WINTER 13
NEWS
latest jobs means JLR will have created almost 11,000 new posts in Britain over the past three years. Dr Ralf Speth, JLR’s chief executive, said: “Our unrelenting focus on design, technology, innovation and quality has seen Jaguar Land Rover reach global consumers in more markets than ever before thanks to its most engaging product line-up.”
>> New flights already popular The new direct flights from Birmingham to India are already 80% full, according to figures released by Air India and Birmingham Airport. Air India launched its service from Birmingham to Delhi on 1 August 2013 and has carried more than 20,500 passengers since then. The service operates four times a week using the new Boeing 787-8 ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft. The 256 seat B787-8 series aircraft has a split cabin, consisting of 18 business class and 238 economy seats. Meanwhile, latest figures from Birmingham Airport show a 13.5% increase in the number of long haul passengers using the airport in September, compared to the same month last year.
>> New water jobs Utilitywise, the energy procurement consultancy, is to create 30 jobs at its office in Redditch, Worcestershire. The vacancies include energy consultant and team manager roles. Utilitywise is one of the biggest energy and water consultancies in the UK. It helps clients to agree better deals from utilities contracts, reducing energy consumption and lowering carbon footprints. The new recruits will be based at EIC – the arm of Utilitywise that delivers energy procurement to industrial and commercial clients with energy spends of £100,000 and above.
Becketts greengrocers Ian Williamson and Hannah Milner
>> Becketts scoop Good Food accolade A family-run farm at the heart of its community on the Birmingham-Worcestershire border since 1937 has been crowned The BBC Good Food Show’s ‘Best Farm Shop’ in the Midlands. Becketts Farm Shop – which was opened in 1982 to sell its own produce and is run by the Beckett family – has been awarded the top prize in a process that included customer nominations and mystery shoppers. The Beckett family still farm some 800 acres of cereals and now employ more than 110 people, making it one of the area’s largest employers. Simon Beckett, managing director and third generation to run the business, said: “I am very proud of all our staff. We also pass on a special thanks to our customers for supporting us. The prize is a fantastic opportunity for our business – we have been given a free stand at the BBC Good Food Show, where we will showcase all our finest produce and hopefully raise the profile of our business even further.” Judge Katy Truss, of Fabulous Food Finds, said: “Becketts is a really fantastic destination for food lovers with an impressive range of local and international produce, its own bakery, butchery, restaurant, cafe and deli counter too.” Beckett’s will take its stand at this year’s BBC Good Food Show on 27 November at the NEC, Birmingham.
>> Car contract win Midland-based Voith Industrial Services has won a £2m contract with Coventry car firm Peugeot Citroen. The two-year contract for the Warwick-based firm includes cleaning, post room,
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reception, security and on-site facilities maintenance at Peugeot Citroen’s Pinley House UK headquarters. It also involves cleaning, battery charging and security services at the car firm’s Tile Hill distribution centre.
BUSINESS QUARTER | WINTER 13