Business MK April 2024

MKBAA 2024

Picture special, report and all the winners: P9-13

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Retail centre is bowled over to welcome new arrivals

Frasers Group’s Sports Direct and Lane7 premium bowling and leisure have signed leases to open in Midsummer Place shopping centre in Milton Keynes.

The premises are due to welcome visitors either later this year or early in 2025.

The Lane7 venue will be the company’s 18th in the UK. They and Sports Direct will occupy the unit formerly home to Next Beauty & Home.

The double deal was secured by Midsummer Place’s asset management company Ellandi. Asset management director Simon Anderson said: “Securing both Frasers Group’s Sports Direct and Lane 7 demonstrates both confidence in the market as well as highlighting the opportunity at Midsummer Place. These brands will complement the recent redevelopment of The

Boulevard F&B quarter. We are transforming the centre, and in addition to the physical changes we are curating a very attractive tenant mix. This brings us one step closer to realising our vision to create a highend, quality destination.”

The Lane7 venue, which will take up the unit’s basement, will be the company’s biggest venue in the UK, said managing director Gavin Hughes.

Simon Martin

The deals follow the recently completed development of the Boulevard which has seen eight independent luxury cabins open to create a food court that provides cuisines from around the world

coupled with recognised food and beverage occupiers.

Midsummer Place centre manager Simon Martin said: “The recent completion of The Boulevard has already transformed the look of the centre and there is much more to reveal in the coming months.”

Campaign calls for end to SME ‘savings penalty’

A campaign to shake up the SME business savings market is under way.

SMEs across the country are losing out on more than £7.5 billion of interest each year due to big banks shortchanging them on their savings.

The Great British Savings Squeeze campaign aims to draw attention to banking inequalities faced by small businesses, and is backed by industry heavyweights including the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Independent Retailers Association.

It calls for the following:

End the SME savings penalty

Get banks to start offering small businesses the same savings rates as big firms.

Notify SMEs of better rates

Banks should actively notify their SME customers of what the top three rates in the market are.

Increase protections for SME deposits Give small firms confidence

to save large amounts with all banks, by raising limits for the small business Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Allica Bank, which specialises in full-service banking for SMEs, has campaigned for the banking industry to give small businesses a better deal on their savings, allowing this money to be pumped back into local economies.

The firm - which has an office in Central Milton Keynes - wrote to the Treasury Select Committee, TSC, in October asking MPs to investigate the lack of transparency in the business savings market. The TSC is shortly to conclude its investigation of the business savings market in its SME Finance Inquiry.

The bank’s chief executive Richard Davies said: “It is a scandal that SMEs are missing out on more than £7.5 billion of interest on their hard-earned cash every year, leaving small firms short-changed and holding back vital funding from local economies.

“Our goal is for there to be a much greater focus on savings rates for small businesses, in the same way there has been from politicians and regulators on savings rates for consumers.”

Richard Davies

Allica Bank’s research shows that SMEs are typically offered savings interest rates which are 2% lower than rates offered to bigger companies. Around £150 billion of SME deposits are sitting in current accounts which offer no interest at all.

Think big, think green, think global

Growing the global reputation of Milton Keynes as a smart city and home of innovation is the aim of a new Technology, Smart City, Digital and Creative Industries Strategy published by Milton Keynes City Council.

Recent research has put the city’s tech productivity above that of Oxford and Cambridge. One in three jobs in Milton Keynes work in tech, and the city is home to more than 1,800 creative firms.

The council runs a dedicated tech website www.protospace.uk to connect and support local firms and is to provide funding to five tech start-up businesses.

Now it has produced a five-year plan to develop Milton Keynes’ enviable reputation as a testbed for initiatives to help modern cities become greener and more pleasant places to live and work. Current live trials in the city involve self-driving shuttles, urban drone deliveries, and advanced radio communications.

The new strategy includes plans for: Creating a Smart City, Tech, Design and Innovation Quarter in Central Milton Keynes.

Generating new opportunities that will create skilled local jobs and develop home-grown talent. High-profile events such as a new commission by drone light show company Skymagic which later this year will present a new performance exploring the future of the city.

Lobbying for Milton Keynes to be the home of the UK hub for Artificial Intelligence, AI, regulation and standards.

Investor group: Tech fund will attract start-ups to city

Five start-up businesses have been chosen as recipients from a new fund set up to kickstart their growth.

The MK Tech Fund is being managed by the Milton Keynes Investors Group and has earmarked £7,000 to each of the fledgling businesses.

The fund, set up by Milton Keynes City Council, received a deluge of applications and was oversubscribed by 1,000%, MKIG said. It launched the competition to find the most deserving businesses last year.

MKIG is the largest not-for-profit angel network in the UK and provides a free pitching platform for founders. Its coowner Amar Chauhan said: “When we heard the council wanted to put this scheme into place, we immediately knew it would have a massive impact on local start-ups and their ability to grow into impressive tech businesses. We have been advocating Milton Keynes as a place to raise start-up funding for years and we think it is only going to get more and more popular with founders looking for a supportive community to help them in their entrepreneurial journeys.”

One of the five businesses will win a further £5,000 in grant funding as part of a big pitch event on June 17 organised by MKIG. The winning business will also have the opportunity to raise further funds from MKIG’s network of angel investors.

The tech fund forms part of the city council’s £3.5 million Economic Recovery Plan, which it has used to support hundreds of businesses and local employees and entrepreneurs following the pandemic.

Focusing on AI, data science, smart city technologies, robotics and advanced communications.

Cabinet member for innovation

Cllr Shanika Mahendran said: “Milton Keynes already holds its head high amongst the world’s leading tech cities. Our new five-year strategy will keep us thinking big, thinking green and thinking globally while making sure our ambitions continue to create jobs and build skills.”

The council and The Open University are to join forces once more to support the successful MK:Smart initiative.

Involving more than 20 organisations, MK:Smart began ten years ago to introduce large-scale technology trials to Milton Keynes. High-tech research projects continue today, such as selfdriving shuttles and delivery drones.

MK:Smart ended in 2017 but is reviving to champion the city as a leading location for ‘living laboratory’ tests. The new mksmart.org website is already live.

Colleges call for business to collaborate to close skills gaps

Further education colleges across the region have joined forces in a campaign to bridge the skills gap.

The Colleges of the South-East Midlands comprises Bedford, Barnfield, Milton Keynes, Moulton and Northampton Colleges. The group collectively engages with 8,500 employers already but says thousands more companies are unaware of the help on offer to recruit new staff or retrain existing employees.

The Delivering Skills, Boosting Business campaign has come out of the Local Skills Improvement Plan with expert input from local authorities, colleges and universities,

Yiannis Koursis

employers, business groups and trade bodies. The colleges have launched a one-stop shop for employers www.deliveringskills.co.uk to find out more about the education and training available and to demystify the sector for companies which do not currently partner with a college.

Milton Keynes College Group’s principal and chief executive Sally Alexander said: “Everybody understands what schools and universities are for but colleges are a mystery to many because they have never had any dealings with them. We can provide bespoke training in a form to perfectly suit any business, with content agreed with them in advance. I

Employers help colleges through guidance on the skills they need in their workforce, updating teachers on the latest industry knowledge and techniques and designing, delivering and assessing student projects.

“Employers who work with us report it helps them to recruit the high-quality staff they need,” said Barnfield College principal Cath Gunn. “We welcome contact from any employers who are not yet benefiting from this.”

As well as helping to write an individual’s curriculum to suit their needs, businesses are also encouraged to come into the classroom to speak to learners directly - a useful recruitment tool, said the CSEMG.

“In other words, we teach the things they need us to teach.”

The Colleges of South East Midlands Group said that, because most learners are local to them, colleges are best placed to connect businesses with the right recruits in their area or to train existing members of a company’s workforce.

Yiannis Koursis, chief executive of The Bedford College Group, said: “We are a catalyst, igniting the region’s potential to thrive and transforming it into a dynamic powerhouse of talent and skill. Providing an expertly trained workforce is crucial to the success of the region’s businesses.”

Find out more at www.deliveringskills.co.uk

Leasing companies head out on new partnership road

Vehicle leasing companies ICR

Leasing in Milton Keynes and Silverstone Leasing in Northampton have joined forces to market a wider range of credit options for their customers.

The two businesses have agreed a partnership in which they refer customers to each other.

ICR Leasing already partners with vehicle brokers and other organisations. Directors Thomas Ryan and Will Chapman said: “Offering vehicle brokers such as Silverstone Leasing a credit facility for their new business start-up customers, customers that are based outside the UK and other businesses that

struggle to get credit provides the local business community in with an opportunity to fund their company vehicles at the best rates possible, where they could not have previously.”

Silverstone Leasing will use ICR as its second-tier funder, meaning companies that fail to reach the credit criteria from its main funders now have another option. “This is also good for international companies and start-ups which we have previously had to turn away,” said managing director Scott Norville.

“This is a really positive, exciting move for us as a business and already we have seen the benefits for our clients.”

Silverstone Leasing’s Ryan Bishop and Scott Norville with ICR Leasing’s Will Chapman and Thomas Ryan

Sally Alexander

Business groups welcome Chancellor’s £240m boost for East West Rail

Business leaders have welcomed the news that works on the Bletchley to Bedford sectionthe Marston Vale Line - of East West Rail will be bought forward.

In his Spring Budget statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced that £240 million in existing funding is to be made available to fast-track work upgrading level crossings, track and signals and improving safety and accessibility.

The government’s renewed commitment means that passenger services between Oxford to Bedford are planned to start by 2030 as a supplement to services on the first phase of the project between Oxford and Bletchley, which are due to begin next year.

The decision means that people living between Oxford and Bedford have the chance to reap the benefits of EWR sooner than planned. Business leaders said it will improve access to innovation and economic hubs in Oxford, Bedford and Milton Keynes, boosting connectivity and unlocking productivity across the region as well as allowing better access to jobs, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities.

Richard Tunnicliffe, East of England regional director of employers organisation the CBI, said: “New infrastructure can bring major benefits to businesses and help fuel local economies so it is vital that towns like Bedford and the businesses there get the transport connections they need so they can prosper.

“East West Rail will be a key driver of economic prosperity, providing businesses with the confidence to invest in the area with the prospect of greater connectivity, giving greater accessibility to more trade and a larger labour market. This can only be a good thing for business in the region.”

The Federation of Small Businesses’ regional development manager for Bedfordshire Suzanna Austin said: “When complete this upgrade will enable faster greener connections for the many small businesses in the area, connecting key towns and cities across the wider region.”

Business leaders’ backing for the the Marston Vale Line project comes after the final section of track was laid on the first stage of East West Rail between Bicester and Bletchley.

East West Rail Company chief executive Beth West said: “These accelerated works demonstrate government’s ongoing commitment to the full EWR route and will allow us to progress with further work, including securing government approval, to deliver the full Oxford to Cambridge service in parallel.”

‘A catalyst for economic growth’

The final section of track connecting Bicester and Bletchley has been laid at a ceremony marking a key milestone in the East West Rail project.

It began with the rebuild of Bletchley flyover in 2021 and since then 66 kilometres of new track has been laid. Passenger services between Oxford and Bletchley are due to begin next year.

Work outstanding includes the installation of signalling, testing and the construction of Winslow station.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman, who attended the ceremony, said: “Having grown up in the area, I know just how much of a boost East West Rail will bring to local people. When complete, it will

serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the region.”

EWR is one of the UK’s most important rail projects, he added.

Network Rail’s capital delivery director Eoin O’Neill said: “A lot of people talk about collaborative working but to me this is a tangible example of it working in practice to jointly deliver the programme.”

EWR Alliance director Mark Cuzner added: “Joining the track east to west is also a hugely symbolic moment as this is the first time the railway has been connected through this area in over 50 years.”

Testing and commissioning are under way with handover to Network Rail on schedule for later this year, he added.

Investors eye ‘Golden Triangle’ warehouse for sale at £5.5m

The freehold of a 58,700 sq ft industrial warehouse premises in Bletchley is up for sale at £5.5 million.

The unit, in Bramley Road opposite Stadium MK, is the former is expected to attract strong interest from potential owner-occupiers and property investors, says Watling Real Estate, the UK’s largest real estate restructuring practice which has been instructed to sell the former distribution facility of RJB Stone Ltd.

Watling Real Estate director Chris Davies said: “This is a rare freehold

opportunity to purchase a midbox industrial or warehouse unit within the centrally located Milton Keynes marketplace. Supply of such premises on a freehold basis remains constrained, and competitive demand is anticipated from both the owner occupier and investor sectors of the market.”

The building is currently fully racked providing storage for around 4,000 pallets. The racking available for purchase separately.

Charity challenge sets new record

A record number of teams have signed up for a charity challenge to raise funds for eight charities from across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

The Apprentice-style fundraising challenge, organised by law firm Franklins Solicitors, has a total 42 teams taking part – up by 17 from last year.

The challenge is under way. Each team receives £50 from Franklins and has three months to turn the seed funding into more money for their chosen charity. Since it began in 2018, the Franklins £50 Challenge has raised more than £100,000.

The eight charities benefiting from this year’s challenge include Willen Hospice, MK Act, Harry’s Rainbow and YMCA.

Franklins has announced the promotion of its head of employment law Sara Marshall to associate partner. The appointment takes effect from April 1.

Sara Marshall

For sale: The former distribution base of RJB Stone in Bletchley

‘A real opportunity to dominate the UK’s technology sector’

The Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards celebrate the city’s leading innovators

Organisers and sponsors of the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards have hailed the drive, determination and creativity of the city’s innovative companies.

The 2024 awards – the tenth hosted by Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership, in association with event specialist Evolution and full service marketing agency Interdirect – drew more than 770 business guests to the gala dinner and ceremony at Stadium MK’s Marshall Arena.

And they rose to acclaim the 15 award winners on the night, headed by Bletchley Park – which also won the overall Business of the Year award – and MK Food Bank’s operations manager Louisa Hobbs who received the Outstanding Contribution award.

The theme of this year’s awards was Forever Innovative: Milton Keynes, leading the UK’s high-tech future. MKBLP chair Nicholas Mann said: “Milton Keynes has a very real opportunity to dominate the UK’s technology sector but it must continue to be characteristically bold. Its whole must be greater than the sum of its parts and it should shamelessly promote its strengths.

“Milton Keynes needs to be on the lips of everyone in Silicon Valley when they are looking at a map of the UK, wondering where to place their next site, and it needs to be a place where local talent and entrepreneurs have the confidence to innovate, start up and scale up technology businesses that will herald siren calls to investors worldwide.”

The judging panel voted Bletchley Park as the overall winner for its work combining the stories of its wartime past as the home of the Second World War codebreakers with showcasing the emerging technologies of the future. The site also won the Culture & Arts award.

The Outstanding Contribution award to Louisa was sponsored by accountants Mercer & Hole. Partner Lisa Spearman described Louisa as a ‘force for change in Milton Keynes’ through her work with MK Food Bank during and after the pandemic. She also reflected on the food bank’s work engaging with the business community, including in its recent successful world record bid for the longest line of food cans – some 10km around Campbell Park.

“The whole city was talking about this organisation,” said Lisa.

Headline sponsors of this year’s awards were software company Aiimi, food manufacturer Brioche Pasquier, Milton Keynes City Council and The Open University.

Aiimi chief executive Steve Salvin said: “As a tech-leading city, we want the businesses based here to be early adopters and early winners. If we get this right, we can have the most competitive, transformational organisations right here in Milton Keynes.”

Milton Keynes City Council leader Cllr Pete Marland gave an impassioned speech in support of the city’s innovators and business community. “We are the place people come to when they want to turn ideas into reality. We are the only UK city designed from its very inception with business growth in mind.

“Every day, Milton Keynes fosters innovation, radical thinking, bravery and creativity to keep making the city the best place to live, work and visit for years to come.

“We are looking for like-minded, future-savvy companies to help make our great city even greater.”

Speaking after the ceremony, Nicholas said: “It has been incredible to welcome so many guests, making it our biggest-ever awards. We had the highest number of entries this year as well, which goes to show the strength and depth within the Milton Keynes business community.”

The team at Bletchley Park celebrate with their Business of the Year award

Louisa Hobbs (right), recipient of the Outstanding Contribution award, with award sponsor Mercer & Hole partner Lisa Spearman

The MKBAA Winners’ Gallery

CULTURE & ARTS Winner: Bletchley Park

DESIGN & CREATIVITY Winner: Inond

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY Winner: ID:MK

TECHNOLOGY Winner: Agile Solutions

BUILT ENVIRONMENT Winner: Parias Construction & Interiors

SMALL & MEDIUM BUSINESS Winner Chameleon Live

NEW BUSINESS Winner: Robinson Management Services

INNOVATION Winner: Cawleys

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Winner: Hidden Festival MICRO BUSINESS Winner D.O.T.S. Chiropractic

CHARITY OF THE YEAR Winner: Safety Centre (Hazard Alley)

BUSINESS IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY Winner: MK College Group

CUSTOMER SERVICE Winner: BlueZeon

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Winner: Lucid Support

Winner: Ryan Evans, MK Loft Boarding

The Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards 2024 winners in

full were:

Built Environment –sponsored by Milton Keynes Development Partnership Parias Construction & Interiors Ltd

Business Impact in the Community –sponsored by MyMiltonKeynes MK College Group

Celebrating Diversity – sponsored by Mazars

Joint winners: ID:MK and MK SNAP

Charity of the Year – sponsored by MK Community Foundation Safety Centre (Hazard Alley)

Culture & Arts – sponsored by MK Gateway Bletchley Park

Customer Service –sponsored by Holiday Inn Central Milton Keynes BlueZeon

Design & Creativity – sponsored by TC Group Inond

Leisure & Entertainment – sponsored by Yamaha Music Hidden Festival

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by MHA Ryan Evans, MK Loft Boarding

Innovation – sponsored by Niftylift Cawleys

Micro Business – sponsored by TSYS

D.O.T.S. Chiropractic

New Business – sponsored by Franklins Robinson Management Services Ltd

Professional Services – sponsored by Clearview Intelligence Lucid Support Services

Small and Medium Business –sponsored by Jardine BMW Milton Keynes Chameleon Love

Technology – sponsored by Helix Agile Solutions

Business of the Year – sponsored by Handelsbanken Bletchley Park

Outstanding Contribution Award – sponsored by Mercer & Hole Louisa Hobbs

For full details of the event and to view a gallery of the night visit the MKBAA website ww.mkbaa.co.uk

Winners are inspiring tomorrow’s champions

Sponsored Article

Last month saw the return of the annual Milton Keynes Business Achievements Awards, marked by an evening of glitz, glamour and heartfelt celebration of local excellence. As a stalwart supporter of entrepreneurship and local enterprise, MHA was honoured to sponsor the Entrepreneur of the Year category.

Amidst an economy still navigating the global pandemic aftermath and a business environment facing complex economic and environmental challenges, we believe it is crucial to recognise the achievements of businesses relentlessly innovating to thrive against all odds.

MKBAA provided an excellent platform to achieve this alongside unmatched networking opportunities, bringing together business and community leaders from across Milton Keynes. It was inspiring to hear industry peers’ accounts and gain insights into how business leaders have tackled various challenges and identified opportunities, sharing best practice in the way that truly makes Milton Keynes great.

As sponsor of the Entrepreneur of the Year award, we commend the exceptional organisations pushing boundaries across sectors, the visionaries who dare to innovate and drive positive change in our city. Entrepreneurship transcends a mere business venture - it embodies creativity, fosters employment and empowers individuals to shape the future. As chartered accountants, audit, and tax advisors serving clients from entrepreneurs to multinational corporations, we believe every business, regardless of size, can make a significant impact.

Our sponsorship is indeed a celebration of the creativity and innovation that typifies Milton Keynes as a pioneer across industries and the work that has gone into building the high-calibre organisations that have given Milton Keynes its good name.

Steve Freeman

MHA partner Steve Freeman said: “Technology and innovation are very important in defining Milton Keynes and our business community. We proudly lead the way across various sectors, notably in automotive, demonstrated by groundbreaking trials of autonomous vehicles in our city. In my view, technology is certainly a critical part of successful modern businesses, spanning from the initial interaction with and capture of customers right through to enhancing operational processes and efficiencies.”

MHA extends sincere congratulations to all the deserving winners and nominees at this year’s awards. As we celebrate excellence within our community and as Milton Keynes evolves into a dynamic metropolis, let us continue to nurture and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit that propels our city forward.

Today’s winners inspiring tomorrow’s champions.

Location, location, location…

Having a base at Milton Keynes Business Centre on Linford Wood is invaluable to a comms provider’s plans to focus on its local marketplace.

Being based in Milton Keynes is central to the future plans of business telecoms and connectivity specialist Intricall.

The company works with companies all over the UK installing and maintaining systems including VoiP telephone systems, business mobiles and connectivity. Now the next phase of its growth is local.

Intricall has been based at Milton Keynes Business Centre on Linford Wood for almost three years while it established itself as a respected and trusted nationwide provider of specialist comms products and services.

Director Robert Dickinson and his team intend to maintain the company’s nationwide coverage but believe that it is time to turn its attention to the market on its doorstep.

“We moved to the business centre because, although we are a lean team, we wanted room to grow and a central location where customers can come to visit us,” said Robert.

He has years of experience in the telecoms sector, having worked

for a leading provider in its customer services division until the business was bought by a private equity investor. “That changed the dynamic of how the business worked,” Robert said. “That is what led us to start up Intricall.”

The business began trading only a few weeks before the pandemic changed businesses and the nation. Intricall continued to trade as business adapted. “Our strategy had always been to grow organically, a little bit slower than some organisations but with the right philosophy and the right solutions for our customers.

“We wanted to work with a small number of businesses and we worked on existing relationships with customers. What the pandemic did was enable technology to effectively skip a generation.”

Expansion is the plan for 2024. “Our numbers will expand this year,” said Robert. “Our plan is to continue to grow and bring in more customers and more technology with new partners.”

Working out of Milton Keynes Business Centre is central to that plan. “We have no plans to move out - they have space to accommodate us for a number of years as we grow.”

Intricall has already moved to larger offices since it arrived at the centre in 2021. “Being at the centre has enabled us to start building a presence in Milton Keynes,” said Robert. “We have been trading here without really working with people locally because we were working on client relationships we already had.

“Our primary point of contact with clients and source of business is within a 90-minute travel time of Milton Keynes so it makes sense for us to work on that and increase our presence within that area.

“The next 12-18 months will see us focus on that and the local area in particular and being based in Milton Keynes and here at the business centre is just what we need.”

Intricall offers a free health check of your business telecommunications and internet services. The company will help you to understand what services you currently have and are paying for and, more importantly, what you require to meet your business needs both today and in the future. Intricall removes all the technical jargon to make it easy for you to make the right decision for your business. To find out more, email hello@intricall.co.uk or call 01908 010 010.

‘There has never been a better time to invest’

Conference explores Luton’s rich potential with schemes worth more than £5 billion already in the pipeline

Location, great connectivity, pioneering industries and rapid growth in start-up businesses… the main reasons for investing in Luton, according to the town’s new investment prospectus.

Ambassadors of Step Forward Luton, a partnership of the town’s business, civic and voluntary organisations, unveiled the new prospectus at a summit for business leaders held at Luton Hoo.

Detailing the opportunities for businesses in Luton, the prospectus provides information on business support, available premises, local networks, finance and funding.

Martin Blower, chair of the Step Forward Luton Business Ambassador group, said: “It is a really important asset to showcase the overall investment proposition for Luton. Our business ambassadors will take this proposition out to the market, through our existing industry networks, key investor events nationally and internationally and online.

“Each of us will tell our own stories of why we chose to invest in Luton and share the opportunities with other businesses, whether they are new start-ups or established businesses looking to relocate and grow.”

The Step Forward Luton summit at Luton Hoo heard from speakers and panel sessions, from aviation, local businesses, and developers including Prologis and Wrenbridge, business and educational organisations, Luton Town Football Club and Luton Rising, the trading name of London Luton Airport Ltd.

Discussions focused on the regeneration of the town, inward investment plans from international businesses, the airport’s expansion proposals and the benefits to the region. Visit England and Arora Group took part in discussions on plans to grow the visitor economy and the hosting of major national events.

More than £5 billion of inward investment is already planned, including the £1.7 billion regeneration of Luton town

Meet the Step Forward Luton ambassadors

centre, a new stadium for Luton Town FC and The Stage mixed-use development plan for the Bute Street car park.

Cllr James Taylor, portfolio holder responsible for regeneration and inclusive growth at Luton Council, said: “Luton has a lot to shout about and this event was the opportunity to do just that.

“With great connectivity, already thriving businesses from aviation, manufacturing and the creative and digital sectors, homegrown talent and a highly skilled workforce, there has never been a better time to invest in Luton. It was exciting to hear from investors, developers, anchor institutes, regional partners, national organisations and the Step Forward Luton ambassadors all showcasing and promoting the outstanding opportunities to invest and be part of our town.”

Sustainability: A strategic imperative for SMEs

While large corporations often dominate the sustainability discourse, sustainability is becoming increasingly relevant to SMEs. James Geary, managing partner at law firm EMW, explores three key areas: employee engagement, supply chain requirements, and business valuation.

In an era marked by environmental consciousness and ethical responsibility, sustainability has transcended mere buzzwords to become a critical consideration for businesses of all sizes.

SMEs tend to thrive in their close-knit work environments where every employee’s contribution matters. Sustainability initiatives provide a powerful rallying point, fostering a sense of purpose and shared responsibility.

Transparent Communication

Share progress reports on sustainability efforts. Transparency builds trust and reinforces the belief that everyone contributes to a larger purpose.

conditions - gain a competitive edge. Investors increasingly evaluate businesses based on environmental, social and governance criteria. SMEs that integrate sustainability into their core strategies attract investors and potential buyers. Consider the following:

Attracting Capital Sustainable SMEs are more likely to secure funding. Impact investors seek ventures aligned with their values, recognising the long-term viability of businesses that prioritise sustainability.

When employees witness their organisation actively reducing its carbon footprint, promoting fair employment practices and supporting local communities, they feel more connected. SMEs can enhance employee engagement through sustainability through:

Incentivisation Tie sustainability goals to performance metrics. Recognise and reward employees who champion eco-friendly practices within the workplace.

SMEs often operate within intricate supply chains. Sustainable practices extend beyond the company’s walls and into these interconnected networks. Here is why SMEs should prioritise sustainable supply chains:

Risk Mitigation Unforeseen disruptions, such as climaterelated disasters or resource scarcity, can cripple supply chains. By collaborating with suppliers committed to sustainability, SMEs reduce vulnerability.

Ethical Sourcing Consumers demand transparency. SMEs that source ethically - considering environmental impact, fair wages, and safe working

Exit Strategies When SME owners contemplate selling their businesses, sustainability matters. Buyers assess ESG performance, viewing it as an indicator of resilience and future profitability.

Brand Reputation A sustainable track record enhances brand reputation. Customers and investors prefer businesses that contribute positively to society and the environment.

Sustainability is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity. By embracing ecoconscious practices, SMEs can create a lasting impact, engage their workforce, fortify supply chains and enhance their overall value proposition.

Special feature on sustainability in business: Pages 21-25

Google welcomes marketing agency as a Premier Partner

Digital marketing agency qoob has achieved 2024 Premier Partner status in the Google Partners programme, placing the business in the top 3 per cent of Google Partners in the UK.

The Corby-based agency is one of only two Google partners in Northamptonshire to be awarded the accolade and is now officially recognised as one of Google’s topperforming digital marketing partners around the globe.

This status signals qoob’s leading expertise in Google Ads as well as the business’s ability to forge new client relationships and support client growth.

Chief executive Matthew RigbyWhite said: “We are committed to helping our clients grow and this recognition from the Google Partners

The

programme highlights just how successful we are in doing this. We are proud to be a Google Premier Partner and will continue to develop

our

James Geary

Changing the world behind the scenes

Andrew Gibbs reports from the inaugural MK STEM Awards, a celebration of STEM’s leading local lights

The organisations and individuals driving improvement and cementing Milton Keynes as a national and world centre of innovation have been celebrated at the inaugural MK STEM Awards.

The ceremony, which took place at Unity Place in Central Milton Keynes, presented 12 awards to recipients ranging from 11-year-old Student Superstar Maryam Jazeem to Dr Luofeng Huang, a lecturer in mechanical engineering at Cranfield University who is leading research on floating solar farms.

The awards were the brainchild of events organiser Meena Chander, founder and chief executive of events company Events Together.

“We are keen to recognise success and celebrate excellence from young students through to changemakers and leading lights in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths,” said Meena.

“There is no doubt that these awards are important for a city that has built a strong reputation as a centre for innovation and development in the STEM industries.”

Around 130 guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course dinner before the ceremony itself. The award winners were chosen by a panel of expert tech and entrepreneurship judges headed by Sarah Thorne, managing partner at professional services provider the Queensbury Group based at Wolverton Mill.

Sarah said: “This is a unique event in this space, recognising the people who are often overlooked, do not promote themselves or the work they do and who may be changing the world behind the scenes.

“I was absolutely blown away by the amazing things being achieved by the nominees. It made it a hard job to choose the finalists and winners. It also made me feel excited about the talent right here in our city.”

MEET THE WINNERS

Student Superstar

Sponsor: Oracle Red Bull Racing

Higher/Further Education

Yaryna Synelnykova

School Maryam Jazeem

Education

Sponsor: STEM Learning

The Bedford College Group

Women’s Empowerment

Sponsor: Women Leaders UK

The National Museum of Computing

Tomorrow’s Leader

Sponsor: Vinci Technology Centre

Dr Luofeng Huang, Cranfield University

Changemaker

Sponsor: Niftylift

Milton Keynes University Hospital / The Open University

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

Sponsor: Events Together

Dr Irene Moulitsas, Cranfield University

Sustainability

Sponsor: Podtech.io

Red Giraffe

Icon / Lifetime Achievement

Sponsor: Queensbury

Winner: Jaisal Surana Kundu, Santander

Highly Commended: Dr Camilla

Alexander-White, MK Tox & Co

STEM Overall Champion

Sponsor: Events Together

Dr Luofeng Huang, Cranfield University

Business MK and its sister title

MK Pulse Magazine are the MK STEM Awards’ official media partner

The overall winner Dr Luofeng Huang, of Cranfield University

Meena Chander (centre), head of judges Sarah Thorne (right) and Dr Julie Mills

Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership

A brazen creativity that is truly inspiring

Nicholas Mann, chair of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership, says it is time for the city to assume the mantle of the UK’s ‘testbed location for innovation’.

As the last echoes of applause fade from Stadium MK following the tenth annual Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards, MKBAA, we have taken a moment to reflect on an incredible evening of celebration.

The energy in the room was palpable as more than 750 businesspeople from across our region came together to honour the innovation, resilience and success that fuel our community.

A decade of MKBAA has not only showcased the extraordinary achievements of our peers but also reinforced the spirit of collective ambition that propels our city forward.

And as we look to the horizon, one thing is clear – we are just getting started.

‘Forever Innovative: Milton Keynes Leading the UK’s high-tech future’ was a fitting theme for the tenth awards. This is a city that does not just adapt to the latest technological advancements; it actively seeks to push boundaries, to redefine what is possible and to innovate with a brazen creativity that is truly inspiring.

The tale of Milton Keynes reads like a roadmap to technological glory. In 2010, the city etched its place in history by becoming the pioneering testing ground for public electric vehicle charging points. It was not merely a symbolic gesture; it was a sign of things to come, a harbinger of the times when green technology would meld seamlessly with daily life.

Fast-forward to 2018 and Milton Keynes was home to the largest self-driving car project backed by the UK government - the UK

Autodrive Project. The streets of our burgeoning metropolis witnessed the final trials of autonomous vehicles, a watershed moment highlighting the city’s commitment to evolving infrastructure in tandem with cuttingedge innovation.

While the Autodrive Project captured global attention, it was the tip of the iceberg. Starship Technologies, the trailblazing company behind emission-free delivery robots, started here in Milton Keynes and has since expanded its fleet nationwide. Each gliding robot is a testament to the city’s ability to nurture technology from conception through to international success… and it will not be the last.

For the tenth anniversary, it was fitting that the coveted Business of the Year award went to Bletchley Park. One of the most iconic sites in our midst, Bletchley Park was the setting of a watershed moment in history due to the innovative genius of the codebreakers and once again made headlines last year by hosting the world’s first AI Safety Summit.

Beyond the headlines, Milton Keynes consistently features as an economic powerhouse, a hotbed for startups and established companies alike. It is not by chance but by design as the city’s policies and infrastructure are tailored to support these burgeoning

tech enterprises, cementing its reputation as a start-up haven.

The MKBAA serve as both a barometer of success and a platform for recognition. Over the past decade, the city has seen an unprecedented surge in economic growth, leading the charge in sectors ranging from clean energy to Artificial Intelligence. With each passing year, the awards have tracked Milton Keynes’ meteoric rise through its themes, celebrating the innovative enterprises, small businesses and entrepreneurs who have transformed the city from a suburban vision of the future to a true, pulsating nexus of technological excellence.

Celebrating the industry luminaries and rising stars during this year’s awards, we have done more than just pat ourselves on the back. We assume the mantle of responsibility, understanding that with every accolade comes the expectation of further progress.

Milton Keynes has proven it can be the incubator of unprecedented tech; now is the time for us to live up to the title of ‘Testbed Location for Innovation’ with sustained, groundbreaking work that not only propels the city forward but also enriches the national and international tech ecosystem.

Here’s to ten years of excellence and the next decade of milestones, growth… and MKBAA.

Bletchley Park hosted world and tech sector leaders at the AI Safety Summit in November

Nicholas Mann

Do not overlook new rules on workplace sexual harassment

Thubaraga Shan, solicitor in the employment law team at Franklins Solicitors, discusses the amendment to the Equality Act 2010 that comes in force from October 2024.

The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill has received Royal Assent, with the aim of empowering employees and fostering safer work environments by addressing and preventing sexual harassment.

The new legislation is set to be effective from October 26, 2026 and introduces crucial changes to the Equality Act 2010, focusing on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers are now obligated to take “reasonable steps” to proactively address and prevent sexual harassment, shifting the legislative emphasis from redress to prevention.

The new legislation also grants employment tribunals the authority to increase sexual harassment compensation by up to 25% when an employer is found to have breached the prevention duty.

Sexual harassment is defined in the Equality Act as unwanted conduct of a ‘sexual nature’. The law has primarily been introduced to protect women; however it applies equally to people of all genders.

The key amendments include:

Preventing Workplace Sexual Harassment:

Employers will now bear a crucial duty to take ‘reasonable steps’ in preventing workplace sexual harassment. This marks a pivotal shift, emphasising proactive measures over reactive responses.

Compensation Uplift In cases in which sexual harassment is proved against an employer, the compensation awarded can see a significant uplift of up to 25%. This underscores the importance of employers fulfilling their duty to prevent harassment.

‘Reasonable Steps’ defined

The legislation initially called for employers to take ‘all reasonable steps,’ but a House of Lords amendment has altered this requirement to ‘reasonable steps’. The absence of a rigid definition leaves room for interpretation, offering employers a more achievable standard.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission, EHRC, is expected to release updated guidance before the legislation takes effect. The anticipated inclusions in the guidance are:

A focus on comprehensive antiharassment policies that address and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

The importance of establishing clear and efficient complaints procedures for reporting harassment incidents.

Emphasis on ongoing and meaningful training for staff, ensuring they are equipped to address and prevent sexual harassment.

As the EHRC prepares to provide additional guidance, employers are urged to proactively review and possibly revise their policies, procedures and training programmes. This forward-thinking approach will not only align businesses with the forthcoming legislation but also contribute to cultivating a safer and more respectful work environment.

The UK’s proactive approach to combating sexual harassment in the workplace sets a precedent, emphasising the importance of fostering respectful and inclusive work environments. Despite the legislation’s scaled-back impact, employers should not overlook the new duty.

Employers should proactively review and enhance their practices to align with the duty, starting in October 2024. This may be in the form of updating anti-harassment policies, ensuring meaningful antiharassment training to educate employees about their rights and responsibilities and establishing clear reporting mechanisms for victims.

For employment law advice, contact the Employment Law team at Franklins Solicitors on 01604 828282 / 01908 660966 or email info@franklins-sols.co.uk

Is

it

time your business

Lionel Naidoo, managing director of Dragon Information Systems, reveals why the launch of Microsoft Copilot could be a gamechanger for SMEs.

For growing businesses, Artificial Intelligence, AI, has the potential to boost productivity, aid creativity and drive efficiency… and it just became even easier for businesses to take advantage of the emerging technology.

Microsoft Copilot is an AI assistant that has been specially designed to help with tasks across the full Microsoft 365 suite. From writing customer letters to turning a report into a Powerpoint presentation or summarising the main points and action from a Teams call, the possibilities are endless.

With previous AI tools, such as ChatGPT, the user would end up doing most the work. But with Copilot, the tables have been turned. This makes it a hugely valuable tool for businesses and our customers are finding it really useful.

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Copilot is a text-based AI assistant developed by the tech boffins at Microsoft. Users enter a question or ask for a task to be completed in the Copilot dialogue box. The results appears seconds later.

Prepare your organisation’s

capitalised

Anyone with a Microsoft 365 licence can add Copilot to their subscription, with the tool working across the full suite of applications including Outlook email accounts, Teams chats, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. The potential uses of Copilot are endless.

Copilot also leverages the power of Large Language Models to understand a user’s natural language and preferences.

What can Copilot help with?

on AI?

Writing professional and personalised emails in Outlook; Summarising meetings and actions from Teams calls; Analysing and exploring data in Excel; Creating and formatting documents in Word; Designing and presenting slides in PowerPoint; And much more…

Is it safe to use?

When tools such as ChatGPT burst on the scene it was not long before security concerns were raised, leading many employers to restrict its use by staff. In contrast, Microsoft Copilot is designed to be safe and secure. It is compliant with Microsoft 365’s existing privacy, security and compliance commitments, including GDPR and European Union Data Boundary.

Sensitive company data is safe within Microsoft Copilot. It does not share data on the web or use it for future responses. The tool is designed to help businesses to work smarter and more efficiently, not to compromise privacy or security.

How could Copilot benefit businesses?

Copilot helps to automate and streamline routine and repetitive tasks such as email management, meeting follow-ups, data analysis and document creation. This saves time and money that you can invest money for more strategic and creative work.

Copilot helps to avoid errors such as typos, grammar issues, formatting inconsistencies and data discrepancies. Copilot can also provide relevant and reliable information such as facts, figures, statistics and sources to support arguments and decisions (with a link to the sources used always given).

Get your organisation AI-ready today with Copilot for Microsoft 365 services from Dragon Information Systems.

Scan the code to find out more.

Copilot helps to communicate more effectively and efficiently with your colleagues, clients and partners. Copilot can help to write clear and concise messages, summarise key points, provide feedback and suggest next steps. Copilot can also help you to collaborate more smoothly and seamlessly across different Microsoft 365 apps and platforms, such as Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive. Copilot helps to unleash your creativity and innovation by providing you with inspiration, ideas, and suggestions. It also helps to generate headlines, slogans, write company stories and more.

For more information or advice on AI for business, contact Dragon IS on 0330 363 0055 or visit www.dragonis.com

Lionel Naidoo

A leap of faith in the fight against climate change

How did you use the extra day of 2024? 26 colleagues at Volkswagen Group UK took advantage of Leap Day to make a commitment to the planet at a training course run by the Carbon Literacy Trust.

They have become the latest of 75 employees at head office in Milton Keynes to be certified Carbon Literate, setting the company on course to achieve the Carbon Literacy Organisation Silver standard by the end of this year.

Carbon Literacy training is just one part of VWG’s commitment to the environment. Carbon Literacy Trust co-founder Dave Coleman, the project’s managing director, said: “If we are to not just survive but thrive as individuals and businesses, we all need to be properly prepared for this within our place of work - we need to be Carbon Literate.”

Delegates learn about their personal and professional impacts

on climate change and make pledges to reduce their own carbon footprints. Those are collated and later revisited to allow VWG to understand the positive impacts it is making.

VWG’s group business strategy manager Mark Taylor was one of the Leap Day delegates. “The content was useful and insightful and delivered in a way that drew out the actions that we can take on a personal level and as a collective to encourage and drive sustainable change and transformation as part of the wider automotive sector,” he said.

at VWG, devised and led the training and three more sessions are planned for later in the year.

Its new Carbon Literacy course builds on VWG’s success on International Carbon Literacy Action Day last year. Leanne Thomas, head of aftersales business development

“But, given the interest and buzz which is building around Carbon Literacy, I think we will have to increase our capacity,” she added. “I am really looking forward to seeing the difference we can make collectively.”

The most rewarding thing I have ever done

Interest in an alternative to the traditional funeral burial is on the increase. Costs are rising - by an average 4.7% across the UK to £4,141and now more families are opting for a sustainable alternative.

This is The Windmills Natural Green Burial Ground, nestling in countryside surrounding Hartwell, Ashton and Roade near Northampton.

Founded by humanist celebrant Jo Painter, the ground's team has laid 204 people to rest. And, for the second year running, it has been named Best Natural Burial Ground in Central England by the Association of Natural Burial Grounds in its People’s Choice Awards.

“My husband Neil and I were passionate about creating an environment which affords people the option of returning to nature when they die or say goodbye,” said Jo. “A

natural burial allows you to be a bit more imaginative or be kept simple and less formal.”

Graves at the Windmills are designed to minimise disruption to the environment. Traditional headstones give way to small wooden plaques, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, creating a living legacy.

Esther Diane is an independent celebrant based in Northampton. “The increasing demand for eco-funerals

Designing out waste in construction

reflects a shift towards sustainability and mindfulness in how we honour the departed,” she said. “By embracing green practices such as natural burials and biodegradable urns, we not only reduce our environmental footprint but create beautiful, meaningful legacies that harmonise with nature.”

Eco-funerals often involve biodegradable materials for the burial or cremation, such as wicker caskets, biodegradable urns or even planting a tree in memory of the deceased

“With every burial and memorial tree planted, we are helping to create, protect and maintain natural habitats,” said Jo. “I am often asked ‘How do you do this job? It must be so sad’.

“Yes, indeed it can be very sad but on the whole it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.”

Leanne Thomas

Esther Diane (left) and Jo Painter

Reaping rich rewards from the fruits of their labours

Buy blueberries in stores like M&S, Lidl or Waitrose and it is possible they have been grown by a farming family who have put sustainability at the heart of their enterprise.

This commitment from Mee Farmers has caught the attention of judges. Peter Mee recently won the Sustainable Farming Award in the National Arable & Grassland Awards and his wife Zoe has been shortlisted for Sustainability Champion of the Year in the National Women in Agriculture Awards.

It is the latest recognition for the farm at Nassington near Oundle which in 2022 was named British farming’s Family Farming Business of the Year.

Success can bring its own challenges. For the team at Mee Farmers, the increase in the annual blueberries harvest meant an increase in waste.

Innovative ideas have enabled the forward-thinking farmers to turn this potential waste into profitmaking products and ensure the operation is environmentally friendly. Blueberries have been grown on the Northamptonshire farm since 2014.

The farm, run by Peter and Zoe Mee with their children Emily and Charlie and his fiancée Charlotte Foster, now has 37 acres of blueberries. Last year’s harvest saw a yield of 184 tonnes with 161 tonnes packaged and transported across the UK to be sold in leading food stores.

Traditionally, the remaining 23 tonnes would be classed as waste. But this is where the family like to do things differently. While berries which are immature or have fallen from the bush are used by a local pig farmer for feed, another 12 tonnes of leftover fruit is used in a range of blueberry-based products including 100% natural fruit juice, sparkling wine, vodka and gin liqueurs, jam and chutney.

“We wanted to find a way to use our waste and to add value... I made a jam using the berries and it tasted great.”

“As the yield of blueberries on the farm has grown each year so has the amount of waste - but creating the range of products has given a new lease of life to ripe berries which

Designing out waste in construction

would not have a seven-day shelf life for the supermarket shelves and would otherwise be used as animal feed,” said Emily.

“We wanted to find a way to use our waste and to add value. During lockdown, I made a jam using the berries and it tasted great, which gave us the idea to create our own range of blueberry products.

“We worked hard to find the best partners to create each productincluding finding a partner persistent enough to get a high juice yield from the berries, which can be tough as they are a small and fibrous fruit.

“We are so pleased with the results. The products are delicious and we have had great feedback on them. In time, we would love to find a way to use the seeds and skins too.”

Blueberry bushes on the Mee’s farm

Family business: Peter and Zoe Mee with their children Emily and Charlie and his fiancee Charlotte

Other initiatives introduced on the farm include:

70,000kW solar panels on grain store roofs and a ground source heat pump for the farmhouse.

A push towards regenerative farming techniques, reducing the number of mechanical passes over land which immediately reduces fuel usage and helps increase sequestration rates in the soil.

New crop rotations, including cover crops, help to attract natural predators and improve soil health, which in turn will help to reduce the amount of plant protection and artificial fertiliser used on the farm.

The farm has reduced its use of fertiliser by 30%, which improves its carbon footprint. All fertiliser used on arable land is liquid rather than granular which improves accurate application and significantly reduces plastic waste.

An on-farm produced compost. Poultry litter is blended with spent hops from nearby brewery Oakham Ales and woodchip from Nene Valley Tree Services. This mix is stored and turned for 18 months before being spread in early spring.

The creation of wildlife corridors, planting 6,800 hedgerow plants across the farm, to gap up old hedges or develop new hedges.

The farm sees it as part of its active involvement in mid-tier countryside stewardship. Unproductive areas of farmland are being planted with wild bird seed mixes and legume-rich cover crops to encourage birds and pollinators.

Rainwater harvesting systems help to make use of naturally available resources which would otherwise get washed away. The blueberry irrigation systems work through trickle irrigation systems, helping to keep water waste on site very low.

The use of carbon calculators aid the farm in working towards net zero. On the fruit side Hortiplanet is used which is developed by Haygrove and on the arable side of the business it is the Farm Carbon Toolkit. Investment in a waste baler. Anything recyclable is taken to the correct end destination so that the waste can be reused.

Unused areas of land on the farm become wildlife habitat

Designing out waste in construction

Deadline looms to apply for NNDecarb funding grant

A new round of grant funding is available for Northamptonshire businesses to increase their energy efficiency, move to a lower carbon economy and cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

Small or medium-sized businesses can now apply to North Northamptonshire Council for NNDecarb grants up to £5,000 towards 50% of project costs, with the remaining amount match funded by the business.

The funding can be used for lighting and heating improvements, insulation, energy-efficient machinery and equipment, solar panels and other measures.

Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s executive member for growth and regeneration, said: “Businesses have had a difficult time over the last couple of years and we are here to support them. The NNDecarb grant scheme is designed to help those who want to increase their energy efficiency and just need a financial boost to help make their plans a reality.”

Council leader Cllr Jason Smithers urged interested businesses to apply as soon as possible. “This grant scheme has proved extremely popular. Every small change we can make as a community will help towards us becoming carbon neutral.”

Find out more at www.northnorthants.gov.uk. The deadline for applications is April 15. The project is funded by the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Innovation in focus at university’s summit

Save the date, May 20-21, for the annual Sustainability Summit hosted by the University of Northampton.

This year’s forum discusses the theme of ‘Harnessing the power of Innovation in attaining our shared Sustainability goals under the Northampton Sustainability Accord’, debating the impact of the accord and how prioritising innovation might help towards achieving its aims.

Dr Ebenezer Laryea, associate professor in sustainable development law and chair of the summit’s planning committee, said: “The pace of this progress has been rapid and demonstrates our clear and shared determination to not just say the right things when it comes to sustainability but to put our words into action and to walk our talk.”

Graf UK, the country’s fastest-growing water management company, is to be headline sponsor of the 2024 summit. Places at the summit will be limited and delegates are asked to register in advance. The registration fee is £80 per delegate. Visit northampton.ac.uk

Supply chain partnerships close the loop in construction waste

The latest UK statistics on waste report that of the 222.2 million tonnes of waste created in the UK, 62% can be attributed to the construction, demolition and excavation industry making it one of the biggest contributors of waste.

A recovery rate of 92.3% of unused materials shows that there is a real emphasis on lessening the impact on the environment. But it is still not enough.

Tackling the accumulation of waste and how best to manage it has been a primary focus for Northamptonbased Encore Environment, a waste management and environmental consultancy working with some of the largest names in construction. Its strategy encourages early intervention at the design stage, waste management planning and building strong connections with the construction supply chain.

“Users of the Take Back scheme can substantiate their sustainability claims through our detailed waste output report.”

Encore is working with partners across the construction industry to implement Take Back schemes that prioritise the recovery and reuse of construction materials and products.

Recently, Knauf UK and Ireland announced its partnership with Encore Environment to deliver an enhanced waste management service to reduce plasterboard waste. The landmark scheme moves towards a circular economy by taking waste plasterboard and reintroducing it to the local supply chain.

According to the Waste and Resources Action Programme, plasterboard can comprise up to a third of all waste from a fit-out. However, it is classed as hazardous waste because of the gas it emits when decomposing and when mixed with other waste materials. It has been banned from landfill so managing this type of waste correctly is critical.

Through the Knauf Take Back Scheme, plasterboard is kept within the circular economy and managed by specialist services. Contractors that use Knauf products can connect to local and vetted recycling companies via Encore Environment’s nationwide network. ‘Dedicated’ skips for the plasterboard are sent to their site and, once filled, are collected and brought to specialised local centres. It is broken down locally and gets distributed back to plasterboard reprocessers. Then manufacturers purchase new board from them.

Encore Environment’s managing director Rachel Rowley said: “Through

Designing out waste in construction

partnerships with like-minded companies like Knauf that prioritise sustainability, we can impart our expertise so decisions around the recovery and reuse of waste or surplus materials can be made early, which later in the process impacts waste reduction.

“Importantly, users of the Take Back Scheme can substantiate their sustainability claims through our detailed waste output report which includes carbon data, waste tracking and can highlight waste hot spots to design out waste in the future.”

Take Back schemes are positioned above recycling and recovery in the waste hierarchy so innovating options for construction waste that close the loop at this higher level offers numerous environmental, economic and social benefits that go beyond the limitations of traditional recycling and recovery methods.

Encore Environment has Take Back trials planned for personal protective equipment recycling and carpet tiles over the coming months.

Plasterboard is classed as hazardous waste because it emits gas as it decomposes. Managing it correctly is critical

The business blueprint for a healthier planet

The journey from mere compliance with health and safety regulations to achieving carbon negative status is a bold vision for businesses committed to making a significant environmental impact, says compliance specialist Adam Fox.

This shift is not only about adhering to laws but setting a new standard in corporate responsibility and sustainability. As organisations strive to contribute to the global goal of reaching net zero emissions, the path to becoming carbon negative represents a proactive, innovative approach to environmental stewardship.

Becoming carbon negative goes beyond achieving net zero carbon emissions; it involves actively removing more carbon from the atmosphere than is emitted. It requires businesses to rethink their operations, supply chains, products and services, prioritising sustainability and environmental impact at every decision point.

Regulatory compliance and sustainability initiatives may seem like parallel tracks, with one focused on meeting current legal standards and the other on long-term environmental goals. However, these objectives are converging as regulations evolve and businesses recognise the reputational, financial and ethical imperatives of going green.

Adopting a holistic approach to health, safety and environmental compliance not only ensures adherence to existing laws but also positions businesses as leaders in sustainability. This approach involves integrating environmental considerations into every aspect of health and safety, from energy use and waste management to employee training and community engagement.

Companies that do so are better positioned to adapt to regulatory changes, market fluctuations and environmental disasters. Furthermore, sustainable practices often lead to operational efficiencies such as reduced waste and energy consumption. Coupled with compliance to health and safety regulations, these ensure a healthier workplace, fewer accidents, reduced downtime and enhanced productivity.

A company’s commitment to sustainability is a critical factor in its public image and brand reputation. Consumers increasingly favour brands that demonstrate a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility. By integrating sustainability into compliance and training efforts, businesses showcase their dedication to not just being good corporate citizens but also leaders in the fight against climate change.

This commitment can lead to increased customer loyalty, as consumers are more likely to support and advocate for brands that align with their values. Furthermore, it can attract top talent who are eager to work for organisations that prioritise both employee well-being and environmental sustainability.

Adam Fox is director of Consulo Compliance

Designing out waste in construction

The Blueprint for Action

Assess and audit A comprehensive assessment of your carbon footprint and environmental impact across all operations lays the groundwork for targeted actions and benchmarks progress.

Set ambitious goals Establish clear, measurable targets for reducing emissions and achieving carbon negativity. These should be aligned with science and global standards, such as the Paris Agreement, an international climate change treaty. Innovate and optimise Use new technology to optimise operations for efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Engage and educate Foster a culture of sustainability in the organisation through comprehensive training programmes. Ensure that employees understand their role in achieving carbon negative status and have the knowledge and tools to contribute effectively.

Extend beyond the organisation

Engage suppliers, customers and the community. Collaboration amplifies impact and drives broader systemic change.

Monitor, report and adjust Implement robust monitoring and reporting to track progress. Regularly review and adjust strategies in response to new information, technologies and regulatory changes.

Transitioning from compliance to carbon negative is a bold but necessary step for businesses committed to playing a pivotal role in combating climate change. This journey requires a reimagining of traditional business practices, with a deep integration of health, safety and training compliance into sustainability efforts.

By following this blueprint, businesses can not only reduce their environmental footprint but also lead the way towards a healthier, more sustainable planet for future generations.

‘You cannot change the past. You can only change the future’

Having been diagnosed with a brain tumour, businessman Gavin White has become a champion of and fundraiser for research into the disease. He shared his story at a networking meeting in Milton Keynes.

On the beach, relaxing on holiday, but Gavin White’s head was pounding. “I had been having headaches for three days – I just could not shake it. I never have headaches.”

The next he remembers is recovering consciousness with his frantic wife and brother-in-law around him. “I had collapsed on the beach and I was having a seizure.

“My brother-in-law had to save me because I was choking on my tongue. Luckily, my kids did not see it but it was harrowing for him and my wife.”

The family holiday ended abruptly with Gavin, who founded the specialist automotive sector training and recruitment company Autotech Group in 2010, being flown home by air ambulance. He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where doctors diagnosed a Stage 4 Glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour.

The condition is a fast-growing tumour of the brain or spinal cord. It is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumour in adults and very challenging to treat. The average survival time for patients is between 12 and 18 months. One in four patients survive more than one year and 5% survive more than five years.

“The stats are not great,” said Gavin. “I was told I had 12 to 20 months to live so you start to put everything in order.”

He underwent a ten-hour operation at Addenbrooke’s last September to remove the tumour and as his recovery began, Gavin decided to bring forward succession plans for the Autotech Group that had been scheduled for later this year. He stepped back from his role as chief executive in March to concentrate on his treatment and recovery. He is also an advocate of the support delivered by the national charity Brain Tumour Research, based in Milton Keynes,

which campaigns to raise funds for research into the disease at its Centres of Excellence around the UK.

Sharing his story at the March meeting of the City Breakfast Club networking group to an audience of some 60 businesspeople, Gavin said: “I am doing great. I have had several MRI scans and my tumour is not growing back at the moment, which is good - and long may that continue.

“You cannot change the past; you can only change the future. All I can do is come out and make people aware of this condition. Hopefully that will sink in and businesses will work

with Brain Tumour Research because it is people like me who really need your help.”

A lifelong enthusiast of anything with a combustion engine, Gavin’s career in the automotive industry began at Suzuki after he completed a course in Advanced Business Studies. A brief move into recruitment as a consultant would prove invaluable but he returned to the automotive sector in management with Suzuki.

Then he spotted a gap in the market. For a recruitment agency

“It has been a change for everyone in the business... We are a damn good team and these individuals took the news harder than I did.”

Gavin White

dedicated to placing temporary workers into the motor trade. “I borrowed money off my nan and founded Autotech Recruit in 2010 with two of my friends.” Today the company supplies 450 technicians to clients across the sector.

Gavin is respected throughout the industry. He chaired the South East & Central region of the National Tyre Distributors Association and is a Trade User Group member of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, the Institute of Motor Industry and the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation.

The contacts inspired the foundation of, first, Autotech Apprentice - working to increase the number of college leavers moving into automotive careers - and Autotech Training, set up to improve skills levels and help the industry to narrow its skills gap.

His colleagues at Autotech are rallying to support Gavin and his charity initiatives. They have raised £10,000 already for Brain Tumour Research through completing a Three Peaks Challenge, participation

in the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival last year and joining the charity’s initiatives such as Wear A Hat Day in March and the annual Walk of Hope.

“There are so many charities out there but it is only when something like this happens to you that you really start to dig into the detail,” said Gavin.

“It has been a change for everyone in the business. It is them I feel sorry for because we are a damn good

team, we have a great culture and these individuals took the news harder than I did.”

That is where the support of Brain Tumour Research and other similar charities has been and continues to be invaluable. “They have been a massive help and support for my colleagues as well,” said Gavin. “It is these guys who are supporting us and me to enable me to focus on what is important to me; my family and my kids.”

Diagnosis brings forward new leadership structure

Following Gavin White’s decision to step back from his role as chief executive to concentrate on his family and his treatment for the brain tumour, Autotech Group has announced its new leadership structure.

Simon King, who stepped in as interim chief executive in September, has been confirmed in the post.

Commercial director Mark Armitage becomes chief revenue officer and Laurence Abbott switches from marketing and technology director to become Autotech Group’s chief technology officer and managing director of Autotech Connect.

The new leadership also comprises marketing director Natalie Hodgson, Faye Drage as head of people and finance director Justin Ampofo. Dominic Hunter becomes company secretary and retains his position as group head of quality.

James Mackay and Alistair Macdonald become managing

director and sales and operations director of the company’s Recruit and Academy divisions respectively. Alistair McCrindle is operations director for Autotech Training and Barry Williams has arrived as the company’s first business relationship director.

Many of the newly created positions represent promotions of team members who have been part of the Autotech Group journey since its early days.

“Our new company structure has been in development for a significant period,” said Simon. “With four company divisions, the focus was on ensuring that the right people were in the right position to lead sustainable growth and I am delighted that so many of these appointments were made internally.

“We place a significant amount of value in our team and I believe this sends a strong message to our shareholders and the wider industry that we have the best possible foundation in place to grow.”

Gavin said: “With an extremely talented management and operational structure in place, Autotech Group is in the best possible shape and, under Simon’s direction, the company will continue to go from strength to strength.“

He and Autotech co-founders Andrew Sly and Stephen Hughes will continue to support and champion the business as shareholders.

Gavin White at the City Breakfast Club

Simon King

How Blackstar became the new star in amplification

It is an awesome story of belief and determination, and one that has taken those responsible to some of the biggest stages in the world. Sammy Jones talked to Joel Richardson, director of marketing, about the Blackstar Amplification story so far and the secret of their success.

Swapping the famous workshops of their former employer in favour of working from a garden shed in Northampton was quite the change for a group of Marshall Amplification staff.

But that was the situation when they decided there should be more to the business of sound-making and went all out to amplify their own careers.

What started as an idea bandied about across a pub table has, with the hard work, toil and sweat of those with the vision, gone on to become a leader in the field of guitar amp brands.

Today, Blackstar Amps are used by some of the world’s finest fret feelers.

Obviously it was not a rash decision to walk away from the gargantuan name of Marshall Amplification but there must have been quite the self belief that you could pull off the feat?

“You are right, we always had complete belief,” said Joel, “Looking back at it now, it seems a bit crazy how much belief we had but we never considered we would fail.

“Having that initial association with Marshall was, and always has been, a huge upside for the business. We all cut our teeth at Marshall and the way that business was run you worked with complete autonomy.

“We gained huge experience in many different areas of business outside of our engineering, marketing and sales backgrounds. Our Marshall heritage gave us instant prestige in a crowded market. We all look back at our time at Marshall with fondness.

Blackstar directors Bruce Keir, Ian Robinson, Paul Hayhoe and Richard Frost

“For me personally, being the artist relations manager for Marshall Amps in my 20s was literally the best job in the world.

“We knew we had a great team and truly great, innovative products. Bruce Keir (founder and technical director) and Ian Robinson (founder and managing director) had spent four years developing world-leading products in Ian’s garden shed.

“I was in a band with Ian at the time and he showed me the prototype of a HT Valve pedal which featured the ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control. I was blown away by this tone-shaping feature that opened up the tonal palette for guitarists from a classic British tone to woody American and everywhere in between.

“It was clear to see, and hear, that these products were going to be groundbreaking. The guitar market took to them instantly.”

Undeniably, Bruce and Ian had a rock solid reputation as amp designers, which meant that the market and the music instrument press were intrigued to see what they had come up with.

“When they heard the now patented ISF control and DPR (Dynamic Power Reduction) features, news travelled fast and guitarists around the world wanted to use them,” said Joel, “The features are such useful tools for guitarists and our reputation grew quickly. I also had a good reputation with artists and the media and was able to get our guitar amps and pedals into the hands of some big name artistsmost still use Blackstar to this day, which is a real testament to the product design.”

The team that departed Amplification’s HQ in Bletchley in 2004, eventually cut loose their creativity in 2007.

Blackstar has some great brand ambassadors now. Who was the first one that made you think ‘This is working’?

“It had to be when we endorsed Gus G,” said Joel, “He had just got the Ozzy Osbourne gig which elevated him to one of the most popular guitar players on the planet. Ozzy and Gus wanted a huge stage presence with 6 x 200 watt Series One valve heads and 12 x 4x12 speaker cabinets on

stage. When I saw that rig on stage it was a really proud moment. That was back in 2010 so it happened in a really short span of time.

“We have so many long-standing artists working with us now, they are more like family. For instance, Steve Craddock from Ocean Colour Scene, Gaz Coombes from Supergrass, Jared James Nichols, Carmen Vandenberg and of course Gus. G are regular visitors to Northampton and tour the world using Blackstar products.

“As a business, we are constantly innovating. We never release a product just to exist. We play to win.”

“It remains a ‘pinch me’ moment for all of us when we see Blackstar on a festival main stage or on a TV show like Later...with Jools Holland.”

If raw passion is your friend in business, complacency can be your enemy. How do you work to stay on trend and ahead of the curve?

“As a business we are continually innovating,” said Joel. “| never release

a product just to exist. We play to win. We identify an opportunity, benchmark against the bestselling products in that category then design the Blackstar product so it sounds better, has a unique, innovative feature set and sits at the right price point. Customers know Blackstar for great sound and innovation, which has always been and always will be part of our values.

“We constantly analyse the market and talk to our customers too,” he said, “We never design a product on a whim or an engineer’s preference.

“Once a year we host a product forum with our global distributors to assess the global market. From these meetings Blackstar forms a product roadmap for its next round of product development.

“How does the saying go? From small sheds, great brands do grow,” said Joel. “We might just have made that one up but the sentiment is accurate.”

Being based in Northampton makes staying in touch with their consumers a breeze, too.

“Northampton is very central and between the two major cities of London and Birmingham makes it

Blackstar behind the scenes: Getting technical

Blackstar Amplification

easy for bands to come in and see us, as they are either on the way or coming back from one of the major cities.”

With business booming, Blackstar now boasts a staff force of 45. Music is not just the job they do, it is the lives they lead: “All of the staff are musicians. We naturally have a lot of guitarists, bass players and drummers but also DJs and pianists.”

That passion even extends to the finance director: “He rides a Harley and plays classic guitar.”

What does brand awareness look like to Blackstar?

“We never wanted to be a cottage industry brand. The goal was to be a globally recognised brand. Firstly we wanted to be visible to guitarists. As the product catalogue has grown, we now produce world-class bass amps, acoustic amps, pedals and software. We launched our first guitar amp plugin in 2023 and this is an area we will be expanding.

“To answer your question, brand awareness to us is to be in the consideration of musicians’ buying decisions.”

As the man behind the marketing, Joel’s role is integral to reaching out to music-makers. How do you do that?

“We take as much time on our marketing as we do on our product design,” he said, “We have a marketing brain trust within the business that meets regularly to discuss our marketing.

“We have many creative heads in the business so ideas are never the issue.

Practising what they preachthe team from Blackstar

fresh and relevant.”

Blackstar bagged a Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2011. But for all their success on the international stage, the brand strongly believes in giving back. So while they work hard to keep their A-listers happy, they backline venues The Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes and Esquires in Bedford and work to encourage the next generation by donating gear to students.

“It is really important for young musicians to have a good experience with our products as they are the customers and the stars of the future...”

“Blackstar is innovative, cool, edgy and not the establishment. We work within this criteria and keep saying the same things like our tagline from the launch; ‘The Sound in your Head.’

“It is not just a tagline for us, Blackstar Amps can give you any sound you are looking for. So to keep saying it makes complete sense. We also look at what other cool brands are doing outside of the music industry and look for trends that fit with our brand. This helps keep us

The Blackstar story is an inspiring one of success. If someone is sitting reading this with what they consider to be a sound business plan, what advice would you give them?

“Look at the market place you are entering. Is there an opportunity for you to play to win? If the answer is yes, go for it. Blackstar has a new business plan for each financial year.

“As an executive management team we meet to discuss and decide the opportunities for the year. We set our targets and then measure our

“How musicians play live and record is constantly changing and we remain on the cusp of innovation when it comes to keeping up with the trends.”

achievements monthly on our overall business objectives. It is a great way to focus a busy team.”

When your business is your passion, it is difficult to switch off –and not least when their business is encouraging people to switch their amps on. Is your time off a bit of a busman’s holiday?

“We have a Blackstar band so it is a bit of a busman’s holiday, yes! Ian and I have been in bands together for years and we still knock ideas around together. The band now focuses on indie covers with Ian Robinson, managing director on guitar, Alex Gee, head of products on lead guitars, Dan Wright, director of business operations on bass, Ollie Sitford, service engineer on drums and I’m on vocals and tambourine.

“We take it moderately seriously but also have a laugh. It is a great way to test out new products in a live environment.”

Seventeen years in, Blackstar Amplification is thriving. Can you look beyond the next 12 months and imagine the next 17 years?

“We are still all very ambitious and see huge growth for the business,” said Joel. “We are an innovative company, not only in our products but also how the business is run. We continually look for new processes to streamline the business.

“Blackstar is ISO9001 certified. It is a way for us to continuously improve and evolve in a structured way. How musicians play live and record is constantly changing and we remain on the cusp of innovation when it comes to keeping up with the trends.

“Blackstar will continue to innovate and work with the biggest artists in the world...”

Visit blackstaramps.com to explore more

Joel Richardson

Watch out for signs of stress in your staff

Businesses must be more vigilant about signs of stress in order to maintain a healthier and more productive workforce, a local HR specialist has warned employers.

Rachel Collar (pictured), owner of Haus of HR in Towcester, said that Stress Awareness Month is the perfect time for business owners to take a fresh look at their employees, the pressures they are facing and how they react.

Decline in performance

A noticeable drop in work quality, missed deadlines and decreased productivity can be indicators of burnout.

“Burnout is a significant concern, impacting not only individual wellbeing but also overall business performance,” Rachel said.

Haus of HR has compiled a list of the five most common signs of burnout among any workforce: Increased absenteeism Employees experiencing burnout may take more sick days, affecting overall productivity and team morale.

Emotional exhaustion

Burnout often leads to emotional fatigue, causing employees to feel drained, irritable and disconnected.

Physical symptoms

Chronic stress can manifest physically through headaches, fatigue and other health issues.

Withdrawal from colleagues

Burnout may lead employees to disengage socially, avoiding interaction with colleagues and isolating themselves.

Haus of HR delivers outsourced HR services to businesses across the South East Midlands. Rachel, a nonexecutive director of Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers

Streamline operations, improve your clients’ experience

Learn how Artificial Intelligence, AI, has the power to supercharge your business at a free workshop taking place in Milton Keynes.

The AI Masterclass for Businesses is hosted by experts from local specialist Dragon Information Systems and digital marketing agency qoob. The event will offer practical advice on using AI to streamline company operations and improve the customer experience.

Live demonstrations line up alongside the opportunity to network and try out the technology on show. Delegates will also speak with the experts and gain further insights into integrating AI within their own business.

Matthew Rigby-White, chief marketing officer at qoob, will explore the transformative power of AI for marketing, including how algorithms enhance customer engagement, optimise campaigns and drive revenue growth.

Lionel Naidoo, chief technology officer at Dragon ISbased in Milton Keynes - will demonstrate the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot and how it is revolutionising business processes, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. ”AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot – which is one of the most advanced AI tools available to businesses today - can be a game-changer for growing businesses and we aim to show attendees how they can start reaping the benefits,” Lionel said.

Business MK and Business Times are the official media partners to the masterclass.

of Commerce, said: “With a positive approach, it is easy to prioritise the wellbeing of your employees.”

Her advice to employers wanting to improve their support for the wellbeing of their staff:

Promote open communication

Create an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing concerns about workload or stress.

Implement wellbeing initiatives

Offer stress management workshops, counselling services or wellness programs to support employees. Encourage work-life balance

Foster a culture that values and promotes a healthy work-life balance, reducing the risk of burnout.

Regular check-ins Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins with employees to discuss workload, challenges and well-being.

Educate managers Ensure managers are trained to recognise signs of stress and equipped to support their team members effectively.

Innovation through a people-led culture

Continuing our series on some of Central Bedfordshire’s inspirational businesses, we take a look at Lockheed Martin UK’s base in Ampthill, home to some of the world’s most advanced developments in defence technology.

As the UK arm of the worldleading security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin Corporation, staff at Lockheed Martin UK’s site in Ampthill work in cuttingedge defence technology and capabilities.

Covering 64 acres with 20,000 sq metres of state-of-the-art production facilities, the Ampthill site has five main areas of activity: Special (classified) projects; Weapons capabilities; Space; Groundbased air defence, turret design and manufacture; Platform and systems integration.

Lee Fellows, Vice President and Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill, is a veteran of the UK defence industry. We spoke to him about Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill, the work it does, its people and the benefits he sees in its location in the heart of Central Bedfordshire.

There is no doubt that the design, development and manufacture of solutions that strengthen security and

keep people safe needs specialists capable of solving some of the world’s most complex technical challenges. He is quick to point out the vital role played by diversity in the kinds of work Lockheed Martin UK undertakes.

“It should go without saying but a workforce made up of different backgrounds and experiences, with wider-ranging knowledge and skills, will always understand a customer better, have more original ideas and be more innovative than one that is always looking for a similar type with similar characteristics,” Lee said.

“As a global player in a highly competitive market, diversity and inclusion are therefore an essential part of our ethos and culture. In this regard, our location in Ampthill really does offer significant benefits.

“Its position within one of the UK’s most multi-faceted highperformance technology clusters, between Oxford and Cambridge, means it attracts a lot more of the kind of people we need. Of course, the

local clustering can certainly mean that competition for the best people can be tougher. It does however mean that innovation-led companies like us really do have to be on our toes in offering a working environment that is both stimulating and rewardingand that can only be a good thing.”

Read the full story of Lockheed Martin UK’s people-led approach to innovation at www.becentralbedfordshire.co.uk/ media-events/case-studies/

English language training for your workforce

Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Academy (BESA) has introduced accredited English for Speakers of Other Languages courses and qualifications to its funded local learning offer.

Employees who are residents in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough can now undertake courses in speaking and listening, reading and writing skills. The courses are awarded by City & Guilds.

ESOL courses are designed for those whose first

language is not English and help to improve the key skills to support them at work and in life. A good level of English is essential for success in everyday life, education and employment. There is no cost to the employer and the courses take place in community venues in Bedford and Houghton Regis throughout 2024.

BESA can also deliver the training on site. To find out more from an employer’s perspective, email Academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Lockheed Martin UK’s state-of-theart production facility at Ampthill

Your feedback will shape our Skills for All strategy

Education is not limited to a specific age or phase of life. It is important that individuals continue to learn throughout their lives so they continue to acquire new knowledge and skills.

Our vision is to ensure that everyone can access quality education and learning opportunities. To help us achieve this we have developed the Skills for All Strategy for Central Bedfordshire, taking into account the evolving job market and educational opportunities with the aim of promoting economic growth that includes everyone.

Fairness, inclusion, and equality are at the core of our strategy as we strive to ensure that every individual can succeed regardless of their background or circumstances.

To achieve this, we have identified the following four main priorities:

1. Foundational (age 0 to 4 years).

2. Pathways to achievement (age 5 to 16 years).

3. Future workforce (age 16-plus).

4. Supporting learners and schools. The draft strategy is now at public consultation and we invite feedback from stakeholders, including employers, educators, community groups and residents. Please review and provide your feedback on the draft strategy at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk and search for Skills for All Strategy .

Businesses sign up for growth programmes

More than 115 local businesses from sectors as diverse as healthcare, technology and engineering, food and drink, beauty and more have already signed up for one of five business growth training and grant programmes delivered by our local business partners. These programmes provide specialist advice and guidance in key business growth themes:

Export Support

Chamber of Commerce

Business Decarbonisation

Cranfield University

Business Scale-up and Resilience

Cranfield University

Business Growth & Innovation University of Bedfordshire

Business Entrepreneurship & Start-Up

Wenta

Visit www.becentralbedfordshire. co.uk/support-for-businesses/ ukspf-business-support/ or email: ukspfbusinesssupport@ centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to learn more about how your business can benefit from these growth and investment opportunities.

Your perspective is vital and will be instrumental in shaping the final version of the strategy to reflect the needs and aspirations of our business community. The consultation period closes on April 12.

Spring networking is good for business

The annual Spring Business Networking Event creates opportunities for face to face introductions between like-minded business people in Leighton-Linslade. Join us and build new relationships with clients and suppliers in an informal networking environment with light bites, refreshments and the chance to win £250 towards your business.

Date: Wednesday, 24 April

Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Leighton Buzzard Golf Club, LU7 3JF

This event is open to all businesses, all sizes, sectors and trades. Find out more and book your place at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ business-networking-event2024-tickets-810326015927

For more Central Bedfordshire news and event updates, visit www.becentralbedfordshire.co.uk or email info@becentralbedfordshire.co.uk

The Skills for All strategy aims to support economic growth

People Power Makes Business Great – Let’s Work Together

Across the country, thousands of businesses are members of a Chamber of Commerce. Why? Because the Chamber is renowned the world over for helping foster connections and enabling local businesses to thrive and grow.

Here at the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, we are passionate about working at a local, national and international level to support businesses of all sizes and across all sectors.

Being a member of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce:

• Connects you with a large network of businesses.

• Provides you with unrivalled access to help, support, and advice to grow your business.

• Opens new business opportunities for you in local, national and international markets.

• Ensures your views are heard within Government and other policy makers.

Our role is to ensure that, working together, we create connections within our ever-growing network and become an enabler for business growth – after all, business is done better together.

“The Chamber is not only there to give support of local connections and guidance on export and trade, but go above and beyond to help us nurture business collaborations that results in business growth.”

UK small businesses report highest confidence since Covid

Small businesses are shrugging off anxiety over high interest rates to report the highest levels of confidence in their outlook since 2021’s lockdowns, the latest Owner Managed Business Pulse Survey from accountancy network Moore reveals.

Eight out of ten UK businesses surveyed feel confident of meeting their profit targets for 2024 - with 91% believing their profitability will increase next year.

April Foster, managing partner at Moore’s Corby and Northampton offices, said: “UK small businesses clearly see light at the end of the interest rate tunnel. Business owners are confident that 2024 is going to see a better economic landscape than 2023 and their businesses

April Foster

will see increased profits as a result.”

Moore UK’s research shows that nearly half of businesses plan to increase their workforce in the next three months, while only 6% expect to make layoffs.

“It is promising to see that reducing headcount is far from the minds of many, even with a lot of economic black clouds still present,” April said. “The coming year will see staff recruitment and retention remain a key priority as businesses continue to invest heavily in their talent.”

41% of owner-managers also said that recruitment and retention challenges had caused the workloads of their existing staff to increase in the past year. 26%

reported it had caused them to miss their growth targets.

Business owners have a heightened focus on catching up on growth, with profitability (75%) and cash flow (72%) ranked as the biggest areas of focus for businesses in 2024.

“While optimism has risen, businesses have not lost sight of the challenges they face,” said April. “They clearly believe profits are going to improve but that is only going to be achieved through rigorous cash flow management.”

The Owner Managed Business Pulse Survey questioned 500 directors of UK businesses with an annual turnover between £1 million and £30 million. For a full copy of the survey results visit www.moore.co.uk

How to prosper as an international capitalist

Tony Byrne

In an era of high and growing taxes, increasing government bureaucracy, legislation and regulation and a host of other issues in the UK, it is little wonder that successful wealthy individuals are seriously considering their options. If you have worked hard and become wealthy you are probably dismayed at the government taxing you more and more.

Taxes in the UK are currently at their highest level since the forties and that’s under a Conservative 1940s government. I shudder to think what will happen if Labour wins the next election - which is looking increasingly likely.

I predict taxes will go through the roof. This will probably lead to a brain drain from the UK.

So if you are one of the people disaffected by the way things are going in the UK you may like to consider becoming an international

capitalist and break free from this stifling environment.

This may mean you wish to retire abroad in a friendly country or simply work abroad. It may mean you spending your time in a number of countries which could include the UK. In this Internet age if you work in an office at a desk behind a computer why not work abroad instead? Many people are already living and working abroad because it has never been so easy to do so.

If this appeals to you then you might like to consider one or more of the following options:

Obtain a second passport in your country of choice

Citizenship in another country

Open an offshore bank account

Invest offshore including pensions Buy property overseas

Set up an offshore trust or foundation

As you can see there are numerous options. Clearly, you need to take professional advice from suitable specialists.

You know it makes sense.

www.wealthandtax.co.uk

If you are interested in ways to prosper as an international capitalist, take advantage of a one-hour Discovery Meeting either at our offices or via a video conference call at our expense worth £270 to each of the first three readers who contact us before 30 April 2024. You know it makes sense. We offer a great cup of coffee too!

Ring us on 01908 523740 or for free on 0800 980 4516 or email wealth@wealthandtax. co.uk and quote APRIL 2024 OFFER to book your free discovery meeting.

RISK WARNING: The information contained within this article is for guidance only and does not constitute advice which should be sought before taking any action or inaction. All information is based on our current understanding of taxation, legislation, regulations and case law in the current tax year. Any levels and bases of relief from taxation are subject to change. Tax treatment is based on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. This article is based on my own observations and opinions.

Chancellor’s landfill tax hike may slow development

Arecent announcement in the Spring Budget that landfill tax will rise - while a positive step towards continue to support the government’s environmental objectives - could inadvertently also slow development, said Northamptonbased commercial property specialist Prop-Search.

The landfill tax is an economic measure to drive waste streams up the waste hierarchy to avoid the environmental consequences of landfill emissions and is charged by weight: standard and lower.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has announced that the standard rate of landfill tax is set to rise in April 2025 from £103.70 per tonne to £126.15 per tonne. The lower rate is to increase from £3.30 per tonne to £4.05 per tonne.

It is a sharp increase but one that has been welcomed by many in the waste industry as it will ensure the UK

Temperature’s

continues to encourage a more sustainable approach to waste management. The realignment of landfill tax with the Retail Price Index, which was the original intention of this policy mechanism, supports the waste hierarchy by encouraging recycling and recovery of resources. Prop-Search director Simon Toseland said: “Of course, this move is likely to promote the rise of items such as incinerator bottom ash and air pollution control further up the waste hierarchy. However, the same cannot be said of materials such as clay and subsoils, otherwise known as inactive soils. And herein lies a problem.”

“The government has overlooked something which may support its environmental objectives.”

In the construction sector, the development of a site often requires the removal of inactive soils to allow for a new development. “It is not always the case that a developer will find a use for this material within the confines of their site, meaning it must be removed,” Simon said.

The rise in cost caused by increasing the lower rate of landfill tax has the potential to function as a deterrent to regenerating brownfield sites and result in the loss of significant development value for developers or that this cost is passed on to the land owner, vendor or end user.

“By failing to take the uses of inactive soils into account, the government has overlooked something which may support its environmental objectives: the regeneration and redevelopment of brownfield sites and the filling of former landfills, giving them a new lease of life or improving biodiverse landscapes and positively contributing through economic, social and ecological value,” said Simon.

rising… time to service your air con

With warmer weather fast approaching, Griffiths Air Conditioning is ensuring Northamptonshire organisations are ready to keep employees and computer server rooms cool and working efficiently as temperatures rise.

For over 24 years the business, based in Burton Latimer, has provided regular service visits to clients throughout the county, ensuring air conditioning systems are clean and working as well as possible.

Business owner Ian Griffiths said: “If air conditioning systems are not serviced, filters and coils become blocked, restricting air flow which in turn uses more electricity than they need to. Mould will also begin to grow on the damp surfaces of

the indoor unit which, if not treated, will start to produce unpleasant odours.

“It is also a legal requirement to check for refrigerant leaks which, if not identified early and repaired, could result in a compressor failure as well as leaking refrigerant gas.”

Most air conditioning manufacturers recommend that maintenance is carried out at least every six months but Griffiths organises each service contract to suit a client’s particular requirements.

Griffiths also installs air conditioning systems that provide cooling in the summer and heating when it is colder. Corporate customers spread

the cost of new energyefficient systems up to a maximum of five years through schemes run by several of the major suppliers of air conditioning equipment.

For a quotation on a new or replacement air conditioning system or a service contract contact Griffiths Air Conditioning on 01536 420666, email office@griffithsaircon.co.uk or visit www.griffithsaircon.co.uk

Visit Griffiths Air Conditioning’s Energy Efficiency Centre showroom at 111 High Street in Burton Latimer, open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

Simon Toseland

Swanbourne House appoints new Deputy Head Academic

Swanbourne House has announced the appointment of Sarah Eifion-Jones as Deputy Head Academic. Sarah will start her role at the school in September.

Part of The Stowe Group of schools, Swanbourne House is an independent day and boarding prep school for children aged 3 to 13 years in Buckinghamshire, around 20 minutes from Central Milton Keynes that feeds to leading Senior Schools across the country, recently including Stowe, Rugby, Wycombe Abbey, Uppingham, Harrow and Eton.

Sarah has more than 15 years’ experience in teaching and educational leadership. She is currently Assistant Master, Academic at Westminster Under School, a top-performing prep school with an academic focus. During her tenure as Assistant Master, a role she has held for nine years, she transformed how the attainment of pupils is tracked and measured over time, oversaw the move away from Common Entrance, and spearheaded the development of a broad and enriching curriculum.

She has significant experience of getting pupils into the top senior schools in the country and achieving outstanding results at both Common Entrance and scholarship.

Prior to being appointed Assistant Master at Westminster Under School, Sarah was Head of Science for two years. Before this she was Head of Science at Thomas’s Clapham (2010-2013) and Year 5 form teacher and science teacher at Northcote Lodge, Clapham, where she began her career.

Sarah said: “I’m hugely looking forward to joining the team at Swanbourne House - it’s an incredibly exciting time in the school’s history. My approach to teaching centres on the belief that educating the whole child is key - a strong academic performance follows when wellbeing is prioritised.

“I believe in creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where pupils feel engaged in their own learning and where they can foster independence and curiosity at every opportunity.”

Nick Holloway, Head at Swanbourne House said: “This is an exciting and important appointment for Swanbourne House and I am delighted that Sarah is joining the team. It was clear that Sarah shares our values and ambitions, and her knowledge, experience and vision for academics will be of huge benefit to our pupils and the wider school community.

“We are really looking forward to Sarah, Jack and their young family joining the school at the start of the next academic year.”

Sarah graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in biology and holds a PGCE from Homerton College, Cambridge.

Membership of The Stowe Group also gives Swanbourne pupils access to a combined site of over 800 acres with unrivalled educational and co-curricular facilities. These include Stowe’s Worsley Science Centre, the Roxburgh Theatre, the Chung Music School, state-of-the-art gym, an eight-lane athletics track, equestrian centre, six-lane competition swimming pool, clay pigeon shooting range and golf course.

Swanbourne has also received significant recent investment as part of The Stowe Group, with a refurbished Boarding House, new AstroTurf and new play structure - The Fort - in the lower school. Swanbourne families receive a 10% discount on the boarding fees or 5% discount on the day fees at Stowe if their child chooses it as their senior school.

www.swanbourne.org

To discuss admissions please email admissions@swanbourne.org

Sarah Eifion-Jones

Networking

A group for networkers looking for referrals, introductions, opportunities and sales. Northants and surrounding areas

Every Tuesday at noon.

National networking

Every Wednesday at noon.

Contact Gary Thorpe for all events. Email: gary.thorpe@debt-doctors.co.uk.

Tel: 07963 766052 or 01536 333425.

AYLESBURY

2nd Tuesday 12 noon-2pm: Online.

MILTON KEYNES

2nd Thursday 12 noon-2pm: Online.

BUCKINGHAM

3rd Tuesday 12 noon-2pm: Online.

CAPPUCCINO CONNECTIONS

4th Thursday 10am-11.30am: Online.

Contact: Anna Atkins-Carter, regional director North Bucks / West Chilterns. 07540 097776, email anna. atkinscarter@theathenanetwork.com or visit www. theathenanetwork.com.

BEDFORD

2nd Wednesday 12 noon-2pm: Online.

SOUTH BEDFORDSHIRE

4th Tuesday 12 noon-2pm: Online.

WOBURN

3rd Thursday 12 noon-2pm: Online.

Contact: Kate Cherry, regional director Bedfordshire & St Albans. 07909 675333 email kate.cherry@theathenanetwork.com or visit www. theathenanetwork.com

April 17 7.45am-9.15am:

The Bedfordshire Golf Club, Stagsden

Sponsors: Ginger Cow Marketing; Mazars; Metro Bank; Woodfines Solicitors

Speaker tbc. Price: £20. Contact: Kerry Ransby email kransby@woodfines.co.uk or visit www.bedfordbreakfastclub.co.uk

CONNECT OVER COFFEE

April 16 9.30am-11am:

Mecca Bingo Luton, Skimpot Road

Informal networking. Free event for Chamber members. Non-members: £25 + VAT. Book on to Chamber of Commerce events via events.chamber-business.com.

IGNITE - Tuesday 6.45am:

The Turnpike, Harpole, Northampton

ACHIEVERS - Wednesday 9.30am:

Brewpoint, Cut Throat Lane, Bedford.

PIONEER - Wednesday 9.30am-11am: Online.

APOLLO - Wednesday 10am:

Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash, Milton Keynes.

FUSION - Thursday 6.45am:

Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash, Milton Keynes.

BLAZE - Thursday 6.45am:

Mount Pleasant Golf Club, Lower Stondon nr Henlow.

PAVILION - Thursday 6.45am-8.30am:

The Old Northamptonians RFC, Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Billing Road, Northampton.

PROSPERITY - Thursday 6.45am-8.30am:

The Kettering Golf Club, Headlands, Kettering.

STERLING - Thursday 11.45am-1.30pm:

The Old Northamptonians RFC, Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Billing Road, Northampton.

ENCORE - Friday 6.45am:

Holiday Inn London Luton.

LIGHTHOUSE - Friday 6.45am-8.30am:

Old Northamptonians Association, Billing Road, Northampton.

Contact: Duncan Webster.

Email: duncan@bnibreakfast.co.uk or call 07977 422220.

More information: www.bni.co.uk

6.45am-8.45am:

Villiers Hotel, Buckingham Breakfast meeting + speaker.

April 2 AGM.

April 16 Open meeting.

April 30 1-2-1

Visitors: £10.

More details: www.bucks-fizz.biz or contact David Babister 07796 136688.

Regional sponsor: Business MK and Business2Business

Relaxed, informal, conversational B2B networking.

All Business Buzz events run 10am-noon. Price: £10 + VAT.

BEDFORD

1st Wednesday: George & Dragon, Mill Street.

BIGGLESWADE

4th Tuesday: Miss Vietnam, Market Square.

BRACKLEY

Sponsor: Business Times.

1st Thursday: Paisley Pear, Northampton Road.

NEW GROUP DAVENTRY

Sponsor: Business Times.

3rd Friday: Arc Cinema, Mulberry Place.

DUNSTABLE

4th Friday: Sugar Lounge at The Old Sugar Loaf, High Street North.

LUTON

2nd Tuesday: The Garden Cafe, Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road.

MILTON KEYNES

Sponsor: Business MK.

3rd Friday: Pop World MK, Lower 12th Street, Central Milton Keynes.

NORTHAMPTON

Sponsor: Business Times.

3rd Wednesday: Fox & Hounds, Harborough Road.

TOWCESTER

Sponsor: Business Times.

4th Thursday: The Saracen’s Head, Watling Street.

WELLINGBOROUGH

Sponsor: Business Times.

2nd Tuesday: Castello Lounge, Market Street

All meetings payable in advance on the Business Buzz Booking App https://app.business-buzz.org/app or at the event.

Business networking and referral group.

Price: £6.

MILTON KEYNES

4th Thursday, 7.30am-9.30am:

Windmill Hill Golf Centre, Bletchley.

Meeting fee: £16 (first meeting free).

Northampton Breakfast

3rd Wednesday, 7.30-9.30am: The Turnpike, Harpole.

Northampton Evening

4th Tuesday, 6.30-8.30pm: Cheyne Walk Club, Northampton.

Wellingborough

2nd Thursday, 7.30-9.30am: The Hind Hotel.

VIRTUAL MEETINGS

Meeting fee: £6 (first meeting free).

Wednesday Breakfast

4th Wednesday, 7.30am-9am.

Thursday Breakfast

3rd Thursday, 7.30am-9am.

Friday Breakfast

2nd Friday, 7.30am-9am.

THE ACCOUNTABILITY CIRCLE

Monday 10am-11am: Online

Time management and productivity.

Price: £6 per session or £12 per month.

More information: www.buscomm.co.uk.

April 12, 26 7am:

Windmill Hill Golf Centre, Bletchley

Networking breakfast with speaker. Price: £15. Contact: www.businessgrowthclub.co.uk or Mark Orr 07903 655169.

BEDFORD - April 11 9.30am-11.30am

Brewpoint, Cut Throat Lane, Bedford

Host: Aruno Rao. Brunchtime networking. Price: £26.

MILTON KEYNES - April 3 9.30am-11.30am

The Anchor, The Square, Aspley Guise

Host: Heide Swift.

Brunchtime networking. Price: £26.

NORTHAMPTON - April 9 9.30am-11.30am

The Chester House Estate, Irchester

Host: Kirsty Parris. Brunchtime networking. Price: £26.

TOWCESTER - April 17 9.30am-11.30am

The Navigation Inn, Thrupp Wharf Marina, Cosgrove

Host: Kirsty Parris. Brunchtime networking. Price: £26. Contact: www.busynetworking.net/meetings.

Networking with lunch. Price: £28.

AMPTHILL - April 11 11.45am-2pm

The Knife & Cleaver, Houghton Conquest

Host: Chandra Gardner.

BEDFORD - April 25 11.45am-2pm

The Woodland Manor Hotel, Green Lane, Clapham

Host: Aruno Rao.

BUCKINGHAM - April 15 11.45am-2pm

The Grand Junction, High Street, Buckingham

Host: Heide Swift.

CHICHELEY - April 8 11.45am-2pm

Chicheley Hall

Host: Aruno Rao.

KETTERING - April 23 11.45am-2pm

The Kettering Golf Club, Headlands

Host: Aruno Rao.

MILTON KEYNES - April 4 11.45am-2pm

The George Inn, Watling Street, Little Brickhill

Host: Aruno Rao.

NORTHAMPTON - April 16 11.45am-2pm

The White Hart, Main Road, Hackleton

Host: Aruno Rao.

TOWCESTER - April 24 11.45am-2pm

The Navigation Inn, Thrupp Wharf Marina, Cosgrove

Host: Aruno Rao.

Contact: www.busywomen.net or call 07957 284851.

Networking

NETWORKING BREAKFAST

3rd Friday, 7am-9am

Astral Park, Leighton Buzzard Breakfast networking with speaker. Price: £13. Contact: info@buzzardnetworking.co.uk or visit www.buzzardnetworking.co.uk

April 3, 7.30am-9am:

YMCA, North Sixth Street, Central Milton Keynes

Hosted by the longest-established breakfast networking club in Milton Keynes. Speaker tbc. Book at www.citybreakfastclub.co.uk

April 18 12.30pm-2.30pm

Maaya Restaurant, The Hub, Central Milton Keynes Sponsors: Freeths; Pinders. Networking lunch. Price: £33. Book at thecurryclubs.co.uk/event/ milton-keynes-curry-club-24/.

MILTON KEYNES VIRTUAL NETWORKING

April 12 10am-11am: Online.

Networking + an update on the benefits of FSB membership.

Free event for FSB members and non-members.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE VIRTUAL NETWORKING

April 26 10am-11am: Online

Networking + an update on the benefits of FSB membership.

Free event for FSB members and non-members. To book on to FSB events, visit www.fsb.org.uk

LUTON COFFEE CLUB

1st Tuesday 8am-10am

Mano Coffee, George Street

Informal networking. Free event.

To find out more, email organiser Stephen Wood at s.w@srwood.co.uk or call 01582 401221.

BETTER BUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH. BETTER BUSINESS EFFICIENCY

April 10 9.30am-12.30pm

Vulcan Works, Guildhall Road, Northampton Free event, Chamber members only. To book on to Chamber events, visit www.chambermk.co.uk/events.

To

NNBN is a business membership organisation for all of Northamptonshire which aims to help businesses in the county to recover, build and grow for a brighter future.

ONLINE NETWORKING

April 5 4pm-5pm

Free event to NNBN members and non-members.

ENTERING BUSINESS AWARDS

April 11 9am-11am

Vulcan Works, Northampton Networking + workshop.

Free event to NNBN members and non-members.

EVENING BUSINESS NETWORKING

April 8 7pm-8.30pm:

Chester House Estate, Irchester

April 25 7pm-8.30pm:

Northampton Town Centre Hotel

Informal networking. Free event for NNBN members; visitors £10.

For more information and to book, visit www.nnbn.co.uk/events/.

BETTER BUSINESS PERFORMANCE THROUGH. BETTER BUSINESS EFFICIENCY

April 10 9.30am-12.30pm

Vulcan Works, Guildhall Road, Northampton Free event, Chamber members only. To book on to Chamber events, visit www.chambermk.co.uk/events.

STONEBRIDGE NETWORKING

April 4 12.30pm-2pm

Brewery Tap House, Bucks Star Brewery, Stonebridge Networking event. Speaker: tbc.

Price: £12.50.

Contact: www.bucksstar.beer/events.

UK BUSINESS FORUM NORTHAMPTON

2nd Wednesday 5.30pm-9pm:

Delapre Abbey, London Road

Networking group with speakers for owners of small businesses.

Free event. To book, visit www.ukbfevents.co.uk

12 noon-2pm, networking lunch.

Bedford & Ampthill

1st Tuesday: The Swan Hotel, The Embankment, Bedford / Online.

Leighton Buzzard

3rd Wednesday: The Dukes, Heath & Reach / Online.

Luton

2nd Monday: South Beds Golf Club/ Online. Sandy & Biggleswade

1st Wednesday: Stratton House Hotel, Biggleswade.

Contact: Louise Yexley on 07989 020647, email louise.yexley@wibn.co.uk or visit www.wibn.co.uk.

Milton Keynes

1st Tuesday: The Brasserie at Milton Keynes College, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley.

Contact: Edith Samambwa on 07802 581838, email edith.samambwa@wibn.co.uk or visit www.wibn.co.uk.

NETWORKING COFFEE

April 24 10am-12 noon

MK SNAP, Bourton Low, Walnut Tree Informal networking. Price: £3 WiE members; non-members £5. Book at www.womeninenterprise.co.uk.

BUSINESS ROOM

The Business Room is a one business area group for business owners, those in employed positions, MLMs and franchised businesses.

KETTERING

2nd Tuesday 12 noon-2pm: Kettering Park Hotel & Spa.

NORTHAMPTON

2nd Thursday 12 noon-2pm: Sun Inn, High Street, Hardingstone.

SOUTH NORTHANTS

3rd Tuesday 12 noon-2pm: The Fox & Hounds, Whittlebury.

WELLINGBOROUGH

3rd Wednesday 12 noon-2pm: The Stanwick Hotel, Stanwick. THE CONNECTIONS CLUB - NORTHANTS

For business owners, influencers and decisionmakers.

NORTHAMPTON

1st Tuesday 11.45am-2pm: Delapre Abbey, Northampton.

Contact: Barbara Hodgson 07504 946 585 / 01933 652884, email barbara@yourbusinessmatters.co or visit www.yourbusinessmatters.co.

Business of Sport

Sponsors sign new deals ahead of new county cricket season

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club have confirmed a series of sponsorship and partnership deals with businesses based in the county and wider region.

Logistics, transport and breakdown business CMG – based in Newport Pagnell and a key sponsor for several seasons - has agreed to continue its branding on Northamptonshire Steelbacks shirts for T20 Vitality Blast matches and matchball sponsorship.

Head of business development Jeremy Denton said: “CMG is dedicated to supporting the growth and success of cricket.”

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company is to be the club’s Official Pouring Rights Partner for another three years. The “iconic” brewery has been in Northampton for half a century and the early extension of the agreement is testament to the strong partnership, said Daniel Vernon, the cricket club’s head of commercial.

Carlsberg Marston’s business development manager Pippa Walsh said: “Northamptonshire is an incredible sporting county and we know how important the role sport plays is in the area.”

The deal ensures that the playing and training kits remain free from alcohol branding. “With supporters continuing to be at the forefront of the partnership, we felt it was important to

remain with alcohol branding off the playing kit and the team at Carlsberg Marston’s were in full agreement,” Daniel said.

Regional law firm Tollers Solicitors has extended its partnership as an Official Partner of the club. Tollers branding will appear on all fixture cards and season tickets for 2024. “We are passionate about supporting the communities we serve,” said chief executive Duncan Nicholson.

Northampton-based executive travel specialist Country Lion is the club’s preferred travel partner for another season. The firm will also sponsor all-rounder Saif Zaib and will be a T20 match sponsor.

YMCA Northamptonshire, which plans to relaunch in the autumn, has extended its partnership with the club. “We are thrilled to be partners and connect with the club and wider Northamptonshire community,” said fundraising manager Lorraine Devereux.

Accountants back tomorrow’s football heroes

Accountants Mercer & Hole are to sponsor The Elneny Football Academy, set up by Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny (pictured right).

The sponsorship will contribute towards the kit for the players and coaches. The academy, based in Hatfield, will work with youngsters aged from five to 16.

we believe in harnessing passion and talent and this extends to the wider community.”

Kestrel Beer has renewed its sponsorship agreement with drag racing venue Santa Pod Raceway. The package sees Kestrel continue as the official Left Lane Sponsor at the north Bedfordshire motorsport venue.

The organisation will join the club’s 1878 Business Club networking events. It welcomes leading businesses to its regular meetings, including Kettering-based architects GSSArchitecture as a new member.

“The growth we have seen in the last couple of years has been fantastic,” said Daniel. “To add GSSArchitecture to this is excellent”

Footwear supplier BIG Boots UK in Northampton also becomes an official club partner. Irchesterbased Newgen IT has extended its partnership for another two years and will continue as batsman Rob Keogh’s player sponsor. The club has also extended its partnership with Wellingborough-based fuel supplier Barton Petroleum.

A Goodwill gesture

Logistics company Goodwill Solutions is to sponsor Northampton Town Football Club Community Trust’s Disability Football Club.

The company, based at Brackmills, has been involved since September and has supported the Trust’s projects including its Premier League Kicks programme, delivering food to participants at weekly sessions and backing Northampton Town Women.

Goodwill Solutions managing director John Sherriff said: “We can see the impact made by the smiles on the children and adults’ faces when playing football each week.”

Northampton Town Community Trust’s disability development officer Russell Lewis added: “Any support is always welcome for our Disability Football Club, and Goodwill Solutions’ support is invaluable.”

Mercer & Hole has an office in Central Milton Keynes. The firm’s marketing and communications director Maria Kelly said: “As a firm,

Kestrel has also negotiated continuation of the pourage rights for Kestrel beer as the only draught lager at Santa Pod.

The Disability Football Club takes place every Friday from 5:30pm at Moulton College.

Northants Steelbacks in T20 action

Pic: Paul Hudson, flickr

Saints crest has a 21st-century update

Work is under way at Northampton Saints to update the club’s crest.

The club has commissioned design agency Jard Design to bring the crest, the current version of which dates back to the 1950s, in line with the Saints’ ambition and views of its supporters.

The work follows feedback from supporter surveys at the end of the 2022-23 season and later last year. It identified that Saints’ current crest (pictured) is difficult to recall, does not scale well digitally and does not showcase Northampton’s core black, green and gold colours – the most important part of the club’s identity, according to 75% of supporters.

In a message on the Saints website, chief executive Mark Darbon said: “If you look across the globe, the most popular and successful sports teams and organisations have clear visual identities which are both immediately recognisable and highly memorable. The sport of rugby, specifically, faces several clear awareness and appeal challenges so, more than ever before, we need our own visual identity to appeal to the next generation of supporters while respecting the rich history of our club.”

The crest, which has adorned the players’ kit since 1984, was designed in the 1950s by students at

Northampton Technical College. Club historian Graham McKechnie and the club’s heritage team are involved in the work on the new crest, which is due to be revealed this summer.

“There is a shared belief that we must look forward to ensure the continued relevance, appeal and sustainability of this brilliant club,” Mark said. “We believe we can create a crest which truly reflects the identity of Northampton Saints, honouring the club’s past while looking ahead to the future.

“A significant number of people told us within our survey that they would be open to this change. “I want to assure our supporters that the history and tradition of Northampton Saints remains of the utmost importance to us so these values will be at the heart of our work.”

‘Without Geoff, we would simply not have survived’

Bedford Blues president and former chairman Geoff Irvine is to retire at the end of this season. Supporters, club officials and rugby greats will bid him farewell at a black tie dinner.

Legends of rugby will join Bedford Blues supporters at a black tie dinner later this month as the club bids farewell to its president Geoff Irvine.

He is to stand down at the end of the 2023-24 Championship season, bringing to an end a 25-year association with Bedford Blues. He was part of the group that saved the club in 1999 and was Blues’ chairman for 20 years between 2001 and 2021.

Geoff led the club through achievements and challenges, both on and off the field. His efforts - and financial support - helped to ensure that the club is in a healthy position today, the club said.

“It is impossible to overstate the contribution that Geoff has made to the club over those years,”

said the Blues’ current chairman David Gunner. “Back in 1999, we were in a perilous state and making serious financial losses. Geoff provided both a large and ongoing financial commitment and strong leadership, enabling us to recover from the acute difficulties of our time in the Premiership and subsequent relegation.

“Without Geoff, we would simply not have survived. He remained at the helm while the club reestablished its financial position, oversaw several successes and placed the Blues in a much healthier situation.”

Geoff also chaired the Championship Clubs for ten years, represented the league on the RFU Council and was a board member of Rugby World Cup 2015. He has been elected as a Distinguished Member of the RFU.

The farewell dinner takes place at the club’s Goldington Road ground on April 26, compered by entertainer Bobby Davro. Tickets are £65 + VAT – email gareth@bedfordrugby.co.uk to book.

“All good things must come to an end,” said Geoff. “I am very happy that the club is in good hands and will continue to prosper.”

Geoff Irvine

Full steam ahead… I like a challenge

When lockdown happened, train buff Ian Taylor’s thoughts turned to building a model railway in his back garden. £20,000 later, he is more invested than ever. He tells Andrew Gibbs why.

Engineering has been in Ian Taylor’s blood for as long as he can remember. He graduated in the subject at the University of London, worked for London Transport designing Tube trains that are still in use today and was part of the development of the first driverless train tested on the London Underground network.

It never went into service due to opposition from the then-powerful trades unions. But his contribution to its development from vision to reality was one stop on the journey to running his own line.

His love of trains stems from his childhood growing up in the Kent seaside town of Margate. At the time it was served by trains bringing Londoners for a day out at the seaside. “The trains would arrive every five or ten minutes, loaded with passengers, and I just became fascinated,” Ian said.

When he worked in London, first with London Transport then later as a consultant putting bids together for multi-billion pound contracts for the project that would become known as Crossrail, Ian and his family lived in Surrey. It was natural that they paid regular visits to the picturesque Bluebell Railway nearby, one of the first preserved heritage lines in the country

Ian Taylor and the model railway he built in his back garden

with one of the finest collections of vintage steam locomotives and carriages – many of which were preserved straight out of service from British Railways – running regular services along its 11 miles of track.

“So I got interested in steam trains, became a member of the Bluebell Railway Society and helped out with track work and vegetation clearance.”

At work he oversaw bids for a total ten contracts of which he won seven for his clients. “That was when I got heavily into how to build a railway.”

Ian relishes journeys into the history of the railways. We are chatting at the Forge Café in Culworth, a village seven miles north of Brackley and Banbury that was once home to two train stations on the Great Central main line between Nottingham and London, he tells me, until its closure amid a swathe of cuts by Dr Richard Beeching, chairman of the British Railways Board in 1966.

It was natural therefore, having moved to Northamptonshire 24 years earlier and with time on his hands thanks to the pandemic lockdown, that Ian’s thoughts turned to building his own model railway line in his back garden.

He had been working as business development director for Scottish & Southern. Energy, one of the big six providers. Ian completed his contract in 2019 and decided to take a few weeks off before pursuing his next opportunity. Then the pandemic hit.

“It was going to wash through in three weeks or so. There was a nice sunny spell of weather and people said to me: ‘Why don’t you build a railway?’ We had a large garden, the size of two football pitches and created for two football-mad kids, floodlit on either side. All we had to do was go up and down with a mower. We thought ‘Why not?’”

Ian’s wife Sally decided to landscape the garden. His focus was the railway.

Garden Railway Specialists in Princes Risborough is one of only a few retailers supplying clients with such a dream. The business was founded in 1982 by Michael Adamson and is now run by his son Matthew. Ian sought advice on the concrete base, how to overcome the two-metre slope in part of his garden in order to keep the track level - build a tunnel at the high point and a viaduct at

the lowest - and allow for the track to expand and contract with the changing weather temperatures.

Construction started in November 2020. Within 12 months Ian’s back garden had experienced high temperatures of 40C and lows of -12C.

“I understood the challenge on paper but I did not really know it was going to be this complicated,” said Ian. “I found that out as I went along. I was visiting my chiropractor every month while I was building it.”

The 126-metre long line circling his garden was completed in the summer of 2021. “I am the train driver,” said Ian, who controls the trains from a central panel housed at the bottom of the garden. Sally operates the points and signals.

The track is bedded in with Alpine grit for ballast. The rolling stock comprises four electricity-powered engines including a special trackcleaning train, carriages and goods trucks. The freight trains pull up to 15 beer wagons, each bedaubed with the branding of Ian’s favourite ales.

The line also has three model stations, named New Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch after towns on a line of which Ian holds fond childhood memories.

So far the project has cost around £20,000. “It moved on from a bit of track and a couple of trains. The shop owner keeps trying to tempt me to buy a steam locomotive, a proper

“We added more features, more complexity. Now my neighbour wants to build one in his garden.”

steam train. But that is £49,000. When I retire, I might go for the steam engine as my retirement present to myself.”

Sally got the opportunity to landscape their garden – a bridge across the track enables them to move their mower to cut the grass ringed by the track - and the couple have opened their garden and the railway to raise money for causes close to their hearts: the Paulespury Players amateur dramatics society; The Lewis Foundation, which supplies gift packs to cancer patients in hospitals across the Midlands.

“I did not really know what I was getting into,” Ian said. “As I went through the planning stage I realised what it involved. Construction was a breeze, though, and we added more features, more complexity. Now my neighbour wants to build one in his garden.”

Ian currently works as regional director for business consultancy Tinderbox and hosts the Business Buzz Towcester networking group which meets monthly at Towcester Mill Brewery.

“When I retire I want to run it as a mini tourist attraction,” he said. “I did it it because it gives me a great sense of enjoyment. It kept my brain ticking over during lockdown.

“Why persist with the project? I have that sort of mentality. I like a challenge. The guy in the shop told me ‘This is something you cannot build on your own’ and when we started we had all sorts of naysayers.

“But I am the sort of person that if someone tells me I cannot do something then I am all the more determined to go off and do it.”

Dinosaurs, strawberries and memories of Mel amid the cherry blossom

Franklins Solicitors partner

Andrea Smith is an accomplished marathon runner and completed her fifth of the ‘Big 6’ Majors when she crossed the finishing line in Tokyo last month. She reflects on her first visit to Japan, the race itself, raising money in memory of a much-missed friend and her twin ambition: to complete her sixth Major marathon in Boston and to return to the Land of the Rising Sun.

You’ve already completed several marathons. Why Tokyo?

My dream is to complete all six World Marathon Majors. Tokyo was my fifth Major and it also fell on the birthday of Melanie Collins – a much-loved friend and colleague who lost her battle to cancer last year. I tied this marathon in with fundraising for Cancer Research in memory of Mel and am extremely grateful to everyone who sponsored me.

How long were you there for?

Where did you stay?

We were in Japan for a total of ten days. I stayed at the Hilton in Shinjuku and then went to Kyoto for a couple of nights and Osaka. We took the Bullet Train to visit some other parts of Japan.

When we got back to Tokyo, we had the Expo to collect my bib so we stayed close by at Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba for two nights and then spent three nights at the Prince Gallery which was between the start and the finish areas.

Had you been to Japan before?

No, this was my first time. It hadn’t been on my list before but I’d like to go back, explore further afield and see more of Japan.

What were your impressions?

It’s very clean and efficient with a great culture. The food is exceptional and the people are welcoming, helpful and friendly.

At times it can be very overwhelming depending on where you are as there are so many people, noise, lights, smells and distractions. At all times, though, it feels very safe.

“Tokyo is different to other marathons as there are checkpoints you have to pass and if you are not through the checkpoints by the cut-off times you are swept off the course on to waiting yellow buses. They cause extra anxiety for runners.”

How did you prepare for the marathon once you were in Japan?

I had a few training runs to do. I went to bed early to adjust to the time difference and I ate a lot of carbs. To be honest, it wasn’t a lot different from any other race.

Two days before a race I start to eat Haribo and only eat carbs and try to rest as much as possible… but when you are in a new city, you want to explore and see the sights.

Your thoughts on the food and drink I loved the food. I enjoyed having miso soup, salad, rice and fish for breakfast.

Talk us through race day

Race day was exciting. There is a window within which you have to get to the start area. It is a shotgun start but it can take runners a long time from their corral to actually get to the start line. The excitement is palpable with a lot of nervous runners.

The morning was very cold but we knew the temperatures were going to rise so race day clothing was a dilemma.

In Corral G, where I started, I met a lot of international runners and runners who were also going for their 6th star. They have a note on the back saying to encourage them so they are easy to identify.

Running over the start line, there was a lot of confetti on the floor which we ran over and the race quickly picked up a fast pace.

Tokyo is different to other marathons as there are checkpoints you have to pass and if you are not through the checkpoints by the cutoff times you are swept off the course on to waiting yellow buses. They cause extra anxiety for runners. I need not have worried though as I was well within the cut-off times.

Andrea hopes to run all of the World Marathon Majors

Tokyo Marathon is frequently described as a silent disco because there are not the raucous crowds that London and New York are famous for or the same entertainment. However, that was not my experience of Tokyo.

The crowd support was phenomenal with many Japanese spectators dressed up as dinosaurs or strawberries. There were also runners dressed up - I was overtaken by Mario and saw a couple of people running as Japanese schoolgirls.

The support was fantastic and because the course has several loop backs, I managed to run past the elite runners and the wheelchair participants and the runners who were going to finish in under three hours. I was plodding along compared to the athletes who that were sprinting.

The loop backs also meant that I was able to see my partner and son on seven occasions as they were cheering encouragement. On the route we saw some great sights in Tokyo including temples and Tokyo Skytree.

How did you feel at the end?

Amazing - it was incredible to cross the line. We didn’t get our medal straight away as they funnel runners to different finishing areas and I was worried I wasn’t going to get my medal. I also bumped into some runners from MK who I know at the finish area - it was good to see them too.

I crossed the line as I knew he was rooting for me from the UK – his training plan was invaluable to me shaving over 25 minutes from my New York Marathon time four months earlier.

What did you do between the race and returning to the UK?

I had a really big meal on Sunday night. On Monday we visited Ueno Park to see the ‘sakura’ (cherry blossom) and I had a massage. We also had a nine-course vegan meal on our last night.

What are your abiding memories of Tokyo and Japan?

It was exciting getting my fifth star and an honour to run in memory of Melanie. The city of Tokyo is vast and we visited the Sky Tree which is the tallest building in Tokyo and you could see the expanse of the city.

For a city so vast, it is so clean and efficient. It was also beautiful to experience Sakura, the blossom season.

What’s next?

Ultimately, I want to compete in Boston to get my Six Star Finisher Medal. Boston is a difficult race to get into unless you are fast or can raise over 10k for charity. The field size is also about half that of the other majors so it is very competitive.

It was wonderful seeing so many runners in their finishing ponchos milling around with their medals looking for their families and also fabulous to go to the course and cheer some runners on who were still to finish.

I am also really grateful to my coach Matt Dine of DinoMite Endurance, I called him as soon as

“For a city so vast, it is so clean and efficient. It was also beautiful to experience Sakura, the blossom season.”

I need to lose 50 minutes off my finishing time of 4:39:45 to qualify for Boston so I am running the Berlin Marathon again in September in the hope of getting a personal best. However, to get a place in Berlin I had to sign up for Rome last month – 12 days after I got back from Tokyo.

Mentally the race is challenging and it is not just physical endurance that needs training but mental so I have signed up for a longer race in the hope that the marathon distance may be less challenging.

Andrea Smith is head of business services at Franklins Solicitors. www.franklins-sols.co.uk

Andrea with her medal and (inset) her running vest - in memory of Mel

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Fancy a taste of pie-radise? Head out on the A413

Pie-fection in pastry… and they are made right on our doorstep.

Two pie experts are celebrating after putting a total five awards on their plates at this year’s British Pie Awards.

Competition from all over the country is fierce for the 25 awards. But the pastry has come home to north Bucks thanks to Paul’s Proper British Pies – made in Buckingham – and The Bell Hotel & Pie Shop in Winslow.

Judging was tough at the British Pie Awards

A superb Steak & Stilton Pie struck gold for Paul’s Proper British Pies in the Pub Pie category before a Cheeky Beef and Fondant Potato pie hit the back of the net for the Sports Pie award.

And a hat trick of awards have headed back to Winslow. Its Pheasant, Venison, Bacon, Black Pudding & Quail Egg Pie earned The Bell Hotel & Pie Shop the Game & Speciality Meat Pie award before head chef Paul Capener,

Taking the classics to the streets

Bringing classical music to the people in a very different way, Bedford’s resident orchestra has been out of the concert hall and on to the streets.

The Philharmonia Orchestra staged pop-up performances and installations to audiences across the town. Quintets and trios of Philharmonia players met audiences in the Harpur Centre, where musicians presented a series of short performances and ‘meet the musicians’ sessions.

They also, in collaboration with Bedford businesses, performed short free concerts in venues including The Higgins Museum, Bedford Central Library, Samsons Academy Gym, the Barley Mow and Standard pubs, Damiano Hair and Bedford Bus Station.

who has been cooking professionally for more than 40 years, saw off all rivals to win the Hot-Eating Savoury Pie class with his festive Christmas Pie.

Also on show at the hotel in Market Square is the trophy for Vegetarian Pie, created by Paul using sweet potato, spinach and coconut curry.

The ‘pie-oneering’ awards, now in its 16th year, celebrate the nation’s most delicious pies – from the traditionally British to the innovative and totally whacky. Matthew O’Callaghan,

chairman of the Mowbray Pork Pie Association and host of the British Pie Awards, said: “This year’s awards have seen a wonderful celebration of the nation’s love of pies. The atmosphere has been amazing and the level of creativity is off the scale.

“Paul’s Proper British Pies and The Bell Hotel & Pie Shop triumphed over incredibly tough competition in the respective categories. These awards celebrate the skill and ingenuity of British pie makers across the UK and I would like to congratulate them as a worthy winner.”

The British Pie Awards recruited the most qualified pie connoisseurs to judge every entry. A record 147 judges are on the panel, including representatives from the prestigious cookery school Cordon Bleu and The Royal Chef as well as a plethora of chefs and pie experts.

‘I know what it is to lose a loved one’

Businesswoman Carly Parkins, owner and founder of Carly’s Candle Company, based in Milton Keynes, is pictured putting the finishing touches to one of 100 bespoke candles shining a light on a special campaign.

Half of the candles were sent to celebrities who have been affected by brain tumours, the remainder to Brain Tumour Research supporters with a significant presence on social media.

Recipients who posted their support on social media included musician and record producer Nile Rodgers, singers Alfie Boe and Sharleen Spiteri and actor Craig Russell, star of the Netflix series Queen Cleopatra, who was diagnosed with a low-grade meningioma brain tumour in February last year.

Carly’s father died of lung cancer in 2022. “Although I know that is not brain cancer, it does

mean I know the heartache of waiting for test results only to be told there is nothing that can be done,” she said.

“I know what it is to lose a loved one and I understand the pain and helplessness felt by many brain tumour families, which is why I was so keen to get involved in this campaign.”

Football legend kicks off fifth annual Silverstone Soccer charity event

Football legend Michael Owen has backed the fifth annual Silverstone Soccer charity event by calling for local businesses to get involved.

The former England striker appeared in a video on social media supporting the five-a-side tournament, hosted by vehicle leasing firm Silverstone Leasing.

The event, first held in 2020, has raised thousands of pounds for its nominated charity partner Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Silverstone Soccer 2024 will see teams representing 12 businesses from across Northamptonshire compete at the event on June 23 at Daventry Town FC.

Nina Gandy, corporate partnerships fundraiser at Cynthia Spencer Hospice, said: “Having the backing of England legend Michael

Last year’s winners Euro Building and Maintenance

Owen this time around has been fantastic and I hope that his call-out to local businesses will encourage them to compete or sponsor or simply come along and support on the day. There are a number of ways you can get involved.

“Our hospice supports so many local people living with a life limiting illness and their families through our invaluable services and we are grateful to Silverstone Leasing for choosing us as their charity partner.”

Sponsorship packages start at just £495.

Event organiser and Silverstone Leasing sales manager Ryan Bishop said: “In sponsoring the Silverstone Soccer 2024 event, local companies can invest in a fun day of local sport with other businesses and become an integral part of a communityfocused, impactful charity event that resonates with our soccer teams, their families and the broader local community.”

Networkers in tune for musical showdown

A business networking group hit all the right notes to win two awards at the Cransley Hospice Trust’s SING for Cransley event.

The group of nine from the Business Room networking group in Wellingborough did not hesitate to sign up to the event. “Some of us thought it would be an amazing bonding experience for us all… the others agreed because they were slightly tipsy at the Cransley Silver Ball,” said Rachel Efetha, a financial designer at independent financial adviser Anstee & Co in Kettering. “

“Our ability ranges from three choir members to the absolute tone deaf.”

The group ‘Cut to the Chase’ won the Audience’s Choice Award and the Fundraising Award for raising the most money for Cransley Hospice Trust. They raised £2,700 to boost the overall total raised on the night at the Core Theatre in Corby to over £14,000.

‘Cut to the Chase’ won the audience vote with a performance of SiX from the eponymous musical comedy about the wives of King Henry VIII. Each group received six weeks of vocal coaching and had to perform a song from the West End shows. The judges voted Louise Wright Theatre School

Choir as overall winner after their rendition of When I Grow Up from the show Matilda.

Cransley Hospice’s fundraising and events development manager Louise Gurney said: “The night was incredible. The diversity of the acts and their voices, everyone taking part obviously having such a fun time. Most importantly, a fantastic amount of money was raised to support people who need end of life care in North Northamptonshire.”

Hot off the press! SING for Cransley 2025 will take place at the Core Theatre in March next year. For further details of how to enter or sponsorship opportunities contact the fundraising team by emailing fundraising@ cransleyhospice.org.uk Or call 03000 274040

The Louise Wright Theatre School Choir

Scaling the heights on the Jurassic Coast

Colleagues at IT specialist Paradise Computing are well into their training ahead of their participation in the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge next month.

Five workmates will be taking part in the event – hiking 100km in 24 hours along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset from Corfe Castle on the Isle of Purbeck to Bridport - to raise money for the NSPCC.

They completed the 40km Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge last month by way of a warm-up.

Paradise’s Sage support specialist Robert Machin discovered his passion for hiking last year when he

When creativity drives positive change… for free

Five years of an innovative project in which a digital marketing agency donates free time to charities has raised a total £66,500.

Think Hatch, based at Kettering Venture Park, has generated 660 hours of free creative support to charities looking to give more impact to their campaigns and fundraising.

The Think Hatch scheme was the brainchild of creative director Ricky Conaghan (pictured). Charities, social enterprises, and community groups across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes apply for free design and marketing support from the ‘Hatch Bank’ by emailing hello@ thinkhatch.co.uk

“We believe in the power of creativity to drive positive change,” said Ricky. “Creative services play a huge part in amplifying fundraising efforts and spreading vital messages and we are dedicated to leveraging our expertise for the greater good.”

One charity to benefit from the ‘Hatch Bank’ is the Oasis Project, a Milton Keynes-based organisation providing education and support to the people of Bakau in The Gambia. Ricky and his team developed a new website and visual identity for the charity.

“Partnering with Think Hatch through their Hatch Bank initiative has not only transformed our brand,” said the charity’s founder Chris Hayter. “The dedication and creativity poured into developing our new brand and website have truly captured the essence of The Oasis Project, empowering us to tell our story in a way that deeply resonates.”

completed the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Mount Snowdon, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis in 24 hours.

“Deciding to walk 100km is definitely a bit crazy but I really enjoy the challenge of seeing how far I can push myself,”

he said. “Knowing you’re doing it for a good cause definitely motivates you to keep going, despite the blisters.”

Sales director Alex Hamp is taking part in the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge for the second time. “The NSPCC is a fantastic charity that protects and advocates for vulnerable children across the country,” he said.

Add your support at www.justgiving.com/team/ paradisecomputing

Robert Machin

Risk assessments help homeless charity to open shelter

Health and safety consultancy Acorn Safety Services has shown its support for a Northampton charity by carrying out Legionella assessments at its temporary night shelter for the homeless.

Acorn Safety Services has partnered with the Northampton Hope Centre which supports people across Northamptonshire facing homelessness and hardship.

Legionella and fire manager Adam Midson is carrying out assessments at the charity’s headquarters and its temporary night shelter which is providing additional help to those in need during the winter months.

“We have seen a rise in numbers of homelessness, many of which are new to homelessness,” said the Hope Centre’s marketing manager Kyra Williams. “These are people

that are simply not used to roughsleeping. The temporary shelter means we have been able to make assessments quicker, provide the

‘A brilliant way to strengthen connections’

Regional Toyota and Lexus retailer Steven Eagell Group has launched a Community Programme designed to support initiatives, charities and not-for-profit organisations in its dealership areas across the Midlands and the South East.

The programme, which began last month, sees employees nominate projects that matter to them and their local communities, with each dealership being allocated a budget to spend.

Chief executive Steven Eagell said: “Our business has expanded rapidly in recent years and we see the introduction of this programme as a brilliant way for us to strengthen connections with the communities in which we operate. We are thrilled to be bringing our colleagues with us on this journey, giving them the ability to nominate projects that matter most to them, their families, friends and local communities.”

support needed and move people into permanent and secure accommodation quicker.”

Left undetected, Legionella bacteria in water supplies can lead to serious illness, particularly in the immunocompromised or the elderly.

“We are delighted to be able to help Northampton Hope Centre in any way we can,” said Adam. “The charity does so much to help people across Northamptonshire, particularly at a time when many are facing hardship.

“Carrying out regular risk assessments is the only way to protect people from the risks.”

Added Kyra: “In carrying out our Legionella risk assessment in such a timely manner, Acorn Safety Services enabled us to safely get the doors to the shelter open.”

Driver school revs up its fundraising

Engineer-led driver training specialist CAT Driver Training has been reflecting on its fundraising initiatives for 2023 which have raised more than £3,000.

The CAT Smiles scheme, launched in 2019, requests a £5 donation to the Millbrook-based firm’s charity pot for every client photo taken for social media. It has raised an impressive £3,163 for three charities: Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust; Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice and Mission Motorsport.

The charity pot totalled £2,376 with the remainder coming from proceeds of CAT Driver Training’s book sales for Your Track Day Guide and its new publication How To Start Racing.

“It is heartwarming to see our community continuing to come together to make a positive impact on the lives of others,” said CAT Driver Training co-owner Jo Hoad.

Adam Midson with Holly Atkins from Northampton Hope Centre

Steven Eagell