Sussex business chief's shock exit stuns bosses
4:30pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012 in News By Bill Gardner
Business leaders have reacted with shock after Sussex’s chamber of commerce announced the departure of its chief executive.
Sussex Enterprise last night announced that after an “extensive review of all operations”, boss Mark Froud would be “moving on to new challenges”.
Trevor Freeman, chairman of Brighton’s Federation of Small Businesses, said he was “very surprised” by the news.
He said: “I personally thought that Mark did a really good job. He was excellent at what he did.
“We had noticed that he had stopped coming down to the local economic partnership meetings so we were wondering what was going on.
“But you always knew where you were with Mark and it’s certainly a shame that he’s gone.”
Mr Froud led Sussex Enterprise for almost ten years after first joining in 1996 as director of economic research.
In 2001 he became director of policy responsible for planning and media relations before becoming chief executive in 2002.
When the coalition government scrapped regional development agencies, Sussex Enterprise lost a contract to deliver advisory services and a large chunk of its income.
Mr Froud caused controversy in February when he said residents and businesses in East Sussex had “lower aspirations” than those in West Sussex.
Peter Jones, chairman of East Sussex County Council, said he had disagreed with Mr Froud on many occasions but was sad to see him go. He said: “When he said what he said about East Sussex we had a face-to-face conversation and sorted it out. That’s the way it was with Mark. He has put a lot of effort into his work so I’m surprised that he has gone.
“But I would say that in Sussex we are seeing a resurgence of local chambers of commerce so I think Sussex Enterprise now has to find a real role for itself.”
A Sussex Enterprise spokeswoman said: “Sussex Enterprise has over the last few months undertaken an extensive review of all operations and concluded that major changes are needed to re-emphasise and expand our core membership services.
“In today’s difficult trading conditions companies of all sizes need the opportunities to come together regularly and share information, learn from each other and find new ways to improve their businesses.
“Mark Froud who led the organisation for many years will be moving on to new challenges and we all wish him well.”
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Sussex Police plans to scrap compulsory retirement policy - The Independent
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Source: www.independent.co.uk
Blues announce Watford friendly (From Bucks Free Press) - Bucks Free Press
Blues announce Watford friendly
11:26am Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in Wanderers By Andy Carswell
CHAMPIONSHIP club Watford will pay Wycombe Wanderers a visit in the latest pre-season friendly to be announced by the Chairboys.
The Hertfordshire club come to Adams Park on Tuesday July 31, with the match kicking off at 7.30pm.
Blues players Marvin McCoy and Joel Grant both started their careers at the Vicarage Road club, who could include former Wanderers loanee Matty Whichelow in their squad.
It’s the fifth friendly to be confirmed by Wanderers, who also announced this week they will face Staines Town for the second successive pre-season campaign.
Last year they won 5-0 against the Conference South side in their first friendly, which saw teenage starlet Jordon Ibe announce himself to the world with a wonderstrike.
Blues go to Wheatsheaf Park on Saturday July 21 and also face away friendlies at Farnborough on July 14 and Forest Green Rovers on Wednesday July 18.
League One club Brentford will also face Wanderers in pre-season, arriving at Adams Park on Tuesday August 7.
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Source: www.bucksfreepress.co.uk
Scunthorpe Utd: Mirfin is staying at Watford, Iron are told by Hornets boss - This is Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe United's hopes of signing defender David Mirfin appear to over – for now at least.
Iron manager Alan Knill says he is continuing to pursue other defensive targets after being told Championship side Watford plan to keep hold of the 26-year-old centre-back, who spent the second half of last season at Glanford Park.
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David Mirfin made 19 appearances, and never missed a game, after joining the Iron on loan from Watford at the end of January.
It is an early blow in the transfer market for United, given the form of the Yorkshireman undoubtedly improved Scunthorpe defensively and helped them climb away from the League One relegation zone.
"I was with (Watford boss) Sean Dyche on Saturday and he indicated Dave Mirfin is going to stay there," said Knill.
"He's their player so we have to go along with that, but we've looked at other alternatives and are continuing to do so."
After recruiting goalkeeper James Severn on a one-year deal last week, Knill says nothing else is imminent on the transfer front.
But he continues to speak to prospective signings and will even take time out when he goes on his summer break to attempt to broker a deal.
"We'd all like things to be done now," the Iron boss continued.
"I'd love to make an offer and the player accept it, but it isn't going to be like that.
"We've spoken to players that probably have five or six other clubs that they are talking to so it's quite difficult.
"I met two on Sunday and I'm meeting one when I go to New York on holiday. But that's the easy bit – discussing terms is the tough part.
"Nothing is really imminent at the moment, but it never is at this time.
"Everybody wants more than what you've got and usually I'm not talking to the player when it comes to money.
"I'm dealing with somebody else (agents), whose interest isn't solely about money, but it's a big part. The more money they make for the player, the more money they make.
"I wouldn't say it's proving difficult at the moment, because we haven't really made any money offers. But I know that it will do.
"I'd like to get business done early – I'd like it done now – but it just isn't going to be that way."
Source: www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk
Neighbourhood police officers honoured at annual awards ceremony (From Watford Observer) - Watford Observer
Praise - and awards - for neighbourhood police officers
2:46pm Wednesday 23rd May 2012 in News By Zoe Forsey
Neighbourhood police officers from Watford and Three Rivers were among those to be honoured yesterday (Tuesday) at Hertfordshire Police Authority’s annual awards ceremony.
Special Sergeant Andrew Kowalksi from Three Rivers and Special Constable Jon Currie from Watford were the joint winners of the Special of the Year Award.
They were presented with their awards by Ron Tindall, a member of the police authority, at County Hall in Hertford.
He said: "Special officers play an enormous part in keeping our streets safe and, with a busy summer of policing ahead of us, you will see our fully trained and effective specials stepping up again to support day-to-day policing across the county."
More than 400 specials work across Hertfordshire providing the force with about 12,000 hours each month.
Mr Tindall said: "Andrew is on duty every weekend in his community and he has a superb detection rate, particularly with drug-related offences.
"He is developing a proactive crime prevention campaign promoting the online neighbourhood watch link (OWL).
"Jon has made an outstanding contribution to policing in his area, with the development of the first county-wide Special Officer Unit working with Operation Scorpion, an initiative to drive down serious acquisitive and drug-related crime."
The award for the Neighbourhood Team of the Year went to South Oxhey, which includes teams of Moorpark and Eastbury, South Oxhey, Carpenders Park and Oxhey Hall.
Bengie Walden, authority lead for St Albans, described neighbourhood policing as the bedrock of the Hertfordshire force. He said: "Excellent work is being done across the county by our neighbourhood teams. "The winning team is highly visible in its locality, with team members known by name to many of the residents. This team has been particularly active in the area of road safety, targeting speeding and dangerous parking to great effect. "Their community has benefitted from their work with virtually no incidents of anti-social behaviour and much increased feelings of public safety."
David Lloyd, chairman of the police authority, said: "These awards are our opportunity to recognise the officers, staff and members of the public who make a real difference to the lives of those residing and working in Hertfordshire.
"It is one of the few occasions when I have the opportunity to say a public ‘thank you’ not only for the tremendous unpaid contributions made by our local residents but also to our neighbourhood officers and staff who go beyond the ‘day job’ to really make a difference to the safety and feelings of reassurance of the communities they serve.
"The commitment and dedication of all our officers and staff never ceases to amaze me and makes Hertfordshire what it is – one of the safest places in the country in which to live and work."
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Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
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