Intoware welcomes new non-executive director
Nottingham-based workflow automation firm, Intoware, has appointed John Higgs as the newest member of its board of directors.
With a distinguished career spanning over four decades in the technology sector, John brings a wealth of experience to the role of non-executive director (NED), with his professional journey including pivotal roles in sales and marketing at renowned technology corporations such as Cisco, Riverbed, and Realwear.
His strategic acumen and leadership have also been instrumental in his successful tenures as a board member, advisor, and investor.
“I am very pleased to join the dynamic team at Intoware,” said John, who divides his time between Asia and the UK. “The company’s impressive growth trajectory and its impact on the workflow automation landscape are remarkable. I look forward to contributing my expertise to further propel Intoware’s strategic initiatives and expansion.”
Keith Tilley, CEO of Intoware, expressed his enthusiasm: “John’s appointment is a significant milestone for us. His commitment to innovation and excellence resonates with our core values. We are eager to integrate his insights into our strategic discussions and are excited about the future prospects this collaboration holds.”
John joins an esteemed group of board members, including Peter Chambers (chairman), Greg Truman (NED), and Lee Maughan (CFO), each contributing their unique expertise to the company’s vision.
In addition to his professional endeavours, Higgs is a dedicated philanthropist, actively involved with the Soi Dog Foundation for nearly two decades. The foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of animals in Asia, advocating for a world free of cruelty and homelessness.
When not shaping the future of technology, Higgs indulges in his passion for music as an aspiring drummer, often found enjoying the rhythm of life amidst nature with his beloved rescue dogs.
How to save thousands on staff training
Local companies are turning more and more to training videos to streamline their staff onboarding process and increase efficiency. Glowfrog are the Midlands’ leading video production company and they have created training videos for several businesses throughout the region. Let’s explore how incorporating professional training videos can save you both time and money:
Cost-effective solution
Training new staff members can be a significant expense for businesses, particularly when considering the costs associated with hiring trainers, organising training sessions, and providing materials.
By investing in training videos via an expert local production company such as Glowfrog, businesses can achieve substantial cost savings over the long term. Once created, these videos can be reused indefinitely, eliminating the need for repeated investments in training materials.
Streamlined onboarding
Traditional training methods often involve extensive time commitments from trainers and trainees alike. With training videos, however, new hires can access essential information at their own pace, reducing the need for lengthy orientation sessions and one-on-one training sessions.
Efficient learning
Visual content has been shown to enhance learning retention and engagement. Training videos leverage the power of visuals, animations, and demonstrations to deliver information in a compelling and memorable format.
Expertise matters
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Don’t make offers worth sweet FA: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, reflects on a wasted marketing opportunity.
As the final whistle blew, I let out a huge sigh of relief. Not euphoria. Sheer relief. Here’s why.
Now, trigger warning, I’ve followed Manchester United for 36 years now. There’s nothing that will change that unless we reintegrate Mason Greenwood, so if either of these facts puts you off working with me, well, I’ll get over it.
I actually remember the first goal that made me feel triumphant, it was Gordon Strachan bursting through against Liverpool in 1988. Our arch rivals to this day, whatever City might think!
Why relief? Well, even the most rose-tinted of spectacle wearers would admit we’ve been pants all season. As the relief turned into a gradual sense of comfort, then joy, then finally, excitement (all in 10 seconds) my phone pinged!
I assumed it would be my mates on the United WhatsApp group. No, it was a text. From…Manchester United.
Had they been made aware of my punderful analysis on the group chat? Did they agree that Antony is a better LB than RW? Maybe they wanted to ask me to reconsider turning out for them after I bottled an invitation to play in front of the cameras that time. Trust me, this happened. Ask me about it!
No, they were offering me, wait for it…£5 off membership for 2023/2024 season. Given I’m already a member this is smart timing marketing wise and normally I would be professionally tipping my United branded beanie hat to them BUT…£5! It’s pathetic. Not so much in terms of the discount, more the creativity.
I’m already a customer, I was going to renew anyway, now was the perfect time to do something more creative and get me to buy something BIGGER. Why not give me a chance to renew AND get an upgrade? Or renew and buy a prize draw ticket for a VIP Match Day experience?
You can never predict the score or whether you are going to win the game but you absolutely CAN have a range of options lined up to fire as soon as something is known.
Man of The Match? Confirmed within seconds of the final whistle. Use that name as a code to access something special.
The winning goal from the youngster Amad? You know he is in the squad, create a contingency, however unlikely, that if it is him who nabs the glory, that’s your code.
This is a billion pound enterprise operating with a bargain basement marketing mentality. Did I renew? No. I went to the hospitality pages and scanned hopefully for semi final tickets. Hundreds of times more valuable to them than buying my £60 annual membership with a £5 offer.
Have they spotted this or reached out given I’ve enquired before? No. Talk about missing an open goal!
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 April issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
Talent and Innovation Grants to help local businesses take advantage of university expertise
Nottingham-based businesses are being offered the chance to access the talent and expertise available through the two universities on their doorstep, as part of a programme of grants and support aimed at driving innovation, productivity and skills in the city.
Under the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement, The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are working with Nottingham City Council to offer Talent Grants of up to £2,500 which can be used to subsidise the recruitment of a university graduate or student for a minimum of eight weeks.
To qualify for one of the grants, businesses would need to demonstrate that the graduate/student project/role would be used to implement or improve technology or processes, enable the business to enter new markets, improve or implement new products or services, or focus on research and development projects.
In addition, Innovation Vouchers of up to £5,000 will be offered to city businesses through the Universities for Nottingham Innovation Centres of Excellence, enabling them to access a range of technically-focussed support and consultancy leveraging research facilities and expertise from across the two universities. Support will be delivered through:
- Food Innovation Centre: providing science and technology consultancy, new product or process development support for food and drink focussed businesses.
- Chemistry Innovation Laboratory: providing analytical and product development support across chemistry and materials using and life sciences businesses.
- Institute for Aerospace Technology: working across the aerospace supply chain.
- Design Matter: providing professional sustainable product and packaging design consultancy.
HelloFresh opens its largest European distribution centre in Derby
Recipe box company HelloFresh has opened its latest flagship automated production facility in Derby. The site, named ‘The Windmill’, was opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony by UK CEO Adam Park and Pauline Latham OBE MP for Mid Derbyshire.
The new site has created around 300 jobs for the local community to-date with more expected in the coming months as it ramps up production. The automated production lines will allow HelloFresh and Green Chef customers even more choice and ability to personalise their meals.
In keeping with HelloFresh’s commitment to a more sustainable future, The Windmill has been developed in partnership with SmartParc SEGRO Derby, a low-carbon food manufacturing campus in Spondon, Derby, to be one of the most sustainable production facilities in the country.
Features include a rainwater harvesting system, a 22 MVA rooftop solar panel array, and a shared heating and cooling system which recycles heat from refrigeration plants and reuses it to heat water and offices across the estate.
The site achieved an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for its energy efficiency and will derive 100% of its energy from renewable sources. It will also have EV charging spaces, local bus services that are aligned with production times and provide secure bike storage (alongside a cycle-to-work scheme) to further reduce local emissions while supporting its employees.
The expansion of production capability provided by The Windmill supports HelloFresh Group’s ambitions for long-term growth and will act as a launch pad for future growth and innovation for its brands in the UK.
The automation technology will allow for handling of greater product complexity to give customers more recipes to choose from as well as options to further personalise their meals, including options to replace meat for plant-based alternatives or customise portion sizes.
The site will also use best-in-class predictive algorithms and technology to improve inventory management processes, reduce waste, and ultimately deliver ingredients that are fresher than ever.
The Windmill has created around 300 jobs for the local community so far – including production operatives, maintenance engineers, and management roles – with more to come as production ramps up in the coming months.
The Windmill will also boost HelloFresh’s support for local charities like Community Action Derby. Today, HelloFresh donates ingredients for more than 100 meals each week to assist those experiencing food insecurity in the local area.
HelloFresh UK CEO, Adam Park, said: “We are delighted to open our largest and most advanced European distribution centre – The Windmill – here in Derby.
“We have invested for over two years to build our latest automated production technology in Derby, particularly due to its incredibly diverse and skilled talent pool. This site and its cutting-edge technology will allow handling of great complexity in our production to give customers even more choice, while creating hundreds of jobs and opportunities for talented people in the local area to build skills and careers in a growing space.
“Derby’s great connectivity also means we can provide an even better delivery experience for our UK customers with eighty per cent of customers now being within a four-hour drive of where the product is made.
“All-in-all, we are delighted to be in Derby and look forward to contributing to this great community as we partner on an exciting journey of growth and innovation we have planned for HelloFresh and Green Chef in the UK.”
Also present at the opening ceremony were Cllr Baggy Shanker, Paul Simpson, CEO Derby City Council, Jackie Wild, Founder and CEO of SmartParc, Andrew Pilsworth, Chief Of Staff at SEGRO, and Jane Byam Shaw OBE, Co-Founder of the Felix Project.
Farm sold to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in landmark that will support recovery of nature
Common Farm, located on the outskirts of the historic settlement of Nether Heage has been sold to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. The transaction marks a significant milestone in local efforts for nature and continues the Trust’s environmental stewardship and commitment to the local community.
Occupying an elevated position, with far reaching views over the surrounding area, this newly formed haven for wildlife lies a short distance from the popular market towns of Belper and Ripley with Derby City Centre only 11 miles away.
Garner Holdings, led by local landowner and businessman Roger Hartshorn, has sold the 83 acre site to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, underlining Roger’s dedication to the Amber Valley region.
Roger, who comes from a farming background and continues to keep cattle and sheep on his local farm, said: “I’ve always held a deep connection to the land, and by selling Common Farm to Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, who will give the space back to people and nature, the land’s future as a bastion of biodiversity and a sanctuary for the local community is secured.”
Previously used for cattle grazing, the farm’s transformation into a nature reserve will not only enhance local biodiversity but also provide a haven for residents and visitors to connect with nature. The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, celebrating this as their largest acquisition to date, is also exploring ways to utilise the farm’s buildings for additional community benefits.
Jo Smith, CEO of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating: “Purchasing Common Farm enables us to create a vital natural green space for Derbyshire, enhancing biodiversity and offering the community unparalleled access to nature. We are delighted that this sale has gone through, and that Roger Hartshorn and Garner Holdings share our commitment to creating more space for nature.”
The decision to sell to the Wildlife Trust over competing bids from companies with more intensive, industrial uses in mind for the land, underscores Garner Holding’s dedication to the local environment, the well-being of the Amber Valley community and the importance of preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the area.
Roger is planning to further contribute to the local community through the redevelopment of the adjacent old Firs Works site, currently home to Garnalex, which manufactures Sheerline energy-efficient aluminium windows and doors systems. The proposed residential development aims to provide high-quality, much-needed housing.
Roger shared his vision for the future, saying: “It’s essential we balance growth with sustainability. By planning a residential area that respects our beautiful Derbyshire, we’re investing in our community’s future. It’s about leaving a legacy that benefits both people and nature.”
Derby writes to Prime Minister to prevent closure of train factory
Marketing Derby is campaigning to prevent closure of the Alstom Derby train factory, a move costing 1,300 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs.
Closure would end 185-years of railway heritage and leave the UK as the only G7 country without the ability to design, develop, build and test trains.
Over the past few days the investment promotion agency for Derby have built a public-private-community campaign. Hundreds of businesses have given their backing and over the weekend 30,000 people saw the campaign at Pride Park Stadium.
This week Marketing Derby will hand in a letter to the Prime Minister asking for his intervention and requesting meetings with the Secretary of State for Transport and the CEO of Alstom.
“Standing between this disaster for UK plc and survival is the procurement of a mere 5 additional trains for the Elizabeth Line,” the organisation notes.
See the letter to the Prime Minister below.
Dear Prime Minister
SAVE OUR TRAINS – DO THE DEAL!
We are writing as a public-private community of hundreds of businesses and thousands of people from Derby to ask you to personally intervene to ensure the Alstom Derby train manufacturing site is saved.
When you visited the area on 22nd March you kindly committed to your government to doing ‘everything it can’ to ensure new orders. Since then, whilst there has been plenty of talk, there has been no progress and we are now looking at the imminent closure of a factory in operation since 1839.
A commitment to fund ten new trains needed for the Elizabeth Line – a success for UK plc, designed and built at Alstom in Derby and used by millions of passengers – will be enough to keep the plant alive until HS2 and other future work is initiated in 2026.
Closure is unconscionable.
It will mean the UK being the only G7 country without a site or capacity to design, develop, build, and test new trains – a body blow for UK pride that will cost the taxpayer billions of pounds over the next few decades.
Conversely, the procurement of ten trains saves the plant, saves thousands of jobs in the national supply chain, and will lead to Alstom making Derby a global HQ for their new commuter train, the Adessia. Derby is already the global HQ for monorail, having recently designed and built the system now in operation in Cairo.
Derby is a proud railway city, home to Europe’s largest business rail cluster and soon to be HQ to Great British Railways, created by your government to bring a guiding mind to track and train (hopefully preventing pipeline cliff-edges like this).
Prime Minister, so much to gain, so much to lose – all dependent on quick action on ten new trains.
As a broad, cross-sector, cross-party, cross-community we urge you to intervene.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Baggy Shanker
Leader of Derby City Council
Whittam Cox appointed to lead refurbishment of landmark Sheffield hotel
Chesterfield architectural practice Whittam Cox has been appointed to lead the refurbishment of Sheffield United Football Club Hotel, located at Bramall Lane.
Helen Davis, Head of Interior Design at Whittam Cox, said: “As a locally-based firm, we are passionate about this opportunity to reimagine this landmark hotel. Our goal is to provide a cohesive design throughout that seamlessly integrates modern interiors with nods to Sheffield’s unique culture and heritage, recognising the city’s resilience and innovation.”
Richard Farrar, MD of Leaf Hospitality, said: “We are delighted to embark on this exciting project at Bramall Lane on behalf of the club. The DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield City conversion will elevate the hospitality experience for visitors and fans alike. This is a really special project, and we’re delighted to kick it off.”
With 155 rooms, a rejuvenated restaurant, bar, fitness centre, ballroom and guest suites, Whittam Cox’s vision for the new DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield City hotel encompasses modern design elements infused with nods to Sheffield’s industrial past.
Nelsons Solicitors names Rachel Mills as legal director
Nelsons Solicitors has appointed experienced employment law specialist Rachel Mills as a legal director.
Rachel brings more than two decades of expertise to Nelsons, having spent most of the last 10 years with Geldards.
Laura Kearsley, partner and head of the employment team at Nelsons, said: “We are really keen to build our team’s profile in the Derby market, and Rachel joining us will certainly help this.
“She has a great level of all-round experience that really appealed to us, particularly her work on tribunal matters.
“Rachel has a great reputation for her work in the Derby area and beyond, and culturally, she was a perfect fit for Nelsons. We are pleased to welcome her into the team.”
Sean elevated to Partner role at Bates Weston
Sean Douglass has been made a partner at Bates Weston, the company he joined as a trainee over 14 years ago.
Sean has been taking care of a broad spectrum of audit clients, including the highly specialised education and charity audit sectors, and in his capacity as senior audit manager at Bates Weston, Sean will continue to take care of current audit clients, as well as looking to build his portfolio as partner.
Managing partner Wayne Thomas said: “Sean’s progression to partner is richly deserved. Sean has always delivered the highest standards of service to our clients and has steered the ongoing development of our growing audit teams.
“His diligence and commitment are invaluable to the firm and to our clients and I am delighted to welcome him as a partner to the firm.”
