and kit.

To apply please complete this Expression of Interest form by midnight, 7 April 2019.

Further information on the Challenge is available here.

image: StoryFutures/Royal Holloway

Krome Technologies has purchased new office headquarters in Chertsey.

Krome, who were previously based in smaller premises in Addlestone, will relocate around 75 staff to the new location over the next few months.

Krome Technologies is a vendor agnostic technology consultancy, with focus on assisting clients to achieve their objectives through innovative, forward-thinking technological solutions.

Kestel Court, soon to be renamed Krome House, provides a two-storey, self-contained headquarters close to Chertsey town centre. The building has undergone a full refurbishment programme to provide Catergory A standard office space.

Runnymede Borough Council has annouced 114,000 sq ft. of leasing transactions at Pine Trees Business Park in Staines.

Cloud security company Tenable Network Security has recently taken a lease on 12,137 sq ft. on the third floor of 5 Pine Trees and will be moving from Stockley Park in Q2 2019. The arrival of this technology company further strengthens the important IT and cyber security cluster in north Runnymede. Existing occupier Bupa has also committed its long-term future to the park, taking a new 15 year lease.

Some of the other notable deals to be concluded at the start of 2019 around Runnymede include 4,000 sq ft. of office let on London Street, Chertsey (January) and 11,500 sq ft. of industrial space let in Heritage House, Addlestone (February).

image: Vail Williams

The Enterprise M3 Growth Hub are offering bespoke, one-hour clinics for businesses in ICT and digital media, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, and professional and business services.

The Growth Hub is fully funded to help businesses located in Runnymede with their plans for growth.

These confidential business clinics will focus on:

• exploration of new markets
• developing innovation
• increasing workforce
• sustainable growth

If you are interested in booking a clinic, please email us at: [email protected]. Eligibility rules apply.

image: Enterprise M3 Growth Hub

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW 2019) took place over 4th - 8th March.

This annual celebration of apprenticeships aims to bring the whole apprenticeship community together to celebrate the impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy.

One of the major outcomes of NAW 2019 was the announcement of the Top 100 apprenticeship employer league table. The new league table will rate the Top 100 large apprenticeship employers and Top 50 SMEs.

A new quality mark for apprenticeships has also been developed by the Department for Education, in partnership with community interest company 'Investors in People'. The new mark intends to highlight high-quality apprentice employers across the country.

If you are interested in employing an apprentice within your own company, please read our 'Employing an apprentice' guide here. You can also view local training providers in the Business Runnymede Directory here.

image: Apprenticeships UK

Enterprise M3 has collaborated with its neighbouring LEPs to produce an ambitious energy strategy which aims to cut emissions and promote clean growth across the South East.

The South2East Energy Strategy, which aims to bring the South East in line with statutory climate change targets for 2032 to 2050, has been designed by Enterprise M3 along with the South East and Coast to Capital local enterprise partnerships. The vision behind the strategy is to position the region as a leader in sustainable energy production within the UK.

Dave Axam, Chair of Enterprise M3, is quoted on the LEP's website saying:

"Clean growth is an essential part of our local industrial strategy. So I'm really pleased that we have completed this Energy Strategy and that we have done this in partnership with other local LEPs. To turn this strategy into action Enterprise M3 created a funding call in December to support delivery of clean growth initiatives targeted at projects that will make a significant difference to the businesses and people in our Enterprise M3 area. Clean growth is about growing our economy whilst improving the quality of life."

You can find out more information about the Local Energy Strategy here. Details on the funding call can be found here.

image: Enterprise M3