Business MK Newspaper January 2023

Safety campaign leader calls on business to play its part

mployers have a key role to play in moving Milton Keynes towards becoming the safest city in the UK.

Milton Keynes City Council is leading a campaign for the city to achieve White Ribbon status, accredited by an international campaign that aims to engage men and boys to tackle and end violence against women and girls.

Individuals can become champions and ambassadors for the campaign and several organisations across the city, including MK Dons FC, the emergency services and SERCO, are backing the White Ribbon initiative with a view to become accredited supporters

“Everybody must feel safe in the city, whether it is in the workplace, in a car park or going shopping,” said Cllr Emily Darlington, cabinet member for adults, housing and healthy communities. “If we can work together, we can become the first White Ribbon city. That would be what its founders wanted for Milton Keynes; to be the city that is different in our social interaction,

in our behaviour and in what is acceptable.”

Cllr Darlington was speaking to guests at the City Breakfast Club networking meeting, which also heard from Sue Burke and Lolly Marlborough from the charity MKACT, which supports those fleeing domestic abuse. The charity is handling record numbers of appeals for help this year.

“We have to find a different way to deal with violence and abuse towards women and girls,” said Cllr Darlington. “What we have done in the past has not worked.”

The White Ribbon campaign began in Canada in the 1990s, soon moving to the UK and around 60 other countries. The campaign aims to change attitudes, systems and behaviours around masculinity that perpetuate gender inequality and men’s violence against women.

Businesses have a part to play, said Cllr Darlington. “It is about thinking differently in our HR processes and we can build a mass movement across the city and really start to change attitudes,” she told the meeting at the Delta by Marriott Hotel, Kents Hill.

Ms Burke said that MK ACT is handling its highest number of cases in Milton Keynes, with 28 families currently living at its refuge and a further 100 being supported. She called on employers to take note of the signs.

“Some of your workforce may be experiencing domestic abuse,” she said. MK ACT runs a series of training courses and webinars aimed at helping employers and employees. “We are happy to support and give advice,” Ms Burke said.

Cllr Emily Darlington (third from left) joins City Breakfast Club hosts and MK ACT representatives with Christmas presents donated by City Breakfast Club guests to MK ACT

City becomes a testbed for Korean transport technology

Four start-up companies from South Korea that specialise in sustainable transport have chosen Milton Keynes to trial their products.

Milton Keynes City Council and the Connected Places Catapult have launched a UK Testbed Initiative with the Korean International Trade Association that will oversee the work.

The partnership is part of the council’s plans to find innovative and sustainable solutions to build on Milton Keynes’ reputation as a world-leading smart city and make travel within its boundaries even easier.

The South Korean businesses are:

■ Deeping Source A software that

protects personal information on videos and images

■ Nota AI Camera-based traffic monitoring solution with real-time processing

■ Quisens Artificial intelligence image analysis for green and solar panels

■ WiPowerOne A wireless power charging technology for electric vehicles

Delegates from each visited Milton Keynes last month and saw some of the smart technology already in use in the city. They were impressed with the UK’s first standalone 5G network used to power up robots, medical devices, driverless cars and energy saving devices.

The UK Testbed Initiative programme is being run in partnership with SHIFT, London’s new testbed for innovation based in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Foundry Intl, a Luxembourg-based venture builder, supporting investment to the UK.

Council leader Cllr Pete Marland said: “We are proud to welcome these international businesses to our city to trial their technologies which could revolutionise the way we get around.

“Milton Keynes is a world-renowned smart city that many other places look up to. This latest trial will help us deliver on our ambitions to make it even easier to get about here in a green and sustainable way.”

Once, twice, three times a winner

Staff at Dawsongroup truck and trailer in Tongwell are celebrating after the company was named Rental, Leasing and Contract Hire Provider of the Year category at the national Commercial Motor Awards for the third year running.

After accepting the award at the ceremony in Birmingham, Dawsongroup head of fleet Matt Watson said: “To win again in the prestigious Commercial Motor awards is a fantastic achievement. This award is testament to the hard work that our team puts in on a daily basis.

“The past few years have been a period of great change across the whole sector. We have played our part and we will continue to do so by helping our customers meet future challenges on the road to risk-free zero emissions and alternative technologies.”

Welcome to new recruits

Law firm Neves Solicitors has welcomed civil litigation specialist Saqib Khan to the firm’s dispute resolution department. He has a keen interest in landlord and tenant matters, debt recovery, breach of contract and professional negligence matters. Also arriving is commercial property solicitor Ceyda Alkan. Managing partner Stewart Matthews said: “Between them, they have a wealth of experience which I believe will be invaluable to the clients we assist and support.”

Matt Watson (centre) with the award for Rental, Leasing and Contract Hire Provider

The ‘new economy’ is seeing city as its home

Companies specialising in new technology and the industries of the future see Milton Keynes as one of the best locations in the UK for their business, says a new report.

The city is named among the most attractive locations for ‘new economy’ businesses, with more than 30 future technologies organisations for every 100,000 residents.

Cities like Milton Keynes that prove attractive to one type of ‘new economy’ business tend to draw

in others as well, the report by the independent group Centre for Cities says.

Its report At the frontier: The geography of the UK’s new economy maps out the best places for new and emerging technologies to be based and the drivers behind their locations.

The ‘new economy’ is defined as 47 technologically advanced sectors, made up of both services and manufacturing businesses, including robotics and autonomous vehicles.

The report states that Milton Keynes is among the most attractive places for ‘new economy’ businesses with more than 30 firms in the future

Careers charity toasts its 30th anniversary

It is not unusual for schools to welcome work guests to inspire their students’ career planning.

But in Milton Keynes it is a habit thanks to local charity Worktree, which has been celebrating its 30th birthday.

The charity has delivered around 250,000 employer encounters for school students in Milton Keynes since it set up in 1992, including 50,000 work experience placements and 25,000 ‘Career WorkOut’ experiences.

Last year alone, Worktree organised online conversations for 8,000 students from 20 schools with 700 employee volunteers from 300 companies.

Alan Bullen, chair of Worktree’s trustees, said: “We are a small charity with a big vision that every worker, no matter what their job or background, should give some time to answer students’ questions.

“Now we are doing it online, it is just 40 minutes. You just click into the Virtual Career WorkOut meeting and join four other workers with a teacher and a class of about 25 students. It is easy to sign up and we welcome new volunteers.”

Worktree hosted a special 30th Birthday and Awards reception to mark its anniversary. Guests included representatives of companies taking part in the WorkOut sessions. They were joined by the Mayor of Milton Keynes Cllr Amanda Marlow, Debbie Brock High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, and Peter

Horrocks, chair of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership.

Cllr Marlow said: “It is important for our young people’s career planning that they get to see the fast-changing world of work as it currently is. The high volume and variety of employer encounters which are delivered by local charity Worktree are of great benefit to both our young people, and to local employees who clearly enjoy passing on their experiences.”

Winners of Worktree’s Volunteering Awards included law firm Dentons, Network Rail, Santander, KPMG, Kier Group, Thames Valley Police, Volkswagen Group, Natwest Bank, Ringway Infrastructure Services, Cummins Electrified Power, Xero and SMC Pneumatics.

Dentons partner David Payton received Worktree’s award for the highest overall number of sessions volunteered this year by a single company, with 167. A total 129 Dentons staff have met with a total 8,095 students in 300 Career WorkOut sessions, he said.

“It has been enjoyable and productive working with Worktree over the years,” Mr Payton added.

“It is a great way for us to both talk to young people and motivate our staff in the process.”

As Network Rail’s head of strategic planning, Richard Moody has taken part in Career WorkOut sessions. He has just been promoted to programme director (freight

reform) at Network Rail, whose national centre is next to Milton Keynes Central station.

He said: “I find volunteering for Worktree extremely rewarding both from being able to support

technologies sector per 10,000 working-age residents. According to the report, cities like Milton Keynes that are attractive to one type of ‘new economy’ business tend to draw others in too.

Its findings have been welcomed by Milton Keynes City Council. Its leader Cllr Pete Marland said: “This report further emphasises that we are a world-leading smart city and a place that empowers businesses that will provide jobs of the future for local people.

“We are ready to take on the challenge and support businesses looking to make a real difference for our communities and grow the local economy.

“We have really big ambitions for our city which is backed up by this report but we cannot be complacent. We are determined to make MK an even more attractive place to do business, so we can secure good and well-paid jobs for local people while growing our economy in a fair, green and sustainable way.”

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The council too will support organisations looking to develop an action plan, Cllr Darlington added.

“We want to create an environment where everyone feels supported and comfortable, an environment where no abuse is tolerated. The majority of us are

already there and we need to be vocal about that.

“Every woman knows how to carry a key as a defensive weapon but I do not want to have to teach my six- and 11-year-old daughters that that is how we do it. If they ever feel uncomfortable, I want them to be able to walk into any shop, business or

knock on any door to ask for help.”

n To find out how your organisation can join the

White Ribbon UK campaign, email Cllr Darlington at Emily.darlington@miltonkeynes,.gov.uk or visit www. whiteribbon.org.uk

n Find out more about Worktree and its Career WorkOut sessions at www.worktree.org/events

We want an environment in which no abuse is tolerated

Future tech businesses see location as good for business, says report

pupils in thinking about their future careers but also how it makes me more positive about my work. I am extremely proud of the support my colleagues from across Network Rail have provided Worktree.’’

The award winners at Worktree’s 30th anniversary celebration. Below: Chair of trustees Alan Bullen presents the Corporate Volunteering award to Emily Rowley and Tolu Adefeso of professional services firm KPMG

Engineers join hydrogen fuel cell test consortium

Motorsport engineers at a company in Buckingham are working as part of a consortium of British engineering and industry bodies to develop a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the Toyota Hilux truck.

The project, led by Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) and funded by the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre, will investigate and develop the necessary technologies to integrate the secondgeneration fuel cell components as used in the latest Toyota Mirai within an electrically-propelled Hilux.

D2H Advanced Technologies, based on Buckingham Industrial Estate, will use its expertise in simulation, aerodynamics and thermodynamics - honed at the pinnacle of competitive motorsport - to address the challenges involved in developing cooling systems

Technology on trial as a potential alternative fuel

and airflow strategies that deliver maximum efficiency. Crucial to the project is the need to maintain performance and reliability, while producing a cost-effective solution.

The consortium also comprises engineering consultancy Ricardo, European Thermodynamics Ltd and the insurance industry’s automotive research centre Thatcham Research.

Adam Evans, inset, D2H’s senior engineer on the project, said: “The UK’s fast-approaching 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles includes pickups and that

has implications for the off-highway, construction and utilities sectors that depend on these reliable workhorses.

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology, as proven in the Mirai, provides one possible solution to the challenge of keeping these industries on the move in environments where battery-electric powertrains often prove impractical.

“Our experience of developing technical and engineering solutions to complex problems that are both efficient and commercially costeffective will be put to good use.”

Scheduled to run for two years, the project will build prototype test vehicles at TMUK’s Burnaston site.

n Cranfield University is part of a consortium working to develop hydrogen-powered air travel. Report: Page 19.

The Renter’s Reform Bill: Change is coming for landlords and tenants

The government has confirmed plans to proceed with the New Renters’ Reform Bill announced in June 2022 writes Saqib Khan, solicitor at Neves Solicitors. The new Bill proposes to make significant changes to the current regime governed by The Housing Act 1988, including proposals to abolish the well-known and commonly used Section 21 Notice.

The new Bill is being proposed to reflect the government’s commitment to improving housing quality, providing support to the increasing cost of living pressures and to tackle the ongoing issues of unfair eviction and rent increases.

Can you and your business help?

With Milton Keynes recently being awarded City status, there is much to celebrate about living and working in this City. However, the reality is there are tens of thousands of people living in poverty in Milton Keynes. With steep rises in the cost of living, the number of struggling individuals and families living within our community will only continue to increase.

Who are HIS Church Charity?

HIS Church is an established redistribution charity, focused on providing food and supplies to those who need it most and preventing many products from going to landfill. They have helped over 15,000 charities nationwide and work with many of the leading food brands and supermarkets including Kellogg’s, Mars, Heinz, Lidl, Asda, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.

Full details of the proposed plans can be found in the government white paper A Fairer Private Rented Sector, published in June 2022. This article aims to cover the main proposals to include: n Proposals to abolish the Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notice; n New grounds to be implemented under the Section 8 procedure;

n All tenancies to become periodic; n Introduction of a new ombudsman; n Rights to keep pets.

The Section 21 Notice, commonly referred to as the ‘no fault’ notice will be abolished entirely. As a result, landlords will need to provide a reasonable cause to evict tenants. The reasonable circumstances will be defined by law.

Under the current procedure, landlords do not need to provide any reason at all - hence the name ‘no fault’. The implementation of the abolishment seeks to provide for a better housing market, prevent unjust evictions and reduce homelessness.

Three new mandatory grounds are to be implemented under the current Section 8 procedure to include: n Repeated serious rent arrears;

n Landlords wishing to sell their property;

n Landlords who wish to move into the property or allow for their families to do so.

In addition, the notice period under the current rent arrears mandatory ground (ground 8) will increase to four weeks.

Tenants currently subject to an Assured Tenancy, Assured Shorthold Tenancy or are in a Periodic Tenancy will automatically migrate to a new system of periodic tenancies.

Tenants will be required to provide two months’ notice to their respective landlords in order to terminate the tenancy.

The Government is seeking to establish a Government-approved ombudsman to regulate the private rented sector in England. All privately rented properties will be governed by the ombudsman, regardless of whether they are managed by letting agents.

The ombudsman will have the power and responsibility to assist tenants in circumstances such as requiring the landlord to take remedial action, provide information and even pay compensation. The ombudsman will also have the power to request for the landlord to reimburse the tenant in cases where ‘service or standard of property they provide falls short of the mark’.

The Government also intends to provide legislative provisions to prevent landlords unreasonably withholding consent to a tenant’s request to keep pets in the property.

The legislation will allow tenants to challenge the landlord’s decision if they feel the landlord has not provided a justifiable reason as to why a tenant cannot have a pet in the property.

To ensure the property is adequately protected, the landlord will be able to require the tenant to put in place pet insurance in the event that damage is caused to the property.

For advice on landlord and tenant or other property-related matters contact Saqib Khan, solicitor in the dispute resolution department, on 0330 0945 500 or email Saqib.Khan@nevesllp.co.uk

MK Food Reach is partnering with His Church Charity to ensure the City continues to provide support to its citizens.

Consortium wins £1m funding for drone project

Drone-based delivery services to run alongside the autonomous Starship delivery robots and current delivery services are to be developed in a partnership between Milton Keynes City Council, Cranfield University and the Satellite Applications Catapult.

The council has won a bid for £1 million of government funding to develop and deploy drones that could accelerate the delivery of vital medicines, ease road congestion and reduce carbon emissions.

It, with Cranfield University’s Drone Innovation Hub and Satellite Applications Catapult Westcott DronePort, will test and trial new dronebased services. The project, expected to create new hightech jobs locally, includes smart traffic monitoring, secure parcel deliveries, remote building inspections and the transfer of vital medical supplies as part of an emergency response.

Council leader Cllr Pete Marland said: “We are proud to be hosting yet another trial to test future technologies in MK which will build on our reputation as a world leading smart city. The technologies have the potential to bring practical benefits to help people in everyday life and in timecritical emergencies.”

If the trials succeed, they will boost the council’s work towards achieving its climate action targets, he added.

Medical firm receives Queen’s Award

Clinical trials specialist Medical Research Network has received its Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

Stuart Redding, chief executive of the Milton Keynes-based company, is pictured with the Queen’s Award Grant of Appointment presented by The Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.

The award, established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1965, is Britain’s most prestigious business award. The International Trade category is awarded to companies who have achieved spectacular growth and commercial success overseas.

The presentation to Mr Redding and MRN’s founder and executive chairman Dr Graham Wylie took place at a company meeting at the Wyboston Lakes Resort in Bedfordshire. MRN executives from France, Germany, Spain, and Japan watched the presentation in person, while executives from the MRN office in Chicago watched live via a streamed broadcast.

Mr Redding said: “This is a truly wonderful moment for MRN and we are thrilled to be recognised with the UK’s top business honour.

“As we have done for the past 16 years, we will continue to lead the way providing patient choice in clinical trials through innovation, expanding our geographical reach, enhancing our solutions with digital technology, and expanding our portfolio of services organically and through acquisitions.

“This award is a further validation of our position as the catalysts of communitybased clinical trials, designing and scaling trials quickly and efficiently, bringing medicines

to market faster.”

The Countess Howe also presented, on behalf of The King and in memory of Her late Majesty the Queen, a commemorative crystal trophy.

The Queen’s Award recognises MRN’s substantial global growth in the past five years. The company, based at Crownhill, trades in 20 overseas markets. Its customers include four of the top ten biopharma companies and MRN has become the largest independent, global, business conducting in-home trial visits, delivering more than 400 visits a week.

The company’s Home Trial Support service takes clinical trial research visits to patients in their own community and its in-home visit model supports patients, research sites and drug developers, making clinical trials faster, more flexible, efficient and improving data quality.

The Countess Howe said: “Many people have not considered the process behind how the drug bought at the local pharmacy or the medical procedure undergone at hospital were discovered.

MRN’s approach, from

MP lambasts train operator in debate

MP Ben Everitt has demanded Avanti West Coast provides a better, more reliable service for Milton Keynes or face being stripped of their contract.

In recent months, Mr Everitt has received piles of correspondence from constituents about the poor service being provided to and from Milton Keynes Central. He has written to Avanti

urging them to improve their performance and called on the government to remove Avanti’s contract if the service does not improve. Avanti has apologised to Mr Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, for the current service. It has since been confirmed there are plans in place for improvements.

In a speech to the House of Commons during a backbench debate on Avanti, Mr Everitt

said: “If my constituents are lucky enough even to have a train turn up at all, these trains are often delayed, unreliable and overcrowded.

“I urge the government to continue to actively monitor their service on this line and, more importantly, hold them to account so if we do not see drastic improvements to the reliability, punctuality and frequency of this service, that contract is removed.”

supporting researchers and drug developers through to giving dedicated support to patients by engaging in decentralised clinical trials, is improving not only the patient experience but also encouraging patient

recruitment and retention and is to be warmly celebrated.”

Mr Wylie said: “This award recognises the incredible growth of our business and the dedication and persistence of our employees, global network of healthcare

professionals, vendors and partners. We are dedicated to making healthcare more accessible for patients, clinical trials less burdensome for families and to help bring new medicines to people more quickly.”

Cllr Pete Marland

Medical Research Networks chief executive Stuart Redding receives the Queen’s Award Grant from The Countess Howe, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire

CEO: This is a truly wonderful moment

Hotel backs homelessness charity

Country hotel Horwood House has teamed up with national homelessness charity Crisis and upcycling specialist Recoup to transform an unused, syndicate break-out space into a coffee lounge for delegates that also gives back to communities.

The Crisis Charity Coffee Lounge has been brought to life by volunteers and members led by Recoup founders Tom Marsh and Ben Lunt. It reflects the horticultural surroundings and history of the hoteldating back to 1911, the house was the birthplace of

the famous gardener Percy Thrower - with reclaimed furniture restored and in some cases repurposed to create unique pieces such as wall panels made from antique French headboards, cast iron garden gates and dried flowers pressed into picture frames.

Horwood House is continuing its support of Crisis through its purchase of coffee beans from Volcano Coffee Works. Fifteen per cent of sales is going direct to Crisis, QR donation codes on tables encourage delegates to play their part with a donation and the hotel has pledged to donate

Advertising Feature

5pc of revenue from all new contracted conference and corporate event bookings for January, February and March 2023.

“This coffee lounge demonstrates how businesses like Horwood House can play a meaningful role in helping us end homelessness,” said Crisis interim director of enterprise and innovation Liz Choonara. “With the cost of living crisis raging and at a time when we believe as many as 300,000 households could be pushed into homelessness next year, we need as much support as possible to help people facing homelessness rebuild their

Women’s Euro 2022 champions come to Stadium MK

Four of the world’s top 20 teams will be battling it out for the Arnold Clark Cup trophy as the tournament returns to England this February. Stadium MK, home of MK Dons in Milton Keynes are set to host a double header. Defending champions and UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 winners England will be joined by Italy, ranked 14th in world football, 20thranked Belgium and Korea Republic, coached by former Republic of Ireland coach Colin Bell, in the round-robin tournament. Each team will play as part of a double-header fixture at the 30,500 capacity Stadium MK in Milton Keynes on Thursday February 16. First up is Italy v Belgium (kick-off 4.45pm) before England take on Korea Republic (kick-off 7.45pm)

Following a sensational summer of women’s football, in which Stadium MK hosted four games in a record-breaking EURO 2022 tournament, the Arnold Clark Cup is back in Milton Keynes. With women’s football front and centre in the city, tickets are expected to sell out as Leah Williamson, a Milton Keynes local, will captain the European champions at Stadium MK.

The competition is set to be competitive with just four teams competing for the Arnold Clark Trophy, with the first two games being played at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes. The host nation, Euro 2022 champions and Arnold Clark Cup holders England, will be hot favourites but will face the challenge of Korea Republic at Stadium MK. Ji So-Yun, who helped Chelsea lift eleven trophies in London, will look to cause an upset on her return to England. General admission tickets are available from just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Groups of nine or more can watch international football in Milton Keynes at a reduced rate of 25 per cent off.

Alternatively, watch the Arnold Clark Cup

in style as hospitality tickets are available to watch both fixtures. The perfect opportunity to entertain clients or business associates, reward staff or just simply watch a major international tournament in a first-class environment.

The Private Box for 10 offers a unique experience for the Arnold Clark Cup Double Header with stunning panoramic views of the pitch, ensuring you will not miss a second of the action. If you need to retreat to the comfort of your very own private box, you can do so whenever you please.

The Private Box package not only offers exclusive access to your own private box but also luxury for up to ten guests with a grazing buffet and premium beverages, inclusive of wines, beers and soft drinks. The package will also include matchday programmes and parking.

Fans can support England while enjoying the Hospitality Suite in Stadium MK’s Pitchside Restaurant. Enjoy the double header of international football in the comfort of the Pitchside Restaurant with a welcome drink on arrival ahead of Italy v Belgium before a three-course meal and tea, coffee and biscuits at half-time.

With the on-site DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at Stadium MK, football fans can head back to a comfy bed after a day of watching the best players in the world. Take the effort out of travelling and choose from junior suites, family rooms and apartment suites at DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes (subject to availability).

Following the incredible summer of women’s football, the celebration continues at Stadium MK as the winners England come to the city. This is not one to be missed.

n For more information visit stadiummk.com or call the Box Office on 01908 622933.

Milton Keynes Mayor Cllr Amanda Marlow visited Horwood House to see the new Crisis lounge

Law firm throws down £50 charity challenge

Take £50 and turn it into a magical amount of cash for five local charities. That is the challenge to businesses and organisations across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

Law firm Franklins Solicitors has thrown down the gauntlet, offering £50 seed funding to all entrants. In exchange, teams will work with their chosen charity on a plan to make as much profit as possible over a threemonth period.

raising money for very worthwhile causes.”

Gift firm’s warehouse deal sets rent record on estate

Christmas has come early for a festive gifts company.

The Elf Store - known for its The Elf on the Shelf merchandise - has agreed a five-year lease on a 5,850 sq ft warehouse unit at TORC:MK,

books,

The

Property and land firm rebrands its auction house division

Regional property consultancy Robinson & Hall has rebranded its Auction House Robinson & Hall as Robinson Hall Auctions.

The auction room was one of the first to return to a ‘live’ saleroom following the pandemic at its premises in Milton Keynes. Head auctioneer David Jones said: “Although we are

rebranding, staff will all remain the same, as will our saleroom. We look forward to working with all of our established contacts once again and welcoming new faces to our sales.”

Entries are open for the #Franklin50 challenge, which begins on February 13 and runs until May 13. The charities to benefit this year are MK Act, Willen Hospice and MK Food Bank in Milton Keynes. The challenge has also been issued in Northampton, where Franklins also has an office. Entrants will raise money for Northampton Hope Centre and Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

“We are delighted to declare this year’s #Franklins50 challenge open for local businesses and organisations to register a team to take part,” said Franklins’ head of business services Andrea Smith inset. “This year all the money will go to five local charities tackling the cost of living crisis and improving wellbeing.

Taking part is an opportunity for team building, getting creative and having fun while

Digital marketing agency onefoursix in Northampton took part in the 2022 competition, using its £50 to create and serve a fundraising barbecue. The firm has already signed up for 2023. “We got the onefoursix team together and floated a few ideas around the table including the BBQ idea,” said managing director Dave Williams. “At the time, with the weather being so good, the BBQ idea stuck - who doesn’t love a BBQ?

“We had no idea that it would take off as much as it did. We must have done over 100 orders that day. ”

The challenge is open to any business, organisation or community group and entrants can be as creative as they like with their fundraising. To enter, visit www.franklins-sols. co.uk/50-challenge/.

A resident of MK Act’s refuge said: “I am so pleased MK Act are included in the #Franklin50 fundraising challenge. The money raised in the challenge will help victims of domestic abuse through their ‘Last Resort Fund’.

“This fund saved my life and paid for us to leave our home safely and quickly when we were in danger. It paid for our taxi, a hotel for two nights and emergency food for us.”

The mission: To take the money and turn it into profit for good causes locally

Chippenham Drive, Kingston.

The company is moving from a smaller unit nearby due to increased demand for its Christmas-related products include advent calendars, board games, letters to Santa, blankets, cushions, party packs,

Santa’s Scout elves and accessories.

agreed rent sets a new record for premises on the estate, said Andrew Dudley, consultant at Kirkby Diamond in Milton Keynes, who acted for the landlord.

An inspirational conference and awards ceremony takes place this month, highlighting the importance of workplace diversity and inclusion. The This Is Us Conference and Awards will run at Kettering Conference and Exhibition Centre, on January 12, bringing together organisations from across the region and wider UK that are seeking better engagement and employability within their current and future workforce. In an exclusive conversation with Business MK, the conference and awards founder Meena Chander shares what visitors can expect from the event and why it is more important now than ever for businesses to have diversity and inclusion firmly on their agenda.

Conference is flying the flag for diversity

What is the This Is Us Conference and Awards? What is it all about?

MC Diversity and inclusion are being brought to the forefront of companies and should be recognised at a local level. Our conference and awards will promote the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and aim to raise awareness, educate and inform companies about D&I.

The event is a day conference and awards ceremony in the evening. The awards are designed to celebrate the great achievement in diversity and inclusion and raise a glass to everyone for the part they play.

It is really important to recognise the achievements of businesses that are doing great things in diversity and inclusion alongside celebrating the achievements of unsung heroes.

It is about supporting and improving corporate cohesion and productivity in teams by championing inclusivity and diversity in an organisation. What inspired you to launch the event?

I have a very close friend who is a crossdresser and he inspired me to produce a conference which originally focused solely on LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace.

I have shared his crossdressing journey with him, learning about the challenges he faces in society, and wanted to use my event management company to produce an event to educate and inform companies about being more inclusive. This expanded to include BAME and women in later years, and 2023’s event will see a strong focus on intersectionality and bringing people together

I come from a mixed-race family and I found it a real challenge to become recognised easily in the workplace. I was highly educated, good with clients and an extremely

professional events manager but there was always a reason not to promote me. I had to work so much harder than some of my less experienced and less qualified counterparts. I feel companies need to think outside the box, look at people with different skills and from different backgrounds and be less prescriptive in the type of candidate they are looking for.

Which companies should attend and what can they expect?

This Is Us is aimed at any businesses and individuals keen to learn more about D&I and make it more of a priority within their organisation, from HR and recruitment professionals to educational establishments, learning and development professionals and members of internal or external networks and alliances.

They can expect to hear insight from D&I experts, gain practical tips to be a more inclusive organisation, share best practice and network with industry professionals. Attendees will develop an understanding of

How to make serious tax savings as a business owner

Fed up with the Autumn Statement, never-ending tax rises, endless red tape and overly burdensome regulations and legislation? Do you ever wonder whether all of the sacrifices and hard work you have put in to become successful were worth it?

Well, the good news is that there remain numerous ways to save taxation legitimately. You just need to know where to go to get the right professional advice.

There remain some serious tax-saving opportunities if you take tax advice from the top tax specialists. Fees will

be expensive but the tax savings will dwarf the fees. It is very much an added-value service. It is also not the type of tax advice you will get from a run of the mill firm of accountants.

This is sophisticated tax advice for wealthy individuals who have wealth of at least £5 million. It is especially suitable for business owners and property entrepreneurs.

Advice is bespoke for each client because everybody’s personal situation is different so different tools need to be used from the toolkit for each scenario.

Vehicles such as overseas pensionsQualifying Non-UK Pension Scheme

Sponsors champion a more inclusive future

Diversity and inclusion conference This Is Us has released its latest list of sponsors for its conference and awards ceremony.

Now in its fourth year, the This Is Us event is dedicated to helping business leaders to facilitate and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace through a series of talks, workshops, and panel discussions.

The event has confirmed its line-up of speakers and leading sponsors of the awards, including North Northamptonshire Council, VTCT, Compass Group UK & I, Change The Balance CIC, Venues Collection Group and MKEBC. The event will showcase best practices, offer training materials and address and facilitate important conversation around diversity and inclusion, enabling

corporate diversity, learn practical ways to create an inclusive workplace environment, understand how to communicate inclusion, realise the importance of allies and role models, understand sensitivity to multiple discrimination and more. What problems does the event seek to solve?

The aim of the conference is to bring together organisations that are seeking better engagement and employability with their current and future workforce.

What topics will the conference explore?

The conference will explore fostering open, honest and equitable dialogue.

companies to support and improve corporate cohesion and productivity within their teams.

The awards ceremony follows the conference, recognising to recognise the diversity and inclusion initiatives of businesses across the regions and highlight companies’ commitment to equality and their positive impact on the workplace experience.

A total 12 will be presented in the categories:

n Education

n Women Empowerment n D, E & I Company

n Training & Development

n Recruitment Policy and Implementation n Community Upliftment and Community Engagement n Organisational Champion n Employee Resource Group n Apprenticeship

Attendees will learn how to hold the space and find physical and mental ease to allow others to be vulnerable.

Allyship aims to deconstruct and eliminate discrimination and we will discusss uniting people through differences and finding commonality.

The benefits of LGBTQ+, young people, disabled, gender and BAME role models will feature; ,how people can act as role models, the purpose of a role model and visibility. We will also highlight mental health and wellbeing and how we can support it in the workplace. Why will this year’s conference be bigger and better than ever? We have chosen a venue that is a very

n Changemaker n Icon/Lifetime Achievement n Tomorrow’s Leader Conference founder and organiser Meena Chander, said: “We are delighted to have such a fantastic collection of sponsors from prominent organisations, businesses and associations which are supporting and helping to facilitate a more inclusive future.

“For D&I to take precedence in our society, leaders within business, politics, and social groups play an integral role in creating real change and we are thrilled to see these key leaders within our sponsors. With the media partnerships, speakers, sponsors and award entry participants that we have obtained, we are ecstatic by the interest and awareness that This Is Us Conference and Awards is gaining.”

central point in the UK, making the event easy to access from all parts of the Midlands and East Anglia.

The This Is Us Awards are designed to reward the individuals, organisations and unsung heroes who help make the world and the workplace more inclusive for everyone in the region.

Everyone has a right to equal opportunities and esteem without fearing harassment or prejudice and our aim is to celebrate this and the companies that embrace it.

We believe that by continuing to fly the flag for equality, diversity and inclusion across these areas we can help make the UK a better place to work for everyone.

If you are interested in making serious tax savings, take advantage of a one-hour Discovery Meeting either at our offices or by a video conference call at our expense worth £270 to each of the first three readers who contact us before January 31. 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.

(QNUPS) and Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) - overseas business succession trusts, Exempt Property Unit Trusts (EPUTS), UK limited companies, family business partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, family investment companies and UK limited

companies are among the solutions proffered.

All of these solutions are legitimate UK structures. When taking advice it is critical to ensure that the solution recommended is pre-approved by HM Revenue & Customs and reapproved annually.

n Risk warning: The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate taxation advice, tax planning or trusts. The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount invested. The tax implications of advice will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and case law as well as regulations which are subject to change. You should always seek tax advice from a taxation specialist in order to understand your options. This article is based on my own observations and opinions.

Tony Byrne, managing director of Wealth & Tax Management, has some sophisticated advice for wealthy individuals.

Tony Byrne

Meena Chander

Girls relish an insight into engineering

More than 160 students and teachers had a valuable insight into a career in engineering when they visited high access platform manufacturer Niftylift’s headquarters in Milton Keynes for the company’s annual Women in Engineering event.

They were joined by Milton Keynes Mayor Cllr Amanda Marlow and Debbie Brock, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, both of whom described the day as ‘interesting’ and ‘inspiring’.

Niftylift has hosted the event for the past six years, aiming to break down traditional engineering stereotypes and encourage young females to embrace science, technology, engineering and maths and to take up a career in engineering.

The two-day event was Niftylift’s largest to date and welcomed students and teachers from Watling Academy, Oakgrove, Thornton

College, Bridge Academy, Denbigh, Ousedale, MK Academy, Shenley Brook End, Radcliffe and, for the first time, Hazeley Academy, Kents Hill Park, Northampton High and Silverstone UTC.

The days included factory tours, production assembly tasks, Control and Hydraulic Systems demonstrations, a 3-D CAD workshop, purchasing and supply chain activities.

The students heard from Niftylift’s female staff about their routes into their chosen careers before a ride in Niftylift’s tallest machine, the HR28

Youth charity calls for crime campaign backing

Businesses are backing a unique programme run by the charity Action4Youth aimed at teenagers at risk of being sucked into crime.

The Breakout programme has been developed by Action4Youth with funding from Thames Valley Police in response to a rise in knife crime. Independent evaluations have shown it to be an effective anti-knife and anti-gang programme.

“Business partners are invaluable to our essential work with young people,” said Action4Youth chief executive Jenifer Cameron. “Breakout is one of our initiatives that is particularly valuable in crime prevention. We know there are many young people needing our help and our corporate partners help us to work with as many young people as possible.”

On the three-month programme young people hear personal experiences and explore alternative choices. With individual mentoring and adventure education at Action4Youth’s Caldecotte Xperience at Caldecotte Lake in Milton Keynes, sessions enable young people to develop confidence and skills.

Academy, Shenley Brook End, Bridge Academy and Central thanks to funding from partners such as NHBC, MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District, Paradigm Housing Group and Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

NHBC supports Breakout as part of its Our Communities initiative. Strategy and change manager Toni Archer said: “I think it is a really important initiative. It gives young people who are on the edge of knife crime new skills and new opportunities and helps them make more positive decisions.”

MyMilton Keynes BID funds the programme as part of its Safe City strategy. Chief executive Melanie Beck said: “While providing a safe place to work and live, it is vital that we create provisions to ensure that our young people have the motivation and belief in themselves which will help them become productive and happy members of our society.”

Hybrid giving the students a view of the Milton Keynes skyline from 28 metres up.

Niftylift’s marketing manager Simon Maher said: “By championing the discipline’s creative aspects and inspiring young females, Niftylift hopes to encourage a new generation of female engineers to take their place in an exciting, vibrant and growing industry.”

Mayor Cllr Marlow

was shown round the Niftylift factory by one of the company’s apprentices. “It was a genuinely interesting visit, and I found it incredibly inspiring to see how valued women are in engineering,” said the Mayor.

“Walking around the various activities that had been planned and run by apprentices for visiting schools, you could not fail to see how interested the

girls were in what they were being shown and taught.

“I really hope that a lot of the young women who visited Niftylift will be inspired by the manufacturing tour and will pick engineering as a career, choosing an apprenticeship pathway.”

Debbie Brock, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, joined the girls in trying out some of Niftylift’s machinery.

“It was inspiring to see the jobs available and meet some of the awesome women carrying out those roles,” she said.

Sir Francis Hapgood, former Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, has welcomed the announcement that a further 11 funded programmes are booked for Milton Keynes in early 2023. He called for more businesses to support Action4Youth and the Breakout programme. n To find out more, email office@Action4Youth.org or visit https://www.action4youth.org/when-help-is-needed-most/#breakout

To date the initiative has worked with students from Hazeley

Students tackle some Niftylift challenges at the Women in Engineering event. Below: Milton Keynes Mayor Cllr Amanda Marlow

CEO: Business partners are invaluable

Entries are open for this year’s Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival which returns to Willen Lake in July.

Festival organiser NewWave Events is expecting up to 48 teams to sign up and beat the 2022 fundraising total of £37,500, all going to local charities.

The Dragon Boat Festival is again supported by Business MK, its sister magazine MK Pulse, MKFM and MK Charities. Up to 48 crews take part in the races, which will take place this year at Willen Lake on July 22. As last year, crews - many of whom represent businesses across Milton Keynes - can raise money for a charity of their choice.

The top fundraisers will win a charity trophy and the sponsorship raised by the participating teams is expected to make a significant contribution to the charities in and around Milton Keynes, said New Wave Events executive director Alicja Mierzejewska.

“We are thrilled to announce that the event will run again in 2023. The

event raised an amazing amount for charities in 2022 and we are hoping to beat this amount in 2023,” she added. “We are super excited to see all the amazing companies that enter year on year and we are also looking forward to seeing some new ones.

“Our dragons are ready and waiting, so see you all for a great day of fundraising and teambuilding.”

Fellow executive director Lucy

inner dragon

The Milton Keynes `Dragon Boat Festival 2022 raised £37,500 for local charities on its return after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Organisers NewWave Events are looking to beat that figure at this year’s festival. Form your crew and enter now.

Morton added: “The Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival has such an amazing community feel each year and it is great to be able to bring people together this way for the benefit of so many fantastic local charities.”

As in 2022, the festival will be using smaller 30-feet long dragon boats, holding up to 11 crew in order to make it easier for companies and

organisations of all sizes to enter teams.

Entries represent a mix of new and returning crews, all with the same aim in mind - to enjoy a fabulous day out with colleagues and friends and make a difference in their community.

No previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit and enthusiasm. The dragon boats, qualified helms and all racing equipment are provided and each crew is guaranteed a minimum of three races.

Enhanced Gold and Silver entry packages are available which include marketing benefits such as the company’s logo on each side of a dragon boat as well as a significant donation to the charity of their choice.

Red Bull’s pride at ‘incredible season’

F1 heroes hail home city support after double title success

More than 30,000 F1 fans lined the streets of Central Milton Keynes to celebrate “a season for the books” for the city’s title-winning motor racing team Red Bull Racing.

They brought home both the Driver and Constructor Championships, making the 2022 F1 season the most successful in the team’s history. And, to celebrate, Red Bull took to the heart of Milton Keynes to allow local fans to see and hear the roar of a F1 engine for the first time in 11 years.

“To see the fans, the team and their families all here is very special,” said Red Bull Racing chief executive and team principal Christian Horner. “To bring both the Driver’s and the Constructor’s trophies home to our city of Milton Keynes after such an incredible season is a very proud moment. What better way to celebrate these achievements than with the city that has been our home since the very beginning?”

The MK Homerun saw world champion driver Max Verstappen and team mate Sergio Perez drive the 2011 Championship-winning RB7’s

through the centre of the city. Mr Horner paid tribute to the authorities in Milton Keynes for enabling the celebration to take place.

“30,000 people showed up to celebrate with us. We carry that support with us in each and every race.”

World champion Max Verstappen added: “It is great to give back to the city through local events like this. We are truly appreciative of the love and support that comes from the city.”

Law firm wins seat on housing group’s panel

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau, which has an office in Milton Keynes, has been reappointed to housing provider Orbit Group’s panel of legal advisers following a competitive tender process. It has secured one of eight available seats on the panel for the next five years, with an option of a 12-month extension. Orbit Group provides affordable housing to buy and rent, managing a portfolio of 46,500 properties across the Midlands, East and South East.

Rachel Gwynne, head of social housing at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “A formal reappointment to Orbit Group’s panel will allow us to continue to work closely together on a broad range of legal issues over the coming years.”

Part of Orbit Group is development specialist Orbit Homes, which is to deliver 6,500 new homes, 70 per cent of which will be affordable properties, by 2025 to help to tackle the UK’s housing shortage.

(from left) Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey, drivers Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen and team principal Christian Horner

The

business networking events

BIGGLESWADE

Networking lunch.

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-12 noon: 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 & EAST 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

CONNECT OVER COFFEE

January 17 9.30m-11am: Greystone Solicitors, Dunstable Road, Luton Networking event + an update on the benefits of Chamber membership.

Free event for Chamber members; nonmembers £25.

CONNECT OVER COFFEE + LAUNCH OF THE SME BEDFORDSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2023

January 24 9.30am-11.15am: Brewpoint, Cut Throat Lane, Bedford Connect with Chamber members and find out about this year’s SME Bedfordshire Business Awards awards categories, key dates, awards partners and gain some top tips for writing a winning entry.

Free event. Chamber members and nonmembers welcome.

To book on to Chamber events, visit www.chamber-business.com/events

this month across Milton Keynes, North Bucks and Bedfordshire

2nd Wednesday: Yorkshire Grey, London Road

Price: £6, payable in advance on the Business Buzz Booking App https://app.business-buzz. org/app or at the event.

EAST MIDLANDS

1st Friday: Online. Price: £10

BEDFORDSHIRE

4th Tuesday: Online

Price: £10, 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

2nd Thursday, 7.30am-9.30am: Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash

VIRTUAL NETWORKING

Tuesday Brunch

2nd Tuesday, 9.30am-11am

Wednesday Breakfast 4th Wednesday, 7.30am

Thursday Breakfast

3rd Thursday, 7.30am

Friday Breakfast

2nd Friday, 7.30am

THE ACCOUNTABILITY CIRCLE

Monday 10am-11am: Online

A regular virtual meeting helping small businesses get tasks from ‘to do’ to ‘done’. Advice and tips on time management and productivity.

Price: £6 per session or £12 per month. More information: www.buscomm.co.uk

Alt. Fridays 7am:

Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash Networking breakfast with speaker. Price: £15. Contact: www.businessgrowthclub.co.uk or Mark Orr 07903 655169

MILTON KEYNES VIRTUAL NETWORKING

January 13 10am-11am: Online.

Speaker: Francis West, chief executive of WestTek Security Everywhere LTD. Subject: Protect your business from cyber attacks. Hosted by Daxa Patel. Free event. To book on to FSB events, visit www.fsb.org.uk

Local Skills and Improvment Plan event to have your voice heard about the skill gaps within your employment.

Free event, Chamber members and non-members welcome. This event will include a light breakfast and refreshments.

To book on to Chamber events, visit www.chambermk.co.uk/events

January 10, 24 7am-8.30am: The Bell Hotel, Winslow Breakfast meeting + speaker. Visitors:£10. Contact: www.bucks-fizz.biz

If you are serious about growing your business, BNI works. Last year BNI members in the UK generated more than £482 million worth of business for each other. To find out how, visit a local chapter meeting and see for yourself. Each chapter has a personality of its own and finding where you fit best helps you get connected.

DIAMOND

Tuesday 6.45am: Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash

APOLLO

Wednesday 10am: MK Gallery

PHOENIX

Friday 9.45am: The Bedford Golf Club

MAKING ENERGY SAVINGS

January 18 9am-10.30am: Online Workshop focusing on how to invest in infrastructure to combat the cost of energy and how to make low and no-cost changes to reduce energy usage. Free event for GBN members. Nonmembers welcome. To book, email info@ greenbusinessnetwork.co.uk

Networking events provide a platform to meet and build relationships with peers and fellow members. The group also hosts personal development sessions, with talks from business leaders.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

No fuss, no membership, pay as you go... The Business Buzz format is relaxed, informal, conversational B2B networking.

Town focused events meet face-to-face, allowing visitors to build better, more robust relationships. These are complemented by regional virtual events.

All Business Buzz events run 10am-noon

BRACKLEY

1st Thursday: Paisley Pear, Northampton Road.

MILTON KEYNES

3rd Friday: Revolucion de Cuba, Savoy Crescent, 12th Street

BEDFORD

1st Wednesday: George & Dragon, Mill Street

ENCORE

Friday 6.45am: Holiday Inn London Luton

More information: www.bni.co.uk Airport

PIONEER

Wednesday 9.30am: Online meetings

More information: www.bni.co.uk

GREEN TRANSPORT

January 25 1.30pm-4pm: The Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine Speaker: Andrew Joy, sustainable transport officer at Central Bedfordshire Council. Subject: Advice on how to influence staff commuting, change driving habits, consider a new or replacement fleet or how to cut petrol/ diesel use.

Plus, reflections of other GBN members. To book, visit www.greenbusinessnetwork. co.uk

SPEED NETWORKING

January 26 11.30am-1.30pm:

Kingfisher Hotel & Country Club, Deanshanger Fast-paced networking around tables of up to ten business. This event includes a maximum of three table changes enabling you to meet as many businesses as possible, followed by a buffet lunch.

Chamber members only. Price: £15 + VAT.

LOCAL SKILLS IMPROVEMENT PLAN

January 31 8.30am-10.30am: Northampton College, Booth Lane Networking + information event, funded by the Department for Education. Come along to our

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, Warden Hills Road / 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

January 18 5.30pm-7.30pm: Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Northampton Speaker: Jamie Cochrane. Subject: How to tackle financial difficulty, with advice and suggestions for what to do. Free event for Next Generation Chamber members. To book, visit www.nextgenerationchamber. co.uk To

NETWORKING LUNCH

January 25 12 noon-2pm: The Cock Inn, North Crawley Price tbc

To book, visit www.womeninenterprise.co.uk

Follow in the footsteps of Bedford-based Window Ware, overall winner at last year’s SME Bedfordshire Business Awards. The search for the 2023 winners begins at Brewpoint in Bedford on January 24. See Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce listings for details

What was your first job?

Aside from the usual paper rounds and the like, my first job was as a mobile DJ, touring the village halls and rugby clubs of North Yorkshire in a Vauxhall Chevette. I later got a ‘proper job’ as an electronics technician after college but kept the DJ business running till my mid-20s.

Why did you choose your particular career?

I went back to college to do a course in Social Care as a mature student. I volunteered with The Children’s Society working with a young lady with cerebral palsy who had been given a ‘light talker’ to enable her to speak.

Being a bit of a geek, I found I could make the machine do all sorts of things to help and the impact on her life just seemed huge. From there, I was committed to working with people with disability and wanted to replicate that feeling of helping someone to live an independent and happy life regardless of their disabilities.

What’s the best job you’ve had and why?

Absolutely the one I’m in now. As CEO of Camphill Milton Keynes I’m surrounded by people with passion and creativity, I love what I do, I know my people and I care for them. …and the worst?

Working as an area / regional manager for a very large national charity. I hardly ever met with the people we supported and felt lost in corporate fundraising, Key performance indicators and targets, unable to be myself and, although we had an impact, I didn’t see it from day to day.

I learned an awful lot and value the experience but didn’t enjoy it.

What’s the best advice you’ve received in business?

Look carefully at what you are doing and focus where you have the most impact. It’s easy to be super busy but to be effective and impactful takes a lot of planning and clarity.

Where business people discuss their motivation, ambition, experience - and themselves. In the spotlight this month is Tim Davies, chief executive at Camphill Milton Keynes, which provides support and a meaningful working life for adults with learning difficulties.

MY FAVOURITE

FOOD Seafood, Italian or Spanish.

MUSIC / SONG I love music and my taste is very varied. Currently it’s soulful modern contemporary music like Billie Eilish or jangly guitars and harmonies like The 1975. In my heart I’m an indie rock kid.

BOOK Lanark: A Life in Four Books by Alisdair Grey. Mind-blowing fantasy and characterisation.

FILM The Matrix. We are all just an experiment

TV PROGRAMME Dr Who. I’m very excited to see Ncuti Gatwa take on the role.

RESTAURANT Small independents… as long as they do fish. No real fave (recommendations, please)

DESTINATION I spent a lot of time in Spain with my family but I’m a home boy at heart.

How do you relax?

Listening to and playing music, usually guitars. Often loud.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Singing loudly and badly in the car till my throat hurts.

What’s your worst fault?

An unhelpful critical view of myself.

What’s your most treasured possession?

The smile on her face was infectious... and she was looking directly at me

What’s the highlight of your career so far?

One of our staff took me aside to tell me how much a photo of myself and a resident had meant to her. She was hearing-impaired and non-verbal but everyone knew when this person was happy.

The smile on her face in the photo was infectious and she was looking directly at me. …and the low point?

Letting things get on top of me, taking on too much on at a time when home life and health were all challenging me, ultimately letting down colleagues as a result. I made my apologies and learned from it.

Who in business do you respect the most?

There are many inspirational leaders I could think of, both nationally and locally. I wouldn’t embarrass anyone by naming them locally but I hope they know who they are.

Stephen Covey, I’m sure, will be less concerned with me citing him as someone I would like to learn from but there are many.

What annoys you the most in business?

Lack of attention to detail, particularly when

it creates more work for me as I refuse to pass on that lack of detail to others.

What’s the best thing/worst thing about where you work?

Best: The people I work for. Our residents and service users inspire me with their tenacity and ever-confident willingness to try…

The worst is sometimes the administrative complexity of my work but making sense of that is often what I’m good at so it’s not too bad.

What’s your career ambition?

To lead a national charity and within that to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

…and your life ambition?

Living it.

What has been the best moment of your life?

Possibly my children growing up to become my friends. I’m proud of the people that they are and feel grateful they make the choices they do by themselves.

…and the worst?

Seeing my parents’ health decline in old age.

A Fender Stratocaster guitar passed on from my dad.

What are you afraid of?

There isn’t much to be afraid of. I’m grateful for that.

What annoys you most in life?

Bullying, bigotry and hatred of others for things they cannot control.

Tell us something you regret.

I try not to hold on to regret too much. Sometimes I regret not responding to a harsh word with a smart and cutting response but generally things come right in the end.

Tell us a secret about yourself.

I’ve already told you plenty.

Which two historical figures would you most like to talk to and why?

David Bowie. Although he was clearly flawed with various addictions and a business drive and other appetites that often hurt others, his music and continuous self-reinvention suggested someone who was forever searching for acceptance and a place in the world.

I would love to know if he found happiness and came to love himself.

Aneurin Bevan, the government minister responsible for founding the NHS. It took years of work and so many said it would never work but it became such an astonishing achievement.

I would like to know what he thinks is the answer for our healthcare needs today.

What are the first three things on your bucket list?

n To run a national charity.

n To see my children happy and healthy.

n To feel confident that I made a difference in the world somehow.

What music/song would you like played at your funeral?

The Best of You by Foo Fighters.

www.becentralbedfordshire.co.uk

Here to help your business to save money and save the planet

Central Bedfordshire Council is keen to support businesses to save money and continue their sustainability transition.

As part of the council’s sustainability plan, we are supporting local business, landowners and farmers to transition to a low carbon economy, including help for businesses to work towards a circular economy with support from our sustainability team.

Our dedicated sustainable transport team offers support and advice on solutions such as:

■ Switching your fleet to electric vehicles;

■ Setting up an EV car scheme for employees;

■ Encouraging and incentivising staff to walk or cycle to work;

■ Promotion of lift share schemes;

■ Support with travel audits to gauge the demographics of business travel;

■ Bike and car hire schemes.

To help businesses support and encourage active travel within their workforce, our teams can set up themed events such as bike maintenance, security marking, lights and reflective bands, as

well as guided walks.

The sustainability team explore your business challenges and point you in the direction of the services and grants available that best suit your needs.Support is also available for other schemes which can also be great employee engagement and awareness-raising projects such as tree planting, energy saving and allotments/grow your own.

Support is in place to tackle the cost of living pressures

Smaller businesses, as well as households, are feeling the impact of the rising cost of living. Increases in energy and fuel bills not only affect direct operational costs of a business but also the spending power of their customers, supply chain costs and the wellbeing of their employees. This leaves many businesses facing an uncertain future. However, with careful planning and the right support, smaller businesses can reduce the risks.

In Central Bedfordshire, we have access to support programmes and information sources to help businesses to build resilience and plan for growth.

Our Be Central Bedfordshire - Business Finance webpages include links to programmes and advice including:

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme Help for businesses and other non-domestic customers.

Ofgem Help if your business cannot afford its energy bills.

British Business Bank How your business can tackle the cost of living.

Low Carbon Workspaces Grants For energy-saving measures to help businesses.

Business Debt Line Advice on dealing with debt.

Paying tax bill in instalments Making Time to Pay arrangements with HM Revenue and Customs.

n Find out more at the Support for Business section of becentralbedfordshire.co.uk

We have sought feedback on our plans from businesses and communities. To see how these plans will be adapted to help you and your employees to improve your travel choices, visit our Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure web pages

n Find out more at cbtravelchoices.co.uk or email begreen@centralbedfordshire. gov.uk.

Promoting resilience through wellbeing in the workplace

Businesses are facing unprecedented challenges this winter with risings costs, recruitment pressures and the continuing impact of Covid-19. Supporting workplace health and wellbeing is a solution to some of these challenges.

A happy healthy workforce is more productive, takes fewer sick days and can help to reduce costs. For every £1 spent on mental health support in the workplace, there is an average of £5 return on investment.

The estimated annual cost of absenteeism, presenteeism and staff turnover has increased by 25 per cent since 2019 to an estimated figure around £55 billion. More than half of adults consider a company’s

culture to be more important than salary, according to research by recruitment platform Glassdoor. What can you do to support the health and wellbeing of your employees over the winter months?

n Register for the Healthy Workplace Standards, a best practice framework.

n Connect with local health and wellbeing service providers offering a wide range of free support to all workplaces.

n Adhere to government and Health & Safety Executive guidance on the prevention of transmission of respiratory infections such as Covid-19.

n Encourage your employees to get vaccinated against flu and Covid-19.

Count on our maths courses to increase numeracy skills levels

Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council are delivering free maths courses for residents and employees to help them improve their confidence using maths in everyday work and life activities.

The Multiply courses are a benefit to business. They support your staff and new recruits to increase their confidence using numbers in work and at home and encourage staff to achieve

a maths qualification. They motivate your employees, boost productivity and increase staff retention by investing in their development and will help employees to

progress within your organisation.

The courses have been designed to also boost confidence with money skills and help parents to support their children’s education outside of work.

Multiply is aimed at people aged 19 and over who live or work in Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough and who do not have a maths qualification equivalent to GCSE grade C+.

Green light for £25m Leighton Linslade leisure centre plan

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive has approved plans for a new £25 million leisure centre in Leighton Linslade.

The new centre’s facilities will include:

■ Three new swimming pools: an eight-lane 25-metre pool with 130 spectator seats, a learner pool and a separate ‘confidence water’ shallow pool;

■ A 150-station gym / fitness suite;

■ Two multi-use studios for exercise classes and activities;

■ A dedicated group cycle studio;

■ Two squash courts;

■ A creche and café;

■ Two Changing Places facilities;

■ Access to walking and cycling routes.

Cllr Tracey Stock, executive member for health, wellbeing and communities, says: “Providing access to high-quality leisure facilities is key in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

A planning application for the new centre, pictured below, has been submitted. Subject to approval by councillors, it aims to open in 2025.

Marshall Aerospace submits plans for move to Cranfield

Marshall Aerospace has submitted its outline planning application to Central Bedfordshire Council, paving the way for its relocation to Cranfield.

The application follows a comprehensive round of public consultation and sets out Marshall’s plans for a new purpose-built facility on the Cranfield University campus.

Marshall chief executive Kathy Jenkins said the application marks an ‘important milestone’. She added: “We have been delighted with the response we have had thus far to our proposals, with the vast majority of people welcoming the employment opportunities and economic benefits we will bring to the area.”

Marshall already works with Cranfield on a range of research and skills projects.

“Their plans to move operations to Cranfield Airport would be a significant boost for Central Bedfordshire,” said Central Bedfordshire Council leader Cllr Richard Wenham. “This is evidence of the extensive work we do to showcase our area as an attractive business location and has the potential to provide exceptional new opportunities.”

Read the application on the Central Bedfordshire Planning Portal: bit.ly/ Plantech_MA_Cranfield application number CB/22/04299/OUT. Subject to planning approval, Marshall Aerospace aims to be operational at Cranfield in 2026.

n Scan this QR code to download course information details, course dates and location. Central Bedfordshire Council can develop bespoke courses for numeracy gaps your business has within your workforce. For more information, email Multiply engagement officer Holly Keeling at holly.keeling@ centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

@BeCentralBeds Be Central Bedfordshire - Economic Growth Partnership

Central Bedfordshire Council, through its Be Central Bedfordshire website and services, provides a wealth of support and information to help all businesses, either established or new to the area, to thrive and grow.

£2 billion opportunity knocks for Luton

Investment totalling more than £2 billion brings great opportunity for Luton businesses, a major conference has heard.

Developers and investors have briefed businesses based in the town on supply chain contract opportunities that will become available as a result of key new and current developments happening in Luton.

They also heard from the council’s economic growth team on how it can support them to grow through the grants and training opportunities on offer.

Delegates at the Think Luton, Think Business conference hosted by Luton Council heard from local education providers and how the council and its partners are working to support development and growth in the area by discussing the future needs of business, jobs and skills. They also took part in sessions on recruitment and retraining staff.

Investment promises contract openings for town companies

Law firm pays tribute to ‘inspirational leader’ after managing partner dies

Law firm Machins Solicitors has announced the death of its managing partner Mark Pelopida.

Mr Pelopida, 57, died last month after a short illness. Kathryn Ainsworth, head of Machins’ family department and head of legal practice, has taken over as managing partner on an interim basis.

Ms Ainsworth, inset said: “We are devastated to announce the news of Mark’s death. He was an inspirational

leader, a great colleague and a friend to us all. He will be sadly missed across the business and within the local community as a whole.”

Machins has opened a book of condolences at its offices in Luton and Berkhamsted. It can also be accessed online at www.machins.co.uk/news/ online-condolences/.

Mr Pelopida qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and joined Machins in 1996. As well as being the firm’s managing partner, he also headed its company commercial team.

The Apprenticeship Brokerage Service, which the council will launch in the new year, will help businesses to recruit and retain staff by finding apprenticeship providers and support which will enable them to recognise early talent. The service will also help employers to develop their employees and the skills within their organisations.

Cllr Sian Goding, portfolio holder for regeneration and inclusive growth at Luton Council, said: “It has been an extremely difficult time for many businesses but with over £1.5 billion investment coming into Luton and £500 million town centre investment, this brings a number of great new opportunities. This event was the chance for organisations to find out about funding and contract opportunities coming off the back of this growth and we hope they can benefit from these.”

Luton Council has also joined the Good Business Charter, an accreditation which recognises those organisations that prioritise and care for their employees, the environment, customers and suppliers.

The council is supporting Luton-based businesses looking to achieve the accreditation.

“We also hope that at a time when people are thinking more about who they work for and who they buy from, they would look to join the Business Charter and show that Luton has great organisations in which to work,” said Cllr Goding.

“This is all an important part of our longer-term plan to create a strong economy and assist the business community in recovery, resilience, growth and ultimately prosperity”.

Delegates and speakers rode the soon to be open Luton DART, the new transport system linking Luton Airport Parkway train station with London Luton Airport. The day also saw the unveiling of the Hat Gardens Pocket Park, where the River Lea has now been opened up in the town centre.

The Hat Gardens Pocket Park shows how local investment in local businesses delivers growth and opportunity for the wider community, said Daniel Coyle, managing director

of Ryebridge Construction which carried out the project, part of the scheme to open up the river Lea flowing through Luton town centre.

“Being a Luton-based business with the majority of our supply chain and workforce all local, any initiatives to boost the local economy and offer opportunities are essential,” Mr Coyle added.

“We delivered the pocket park with 90 per cent of the workforce Luton-based and, through our local supply chain drive, over 70pc of the value of the works went directly back to the community through using local labour and local suppliers.”

Business leaders also support the council’s commitment to the skills agenda as part of its Luton 2040 vision.

“It is vital that local organisations and businesses play their part in filling skills gap in Luton,” said Iftekhar Shah, managing partner at Hannah Solicitors based at the Hart House Business centre in Kimpton Road. “We understand the importance of the promotion of grassroots talent to ensure the future growth of businesses and, essentially, our economy.”

The law firm is to work with schools and colleges to promote its training schemes and provide career opportunities.

Mark Pelopida

Cllr Sian Goding

Daniel Coyle

Major employers back business park plan to create jobs and boost growth

Forum gives support to innovation site that will play part in Luton 2040 strategy

Investment in a business park that will serve the innovation, green tech and enterprise sectors will create the link that binds Luton and London Luton Airport together, says the head of the airport’s owner Luton Rising.

Graham Olver was speaking after a forum at which leaders from some of Bedfordshire’s foremost employers debated the concept for the Green Horizons Park - formerly New Century Park near the airport.

Buy-in for Green Horizons was positive at the workshop, during which delegates looked at the future of finance, technology and sustainability in sectors including aviation, aerospace, real estate, manufacturing, electrification, energy and mobility.

Luton Council is planning more

events this year to focus on specific industry sectors, leading local and international businesses, and finance.

Mr Olver said: “We see Green Horizons Business Park as a stitch that can link both town and the airport together through a new ecosystem that has the potential not just to deliver jobs and growth but to support our social impact mandate.

“It was extremely positive to hear the buy-in and support that exists for Luton’s future.”

The workshop took place the day after the Think Luton, Think Business conference (Report: page 17) which brought businesses based in the town together to focus on future economic and employment opportunities arising from upcoming developments across the town.

Workshop delegates, representing

We deliver leaflets direct to homes and businesses across Milton Keynes

organisations including Stellantis, bp pulse, Ricardo, PwC, Connected Places Catapult, GKN Aerospace, Deloitte, Arup and the University of Bedfordshire, also took a ride on the Luton DART mass transit system that links London Luton Airport with Luton Airport Parkway railway station. The DART is due to open later this year.

Green Horizons Park is a 100-hectare site that would act as

another catalyst in Luton’s economic and employment success, Luton Rising says. Its location is within 2.5 hours drive for 28 million people as well as hundreds of millions within a similar flight time and the vision is for an exemplar development serving the innovation, green technology and enterprise sectors.

Luton Rising is the Luton Council company that owns London Luton Airport with a mission to promote economic and employment growth, and maximise the social investment it provides for the voluntary and charitable sector.

Its chair Cllr Javeria Hussain said: “Green Horizons Park offers clear synergies with Luton’s 2040 Vision to alleviate poverty and become a carbon-neutral town and an opportunity to grow the financial support we are able to provide for Luton’s incredible voluntary and community sector which supports the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

MP monitors Marston Vale line suspension

Train services between Bedford and Bletchley on the Marston Vale Line remain temporarily suspended after Vivarail, the company which maintains the Class 230 trains on the route, entered administration last month.

A rail replacement service is in place until further notice while alternative arrangements are considered.

LNWR engineering director John Doughty said: “I apologise to our customers who will be impacted by the temporary suspension of the train service on the Marston Vale Line.

“We have been left with no alternative but to pause the service as we can no longer guarantee the required level of maintenance for the trains on the route will be available.

“We are working hard to find a solution which will enable us to return a train service to the line as soon as possible.”

Study calls for urgent action to help farmers’ mental health

Mental health services in rural areas need urgent attention to ensure the needs of farmers are properly met, according to researchers.

Farmers facing worsening mental health problems are experiencing what researchers call a strained ‘landscape of support’, says a study co-authored by an expert at Cranfield University.

The study findings were published last month in Sociologia Ruralis, the official journal of the European Society for Rural Sociology and an international forum for social scientists engaged in a wide variety of disciplines focusing on social, political and cultural aspects of rural development.

They show that the pandemic led to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal feelings among the UK’s farming population. The report raises concerns that organisations fighting to support farmers alongside primary mental healthcare services which are sometimes inaccessible and inadequate for rural communities.

Already facing substantial uncertainty around transitions away from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy as the UK left the European Union, farmers then faced the impact of the pandemic. The industry was considered essential but physical, social and cultural isolation puts some farmers at risk of mental health issues, the research says.

Interviewing supporters of farming mental health, including chaplains, charities, auction staff and primary

healthcare, the research found that mental health services are strained in rural communities and provide uneven coverage across the country.

Academics are now calling on policymakers to take urgent action to improve rural-proof primary mental healthcare services and better support civil society organisations which widen the safety net for farmers.

Report co-author David Rose, Professor of Sustainable Agricultural Systems at Cranfield University, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated issues with farmers’ mental health that we already knew existed.

“For example, primary mental healthcare provision in parts of the UK is based on urban delivery models that do not suit rural communities. This leaves civil society organisations fighting to fill the support gap but these organisations face their own struggles.

“This issue needs urgent attention to ensure farmers get the support they need and help civil society organisations to flourish.”

Stephanie Berkeley, of the Farm Safety Foundation, said: “I agree that urgent action is needed to support the ongoing mental health of our farmers. They work long hours every day through global pandemics and uncertain times to put food on our plates but this dedication comes at a price.

“We need immediate action at government level and we need to take the pressure off the rural support groups and charities who have been relied on to provide support for those in crisis situations.”

Vivarail had been seeking new investment but in a statement said that it had failed to finalise agreement with potential investors and the business had been affected by slow market conditions and delays in reaching certain key commercial arrangements.

Milton Keynes South MP Iain Stewart, recently elected as chair of the Transport Select Committee, has written to LNWR to ask how long the Marston Vale train route is likely to be suspended as well as requesting regular updates on the situation. He said: “I want to put on record my thanks to LNWR for acting quickly to put on the rail replacement bus service to allow the line users to still be able to travel for work, education or leisure.”

Tech hub signs up new tenants

Investment and new jobs are on the way to Bedfordshire after completion of three major lease deals on Cranfield Technology Park.

Events technology specialist Physike Instrumente has taken 2,455 sq ft of office space, Octagon Recruitment is preparing to move into 1,952 sq ft and car lease business SOGO Mobility has signed for 4,000 sq ft of accommodation.

They join almost 60 science, technology and knowledgebased businesses, ranging from start-up companies through to internationally recognised brands such as Nissan European Technical Centre.

Richard Last, consultant at property consultancy Kirkby Diamond which handled the deals, said: “Cranfield Technology Park is a fantastic location and it is seeing strong demand for office space.”

Graham Olver

Consortium: ‘Jet zero’ can become a reality

Hydrogen-powered flights could take to the skies above the UK as early as 2026 and passengers could be flying between UK regions on planes with zero carbon emissions within the next 20 years, say aviation experts at Cranfield University.

They are part of a UK aviation consortium that is researching the development of carbon-free aviation in the UK by 2040. The consortium is calling for a top-level review of how aviation might fit into the UK’s national hydrogen strategy.

Countries such as Germany and France are already investing heavily in large-scale hydrogen projects but, given the rich history, scale of market, industrial capability, and culture of innovation, it is commercial aviation where the UK can become a world leader.

The project is the most comprehensive study to date on the potential for a carbon-free future for UK domestic aviation by 2040.

Researchers in the Centre for Air Transport Management and the Safety and Accident Investigation Centre at Cranfield worked with major aerospace manufacturers, UK airports and academic institutions on Project NAPKIN (New Aviation Propulsion Knowledge Innovation Network) as part of UK Research and Innovation’s Future Flight Challenge.

Dr Thomas Budd, inset, senior lecturer in airport planning and management at Cranfield University said: “Aviation is not the UK’s only industry considered hard to decarbonise which is seeking to develop a

zero emissions future founded on hydrogen. To make zero emissions air travel a reality, it is essential that industry, academia and government work productively to review aviation’s place within the broader UK hydrogen strategy. Excitingly, research as part of NAPKIN has shown that this future may be sooner than many may have originally thought.”

The first hydrogen-powered commercial flights on small modified aircraft with between seven and 19 seats could be introduced as soon as 2026. These small-scale hydrogen-powered planes could be used to connect the UK mainland and islands.

By the end of the next decade, newly designed hydrogen-powered aircraft carrying between 40 and 90 passengers could be flying the UK’s domestic route network and into Europe, with ranges of up to 2,600 kilometres - roughly the distance from London to Istanbul.

Cranfield’s research shows that, with cautious

forecasts of future hydrogen prices and maintenance/repair costs, the finances associated with operating hydrogen aircraft could be competitive with comparable kerosene-fuelled aircraft.

By 2040 the UK aviation sector may require as much as 300,000 tonnes of ‘green’ hydrogen, generated from renewable sources, which will increase as more airlines

switch to zero emission aircraft.

This surpasses current green hydrogen production in the UK and does not account for the increased demand from other sectors.

Cranfield researchers say that short-term demand for hydrogen is small and therefore it is unlikely that airports will invest heavily in new delivery and storage infrastructure until demand increases significantly, likely to be from 2035 onwards.

Initially, delivery and storage of hydrogen by road tanker is likely to suffice, but larger airports will need to have in place the necessary on-site infrastructure to handle large quantities of liquid hydrogen, with an annual 68 per cent increase in demand for green hydrogen anticipated.

Manufacturer Rolls-Royce is part of the NAPKIN consortium. Its global chief of hydrogen technology Hervé Morvan said: “Further work is needed to scale this analysis up to larger aircraft but this study provides

a robust analytical methodology and a first good indication for what it takes for hydrogen to come true in aviation, beyond the aerospace technology drive.”

Matt Prescott, head of carbon strategy at London Heathrow Airport, added: “Project NAPKIN marks an important step on the way to ‘jet zero’. It shows that with the right support and market conditions hydrogen-fuelled aircraft will unlock net zero for regional aviation, complementing sustainable aviation fuels for longer flights.”

The UK aviation consortium behind Project NAPKIN consists of Heathrow and London City airports and Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd. Joining them are manufacturers

GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, as well as researchers from Cranfield, UCL and Southampton Universities, professional services firm Deloitte and airlines easyJet, British Airways and Loganair.

When marketing is on the money

Marketing colleagues at the Bedford College Group celebrate on stage as they prepare to bring home four awards from the national FE First marketing awards, including Best of the Best.

The awards, run by The College Marketing Network, highlight the work of marketing teams in the UK further education sector.

Bedford College won gold in the Innovation and Creativity and Internal Impact categories and collected silver in Social and

Digital Media Impact.

The Bedford College Group’s chief executive Ian Pryce guest hosted the event. “It was an honour to meet so many talented marketeers from the FE college sector and for my own team to win the overall prize,” he said.

“Reaching out to all sectors of our communities in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire and keeping them involved and informed during these challenging times requires the latest skills, creative talent and persistence.”

Royal visitor hears airport growth plans

His Majesty King Charles III is pictured in conversation with staff at London Luton Airport during his visit to the town last month.

The King unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit after chatting with apprentices, airport staff and executives. He arrived at the airport aboard the Luton DART rapid transit system from Luton Airport Parkway station, to be greeted by a delegation including London Luton’s chief executive Alberto Martin.

“The visit was a wonderful opportunity to introduce the King to some of our amazing airport staff,” Mr Martin said. “It was also an opportunity to highlight the new DART service, our partnership with the local authority and our plans for long-term sustainable growth.”

His Majesty is a strong champion of environmental projects and heard how the Luton DART, an electricallypowered, energy-efficient transit transporting passengers between the railway station and airport in just over three minutes, aims to encourage more passengers to leave their cars at home, decreasing carbon emissions by an estimated 70 per cent.

London Luton Airport has been ranked as the best performing company for sustainability governance

and disclosure, coming top of 181 transport companies worldwide and achieving a maximum score of 100 and five-star rating in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark assessment.

More than 80pc of contractors’ materials spend and recruitment for the DART came from within 20 miles of Luton, while its construction supported around 500 jobs and 80 full-time posts for local apprentices, graduates and other new entrants.

Airport owner Luton Rising invests 53p directly into Luton for every passenger who travels through the airport.

“His Majesty talked with some of the 30 apprentices from the council, Luton Rising and our partners who worked on the Luton DART programme,” said Luton Rising chief executive Graham Olver.

“Creating opportunities for young and local people to enhance their employability and skills has been one of our priorities.”

The King’s visit was his first to London Luton Airport for 37 years when, as Prince of Wales, he opened a new terminal building in 1985. Mr Martin said: “We are beyond grateful to have this opportunity to highlight the DART’s wider mission to help LLA towards a more sustainable future during His Majesty’s visit.”

Director named as one to watch

Katherine White, director of people at Wyboston Lakes Resort in Bedfordshire, has been named among the 2022 Women to Watch & Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure Index.

The Index has been produced by Women in Hospitality, Travel & Leisure and the MBS

Group to showcase role models and highlight their valuable work done by those featuring in the index.

“I am totally committed to inclusivity and highlighting the importance of diversity at Wyboston Lakes Resort and throughout the hospitality, meetings and events sector, so it is very rewarding to receive this recognition,” says Ms White, inset. “I am honoured.”

His Majesty unveils a plaque commemorating his first visit to London Luton Airport since 1985 and (above right) steps aboard the Luton DART

The key to building safe communities

Education and early intervention are the two key ingredients to tackling the rising tide of knife crime, a meeting to discuss the issue has heard.

The message came from Dr Stuart Laurence, whose younger brother Stephen Lawrence was murdered in a knife attack in 1993. He said that one in five knife crimes was being committed by young people aged between ten and 17.

“There is a lot more we can do early on to explain to children the importance of life and that there is always an amicable way of solving things,” he said.

Dr Lawrence was the guest speaker at an event hosted by the Safety Centre in Milton Keynes to launch the monthlong Knife Angel campaign in the city, highlighting the rising tide of knife crime.

Katy Barrow-Grint, Assistant Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, told the meeting that seven of 11 murders committed in the area in the last year had been with a knife as the weapon. “I am sure you will agree with me: Enough is enough,” she said.

The force prioritises the preservation of life, working to address root causes of knife crime and helping to

save lives from being lost to violence. “But the wider impact in our communities and offenders themselves must be integral to everything we do as a partnership.”

Dr Lawrence spoke about the importance of early intervention and praised the work being done by The Safety Centre, the region’s leading safety education charity, delivering early intervention knife crime safety education for primary school students.

Safety education work is key to building flourishing and safe communities in the future, he said.

“Early intervention is so

important. At the end of the day the only person you can control is you and you need to have the tools to make safe choices.

Education can be the most powerful tool in the world and the earlier we can give people the tools to be safe, the more it helps. We need to explain to young people that time is precious and life is precious.”

The Safety Centre, based at Kiln Farm, teaches children the life-changing impacts of being involved in knife crime. It visits schools and delivers sessions at its Hazard Alley education centre.

“This education initiative can save lives through creating safe spaces for impactful immersive learning and vital conversations about the consequences of being involved in knife crime,” said The Safety Centre’s chief executive Maya JosephHussain. “These conversations and sessions are potentially lifesaving and I am proud to be leading a team of education specialists delivering pioneering safety education across our region.”

The Knife Angel, which is outside Stadium MK until January 7, represents a month of action against violence with early intervention knife crime education being delivered to 1,500 primary students by the Safety Centre’s education team.

One in eight UK men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

For those aged over 50, for whom there is a family history of prostate cancer or among the UK’s black population, the probability is higher.

However, if caught early, the disease is highly treatable and is often diagnosed through a blood test that analyses levels of PSA – a protein made only by the prostate gland.

A total 229 men booked appointments for a PSA Test event, held at Windmill Hill Golf Club in Bletchley and organised by Milton Keynes Prostate Cancer Support, which works to raise awareness of prostate cancer and support those diagnosed with it or other prostate problems, as well as their families.

“In its early stages, prostate cancer generally produces no symptoms so it is important to diagnose the disease in its early stages when a wider range of treatment options can be offered,” said MKPCS trustee Jo Baker.

Among those booking an appointment was Milton Keynes resident Darren

Jordan. “In and out in two minutes with a small amount of blood being taken and it was literally that simple,” he said. “It was warming to see so many blokes supporting it and getting tested as well.” Specialist phlebotomists provided by the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust were on hand to carry out the tests. Milton Keynes Deputy mayor Cllr Mick Legg and his wife Mandy greeted visitors as they arrived for their appointment.

Support for the event came from MK Dons FC and the club’s Supporters Association. Employers including Santander, Network Rail and MercedesBenz also promoted the testing to staff and families. The event was sponsored by Milton Keynes-based building maintenance specialist Plumbing & Gas Solutions. “If this helps just one person, it will be absolutely amazing,” said founder and managing director Carl Yeomanson.

Donations on the day swelled MKPCS coffers by around £200.

n MKPCS is run entirely by volunteers. Find out more at www.prostatemk.org.

Town firm continues Pancake Race sponsorship Raise a glass to Taverners’ fundraising total

Francis Jackson Homes is to continue as main sponsor of the historic Olney Pancake Race for the next three years. The family-run firm, based in the town, has sponsored the race for the past 25 years.

“We are very pleased to continue our support of this historic renowned event,” said marketing manager Candy Jackson. This year’s race takes place on February 11.

Find out more at olneypancakerace.org.

Olney is also preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the hymn Amazing Grace, composed by Rev John Newton in the weeks leading up to his New Year’s Day service at the church on January 1 1773.

Find out more at cowperandnewtonmuseum. org.uk/amazing-grace-250-commemorations/

n

Guests at the annual Lord’s Taverners Beds & Bucks region lunch have raised more than £36,000 for the charity at this year’s event at Woburn Golf Club. They enjoyed entertainment from Liverpool comedian John Martin before bidding for a range of lots sold by auctioneer and TV personality Charlie Ross. The money goes to the Lord’s Taverners charity which works to enhance the lives of

disabled and disadvantaged children through sport and education. The lunch was sponsored by chartered accountants Hillier Hopkins LLP.

Pictured (from left) comedian John Martin; auctioneer Charlie Ross; Colin Howe of lunch sponsor Hillier Hopkins; Lord’s Taverners committee chair Alastair Brooks and committee members Neil Brown and David Bowen.

‘If this helps just one person, it will be amazing’

Photo:

Jane Russell Photography

The Safety Centre chair Catriona Morris (left) and chief executive Maya Joseph-Hussain (right) with Dr Lawrence and Assistant Chief Constable Katy Barrow-Grint

Dr Stuart Lawrence speaks at The Safety Centre

Education is the answer in the campaign against violent crime Time is precious and life is precious