< Previous50 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk RENEWABLES With concern for the environment and emissions continuing to expand rapidly, renewables are gaining sharper focus as a vital component for achieving the government’s 2050 carbon net zero target and ten point plan for a green industrial revolution. Reinforcing this, the UK’s biggest ever renewable energy support scheme opened in December. The fourth round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, the renewable energy auction scheme, which aims to secure 12GW of electricity capacity (more renewable capacity than the previous three rounds combined) opened with £285m a year funding for low-carbon technology/building the next generation of green energy projects, moving the country away from fossil fuels - a transition gathering pace. The additional offshore wind capacity resulting from the funding alone could generate enough electricity to power around 8 million homes. The new round is open to a wider number of renewable energy technologies to create a more secure and resilient energy system, with offshore wind, onshore wind, solar, tidal, and floating offshore wind projects, amongst others, eligible to bid for funding in the auction process. Where less than a decade ago more than 40% of the UK’s power was generated by coal, in 2020 it was less than 2%. This has been followed by a boom in renewables project starts in 2021. According to a report from Glenigan, the value of renewable energy projects starting work in 2021 grew by 70%, year-on-year, to be worth £5bn. Moreover, analysis published by RenewableUK shows that major investment announcements totalling over £900m in new factories were made by September 2021 in the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing sector – the highest annual amount since the industry began in the UK in 2000. Meanwhile the energy sector, at the end of October, committed to investing in and delivering a net zero power system in the 2030s. The sector, through trade association Energy UK, made its pledge in the report ‘Towards Net Zero emissions: the energy industry’s commitment to the climate, customers and jobs’, published the week before COP26 began. In the East Midlands, solar power and onshore wind are key renewable energy sources, with applications for new farms frequent and set to be propelled by dropping costs for wind and solar projects, while anaerobic digestion and biomass are also significant. Work is too progressing in the area to make the renewables sector itself more sustainable. For example, a major project to develop wind turbine blade recycling in Britain for the first time recently received the go- ahead after winning a UK government grant. The £2m three-year project involves a consortium led by Aker Offshore Wind, the University of Strathclyde and the Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, with the University of Nottingham, waste management firm SUEZ, composite distributor GRP Solutions, and composite part manufacturer Cubis. The initiative aims to ensure a more sustainable future for the global wind industry – accelerating the drive towards net zero emissions and waste. Currently, when giant turbine blades reach the end of their working lives, there are only two options for managing the waste: send them to a landfill or to waste- to-energy plants where they are combusted with significant carbon emissions. The project looks to Renewables rise up 52 Á As we leave fossil fuels in the past, in search of a more sustainable future, the transition to renewable energy sources is picking up pace. Renewables rise up 50-52.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:57 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 51 RENEWABLES © stock.adobe.com/Surasak 50-52.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:57 Page 252 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk RENEWABLES commercialise a revolutionary fibre recovery method pioneered by the University of Nottingham and further developed by the University of Strathclyde to separate the glass-fibre and resin components in composites and recover the glass fibres which can then be reprocessed, moulded, and reused in other industries. Experts at the University of Nottingham will support the development of a fluidised bed fibre recovery process which it has been investigating for many years. The environmental benefits from this project should not be understated as waste from wind turbine blades alone are expected to reach around 2 million tonnes globally by 2050. Concurrently, further innovative, novel forms of clean energy are coming to the fore in the region as coal fired power stations close, such as EDF’s West Burton A, due to end generation in 2022, and Uniper-owned Ratcliffe on Soar, due to close at the end of September 2024 in line with government policy to end coal- fired power generation. The latter of these has the potential to usher in a new era for energy, making the shortlist for what is hoped to be the world’s first prototype fusion energy plant. Part of the site at Ratcliffe-on-Soar has made it to the final five in a national search for potential locations by the government for alternative energy plants, with the final decision due to be announced in late 2022. The UK government is bidding to be the first to develop a commercial power station that will use the energy produced by fusion reactions to generate electricity. Fusion is said to offer an inherently safe and virtually limitless source of clean electricity by copying the processes that power the sun. The ambitious project – Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production – known as STEP, is being led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). The fusion power station is aimed to be built by 2040. West Burton A, on the other hand, which was also being considered as part of a 15-strong long-list, has made the reserve list. It will be brought into the assessment process if any of the five sites fall out of the process. Councillor Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “For a Nottinghamshire site to get down to the final five is incredible. We are another step closer to this being a reality. Achieving STEP would bring massive benefits to the county, putting it at the heart of the government’s plans to revolutionise the way we generate energy in the UK. It would build on the existing strengths of our universities and manufacturing sectors, but would also create new skills, training, and thousands of highly skilled jobs, attracting investment and delivering amazing overall benefits to our regional economy including the lucrative opportunities for the local supply chain to help construct the plant. We are an ambitious county and have a proud heritage of producing energy which helped power the industrial revolution, but looking to the future, we want to be at the heart of the UK green energy revolution. As global energy demand continues to grow, this technology is expected to play a crucial role in helping to achieve net zero emissions – in a safe and sustainable way – during the second half of this century.” With the Prime Minister committing to decarbonise electricity by 2035, and increasing demand for energy, significant investment and innovation is still needed to develop renewables infrastructure and spur on our journey to Net Zero. © stock.adobe.com/Soonthorn 50-52.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:57 Page 3FEATURES Engineering Spotlight Business Travel & Leisure Printing & Packaging Training & Apprenticeships Meet the Experts REGULARS Commercial Property Motoring Corporate Hospitality Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sector Next month in February 2022 - Deadline 26th January Visit us at www.e astmid landsb usiness link.co. uk where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscri be to our newsle tters so you can have. the latest news emaile d to your inbox 53.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:58 Page 1OUT OF OFFICE Metalfacture named Leicestershire Business of the Year Metalfacture, a manufacturer that has transformed its business from being a solely domestic trader to an exporting success story, has been crowned the Leicestershire Business of the Year by East Midlands Chamber. The Wigston-based company – which now sends deliveries to more than 54 countries worldwide, with exports accounting for about half of sales – also won the Excellence in International Trade category and Outstanding Growth Award at the Leicestershire Business Awards, which was held in conjunction with the Chamber’s annual Christmas Lunch. Founder Ben Jones-Fenleigh started the company as a sheet metal work sub-contractor but diversified over the past few years to make its own products. It has used its wealth of manufacturing knowledge to create innovative displays used in shops that increase brand awareness and impulse sales, with a specialism in beverages, small convenience stores and petrol forecourts. Customers include Heineken, Molston Coors, Asda and Sainsbury’s. The Leicestershire Business Awards, held in partnership with headline sponsor Mazars, recognised winners across 13 categories, ranging from Business Improvement Through Technology and Environmental Impact Award within an organisation to individual honours for Entrepreneur of the Year and Apprentice of the Year. There were new categories this year for Collaboration Project of the Year and Excellence in Innovation. Finalists, chosen by a judging panel of the Chamber’s senior leadership and board of directors, as well as sponsors, discovered their fate during a gala dinner attended by hundreds of people at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium – marking a return for face-to-face celebrations after being held virtually last year. Construction consultancy donates more than 100 Christmas hampers to food bank Staff at a construction consultancy have donated thousands of items to create more than 100 Christmas hampers for Northamptonshire’s needy. The team at Bhangals Construction Consultants collected both essentials and luxuries from their own pocket to fill each of the 107 parcels for SCCYC Food Aid. Hampers included essentials such as pasta, teabags, tins, cereal, coffee, juice, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and toothpaste, as well as treats such as mince pies, chocolates and biscuits. They also put gifts such as colouring books and puzzles inside. SCCYC Food Aid, in St James Mill Road, Northampton, provide much- needed food and supplies to families living in poverty, and in crisis. Beneficiaries consist of people facing complex issues and vulnerabilities who require critical support and vital resources. Bhangals Construction Consultants operations manager, Katie Newman, said: “We know, for many people, this time of year is very difficult both emotionally and financially. After the last few years we have had, we really wanted to put together these hampers to make Christmas just that little bit easier for those who might be finding things tough. For a lot of us, we take for granted just having food and essentials, but for others it’s a massive struggle. If us doing this just takes some pressure off, it means a lot. We’re so glad to be able to help.” 54 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Leicestershire businesses give big for babies at charity ball Businesses from across Leicester and Leicestershire have raised a huge £39,000 for a new neonatal ventilator and other equipment that will save countless lives. More than 360 people from 15 local and national businesses came together with NHS staff at Leicester Hospitals Charity’s first ever Heroes Ball to raise money for this life-saving equipment. The event, hosted by BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ady Dayman at Winstanley House in Leicester, also focussed hearts and minds on the impact of Covid over the last 18 months, remembering those whose lives had been lost and paying tribute to the heroic NHS staff who have worked tirelessly to protect their patients throughout the pandemic. Money was raised through a live auction and silent auction with prizes ranging from Nevill Holt Opera tickets to furniture from Charles Bentley Furniture, match day hospitality tickets at Leicester City FC and a round of golf with Foxes legend Gerry Taggart. Corporate sponsors BVM Medical, Berkeley Insurance Group and the Thakrar Foundation also funded tables for 90 hospital staff to join in the celebrations, in thanks for all they’ve done to care for the people of Leicestershire. One of the key corporate sponsors was Leicester wholesaler, Anand International. Vic Sethi said: “It was an excellent event with great entertainment, speeches and food. We, the Anand and Sethi family, are honoured to be sponsoring the NHS as we owe it to them. This is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their hard work. We are so grateful and proud of everyone working directly or indirectly for the NHS. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the NHS at all times.” Another key sponsor was Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital. Stephen Haselip, sales and services manager, said: “We are pleased to offer our continued support to the NHS and the teams at University Hospitals Leicester at this challenging time and we are especially proud to support the Leicester Hospitals Charity as it offers so much help and support to the local community.” Metalfacture founder, Ben Jones-Fenleigh 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:59 Page 1 Switch flicked to give Derby a “once in a generation” internet super-boost An internet supplier has cut the ribbon to begin offering thousands of Derby homes and businesses access to the city’s new full-fibre internet network, describing it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to prosper.” Gigabit Networks joined forces with Derby Mayor Councillor Robin Wood to officially launch its service at a ceremony. Derby is the first city in the East Midlands and among the first in the UK to enjoy the benefits of full- fibre internet technology, which will enable subscribers to stream TV, take part in video conferencing or use cloud computing quicker and more reliably than at present. The technology is being seen as a game-changer for the city because not only will the superfast speeds give its businesses a huge commercial advantage over competitors in others cities, but, as Councillor Wood pointed out, it also promises to boost Derby’s bid to become a City of Culture in 2025 and could be vital in helping the city win the race to become home to the new state-owned rail transport body Great British Railways. Gigabit Networks, which is operating from an office in Uttoxeter Old Road, is working in partnership with CityFibre, which is installing the all-important cabling that will create a full fibre internet network beneath Derby’s streets as part of an initial £45m private investment. The network uses 100% underground fibre optic cables, which transmit data quicker and more reliably than the traditional copper wire network and have so far been laid outside 8,000 homes and businesses in parts of Mackworth, Allestree, Mickleover, Abbey, Arboretum and Darley wards. CityFibre is laying more and more cable every day, but since it is the installer and not an internet service provider (ISP) itself, it does not connect individual properties to the network itself. Instead, it is working in partnership with companies like Gigabit Networks. Dan Ilett, co-founder of Gigabit Networks, said: “Our recent experience of lockdown showed everybody how critical good connection speeds are and, with more and more data being shared and received across the internet each day, the need for a fast and reliable connection is only going to grow.” OUT OF OFFICE www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 55 University law firm recognised for tackling community legal needs during pandemic A Nottingham law firm which offers free and low-cost legal advice has scooped an award for its commitment to addressing unmet legal needs in the local community, particularly during the pandemic. Nottingham Law School Legal Advice Centre, part of Nottingham Trent University, was awarded Best Contribution by a Small or Medium Firm at the LawWorks Pro Bono Awards 2021. The Legal Advice Centre was the first SRA regulated law firm fully integrated into a law school in the UK and provides pro bono advice across a range of service areas. It is staffed by a small team of qualified solicitors and legal case workers, student volunteers and practitioner academics. To date the Centre has achieved financial awards for its clients totalling more than £5.5 million. For the year ending August 2021, it dealt with 162 cases across nine different service areas, with a total of over £995,000 secured for clients. Its welfare benefits service achieved an average award in excess of £28,000 per client. The Centre has also provided practical work experience to more than 580 students. Despite the challenges encountered by having to move to a remote service due to Covid, the Centre increased its services during the pandemic. This included the re-launch and significant expansion of its housing service; provision of online resources relating to furlough, which have been accessed more than 380 times; delivery of seminars to community interest groups on Covid related topics; and the introduction of a wholly not-for-profit IP advice service from a specialist trademark attorney, helping those starting new businesses during the pandemic. Ward supports campaign raising over £4,700 for Rainbows Hospice Derbyshire-based metal and waste recycling specialist, Ward, has supported a campaign to raise funds for a local hospice which provides essential respite for a member of the Ward team and their family. Min Bawa, senior transport manager at Ward, has two children, Aveena and Nevaiah, who were both born prematurely. Aveena has Cerebral Palsy and a brain injury from a bleed at birth. She only has one kidney and as she outgrows that, she will need a transplant. Nevaiah was starved of oxygen at birth due to complications, which means she has a brain injury. Looking after them both is difficult and the family use the facilities at Rainbows to access respite care to give them long weekends away from time to time, as well as emotional support. Rainbows provides a safe place where they know their children can be cared for as all the staff are well trained to help. During the height of Covid, Rainbows stepped up for Min as the existing care package from the council just collapsed and it was quite a stressful time as Aveena was admitted into hospital fighting for her life. As part of Diwali, the festival of light, Min’s wife, Armandeep, began a campaign to raise money for Rainbows Hospice through Just Giving, achieving local press coverage to try and reach an initial target of £1,500. From left: David Yates, co-founder of Gigabit Networks, Derby Mayor, Councillor Robin Wood, and Dan Illett, co-founder of Gigabit Networks Hayley Purser from Rainbows, Matt Dodd from Qualitech Environmental Services, Heather Foo and Min Bawa from Ward 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 08:59 Page 256 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk How Can Small Businesses Make a Big Impact in the Race to Net-Zero? Thursday 13 January Online More businesses are making pledges in support of our national zero-carbon targets. To date, much of the focus has been on what government and big business are doing to decarbonise and regenerate the environment. However, 90 per cent of businesses in the UK have fewer than 10 employees and often struggle to take the first crucial steps on the path to sustainable business practices. In this masterclass, Dr Fred Paterson argues that we have a good understanding of our climate and environmental challenges; a clear set of solutions to these existential threats and a good of level of support for business to make the shift to sustainability. Our biggest challenge is inertia and our greatest asset is a nature positive mindset. Fred will show how small firms across the region are already making significant contributions to our sustainable future and how you can join them in the ‘Race to Zero’. For more information visit Institute for Advanced Manufacturing - Breakfast Event #3 - Digitalisation Wednesday 12 January Advanced Manufacturing Building, University of Nottingham The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IfAM) is running a series of monthly breakfast events, in person and online, specifically for the manufacturing sector. This breakfast event will detail various ‘pathways’ by which manufacturing businesses can take incremental steps towards the digitalisation of their company. This interactive session will disseminate and discuss how the cutting-edge research conducted as part of the Connected Factories project can be applied to your businesses, and feature interactive feedback gathering to help improve the pathways with valuable insights and experience from the audience. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/ institute-for-advanced-manufacturing- breakfast-event-3-digitalisation events www.derby.ac.uk/events/latest- events/small-business-impact-in-the-race- to-net-zero Lincolnshire Construction & Property Network Tuesday 18 January Online This popular monthly Construction & Property Network is online via Zoom this month, creating a hybrid approach to the © stock.adobe.com/gustavofr azao Preventing Work Related Stress Tuesday 18 January Online Are you a business owner or manager who holds some responsibility for the well-being of the people in your organisation? Are you aware of the problems created by work-related stress and anxiety and looking to improve your understanding of how to recognise and tackle it? If you are, this webinar should not be missed. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/preventing-work-related- stress-may © stock.adobe.com/Andrey Popov 56-57.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 09:01 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 57 network which is usually in-person. From sole traders to housing associations, construction and property businesses come together to talk all things construction. There will be breakout networking rooms, industry conversations and lots of new connections. For more information visit www.lincs- chamber.co.uk/events/construction- property-jan22 IoD East Midlands - Lincoln Mastermind Tuesday 18 January Online Mastermind brings businesses together to build strong relationships, allowing them to share ideas in a constructive environment. These sessions offer a combination of brainstorming, education, peer accountability and support in a group setting to sharpen business and personal skills. The ethos is to provide a positive, informal but challenging and supportive space to discuss issues that confront directors on a daily basis. For more information visit www.iod.com/events-community/ events/event-details/eventdateid/34231 Getting Started with Video for your Business Thursday 27 January Online Are you a business owner or marketer who’s responsible for your organisation’s visual online content? Would you like to learn how to harness the power of video to promote your business? If you would, this webinar is the perfect way to get started. For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/developing- skills/digital-marketing/digital- webinars/getting-started-with-video-for- your-business2/?VariantID=5019 First Innovation Friday Showcase Friday 28 January 223 London Road, Leicester Attend this month’s First Innovation Friday Showcase to speak to the businesses that transform what they do through high level innovation, research and development. Start the New Year Exploring New Markets: Funding Support Wednesday 26 January Commerce House, Lincoln Are you an SME? Do you have fewer than 250 employees? Do you have a turnover of below €50m or a balance sheet below €43m? If so, you qualify for attendance at this special event in partnership with Department for International Trade, where expert speakers will be brought together from across the exporting and overseas trading arena to discuss the Internationalisation Fund. Hear from business case studies who have been successful in securing funding to share their story and experience. For more information visit www.lincs-chamber.co.uk/events/exploring-new-markets- funding-support hearing secrets from inspirational businesses in attendance. Make time to network and make new connections. For more information visit https://llep.org.uk/events/first-innovation- friday-showcase/ Digital Marketing Conference 2022 Thursday 3 February Leicester Marriott Hotel, Leicester From getting the most from your social media channels to making sure your business stands out from the crowd in online searches, this event will help businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire get the best from the latest digital technologies. The day will bring together like-minded businesses who are keen to embrace the digital world. The conference aims to attract up to 300 delegates, providing a great opportunity to network and build new connections. For more information visit https://bizgateway.org.uk/events/digital -marketing-conference-2022/ 56-57.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 09:01 Page 2Here’s Frazer’s collection of the weird and wonderful ‘news’ that came his way over the last few weeks. And finally The world of Frazer Bosses have heard it all when it comes to excuses for lateness and absences, but Frazer recently stumbled across a story that even surprised him! The man in question has been shamed by his superior after stating that he would be unable to come into work because his girlfriend had sadly not washed his socks! The ridiculous excuse, which went viral online, was sent via text and contained a healthy number of expletives, stating: “I can’t come in I can’t find any f****** socks she ain’t washed f*** all.” He continued to note that he couldn’t just go barefoot in his shoes as his boots had “big holes in.” Perhaps the more stunning aspect of the tale is that the boss let him off, saying he would see him tomorrow! Frazer’s not too sure why the man could not have just gone out to get a new pair on his way to work, or even re-wear old socks out of necessity. Hey, at least it’s an original excuse. 58 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk adobe.stock.com/ Вадим Пастух A never-ending video call We all know the horror of a Zoom meeting that just goes on too long, and the temptation to just keep working a little bit longer while at home, but a UK creative company has cleverly highlighted the situation in a darkly comedic manner with a short film. After being sent the clip of “’Twas the call before Christmas” (which of course came following a discussion in a video meeting!), Frazer watched as a family were thrown into chaos during the holiday season after a man became stuck inside a video call - no not stuck on a video call in the next room, but rather pulled into the laptop screen! While bringing in plenty of humour, the movie manages to deliver an important message - to remember to switch off. It’s something we all need a reminder for sometimes. adobe.stock.com/ Pichsakul Sassy resignations strike again While many businesses are working hard on staff retention, seeing renewed commitment and loyalty from employees, others are aggravating their workers so much as to not only quit, but leave with sass. One woman has done so in the most wonderfully simple way, handing her boss a bereavement card with the phrase “sorry for your loss” on the front, followed on the inside by: “It’s me, I leave in two weeks.” Frazer must admit he did chuckle when sent the story by his colleague, but it was quickly topped by a further cheekier letter of resignation for which a man utilised a piece of toilet paper! Though the letter simply held the message “yo I’ll be gone on the 25th,” Frazer more so appreciated the artistic flare of a cartoon man slapping his backside. Fortunately, in the case of the latter resignation, the TP notice was in good fun. Excuses, excuses adobe.stock.com/Pixel-Shot 58.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 09:02 Page 1LINCOLN PROPERTY & BUSINESS INVESTMENT EXPO Well targeted, professional events aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets. The events have everything you require for a great day of networking and business generation. Face2face route2market – the opportunity to meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road. For further Information contact tina@businessshowsgroup.co.uk Register now businessshowsgroup.co.uk 27th April 2022 The Bentley Hotel Newark Road South Hykeham Lincoln LN6 9NH Exhibition & Network - Property & Construction related industries - FREE TO ATTEND 59.qxp_Layout 1 10/01/2022 16:58 Page 1Next >