On a slightly damp December day, the Department for Education (DfE) joined the Surrey County Council (SCC) Multiply team at a local community garden. The aim was to see Multiply ‘in action’ and hear about its impact directly from the learners.
Multiply is a range of free, flexible courses (funded by government) developed to help adults improve their number skills and build their number confidence. Surrey’s Multiply providers have taken a creative and flexible approach in delivering courses that adapt to meet learners’ needs and the DfE were keen to see this in action.
Creative delivery, flexing to meet learners’ needs
The visit took place at Surrey Care Trust’s Gateway Community Garden in Reigate. Course leaders here are embedding maths skills into various garden projects. This means that students learn and apply maths and numeracy skills while they calculate lengths, areas, volumes etc, to build raised beds, create ponds and grow small crops.
This was the second time the SCC Multiply team has visited the project at the Gateway garden. The first visit took place in early spring 2024 and was captured on video (watch it below). This time the team were delighted to see how much progress had been made, both in terms of the garden projects and the learners’ individual achievements.
One participant, Nick, who has been attending for several months, noted: “It’s helped me a lot with everyday life, also with job seeking, numeracy skills, maths skills, soft skills like working in teams with people. It’s generally everything you’d need to get into a job nowadays.”
Multiply is available free of charge to both residents and businesses in Surrey, until the end of March 2025. Thereโs a huge range of Multiply courses available, with something to suit everyone. Businesses can also benefit from bespoke programs designed to suit the needs of their workforce.
Find out more
You can see the full list of available courses on the Multiply website.
If youโd like to find out more about arranging bespoke courses for your organisation, email multiply.info@surreycc.gov.uk.
Centenary celebrations as Surrey business marks 100 years in Dorking
Published 18 December 2024
Business news
Throughout 2024 Bucher Municipal has been celebrating the centenary of its UK HQ site in Dorking, Surrey. Bucher engineers and manufactures cleaning and clearing equipment such as street sweepers, snow ploughs and the gritters that help keep our roads safe over the winter months.
The company has spent the last few months celebrating the Dorking site’s 100 year history of manufacturing, innovation and growth. Celebrations kicked off in August with an open day for employees and families. The day included live music, good food, and of course, sweeper rides for all.
Centenary celebrations
In September there was a further formal celebration event at the British Motor Museum with customers, partners, and suppliers. The evening saw over ยฃ158k being raised for three local Dorking charities, The Children’s Trust,The Brigitte Trust, and Dorking Beatitudes.
The centenary celebration provided the opportunity to look back at the expansion, and developments that have taken place at the Dorking site over the years, and to reflect on the business’s global sustainability strategy, reflecting Bucher’s commitment to sustainable growth and innovation.
During the year, staff also found time to visit a local primary school to demo street cleaning equipment so reception students could complete their topic on ‘People Who Help Us’.
Bucher Municipal has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a blacksmith’s shop in 1807. With 11 brands and 14 locations across the globe, the business is now a leading manufacturer ofย vehicles for streetย cleaning, snow removal and refuse collection worldwide. The company is proud to base its UK HQ in Surrey as it looks forward to its next century.
Relocate to Surrey
Our Invest in Surrey team offers free and confidential services for businesses looking to relocate to Surrey.
Whether youโre a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support to help ensure a faster, more successful investment.
Check out some of the fantastic businesses based in Surrey on our Interactive Map.
Growth-focused event wins approval from Surrey businesses
Published 17 December 2024
Events and awards
Earlier this month Business Surrey held the latest in its series of complimentary workshops for Surrey businesses in partnership with Tandridge District Council and Reigate and Banstead Borough Council. This particular growth-focused event, was created in response to business feedback and support requests received by the Surrey Growth Hub.
The workshop was delivered by Business Surrey Specialist Advisor Roya Croudace, a skilled Commercial Director, Founder, and Non-Executive Director with over 25 years of expertise in driving business growth.
Roya kicked off the event by busting the myth that winning more customers is all about cold calling and hard selling. Roya then shared her proven sales growth strategies based on developing a strong understanding of your market and building relationships with your customers.
The workshop included a section on what a Value Proposition is, why your business needs to have one, and how to develop your own. Roya also shared strategies and tips for gaining and retaining customers, tips on lead generation, and the art of negotiation and closing.
Roya finished with a helpful section on using AI and digital tools to streamline and support sales and other business processes.
Positive feedback
Workshop attendees were highly engaged throughout, both asking questions and sharing their own experiences. Roya remarked, โIt was inspiring to see so many passionate business owners come together, eager to enhance their skills and drive their businesses forward.
โThe engagement in the room was outstanding, and the valuable insights sharedโboth from myself and the attendeesโtruly highlighted the power of collaboration and learning together.
โA huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to our fantastic partners for helping make this event such a success. Hereโs to continued growth and success for all!”
Attendees were equally pleased with the growth-focused event experience, with one remarking, โIt was a great workshop and good to see that businesses are being supported.โ
And another noting, โThank you for the continuous support from Business Surrey. Iโve signed up for the newsletter to stay informed about future events and services.โ
Support for Surrey businesses
We deliver a program of regular webinars and workshops offering insights and guidance on topics of value to Surrey SMEs. Our workshops and webinars are always free to join, and there are no limits on the number of attendees from a single organisation.
Multiply providers’ network meeting reviews achievements of scheme ahead of final quarter
Published 13 December 2024
Skills and workforce
The latest Multiply Providers Network workshop took place in early December at Surrey County Council’s Woodhatch offices, to review the program’s progress so far, and look ahead to the final Quarter.
The workshop was hosted by Surrey Adult Learning Principal, Francis Lawlor, and attended by representatives from the 15 Surrey Multiply training partners. Additionally, three members of the Department for Education (DfE) Multiply team attended; David Saffery, Josephine Howarth and Charlotte Piper.
The workshop was an opportunity for Multiply providers to review and share success stories and best practice, and learn from other organisation’s creative and flexible approaches to meeting learner needs.
The DfE attended to hear first-hand from providers and learn more about the positive impact and outcomes for learners across the county.
Creative approaches by providers
Surrey Multiply providers had previously come together for the first time at a network meeting in September where they were able to begin to build working relationships. At the December meeting providers shared and discussed the results of those professional partnerships. Many providers have been able to refer learners between themselves, and to join together to deliver some Multiply projects.
The meeting’s attendees all agreed to meet again before the program ends in March 2026, to discuss ways to preserve and amplify the Multiply legacy. Eveyone agreed this was vitally important in order to ensure the program’s impact has long-lasting positive effects amongst those Surrey communities most in need of numeracy support.
For more information about the Multiply program
Up to 1 in 7 adults in Surrey do not have a GCSE equivalent in maths. The government-funded Multiply programme aims to change that, by offering free flexible numeracy courses packed with practical tips.
Whatโs stopping your business from taking on an apprentice?
Cost is quite a common concern, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees.
Time is another, with many smaller businesses worried about the paperwork involved.
But what if someone else fills in the forms and foots the training bill for you?
Well, thatโs exactly what the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme from Surrey County Council offers – with funding to train dozens of apprentices currently available.
This makes it an ideal way for Surrey SMEs to recruit while providing opportunities to local residents.
All about apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are all about opportunity.
They allow people of all ages to earn while they learn and gain the skills they need to build a rewarding career.
Of these, more than 5,200 were in Surrey with courses offered in a wide range of industries, from health to business to engineering and beyond.
But for many SMEs, taking on an apprentice is not something they consider due to concerns about the cost of training and levels of red tape and paperwork.
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017 helps significantly reduce costs and makes apprenticeships even more accessible for SMEs.
It means employers with a pay bill of over ยฃ3 million per year pay 0.5% of their salary bill towards supporting apprenticeships.
Large organisations can support SME’s who may not pay into the levy by transferring funds to them to use to fund apprenticeships in their own business.
Five ways apprentices can support your Surrey business
1.ย Address Skills Gaps
One of the most pressing challenges businesses face today is the skills gap. As industries evolve, the demand for new skills grows, and traditional education systems often struggle to keep pace.
Apprenticeships offer a practical solution by providing tailored training that meets the specific needs of your business.
By utilising the apprenticeship levy, companies can develop a pipeline of skilled workers who are trained to their exact specifications.
2.ย Enhancing Employee Retention
Investing in apprenticeships can significantly improve employee retention rates.
Apprenticeships provide employees with clear career progression paths and the opportunity to gain recognized qualifications while earning a salary.
Apprenticeships are not just about training; they are about enhancing productivity.
Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the workplace. They are often more motivated and eager to learn, which can lead to increased innovation and efficiency.
According to the UK government, businesses with established apprenticeship programs report a significant improvement in productivity.
4.ย Cost-Effective Training Solutions
For many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the cost of training can be a significant barrier.
The apprenticeship levy provides a cost-effective solution. Surrey County Council’s levy transfer facility can cover the full cost of the apprenticeship, which can vary from ยฃ5,000 to ยฃ40,000.
All local businesses need to do initially is fill in the application form and commit to paying the apprentice an ongoing salary. There also needs to be an ongoing commitment to support the apprentice during employment.
This makes apprenticeships an affordable option for businesses of all sizes, enabling them to invest in their workforce without breaking the bank.
5.ย Supporting Diversity and Inclusion
Apprenticeships can play a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace. They’re useful in attracting a wider range of candidates, including those from underrepresented groups.
This can drive innovation and creativity, while helping businesses build a workforce that reflects the diversity of their customer base and society at large.
How to apply to the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme
Surrey County Council is committed to ensuring No One is Left Behind. This is why it’s made it as easy as possible for businesses to access its Apprenticeship Levy Transfer scheme.
It is open to all businesses in Surrey and can only be used for future apprenticeships, either for new roles or existing employees. Itโs open all year round but funding is allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Business interested in exploring the opportunity can get in touch with the Business Surrey team via our business support form.
You could also apply direct using the application form. A member of the Councilโs careers team will then review your application and be in touch to support in setting-up the levy transfer.
Event alert: Idea theft ends here! Understanding Intellectual Property
Published 9 December 2024
Advice and support, Events and awards
This interactive workshop has been developed to provide business owners and entrepreneurs with the insights and information you need to understand intellectual property (IP) rights and protect your business’s IP.
This is a complimentary in-person workshop being held by Business Surrey in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council. The workshop will take place at Surrey Heath Borough Council offices on Wednesday 29 January, from 8.30am to 11am.
Topics we’ll cover on the day:
Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP)
The different types of IP Rights available to you
Importance of IP in todayโs economy
Practical case studies and examples of IP disputes
Basics of IP registration and enforcement
Interactive Q&A session
The workshop will be led by Laurie Heizler, from TWM Solicitors. Laurie is a Partner in the Business Law department. He has acted for clients in the technology, media and education sectors as well as for several household names in the world of consumer goods. He has extensive experience of dealing with IP matters and disputes relating to patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and confidential information. Laurie’s well-earned reputation for explaining IP matters clearly, makes him the perfect speaker to bring the topic of IP to life for this workshop. Laurie will be joined by his IP-focussed Trainee Solicitor, Grace Makungu for the Q&A part of the workshop.
By attending this workshop, you can expect to gain a stronger understanding of the principles of intellectual property rights, and how to effectively protect your business’s own intellectual property.
This event is perfect for SME owners and entrepreneurs in Surrey. There is no entry fee and no limit on the number of attendees from a single business. Spaces are limited and you must pre-register to attend. Register today to save your place.
Free support for Surrey SMEs
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service offering free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.
Our experts are on hand to provide tailored advice to help your SME grow and succeed. Get in touch with a member of the team via our business support form.
Affordable Housing Roundtable underscores the need for a co-ordinated approach
Published 9 December 2024
Business news
In November this year, a roundtable took place to look at the delivery of affordable housing in Surrey. It was attended by over 30 representatives from registered social housing providers, developers and senior local authority representatives drawn from across the county. ย
The session was chaired by Brian Horton of Horton Strategic Ltd, with presentations from Cllr Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, and Lydia McLaren from Savills.
The roundtable highlighted the pressing housing crisis in Surrey. Currently median house prices in the county are 11.9 times the median resident earnings, making homeownership increasingly unattainable for many. The South East has seen a 7% decrease in homes gaining planning consent and an 18% decrease in new home starts as of Q3 2024. Savills estimates there is a sub-market housing need of 187,000 homes per year across England, but many areas in Surrey are delivering less than 20% of their affordable housing need. Some districts have reported no affordable housing completions at all in the last six months.
During the session, representatives from both registered social housing providers and developers gave their views on the current process of delivering affordable housing. Both groups highlighted multiple areas where systemic change is required to enable them to deliver the volume of affordable homes that will be required to meet the countyโs current and future requirements.
Conclusion
The roundtable was a highly engaged session that increased understanding of the challenges faced by different organisations in Surrey and beyond. The session ended with a unanimous call for a follow-up roundtable where attendees could come together again to work towards finding actionable strategies to meet the region’s affordable housing needs.
Organisations taking part in the Roundtable
Accent Housing Group
Aster Group
Bellway
Barratt David Wilson Homes
DHA Planning
English Rural Housing Association
Guildford Borough Council
Homes England
Horton Strategic Limited
Hyde Housing
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
Kier
Mole Valley District Council
Raven Housing Trust
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Savills
Spelthorne Borough Council
Surrey County Council
Surrey Heath Borough Council
Tandridge District Council
Transform Housing & Support
Vivid Homes
Wates
Whitmore Vale Housing Association
Support for your business
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey. Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on growing your business.
Spelthorne Business Awards winners for 2024 announced
Published 7 December 2024
Events and awards
The winners of the 2024 Spelthorne Business Awards have been announced – with fresh juice company Mejuicer winning the headline award.
Business Surrey was a proud sponsor of the event held in the Hazelwood Centre in Sunbury.
It saw the hard work, creativity and achievements of dozens of businesses from Staines, Shepperton, Sunbury, Ashford and beyond recognised.
From innovative startups to leading multinational firms, there was a spotlight on the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that drives economic success.ย
Cllr Med Buck, Mayor of Spelthorne, shared his admiration for the entrants. He said: “The range and quality of entries this year are proof of the wealth of entrepreneurial spirit, talent, and innovative thinking across Spelthorne.
“This community is truly rich with business expertise, and their achievements make me hopeful for Spelthorne’s bright future. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners. I’d also like to extend our thanks to the sponsors who make this celebration of local talent possible.
“The Spelthorne Business Awards are a wonderful platform to honour the accomplishments of our businesses, regardless of size, especially given the challenging economic conditions.”
Spelthorne Business Awards winners
Best Overall Business in Spelthorne – Mejuicer
Best New Start-Up Award – The Stewart Academy of Performing Arts
Best Small Business Award – Totally Tangerine Cookery
Best Restaurant, Bar or Pub Awards – Indian Zest
Business Innovation Award – Thames Side Brewery
Sustainability Award – Mova Hairdressing Ltd
Best Franchise Award – Right at Home Richmond & Twickenham
Retail Excellence Award – Mejuicer
Best Hospitality & Leisure Business – The Magpie Pub
Looking to turn your business into an award-winning enterprise?
Our team of experts have decades of experience in helping businesses. They can provide independent and impartial advice on growing your organisation. Start your journey by:
Woking FC joins the Multiply team to boost adult numeracy in Surreyย ย
Published 6 December 2024
Skills and workforce
Woking FC has teamed up with Surrey County Council to encourage its supporters to sign up to Multiply adult numeracy courses so they don’t get caught offside when figuring things out.ย
Up to 1 in 7 adults in Surrey do not have a GCSE equivalent in maths and the government-funded Multiply programme aims to change that by offering free flexible numeracy courses packed with practical tips.
Woking FCโs strong links to both the local and wider community meant it was an obvious choice for partnership with the council to promote the Multiply program to the communities who could most benefit.
Clare Curran, Surrey County Councilโs Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Lifelong learning, said: โWe are delighted that Woking FC is supporting the Multiply campaign by promoting it to their supporters and the wider community.
“Around half of the UK working age population donโt have strong numeracy skills, or donโt feel confident about using numbers. Multiply has been created to help bridge that numeracy skills gap to help Surrey adults reach their full potential and ensure no one is left behind.
Simon Jones, Business Development Director for Woking FC said: โWoking FC have always been keen promoters of lifelong learning amongst our own staff and teams, so we are delighted to be able to add our support for the Multiply program.”The Multiply program is a fantastic opportunity for people to improve their maths skills and confidence and weโd encourage all our supporters and visitors to check out the range of free courses on offer.โ
There is a wide range of both online and in-person courses available through Multiply. Many have been created to fill the needs of specific industries, such as construction, healthcare and early years, while others are designed to cater to personal interests such as gardening and cooking.
Courses are running now and continue until the end of March 2025. To qualify, learners must be based in Surrey, aged 19 or over, and without a GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths.
Multiply for businesses
Multiply is also free for businesses who wish to upskill their workforce. Surrey County Council can support your business by sourcing the most suitable Multiply training provider to deliver a bespoke Multiply course created specifically to solve your own workforce’s numeracy needs. Email multiply.info@surreycc.gov.uk for more information on free Multiply adult numeracy training for businesses, or check out the list of courses here: www.surreycc.gov.uk/multiply.
Other support for Surrey businesses
Our team of experts can provide tailored advice to help your business grow and succeed. Get in touch to find out more via our business support form.
You can also register to receive our newsletter, packed with the latest information on events, funding and more, for all Surrey businesses.
3ti: a Surrey Success Story
Published 5 December 2024
Innovation, Surrey Success Stories
3ti is the latest of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses โ large and small โ that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video below to discover how this Leatherhead company has become a leading light in renewable energy and EV charging.
3ti: fueling cars with sunshine
Have you heard about the company that creates solar-powered pop-up car parks?
Our latest Surrey Success Story features 3ti, a Leatherhead company which is a leader in the renewable energy, battery storage and EV charging sectors.
Since being founded in 2019, the company has grown from 3 to 33 employees. And it’s forecast to turnover ยฃ10 million in 2024.
3ti’s products have generated eight gigawatt-hours of solar power โ saving customers ยฃ2 million in energy costs and avoiding carbon emissions equivalent to planting over 32,000 trees.
The impact is also clear in the bottom line. The company is growing year on year and almost doubled its headcount in the last 12 months.
Innovation and sustainability
3ti stands for three technology infrastructure – meaning solar, batteries and EV charging.
The company combines these technologies in pop-up car park infrastructure.
3ti’s core product is Papilio3, a pop-up mini solar car park and EV charging hub made out of a converted shipping container.
As founder Tim Evans said: “When I drive home this evening, it will be powered by this afternoon’s sunshine.”
Being based in Leatherhead brings many benefits to the company.
It provides a fantastic quality of life for its employees. There are good schools, thriving communities and accessible countryside in easy reach. Plus there are fast connections to London, Gatwick, the M25 and beyond.
Being based in Surrey allows 3ti to access a highly-skilled talent pool powered by three leading universities.
Ryan Sherratt is a living example. He landed a job with 3ti straight out of university and is now putting his renewables learning into real-life practice with a growing business.
Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?
Thanks to Surrey’s desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.
As part of Business Surrey, Surrey County Council offers theย Invest in Surrey service. We assist companies looking to invest and grow in Surrey.
So whether youโre a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support.
