Businesses can now apply for funding to support research into the cyber security of office devices which can connect to the internet, such as printers, cameras, and room booking systems, to ensure they are properly protected against hackers. Thousands of UK businesses rely on these products, known as enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to increase productivity and enable hybrid working. The government is funding new research to uncover vulnerabilities in these commonly used enterprise IoT products and assess the cyber resilience of these devices. Smart devices in the workplace can collect sensitive data which can be accessed by other users, making them an attractive target for cyber criminals to exploit. While devices may have some protections built-in, products with poor cyber security can leave companies using them at risk. For example, in 2019 Microsoft’s researchers found Russian hackers were compromising conference phones and office printers in organisations across many sectors, though Microsoft was able to successfully block the attacks before they could cause any damage. Successful bidders will be awarded up to £200,000 to test popular devices and help identify if current security measures and guidance, such as international standards and NCSC device security principles, are robust enough to protect businesses from evolving threats. Cyber minister Julia Lopez said: “Technology played a pivotal role in keeping British businesses going during the pandemic, helping the pivot to hybrid working and boosting productivity ever since.

“This research will ensure we have the right measures in place to protect our economy and keep our offices and workers safe from cyber security threats.”

The grant is part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect the UK from cyber threats and grow the digital economy. It supports the UK’s objective to take the lead in the technologies vital to cyber power and secure the Internet of Things and connected technologies used by consumers and enterprises.

Investment manager Downing LLP has acquired The Pub People Group of companies and committed to further funding for expansion. Downing has acquired Pub People, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire from its management team – Andrew Crawford and Kevin Sammons – and merged it with its existing investment in Autumn Pubs Limited, which has been managed under contract by Pub People since 2012. Funds managed by Downing will be the majority shareholder in the combined business. The group includes 49 managed pubs and Downing has committed further funding to help the group expand through acquisitions. Kevin Sammons has headed Pub People for over 28 years and has established it as one of the top independent pub companies in the Midlands, with a quality estate and a well-resourced central function. Its estate of high-quality food and drink pubs is based in and around Nottingham, Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield, and Lincoln. Following the acquisition, Kevin Sammons will transition into a non-executive role, while Andrew Crawford will move into the role of Managing Director. Kevin Sammons said: “I am proud to have led and built this successful company, along with the many loyal and exceptional employees who have been important contributors to that success. They can now continue the Pub People journey along with Downing and fulfil their and the group’s potential. I am extremely grateful for the support Downing has given us over the last 10 years. It is now time for me to step back and hand over to a worthy and capable successor and his team.” Andrew Crawford said: “Kevin and I have worked very well together as a management team for over 20 years. We have together built a company we can be truly proud of, but now there are new chapters to be written. While there are numerous economic challenges on the horizon, we have a strong team and with support from Downing the group can continue to invest and grow its high-quality pub estate.” Nick Carter, associate director at Downing, said: “Kevin and Andy have been trusted and respected partners of ours for more than a decade. We wish Kevin well and we are excited to take the group to the next stage under Andy’s direction.” The Downing team on the deal is Colin Corbally, Gautam Chhabra and Nick Carter. Downing has been advised by Michelmores, HMT and K3 Advisory. Pub People has been advised by Browne Jacobsen and BHP.

Loughborough-based gritting business Weatherwise Services has seen a whopping 157% increase in turnover in the last four years of trading. It started in 2017 with just two vehicles covering 36 sites and now has 14 vehicles over 250 sites. You could say that growth has been rapid for directors, Tim Grainger and Andrew Martin. As it reaches its fifth anniversary the business is transforming both digitally and operationally to combat rising costs, improve efficiency and continue growing. Tim hadn’t set out to run his own business. Originally from a sales and recruitment background, a chance meeting in a pub introduced him to the gritting business. He decided to become a driver at the same time as having a full-time job in facilities. Then in July 2017, Tim officially took over the business and set up Weatherwise Services with his partner Andrew. Weatherwise provide a personalised winter gritting and snow clearance service to private customers. It works with partners to cover sites for the likes of PepsiCo and DHL, as well as independently for Leicester City Football Club, The Langdale Group and many others. During the winter months, Tim gets surface temperature forecasts, by postcode, from the Met Office. This is emailed out to clients and if the site reaches its trigger point for that night, they go out and grit. Geographically the business covers sites from Sheffield down to Northampton with a focus on the Midlands. During the season Tim and Andrew are available 24/7 managing a team of 18 contractors with vehicles holding loads from 3,500 to 26,000 tonnes. Tim is in the office now managing sales, finance and marketing while Andrew looks after operations including organising the vehicles, drivers, loading and dealing with breakdowns. Tim was introduced to the Business Gateway Growth Hub and Adviser Joanna Moore following a networking event. He explains: “I needed support on how to manage the growth and stop pulling my hair out! Time is the biggest thing I didn’t have. A lot of this was down to software. Computerisation was a big issue for me, but just talking to Jo and going through things helped; it’s one area I’ve worked on this year. We’ve now got a new CRM that integrates with our website, email and enquiries and this has made life easier. “We’re also nearly there with a new operating system which allows us to schedule daily. Scheduling driver routes normally takes me about three hours a day but with the new system, it will take about ten minutes. I’ve been looking at this before, but it was all down to Jo that we identified this area would create more time.” When the season ends things don’t stop for the business. Tim is still working 7 days a week, apart from a few weeks off for family holidays. Summer is a time for developing new clients, overhauling equipment, replacing wagons and refurbishing. This year Tim has been working on digital marketing to communicate with new and existing customers. He’s also switched from a manual to an online accounting package. He continued: “I’d say one of our greatest strengths is communication and keeping in touch with our clients. But as our portfolio expands, I’m not convinced I’ll have the same amount of time to do that or develop new clients. These are some of my drivers for going digital. Getting it out of my head and off bits of paper so anyone could do it was what I need.” Weatherwise had a difficult 21/22 season with fuel prices soaring and the price of salt going from £56/tonne to £99/tonne mid-season. So, time management, becoming more efficient and going digital has been key to their future success. And despite the challenges, it was their best year yet! Tim continues: “The support from the Business Gateway has allowed me to see a broader picture and understand what I need to do to control the issues concerning me. The biggest thing is clarity, which has been invaluable – clarity of thought and action. I’ve never had a business plan since we started, we have one now and that’s down to support from Jo. She’s been incredibly helpful.”