Accountancy firm becomes climate positive
An accountancy firm is rooting for environmental change after joining forces with a global tree-planting and footprint reduction initiative.
Dains, which has offices across the Midlands, is working to reduce its carbon footprint after joining forces with the innovative sustainability business Play It Green.
Since signing up for the green scheme in August 2022, Dains has taken measures to understand and lower its net emissions by completing a carbon footprint report, mapped out the long-term net zero plan and sent weekly footprint reduction tips and discounts to all staff to reward, educate and strengthen the positive sustainability culture within the business. Whilst on the journey to net zero Dains wish to make an ongoing environmental and social impact and to date had 17,360 trees planted in a dedicated forest garden and passed vital funds to child bereavement charity Edwards Trust.
These trees support employment and communities in impoverished nations, helping meet ten of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and within six years will absorb 2,676.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is the equivalent of taking 1911 cars off the road, 18,132 people cancelling their short-haul flight, or saving the energy use of 824 homes.
The firm pays Play It Green a monthly fee to plant 13 trees for each member of its growing workforce and benefit from its footprint reductions support. Dains recently embarked on a recruitment drive to add to its nearly 300-strong team and with the recent acquisition of William Duncan + Co will now be nearly 400-strong.
The forest gardens are managed by Eden Reforestation Projects, which fund projects to restore healthy forests for the benefit of local communities in developing countries including Madagascar, Haiti, Nepal, Indonesia, Mozambique, Kenya, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Play It Green wants businesses to make changes towards a net-zero future by becoming climate positive, while at the same time contributing to the community.
Founders Richard Dickson, one of the entrepreneurs behind Carbon Free Dining, and Chris Thair, a former CEO of Wales Rugby League, believe private companies can make a social impact to help a net-zero future, which is the state at which global warming stops.
Dains has signed up to be a Climate Positive Workforce and says it is working to reduce its carbon footprint while it seeks out help from Play It Green’s network of sustainability experts to do so.
Richard Dickson, co-founder of Play It Green, said: “It’s so exciting to be on this journey with Dains and to see our ideas come to life and change happening. Dains have embraced this and are eager to look at all the ways they can make a difference to reduce their current carbon footprint and historical one.
“We are all imperfect environmentalists, and it is only through the collective efforts of the many that real change will come. We are delighted Dains believe in our three-step solution to climate change of reducing carbon footprints and making an ongoing positive environmental and social impact whilst on the journey to net zero. Our services help Dains build upon the fantastic work already taking place at the company.”
In recent years Dains has adopted a number of green measures at its offices while encouraging staff to make climate positive changes.
Employees have access to affordable electric cars for a fixed monthly payment through a salary sacrifice scheme. Meanwhile, the firm’s IT system has plans in place to cut back on energy use to reduce the firm’s carbon footprint.
“All the trees we are planting can be tracked as they are added to our own forest garden. They replace lost ecosystems, and the trees are monitored and protected with 10 per cent of their cost going to a charity of our choice,” said Dains head of HR, Angela Millward.
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, so we have partnered with Play It Green to improve our sustainability practices and have a positive impact on the planet. We want to make our business a climate-positive one by rebalancing our historical and company emissions to become carbon neutral.”
Dains has bases at Birmingham, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Stoke and Lichfield.
Begbies Traynor makes senior promotion in Leicester
Begbies Traynor in Leicester has promoted Thomas Harris to director following a period of growth for the firm, which has seen it expand significantly since it opened its base in the city three years ago.
With almost 15 years’ experience in insolvency and business recovery, Thomas joined the Begbies Traynor team in 2020, having previously worked with partners Martin Buttriss and Carolynn Best.
His promotion sees him take on the role of appointment-taking director, supporting Martin and Carolynn in taking formal appointments and providing advice to companies in the region that require assistance if they find themselves in financial difficulty.
The promotion comes following the publication of Begbies Traynor’s most recent Red Flag Alert data, which shows that more than 8400 Leicestershire businesses found themselves in significant financial distress during Q3 2022, as companies face rising costs and fragile confidence.
Commenting on his appointment, Thomas said: “Now more than ever, businesses are facing really challenging times, so it is important that they can rely on us to provide high quality business recovery advice and consultancy services. We are here to help local businesses who may find themselves in financial difficulty and work with them to achieve the best possible outcome from their situation.”
Martin Buttriss, partner at Begbies Traynor in Leicester, added: “Tom’s promotion is thoroughly well-deserved and it comes at a time when businesses need our support to help them navigate an increasingly turbulent economic environment. He is quick to establish a warm rapport with clients and is a natural fit for our approachable and friendly culture at Begbies Traynor.
“Since Tom joined us, we have grown to a team of eight, with plans for further expansion in the coming year.”
Finch raises almost £14,000 for charity
Finch Consulting, an engineering and health and safety risk management company, celebrated their thirtieth year in business in 2022 and committed to raising much needed funds for their local branch of Mind to give something back to the community.
Over the year they completed a series of fundraising activities including bake sales, walking 1000 miles in a month, an indoor team skydive and the Derbyshire 3 Peaks. Dom Barraclough, the Managing Director, also took on the gruelling challenge of a west to east coast bike ride across England in just three days!
Marketing specialist Stephanie Dennis said: “We were really keen to do something positive as a company to celebrate our thirtieth year, and fundraising for a local branch of a national charity bought a lot of fulfilment to us and we thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities we completed to raise money.
“We chose Burton and District Mind as everyone has mental health to look after and mental health services are severely underfunded in comparison to services for physical conditions. We’re very proud to announce that the total sum raised is £13,848.04p to be exact.”
Burton and District Mind said: “We wanted to say a massive thank you to every single member of the Team at Finch Consulting, for all your fundraising achievements during 2022. You have all worked tirelessly and it’s very much appreciated by everyone at Burton and District Mind.”
Derelict Nottingham site sold in multi-million-pound deal
Plans to transform a derelict site near Nottingham train station are gathering pace following a multi-million-pound land sale.
The 0.62-acre site on Waterway Street has been purchased unconditionally by property firm Rainier Developments from Nottingham City Council.
The site has been vacant for the past five years, and will now see Rainier Developments bringing forward a detailed planning application this year that would see the site’s existing two-storey 1970s office block, Waterway House, demolished to make way for new homes.
The site also falls within one of the city’s strategic regeneration areas under Nottingham City Council’s Local Plan – known as the Canal Quarter.
Will Blacker, land director at Rainier Developments, said: “The area around Nottingham train station has been given a new lease of life in recent years via commercial, residential and student developments, and we are excited at the prospect of being able to add to this by helping to potentially transform an unused brownfield site.
“We will now use our extensive planning expertise to apply for planning permission for a modern redevelopment to support not only the wider regeneration of the area, but also the ongoing demand for homes.
“As a company we are keen in investing in sites that we know have the potential to enrich communities, such as this one in Nottingham, and we are actively seeking other sites nationally.”
HEB Property Consultants and Davisons Law acted for Rainier Developments on the site acquisition.
Nottingham Forest CEO to step down
Dane Murphy is stepping down as CEO of Nottingham Forest “in order to pursue other opportunities.”
Murphy joined The Reds in 2021 after a two-year stint as CEO at Barnsley.
In a statement Dane, a retired American soccer player, said: “Never have I been a proponent of, nor in fact, have I ever been any good at goodbyes. It is much easier to give thanks and recognize those who made my time at Forest so special.
“Nottingham is a community of people who put the work in before the talk. Who pour themselves into what matters most and commit to the genuine causes that allow them to progress. The unbridled passion for this football club, passed down through generations, reverberates throughout the sport. That passion is the true north that guides the players, the staff and all at The City Ground.
“I would be remiss to not acknowledge those who helped make my time at the Club successful. Thank you, first and foremost, to Evangelos Marinakis who allowed me to realize a dream I did not know I had. To Socrates Kominakis, Miltos Marinakis, and Chairman Nicholas Randall KC, thank you for believing in my stewardship.
“Finally, thank you to all the players, staff, and co-workers who over the last 18 months helped build the Club to where it now stands. Everyone should take great pride in the achievement.
“My gratitude for the welcome received, and the treatment of my wife and I by this community cannot be bound by words. It has been the honor of my second career to serve this Club and all of you.
“I’ll miss the mist rolling in the from the Trent. Forever and always, You Reds!”
December retail sales boosted by heavy discounting
Retailers enjoyed better-than-expected trading in discretionary categories in the run up to Christmas, according to new data revealed by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.
However, the positive results come amid concern that sales growth continues to lag behind inflation, and heavy discounting required to generate these results will impact already thin margins and retailers’ profitability.
According to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker (HSST), total like-for-like (LFL) sales, combined in-store and online, grew by +9.8% in December from a base of +21.4% for the equivalent month in 2021, extending the trend of positive LFL results to a total of 22 months. Total in-store LFLs jumped by an impressive +15.5%, a result of increased footfall ahead of the festive period.
Total non-store sales also rose by +5.0% from a base of +7.6% for the same month in 2021, when much of the country went into an unofficial lockdown towards Christmas, as COVID-19 case numbers increased rapidly.
Total LFLs climbed by +5.02% and +5.52% in the first two weeks of December over the same weeks in 2021, and in the third week by +9.54%. In the final week (the final day of which was Christmas Day) total LFLs soared by +26.40%, above an already strong base in December 2021. In the final week leading up to Christmas Day sales were boosted by strong in-store LFLs as the snow cleared.
The fashion sector drove much of the growth in discretionary spending, with total LFLs climbing by +16.0% from a base of 26.3% in December 2021. It was the highest performing category throughout December, which was the 22nd consecutive positive month for total LFLs.
The homewares sector recorded another month of disappointing results. Total LFLs fell by -4.5% in December from a base of +7.4% in 2021, representing the seventh negative monthly result this year. This continued poor performance highlights that consumers have significantly reduced their spending on big ticket items, influenced by the cost-of-living crisis.
December saw total LFL sales in the lifestyle category grow by +8.8% from a base of +27.9%, marking its best performance since July. In-store LFLs increased by +10.4% from a base of +38.3%, reflecting a positive performance through December.
Sophie Michael, head of Retail and Wholesale at BDO LLP, said: “Although we have seen positive retail sales figures in December, these figures are still running significantly below inflation, which means sales volumes must still be down.
“We are also comparing to a period last year when many consumers went into an unofficial lockdown, so retailers may consider this an underwhelming performance, being the first festive season in three years not affected by COVID-19. It is clear that, the cost of living crisis continues to weigh heavily on the appetite for non-essential spending.
“Reports in November highlighted that retailers were holding high levels of inventory going into the final month of the festive season, and an expectation therefore that retailers would be encouraging consumers to purchase through high levels of discounting.
“While this may have helped retailers to reduce stock holdings, it will come at a cost and undoubtedly have eaten into their margins and profitability. With high inflation on essentials, consumers are unsurprisingly focused on value and showing behaviours of trading down to make their purse travel further. Coming out of Christmas, retailers may struggle to wean their customers off discounts and return to healthier margins.
“Food inflation rose to 13.3% in December, higher than CPI, and the higher costs of food will only put further pressure on consumer discretionary spending. These factors and the wider economic landscape are contributing to a gloomy start to the year for retailers, despite the better-than-expected December trading results.”
2023 Business Predictions: leadership expert Kul Mahay
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to leadership expert Kul Mahay, who believes that creating cultures that focus on staff retention and confidence will be critical for most organisations in 2023.
With further industrial action planned across both the public and private sector – and more than one million working days lost to strike action by the end of December, according to the Financial Times – Kul Mahay says that creating healthy cultures will be key to success in 2023 for many industries.
“Organisations are made up of people with varying complexities, and we need to embrace this,” said Kul, who has worked with NHS Trusts, oil companies and the police on making improvements.
“Looking after our people by creating cultures where people feel valued and psychologically safe is probably the number one priority for a lot of organisations right now.
“Yes, we are seeing people taking industrial action across many sectors, including education, rail industry and health – but it isn’t all about pay. People want better working conditions, including leadership styles.
“I have worked with some organisations where staff have repeatedly told me that the organisation’s ‘command and control’ leadership style over the past two years has left them feeling mistrusted and devalued.
“There is a real need for human-centric leaders. Leadership is about building relationships based on trust and that needs to be the focus for 2023.”
2023 Business Predictions: Rob Day, chairman and founder of Blueprint Interiors
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Rob Day, chairman and founder of Blueprint Interiors.
For 2023 I think we will see the evolution of the challenge which started off as Covid retreated and we saw the general return to the workplace.
Businesses were asking what the office is for but a year on, they now have strong evidence that these physical spaces need to provide the core resource to encourage and support the cultural behaviours that give great organizations the competitive edge in terms of recruitment, retention and a fully engaged workforce.
Last year, my colleague, Chloe, predicted that business owners will be questioning how much office space they are going to need and identifying how their people will want to work, as the work-from-home trend becomes widely accepted.
This is resolving into the recognition that the simplistic notion of offices as “accommodation at desks” is not now (and never really was), the best use of office space. We are focussed with our clients on providing much more activity-based workplaces to deliver the required levels of both visual and acoustic privacy, IT support, welfare and social facilities – all of which delivers cultural enrichment and efficiencies that inevitably lead to measurable business improvement.
The integration of collaborative technology continues apace – everyone knows how to use Teams, but importantly, they now know its limitations.
Using the right tools at the right time and in the appropriate place allows for great flexibility and indeed, better opportunities to tackle business objectives.
The workplace is becoming understood as an environment for people – real human beings to thrive, rather than something for employees to survive. I rather like the image of the old-fashioned office as a daily assault course to be endured. Let’s see the end of that!
The realisation that a well-designed workplace delivers a far wider range of resources in terms of physical and mental well-being is a trend to be welcomed in the New Year.
Consultation on £1.14 billion devolution proposal ends today
The public consultation about devolution plans for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham will end on Monday 9 January.
There have been thousands of responses so far, with more expected before the closing date. The consultation, which opened on 14 November, is an opportunity for everyone in the area to have their say about devolution proposals. It is open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other organisations in the region.
The four councils are urging everyone in the area to have their say on the proposals before the consultation closes.
The leaders of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, and Nottingham City Council all signed up to work on a devolution deal on 30 August at Rolls Royce in Derby, following an announcement from the Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the two counties and two cities.
Since August the councils worked on agreeing a more detailed proposal for the consultation, which includes more information about how devolution would work in our area.
The four councils agreed to go ahead with a public consultation as the next step in the process, so everyone has the chance to give their views on the proposal.
Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Devolution is about getting a better deal for Derbyshire and the East Midlands and achieving a fair share for our region. It will bring us more money and mean we can make more meaningful decisions here, rather than in London.
“This deal will bring more and better jobs and opportunities for training, improve the local economy, result in better transport and housing, and accelerate our route to Net Zero. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on devolution.
“A devolution deal, should it be agreed, would be the beginning, not the end. We’re determined to build on this deal over time, as other areas have done.”
Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It’s great news that we’re moving forward with devolution plans for Nottinghamshire and the wider area. I’m really pleased that we’re making progress with this.
“Devolution can bring real benefits for local people, as it has done in other parts of the country. It will mean more funding for our region, and the opportunity to have more meaningful decisions made here, near the people they affect, rather than in London, so they can be better tailored to local needs.
“This is an opportunity to create jobs, boost our economy, enhance transport, build more and better homes, improve our environment, and more, and we need to grab it with both hands. I don’t want our area to miss out on a chance to improve things for everyone who lives and works here.
“Devolution can help us be more effective locally, make better use of public money, and most importantly, improve people’s lives. It would lay the groundwork for us to build on in the future, to benefit future generations.
“I’d encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on the devolution deal.”
Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “The East Midlands has long been overlooked and held back compared to other areas of the country. The cities and counties in our region should have a bigger voice, and this devolution deal would give us the influence, funding, and powers that we deserve.
“The investment in this deal will bring with it many opportunities. We could see more jobs, better transport and housing, an enhanced greener environment, and more value for money of services provided for our people.
“The proposals that we’re consulting on are just the beginning, and we’re determined to build on it over time. I would encourage everyone to give us their views on the deal by taking part in the consultation.”
David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “This deal has the potential to make a significant difference and local people would see the real benefits from the investment with more and better jobs, housing, training and much more.
“For too long this region hasn’t had the investment it needed and deserves – by working on a deal we can start to address this, but this is just the start, and I will make sure that we get our fair share and make the most of this funding.
“Importantly the deal would give us more control over our own area, where local people would have a say in the region’s priorities rather than decisions made in London. I look forward to hearing people’s views on the deal.”
Devolution would provide the region with a guaranteed income stream of £38 million per year over a 30-year period, and would cover around 2.2 million people, making it one of the biggest devolved areas in the country.
If the plans go ahead, it will mean a new regional mayor and it would create the first of a new type of combined authority for the two counties and two cities, which requires new legislation from central government.
The new elected regional mayor, like those who are already in place in other areas, would represent the whole area. The role of the mayor would be to look at major issues affecting the whole region, give the area a bigger voice, and take advantage of local knowledge and expertise.
As well as the £1.14 billion, devolution plans include an extra £16 million for new homes on brownfield land, and control over a range of budgets like the Adult Education Budget, which could be better tailored to the needs of people in our communities.
Devolution would mean that a future mayor and combined authority could:
- Work towards Net Zero and cleaner air with new low carbon homes, retrofit existing houses with external wall insulation, promote the use of renewable energy, and protect and enhance green spaces, like areas for wildlife and green verges.
- Build on the region’s existing knowledge and expertise in green technology and promote the growth of a future low carbon economy by investing in related skills training at colleges and other training facilities.
- Set up and coordinate smart integrated ticketing and enhanced concessionary fares schemes.
- Work with Homes England to build more affordable homes, by using new powers to buy land and housing (With district and borough council consent).
- Enhance the region’s economy by developing new commercial space to maximise opportunities.
- Work with national government on initiatives to address homelessness, domestic abuse, community safety, social mobility, and support for young people.
- Take advantage of economies of scale by using combined and devolved budgets to deliver more value for taxpayers and more cost-efficient services.
Grade II listed buildings receive refurb at Nottingham museum
Works have started at Nottingham-based Framework Knitters Museum, as its Grade II listed cottage and frameshop buildings receive a refurbishment.
The £62,295 project will see external works carried out on the buildings, including repairs to the roofs and chimneys, replacing the gutters, and repointing the walls. As well as insulation to the roofs and walls to improve the energy efficiency and provide much-needed protection from weather conditions.
Temporary ramps at the entrance of the museum frameshops will also be replaced with permanent ramps.
The funds for the work, which is being undertaken by Stevenson Bros and will complete this spring, have been awarded through the Arts Council of England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND).
MEND is an open-access capital fund, which is designed to help museums and local authorities to undertake infrastructure and urgent maintenance that are beyond the scope of day-to-day maintenance budgets.
Sarah Godfrey, manager of the museum, said: “Keeping the cottage and frameshop buildings alive is very important to us, and thanks to the MEND funding we are able to carry out works to ensure the buildings are fit for purpose. “New permanent ramps are also being fitted at the entrance of our frameshops, which will be beneficial to many of our visitors – making the attractions accessible for everyone. We look forward to seeing things progress and completing very soon.”