Rolls-Royce joins group to develop hydrogen as an aviation fuel
Rolls-Royce is backing a new UK hydrogen alliance launched to accelerate the drive towards zero carbon aviation.
The engineering giant, which has its civil aerospace business in Derby, has joined a number of major players across the aviation industry to launch the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance.
The HIA aims to assist government and policymakers by mapping out the milestones to ensure infrastructure, regulatory and policy changes keep pace with the ground-breaking technological developments in carbon-free flying.
Rolls-Royce is joined in the alliance by other leading companies in the UK aviation and renewable energy sectors, including easyJet, Airbus, Ørsted, GKN Aerospace and Bristol Airport.
Grazia Vittadini, chief technology officer at Rolls-Royce, said: “Collaboration is key when it comes to achieving our net zero ambitions as an industry, which is why we are proud to be part of the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance.
“Our contribution to HIA is the capability and experience we have in pioneering new technologies and solutions – we have already tested a modern aero engine on green hydrogen and we strongly believe it is one of the solutions that will help decarbonise aviation in the mid to long-term.”
According to the alliance, the UK is currently in a strong position to become a global leader in hydrogen-powered aviation, but further steps must be taken to capture the opportunity, secure long-term employment and economic benefits, as well as meet critical decarbonisation targets.
New research shows that 81% of the British public believe hydrogen is the best option to decarbonise aviation with 91% supporting the UK government investing in hydrogen production and use in the aviation sector.
Hydrogen is regarded as a very promising alternative-fuel option for short-haul aviation.
Airbus is developing new hydrogen powered aircraft with the aim of entering commercial service from 2035 and Rolls-Royce has already proven that hydrogen could power a jet engine following successful ground tests in 2022.
In partnership with easyJet, Rolls-Royce conducted a ground test on an early concept demonstrator using green hydrogen created by wind and tidal power.
The test took place at an outdoor test facility at MoD Boscombe Down, using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A regional aircraft engine.
Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet and chair of the HIA, said: “There is no doubt that the UK has the potential to become a world leader in hydrogen aviation, which could bring with it a £34 billion per annum boost to the country’s economy by 2050, but in order to capture this opportunity, rapid change is needed and the time to act is now.
“We must work together to deliver the radical solutions required for a hard to abate industry like aviation so we can protect and maximise the benefits that it brings to the UK economy and society and that we know British consumers want to be preserved.
“HIA looks forward to working with the UK Government to ensure the right funding, regulatory and policy changes are implemented to accelerate the delivery of zero carbon aviation.”
Apprenticeship Awards finalists announced
Finalists have been announced in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards, with 14 category awards are up for grabs to recognise the incredible apprenticeship network across the region.
- Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Alfie Wooldridge Derby City Council; Franchescia Davies Buxton & Leek College; Jordan Pirie Brookfield Community School; Olivia Scane HM Land Registry
- Higher Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Nottingham Trent University: Alison Liles The Gables Residential Care Home; Sarah Westwood BWB Consulting;
- Degree Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by University of Nottingham; Arron Faulkner E.ON UK; Connell Parker E.ON UK; Holly Johnson Derby Homes Ltd; Mia Outram No7 Beauty Company; Stuart Rendall Continental Engineering Services
- Construction Apprentice of the Year: Avikaash Manon Derby Homes; Ben Wilcox BWB Consulting; Eddy Palethorpe Crawford & Co Surveyors; Lloyd Dabell Crawford & Co Surveyors; William Thompson Dalton Roofing
- Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year: To be announced
- Professional Services Apprentice of the Year: Eleanor Ancliffe Reach Separations; Jacob Whitty Crawford & Co Surveyors; Lloyd Dabell Crawford & Co Surveyors; Megan Tuohy Crawford & Co Surveyors.
- Health and Public Service Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Auto Windscreens: Holly Johnson Derby Homes Ltd; Jade Smith St Albans Medical centre; Poppie Staden Blythe House Hospice Care and Helen’s Trust.
- Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Aim Qualifications Group: Arron Faulkner E.ON UK; Connell Parker E.ON UK; Hannah Jones Experian; James Bennington BWB ConsultingJames Cox Central Technology; Joe Hawksworth Althaus Digital.
- Mentor of the Year, Sponsored by Greatest Hits FM: Janet Quinlan-Jones Sort Legal; Kiera Bailey Reach Separations; Sarah Walker BWB Consulting; Sophie Bancroft – Employee Development Manager Derby Homes Limited; Waqas Matloob Althaus Digital.
- Diversity & Inclusion Award: Auto Windscreens; Broxtowe Borough Council;
- SME Employer of the Year: Sponsored by EMAAN; Crawford & Co Surveyors; Dalton Roofing; Project D; Sort Legal.
- Large Employer of the Year: Broxtowe Borough Council; BWB Consulting; Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Derby Homes Ltd; Experian; Motus Commercials; Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust;
- Training Provider/Programme of the Year: Althaus Digital; Auto Windscreens; JTL
Criminal lawyer adds experience to Smith Partnership
One of Derby’s most experienced criminal lawyers is looking forward to continuing to represent people in court after taking up a new position at East Midlands law firm Smith Partnership.
Andy Cash, who has more than 42 years’ experience in the industry and is extremely well known in Derby’s legal circles, has joined the firm as a solicitor in its crime department.
It is the latest staging post in a career which began in Devon in 1979, followed by Andy’s arrival in Derby, via a stint in Hong Kong, in 1986, when he joined city firm Eddowes Waldron, where he later became a partner.
Ten years later he joined fellow city firm Nelsons as a partner and was most recently a director for Derby law firm Cartwright King, before taking up his new role at Smith Partnership this month.
The firm, which has six offices across the East Midlands, including its headquarters in Friar Gate, is unusual in that it offers criminal law and criminal defence alongside a full range of other services, including private work such as family law, wills and probate, and corporate law services including commercial property, dispute resolution and debt recovery.
And it was this all-round capability which attracted Andy to his new role, along with the opportunity to continue representing clients in court and in criminal proceedings at police stations.
He said: “I’ve never lost my love of representing people in court or as a duty solicitor at the police station, where clients need someone to clarify their position at the heart of the criminal investigation, even if they start off believing they don’t need a lawyer on their side.
“That can make a huge difference and I’m looking forward to continuing that work, as well as dealing with clients accused of motoring offences.
“I’m also looking forward to working for a full-service firm because I can recommend clients to other experts if they have any other legal issues facing them.”
Andrew Oldroyd, partner of the firm and head of the crime department at Smith Partnership’s Derby office, said: “Andy is hugely experienced and has an excellent reputation locally, so naturally we are delighted to welcome him to Smith Partnership.
“I remember how helpful Andy was back when I was newly qualified and everyone in the Derby law sector knows him. He will now be able to nurture our younger lawyers in the department, ensuring that we can continue to offer a quality criminal law service.”
The gloves are off – Nike drop the ball over Mary Queen of Stops: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, reflects on Nike’s Lionesses kit fumble.
Imagine being one of the preeminent football kit manufacturers on the planet and bagging the rights to produce the kit for the Lionesses ahead of the World Cup.
A nation gripped by football with a women’s team that is on the verge of greatness after a glorious few years leading into the tournament. What an opportunity! Especially when one of the most high profile players in the side and indeed in the world will be front and centre as a goalkeeper – they always are, there are ALWAYS penalties at some point, a chance for a goalkeeper to make history and become an icon. Even better when that goalkeeper already has a positive media profile, plays for Manchester United and won the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper last year. Talk about an open-goal and a shot at reflected glory!
Or…you could be Nike, named for the “goddess of victory” if you like your mythology. If you are Nike, you can’t be bothered making it. Not worth it.
Now, let’s be clear, England’s women just failed at the final hurdle BUT Nike fell at the very first when they decided against making a goalkeeper’s kit. Mary Earps was already a household-name for folk who follow women’s football even occasionally.
Now, after a string of superb performances including saving a penalty in the final and the small matter of winning the “Golden Glove” award to go with her FIFA accolade from last year she is a bigger brand than ever. Her star is shining brightly. As for Nike, well, it is properly tarnished.
Mary herself was refreshingly forthright about the mess when she was asked about it leading into the tournament: “I can’t really sugarcoat this any way so I’m not going to try, it’s hugely disappointing and very hurtful. For my own family, friends and loved ones not to be able to buy my shirt, they’re just going to come out and wear normal clothes. All my team-mates, they’ve ordered a lot of shirts for their friends and family, they’re talking at the dinner table ‘I wasn’t able to get this’ and I’m saying ‘I wasn’t able to get it at all’.” There have been renewed calls for Nike to start producing the shirt but they appear to not be heard so far.
Here’s what Nike had to say: “Nike is committed to women’s football and we’re excited by the passion around this year’s tournament and the incredible win by the Lionesses to make it into the final. We are proudly offering the best of Nike innovation and services to our federation partners and hundreds of athletes. We hear and understand the desire for a retail version of a goalkeeper jersey and we are working towards solutions for future tournaments, in partnership with FIFA and the federations. The fact that there’s a conversation on this topic is testament to the continued passion and energy around the women’s game and we believe that’s encouraging.”
Except if you are “hearing” it Nike, you are still ignoring it. Also, the “conversation” is pretty much one that is pointing the finger at you for failing to back the sport in the best way possible.
Mary makes a great point about it not sitting well with her and tactfully makes it not about her but about the goalkeeping position and the game: “I know there’s a lot of people who have spent a tremendous amount of money on outfield shirts and then put ‘1 Earps’ on the back, which doesn’t sit well with me either. It’s a very scary message that’s being sent to goalkeepers worldwide that ‘you’re not important’. It’s something that I’ve been fighting behind closed doors. I’ve been desperately trying to find a solution with the FA and with Nike.”
Not only goalkeepers, but women’s football. Let’s be blunt, this wouldn’t happen with Nike for the men’s team. There will be waffle about not setting precedents but maybe, just maybe, Nike should swallow their pride, take a bravery pill and their own advice and Just Do It.
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.
He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
See this column in the September edition of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
Hydrogen storage system pioneers make more than £1m investment in Nottingham-based alternative fuel hub
An investment of more than £1 million in Luxfer Gas Cylinders’ European base in Nottingham has been announced, which will establish a new production facility to support ‘virtual’ gas pipelines that can distribute hydrogen across the UK and Europe.
Luxfer Gas Cylinders, a division of Luxfer Holdings PLC, is a manufacturer of high-pressure aluminium and composite cylinders. Its Nottingham manufacturing base produces up to one million cylinders each year – and is home to alternative fuel specialists who have embedded world-first hydrogen-powered systems into buses, trucks, trains, boats, tractors and even drones.
This new purpose-built facility will produce Multiple Element Gas Containers (MEGCs), with the very first units available from summer 2024.
Mark Lawday, vice president and general manager of Luxfer Europe, explains: “This investment is the natural next step in continuing to build our European hydrogen capability and support the development of the hydrogen economy, which is going to be essential in enabling all of us to reach our decarbonisation goals in Europe in 2030 and beyond.”
Luxfer Gas Cylinders has been operating for over 80 years and has sites across the world, but makes Nottingham its European base, where it employs over 230 people from the region. The new hub will see a number of additional jobs created at the Colwick site, as the facility steps up its operation.
New coordinator role strengthens Minerals Matter team
Minerals Matter, the cross-sector approach to future skills and succession planning for the mineral products industry, is strengthening its delivery team to drive forward the timely and effective development of industry careers interventions and the Minerals Matter scheme.
Hannah Higley, from Derby, joins as careers coordinator. Hannah will provide effective, responsive, high-quality project management to ensure delivery of key Minerals Matter activities across the organisation.
Emily Noble, future careers manager, Minerals Matter, says: “This is an important appointment for Minerals Matter as we ramp up engagement in the future skills agenda for the mineral products industry. This additional resource will now enable us to reach further afield and to consolidate our approach to improving skills across the sector.
“Hannah’s positive experiences of working with careers education in secondary schools really stood out and this is a great opportunity for her to now take up the challenge to promote the specific benefits of working in the mineral products sector to young people.”
A wide ranging role, amongst other things the new careers coordinator role will oversee the Minerals Matter Ambassador scheme in partnership with STEM Learning UK, alongside other activities led by Minerals Matter within the context of the Minerals Matter strategy.
It also involves working with the future careers manager and sector standards manager to deliver against key projects effectively, and the sector standards manager and industry leads to support key meetings on National Occupational Standards, apprenticeship reviews/development and task groups.
Hannah says: “I’m hugely excited to join the growing team at Minerals Matter. Living in Derbyshire I’m well aware of the importance of the mineral products industry to the local and national economy.
“This new role enables me to bring together my skills and past experiences and to use these to help connect and excite young people about the sector. I can’t wait to get started!”
Hannah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism from the University of Derby, and a Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma in Marketing. Her previous employment includes marketing and publicity roles at the University of Derby, corporate social responsibility officer at East Midlands Airport and enterprise coordinator at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
Nottingham-headquartered auction house secures multi-million pound emergency services framework
Nottingham-headquartered auction house John Pye & Sons Limited has secured a four-year nationwide framework worth up to £50,000,000 to oversee the disposal and auction of end-of-life emergency service or “Blue Light” vehicles.
The ‘Framework for the Provision of Auction and Disposal of End-of-Life Vehicles and Items’ was awarded by BlueLight Commercial, an organisation established by the Home Office in 2020.
John Pye will oversee the disposal and auction of emergency vehicles that are no longer fit for purpose, such as police cars and fire engines. The framework includes managing vehicles that must be scrapped or recycled with components made available for the ‘green parts’ market and redistributing other premium vehicles that are suitable for resale.
The auction specialist’s Government and Vehicles departments will work closely with garages, second-hand vehicle traders and the primary target of end-consumers across its network of UK suppliers to ensure all premium, decommissioned vehicles generate a healthy interest.
Zoe Wright, director at John Pye, said: “We are thrilled to be appointed to this highly prestigious framework. As the leading full-service specialist for vehicle auctioning and recycling, we’re proud to provide a sales solution for emergency vehicle disposal.
“We understand that the resale and disposal of ex-emergency vehicles is highly sensitive, and we place our operations under intense scrutiny, carefully balancing income generation for the Authority with supporting sustainability and the environment and protecting the Authority’s reputation against unwanted reputational risk.
“We are looking forward to this new opportunity to build on our excellent reputation with the emergency services and broadcast our excellent service offering to a wider audience.”
Adam joins Hopkinson Waste Management at pivotal moment
Adam Hadfield has joined Chesterfield-based Hopkinson Waste Management’s finance team as the firm begins its second year of ownership with ambitious growth plans.
MD Jules Gaynor sID: “Adam is joining us at a crucial time. We’ve grown massively in year one, but the next year will be lift-off as we are ideally placed to provide waste management and recycling services as Chesterfield’s own growth plans are realised.”
Adam added: “The Hopkinson growth plans are simply stunning. A 32-acre fully permitted waste and recycling centre in Chesterfield is a hidden gem. We have instant capacity to treble our operation in size.
“Balancing the financials will be my job. Jules is freed up now to do the business development work with Natalie Hirst, our Head of Commercial. I’m thrilled to be here, it’s an amazing place to work with a totally unique culture.”
The Lincolnshire Showground gets ready for Christmas Party Nights
The Lincolnshire Showground hosts some of the biggest and most elaborate Christmas parties in Lincoln, and is inviting you to gather your colleagues to join them!
If you’re a group of 10 or 100, you can enjoy shared party nights on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th December from 7pm – 1am.
Christmas Party packages include a glass of fizz on arrival, a three-course meal, tea & coffee, live music from the Stolen Fridays, and a DJ until the early hours.
To book, contact the events team on 01522 522900 or events@lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
Steve joins Central Technology leadership team
Steve Dono has joined the leadership team at Chesterfield’s Central Technology.
His arrival marks a pivotal moment in Central Technology’s journey, promising an era of growth, innovation, and collaboration. With his leadership skills, coupled with his rich experience and commitment to excellence, the company is looking forwards to a successful 2024 and beyond.
He said: “What truly drew me in was the strength of the Senior Management Team (SMT). A robust leadership team is essential for any organisation’s growth, and CT’s cohesive blend of knowledge, experience, and united purpose resonated profoundly with me.
“Central Technology boasts a commendable 20-year legacy of customer loyalty, built upon consistent service delivery. However, both CT and the IT & Telecoms industry have evolved rapidly. Our commitment to service excellence remains unwavering.”
Steve brings with him a wealth of expertise, having previously held pivotal roles as Sales Director in major IT companies. His impressive track record in sales leadership and business development within the Telecoms and IT industry makes him an invaluable addition to the Central Technology team.
