Government dangles £1m carrot to attract SME safety ideas

Stuart Pearcey
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Government dangles £1m carrot to attract SME safety ideas

A million pound fund for new ideas to boost health and welfare at work for SMEs and the self-employed has been launched.

Tom Pursglove, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said: “Good occupational health within workplaces is vital in supporting our overall health and standard of living. We spend so much of our lives at work, and it is imperative that our employers can give us the support we need to maintain our physical and mental health. This in turn means we can give our best at work.

“Through the launch of our new £1 million fund, I look forward to seeing innovative, workable solutions to help SMEs deliver the best for their employees, creating healthier, welfare-driven working environments that will ultimately drive growth and improve people’s working lives.”

Successful bidders will receive up to £100,000 to back their projects from May this year, with the Government looking for innovative solutions to drive better access for SMEs and the self-employed to Occupational Health  services. Applicants are being encouraged to demonstrate how they would deliver improvements to OH, harnessing technology such as artificial intelligence or data collection, to deliver better health outcomes for employees of SMEs.

Better health provision for staff helps employers look after their workforce, meaning more are likely to stay in work. While larger employers often have better access to OH services, for smaller businesses and the self-employed the lack of support for people with health needs can potentially lead to more people becoming economically inactive.

Applications can be from those who work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector, with the Government looking for proposals to:

  1. Discover new and innovative ways for the OH market, which supports people to stay well in work, to deliver services that drive better access for SMEs and self-employed
  2. Discover new and innovative ways that the OH market can deliver services and better serve the demand for OH
  3. Deliver innovations that can be scaled up for businesses to have an impact in the OH market through new services and better use of technology

The competition is a joint venture between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), as part of the Joint Work and Health Unit, and in conjunction with Innovate UK, an arm of UK Research and Innovation. The fund will be open to applications from 30 January 2023 and run until 15 March 2023.

The new Fund to Stimulate Innovation in Occupational Health (OH) competition will be delivered in the form of a Small Business Research Initiative, a well-established, output driven funding tool run by Innovate UK.

For more details about the Fund to Stimulate Innovation and how to apply, visit this link.

Stay informed at Streets Chartered Accountants’ Annual Payroll & HR Update 2023

Tess Egginton
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Stay informed at Streets Chartered Accountants’ Annual Payroll & HR Update 2023

Whether you have just one employee or a large workforce, you do payroll in house or use a payroll bureau, Streets Chartered Accountants’ Annual Payroll & HR Update 2023 aims to keep you informed of the issues, regulations and changes affecting payroll management and compliance.

Taking place on Friday 10 February, 11am – 12 noon, the virtual event will also consider the tax implications and changes around staff employment and employee remuneration.

Last but not least it will look at the broader HR matters that may concern employers now and in the year ahead, along with the potential impact of changes to and the introduction of new employment legislation.

Payroll – a topical update and refresherTheresa Waddingham – payroll director, Streets Chartered Accountants Theresa’s presentation will focus on the forthcoming changes affecting payroll as we start a new tax year, along with some useful hints and tips to make your life easier to ensure that those charged with payroll are on the right track. Her presentation will include the following:
  • Tax codes from employer/payroll perspective – best practice
  • NMW/NLW rates for 2023
  • NI/Tax/Statutory Payments
  • Payroll and overseas employees
  • The true cost of pay rises
  • The benefits of outsourcing payroll
  • What the future holds – future bills on their way through parliament with government backing including flexible working, carers leave, protection from redundancy and employment allocation of tips
  Employment tax mattersKelly Goodchild – tax manager, Streets Chartered Accountants Kelly’s presentation will provide an update on tax matters affecting employees and employers as well as providing insight into pending changes that businesses and organisations need to consider going forward. Her presentation will include the following:
  • Salary Sacrifice
  • EV Company Cars
  • Company Cars versus private car use
  • IR 35
  • Working from home allowances
  • PAYE Reviews and investigations
  On the minds of employers and those charged with HRAnita Wynne – CEO and HR advisor, Beststart Human Resources Anita’s presentation will cover a number of highly topical issues facing employers and in house HR managers and professionals including:
  • An employer’s responsibilities to support employees during a cost-of-living crisis
  • What is a ‘typical’ pay rise?
  • What else employers can do to retain and engage their employees instead of and as well as pay rises
In addition, Anita will consider a number of government and private members bills going through parliament this year which will, if they become statute, impact a number of areas of HR. She will also provide an ‘HR legal look ahead’ for employers focusing on the potential forthcoming changes to HR approaches, policies and procedures.  

To register for the event click here.

The presentation will be recorded and available on demand for those not able to join live. Simply register to receive a link to watch on demand.

Local company commits to future in Hinckley

Tess Egginton
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Local company commits to future in Hinckley
Local company, Geosynthetics, which supplies product solutions to the civil engineering sector, is relocating to a new 60,000 sq ft Net Zero Ready unit on IM Properties’ Hinckley Park scheme. The move retains 50 jobs in the region, consolidating three sites into a single, sustainable unit to future proof Geosynthetics’ operations. Established 25 years ago by Hinckley man, Chris Foxton, and now led by Nuneaton born Managing Director, Tracy Woods, Geosynthetics has grown from a home business to an annual turnover of £12 million. “We’ve been looking for a while and we’re relieved to be staying in Hinckley,” says Woods, who herself started as a trainee salesperson at the company, age 16. “The local people are our business and when we got into discussions with IM Properties about its Hinckley Park site, there seemed so many synergies, we just knew we had to make it happen.” Located next to junction 1, M69, Hinckley Park has already created jobs for 1,500 people, as home to one of Europe’s largest and most technically advanced parcel depots, owned by DPD and a 532,000 sq ft unit let to Amazon. Woods continued: “Sustainability is central to our business and all our lives, so securing an industry leading BREEAM Excellent, EPC A rated building reflects our values and commitment to the future generations we’re looking to employ. “We’re a very family orientated business which offers flexible working hours, has 60 per cent women in its senior management team and constantly strives to look after the wellbeing and career aspirations of those we employ. “We’ve got trainees of 20 years ago, now acting as mentors to the new apprentices coming through. If people want to progress, we always find a pathway. Seeing people grow is our biggest pleasure.” Geosynthetics’ unit will sit alongside a new Net Zero Ready, 340,000 sq ft spec unit and a 47,000 sq ft unit on phase three of the 18-acre scheme. Harry Goodman, development manager at IM Properties, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work with a real local success story and provider of first-class employment in the area. “Like us, Geosynthetics have developed strong links with the local schools and colleges, recognising the importance of investing in young people by providing them with skills and training. “It’s fantastic to work in partnership to facilitate this growth opportunity for Geosynthetics. It would have been a big blow to the area if they had had to look further afield for a new HQ.”

Life science company takes space at MediCity Nottingham

Tess Egginton
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Life science company takes space at MediCity Nottingham
ValiRx PLC, a life science company focused on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women’s health, has taken the lease on laboratory and office facilities at MediCity Nottingham as it embarks on the next stage of its strategy to launch a translational Contract Research Organisation (tCRO). Based in Beeston, MediCity is a medtech incubator and part of Pioneer Group, and provides resident businesses with access to a connected local and national biotech community, a strong pool of quality talent from nearby universities, and flexible laboratory space. ValiRx’s new facilities include 910 sq ft of laboratory space which will accommodate up to eight lab-based staff members. Historically, ValiRx has operated as a virtual biotech company, outsourcing all testing of evaluation and preclinical projects to external contract research organisations (CROs). The new laboratory infrastructure will allow ValiRx to conduct all testing in-house, with the aim of creating a more efficient and effective translational drug development service for both internal and third-party use. ValiRx CEO, Dr Suzy Dilly explains: “We are delighted to have signed the lease of our new laboratory which gives us the opportunity to develop and launch our external tCRO service offering, as well as accelerating the development of our internal drug development programmes at a reduced cost. “Nottingham offers the ideal base for the new lab, having established itself as a hub for life science companies and affording access to a strong pool of local scientific skills and talent. Work now begins on building a first-class scientific and operational team and implementing testing techniques that will help to improve biological understanding of ValiRx’s collaborative development pipeline and, in due course, third party services.” Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart, who has recently joined ValiRx as CSO on a permanent basis, says: “ValiRx is progressing an innovative portfolio of projects to address the important areas of oncology and the unmet need for treatments in the women’s health space. The development of the tCRO is an important step forward and will fill the gaps that exist for robust and reliable validated translational models in these areas.” Dr Dilly adds: “Setting up our own laboratory will enable us to carry out more science, more quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively, and provides us with a strong framework to identify additional capabilities and technologies to acquire and incorporate into the business in the longer term.”

Just Vehicle Solutions goes full throttle with expansion

Tess Egginton
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Just Vehicle Solutions goes full throttle with expansion
Just Vehicle Solutions, the Newark-based car and van leasing company, run by father and son Terry and Jake Matthews, has expanded its premises and car and van rental service to support the rising local demand for short-term car rental. Just Vehicle Solutions was established in 2014 and has successfully grown its rental fleet to over 230, having experienced an unprecedented boom in lockdown Britain due to their flexible leasing terms for 6- and 12-month vehicle rental. For this local independent, Covid-19 provided the perfect storm; local demand for short-term hire increased at pace. More and more people wanted to downsize vehicles or work from home, which fuelled a need for short-term flexible rental solutions. A demand that continues to speed on. The family firm has responded once more and this time has extended its premises on Northern Road, Newark, enabling it to increase its fleet and the local demand for daily and weekly short-term hires. The new daily and weekly short-term hire service launched in November 2022 and is already proving a big hit with local commuters. In just the first two months, it has generated £10k of business sales for this local independent. Jake Matthews, Managing Director, said: “Whether it’s a van for the weekend, a breakdown, or an executive meeting away, we have a range of enquiries. We’ve also added electric vehicles to the fleet, so if people are looking at electric vehicles for the first time, they can hire one for a week and see if they like it.” The journey continues for this simplistic vehicle solutions provider as they have also added vehicle sales to their fleet. Jake said: “We have really extended our offer in the last year in response to customer demand. We were getting more and more enquiries from customers who want to purchase vehicles at the end of their rental contracts. “Customer service is important to us, and rather than send customers elsewhere; we have started offering finance options to allow our customers to buy vehicles at the end of rental periods. This allows us to be a one stop vehicle shop in Newark for cars and vans anywhere from 1 day onwards.” To support the fleet growth, Just Vehicle Solutions plans to increase its workforce and is looking for new sales executives to join the team, along with two further apprenticeship opportunities. A former apprentice, Jake advocates apprenticeships, believing the rounded approach gives the best foundation for any career. “We will be looking to recruit our 3rd and 4th apprentices to start in September. When they join us, we like to give them experience across the business from operations, finance, a little bit of sales to more day-to-day roles like the daily & weekly rentals.” For more information, please visit www.justvehicle.solutions

Revenue up at Microlise Group

Tess Egginton
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Revenue up at Microlise Group

Revenue is up at Microlise Group, the Nottingham-headquartered provider of transport management software to fleet operators, according to a full year update on trading for the year ending 31 December 2022.

The company expects to report year-on-year revenue growth of 5% to £63.2m, despite industry headwinds caused by microchip supply chain issues and delays in project deployment with non-OEM customers. This resulted in non-recurring revenues slightly below forecasts.

However, the firm delivered record levels of OEM sales which impacted sales mix and had positive working capital effect. As a result of the change in sales mix, annual recurring revenues grew at a faster rate than revenue, by 10% to £42.6m, with recurring revenues now representing 64% of the total.

Meanwhile EBITDA is slightly ahead of market expectations.

Nadeem Raza, CEO, Microlise, said: “I am delighted to report that we shipped more units than ever during 2022, despite the well-documented supply chain issues that clouded our markets throughout the year. This pays testament to the strength of our products and the quality of our staff who have been agile and resourceful in the face of any issues, adapting where appropriate while improving efficiencies and the positioning of our company.

“Also, our new Great Place to Work (GPTW) accreditation reflects the passion and positive attitude of our people, all of whom are committed to building a supportive atmosphere. It recognises our commitment to staff and further establishes Microlise’s high-performing workplace culture.

“Although we can expect supply chain issues to continue to impact our markets in 2023, we do anticipate improvements during the second half of the year. This, combined with a record order book and healthy pipeline of opportunities across all the markets in which we operate, gives us confidence for the year ahead.”

Revenue increases at Mortgage Advice Bureau despite impact of mini-budget on mortgage market

Tess Egginton
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Revenue increases at Mortgage Advice Bureau despite impact of mini-budget on mortgage market
Full year revenue increased at Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) in 2022, despite the immediately negative impact of September’s mini-budget on the mortgage market. According to a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2022, the Derby-based group grew revenue by 22% to circa £230m. The acquisition of The Fluent Money Group on 12 July 2022 added £22m of revenue. The company’s adjusted profit before tax for the year is anticipated to be in line with expectations. With the start of the new year, MAB noted that current activity levels are below those seen this time last year. However, towards the very end of January there have been early signs of increasing lead volumes and written business across the group, which MAB anticipate will build steadily as borrowers gain confidence in a more stable macroeconomic and interest rate environment. The firm said that current trading is in line with expectations. Peter Brodnicki, CEO of MAB, said: “Despite the uncertain macroeconomic outlook, MAB remains very well positioned to grow its market share strongly again through 2023. In times like these housing transactions are typically postponed, not lost, and the opportunity these conditions generate for new AR recruitment will benefit MAB in the medium term. “The technology we have developed to help our AR firms optimise lead flow from existing lead sources and clients will help support an H2 recovery, and boost firm and adviser performance in all market conditions. Strong and effective lead flow has a heightened importance in times where purchase activity slows. “We anticipate a very strong year ahead for re-financing, a slow but steady improvement in consumer confidence and housing transaction levels, combined with an increase in new AR recruitment and the incremental impact of new lead generation initiatives. I am confident that whilst continuing to grow market share this year, MAB will be in a very strong position to regain significant momentum in 2024.”

Car company in top gear as dealership completed

Tess Egginton
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Car company in top gear as dealership completed
Construction of a major new premium used car dealership in Northamptonshire has reached practical completion. Premier Car Supermarket has expanded into Kettering with the completion of the new facility on a 3.55-acre site at Cransley Park. The premium used car retail operation, which has other dealerships in Derby and Leicester, is creating new jobs at the dealership which is located off the busy A43 at its junction with the A14 at Junction 8. The development includes a sales building incorporating a workshop and repair bay with external car wash facilities. There is also customer and visitor parking with most of the spaces for display sales vehicles. Other work included landscaping the site. Keir Edmonds, Managing Director at MCS Group, said: “The entire MCS Group team involved in the construction of the new Premier Car Supermarket at Kettering can be extremely proud of the fantastic new facility they have delivered. It has been a pleasure to work alongside the company on the project and we wish them huge success.” Premier Car Supermarket Chief Executive Neil Chapman said: “We are delighted to bring this growing brand to a new store in Kettering, and proud to be generating a number of new jobs and exciting new business opportunities for the town and surrounding areas. “The new site is in a great location and gives us access to thousands, if not millions of potential customers within a specific drive time radius. Car buyers will now have better access to our convenient, friendly and guided buying experience and hundreds of cars across the Midlands.” Premier Car Supermarket’s new dealership is adjacent to a new 1,800 sq ft drive-thru Costa Coffee outlet at the entrance to the recently constructed 270,000 sq ft Cransley Park industrial warehouse development.

Revenue hits record levels at Belvoir

Tess Egginton
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Revenue hits record levels at Belvoir
Revenue has hit record levels at Belvoir Group, the property franchise and financial services group with its central office in Grantham. According to a pre-close trading update for the year ended 31 December 2022, group revenue increased 13% to £33.5m, up from £29.6m 2021. The business noted that the housing sector performed better in 2022 than many commentators had forecast at the start of the year, with UK residential sales transactions down 15% on 2021, but around 6% ahead of pre-pandemic levels, and rents on new tenancies increasing by 10.8% during the year. As a result, Belvoir’s financial performance for the year, including profit before tax, is anticipated to be slightly ahead of managements’ expectations. Revenue from the financial services division increased by 24% to £17.9m, while revenue from the property division was up 1% to £15.5m. During the year the Belvoir Group acquired TIME Mortgage Services and Mr and Mrs Clarke (MMC). Dorian Gonsalves, CEO, said: “I am delighted to report that during 2022 our acquisition strategy both at group and at franchisee level enabled Belvoir to both extend its service offering and mitigate the lower level of activity in the housing market following the exceptionally strong conditions in 2021. “Our property franchisees and financial services advisers are highly motivated entrepreneurs who continue to demonstrate the ability to make the most of the opportunities presented in all market conditions. “Our property franchisees benefit from significant recurring lettings revenue that contributes around 56% of group gross profit and our financial services advisers have substantial client books from which to offer remortgages and other financial products, so are not entirely reliant on new mortgage business. “Whilst we anticipate continuing challenging market conditions in 2023, we remain confident that the resilience and diversity of our business model will enable the group to perform well against the market as a whole. As always, the Board will continue to identify suitable acquisition targets to support continued growth and enhance shareholder value still further.” Profitability in 2023 as a whole is anticipated to be slightly below 2022 and is expected to return to an upward trend in 2024. This is due in part to the mini budget in September 2022 creating a high degree of uncertainty within the property and related financial services markets. Between August and December, base rates doubled from 1.75% to 3.5% which led to a rapid rise in mortgage lending rates, the withdrawal of many mortgage products by lenders and a tightening of mortgage criteria. This impacted on instruction levels for house sales and demand for mortgages in Q4 which will in turn impact trading in H1 of 2023. While the Autumn statement reversed many of the fiscal initiatives proposed in the mini budget, which somewhat reassured borrowers and lenders, and the level of sales instructions and mortgage applications to date in 2023 have shown signs of improvement compared with Q4 2022, the recovery is expected to build slowly over the year. Belvoir noted that given the lead time from instruction to completion of a house sale and from mortgage application to drawdown can be up to five months, the improvement in activity in H1 is not likely to flow through into financial performance until H2.

Ideagen soars with Air India

Tess Egginton
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Ideagen soars with Air India
Nottinghamshire-headquartered software company Ideagen is set to support Air India with end-to-end safety management. The airline joins 750 aviation and aerospace organisations worldwide already using Ideagen to support them with their quality and safety operations. Ideagen software covers all aspects of risk, giving management full visibility of safety data from maintenance of the aircraft through to cabin crew checks on board. It provides the Air India leadership team with complete visibility across their entire organisation, allowing them to access the latest data and use this to spot and mitigate potential risks, enhancing the safety of their operations. Ideagen CEO Ben Dorks said: “We are honoured to be supporting Air India to continue to assure the safety of their passengers, crew and high-skilled workforce. “Air India, like Ideagen, are in an exciting period of growth, adding more routes to connect India with the rest of the world and we are delighted to be with them on that journey. “As an expert in software solutions within regulated and high-compliance industries, we have a strong pedigree in quality management, health and safety, risk mitigation, auditing, training and collaboration software. Air India customers can be assured that they are in safe hands.” Henry Donohoe, head of Safety, Security and Quality, Air India, said: “We are going for a significant and substantial upgrade of our existing systems and processes to ensure seamless flow of intelligence and data on a real time basis. “Ideagen Coruson is trusted by aviation industry globally for risk mitigation, auditing and training. Its induction will go a long way in enhancing our capabilities for the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew, particularly at a time when Air India is rapidly expanding its network on both national and international routes.”
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