Sector Special
Surface treatment specialists pg16
In Focus
The art of structural design
News
pg20
Prime Minister congratulates Burnley pg5
InBusinessBurnley Issue 7
Enginuity! Hycrome - oiling the wheels of the global energy and aerospace sectors
Burnley-officially the most enterprising place in Britain Burnley Council…supporting local business
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Welcome from the Editor
elcome to this special ‘double fronted’ edition of InBusinessBurnley which celebrates our winning town and our winning businesses. Thirteen isn’t everyone’s favourite number, but 2013 has been a winning year for Burnley, and this amazing time will influence our economic growth for many years to come. It’s official - Burnley is the most enterprising place in the UK 2013 and the whole town is celebrating after the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, presented Burnley with the award. Burnley has received the accolade of being named the most enterprising place in Britain for its on-going commitment to support small and medium sized businesses, its commitment to developing its economic infrastructure and for successfully reframing perceptions of the town. Burnley’s unique Bondholder scheme, which is made up of local businesses, who have come together to shout about Burnley’s successes and positive business environment, were hugely influential in helping Burnley to secure this esteemed title. The scheme which has brought together more than 100 firms to promote the town has helped attract £10 million of new investment.
The Bondholders also have European success in their sights as Burnley is one of only two British towns put forward into the European Enterprise Promotional awards in Lithuania in November. The town will be up alongside the premier league of enterprising areas for the European Award, and why not, we have companies who are the best at what they do on a global stage. There is a sense of togetherness and unity making Burnley stand out from the crowd. The town works as a collective and the Bondholder scheme has embraced 125 organisations which employ 4,000 people. Our enterprising town is being talked about in the highest places and has received high praise from the Prime Minister himself. This magazine encompasses the ‘enterprise’ underway across Burnley and features investment in education, training, infrastructure and growth. All eyes are now on Burnley and this Special award will help us to build on our economic progress. Our success is proven and Business Awards Feature unquestionable, we are a town where enterprise and innovation are thriving. Come and take a look www.burnley.co.uk
5 Burnley’s Success
16 Enginuity - Hycrome
In Focus
pg14
‘On The Banks’ canalside mixed use development
News
Royal Congratu pg8
20 The Art of Structural Design
Joanne Etherington Editor 01282 477315 jetherington@burnley.gov.uk
Business support advisers
InBusinessBurnl
Speci
Design
SI 8 Unique opportunity
Alex Hooley Principal Business Support Officer
Martyn Hardacre Assistant Business Support Officer
Richard Greenwood Graphic Designer
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Communications and Graphics, © Burnley Council 2013. [t] 01282 477197. Job_7994. creativecouncil.net Printed by Peter Scotts Printers [t] 01282 452221
SI 4 Burnley Celebrates 3
News
New Grant Packages support business growth Over the last few months Burnley Council has been working hard with colleagues in Lancashire, including the LEP to put together a set of funding pots to support business. We now have four key programmes being delivered by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire which will support new start businesses, young growing companies and business growth in medium to large businesses. • Start-up Lancashire - £2.5 million to support new business start up • Lancashire Business Enterprise ‘Fuse Fund’ Programme - £4 million to support young company growth • Accelerate Business Growth - £7m to support established businesses to take the next step in growth • Business Growth Fund
“The economic well-being of Burnley is one of our top priorities. We are doing a great deal to help create the conditions for local businesses to flourish and this includes our own direct investment through the Business Growth Programme... this is about growth, jobs and skills. Part of the programme will support businesses to take on apprentices, creating opportunities particularly for young people and skilling up our workforce. The Burnley Business Growth programme is designed to provide complimentary investment and keep Burnley up there as a great place to invest and do business.” Councillor Julie Cooper, Leader of the Council For grant support and advice contact Burnley Council’s Economic Regeneration Business Support team on 01282 477206
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Lancashire wide fuse fund set to ignite growth for 600 businesses Fuse Fund, a two year, £4m Regional Growth Fund (RGF) programme has been launched in Lancashire with the aim of helping young businesses realise their ambitious growth plans with its competitive grant and business support scheme. Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 will be offered by Fuse Fund, contributing a quarter of the overall cost for capital investment projects such as machinery, property improvement, building expansion and infrastructure improvement in businesses trading for less than 36 months. Recipients will need to commit to creating jobs. Commenting on the launch of Fuse Fund, Councillor Shah Hussain, Burnley Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration & Planning Policy said: “The launch of the Fuse Fund will help young Burnley businesses to access the funds they need to help them grow. Research commissioned by the BBC last year placed Burnley top in Lancashire for the proportion of businesses with good growth prospects and the Fuse Fund could be just the injection of capital they need to take their business forward. The fund is great news for businesses in Burnley and across Lancashire, strengthening the future economic performance of the county. Adding: “The council’s business support team will be liaising with eligible businesses in Burnley to assist them in accessing the Fuse Fund grant.” Steve Cochrane, Managing Director at Regenerate Pennine Lancashire said: “Lancashire is the second largest economy in the North West, with a fantastic supply chain and great connections to cities like Manchester and Leeds. It’s a great place to do business, and Fuse Fund will give ambitious companies that start up here an opportunity to grow and become competitive at a much faster rate.” To apply for funding firms need to demonstrate that: • They are based in or locating to Lancashire, including Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. • Trading under three years • Seeking capital investment • Will create jobs Priority will be given to businesses in the manufacturing, digital and creative, environmental and energy technology sectors. Projects from other sectors will also be considered, especially those which make the most of opportunities from superfast broadband, and bids which address specific issues of urban deprivation. One of the reasons why the Fuse Fund has been launched is to encourage more people to set up their own business. Within Lancashire there are 34 businesses per 1,000 population, compared to 37 nationally, and this RGF support will help close this gap. Fuse Fund is a private and public sector partnership led by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire and Lancashire Business View, with support provided by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. For further information and eligibility criteria visit www.fusefund.co.uk
Prime Minister congratulates Burnley on its success... The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has congratulated and heaped praise on Burnley’s success at being named the UK’s most enterprising place. Mr Cameron said that work done by the Burnley Bondholder scheme had helped to ‘get our economy moving’. In the official awards announcement in August, the Burnley Bondholders scheme was singled out for praise. MP Gordon Birtwistle asked the Prime Minister: “Would my Right Honourable Friend wish to congratulate the many businesses in Burnley who are members of the Burnley Bondholders scheme on their achievement?” Mr Cameron said: “I certainly congratulate businesses large and small in Burnley for the enterprise they have shown. The fact about this recovery is it is a private sector-led recovery. “It has been very good that businesses up and down the country, including in Burnley, have done so much to take people on and get our economy moving.” Following its national success in winning the award for most enterprising place in the UK, Burnley has now been put through to the
European finals and could be named Most Enterprising Place in Europe. Burnley is one of just two British entries into the European Enterprise Promotion Awards in Lithuania in November, the other being the English Premier League. Kevin Keith, brand manager for Burnley Bondholders, said the scheme had even attracted interest from firms in other parts of the country wanting to join. He said: “That would defeat the object of what we’re trying to do but it shows how good the scheme is. “The fact that we’re up alongside the Premier League for the European award in Vilnius shows how far we’ve come. “It sounds odd, but why not? We have companies who are the best at what they do, providing sound equipment for Hollywood movies and making parts for the biggest planes in the world. “There is a sense of togetherness and unity in making Burnley stand out from the crowd. “We work as a collective. What makes the Bondholders unique is that everyone pays for the privilege of promoting this town.”
The scheme has embraced 125 organisations, which employ around 4,000 people. Andy Brown, managing director at Crow Wood Leisure and a Bondholders’ member, said: “In the Bondholders, because we know each other, we can use each other’s facilities to our advantage to attract investment. “I think the award is great. It shows that Burnley is not a basket case – it’s doing better than most places. “The Bondholders have helped sell that positive image.” Former Burnley College student Nigel Eastwood, founder and chief executive of New Call Telecom, appeared on BBC’s The One Show. The firm switched its main contact centre from Mumbai, India, to Simonstone in 2011. He said: “This is a brilliant place to run a business with a skilled workforce and a real enterprise culture. New Call has enjoyed strong growth since its move to Burnley, and we are excited about the next stage of our development.”
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News New investment for New Call
Jim Akrill, PM+M Solutions Are you ready for RTI? In October 2012, HMRC began implementing a radical change in how payroll information must be reported to them. Real Time Information (RTI) is aimed at improving the operation of PAYE by closing the “tax gap”, improving the customer experience and reducing costs to HMRC. Whether it will reduce or increase costs for employers remains to be seen. If you currently process your payroll in-house, you will need to make some changes to accommodate RTI. Accounting software will need updating, data - including a monthly Employer Payment Summary - will have to be submitted to HMRC each time you run a payroll, and to avoid submission failures (which could incur costs) information you submit for employees must be correct each time. What you need to be thinking about: • What will be the impact on your business processes? • What do you need to do to prepare? • When should you start preparing? • What extra resource will be required? • Who do you need to involve, e.g. payroll software provider/IT department, BACS approved software service, HR, finance, employees, bureau/agent?
RTI may help to streamline HMRC’s systems, but it could wreak havoc for SMEs as the sheer frequency with which the information must be sent through to HMRC could prove hugely time-consuming and disruptive to employers who have not got their systems set up.
For further information or advice, please contact Jim on 01254 604353 or at jim.akrill@pmm.co.uk. Alternatively, please visit www.pmm.co.uk.
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New Call Telecom, provider of home telephone services, broadband and low-cost international calls has attracted significant backing from entrepreneur and prominent City figure Dr Jerome Booth. The investment, believed to be in the region of £10 million, enables the company to develop its existing customer service and offers while supporting a buy-and-build strategy. Booth, who now becomes Chair of New Call, retired earlier this year as head of research at fund manager Ashmore Group to focus on his private business interests. The company, which opened its Burnley base in 2011 after relocating from Mumbai, said it was on track to exceed £20m in turnover in the next 12 months. It also has bases in London and New Delhi and was founded in 2010 when chief executive Nigel Eastwood led a management buyout from US parent PTGi. Nigel Eastwood said: “This deal is a key milestone for our business and testament to the hard work and dedication of all our teams. We are delighted to join forces with Jerome, who is going to become a great ambassador for our business, and like myself, has the vision, drive and ambition to shape our business into a major player. New Call is now very well positioned for extraordinary growth. “These are really exciting times for everyone at New Call. We now have the backing, market potential and team to step-change our growth in the residential broadband market,
underpinned by our focus on value for money and superb UK-based customer services delivered by the best and most enthusiastic team in the market. My fellow board members Richard Jennings and Geoff Pestell will play pivotal roles in our journey moving ahead.” “We provide customers with total transparency in pricing so they can avoid the bill shock associated with far too many providers in our market who often mask the true cost of services by clever advertising.” Dr Jerome Booth said he was investing a significant sum in New Call and was delighted to be involved with the business. “This is a very special company with a great reputation, talented and motivated management and employees. This coupled with a loyal and growing customer base means there is a powerful investment case,” he said. “As a fast moving alternative telecoms provider, free of the infrastructure costs of bigger rivals and using smart marketing rather than costly advertising campaigns, New Call is able to pass on cost savings direct to customers. “As well as the opportunity to build on New Call’s strong organic growth the company is now well placed to make strategic acquisitions in the fragmented UK telecoms market. Building on the successful execution of the strategic plan to date we can take the business forward with confidence.” New Call Telecom was advised by a team led by David Kendall from the London office of Penningtons Solicitors.
Leading European Manufacturer teams up with Key Digital. Key Digital, a locally based photocopier, printer and stationery supplier have teamed up with leading brand, Olivetti, within their Burnley based offices to help drive their business to greater heights. As a growing Pennine Lancashire business, that currently markets Konica Minolta, Develop and Xerox Multi-Functional Devices, and are accredited Canon and Panasonic printer suppliers, Key Digital were looking for an additional partner to add value to their customer experience and when you consider the Olivetti range of products, you can certainly see how potential customers will benefit. Craig Lemon, Key Digital’s Sales Director,
says; “The search for a partner that could add value to our already impressive range of products was always going to be a difficult one. We had a number of criteria to consider including: job creation, image and branding and the value of the products coupled with service and support, new products and customer satisfaction”. Olivetti UK Limited’s Managing Director, Dennis Woods, said; “In difficult and uncertain times for many, it was refreshing to work with a company willing to invest in their business and make a long-term commitment to growing their market share in a very competitive environment, by giving their existing and new clients a wider choice
of products. This made teaming up with Key Digital an easy decision and I look forward to supporting their continued and impressive growth in Pennine Lancashire”. Andy Ratcliffe, Managing Director of Key Digital, said; I am extremely excited about the new partnership with Olivetti, which is a world class organisation with a long heritage spanning 105 years. Their backing will enable Key Digital to continue its impressive strategy for growth which has seen us double our business over the past 18 months and, in 2013, we expect to continue this growth trend and, in addition, see our workforce grow by 40%”.
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News Hugh Bramwell Burnley College, Principal & Chief Executive of Themis Advances in Engineering Britain has been a leader in engineering for over 300 years and it is one of our key industries here in the heart of Burnley. At Themis we know engineers will be vital to shaping our society and fuelling our economy to sustain us for the future. The engineering industry makes up nearly one-fifth of the UK economy and employs over 4.5 million people. Between 2012 and 2020 engineering companies are projected to see 2.74 million job openings which could lead to severe skills shortages. One of the biggest challenges for businesses is recruiting adequately trained staff. Our role at Themis is to listen to local companies who are exploring options that address this skills gap and to respond by developing high quality professional training, skills development and qualifications to support their workforce and their business. Through a tried and trusted reputation we have developed and maintained key partnerships with leading engineering employers. Our aim is to ensure their technical workforces are trained to the highest standard. At Themis we develop apprentices for their career by giving them a strong breadth of knowledge and understanding of the latest technologies, trends and innovations in engineering. Our apprenticeship programmes demand rigorous training and setthe highest standards. Focussed study programmes run hand in hand with the practical experience needed to be highly successful in this industry. By working closely with companies to equip engineers with the right skills, knowledge and experience to help them develop, we in turn contribute through partnership to strengthening the world’s leading engineering businesses. We are privileged to work with excellent local companies who embrace new techniques and technology and deliver high class quality products. It is through these positive relationships and integral working with our key partners that we have developed a new Centre of Engineering Excellence training facility. This facility will support the skills development campaign so trainees can learn using the latest equipment alongside the more traditional engineering methods and processes which are essential to the trade. The impressive facility showcases some of the leading edge engineering and technology used in today’s industry. Equipment includes high-tech lathes, milling machines, geared pillar drills, pedestal grinders, Mazak CNC machining centres, Autoclave and Climavent vacuum workstations. At Themis we strive for cutting edge, we are continuously investing in facilities and the development of our outstanding specialist staff in order to ensure that we meet our pledge to support our partners in addressing the skills gap through developing the future workforce. Contact the Themis Team www.themis.ac.uk Business Training 01282 733005 Appenticeships 01282 733231
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2000th sale of water analysers
High tech water analysis equipment manufacturer and winner of the Export Achievement Award at the Burnley Business & Innovation Awards 2013, Process Instruments, have announced their 2000th sale of their chlorine analyzers. Process Instruments continues Burnley’s long tradition of quality manufacturing and makes all its chlorine analyzers at
its base in March Street, in Burnley’s Knowledge Quarter. Their industry leading products have been installed in over 55 countries worldwide, serving markets as diverse as swimming pool controllers, paper and pulp, industrial water treatment for legionella control, drinking water treatment, food washing, pasteurizer control, and waste water treatment through a team of distributors in 5 continents and 13 countries.
2BR Part of Sunday Times Best Company to Work For Radio Station 2BR is celebrating again after being declared part of the UK’s best company to work for, for the third consecutive year. The radio station is part of the UKRD group, which grabbed the number one spot in the top hundred list, revealed by The Sunday Times this week. Independent inspectors have spent the last few months scrutinising bosses and staff at their base in Clayton-le-Moors along with their fifteen sister stations across the UK from Cornwall to Sunderland. In addition to examining the range of employee benefits
and training programmes, staff at 2BR were asked to fill in anonymous questionnaires about their life at work, broken down into seventy different categories. Managing Director Simon Brierley said, “This is an immense achievement for my team at 2BR. We work hard to create a great workplace for our staff as it’s through them that we deliver results for our clients and listeners.” 2BR is the commercial radio station for Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle reaching an adult audience of 103,000 adults in Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle.
Outstanding Burnley Degree Results
Over 1000 UCLan Burnley graduates celebrated outstanding results this year. A staggering 73% of Honours Degree students achieved a first class or 2:1 result, which is well above last year’s national average of 64%. Additionally over half of the Foundation Degree students attained a distinction or merit. Joanne Saunt, from Burnley, achieved a First Class Honours Degree in Education and Professional Studies.“I’m really proud of my achievement. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support and dedication of the exceptional tutors at UCLan Burnley. I’m looking forward to starting my PGCE and succeeding in my dream to be a primary school teacher.” UCLan Burnley students have continually achieved exceptional results and many credit this to the individual support they receive from their tutors together with the campus’ state of the art facilities. One of these students is ex Professional Footballer John Mullin, also from Burnley. John celebrated the news that he’d received a distinction in the FdA Sports Coaching, with an average of 78.8% which was the highest grade in the Sports Partnership Network. This is the 3rd consecutive year that a student from UCLan Burnley has gained this accolade. John, now a Sports Coach at Burnley Football Club said,“I decided to study at UCLan Burnley because of the outstanding sports facilities available to us at the Burnley College campus. The tutors all went out of their way to help me achieve my full potential and now I’m planning to complete a top up degree which will open up even more doors in my career.” UCLan Burnley offers over 70 courses to college leavers and adult learners, in subjects most likely to lead to an exceptional career.
GMI Appointed for Phase One At Burnley Bridge Award-winning construction company GMI have been appointed to build and refurbish two prestigious warehouse and industrial units for Phase One of Burnley Bridge Business Park at Junction 9 of the M65 in Pennine Lancashire. GMI have been contracted to build out Magnesium Court and refurbish The Cobalt Building. Magnesium Court comprises 29,000 sq ft of excellent
warehouse and industrial space, while the larger Cobalt Building is 64,100 sq ft. James Chapman, Managing Director of developers Eshton, commented: “This is a very important appointment and crucial to the success of Burnley Bridge. GMI Construction has an excellent reputation for being reliable, efficient and professional and for completing quality projects on time and
within budget”. “Our business park is set to create up to 1,400 jobs for the region and it is appropriate that a first-class northern construction company should be working with us to kick start the project.” GMI Construction Group PLC (GMI), based in Leeds, was formed in 1986 and has grown to become a well-established successful building and
construction services company operating throughout the UK. Jarrod Best, Group Managing Director for GMI Construction Group, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting project with Eshton. The development of Burnley Bridge Business Park will bring excellent industrial/distribution services to the local area and beyond”. www.eshtongroup.co.uk
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News
First University Technical College in the North West opens its doors to students The Visions Learning Trust opened its doors for the first time in August to learners at the magnificent University Technical College (UTC). The state-of-the-art facility, situated ‘On the Banks’ in Victoria Mill, Burnley, offers an innovative curriculum, combining GCSEs and A-Levels with technical, hands-on learning. The £10.3m, 6,200sqm facility, built by Barnfield Construction, comprises numerous learning spaces, workshops, a lecture theatre, prototyping suite, learning resource centre and an activity studio and is supported by Liverpoool John Moores University and UCLan, together with high-profile businesses in the engineering and construction sector. Visions Learning Trust is the fifth to open in the country
and enjoyed a successful pre-opening inspection from Ofsted in July. It is the only UTC in the country to be sponsored by a work-based learning provider (Training 2000) and
curriculum, but it was all worth it when our learners walked through the doors and started their journey with us.” Councillor Shah Hussain, Burnley Council’s Executive
is vital to young people and their future. The training will be geared to the requirements of local employers to provide them with skilled young employees who will be trained and experienced the workforce of the future.” “The UTC is the first phase of developments underway in the Weavers Triangle, which is undergoing huge transformations as part of one of the largest, most exciting heritage led regeneration schemes in the country. Transforming this stretch of the canal into a vibrant and unique destination for business, leisure and education, under the new brand name ‘On the Banks’”. For more information visit www.visionslearningtrust.co.uk or call 0800 001 4995, or email utc@visionslearningtrust.co.uk.
“The UTC puts employers at its core, which is vital to young people and their future.”
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a representative from the Department for Education (DfE) said that one of its key strengths was ‘the partnerships it has built with other organisations’. Martin Callagher, Managing Director at Visions Learning Trust, is excited by the 100+ learners energy and eagerness. “We are all really excited to finally have completed the development,” enthused Martin. “We’ve been extremely busy getting all the staff in place and compiling the diverse
Member for Regeneration & Planning Policy said : “This is such an exciting time for Burnley and I’m so proud Burnley was chosen as the location for the first UTC in the North West. The UTC has attracted and opened its doors for the young people of Burnley, Lancashire and beyond, engaging them with hands on vocational training giving them a real flavour for life in the world of work. Adding: “The UTC puts employers at its core, which
New Engineering & Technology Solutions Business Leading employment and recruitment specialist Neville Gee has expanded its already thriving business by committing to a massive £100,000 investment to provide training and recruitment services for the aerospace and automotive industries. The independent one-stop job shop has unveiled its new Neville Gee Engineering and Technology Solutions business at the Lancashire Digital Technology Centre in Bancroft Road, close to the £1.4m Aerospace Supply Chain Logistics Park, to be built on the former Michelin site. The exciting move has created three new jobs at Neville Gee and the new office is focused on providing employment for people highly skilled in the aerospace and automotive
sectors, typically covering engineering, technical and managerial positions. To support the new venture, the company has joined the highly regarded North West Aerospace Alliance, an influential industry body formed to promote the interests and benefits of the aerospace sector regionally. In addition to providing companies with these highly-skilled staff, Neville Gee has launched a revolutionary new skills hub, which will focus on practical training to help plug the skills gap in manufacturing and engineering. The development of the skills hub is in direct response to feedback from employers and will train candidates so they can be ideally placed in more specialist roles. Mr Donnie Doran, who is a director of the company,
along with Mr Tim Oldfield, said: “There are good quality businesses in Burnley which need these skills. Employers from the automotive and aerospace industries could take people from the hub as and when they need them.” Mr Oldfield added: “We want it to be aspirational and it will be revolutionary for the area.” While the company is expanding to be at the forefront of the growth of manufacturing in Burnley, the existing side of the recruitment business, in Hargreaves Street, is busier than ever. Over the last 12 months, Neville Gee has placed job hunters in 118 full-time permanent good quality roles from administration to senior level positions. A further
600 temporary roles in a variety of sectors have also been filled. The company recently worked closely with car parts manufacturer Futaba-Tenneco to supply and train 30 carefully chosen candidates, a practice it hopes to adopt with other businesses following the launch of the skills hub. Directors Donnie Doran and Tim Oldfield, who have decades of experience between them, are widely recognised as experts on recruitment and employment and were interviewed by Sky News, BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Five Live about the state of the local economy and employment trends.
Parliamentary praise for Fort Vale Burnley MP and the Government’s Apprenticeship Ambassador to Business, Gordon Birtwistle, described Fort Vale as a classic example of British engineering at its best after the company received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Mr Birtwistle joined other local politicians and representatives of business and
commerce at the company’s Simonstone headquarters, where they received the award for export success from the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Colonel Alan Jolly. He said: “Everybody says that manufacturing is finished in this country but this is the finest example of the reasons why we need to manufacture. “This is a high-precision,
highly successful company and these people are our future. “We have to export and these guys are leading the charge. “It’s a classic example of British manufacturing at its best, helping this country to get out of the financial mess we are in and training young people to carry this on in future years.” Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, also paid tribute to Fort Vale’s achievement in winning a fourth Queen’s award. He said: “To think that we have got a precision engineering firm which employs so many people in the heart of the countryside of Pennine Lancashire is tremendous. “And the fact
that it exports 95 per cent of what it produces; I doubt there is another firm in England that can say that. “The number of apprentices it is taking on is an investment in young people and because of the investment in capital and research and development it means the company has got a rosy future, which is tremendous. “We have to compete with firms all over the European Union and then of course you have got emerging countries and industries in China, India, Brazil and Russia and Fort Vale is beating the socks off them. “This award from Her Majesty The Queen is a tremendous accolade which is basically an endorsement not only of the policies of the firm and of Ted (Fort) and Ian (Wilson) but everybody who works at Fort Vale.”
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News making the right move
Brent Forbes, Director Petty Commercial Tax Relief Aims To Unlock More Local Businesses & Create Jobs An extension of a 100% tax relief known as Business Premises Renovation Allowance (BPRA) has been welcomed by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) as it will help bring more vacant premises back into productive use and encourage new businesses to open across the North West, creating local jobs. BPRA was originally introduced in April 2007 to provide tax relief on costs incurred in converting, renovating or repairing disused business premises. The tax exemption has now been extended for another five years (to 31 March 2017) and RICS say this extension is much needed to give more sole traders or companies thinking of opening or expanding a business, the opportunity to convert ageing property back into business use. The vacant premises, or part of a building, must be in an ‘assisted’ area that qualifies for relief when the expenditure is incurred. The current list of qualifying areas is due to expire on 31 December 2013, when a new list will be agreed, so the first thing commercial property owners should do is check whether any properties they currently own or are looking to buy are located in an assisted area so they can take advice on claiming BPRA The premises must have last been used as a business, and specifically not used as a dwelling, in order to qualify for the tax relief. It also must have been empty for at least a year before works begin and the costs incurred must be on conversion or renovation work, together with any incidental repairs. Owners must be aware that the tax exemption will not be given if the building does not remain a business premises after the renovation works have been completed too. For landlords, the allowance will be treated as an expense of the property letting business. Those without a property business or a trade will be able to set the allowance against their other income. Property traders would not be incurring capital expenditure on conversion costs and therefore will not be able to claim.
Imperial Chambers, 32 Manchester Road, Burnley BB11 1HH Tel. 01282 456677 Fax. 01282 830700
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Sweet Dreams invest £3.5 million Burnley bed manufacturer Sweet Dreams has built a 56,000sq ft £3.5million extension to its premises to accommodate the growth of the business. The new building adjoins the original Primrose Mill and provides Sweet Dreams with a new warehouse plus a purpose designed show room. Storage capacity at the premises has increased from 800 - 2,200 pallets which has an impact on how much product can be stored and therefore how much more streamlined and efficient the
operation can be. Delivery times, which are already one of the industry’s best, are likely to be reduced in the near future as a direct result of the new facility. Managing Director and founder Mr Riaz Ahmed said: “While our increased efficiency and capacity were obviously major goals, I am particularly pleased that the new building has secured Sweet Dreams future in Burnley. The company was established 25 years ago and now employs around 200 people.
MB Aerospace complete management buy out. MB Aerospace has completed a second management buyout and welcomed new undisclosed investment from Washington DCbased Arlington Capital Partners. Chief executive Craig Gallagher, who led the original MBO from Motherwell Bridge, said: “This landmark deal represents a great vote of confidence in our US and UK employees and operations, as well as providing the group with significant opportunities for further expansion in the months and years ahead. “Our vision of creating a truly world-class aerospace business focussed on aero-engine components is developing at pace, with the acquisitions in the past 15 months of Gentz Aero of Detroit and Thomson Aero of Somerset,
UK allowing us to further grow our manufacturing operations whilst securing significant remit extensions for our supply chain management services and complementary engineering support services.” MB Aerospace, which has manufacturing operations in the UK and the US, said it was also in discussions with a number of acquisition targets in the US which will see the group expand considerably from its current turnover of $80m (£53m). The company’s clients include Pratt & Whitney, RollsRoyce, General Electric, Boeing, United Technologies, GKN, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Volvo Aerospace.
Jet engine expert takes up MD role with Aircelle Stéphane Cueille has been appointed Managing Director for Aircelle Ltd. “Stéphane Cueille brings extensive experience in jet engine engineering. His expertise will be valuable as Aircelle positions itself as an industry leader in integrated propulsion systems,” said Vincent Mascré, Aircelle CEO. “Of particular importance, his international profile will be an advantage for our Burnley business unit development.” The 40-year-old Stéphane Cueille is an engineering graduate of Ecole Polytechnique and holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics. As a military engineer, he was seconded by the DGA (French General Agency for Armament) to Snecma (Safran) from 1998 to 2001, where he was R&T project manager in the field of thermostructural composite materials. Stéphane Cueille then held different roles within the DGA, related to aircraft engines, missiles and satellites, and cooperation with the UK Ministry of Defence. He joined Snecma in September 2008 as
foundry quality improvement project manager in Gennevilliers, France before moving to the company’s Military Engines Division in December 2008 as manager of the Military Engine Repairs Department - supporting French and export customers. In 2010, Stéphane Cueille assumed leadership of the Turbine Airfoils Centre of Excellence at Snecma, in the position of General Manager, supervising design and operations, with production units in France, China and Mexico, as well as a global external supply-chain. Aircelle is a leader in the worldwide nacelle market for aircraft engines. A subsidiary of Safran, it employs nearly 3,000 people on seven sites in France, the United Kingdom and Morocco. Aircelle is the only nacelle manufacturer in the world present on all the market segments, from regional and business aircraft to the largest airliners, including the Airbus A380. Aircelle also is developing the worldwide customer support and service activity for nacelles and their components.
Employer of the Year Award for Original Factory Shop With more than 185 discount department stores across the UK, trading from over 1 million sq.ft., the Original Factory Shop are committed to helping young adults to get started on their career ladder. This commitment has gained them the Training 2000 ‘Employer of the Year’ accolade. Gordon Birtwistle MP, Apprenticeship Ambassador to Business, said: “Having started my professional life as a craft engineering apprentice, I have the utmost respect for businesses such as The Original Factory Shop that give the talents of tomorrow a chance today. The company’s apprenticeship scheme is fantastic in that it provides many young locals with real career opportunities after successfully completing their placement.” Penny White, HR manager for The Original Factory Shop, said: “It’s a great honour for The Original Factory Shop to be recognised as ‘Employer of the Year’ by Training 2000. We’re dedicated to helping people, especially young adults, get on the career ladder and have worked very hard to put structures in place to help achieve that over the past few years. We’re extremely proud that all but one of our apprentices to date have gone on to become full-time employees, and we’re looking forward to many more success stories in the future.”
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News £3 million shopping centre transformation The first step in the £3million transformation of Burnley’s Charter Walk shopping centre is underway. Expected to be completed in time for next Easter, the redevelopment will be the most significant work ever carried out in the town centre. One side of the Market Square will be redeveloped by tearing down the first floor walkway and recladding the outside. The businesses on the balcony have already moved out. It will allow fashion store River Island to virtually double in size by expanding into the former W.H. Smith store next door. River Island has agreed a 10-year lease for the new unit, doubling in size to 11,300 sq. ft. Alex Wagstaff, a partner with Charter Walk owners Addington Capital, said: “The new stores will be available from next spring and we are in advanced negotiations with national multiple retailers for the remaining units.” Burnley Council’s chief executive Steve Rumbelow welcomed the news. He said: “This is another vote of confidence in Burnley and shows businesses know this is a great place to invest. Next doubled the size of its store here and now River Island is set to do the same. These major fashion chains know that our two new university campuses, and the newly opened University Technical College, mean that Burnley is getting younger.” The Centre for Cities highlights Burnley as one of the fastest growing areas for private sector employment in the UK.
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Successful Burnley businessman Riaz Ahmed features in new book A new book published by the Jinnah community organisation brings together three dozen stories of the first Pakistani immigrants to Burnley in the 1960s, those who worked closely with them, and their children. ‘Our Work, Our Lives, Our Town - Burnley People, Pakistani Roots’ includes accounts by people who’ve made careers in public service, education, politics and many other fields – including business and enterprise.
OUR W ORK OUR T, OUR LIVES Burnle OWN , y Peop le, Pakista n
i Roots
Edited
and com piled by
Sobia Ma
lik
Riaz Ahmed’s story I was born in Pakistan in 1949. My parents worked in the farming industry. I came here to join my family, they thought they'd be better off here with more opportunities for work and other things. I was working for a bed manufacturer in Barnoldswick at Silent Night, and I was there for a total of 17 years. I worked hard, as much as I could, and management appreciated it. After one or two years I became a training instructor to teach new employees how to do various jobs. Silent Night decided to set up a factory in Middle East, UAE, in '78, and they offered me a job there as a works manager. When I came back to the UK in 1984, they couldn't find me a similar level job here, giving me an opportunity to start my own business. When I started I was supplying headboards to very small retailers, I was thinking about how I could expand. I decided to take on a sales agent, this was a big step forward I went from getting small orders to getting ten. Everything will never be perfect; you need to be ready for challenges. In 2005 I set up a factory in Dubai, I had a sofa company in Burnley as well as my bed company, everything was going great. But tragedy struck and one of my factories caught fire, I lost roughly 2 million pounds of stock overnight. We had to make some tough decisions and follow a better business strategy. Rather than putting every penny back into the business, we had to take steps to safe-guard ourselves when things were good. My advice to anybody is always keep things simple, do what you like, do it honestly, in a straight-forward way, and there is no limit to what you can achieve.
Groundbreaking Ceremony – New £2.3 million Burnley Manchester Road Station
Burnley Council hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction works on the new state-of-theart Manchester Road Railway Station. Key partners, funders and dignitaries gathered to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony, including the Mayor of Burnley Councillor Frank Cant, Burnley Council Leader Julie Cooper, MP Gordon Birtwistle, and Richard Watts, Rail Development Team Manager at Lancashire County Council representing Citizen’s Rail Interreg IVB, one of the key funders of the project. The contract to build the new station was tendered and awarded to Lancashire construction company Walter Carefoot & Sons, who are working to a completion date of March 2014, with architectural and engineering support provided by Hyder and Strzala. The redevelopment of Manchester Road station is a top priority for Burnley, crucial to transforming the borough’s economic prospects, and is just one of the major regeneration projects underway to develop new infrastructure to support the economic growth of the town. The station is being developed following partnership work with Lancashire County Council; Citizens Rail Interreg IVB; the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership, Northern Rail and Network Rail in advance of the re-instatement of the Todmorden Curve,
which will allow direct services to Manchester in less than 1 hour. These improvements are likely to see a strong increase in passenger numbers at the station, which is already Burnley’s busiest station. Council Leader, Councillor Julie Cooper said: “It’s full steam ahead now to construct the station, which will accommodate the forecasted increase in passenger numbers from the University Technical College and the reopening of theTodmorden Curve. “For some passengers it can be the first impression they get of a town, and with the transformations underway in Burnley, with new schools, college and universities, it is important that visitors arriving, or passing through see the ‘new’ modern, changing Burnley. This is a vitally important project for Burnley’s future economic growth.” Richard Watts, speaking for Citizens’ Rail Interreg IVB project commented that: “This is a significant project demonstrating the importance of rail connectivity as a driver of local economies. The station will not only offer the normal range of facilities but provides a base for the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership and the Northern Rail Community Ambassadors.” County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council Cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “We’re at the start of what will be a new and more prosperous time for Burnley as a result of being able to travel
to Manchester in under an hour thanks to the restored Todmorden Curve. “The redeveloped Manchester Road railway station is an important part of this and it’s exciting that the process is now underway. “Lancashire is already due to benefit from considerable investment in its transport infrastructure over the coming years and it will be an added bonus.” Dyan Crowther, Route Managing Director, Network rail said: “Rail travel across the whole country is at an all time high and set to continue to grow. The new Manchester Road Station and Todmorden Curve will complement our plans for the North including the Northern Hub and the redevelopment of Manchester Victoria, significantly improving services between the two centres.” Colin Carefoot, Managing Director, Walter Carefoot & Sons said: “We are looking forward to building this new facility for the Council, and delivering it to their high expectations. As a Lancashire based company, we will have a strong focus on ‘keeping it local’ and will be doing our utmost to reinvest back into the local economy by using as many contractors in the area as possible. We also plan to work closely with Burnley College and other employment initiatives to provide placement opportunities for students and apprentices in Burnley to gain experience first-hand on the scheme.”
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Sector Special : Engineering
Enginuity! Ingenuity in Engineering Oiling the wheels of the aerospace, oil, gas and power generation industries
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Paul Sconce, Business Development Manager
H
ycrome (Europe) Ltd has prompted InBusinessBurnley’s editor to reengineer the word ingenuity to ‘enginuity’ to describe this successful engineering and surface treatment company!
The definition of ingenuity is the “quality of being cleverly inventive and skilful in conception or design” which is Hycrome’s distinctive feature. Hycrome’s inventiveness in engineering development and diversification prompted the ‘enginuity’ description, following a tour of its impressive 63,000 sq.ft facility on Heasandford Industrial Estate, with their business development manager, Paul Sconce.
The sheer size and variety of engineering and specialist surface treatment technologies under one roof is an impressive sight. The facility is split into sector divisions for the manufacture, repair, upgrade, and service of products for the aerospace, oil and gas, mining, pharmaceutical and power generation industries. The company’s developments have positioned it as a national leader in industrial engineering services and surface treatments, specialising in aerostructure components, engine component repair and manufacturing, fabrications and valve technologies.
Hycrome (Europe) Ltd Stephen Kelly, Operations Director at Hycrome said;
Huge steel ball valves tower above whilst being specially coated to ensure the smooth flow of oil in pipelines across the globe; fans which control the air flow to large land and air engines line the production lanes; specialist aircraft components are carefully made and tested; with the latest laser machines and specialist coating technologies demonstrating their innovation in every sector of the business. The young workforce working across the facility in highly skilled areas is a wonderful sign that Burnley companies are developing the workforce of the future. Hycrome’s commitment to supporting young employees and apprentices has not gone unnoticed and the business has been recognised on a local, regional and national stage for their apprenticeship scheme.
Hycrome is now part of the huge SCORE Group plc, which boasts 40 companies and satellite divisions around the world. SCORE acquired the business in 1990, but Hycrome has managed to retain a good degree of autonomy to the point where it can search out new customers. Continuous investment has allowed Hycrome to install additional facilities such as a robotic HVOF and Plasma coating unit, a large CNC manufacturing cell and a laser fusion welding unit. Despite the economic downturn of the last few years the business has managed to buck the trend and has solid plans for future growth. With more than a 100 strong workforce and turnover expected to hit £8.7 million in the coming year, Hycrome is continuously working to provide outstanding service to its international customers Airbus, BAE Systems, Bombardier, Halliburton and Fokker Services.
Hycrome is thrilled to be up there with some of the top UK employers, and we will continue to invest in our apprenticeship scheme year after year. Our apprentices are valued team members who contribute to the growing success of the company.
The company started life in 1947 as a family textile business manufacturing loom components and evolved in the 50s and 60s into plating processes and specialists coatings – today they are at the forefront of engineering and surface treatments – a hidden gem of Burnley’s businesses – revolutionising the specialist coatings industry and engineering industry.
International customers include: Airbus, BAE Systems, Bombardier, Halliburton and Fokker Services. 17
Sector Special : Engineering
Award winning technology, innovation and workforce Hycrome’s continuous investment in people and innovation has been recognised locally, regionally and nationally, and they’ve picked up a string of awards in recent years for their apprenticeship schemes.
WINNER -
Apprenticeship Scheme of the year Apprenticeship Schemes are a central aspect at Hycrome, with the majority of its department leaders and managers having been trained and promoted internally following an apprenticeship placement. They’ve been named nationally as a Top 100 employer by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS); the Best Medium Sized company for advanced engineering apprenticeships in the NW by NAS; and been listed in The Times Top 100 apprenticeship employers in the UK. An impressive list which won them this year’s Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year award at the prestigious Burnley Business & Innovation Awards.
Zayanah Mansor -
Young Employee of the year (Joint Winner) Zayanah started as an apprentice with Hycrome. As part of her apprenticeship assignment she developed a new method of restoring high value Industrial Gas Turbine Engine components rather than consigning them to the scrap bin. After successfully researching and developing a technique which utilised a laser powder fusion welding technique to restore the seal fins, the repair scheme was marketed to engine overhaul customers and within 6 weeks Zayanah generated £40,000 of sales for the company! Hycrome are now sponsoring Zayanah to undertake a degree in Materials’ Science at Sheffield University.
Highly Commended for the Burnley Innovation Award 2013 The highly commended prize was awarded to Hycrome for their demonstration of innovation across all areas of their business and their innovations in specialist coatings which are revolutionising the industry.
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Hycrome (Europe) Ltd
Business Development Manager, Paul Sconce said:
We are proud to be in Burnley and most of our workforce are homegrown and long-serving. Our Managing Director Andrew Bailey started as an apprentice with the company, and we were delighted to be listed in The Times top 100 apprentice employers in the UK. Balls of Steel - Thermal coating
technology for the worldwide oil industry
Hycrome have revolutionised the thermal coating industry, with their latest innovation in the design and manufacture of new tooling, new robotic software to develop the thermal coating technology for large 3.5 tonne steel valve casings for the oil pipeline industry.
Accreditations Hycrome’s impressive list of accreditations increases their capabilities to support the Aerospace industry • • • • •
Non- Destructive Testing Surface Enhancement (Controlled Shot Peening) Thermal Coatings Heat Treating (Aluminium) Chemicals Processing
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Sector Special : DP Structures
The art of structural design
Design and fabrication of bespoke architectural and steel structures
DP Structures Ltd, founded in 2004, and winners of the Small Business of the Year Award at the 2013 Burnley Business Awards, specialises in the design and fabrication of bespoke architectural and steel structures. David Palmer formed DP Structures after working 20 years in various roles including fabrication and engineering, technical design and as General Manager of a major engineering company. The decision for David to establish his own company
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in 2004 provided the springboard for him to focus on his particular skills in creative technical design and fabrication, to create bespoke architectural steel structures. The continuous growth of the company has resulted in a recent move to new 13,000 sq.ft. premises in Burnley, the creation of 10 jobs, and a growing and wide ranging client base which includes Manchester City Council, South Ribble Council, Pendle Council, Manchester College, Ackzo Nobel, GA Partners and
Hope Technology, to name but a few. As the MD and Creative Director within the company David has used his creative skills, innovation and engineering ability ‘to turn ideas into reality’ to meet clients requirements. As a result, whilst the company’s core work has been in the production of specialist canopies and steel framed covered structures mainly for application in the educational, retail and garden centres, the company’s portfolio has expanded significantly over recent years.
• Architectural steel canopies and shelters • Steel framed canopies and covered walkways • Industrial steel arch framed building with tensile covers • Contemporary public realm installations and street furniture • Sculptures and public art installations • ‘Pop up’ market chalets and stalls • Retail and commercial buildings
David Palmer, MD and Creative Director
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Sector Special : DP Structures
Commercial Structures DP Structures created a series of trellis-arch structures at GA Foods. These structures needed to be durable as they were covering bio-filter beds with acrid, corrosive contents. The size of the structures called for heavy duty components and fittings. The steelwork utilised angle iron to attach to the existing concrete walls. The structures were galvanised and all fixings were zinc plated to protect them within the corrosive filter beds. The hoops utilised ridge tubes in order to cover the structures with PVC. This created an enclosure, keeping the hot, acrid steam within and preventing it from being released.
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turning your ideas into reality
Gordon Riggs Garden Centre: The brief for this project was to design and fabricate a series of architectural canopies and walkways across a major garden centre site. The design had to complement the current architectural style of the existing main building, whilst adding a ‘contemporary twist’. The ‘main’ structure of the scheme was a 16m x 16m square canopy for retail use, linked by a series of covered walkways. The canopies were constructed from powder coated galvanised mild steel. The decorative elements of the structures were influenced by the appearance of former Victorian cast iron canopies, whilst adopting a more contemporary style. The roofing system incorporated polycarbonate sheeting, a lighter alternative to glass. The use of this material allowed us to provide a certain degree of sun shade in addition to protection from rain. The detailed and technical design was developed by DP structures, from initial concept designs produced by the client’s architect. All calculations used for the designs by DP Structures were from consulting engineers James Crosbie Associates.
Alice Nutter: The sculpture of ‘Alice’ was commissioned by Roughlee Parish Council to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the ‘Pendle Witch Trials’. One of the infamous Pendle Witches hanged in Lancashire in 1612 was Alice Nutter. She was a lady landowner from Roughlee, who whilst an innocent, got caught up with the witchcraft accusations of the time, due to her religion. The village of Roughlee wanted to have a permanent sculpture to represent Alice as a gentle woman who was unfairly treated. The artist’s brief was to create a figurative sculpture depicting a Jacobean lady of the time being taken, by foot, to the gallows at Lancaster Castle. David Palmer of DP Structures Ltd was asked to design and create the sculpture. The design is fairly abstract in form, but David wished to reflect the pain and solemnity of a person going to the Gallows. The body of the piece was fabricated out of CorTen 4mm steel, with the dress and cape made as abstract elements. The face and hands were made from brass, to create softer features and then overwelded to give a textured finish. The hat and shirt were fabricated using smooth brass. The patina was then put onto the CorTen to create the metal’s trademark finish of ‘rust’. All elements in brass were coated in Copper Nitrate to form the blue-green effect of aged bronze.
The Shuttle: The original concept as envisaged by BDP for the centre piece of the town centre's regeneration was for a 12metre high steel cone, at a key pedestrian intersection. DP Structures was commissioned to develop this concept further, involving a number of ideas of public art works for political member consultation. Given the significance of the cotton weaving industry in the past to the town, the company developed the idea for a 12m high steel feature in the form of a weaver’s shuttle, but stylised in a contemporary way. They carried out a complete 'turnkey' service - from design and fabrication through to installation. The shuttle was designed entirely 'in house', from concept to technical drawings. The manufacture and fabrication of the CORTEN structure (weighing 5 tonnes) with its central illuminated glass feature was also carried out within the company's 13,000 sq ft workshop. Its installation was also undertaken entirely by the company’s construction team .Only the structural engineering services were outsourced, to James Crosbie's (structural engineers) of Bolton.
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News Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award at Burnley FC Forms A Unique Partnership The internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has partnered with the University Technical College (UTC) for the first time in its history. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award started its programme in August when Visions Learning Trust opened for the first time, delivered and managed in Pennine Lancashire by Burnley Football Club. A fun adventure programme for anyone aged 14 to 24, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award consists of three levels - Bronze, Silver and Gold, achieved by completing a programme of activities including volunteering, community involvement, physical activity, learning new skills and an expedition. Managing Director of Visions Learning Trust, principal designate, Martin Callagher, said that part of the UTC’s ethos is to provide
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exciting and meaningful extra curricular activities for its learners. “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will be delivered by Burnley Football Club which has been operating the programme for more than six years and we are delighted to have the team on board with us,” he said. “This is a vital time for young people in the area to explore alternative routes of learning, especially those in years 9 and 11 who are currently choosing the next steps in their education. It’s fantastic that we can offer this quality training and fun extra activities to our students. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Burnley FC, Matthew Hargreaves, said: “Recent research by the United Learning Trust showed that the UK’s major employers rated the Duke of Edinburgh as the most important non-
curriculum activity that a school could offer its students because of the skills it develops, and we are thrilled to join forces with what will be an exceptional training facility for the young people of Pennine Lancashire. “Burnley FC is the largest independent provider of the Award in the North West of England and we currently have 500 young people active in completing the Award, making this the largest single youth engagement project in the area.” He added: “Six years ago when Burnley FC became the first UK football club to deliver the DofE, our aim was to make it accessible and affordable to every young person in Burnley. This partnership with the UTC is another step along that route and will be the first of its kind in the UK. Visions Learning Trust will be unique in offering this fantastic opportunity to its students.”
DP Structures created unique awards for the Burnley Business Awards Local specialist in bespoke structural architecture and public art, DP Structures, designed and manufactured unique awards for the Burnley Business Awards . Organiser of the sponsorship-funded ceremony, Burnley Council, was keen to use a local company to create the awards and DP Structures kindly agreed as ‘in kind’ sponsorship. Event organiser, Joanne Etherington said: “Burnley is home to world-class engineering and manufacturing businesses and we wanted the awards to reflect these strengths. “DP Structures is a Burnley-based company with a wealth of experience in the design and fabrication of specialist steel structures, public realm installations including public art and street furniture. Managing Director, David Palmer, was delighted to support the event and create our awards. Mr. Palmer said: “I’m delighted to support this prestigious event for Burnley businesses and to create the bespoke awards. “We design and construct structures and canopies across the North West and have worked closely on projects with Manchester City Council and Oldham Council, so it’s great to be creating something for the town where we are based. “I’ve recently progressed my passion for creating public art having designed and made The Shuttle for Pendle and was then asked to design a sculpture of Alice Nutter which was commissioned to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the Pendle Witch Trials which is now on show in Roughlee. I’m delighted when I get an opportunity to create bespoke pieces and look forward to making the awards.”
Record sales and employment growth for Bohoo.com Online fashion retailer Boohoo.com has announced plans to grow the company with the creation of 50 new jobs. The extra manpower is required following the company’s success in Australia, New Zealand, United States, and Canada. Boohoo.com, operates from a headquarters in Manchester, with its distribution and warehousing operations based on Heasandford Industrial Estate in Burnley. Boohoo.com, one of the UK’s leading online fashion retailers, moved their distribution centre to Burnley in 2010, attracted by the central location of Burnely and the purpose built distribution facility formerly commissioned by Liberty of London. Chief executive Mahmud Kamani, said the full-time permanent positions will be
based across its head office in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and its warehouse and distribution site in Burnley over the coming months. The business has seen “exponential growth” since launching globally during the last year and this has led to the recruitment drive. Kathy Allison, head of human resources at the firm, said: “It is a really exciting time for the company. “The business is very proud of the work that we have been doing to make boohoo a great place to work. We have some fantastic people coming through our doors. “It is a really exciting time for the company. In 2012, we recruited and inducted over 130 permanent team members to the boohoo family.
“We have been in business for six years and started with a mere four employees. Today, we employ over 600 permanent and temporary staff. “To manage this growth the HR team itself has increased from one in 2010 to a seven a strong team today. “We now receive up to 1,000 direct applicants a month through our careers page and are excited to continue our expansion in 2013.” Kathy added: “The business is very proud of the work that we have been doing to make boohoo a great place to work. “We have some fantastic people coming through our doors. “To make sure we retain our talent and develop career paths we’ve done a lot of work on our company values, reward and
recognition, engagement and are currently focussed on our succession planning and learning & development strategies”. The company, which now has customers in more than 100 countries, said it expects a busy year ahead with the imminent launch into other European markets. Sophie Lockard, online marketing manager, said: “Online shopping has fast become an easy choice for savvy shoppers during the economic downturn, it is great to see companies thriving in this industry and giving back by offering more permanent jobs across the UK. “This year has also seen our official launch into menswear, further increasing our online presence and competitive edge in the e-tail market.”
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Feature : Greener Thinking in Burnley
Themis is the business training and apprenticeships division of Burnley College – dedicated to meeting the specific requirements of the business community.
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ith increased emphasis on energy management, pressures to become socially responsible and the intensified coverage of the Government’s green agenda, businesses are being encouraged to become ‘greener’ and link their sustainability initiatives to critical business activities. Leading the way is Themis, the business training and apprenticeships division of Burnley College, which has spearheaded a range of sustainability initiatives that are benefiting its learners, workforce, the local community and the wider environment.
A catch up with Colin Crowther, Director, Themis
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Q&A
hy is sustainability important to Themis at Burnley College?
Our purpose is to help build futures and change lives and we have embraced sustainability as a key part of building our future. We set out a sustainability programme some years ago to make us a greener and more environmentally focussed organisation. In doing so, we have concentrated on three priority areas: 1. Our campus We have already made strong steps to reduce our negative environmental impact. By continuing to explore more green initiatives we will begin to reduce waste and save money which can be reinvested elsewhere. 2. Our students Nearly 10% of the Burnley population comes through our doors each year. By making physical changes to
the campus itself, we aim to foster positive behaviour in our students and workforce so that good habits learnt in the workplace can be followed through into homes and communities. 3. Our town We are passionate about our town and the surrounding areas and believe the business community can work together to ensure that people can live in, work in and visit a town which is vibrant, prosperous and energy efficient. We have been involved in a number of practical initiatives. Just recently a group of our Countryside and Environment students carried out an operation to clear up a two mile stretch of the River Calder. It is initiatives like this that make a difference.
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Feature : Greener Thinking in Burnley H
ow are students encouraged to learn about sustainability? We believe that learning is a critical step in building a sustainable community. Through the college we offer specific courses that teach students about sustainability such as our Diploma in Countryside and Environmental Studies. We are also a Green Deal Approved Provider and offer business training in renewable energies and sustainability. Sustainability and environmental awareness are an increasingly important part of daily life. We have chosen to support this approach by integrating a wide range of stimulating and positive initiatives into our daily activities such as our Cycle to College scheme and a wide range of recycling and Fair Trade initiatives.
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ow will Themis at Burnley College continue to reduce its environmental impact? We have already made significant advances within sustainability such as our Green Wall within the college campus. This is a wall of solar panels which reduces our energy costs and also generates an annual student bursary of £600 from the Government’s ‘Feed in Tariff’ scheme. We have also initiated a number of student projects such as the drain restoration initiative at Gawthorpe Hall which has helped to protect the grounds of the building. Building on these successes, we installed solar panels across 60% of our campus, installing electric vehicle charging points in our visitor car park and will be investing in an electric vehicle to be used by
staff whilst on college business. We also deliver training in energy efficiency measures such as installation of building treatments and internal and external wall insulation. We hope that such investments will demonstrate to our students, our workforce and the local business community that we are leading the way in sustainable technologies and reducing our negative environmental impact.
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he sun to shine brightly at Burnley College campus Burnley College has strengthened its ecocredentials by installing, what is believed to be, Burnley’s largest solar roof. The project will enable the College to significantly reduce its power bills and sell surplus electricity to the National Grid. In addition, both students and employers will gain unique ‘real environment’ training in renewable energy and in developing selfsufficient buildings. The solar power units cover over 60% of the roof space of the Burnley College campus. The electricity generated will contribute to a reduction in energy used by the College and will provide a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions. Jon Lund and Mark Summerfield from Burnley College have spearheaded the project. Mark says:“We have a strong commitment to developing and strengthening our green credentials and the installation of the roof solar panels is a major endorsement of this pledge. It will provide us with a living and breathing renewable energy model that will help us to reduce our energy costs, making it a substantial, sustainable investment both environmentally and financially.”
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aking charge of green commuting
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Themis will shortly be installing a number of electric charging points in the Princess Way campus car parking facility, enabling owners of Electric Vehicles (EVs) to charge their cars whilst studying, visiting or
working at the campus. The minimal cost of charging a car will be a significant incentive for staff and students to invest in an electric vehicle. The points will also be used for testing purposes for the new City and Guilds accredited course in vehicle charging point installation, offered by Themis from May 2013. Jon Lund from Burnley College says: “100 miles of motoring costs just over £2 in an electric car (when charged off peak) compared with more than £12 in a conventional car so to us, it makes economic and environmental sense to provide this facility to our students, employees and visitors. We hope to further expand our electric charging points as EVs grow in popularity within the local community”.
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hemis is awarded Green Deal training provider contract Over the past months the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has made funding available to support the training, assessment and qualification of up to 1,000 Green Deal Advisors. As part of the programme, Themis has been appointed as the training provider across the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside, North East and Wales and will offer domestic and non-domestic Green Deal training for both qualified energy assessors and new entrants. As part of the programme, eligible businesses will receive a grant of up to 70% to help finance their training. As part of the National Skills Academy for renewable technologies, Themis also offers a suite of renewable energy installation courses which are continually being developed.
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reen-fingered students befriend Burnley Central Countryside Management students at Burnley College recently formed the ‘Friends of Burnley Central’ group, taking ownership of Burnley Central train station’s plants and flowers, ensuring the station is a welcoming environment for passengers. The partnership was formed when Northern Rail’s Community Ambassador for Brierfield, Sultana Jamil, realised a lot of students from the area were using Burnley Central to travel to college each day.
Eddie Fisher, Community Ambassador Project Manager for Northern Rail said: “We know that more and more students are choosing to travel by train to get to college and we came up with a way to work in partnership with them. The students have been fantastic and also identified other areas around the station where they can really make a difference and lend their green-fingered skills to make it a more welcoming environment for Burnley passengers”.
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awthorpe Hall gets the restoration treatment from Burnley College students
Historic Grade One listed stately home, Gawthorpe Hall, has undergone some delicate restoration work courtesy of Burnley College Countryside and Environment students.
The recent weather conditions meant that the grounds had become water logged, putting pressure on the Victorian drainage system. The expertise of Burnley College students was called upon to carefully restore the drains, throughout the length of the impressive driveway, helping to clear the flooded grounds. Countryside Ranger, Nick Taylor, works for the National Trust and supported the students laying the drains. He said: “The work restoring the drains is quite specialist, so Burnley College students did really well to put their heritage skills into practice and learn the process to complete such a long stretch of piping. The drains are very old, so they were crumbling and not coping with the volume of rain we have been having. Burnley College students have played a major part in protecting the grounds of this beautiful building.”
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urnley College students clear River Calder of three tonnes of pollution Watchful Burnley College Countryside and Environment students noticed a worrying development while working close to the River Calder. A Moor Hen’s chicks failed to thrive and concerns grew that they may have become victims of pollution in a section of the river. The College approached the Environment Agency to see if there was anything they could do to help. Students then began a huge operation to clear up a two mile stretch of the River Calder, removing rubbish, rubble and other waste from the river and its banks. By the end of the operation the material filled a three tonne truck full of rubbish.
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