To reserve your place at this event please email Ped Briggs at fba@wilorg.com
Company appointed to manage £14m Vulcan Works Creative Hub
West Northamptonshire Council has appointed specialist innovation centre management company, Oxford Innovation Space, to manage Vulcan Works Creative Hub, a new innovation centre for Northampton’s small creative businesses.
Located in the heart of the town’s Cultural Quarter and Waterside Enterprise Zone, Vulcan Works consists of 68 lettable units specifically aimed at start-ups and growing businesses within the creative industry.
West Northamptonshire Council has led the multi-million regeneration project to transform the area, including two new buildings, along with the renovation of a former ironworks and a collection of old and derelict industrial workshops, to provide local creative businesses with studios, workshops, and managed workspaces. It is anticipated that during its first ten years of operation, Vulcan Works will support up to 150 businesses across the county, creating around 500 jobs.
With over 30 years at the forefront of providing support to start-ups, Oxford Innovation Space successfully manages innovation centres throughout the UK, providing expert support and knowledge to drive business growth and regional success.
Jo Stevens, Managing Director, Oxford Innovation, said: “We’re delighted to be managing this new centre that is part of such an inspiring rejuvenation project. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide bespoke support for all businesses within our centres. It’s much more than a workspace, we build innovative communities, that with the expert support from our innovation directors, are encouraged to grow and thrive.”
She added: “Northampton has been identified as one of the top 10 innovative places in the UK. We’re really looking forward to help drive this further and maximise the innovative spirit of the town.”
South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) has contributed £6.3m towards the £14m scheme, through the Local Growth Fund and a further £3m contribution coming from the Waterside Enterprise Zone.
Cllr Daniel Lister, cabinet member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Oxford Innovation has a fantastic track record in managing sites like Vulcan Works and we’re very lucky to have them on board. I know with their guidance and support, the small creative businesses choosing the site as their home will go from strength to strength.”
The workspaces are expected to be available from early next year.
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Doctor shortlisted for National Award
A Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) doctor who is blazing a trail for young surgeons through his work at the charity, has been shortlisted in the Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) Awards of Excellence.
Dr Mike Hughes is different to other air ambulance doctors in that he comes from a surgical background, something that isn’t often seen in the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) – a world which is largely populated with doctors from anaesthesia and emergency medicine.
But it’s his set of skills that has brought a different perspective to the work of the crews on board the helicopter.
LNAA’s Deputy Medical Director, Doctor Adam Chesters said: Almost immediately after being signed off in the service, Mike attended a series of difficult cases, treating some of the sickest patients attended by the service in this time. Using his surgical expertise, he was able to help deliver the very highest quality of care to the patient.”
Mike joined LNAA in February 2022 and has been called out to 176 incidents in that time. He has dealt with some of the most challenging shifts over the summer and being a surgeon rather than an anaesthetist has meant he has carried out some medical interventions using a skill set that the other doctors do not have. Incidents include 36 road traffic incidents, 23 cardiac arrests and 19 incidents of self-harm.
When he attended a patient who had been stabbed in the neck, rather than apply direct pressure to the bleeding wound, Mike has the skills to be able to dissect down and tie off the bleeding vessels using forceps before transferring the patient to the nearest Major Trauma Centre with the forceps in situ. This technique is a better way of stopping the bleeding and it’s not in the skillset of any other doctors at LNAA and in very few across the air ambulance community.
Mike also recently passed the Fellowship of the College of Royal Surgeons examination in Major Trauma Surgery – he is the first person to ever sit the exam and so the first to pass it! An amazing achievement after his first busy six months at LNAA and the recent birth of his third child.
The annual awards celebrate and recognise the specialist lifesaving skills and commitment of those working tirelessly within and in support of the air ambulance community across the UK.
The awards ceremony will be held at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham on 14 November where crew members will be willing Mike to scoop the Doctor of the Year award.
Construction industry in the Midlands must “think differently” to find 50,000 recruits
The construction industry in the Midlands needs to “think differently” to meet the challenge of finding 10,000 new starters every year for the next five years to meet project demands.
That’s the view of Lorraine Gregory, the director of the Civil Engineer Contractors Association (CECA), which supports companies across the sector and provides a voice for the industry.
Civil engineering firms were already facing a skills and recruitment crisis before Covid-19 struck but the pandemic has seen it worsen meaning 50,000 new recruits will be needed between now and 2027 to deliver on projects earmarked for the Midlands.
Lorraine said an aging workforce – 23 per cent of employees are now over 55 compared with just 10 per cent in 1990 – made it vitally important that more people were attracted into the sector and, also, retained within it.
She said: “An ageing workforce in our sector is something that has long been warned about and with many using the pandemic as a moment to take retirement, it is starting to come home to roost.
“Despite many older workers taking retirement, the workforce in construction is still not getting any younger on average.
“The figures show a much higher percentage are now over 55 and the concern is that the cohort aged 25-54 is now weighted towards older end of the spectrum.
“The implications of this, is that we’d expect to lose greater numbers of workers as we move forwards and there is little evidence that they are being replaced by younger workers at anywhere near the same rate.
“It’s vitally important, therefore, that we think differently about how and where we recruit and what we do to keep them in the industry.
“Ongoing training – something CECA supports our members with – is great way to ensure skills are constantly improved and allow people to progress but we all recognise that we have to do more to get people into the sector in the first place.
“We are not the only industry that’s crying out for more workers so we have to differentiate ourselves from other sectors. Through CECA, we’ll be sending STEM ambassadors into the schools in the region to promote the vital work that civil engineering does and the incredible careers it can lead to.
“When speaking to individual businesses that get recruitment right it’s clear that this is not a short-term fix. Firms need to look at how they go about this and plan how they intend to ensure they have the skills for the future.”
Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd, which has offices across the UK including Birmingham, Solihull, Stowe and Manchester, has a Future Skills Programme – which includes apprentices, graduates, trainees and placements – and currently just under 15 per cent of the business’s 700 employees are either on it or graduated from it.
Retention rates are high and, as a result, an average of 20 new entrants complete studies annually and become permanent members of the Group.
The firm is still not immune from the effects of the recruitment crunch but the commitment to bringing new people into the industry has stood Buckingham Group in good stead.
Recruitment manager Matt Suckling said: “We are in a perfect recruitment storm when you look at Covid, Brexit, IR35 and the perpetual issue of an ageing workforce.
“Tristan Tregartha, Future Skills manager, began our Future Skills Programme five years ago and it has been a real success story for the business, one that helps us grow our own talent and provides new entrants with a clear career development path.
“There is not a quick fix and it comes down to more than the way you recruit. We are in a ‘word of mouth’ industry so you have to make sure that your staff, your supply chain and anyone else who comes into contact with you are all talking about you in a positive way.”
Meanwhile, Highway Traffic Management (HTM) in Birmingham, is launching a bid to attract 40 women into the industry.
Marcus Casey, business director at HTM, said: “We are growing considerably and as with many industries at the moment, there’s a skills shortage.
“We have over half the population who may not be thinking about traffic management as a career path for them, simply because the industry has historically had the reputation of being a hands-on role which therefore tends to attract more men. But there’s more to it than people think with a lot of problem solving involved, attention to detail and customer communication required too.
“By challenging the status quo and showing that this type of work can be completed by both men and women, we will be creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce, something we believe is vitally important to the industry as a whole.
“We already have female operatives working within HTM, so we have been engaging with them to get their input and see what more we can be doing to encourage more women into the industry.”
Microlise team gear up for Cycle Malawi Challenge
Six intrepid Microlise employees are making their final preparations for the epic Cycle Malawi challenge to raise vital funds to support Transaid’s work in Africa. The demanding five-day journey will see them cover over 500km, starting in Senga and taking in Lake Malawi, Mount Mulanje, Liwonde National Park and the Zomba Plateau in October 2022.
The fundraising initiative is part of Microlise’s employee-led, community engagement activities which sees the Nottingham-based transport management software company, support numerous community and charity groups at home and abroad.
Andree Ball, marketing events manager, Tony King, technical hardware engineer, Tim Featonby, new business sales consultant, Fred Solari, director of sales, France, and Allan Herbert, embedded systems architect make up this year’s Microlise Cycle Malawi team.
The Microlise Cycle Malawi team have raised more than £25,000 so far for Transaid with the help of their employees, customers and shirt-sponsors Bidfood, Co-Pilot, DHL and MEP Hire.
Microlise event manager and Transaid ambassador Andree Ball is an experienced rider having participated in Transaid’s Challenge Zambia in 2018 when the Microlise team of eight raised more than £40,000. She comments: “Safety in transport is a topic that is central to our business. Conditions in developing countries are not always what they could be, and we can help by raising funds for Transaid, whose interventions make a very real difference.”
Founded by Save the Children and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Transaid has been transforming lives through safe, accessible and sustainable transport for more than 25 years across 23 countries.
“The support we receive from Microlise through initiatives such as Cycle Malawi make a huge difference to Transaid’s work,” added Transaid Chief Executive Officer Caroline Barber.
“Malawi holds a special place in our hearts as it was the location for our first cycle challenge back in 2006. Since then, we have worked hard to improve access to healthcare and driver training programmes. In the last year alone, we have been able to support the training of more than 5,225 HGV and PSV drivers and we have reached more than a million people in Zambia with our integrated malaria and COVID-19 programme.”
If you would like to support Transaid and the Microlise Cycle Malawi Team, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/microlise-cycle-malawi
New council housing for disused garage sites gets started
Work has started on new council homes following the demolition of old garages in Kirkby.
The plans include eight new homes across two sites; three two-bedroom homes on the Ashfield District Council owned garage site on Darley Avenue, Kirkby, and five two and three-bedroom homes on Spruce Grove, Kirkby.
These eight family homes will add to the council’s growing housing portfolio. In the past year over 51 new council homes have been built and another 62 are planned. These include 15 family homes on derelict garage sites in Hucknall on Barbara Square, Hawthorne Avenue, Chatsworth Drive, and Chestnut Grove.
In Sutton, 31 council homes have been built including five new townhouses on Stoney Street, a mixture of 22 houses and apartments on Froghopper Lane, off Davies Avenue, and four bungalows on The Poplars and The Beeches. Ground has been broken on Charlotte Gardens, off Midland Road, which will welcome 20 new homes in 2023.
Cllr Andy Meakin, Ward Councillor for Abbey Hill, said: “It is fantastic that work has started at these two disused sites in Kirkby. We are pleased to be able to provide high quality, affordable housing for residents in Ashfield.
“The council has plans to build over 100 new council houses over the next few years and we have made excellent progress with this in the space of a year. We have completed 46 houses so far. This number will continue to rise as we hand over even more quality housing in the coming months.”
Medstrom celebrates employee ownership
Medstrom shareholders have entered into an agreement to sell the entire share capital to an Employee Ownership Trust (also known as an EOT).
This is a Trust which acquires and holds a controlling interest in a company for the benefit of its employees, giving the effect of employee ownership without directly owning or buying shares.
Medstrom was founded in 2010 to provide hospital equipment, bed management and service delivery to the NHS. Medstrom has developed an exceptional reputation with its customers and more recently has become the only UK owned manufacturer of acute care beds in the UK.
The decision to create this exciting new structure was driven by the desire to sustain the company’s independence and recognition of the fact that Medstrom was built upon the hard work and commitment of its employees and is unlike any other company in the industry.
David Belli, CEO, said: “Medstrom is securing the future of the business, including its ethos, values and focus on sustainability, whilst maintaining our unique culture.”
Scott Apsey – Medstrom Managing Director and CIO said: “It gives us all great pleasure to give something back to our very committed colleagues, as they often go above and beyond their duty to ensure our customers and patients are well looked after.”
Rachel Apsey – Commercial Director adds: “The new ownership structure shall continue to provide stability, continuity, depth of management knowledge and quick decision making for all of our customers for the long term. It is therefore business as usual, continuing to do what we do well – focusing on our customers”.
Greater Lincolnshire LEP begins search for new Chair
The Greater Lincolnshire LEP has begun its search for a new Chair to replace Pat Doody when his term of office ends next year.
The new Chair will be a private-sector appointment and the successful candidate will, along with CEO Ruth Carver, lead the organisation through the next phase of development.
She said: “Since it was formed a decade ago the LEP has established a first-class public / private partnership that approaches business growth and local regeneration in a positive and commercial manner.
“The new Chair will embrace this approach. Their fresh ideas will help us to navigate the current period of change as the Government focuses on delivering the levelling up agenda and devolution deals.
“We need a Chair with strong business acumen and political astuteness who will be happy and comfortable representing the Greater Lincolnshire LEP at a range of events, including discussions with Government ministers, ensuring that Lincolnshire’s issues are understood in Whitehall.”
Since 2010, as well as unlocking £500 million for transformational schemes in the region the LEP has created more than 3,500 jobs and 800 new businesses, delivered 75 major growth projects and programmes, supported over 8,500 learners and apprentices, and more than 100 Enterprise Advisers from across business and industry are supporting students in their career choices.
For more information about the role, email ruth.carver@lincolnshire.gov.uk. A full candidate information pack is available here. Closing date for applications is 2nd December and interviews will take place between 9th and 20th January next year.
Up to £200,000 available to businesses to test security of smart devices
Businesses can now apply for funding to support research into the cyber security of office devices which can connect to the internet, such as printers, cameras, and room booking systems, to ensure they are properly protected against hackers.
Thousands of UK businesses rely on these products, known as enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to increase productivity and enable hybrid working. The government is funding new research to uncover vulnerabilities in these commonly used enterprise IoT products and assess the cyber resilience of these devices.
Smart devices in the workplace can collect sensitive data which can be accessed by other users, making them an attractive target for cyber criminals to exploit. While devices may have some protections built-in, products with poor cyber security can leave companies using them at risk.
For example, in 2019 Microsoft’s researchers found Russian hackers were compromising conference phones and office printers in organisations across many sectors, though Microsoft was able to successfully block the attacks before they could cause any damage.
Successful bidders will be awarded up to £200,000 to test popular devices and help identify if current security measures and guidance, such as international standards and NCSC device security principles, are robust enough to protect businesses from evolving threats.
Cyber minister Julia Lopez said: “Technology played a pivotal role in keeping British businesses going during the pandemic, helping the pivot to hybrid working and boosting productivity ever since.
“This research will ensure we have the right measures in place to protect our economy and keep our offices and workers safe from cyber security threats.”
The grant is part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect the UK from cyber threats and grow the digital economy. It supports the UK’s objective to take the lead in the technologies vital to cyber power and secure the Internet of Things and connected technologies used by consumers and enterprises.Trio of deals done at Borough Hill Farm
Three new lettings have been completed at Borough Hill Farm, Walton on Trent.
Printable Promotions Limited, Levison Rose Homes Limited and specialist IT and gaming recruiters, C V Bay Limited, have signed up to the Derbyshire site following the conversion of barns into office accommodation.
Phil Randle, partner at Salloway Property Consultants, said: “We are delighted to see Borough Hill Farm fully let.
“The landlord, Wheelton Farming Limited, have made an absolutely superb job of converting the barns at Borough Hill Farm into high quality, environmentally sustainable office accommodation.
“With soaring energy bills and climate change very much on everyone’s minds, it is no surprise to see these office suites let.”
Amy Wheelton, director at Wheelton Farming Limited, added: “We are obviously very biased, but we think this is a wonderful setting located in historic countryside on the side of the Trent valley.
“Whilst we have gone above and beyond in terms of providing excellent green credentials, it means a great deal to us that our carbon footprint is minimal, and we are extremely pleased to have found like-minded tenants and we wish them the very best here.”
Lincolnshire Social Housing provider plans new move
Next spring social landlord Lincolnshire Housing Partnership will move its Grimsby base to Cartergate House, on Chantry Lane in the town.
The housing association previously announced the end of its lease on Westgate House, and its search for a new North East Lincolnshire home. Changes will reflect the feedback the organisation received from customers and stakeholders in the preparation for its 2022-2027 Corporate Strategy, Building Better Communities Together. Customers particularly highlighted their desire to see LHP teams in their communities, rather than having to visit an office environment.
The ground floor office suite, extending to just under 5,000 square feet has been empty since the building was built by North East Lincolnshire Council and occupied mainly by Wilkin Chapman Solicitors.
Murray Macdonald, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Housing Partnership said: “We have recently launched our 2022-2027 Corporate Plan, Great Homes…Strong Communities, which outlines our commitment to a more sustainable future, and working more closely with our customers in their neighbourhoods.
“As an organisation we are embracing modern ways of working and providing our colleagues with both flexibility and the most appropriate facilities for them to undertake their role.
“We have also seen our customers’ habits change, as well as moving away from the traditional habits of attending a local office, there has been a call for more ways to contact LHP through digital channels.
“We work best when we are engaging with customers and other agencies to deliver housing solutions. Such engagements can work better in the community and, sometimes, in people’s homes.
“Having a large office with rows of desks is not particularly efficient and so we have taken the view that a smaller office base and increased technology and flexibility will enable us to invest further into the business.”
LHP has been advised by Scott’s Property LLP, whose Lawrence Brown said: “We worked with LHP to help shape and create their brief. The proposal is to fit out the premises in a modern staff focused way rather than straightforward corporate office. Cartergate House met a number of criteria including flexibility of accommodation, proximity to other services together with sustainable issues such as public transport links and energy efficiency.”
The premises are currently in a shell state and contractors will spend the next few months fitting out the premises with occupation anticipated to take place in spring next year.
Multi-let industrial estate, Falcon Works, acquired in Loughborough
The dedicated real estate investment arm of Quilvest Capital Partners (Quilvest or QCP), QCP Real Estate, working with operating partner Arax Properties Limited, has acquired Falcon Works, a multi-let industrial estate in Loughborough.
The 53-acre property, strategically located in the heart of the Midlands’ ‘Golden Triangle’ logistics and industrial area, has strong upside potential with scope for increased occupancy rates and rental income.
The property also offers great potential for the development of unused land and the redevelopment of obsolete space into new, grade-A space with a more efficient vehicle circulation plan and with significantly improved ESG characteristics. Quilvest intends to invest significantly in this redevelopment to support the growth of SME businesses in the Loughborough area.
Patrick Laroche, principal at Quilvest Capital Partners, said: “We are delighted to have completed this acquisition which maintains QCP Real Estate’s strong legacy investing in multi-let industrial assets globally.
“This is a highly attractive property, due to its favourable location and good accessibility, with significant scope for value add through development and commercial initiatives. This transaction is aligned with our strategic commitment to this segment, where we have significant UK experience via previous investments.”
Streets Chartered Accountants supports Family Business Forum event
As specialist family business and owner managed business accountants, Streets Chartered Accountants are supporting the ‘Family Business Forum – Leadership’ event on Wednesday 12 October at The Carriage Hall, Nottingham.
Leaders face challenges on a daily basis. But in a family-run business, these challenges can be complicated – and on occasion, multiplied by needing to manage team-members who are also family. The Family Business panel includes speakers from leading family businesses, including Lindum Construction. The panel will be co-hosted by Streets partner James Pinchbeck and Annabel Jackson Prow from the Wilson organisation.
Human Alchemy understand the challenges of family businesses and have been working with CEOs, MDs and their leadership teams in a wide variety of organisations and sectors for the last two decades. Through their programmes and research, they have found that the leaders who exhibit what they call the ‘6 Extraordinary Leadership Traits’ are the most successful, innovative and get the job done. During the Forum, you’ll have the opportunity to examine the traits, mindset and skillsets of extraordinary leaders for yourself and discuss how sharpening these might make a difference in your family business.
Listening to the theory is great but hearing from family businesses that have faced their own leadership challenges is just as interesting. The panel members include David Chambers, chairman of Lindum Group founded in 1956, who will share their experiences and insights with the audience and join the Q&A.
This is an invitation only event with a buffet lunch served on arrival. There’ll be a short break following the Human Alchemy session, after which you’ll hear from the family business panel members before the Q&A.
Derbyshire pub group acquired by investment manager
Investment manager Downing LLP has acquired The Pub People Group of companies and committed to further funding for expansion.
Downing has acquired Pub People, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire from its management team – Andrew Crawford and Kevin Sammons – and merged it with its existing investment in Autumn Pubs Limited, which has been managed under contract by Pub People since 2012.
Funds managed by Downing will be the majority shareholder in the combined business. The group includes 49 managed pubs and Downing has committed further funding to help the group expand through acquisitions.
Kevin Sammons has headed Pub People for over 28 years and has established it as one of the top independent pub companies in the Midlands, with a quality estate and a well-resourced central function. Its estate of high-quality food and drink pubs is based in and around Nottingham, Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield, and Lincoln.
Following the acquisition, Kevin Sammons will transition into a non-executive role, while Andrew Crawford will move into the role of Managing Director.
Kevin Sammons said: “I am proud to have led and built this successful company, along with the many loyal and exceptional employees who have been important contributors to that success. They can now continue the Pub People journey along with Downing and fulfil their and the group’s potential. I am extremely grateful for the support Downing has given us over the last 10 years. It is now time for me to step back and hand over to a worthy and capable successor and his team.”
Andrew Crawford said: “Kevin and I have worked very well together as a management team for over 20 years. We have together built a company we can be truly proud of, but now there are new chapters to be written. While there are numerous economic challenges on the horizon, we have a strong team and with support from Downing the group can continue to invest and grow its high-quality pub estate.”
Nick Carter, associate director at Downing, said: “Kevin and Andy have been trusted and respected partners of ours for more than a decade. We wish Kevin well and we are excited to take the group to the next stage under Andy’s direction.”
The Downing team on the deal is Colin Corbally, Gautam Chhabra and Nick Carter. Downing has been advised by Michelmores, HMT and K3 Advisory.
Pub People has been advised by Browne Jacobsen and BHP.
Derby Sales and Information Centre to move to Guildhall Theatre
Derby City Council’s Sales and Information Centre is on the move. After being situated in Riverside Chambers since June 2019, following the full closure of the Assembly Rooms site, the centre is relocating to the Guildhall Theatre.
From Monday 10 October, all current Visit Derby tourist information services, along with sales and bookings for Derby LIVE and Derby Active, will be offered from the ground floor foyer of the Guildhall Theatre. The Guildhall Theatre is located on the Market Place and will be open to customers between 9am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
This means the Sales and Information Centre’s last day at its current home in Riverside Chambers will be Friday 7 October. During this day there may be some slight disruption to normal service as the team prepare for the move. Online booking services will not be impacted.
The Sales and Information Centre will be the only service to operate from the Guildhall Theatre and the ground floor foyer will be the only accessible point for customers. The Council is continuing to progress plans to bring the Guildhall Theatre back into use.
Growth snowballs for gritting business
Loughborough-based gritting business Weatherwise Services has seen a whopping 157% increase in turnover in the last four years of trading. It started in 2017 with just two vehicles covering 36 sites and now has 14 vehicles over 250 sites. You could say that growth has been rapid for directors, Tim Grainger and Andrew Martin. As it reaches its fifth anniversary the business is transforming both digitally and operationally to combat rising costs, improve efficiency and continue growing.
Tim hadn’t set out to run his own business. Originally from a sales and recruitment background, a chance meeting in a pub introduced him to the gritting business. He decided to become a driver at the same time as having a full-time job in facilities. Then in July 2017, Tim officially took over the business and set up Weatherwise Services with his partner Andrew.
Weatherwise provide a personalised winter gritting and snow clearance service to private customers. It works with partners to cover sites for the likes of PepsiCo and DHL, as well as independently for Leicester City Football Club, The Langdale Group and many others. During the winter months, Tim gets surface temperature forecasts, by postcode, from the Met Office. This is emailed out to clients and if the site reaches its trigger point for that night, they go out and grit.
Geographically the business covers sites from Sheffield down to Northampton with a focus on the Midlands. During the season Tim and Andrew are available 24/7 managing a team of 18 contractors with vehicles holding loads from 3,500 to 26,000 tonnes. Tim is in the office now managing sales, finance and marketing while Andrew looks after operations including organising the vehicles, drivers, loading and dealing with breakdowns.
Tim was introduced to the Business Gateway Growth Hub and Adviser Joanna Moore following a networking event. He explains: “I needed support on how to manage the growth and stop pulling my hair out! Time is the biggest thing I didn’t have. A lot of this was down to software. Computerisation was a big issue for me, but just talking to Jo and going through things helped; it’s one area I’ve worked on this year. We’ve now got a new CRM that integrates with our website, email and enquiries and this has made life easier.
“We’re also nearly there with a new operating system which allows us to schedule daily. Scheduling driver routes normally takes me about three hours a day but with the new system, it will take about ten minutes. I’ve been looking at this before, but it was all down to Jo that we identified this area would create more time.”
When the season ends things don’t stop for the business. Tim is still working 7 days a week, apart from a few weeks off for family holidays. Summer is a time for developing new clients, overhauling equipment, replacing wagons and refurbishing.
This year Tim has been working on digital marketing to communicate with new and existing customers. He’s also switched from a manual to an online accounting package. He continued: “I’d say one of our greatest strengths is communication and keeping in touch with our clients. But as our portfolio expands, I’m not convinced I’ll have the same amount of time to do that or develop new clients. These are some of my drivers for going digital. Getting it out of my head and off bits of paper so anyone could do it was what I need.”
Weatherwise had a difficult 21/22 season with fuel prices soaring and the price of salt going from £56/tonne to £99/tonne mid-season. So, time management, becoming more efficient and going digital has been key to their future success. And despite the challenges, it was their best year yet!
Tim continues: “The support from the Business Gateway has allowed me to see a broader picture and understand what I need to do to control the issues concerning me. The biggest thing is clarity, which has been invaluable – clarity of thought and action. I’ve never had a business plan since we started, we have one now and that’s down to support from Jo. She’s been incredibly helpful.”
International Sustainability Award Nomination for Lincoln Graduate
A Lincoln graduate is vying for a major international award after being recognised for driving forwards the sustainability agenda.
Matt Hucker, a graduate of the University of Lincoln, UK’s 2020 Business Management BA class, has been shortlisted in the Future Leader category at the World Sustainability Awards, which spotlight the individuals, teams, and organisations across the globe that are driving positive change in corporate and social sustainability.
Matt, who now works as a Continuous Improvement Specialist for retail pharmacy giant Walgreens Boots Alliance in Nottingham, has been recognised for the work he undertakes as Chair of the company’s Environmental Sustainability Business Resource Group.
The group is a voluntary community of like-minded individuals who are all looking to learn about how to lead more sustainable lives, hear what the business is doing and challenge the business to do more.
Under Matt’s stewardship the group has now grown to over 300 members from across the organisation. Matt has also defined a strategy to deliver an educational event and activity roadmap to deliver the group’s objectives across the coming years.
Speaking about the nomination, Matt said: “I am truly honoured to have been nominated let alone shortlisted for this award. The recognition I have received staggers me because this is something that I truly enjoy doing and is also something I deliver on the side of my day job. I am also on my development journey with sustainability, I am no eco worrier, but leading the Environmental Sustainability Business Resource Group has taught me a huge amount.
“It’s a privilege to be able to lead such a passionate group of like-minded people who join optionally. We have the opportunity to work with some incredible people from our ESG teams and external businesses to deliver some truly amazing events and initiatives that all help drive our business forward towards a more sustainable future.”
Winners will be revealed at the World Sustainability Congress in Munich next month, where major companies including Diageo, Colgate-Palmolive, and many more will also be looking to take home an award whilst also discussing how to reach the big climate goals of 2030.
East Midlands agency secures double high street letting
A Midlands-based property consultancy has proved that reports of the death of the high street are premature after completing lettings to two companies.
FHP has secured the double letting in Daventry town centre on behalf of local landlord and established family business, BW Male & Sons.
The largest of the lettings has seen print services company, Rapido Print Solutions, agree a five-year lease on a 3,385 sq ft retail unit on 35 High Street, Daventry. The deal commits the company’s future to the town, where it has been based for almost twenty years.
Local start-up business, Smokey Joes Vapes Co is expanding from its Rugby base into a new 556 sq ft premises at 15 Market Square and has also agreed a five-year lease.
FHP says it is receiving “strong interest” in several other vacant retail properties in Daventry and believes that the spate of recent lettings demonstrates demand is still high for good quality town centre retail and leisure accommodation.
Ben Clinton of FHP said: “The town centre market was strong pre-pandemic and following Covid-19, it is certainly showing real signs of recovery now. BW Male & Sons is passionate about attracting occupiers to complement the existing offering and we’re seeing a real diversity in the types of businesses that are interested in coming to the town.
“Typically, our high streets have been dominated by takeaways and supermarket chains, but there are operators such as health clinics, yoga studios and veterinary surgeries appearing in the market. We are marketing several properties on behalf of the landlord in Daventry, including two former high street banks, which combined would make a great restaurant space next to the recently developed Arc Cinema.”
Christopher Male, Director at BW Male & Sons, said: “It’s so important to work with reliable partners like FHP who understand the local market and can identify the potential Daventry has as a location for ambitious businesses. We have maintained a presence in the town for many years and are keen to see the area thrive. We wish Rapido Print Solutions and Smokey Joes every success in their new premises.”
Prescient Group donates 10% of profits to Prostate Cancer UK
Recruitment consultancy Prescient Group has donated 10% of their August proceeds to Prostate Cancer UK, which is a cause close to their hearts.
The specialist firm, which has offices in Nottingham, Manchester and London, has also fundraised throughout the year with events such as a sponsored marathon run.
Prostate Cancer UK was founded in 1996 and its top priority is funding research to stop prostate cancer killing men – approximately one in eight men, in the UK, will get this form of cancer in their lifetime. It invests millions to find better treatments and tests than can spot fast-growing cancers early and could be used in a screening programme to save thousands of lives.
Over the last two decades Prostate Cancer UK has funded and accelerated some of the biggest breakthroughs in prostate cancer care – from the use of multiparametric MRI to improve diagnosis, to the world’s first precision medicine for prostate cancer.
Charlotte Churm, founder and director of Prescient Group, said: “Collectively we chose Prostate Cancer UK as our charity, as I unfortunately lost my father to the disease in 1997. My father was only 49 years old, so this cause is very close to my heart.
“During August, we donated 10% of all our permanent role profits, towards the charity as we believe this is the least we can do.
“In addition to this, we sponsored my brother Nick Churm £500 to complete the London Landmark’s Half Marathon this year which he successfully finished.
“Prostate Cancer UK is a charity that provides incredible work to raise awareness of the disease and help those who are suffering and their families. Our donation will help the charity, as well as highlight to our network the importance of getting checked.”
The charity hosts a variety of fundraising events, every year, from 5K, 10K runs and obstacle races to half marathons and full marathons, as well as campaigning and educating people, across the country, around who could be at risk and identifying how to detect early signs or symptoms.
Alongside Charlotte, founders and directors of Prescient Group Joel Fletcher and Ed Robinson will be gearing up to complete a sponsored three peaks challenge in 2023, with all proceeds going to the charity.
East Midlands business confidence falls again
Business confidence in the East Midlands fell two points during September to 9%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking – conducted between 1st-15th September, before the Chancellor’s min-budget on Friday 23rd September.
Companies in the region reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down four points at 15%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up one point to 3%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 9%.
Despite another dip in overall confidence, East Midlands businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offering (38%), diversifying into new markets (37%) and investing in their teams (36%). The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. A net balance of 9% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down 24 points on last month. Overall UK business confidence stayed the same as in August during September at 16%. Despite the net balance of businesses planning to create new jobs increasing by one point to 17%, firms’ outlook on their future trading prospects dropped one point to 25%, and their optimism in the wider economy also fell by one point to 5%. Three UK regions and nations recorded a month-on-month increase in optimism in September. London (up 12 points to 33%), the South East (up 15 points to 15%) and Scotland (up 10 points to 15%) all reported higher confidence readings with London now the most optimistic region overall. Only Wales (down five points to -4%) recorded a negative overall confidence reading in the last month. Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Despite the drop in confidence among businesses here in the East Midlands, it’s testament to the resilience of the region’s firms that it still remains in the positive territory.
“Whatever their sector, companies must keep a close eye on working capital to ensure they have the capability to capitalise on any opportunities for growth that do arise. The array of financial products available to them, such as asset-based lending and invoice finance, can help them mitigate fluctuations in costs and demand.”
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It is encouraging to see business confidence stabilising after a three-month decline. Firms’ assessment of their own trading prospects also remained steady and continues to show some resilience during turbulent times. Yet, cost pressures remain, as more businesses look to raise prices to help protect their margins while wage pressures show little sign of abating at this stage. With the recent volatility in financial markets as well as the Government’s Growth Plan and energy cap announcements, it will be interesting to see how these measures affect business confidence.”
Business confidence rose by two points in both the retail and service sectors (15% and 17% respectively), however both these figures are close to 12-month lows. Manufacturing and construction firms saw their lowest levels of business confidence this year, down two points in manufacturing to 14% and down 16 points to 10% in construction. This was driven by overall falling optimism in the economy.
£155m in lost revenues after World Cup switched to winter, says new report
UK pubs have missed out on revenue of £155 million they could have enjoyed during a summer World Cup, reveals new analysis from small business insurance provider Simply Business.
Figures compiled by Simply Business found that, had the men’s England team reached the final of the World Cup this summer, an additional 38 million pints would have been consumed in the UK. With the average price of a pint in the UK at £4.07, this has resulted in pubs missing out on a huge £154,660,000 in total.
Though the winter competition will still attract punters, there is concern that the full effect of World Cup trade will not be felt, with pubs already naturally seeing an upturn in trade due to the festive period. The change in timing for the tournament has left a number of business owners concerned that they will have to choose between Christmas parties and World Cup viewings.
Alan Thomas, UK CEO at Simply Business, said: “Pubs and independent hospitality businesses play an integral role in both our local communities and the success of the wider UK economy.
“Having been hit disproportionately by the impact of the pandemic, owners are now having to contend with soaring costs and rising energy prices – for many, this summer has been about survival as their recovery from the impact of the pandemic continues.
“This makes the lack of a summer World Cup an even bigger blow. Now more than ever, small businesses needed a boost. The surge in trade – to the tune of up to £155 million for UK pubs – would have come at a critical time for hospitality owners, many of whom are working hard to stay afloat while battling the impact of a surging cost of living.
“Looking ahead, as the winter World Cup overlaps with the festive season – another crucial time of year for the industry – pub owners will be forced to prioritise. For many, profits will inevitably be down, with publicans seeing their two busiest times of the year rolled into one.”
