Business MK March 23

In print and online, Business

The search begins for this year’s award winners. P8

The latest appointments and promotions. P11

City centre joins forces in campaign against crime

Make The Point an icon once more: Theo Chalmers. P12

Q&A

Luton can produce the next Steven Spielberg. P15

Retailers and the hospitality sector are joining forces in a move to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour in Central Milton Keynes.

The Business Crime Partnership, set up by the MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District, aims to have more than 100 members signed up by the end of this year.

More than 40 businesses based in MK9 have already done so.

The initiative is one of the biggest examples of city centre-based businesses working together to tackle crime since the inception of the BID in 2017.

Partnership joy + the latest Bedfordshire news. P17-19

The partnership has also launched DISC, a new digital software platform that enables partnership members to provide instant live information about local crime and anti-social behaviour, the offenders responsible for it and essential current awareness, as well as to

manage local ‘exclusion schemes’.

BID chief executive Melanie Beck said: “The launch of the Business Crime Partnership is part of our commitment to improving safety and reducing crime and antisocial behaviour across the BID. The programme, and the ability to share vital information via DISC, will help businesses collaborate and cut reoffending throughout CMK.”

The Business Crime Partnership is part of the Barwatch scheme already in operation across Milton Keynes. Ms Beck said the scheme will develop with new initiatives planned including Shopwatch - which will help retailers to identify shoplifters - and Hotelwatch. The partnership

is part of the BID’s My Safe City initiative that is working to increase safety and reduce crime across the city centre. The BID has also contributed towards a new fully connected system of CCTV cameras being installed by Milton Keynes City Council as part of the the Safer Streets Project.

Nine of the 11 cameras, funded by Milton Keynes City Council, have been installed. A further two, which have been paid for by the BID, are to be located within the BID area to provide maximum coverage and to deter criminal activity. The cameras are positioned to cover areas of the city centre including Xscape, 12th Street, Exchange and Station Squares

and sections of Midsummer Boulevard.

They also monitor overground bridges on the outskirts of the BID area, bordered by H5 Portway, H6 Childs Way, V8 Marlborough and the West Coast main railway line.

The BID has been campaigning for improved CCTV coverage for some time. Plans are already in place for two more cameras to cover the north of the city, said Ms Beck.

“This new network will play a vital role in helping us to continue to deliver a safer, cleaner, better connected, smarter and more vibrant city centre for all,” she added.

“We are committed to target hardening across the BID, from greater security infrastructure and additional policing to cohesively working together and sharing information which will make it much harder for criminal activity to take place.”

MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District chief executive Melanie Beck received an MBE from the then-Prince Charles last year for her services to the community during the pandemic. As she prepares to stand down after eight years at the helm, she reflects on the BID’s impact. Page 5.

A breakthrough in the development of driverless vehicles on the streets of UK cities has taken place in London courtesy of trailblazing technology developed by experts at Nissan’s Technical Centre Europe at Cranfield. Page 3.

Businesses sign up to BID’s new partnership initiative

Business MK

Teams rise to the charity profit call

It is up and running… the fundraising has begun as the teams embark on their ventures turning £50 into profit for charity in the #Franklins50 Challenge.

Between now and May, more than 20 teams from organisations across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire will be growing the £50 into cash for their chosen charity.

The teams have five charities to choose from: in Milton Keynes, MK Act, MK Food Bank and Willen Hospice. In Northamptonshire, the money raised will go to either Cynthia Spencer Hospice or Northampton Hope Centre.

Andrea Smith, partner and head of business services at

Franklins, said: “It is fantastic to have so many companies on board. It is a brilliant teambuilding opportunity and we cannot wait to see what imaginative ways teams come up with to raise some money.”

Among the Milton Keynesbased companies taking part is Nutri Troops, founded by Olympic volleyball player Peter Bakare who represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics. He is now a motivational speaker and plans

to use the £50 seed funding to design and print promotional materials offering businesses discounted motivational lunchtime talks for their staff. He is raising money for MK Act.

He said: “They are such a great charity who help hundreds of families in Milton Keynes who are suffering from domestic abuse. I have seen the positive impact the charity has had on these families.”

The team from aluminium

and plastics extrusion company BWC Profiles, based at Crownhill, are in training for their fundraising push, running the MK Turing 10K race on April 30 and aiming to raise at least £5,000 for MK Act.

“We have never done anything like this before,” said managing director Danny Varley. “It is for a great cause and we need a good reason to give up the biscuits and get off our backsides.”

Distress figures rise as firms face multiple challenges

Property and technology companies are bearing the brunt of the economic jitters plaguing the economy in Milton Keynes, says new research.

The number of ailing businesses in financial distress reached 2,989 in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to the latest figures from business recovery specialist Begbies Traynor’s Red Flag Alert, which monitors the financial health of British companies.

This represents a quarterly increase of five per cent in the number of struggling businesses and an annual rise of 4pc.

The real estate and property sector has seen a year-on-year increase of 13pc in the number of companies in significant financial distress. Telecoms and IT saw an annual rise of 6pc.

Julie Palmer, inset, partner at Begbies Traynor in Milton Keynes, said: “Many of the companies captured by the Red Flag Alert are SMEs without the financial firepower that larger enterprises have to fall back on. We should be applauding the directors of these smaller companies which make up the

backbone of the UK’s economy for the incredible tenacity they have shown for so long. However, we are taking calls from company bosses who are facing multiple challenges to keep their businesses afloat.

“They are dealing with a gloomy economic outlook with inflation at 40-year highs and interest rates at levels not seen for 14 years. As a result, more and more companies are starting to feel the burden of their debts, making directors question whether they can go on.”

Nationally, the Red

Flag Alert research for Q4 2022 recorded 610,405 businesses in significant distress. The figure is up by 24pc on distress levels in pre-pandemic times in Q4 2019 and highlights the intense strain an increasing number of companies are under as they are hit by rising labour and materials costs, increasing energy costs and an economy facing recession.

The most recent County Court Judgements, which are considered a leading indicator of financial distress, are also climbing rapidly. There were 23,885 CCJs in the final quarter of 2022, a 52pc rise in the level compared to the same period a year ago.

Winding Up Petitions - a much more serious legal action lodged by creditors - totalled 576 in the same period, a rise of 131pc on 2021.

Ms Palmer said: “We came into 2022 hopeful that the pandemic was behind us and better times were ahead, only for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to unsettle the global economy, leading to spiralling inflation and soaring energy bills and laying the foundations for what looks like a global recession.

“In the UK in particular, strike action is also piling on the pressure as staff struggle to get to work and customers stay away.”

Cyber security consultancy Provention in Newport Pagnell has been supporting MK Food Bank for several years. It also sees the #Franklins50 Challenge as an opportunity for teambuilding. Its team plans to organise a sweepstake and use the £50 seed funding to buy a prize.

Trials boost the autonomous vehicle dream

Scheme linking test car and roadside sensors is a success

Technology developed at automotive giant Nissan’s research and development centre in Cranfield is at the heart of a successful pilot scheme linking advanced autonomous driving with city centre infrastructure, enabling a driverless vehicle to travel in urban traffic.

ServCity, a consortium project backed by Nissan and supported by the UK government, has reached its conclusion after three years of research and more than 1,600 autonomous test miles.

Nissan and its consortium partners have developed a blueprint which will help UK cities incorporate advanced autonomous vehicle technologies with city infrastructure. The project also explored how cities could deliver a ‘Robotaxi’ style service in the future.

Built on an entirely electricpowered Nissan LEAF, the ServCity connected and autonomous vehicle successfully completed increasingly challenging validation trials on the roads of London, connected to the Smart Mobility Living Lab in Greenwich. The lab used its network of roadside sensors and a data processing suite, sending new sources of data to the CAV to improve its situational awareness.

The infrastructure can detect an object which is not within line or sight of the vehicle - around a corner or in the distance, for example - and informs the vehicle so that it can manoeuvre to ensure smooth traffic flow, such as changing lane.

Much of the pioneering new technology is developed at Nissan’s Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield. Robert Bateman, centre manager and Nissan project manager for ServCity, said: “Not only has Nissan provided the 100 per cent electric Nissan LEAF

as a test vehicle, our talented group of engineers have also contributed to the research and development of cuttingedge autonomous drive technology for use within the project.

“This has enabled the development of a test vehicle that is able to autonomously navigate the busy streets of London alongside other road users - both stationary and moving - while connected with city infrastructure.”

The project involved more than 115 Technical Centre Europe staff and almost 16,000 working days.

“ServCity represents an important step towards future deployment of autonomous mobility,” Mr Bateman said.

The project, as with previous connected and autonomous vehicle development work backed by UK government funding, is important in assuring the public that connected autonomous vehicles are safe to introduce on UK roads as well as having a demonstrable benefit to society. The finale of the project will feature a series of demonstrations to stakeholders where guests can experience at first hand advanced autonomous drive technologies integrated with CAV-ready infrastructure on the streets of Greenwich.

David Moss, senior vice president, region research and development for Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania, said: “Through our world-class R&D base in Cranfield, Nissan is continuously innovating to bring cuttingedge, purpose-driven technologies that benefit our customers. ServCity’s achievements contribute to our efforts to usher in a future where we hope to see zero fatalities on the road while providing customers with the added comfort and convenience that come from

advanced autonomous drive technologies.”

ServCity is jointly funded by the UK government and consortium partners, the government’s £100 million Intelligent Mobility fund administered by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and delivered by the UK’s

innovation agency Innovate UK. Nissan has worked with Connected Places Catapult, TRL, Hitachi Europe, the University of Nottingham and SBD Automotive over the past three years on the project.

Transport Minister

Jesse Norman said: “The government has invested £7 million in this project to be

Firm and employees celebrate four centuries of service

Atotal of 475 years service by 37 special employees… The Neville Trust has been celebrating the loyalty of its staff at its first Long Service awards ceremony since the pandemic.

Those recognised this year make up one in five of the Luton-headquartered company workforce, which includes those at Neville Funerals, Neville Special Projects and Neville Joinery.

“It is important to celebrate these milestones and acknowledge what they make possible for both the business and its customers,” said director Vicky Trumper. “In times when people are

quick to change their jobs or careers, it is heart-warming to see that our employees want to stay and grow with us.”

Steve Tott, painting and decorating manager at Neville Special Projects, is pictured receiving his 40-year-long service award from director Vicky Trumper. “I truly believe that working for Neville’s is like working with your family,” he said. “Our ideas are listened to and our opinions matter, something that cannot be said about every workplace.”

at the forefront of innovation. Since then ServCity has proven key to answer the practical questions of how to integrate self-driving vehicles into cities for the public good.”

Autonomous drive technology is a key part of Nissan Ambition 2030, a long-term vision which will

see the company strive to create a cleaner, safer and more inclusive world.

Mr Moss said: “We are extremely proud to be a part of the ServCity project and our 100pc electric Nissan LEAF has proven to be the ideal test vehicle. Through our Nissan Ambition 2030 long-term vision, we are committed to supporting greater access to safe and exciting research projects such as ServCity are vital to the evolution of technology.”

ServCity project manager Robert Bateman at Nissan’s Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield

Inside the Nissan Leaf used in the ServCity project on the streets of London

David Moss

Vision for the BID became a personal crusade

“Coming face to face with your own mortality is a sobering moment. While it makes you reflect, it also magnifies everything that’s important.”

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in her resignation speech earlier this year, said she had “nothing left in the tank”. It is a sentiment that resonates with Melanie Beck as she prepares to step down as chief executive of the MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District after eight years.

“There was a lot of soulsearching at the back end of last year,” she says. “The BID role is quite stressful - you are looking after the interest of 450 levy payers, different businesses with different needs in different sectors. It has been challenging. Throw in a dose of breast cancer and you start to look at priorities for your life.”

She looks back with pride on her time at the helm. The BID, an area bordered by

the West Coast Main Line, V8 Marlborough Street, H5 Portway and H6 Childs Way, has generated £11 million of investment in the city centre via a levy on its qualifying businesses.

The BID has won awards from the National Transport Association for its pioneering MyBus city centre shuttle service and the accompanying MyMiltonKeynes app. Its community impact was recognised at the 2020 Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards. Its work has ranged from jetwashing pavements, removing graffiti and reducing the rat population to new CCTV cameras, launching the ambassador programme and organising the annual Christmas lights display.

The BID has funded two police officers to patrol the city centre and installed Tap to Donate machines to raise more than £9,000 for Milton Keynes Homeless Partnership’s work supporting the city’s homeless.

“I am very proud of bringing the drive-in movies, enabling

22,000 people to sit in their cars to watch a movie that they have probably seen ten times already,” says Melanie, who launched MyDriveIn as Covid restrictions eased in 2020. “But I am most proud of bringing in the BID in the first place. We had no collateral apart from my reputation. Throughout the consultation, I felt that we had it in the bag but only when the call came in confirming the ballot result did I really believe it.”

A Business Improvement District was her idea, the result of her arrival in 2013 as city centre manager at Milton Keynes City Centre Management. It had been set up to “do what it said on the tin” but Melanie found it hamstrung by a lack of resource. “We looked to restructure and I put together the BID proposal. I was looking for a new way to do things. The BID brings in £5 million every five years so I think I have done my best.”

The BID proposal went to a ballot of businesses in 2016. It

THIS IS SWANBOURNE SPIRIT

was voted for by 83 per cent. At its renewal ballot in 2021, the vote increased to 93pc. “I cannot stress enough how personal it became to me,” Melanie says. “I was really putting myself out there and if the vote had been ‘No’, my reputation is shot.” She first came to Milton Keynes as an associate director at Jones Lang LaSalle property consultants to work on the initial development of Midsummer Place shopping

centre. Then followed a spell as head of marketing at centre:mk and at the Theatre District - now 12th Street - before becoming chief executive of Milton Keynes City Centre Management.

“There comes a point when if you have been doing a job for as long as I have you ask yourself how much longer you can carry on doing the same thing,” says Melanie. “Fresh eyes are a good thing and that, with my health, made me

decide that now is the time to hand the reins over. I will miss my staff - they are second to none - and I will miss being part of the city that does.”

She is stepping back from business life but plans to continue her work as chair of trustees of the charity MK SNAP, which works with young people with learning disabilities, and as a director of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership. She remains a vice-president of >>

As she prepares to step down as chief executive of the MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District, its chief executive Melanie Beck talks exclusively to Business MK editor Andrew Gibbs of her pride in everything the BID has achieved and the opportunities facing her successor.

Melanie Beck celebrates the award of city status last year with Milton Keynes Mayor Cllr Amanda Marlow.

Right: Joining young people and BID colleagues at the Knife Angel sculpture on its visit to Stadium MK

>> regional charity SportsAid, which helps top young athletes to achieve their sporting dreams, and has become a trustee of Action4Youth, which works to improve the lives of young people.

Melanie was prominent during the Knife Angel sculpture’s stay at Stadium MK in December and early January. The BID is funding Action4Youth programmes as part of its Safe City strategy, including Breakout, aimed at those particularly vulnerable or at risk of involvement in gangs by educating them on the dangers. “Tackling gang and knife crime is really important to me,” Melanie says. “While providing a safe place to work and live, it is vital that we ensure that our young people have the motivation and belief in themselves which will help them become productive and happy members of our society.”

Melanie is due to retire officially at the end of May.

“The BID is so important for Milton Keynes so whoever is given this role will have to give 100 per cent,” she says. “You have to be a marketeer, a businessperson a finance person, you have to empathetic and be strongly opinionated. You have to be a person who is prepared to stand up and be counted. I want the right person in because this is not a job… it is a passion. You have to believe in the product - Central Milton Keynes - and I know that person is out there.”

An incredible moment... but it’s slightly embarrassing, to be honest

Her efforts during the pandemic delivering food, support and PPE equipment helped to earn Melanie a MBE for services to the community in Milton Keynes in the 2020 Commonwealth Honours List. “I’m slightly embarrassed by it, to be honest,” she says.

When Covid was at its height and shielded residents needed supplies, Melanie contacted her network to offer MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District’s resources, including the employee buses, landscaping vehicles and her family who, with the main BID team being furloughed, were ready to help as she delivered daily support to those most in need.

Next came the nationwide call from the NHS for more PPE equipment for doctors, nurses and those on the frontline. MyMiltonKeynes delivered face shields made by local volunteer Matt Clarke to Milton Keynes Hospital and other surgeries and clinics in need.

When the government announced the reopening of businesses, the retail and hospitality sectors, Melanie was part of a partnership with Milton Keynes Council, the Federation of Small Businesses, Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership, MK Business Council

and tourism body Destination

Milton Keynes to develop a plan to support the city’s economic recovery.

But the award of an MBE came as a shock. “When I got the email with a form I had to fill in for my acceptance, I thought it was a scam,” she says. She knew she had been nominated but believed it had been for her services to sport. A champion diver, Melanie was reelected for a fourth four-year term as honorary secretary of the sport’s governing body FINA’s technical diving committee in 2022. She is also honorary managing director of the FINA Diving World Series.

As chair of British Diving in 2005 she oversaw the evolution of the sport that, from a history without Olympic gold, culminated in Great Britain winning five at the Olympic

Games seven years ago in Rio de Janeiro and again in 2021 in Tokyo.

“I assumed I had been nominated for my work in sport,” Melanie says. “It was not until I got to the last page that I read it was for services to the community in Milton Keynes.”

She feels uncomfortable about that. “All I did was drive around and deliver food and PPE equipment. It is slightly embarrassing because there are doctors and nurses who lived away from home and their families who gave way more than I did. People did so much more than me.”

Melanie travelled with her family to Windsor Castle in February last year to receive her MBE from the then Prince of Wales. “I was so pleased it was Prince Charles who presented it. I remember walking up to him and fluffing my curtsey.

“But for those seven minutes of the presentation, he was so charming, delightful and he is down to earth and handsome. He will make a great King, no doubt.

“While I was talking to him, all I could think was that he looked exactly like his Spitting Image puppet. But it was an incredible moment and one I will treasure forever.”

The BID board is currently considering applications for the chief executive post after the deadline at the end of last month. The person appointed will need a wide range of skills, working with the business community, public sector and public realm as well as understanding the dynamics of operating a small business.

“It is certainly not a nine to five job, as Mel will testify, but can be extremely rewarding in delivering visible and tangible improvements to the city centre area, during the period of significant change to the demographic,” says BID chairman Paul Davis.

Paul inset has worked with Melanie since she became the BID’s chief executive in 2016.

“When people say: “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person”, I can think of no better reference point than Melanie,” he says.

“Her energy and enthusiasm for the project saw it through to a successful conclusion of the first BID period and into the second phase.

“Anybody who

knows the city centre area would say that there have been massive improvements since the BID got under way.”

Funded and implemented by the BID with Milton Keynes City Council and other organisations, they have been for the benefit to employers, staff, residents and visitors. Much of that is down to Melanie’s drive and enthusiasm, Paul says. “Her professional approach and persuasive nature means that things get done and not just talked about. I am very sad that she is leaving as CEO at the end of May - she is a hard act to follow.”

The MBE for services to the community was deserved recognition of her hard work. “How she fits in her charitable activities, both local and international, as well as her involvement in the business community, says a lot about her,” says Paul. “On behalf the board, I would simply say: Many thanks, Mel - we are going to miss you.”

An announcement of the new BID chief executive will be made once the board has completed the interview process.

‘Many thanks, Mel... we’re going to miss you’

Melanie Beck receives her MBE for services to the community from the then-Prince of Wales

I remember walking up to him and fluffing my curtsey

“ ”

Law firm’s group achieves B-Corp status

Legal and professional services group Ampa - which has a hub in Milton Keynes - has become a certified B-Corporation.

Organisations with certified B-Corporation status are legally required to balance purpose, people and profit on their people, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment when they consider business decisions.

Swanbourne House opens pre-reception class

Swanbourne House, an independent prep school near Milton Keynes, is expanding with the opening of a new pre-reception class in September 2023.

Ruth Nicoll, head of Lower School at Swanbourne House, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the school as we open our new pre-reception class and welcome children from the age of three to Swanbourne House once again.”

For Swanbourne House’s Lower School, it has been an important year of investment and development. “We started the academic year with the both the building of our brand new 20ft play structure The Fort and the installation of new and improved floor play graphicsincluding a particularly popular solar system,” said Mrs Nicoll.

“We now look ahead to the enhancement of our Magic Garden and refurbishment of our pre-reception class in anticipation of opening

our pre-reception in September.”

Pupils joining the Lower School’s prereception will have the opportunity to be taught by a qualified Early Years Foundation Stage teacher and teaching assistant in a maximum class size of 16. They will take part in Forest School in Swanbourne’s woodland and outdoor classroom, receive specialist teaching in music and sport, have access to the school’s varied and enriching activities programme and benefit from the many advantages of being part of The Stowe Group.

“We very much look forward to welcoming our youngest and newest Swanbournians to pre-reception in September,” said Mrs Nicoll.

n Spaces for the pre-reception class are now being booked. To find out more about admissions at Swanbourne House and to arrange a private tour, visit www.swanbourne. org or email admissions@swanbourne.org

Helen Hay, group head of culture and sustainability at Ampa - which includes the Shakespeare Martineau, Lime Solicitors, Marrons, Mayo Wynne Baxter, CSS Assure and Corclaim brands

- said: “We keep ourselves accountable through our responsible business ambitions that are constantly tracked and analysed, pushing us to do better and achieve more. So far, we have achieved.”

B-Corp status holders undergo an audit by nonprofit organisation B-Lab which scores across governance, environment, employees, customers and community to rate social and environmental performance. Last year Ampa increased racial diversity

at equity stakeholder level by more than three per cent, supported more than 400 young people through career development and significantly reduced its paper use. In the audit

Ampa achieved its top score for commitment to employees and full marks for its intern programme.

Chief executive Sarah Walker-Smith, inset, added:

“We believe you can be both purposeful and profitable so our B-Corporation values are embedded within our commercial growth strategy.”

Clinics warned after underage booking crackdown

Undercover council officers have exposed a number of businesses in Milton Keynes offering cosmetic treatments to underage people.

Posing as a 17-yearold, Milton Keynes City Council’s trading standards team booked appointments at 23 clinics for Botox or other filler treatments. Most did not carry out age verification checks before confirming the booking and of the two that asked for the

client’s date of birth, one continued with the booking despite being given details for a 17-year-old.

Cllr Paul Trendall, cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said:

“These are serious breaches of the law which are in place to protect young people. Businesses who have been prepared to treat an underage customer will feel the full force of the law if they continue to behave in this way.”

It is a criminal offence under the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 to administer a Botox or filler treatment for cosmetic purposes to anyone under 18. The act also prohibits making arrangements or booking an appointment for the service for anyone under age. The council has warned all businesses to bring their practices in line with legal requirements.

Manufacturer prepares for new era

Relocation forecast to create new jobs

Refurbishment work is under way on an engineering company’s new UK headquarters after it completed the acquisition of a business unit at Wolverton Mill in Milton Keynes.

Metal Work UK now owns a warehouse and associated office space in Featherstone Road after finalising the multi-million pound deal. The new HQ is near to the company’s current base on Wolverton Mill in Blackhill Drive.

Property consultancy Kirkby Diamond has been appointed to manage the extension and refurbishment work on the new property, pictured, and handle the sale of Metal Work UK’s current premises, which will become surplus to requirements once the work on its new UK headquarters is complete. That is expected by the end of this year.

Metal Work UK designs,

manufactures and distributes industrial automation components. Its new premises comprises a 6,220 sq ft warehouse and more than 9,700 sq ft of office space.

Managing director Anthony Smith said: “Moving to a new high-quality headquarters marks the start of an exciting new era for us, assisting our expansion and creating new job opportunities. Operating within these

first-class facilities will enable us to grow the business while retaining staff and attracting new talent.”

Formed in 1983, Metal Work UK is the UK subsidiary of the Metal Work Group, based in northern Italy. It promotes and distributes the complete range of Metal Work industrial equipment products throughout the UK and Ireland.

Eamon Kennedy, executive partner

Programme gives tech’ career insight to students

Students from the Buckingham School are among hundreds benefiting from advice on career choices and pathways from pioneering tech sector businesses in a careers outreach programme.

and head of agency and business development at Kirkby Diamond, said: “Metal Work UK’s move will bring further investment to the area and could create new jobs, which is tremendous for Milton Keynes.” He added that the appointment to sell Metal Work’s former building and to oversee the refurbishment of the new premises was an ‘excellent result’ for Kirkby Diamond.

Retailer moves its UK headquarters to city centre offices

Retailer Fossil Group has moved its UK headquarters into newly refurbished premises in Norfolk + Ashton House in Central Milton Keynes.

The company moved quickly to secure the workspace after developer CEG completed its refurbishment of the two buildings on Silbury Boulevard.

Fossil, which has moved its UK

base from Stonebridge, joins global video game publisher 505 Games, which has signed for 9,000 sq ft of space. The new-look building is proving a magnet for tenantsexisting occupiers Crown Finance and technology solutions provider Bluecube are both expanding their existing space.

A spokesman for Fossil Group said: “We were looking for fully fitted

space that offered a great working environment for our team. Norfolk + Ashton provide that with a gym, fitness studio for classes, leisure club quality facilities, cycle storage, café and co-working lounge on site.”

Following CEG’s multimillionpound makeover of Norfolk + Ashton House, more than 20,000 sq ft of office space has been let. CEG’s investment manager

Richard Brooks said: “We are delighted to welcome two new tenants to Norfolk + Ashton and help two of our long-standing customers expand within the space.”

Fossil Group and Crown Finance have businesses including CityFibre, easyHotel, Optical Express and the Canal & River Trust as neighbours. As a result of the deals, the building is almost fully let.

The programme, run by tech’ business estate Silverstone Park, is now in its fifth year and runs until May. Volunteers from companies based at the park attend career activity days at the schools and students can visit the employers see the types of careers and skills required to work on the estate. Employers based there specialise in advanced engineering, electronics. manufacturing and software development. Businesses in areas such as construction, marketing, media and recruitment are also participating.

The Buckingham School’s careers lead Phil Cunningham said: “The advice and confidence that the business volunteers give our students and their parents is invaluable. Each activity provides an exciting look into many types of careers and career paths that most young people would otherwise simply be unaware of.”

Silverstone Park developer MEPC’s asset manager Ruth Williams said: “Opening young people’s eyes to the types of careers that exist is essential in being able to show them there is something for everyone.”

The programme first launched in 2018 in response to local employers’ concerns about the skills gap among school leavers. This year more than 600 Year 8 and 9 students are taking part.

After a two-year hiatus, the annual Women Leaders UK Awards returns. The search has begun for this year’s winners, who will be announced at a glittering gala awards dinner and ceremony in June.

Ceremony honours the women blazing the leadership trail

The search is under way for women making an outstanding contribution in their field as the countdown begins to this year’s Women Leaders UK Awards.

A total 14 will be presented, along with one Outstanding Contribution honour for the entry that stands out above all others. The awards reflect reports confirming that the high proportion of female business owners in Milton Keynes is a key factor driving the city’s economic success. Independent urban policy research unit Centre for Cities says Milton Keynes is the UK’s ‘most dynamic business environment’ outside London while card payments company Paymentsense says the city is the best place in the country to start a business.

Almost a third of companies in Milton Keynes are owned by women, it adds.

“This is why organisations like Women Leaders are so important in continuing our city’s economic development,” says Women

Leaders UK chair Dr Julie Mills, who retired as group chief executive and principal of Milton Keynes College Group last year.

“All the evidence shows that creating an environment where women can be entrepreneurial adds a whole new dimension to productivity. It is also no coincidence that the gender pay gap is narrowing more quickly here than in many other places - another strong indicator of an economy with better balance to be successful.”

The winners, chosen by an independent judging panel from a shortlist of finalists, will be announced at a gala awards dinner at Stadium MK on June 7.

“These awards are about individual women rather than the organisations they work for,” said Dr Mills. “We are looking to find women at all levels of leadership who are exceptional in what they do.”

Women Leaders UK has partnered with Formula One world champions Oracle Red Bull Racing, based at Tilbrook, to bring the Women Leaders UK Awards 2023, with data software specialist Aiimi - whose head office is in Central Milton Keynesalso confirmed as a sponsor.

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team principal and chief executive Christian Horner said: “I am incredibly proud of who we are and what we do, both on track and here in Milton Keynes on the Red Bull Technology Campus.

“We have an extremely talented group of women working across our organisation so partnering with Women Leaders UK to celebrate women who make an outstanding contribution in their field is a perfect fit for us. We also welcome any opportunity to inspire more women into STEM careers and all areas of Formula One.”

The awards were last presented in 2020 online as the first lockdown began to ease.

“I am really excited,” said Dr Mills. “There is nothing like coming together in person to celebrate.”

Applications for the award categories can be submitted online at womenleadersuk. org. From those, the judges will draw up a shortlist of finalists who will be interviewed by a separate judging panel to decide the winner in each category.

THE AWARD CATEGORIES

n Community Impact (Employed)

n Community Impact (Volunteer)

n Art, Culture & the Creative Industries

n Sport, Leisure & Retail Industries

n Manufacturing & Construction Industries

n Digital & Technology

n Skills, Education & Training

n Engineering, Science & Maths

n Healthcare

n Public Services

n Professional Services

n Emerging Leader

n Entrepreneur

n #NoneOfTheAbove

n Outstanding Contribution

If, like me, you have had a High Street business bank account for many years, you will be well aware of the frustrations of using such an account.

The challenges you experience as an individual with such banks is nothing compared to the challenges you face as a business account holder.

Most High Street banks still insist on you using a card reader and an authentication card. At least one such bank does not allow you access to your online banking without them so if your PIN is not recognised, that’s it - no internet banking. Such banks will only give you the option of visiting a branch to unlock your PIN at a cashpoint machine. The trouble is that one such Scottish bank’s nearest branch is in Edinburgh whereas I live in Milton Keynes...

Another business bank I use has insisted on a 45-minute interview to discuss the renewal of a mere £10,000 overdraft facility which my business has had for years and it is automatically renewed each year. I rang the bank to make the appointment and gave up after waiting for an hour without a reply.

I decided recently to open some challenger bank business accounts. The whole process was so much more efficient and quick and all done on an app. A business account can be opened in 15-20 minutes including having an account number and sort code allocated straightaway and a virtual debit card issued on the spot which you can add to your Apple Wallet instantly. What with facial recognition too, my experience so far has been very encouraging. I am delighted. Give it a go yourself... The time and hassle you will save will surprise you.

www.wealthandtax.co.uk

Tony Byrne

Dr Julie Mills, chair of Women Leaders UK

Council urges firms to bid for its contracts

Tender to be our supplier:

A call has gone out for local businesses to register for tender opportunities with Milton Keynes City Council.

Council business officers have urged companies based in the city and beyond to take advantage of the contracts that are on offer at the civic offices. Few organisations based in the city are currently registered, with the result that work - including the contract to create the new Milton Keynes branding launched in October last year - is awarded to organisations elsewhere in the UK.

Yet the council is keen to award more contracts to companies based in the city, business engagement officer Sukhi Gill and Amanda Creed, inward investment and partnership manager, told a meeting of businesspeople.

Every opportunity for a contract worth more than £25,000 from Milton Keynes Council is advertised via the council’s eSourcing portal.

Cpntracts are available in any of the morethan 200 services provided by the council.

“There is so much potential for businesses here in Milton Keynes,” said Ms Gill. “Tendering, for local businesses, is about helping the local economy and helping the local area.”

Businesses register on the procurement portal https:// www.milton-keynes.gov. uk/business/tenders-andcontracts in order to access the contract opportunities. It is free and the potential boost for local business is immense, Ms Gill said.

The council does not work to a preferred supplier list.

“It is not the way the council operates so we would invite

businesses to tender,” said Ms Creed. “We want to be working with more local businesses, as many local businesses as we can, but we need them to be on our system.”

Ms Gill and Ms Creed were the speakers at last month’s meeting of networking group the City Breakfast Club.

They were joined by Sarah James, the council’s public health principal, who outlined the new Healthy Workplace Standards initiative being run by the council with Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Councils.

They have launched a new set of health and wellbeing standards for workplaces that aim to help employers of all sizes to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce.

The scheme invites employers to consider how their organisation is performing across key measures from health and safety to inclusive employment.

More than 30 workplaces have already signed up. Investment in areas such as mental health, physical activity and leadership skills is proven to reduce sickness absence, improve productivity and reduce recruitment costs, Ms James told the meeting.

The council is also preparing to give out its first Healthy Workplace Awards to employers. A range of awards is on offer, reflecting the levels of improvements being made. “These are good for recruitment in terms of attracting staff and in terms of giving your workplace an enhanced reputation,” said Ms James. “They speak volumes for a workplace.”

n Find out more at https:// www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/ health-and-wellbeing-hub

Developer’s SOS finds new homes for 1,000 plants

More than 1,000 shrubs, trees, palms and other plants in the central atrium of Saxon Court, the former council offices in Central Milton Keynes, are set to settle into new homes after an overwhelming response to an appeal to rehouse them.

Almost every plant is now on its way to a new home after mixed-use developer Socius put out the appeal as it prepares to start work on the transformation of the building into the new MK Gateway. Work is due to begin soon on the £190 million project.

“The opportunity we have here in Milton Keynes to preserve something environmentally and historically important is the perfect example of how we can responsibly protect our heritage while building something fit for the future that will champion the planet through low carbon design, renewable energy, sustainable transport and biodiversity,” said Socius director Steve Eccles.

Socius is working with biophilic design specialist Sean Clegg on relocating

Business is blooming thanks to support hub

The prospect of a successful growth plan in the current economic climate may seem a daunting one. But one business owner has praised the insight she has acquired from a support service in Buckinghamshire.

Rebecca Marsala, who runs her eponymous floristry business out of a 19th-century converted barn in the village of Swanbourne near Winslow, has used the Growth Advice Service run by support group Buckinghamshire Business First to steer her business to

the next stage. A total 70 per cent of businesses that have used the Growth Advice Service have increased their turnover, with 96pc having taken action to grow and 32pc developing new products.

“The Growth Advice Service has taught me how to look at my business as a business owner instead of simply working in the business; how to plan, put marketing plans into action, assess what is and is not working,” said Rebecca. “I

the plants. He is working with the new custodians on moving the plants and advising on their maintenance and upkeep.

“Introducing nature and naturally inspired elements into your workspace can help you to be happier, healthier and more

productive,” said Mr Clegg.

Therapy staff and volunteers from Willen Hospice chose and repotted some of the plants for the hospice’s new Wellbeing Centre and Inpatient Unit.

“There is a lot of evidence to show the benefits that plants have on wellbeing

so we knew that this was something we wanted to incorporate into the Wellbeing Centre,” said therapeutic and wellbeing operational lead Jenni Marks. “When we found out about the kind offer to take plants from Saxon Court, we were thrilled.”

feel more confident in moving my business forward.”

The service now has more than 250 business owner members, with 92pc ready to recommend it to others.

The support combines time with a business adviser and a choice of exclusive events covering topics such as strategic planning, digital marketing and finance. n Find out more at bbf. uk.com/growth-advice or contact programme manager Jane Dell at jane.dell@bbf. uk.com or 01494 927147.

Willen Hospice is happy to receive some of the plants being moved from Saxon Court ahead of the start of the £190 million refurbishment programme.

Above: Plant specalist Sean Clegg, who is advising recipients on how to care for the plants in their new homes

PwC

names office senior partner

Professional services firm PwC has confirmed the appointment of Mark Foster as its new market senior partner at its office in Milton Keynes.

Mr Foster, pictured, is an audit partner at the firm, which he joined in 2006. He has worked at the Central Milton Keynes office for ten years and in his new role will oversee the strategy and direction for PwC in Milton Keynes and the wider region.

“I recognise the value of the talent and opportunities here that benefit the firm nationally,” he said.

“The Milton Keynes office has achieved fantastic growth already and the team works on some of our biggest national clients and has been involved in some landmark wins for the firm globally.

“I am committed to maintaining and enhancing our fantastic office culture to create the best experience in which our people can develop, flourish and have fun.”

Matthew Hammond, PwC UK Midlands regional market leader, added: “He will play a pivotal role in achieving our goals in the city and across the region.”

Directors relish roles at SEMLEP

SEMLEP has added board level expertise in engineering, further education and training with the appointment of three new non-executive directors.

The appointments of Andrea Wilson, Anna Clarke and Professor Christopher Fogwill were endorsed at SEMLEP’s AGM. Ms Wilson, director of precision engineering firm Hone-All Precision in Leighton Buzzard, says: “I am looking forward to adding my experience in the manufacturing sector.”

Ms Clarke, Milton Keynes

Promotions reflect boom year at Kirkby Diamond

Commercial property consultants Kirkby Diamond has announced three promotions to partner and one to associate.

In its building consultancy division, Paul Hazell becomes executive partner and head of valuation Adam Smylie is promoted from associate to partner.

Senior surveyor Darren Pape becomes an associate and land, planning and development associate

Nathan Andrews is promoted to partner.

Eamon Kennedy, executive partner and head of agency, said the appointments are reward for a “tremendous year”. “Our success is largely due to the hard work and expertise of our fantastic team members and it is right that we recognise their contribution to the company’s ongoing growth throughout the region.”

Mr Smylie, who joined the firm in 2014, said: “I

undertook work experience at Kirkby Diamond which kickstarted my interest in a career in property.”

n Nathan George, pictured above right, is the new head of agency and office at commercial property consultancy Kirkby Diamond in Bedford. He takes over from Andrew Clarke as the company finalises its move to larger offices in the town.

Mr George has worked for Kirkby Diamond for ten years since joining as a surveyor.

He was promoted to associate in 2021 and began his new role last month.

“We have exciting times ahead of us with the move to new offices this month,” said Mr George, who praised Mr Clarke as a “key influence” on his career. “I am predicting another busy year.”

Eamon Kennedy, executive partner and head of agency, said: “Nathan has been a tremendous asset to our company since joining us ten years ago.”

Channel collaboration is key to growth, says Comms365 chairman

College Group’s director: employer engagement and partnerships and a nonexecutive director of Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce, says: “The skills to support the needs of employers is something I am very passionate about.”

Sustainable growth is a key part of SEMLEP’s plans.

Professor Fogwill, ProVice Chancellor and head of Cranfield University’s School for Water, Energy and the Environment. “I hope I can help SEMLEP realise its ambition,” he says

Chamber unveils new board member

Executive coach and HR specialist Rachel Collar has joined the board of Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce as a non-executive director. “I feel privileged to be part of such an amazing board,” said Ms Collar, pictured, managing director of HR consultancy Haus of HR based in Towcester.

Suzuki GB bids farewell to its MD

Nobuo Suyama, pictured, managing director of Suzuki GB, has left his post at the company’s UK head office in Milton Keynes to become president of Suzuki Marine in the USA. He has headed the manufacturer’s UK operations since

2014. His replacement takes up his post this month.

Takanori Suzuki has been managing director of Suzuki GB between 2006 and 2010 and is currently division general manager for Europe, Oceania and Latin America for SMC Automobile.

Woodfines adds to corporate team

Experienced solicitor Ima-obong Ogbonna, pictured, has joined the corporate and commercial department at Woodfines Solicitors.

A former business owner, she qualified as a barrister and solicitor in Nigeria in 2005 and as a Solicitor of England and Wales

in 2021. She holds a Master’s degree in management from Cranfield University. Her arrival is part of the law firm’s plans to expand its corporate and commercial team.

Woodfines corporate and commercial partner Claire Le Mouëllic said: “She brings personal experience and passion.”

Network services provider Comms365 has appointed industry veteran John Whitty, pictured, as its chairman.

The move is part of the Milton Keynes-based company’s growth plans. Mr Whitty has been brought in to extend Comms365’s work with organisations across the sector via the Channel routes to market from vendors and manufacturers to distributors

Mr Whitty said: “The

VW finalises sales team changes

Change is under way at management level in the UK sales team of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Milton Keynes.

Jo Ahmet has been appointed national used manager, Jonathan Cooke arrives as national sales manager and Craig Cavanagh as national fleet manager.

Ms Ahmet returns to Volkswagen Group after seven years, having previously worked as national rental manager for Audi.

Mr Cooke joins Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles from leasing company Alphabet, where he was head of dealer networks, and will oversee the team of area sales managers and the Van Centre network.

Mr Cavanagh has worked for Volkswagen Financial Services and the enlarged Volkswagen Group for 26 years, including 19 years with the SEAT and CUPRA brands.

“We are delighted to have a full sales team in place and to welcome these new faces to the brand,” said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Cian O’Brien.

technical solutions delivered by Comms365 are critical to all businesses given their reliance on ‘always on’ connectivity, which will, in turn, benefit the entire Channel cosystem from our vendor partners and direct customers to our reseller partners and their endcustomers.”

Mr Whitty was a member of The

Royal Corps of Signals for nearly two decades, before moving into the private sector as chief technical officer of Pipex Communications. He has held various senior leadership roles, latterly chief executive of Air IT before accepting an invite to become chairman of Gradwell Communications last year.

“We are accelerating

our growth and John’s experience in rapidly building technology businesses in such a fast-paced industry will be instrumental in helping us define, refine and execute the right strategy to achieve our goals,” said Comms365 managing director Mike VanBunnens. “We are all excited to see how John can develop the business and ourselves even further.” Comms365 is based at Mount Farm.

Above: (from left) Paul Hazell; Adam Smylie; Darren Pape; Nathan Andrews.

The Growth Debate

Theo Chalmers

Theo Chalmers is director of Verve Public Relations and chairman of Urban Eden.

It was literally years ago when Hammerson plc, the property management company that owned many shopping centres and at one time pursued a takeover of intunow, once again Midsummer Place - held a design code workshop at Milton Keynes Council’s offices, to which I was invited, regarding its proposals for redevelopment of The Point on Midsummer Boulevard in Central Milton Keynes.

The most recent time I wrote about Hammerson in these pages was in July 2018 but their dithering and lack of clear vision had already gone on for years.

They planned to demolish the red pyramid and the larger cinema building behind it, for which they had already achieved outline planning permission subject to submission of an approved final plan for the site. Their ill thought out idea was to turn it into a small shopping centre with some leisure elements such as a cinema (to replace an already failed cinema) while retaining the old multi-storey car park.

I told them at the time, including in Business MK, that there was no need for another shopping building in central Milton Keynes when retail had been so radically changing due to online shopping - a trend set to continue.

I recommended they build an upmarket hotel - something desperately needed in Milton Keynes at the time but now a commodity that has been fairly well served by other players - or residential. They ignored me and others of similar view and then the Covid lockdowns hit.

In its latest annual report, for 2021, Hammerson confirms that its group portfolio’s value stand at £5,372 million, a reduction of £966 million or 15 per cent during the year. This was primarily due to revaluation losses of £470 million and disposals totalling £452 million, including £386 million relating to the disposal of the group’s remaining UK retail parks properties.

So I guess an ‘I told you so’ is in order.

And thus the rusting hulk of The Point sat there, slowly flaking away

Boulevard facelift nears completion

Upgrade work to the Boulevard in Midsummer Place is due to complete by the spring, the centre has said.

The space will house new food cabins and eateries, new fascias across existing retailers and new public seating. The Boulevard is the first phase of several major new developments planned at the shopping centre.

Ms Peppard pictured said:

The Point: New player has a chance to create an icon

into meaninglessness. Built in 1985, what had once been visible from the M1 as a symbol of Milton Keynes - until the Xscape building stole its view - and the first cinema multiplex in Europe was by then unsaveable.

The spy comedy Kingsman was the final film to be shown and The Point closed for good in February 2015 after a brief foray as Easy Cinema under the control of the entrepreneur

behind budget airline easyJet.

But now there is a new team in town. A team with at least a hint of an idea. That team is Galliard Homes, the proposed developer; SWAP Architects, with the ‘What will it look like?’ ideas; Kanda, a communications agency working to whip up public approval. They have already held the very, very briefest of poorly advertised public

consultations and have put up a website thepointmk.org that does not even show any plans or elevations.

I am not desperately impressed, to be frank.

On it, they describe the proposed masterplan, which would deliver:

n New shops, leisure spaces and workspaces at ground floor level;

n New and accessible community spaces;

n A range of leisure uses, including a rooftop amenity space;

n New community and child play spaces;

n 480 new high-quality homes in a range of tenures;

n New affordable housing;

n The retention and enhancement of the existing car park;

n Access to a range of transport options, including 520 secure cycle parking spaces.

The housing is expected to be in four somewhat squeezed-in towers of between eight and 19 storeys, with ground floor commercial accommodation on the Boulevard frontage - five buildings in all - and an open-air cinema. Ironically, just like Hammerson these people seem to think it a good idea replacing a twice-failed cinema with a cinema on the roof of the car park on Avebury Boulevard.

More excitingly, though, the website talks about the how they just might reflect the iconic impact of The Point’s once brightly-lit pyramid. “While the architecture of the residential buildings is inspired by the framing of surrounding 20th Century context, there is opportunity to bring in more direct references to the bolder forms of The Point.”.

OK, if you guys want ideas, how about a new steel-framed pyramid on top of and somehow joining together your four residential buildings and, once again, not only lit up at night but because of the increased height maybe even once again visible from the M1, as a symbol of Britain’s jointly newest city?

I realise there will be cost implications but you just might create an iconic building which is worth far more than if it is just another boring development and of which you can be really proud.

Maybe you can even recycle some of The Point’s existing steel beams.

I am getting excited just thinking about how maybe some additional penthouse flats might even be within the pyramid, some balanced apparently precariously over an open space.

Cheerio.

Board support group expands its area

Collaborative leadership will be key for small and mediumsized businesses in the coming 12 months, says a business coach as he expands his operation into Bedfordshire.

“Work is progressing well and the new Boulevard is starting to take shape. The new food cabins will see several new street food options join us.”

It remains business as usual while the works are carried out,

she added. “We will be able to fully reveal our new Boulevard just in time for the better weather and then we will shift our focus on to the next stages of our exciting changes to Midsummer Place,” said Ms Peppard.

Phil Smith established The Alternative Board Milton Keynes last year and is now set to expand into Leighton Buzzard.

The Alternative Board is a peer board operation that brings business owners together to provide support and advice. “I know from experience

that running a company can often feel very lonely and many business owners, even those with great colleagues, often do not feel they have anyone they can share their aspirations and concerns with,” Mr Smith said. “TAB provides business leaders with that collaborative outlet.”

Mr Smith founded the manufacturer Aston Microphones in 2016, selling it to multinational audio-visual company Music Tribe inn 2021. He set up TAB last year.

The Point site outlined for development by Galliard Homes

City status: Royal visit marks a pivotal moment

The King’s arrival confirms the opportunities that city status is already bringing to Milton Keynes, says Nicholas Mann, chair of MIlton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership.

Since The late Queen granted city status to Milton Keynes as part of her Platinum Jubilee honours last May, Milton Keynes has celebrated its success in gaining the recognition it undeniably deserved.

Our diverse community has marked this moment in history with a number of events, including The City of Codes & Light Festival, which ran throughout the first week of October and culminated in a free festival featuring a host of live music, dazzling performances and a brilliant light display.

Continuing the celebrations and affirming the importance of this pivotal moment for Milton Keynes, His Majesty The King visited the city last month for a commemorative reception at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone, where he met local community groups representing charitable, business, faith, environmental and arts organisations in Milton Keynes.

As vice-chair of the City Status bid,

it was an honour and a privilege to be a part of the reception, representing Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership and our diverse business community. I was proud to see so many local people lining the streets of Central Milton Keynes, to celebrate this civic honour and to share in the recognition of everything that makes our city such an exciting place to be.

From one important city celebration to another. Preparations are now in full swing for the most prestigious business event of the year, the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards. With the awards taking place on March 23, we have announced this year’s finalists (full list below) and congratulated them at our annual “Finalists’ Party”.

This year has seen the highest ever number of entries in MKBAA’s nineyear history, making the esteemed judging panel’s task even more difficult. The theme for this year’s awards is Celebrating Diversity and many of the businesses and

organisations that entered this year focused their submissions around this subject.

The last two awards ceremonies have covered the important topics of Health & Wellbeing and Environmental & Sustainability. Each has been extremely well received and has added gravitas to the awards themselves, our winners and our sponsors. We are looking forward to announcing the theme for 2024 at this year’s awards ceremony.

As well as a record number of entries, we are also receiving a record number of table bookings for this year’s event, both of which are testament to the high regard that Milton Keynes businesses place on the awards and our ability to recognise what matters most to the business community each year.

Monder Ram has been announced as this year’s guest speaker. He is a social scientist specialising in research and impact on small and ethnic minority businesses. Monder has worked with partners from the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship and the Centre for Migration and Forced Displacement to publish an

independent review titled Time to change: A blueprint for advancing the UK’s ethnic minority businesses - the first of its kind.

At the awards, Monder will outline this research and the recommendations made in the report and talk about how Milton Keynes businesses can use it to harness increased economic opportunities, greater diversity in entrepreneurship and a more diverse, vibrant and dynamic business community. We are also looking forward to welcoming Trevor Marshall and Amelle Berrabah from MKFM as our hosts for the evening. Trevor is no stranger to award ceremonies but is usually picking them up as the winner of many radio industry awards, and likewise as a solo singer and former member of the Sugababes, Amelle has seen her fair share of awards nights.

MKBAA 2023 promises to be the biggest and best yet - and the first since Milton Keynes officially became a city. We cannot wait to celebrate with you there.

BUSINESS IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY Diversity

Marketplace; Love Local Hub CIC; Milton Keynes College Group; Safety Centre (Hazard Alley).

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY Diversity Marketplace; Milton Keynes Discovery Centre; Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture; NatWest.

CHARITY OF THE YEAR YMCA Milton Keynes; Camphill MK Communities; DREAMSAI Milton Keynes; Ride High; Safety Centre (Hazard Alley).

CULTURE & ARTS Camphill MK Communities; Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture; MÓTUS Dance; The Parks Trust.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Aztech IT Solutions; BSI; George Davies Turf; Jane Smith Financial Planning; Red Giraffe Marketing.

DESIGN & CREATIVITY Champagne Fire Truck; Red Giraffe Marketing; Swanbourne House; Visual Identity; YellowYoYo.

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Popworld Milton

Keynes; Ride High Equestrian Centre; StadiumMK.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Sanj Chandi - Treat Street; Kevin Ludford, Fumopay Ltd; Odette Mould, Harry’s Rainbow; Accursio Romeo, Romeo Dance Academy; Jennifer Smith, Smith Jenkins Ltd.

INNOVATION Autotech Group; BSI; Reas Group | KonnekApp; Volador FlyTech.

TECHNOLOGY Aztech IT Solutions; Clearview Intelligence Group; Comms365; Matrix.

NEW BUSINESS EM Dance Coaching; First Class Athletics; Incubation Nation.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Howes Percival; Metro Bank plc; Oakwood Resources; Smith Jenkins Ltd; Youtopia Solutions.

SMALL & MEDIUM BUSINESS Chameleon Events; Treat Street; Whitecap Consulting; YellowYoYo.

MICRO BUSINESS Autotech Training; Lucid Connect; Marc Davies Bespoke Interiors; Pauline Quirke Academy.

MKBAA 2023’s headline sponsors are Milton Keynes Council, The Open University and Brioche Pasquier.

NICHOLAS MANN Chair, MKBLP

MILTON KEYNES BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2023: THE FINALISTS

Nicholas Mann

Networking

The business networking events this month across Milton Keynes, North Bucks and Bedfordshire

DIAMOND

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

APOLLO

Wednesday 10am: MK Gallery

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

PHOENIX

Friday 9.45am: The Bedford Golf Club

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

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.

info@greenbusinessnetwork.co.uk or visit www.greenbusinessnetwork.co.uk.

SPEED NETWORKING

March 16 11.30am-1.30pm

Horwood House, Little Horwood Networking followed by a buffet lunch. Price: £15, Chamber members only.

LOCAL SKILLS IMPROVEMENT PLAN

March 31 8.30am-10.30am:

NETZERO MK POWER HOUR:

CARBON CUTTING HEROES

March 16 10am-11am: Online

Hosted in partnership with Milton Keynes City Council.

An interactive session to reflect on the environmental journey of your business and its impact on the bottom line.

NetZero MK is a project aiming to support businesses in Milton Keynes on their journey to Net Zero. NetZero MK is funded by Milton Keynes City Council and delivered by Ngage Solutions in partnership with Buckinghamshire Business First.

Free event. To book, email events@bbf.uk.com

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.

Kettering Park Hotel & Spa, Kettering Networking + information event, funded by the Department for Education. Come along to our 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.

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

CREATING GROWTH:

March 1 7.30am-9am: Delta by Marriott Hotel, Kents Hill Networking breakfast event hosted by the longest-established breakfast networking club in Milton Keynes.

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL March 14 9.30am-12.30pm: University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue, Bedford

March 15 7.45am-9.15am:

The Bedfordshire Golf Club, Stagsden

Sponsors: Ginger Cow Marketing; Mazars; \ Metro Bank; Woodfines Solicitors Speaker: Bedfordshire Police.

Subject: Cybercrime.

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

REGIONAL SKILLS & TRAINING: THE EMPLOYER’S VOICE

March 3 9.30am-11am:

Digital Aviation Research & Technology Centre, Cranfield University

Open discussion forum enabling businesses to have their say in the local and regional skills debates. Employers across the region will explain the skills and training issues they face on a day to day basisand explore the ways in which partners could help them in the future. Free event for Chamber members; nonmembers £25.

CONNECT OVER COFFEE

March 14 9.30am-11am:

Sharonbrook Mill Theatre, Mill Road, Sharnbrook

Networking event + an update on the benefits of Chamber membership.

Free event for Chamber members; nonmembers £25.

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

March 7, 21 7am-8.30am:

Villiers Hotel, Buckingham

March 7 Breakfast meeting + 1-2-1 networking.

March 21 Breakfast meeting + speaker Kevin Bricknall. Visitors: £10. Contact: www.bucks-fizz.biz

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

BIGGLESWADE

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.

Speaker: Kate Davidson below, manager of MK United FC’s over-30s women ‘s team. Book at www.citybreakfastclub.co.uk

Hosted in partnership with Bedford Borough Council and the University of Bedfordshire. Advice for SMEs on how to build a robust growth strategy, keeping their company on track and aligned for success. Free event. To book, visit www.beds.ac.uk/bedford-business-event

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

MILTON KEYNES VIRTUAL NETWORKING

March 10 10am-11am: Online.

Speaker: Business coach Ann Little from Strive4. Subject: Running your own business and making it manageable.

Hosted by James Anderson FSB Development Manager for Thames Valley.

Free event for FSB members and non-members.

BEDFORDSHIRE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE & HERTFORDSHIRE VIRTUAL NETWORKING

March 16 10am-11am: Online.

Networking + an update on the benefits of FSB membership.

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

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.

Networking and referral group. Price: £6.

MILTON KEYNES

2nd Thursday, 7.30am-9.30am:

AUDITING

March 22 1.30pm-4pm

ACO Technologies, Shefford Speaker tbc. Free event for GBN members. Non-members £35. To book, email

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

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

March 8 10am-noon:

Milton Keynes Theatre

A joint event with Milton Keynes Community Foundation on the International Women’s Day theme of #embraceequity. Free event.

Find out more and register at www. womeninenterprise.co.uk

NETWORKING LUNCH

March 29 noon-2pm:

Ole Tapas, Triangle Building, Wolverton Price: £26.50 WiE members; non-members £29.50.

To book, visit www.womeninenterprise.co.uk

Q&A

Where business people discuss their motivation, ambition, experience - and themselves. In the spotlight this month is Gavin O’Brien, co-founder and chief executive of Luton-based digital film-making agency Clearhead and chair of Luton Town Centre Business Improvement District.

Every day creates new opportunities to do something incredible

What was your first job?

I got my own paper round in Luton when I was 12 years old. At the age of 15 I started working at a local radio station, Chiltern FM, which ended up merging into Global. I was between school and college at the time. It was amazing fun. Why did you choose your particular career?

I started my first business at the age of 16, running a mobile disco and that was it... I was hooked on the notion of being my own boss.

I always loved the cinema and children’s TV so moving into digital content creation was a dream. I also knew I wanted to stay in Luton and give back to the town I grew up in. Now, 15 years since launching Clearhead with my childhood friend Alex, I get to do just that.

We have a stunning office in Luton town centre, employ locally and work with and support young, local talent.

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

The one I have right now, at Clearhead. It is a hobby that has turned into a career. I get to meet new people, travel and world and I love directing whenever I get the chance.

It was also quite fun doing some modelling when I was younger for T-Mobile, though. It was for a big advertising campaign, to promote a new tariff they were selling.

They threw a garden party and I got paid almost five figures for it. …and the worst and why?

My first job, as a paper boy. I was paid £2 get up in the freezing cold in winter. My Dad was very kind and stepped in for me a few timesI let him keep my wages, of course.

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

A few: keep grounded; be nice to people; always be naive (in a good way) and curious; never get too high or too low.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

We have filmed in more than 20 different countries and about 30 different states in the USA and this ability to travel for work is incredible. Our commission by the

BBC a couple of years ago was also really special. We worked with BBC Bitesize which had always been a dream of mine when I was younger.

…and the low point?

A few years ago we had a team week in Valencia, Spain. When we arrived, we stopped off at a café to get some food, with all our equipment in the car. When we came back it was all gone. Over £30,000 worth of equipment gone in a flash.

Just one of many moments that help you to grow up fast.

Who in business do you respect the most?

Richard Branson. He set up from nothing, took calculated risks in having small amounts of finance to grow and then just went for the gaps in different industries with a great brand.

Locally I definitely look up to Justin Doherty, owner of the Bear Club in Luton, who has always done incredibly well with so many creative projects.

What annoys you the most in business?

There is a lot of bullshit around, which almost always comes back to bite people.

… and in life?

Insincerity

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

The best thing is that every day creates new opportunities to do something incredible.

I have always said that the best thing about working for yourself is not only having fantastic, talented people around you - much more talented than me - but also the ability to get so much back for the energy that you put in, in terms of creativity, freedom, enjoyment.

Giving back to our clients and seeing how much of a difference it makes for them, as well as calling them friends, is brilliant. It also allows us to get involved in wellbeing and community projects, such as ensuring that less people are homeless on our streets.

The worst thing is the constant pressure to ensure that we protect our team and give them the right

support at all times to be the very best they can be. I wouldn’t have it any other way though.

What’s your career ambition?

To make a real change to people’s lives through creativity. I am currently looking into setting up a creative charity which will give all school kids in Luton access to a camera and editing facilities.

There’s no reason Luton couldn’t produce the next Steven Spielberg and I want to help make this happen.

I’m also hoping to give back by becoming a Luton councillor. …and your life ambition?

To be content and have the flexibility to do what I want at all times.

What has been the best moment of your life?

Meeting my other half Gina. She has supported me in everything that I have done, including lots of travelling and late-night working.

Last year our little boy Blue was born, which has changed our lives. He is a little bonny bundle of joy. It certainly has been a challenge to

Gavin set up Clearhead with his schoolfriend Alex Lawrence. Now the digital film making agency has grown from a modest bedroom-based business in 2007 to what is today an award-winning agency with state-of-the-art offices in Luton’s thriving Hat District.

chicken katsu (made from scratch) is pretty good.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate, really any type of chocolate.

What’s your worst fault?

Not always listening because I’m always doing and looking forwards. Being a better listener is always a key skill I’m working on.

What’s your most treasured possession?

My car, because it is something that I only ever dreamed of when we first started. It is a Range Rover Evoque. I’m not materialistic with anything else but having a nice car has always motivated me. I recently got my first five door, so it could fit a baby seat in.

What are you afraid of?

Letting people down

juggle being a dad and running a business. He’s been a great sleeper, so we’ve managed to feel just about ourselves. The only change is it is trickier to work ‘out of hours’, which has always been an expertise of mine.

I met Gina through a mutual contact who thought we might be good for each other. We weren’t sure to begin with but after the first date it was just perfect. …and the worst?

My grandparents passing away. I was lucky that I was 27 when my first grandparent passed away. I still have my Grandad around and they have always been a great second line of support after my mum and dad.

That support network is so important to have. Even just a hug, a place to go that is cosy and safe or £20 here and there has made such a difference.

How do you relax?

Going to the gym, watching foreign films and watching Luton Town play. I love to cook a beetroot risotto and think my gluten-free

Tell us something you regret. I have no regrets. I’ve always wanted to ensure that I don’t ever miss out on any opportunities. I think that is the key - everything happens for a reason.

Tell us a secret about yourself.

I got into trials for England U16s for rugby when I was younger. Which two historical figures would you most like to talk to and why?

Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, both people who led through adversity and put others before themselves.

Also they were leaders who helped to ensure that millions of people had hope and made a change in their own lives to sacrifice for others.

They had the ability to show that whatever had gone before, when you turn over a new page, then you take everyone as they come.

What are the first three things on your bucket list?

To go on safari.

To watch a boxing match in Las Vegas.

To go on a road trip through America

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

My Way: Frank Sinatra.

Gavin O’Brien

‘There’s no reason Luton could not produce the next Steven Spielberg’

Avoid the pitfalls around development plans

Housebuilding remains one of the key catalysts in Britain’s post-pandemic economic and social recovery.

Regional and local developers play a key role in meeting the unprecedented demand for housing by seeking out opportunities for development on a smaller scale in circumstances where larger developers may not deem such developments a viable or worthwhile venture.

The role of these regional and local developers should not be underestimated. These smaller developers do not have the benefit of large in-house, land, planning, technical and legal teams. They rely on local businesses and local professionals to provide them with the necessary expertise and support. At Neves Solicitors’ LLP, we work alongside a number of local developers and landowners in conjunction with their appointed land agents and planning consultants to advise on varied residential and commercial schemes. Our role includes considering the legal viability of land for development as well as advising on how to identify and potentially overcome pitfalls which could impact a given scheme.

Some of those pitfalls might include:

Means of Access and Service

Infrastructure

n Does the site have sufficient rights of access?

n Does the site adjoin the public highway or are private rights of access across third party land required?

n Are visibility splays required? Can you meet the requirements within the extent of the site?

n Are you able to bring all vital utilities into the site? Do you require third party consent? Utilities undertakers will rarely rely on

statutory rights alone. Planning - Consent implementable? Conditions?

n Does the land have existing planning consent and is it valid?

n Can it be implemented? Are there any legal constraints that may mean the consent cannot be legally implemented? Are any of the conditions unduly onerous?

Restrictive Covenants and ‘Adverse Rights’

n Is the legal title subject to any restrictive covenants which may prohibit development, or mean

unwelcome and unbudgeted costs are incurred? If so, are they enforceable?

n Are any third parties entitled to payments if the land is developed or if planning consent is granted for development or any alternative use?

Environmental Obligations and Considerations

n What environmental liabilities will you inherit?

n What pre-commencement planning conditions are there in relation to environmental investigations? What are the likely costs of remediation?

These are just a few of the considerations that developers will have when assessing the suitability of land for development, and hurdles that landowners may have to jump when marketing land for a potential development scheme. It is important to obtain suitable expert advice where necessary.

At Neves, we can offer competitive professional advice to assist you in navigating a potential development scheme; whether you are a developer looking to acquire land to build out yourself, a promoter looking to work alongside a land owner to bring a development to market or a landowner wishing to sell land at varying stages of a development.

n For more information or to discuss your property development plans, contact our specialist commercial property team. Call 0330 0945 500 or email info@ nevesllp.co.uk.

Meet the commercial property team at Neves Solicitors (from left) Julie Evans, senior legal assistant; Ceyda Alkan, solicitor; Katy Williams, senior associate; Sukhbir Sangra, solicitor; Georgia Wilson, legal assistant

Business2Business

‘A golden chance to create investment in economy’

Leaders welcome government support for pan-region partnership plan

Proposals for a locally-led Partnership for the Oxford to Cambridge region has been given the green light by government. Government support for plans to create a pan-regional partnership overseeing growth in the OxfordCambridge region has been described as a ‘major milestone’ by SEMLEP chair Peter Horrocks. He was speaking in the wake of the announcement by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, that ministers had come down in favour of the pan-regional partnership.

The decision unlocks access to up to £2.5million of government funding for the Partnership to support its priorities in delivering sustainable

growth and environmental enhancements for the region.

The Partnership’s role will be to champion the region between Oxford and Cambridge - including Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, North Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire - as a world leader of innovation and business, acting to achieve environmentally sustainable and inclusive growth. It will strengthen cross-boundary collaboration among its partners to focus on tackling the issues that matter to the people who live and work in the region.

The partnership’s initial programme is to develop a set of propositions to attract international investment and profile the region

Princess opens new aviation classroom

The Princess Royal is pictured on her visit to Cranfield University where she officially opened the National Flying Laboratory Centre’s new flying classroom.

The classroom is a specially adapted Saab 340B aircraft which will give up to 1,700 students every year invaluable flight test experience. Her Royal Highness was given a tour of the facility by the university’s chief executive and vice-chancellor Professor Karen Holford.

“Not only are we developing the best engineers and future aviation leaders, the innovative research that goes on at Cranfield is helping to push forward technological developments, aviation engineering and sustainability in the sector,” said Professor Holford.

“I was delighted that The Princess Royal could see all that in person.”

She saw the work going on at Cranfield, including the

Multi-User Environment for Autonomous Vehicle Innovation experimental facility developing develop autonomous vehicles, and infrastructure and collaborative projects with Airbus and Rolls-Royce.

Her Royal Highness then boarded the flying classroom and was shown the advanced in-flight technology which helps students analyse live flight data and see aerospace theory become reality.

She unveiled a plaque in the Digital Aviation Research and Technology centre to officially open the National Flying Laboratory Centre. The classroom is operated by Cranfield University on behalf of the UK universities that teach aerospace engineering.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada, who greeted The Princess Royal, said: “This part of Bedfordshire is an incubator for innovative ideas which are helping to transform the aviation industry.”

on a global stage and to continue the work underway to embed shared environment principles.

The new pan-regional partnership has begun the search for an independent chair. In the interim, a shadow board has been set up to oversee the partnership’s programme and agree governance and funding.

Mr Horrocks, who is a member of the shadow board, said: “Clear-cut government support for our local vision for the Oxford Cambridge area is a major milestone. By

developing ambition for the economy and environment in tandem this region can help lead the UK in environmentally sustainable economic growth. For the vibrant and beautiful area between Oxford and Cambridge this represents a golden chance to create investment in an improved economy and enhanced environment that benefits all.”

He is joined on the shadow board by Cllr Richard Wenham, leader of Central Bedfordshire Council representing the Central Area Growth

Board. Cllr Wenham also chairs the England’s Economic Heartland, one of seven sub-national transport bodies leading the planning and promotion of transport infrastructure and the policy framework required to realise the region’s economic potential while reducing the transport system’s impact on the environment. Cllr Pete Marland, leader of Milton Keynes City Council, is also a board member.

The shadow board is chaired by Cllr Barry Wood, leader of Cherwell District Council. He said: “We believe that by working together, the whole Oxford to Cambridge region can be greater than the sum of its parts. With official status as a Pan-Regional Partnership backed by government, we can unlock potential and further strengthen our area’s position as a hub of innovation, a globally recognised region of science and technology.”

Peter Horrocks

Cllr Richard Wenham

Centre’s awards honour town champions

Meet the winners in the inaugural community awards competition organised by Bedford’s Harpur Centre.

Town residents cast their votes via social media for nominees in three categories: Young Achiever, the Green Award and Lifetime Achiever.

The judges Samantha Laycock, manager of the Harpur Centre and chair of BedfordBID, Amy Jones, head of planning at Harpur Centre owner Tellon capital, and Cllr Henry Vann of Bedford Borough Council, are pictured with the winners.

The Young Achiever Award went to Urban Judge, chief executive of the Youth TV community project based in the town. He presents and is responsible for programming and volunteers and leads on outreach and engagement.

After collecting the Green Award, Cory Walker, community lead for the Plastic Free Bedford project and who brought the national Refill campaign highlighting

places where people could refill water bottles for free to Bedford, said: “The environment is such an important cause and so it was great to be recognised for the work I have been doing in the community to take us towards being a plastic-free Bedford”

Mr Walker co-ordinated Bedford’s Great Big Green Week and led its first Sustainability Week. He also ensured that the Harpur Centre’s water fountain was prominent on the Refill app.

Lifetime Achiever recipient

Sharon De Leonardis is chief executive of SpectaculArts, which organises community events.

“My goal has always been to enrich and enhance the

Bedford community,” she said. “It was wonderful to be recognised for dance, helping to launch careers and my years of hard work.”

Each winner received a £100 voucher to spend in Harpur Centre stores.

“It has been so important for us to recognise those in our community who go above and beyond every day to make our town a better place for everyone,” said Ms Laycock. The awards were inspired by the centre winning two industry awards of its own last year.

“These awards were hard earned by the wider centre teams and it became very apparent to us that hard work and dedication deserve

Gloom fails to dampen mood of leaders

Business leaders in the East of England remain optimistic about their growth prospects for the year ahead, despite gloomy economic forecasts.

recognition,” Ms Laycock added. “We could not be prouder of our winners and are so thankful for the positive contribution they make to our community.”

Ms Jones said: “We are so proud to have the Harpur Centre in the heart of Bedford. It is a centre that is well embedded in the local community and involved with everything that goes on in the town. As such, it seemed only right to honour those dedicated individuals within the community who strive every day to make a positive difference.”

Cllr Vann added: “It was a fantastic occasion to celebrate their contributions to the town.”

The findings by the latest Business Outlook Tracker from business advice firm Grant Thornton indicate that businesses are confident they can weather the economic downturn. Revenue growth expectations have risen by 37 per cent since October. Optimism for the economy is up by 35pc and profit growth expectations have increased by 17pc in the past six months.

The study shows that funding confidence is greater by 39pc and more than half of those surveyed are confident that they have sufficient working capital to manage the impact of a recession for six months or more.

James Brown’s partner and Grant Thornton’s practice leader in the East of England,

said: “It is surprising that the market’s positivity levels are at odds with the forecasts from the Bank of England and the government. Optimism levels have rebounded significantly since October when the shock from the miniBudget plummeted optimism. The certainty provided since seems to have reassured the market.”

The main concerns for the region’s mid-market are the rising tax burden and geopolitical tension. However, most believe they sufficiently prepared. Recruitment and retention of talent remains an issue but just under three quarters of respondents intend to offer teir staff a pay rise in line with or above inflation. Almost half (46pc) are planning to invest more in skills development.

The research also found two out of three employers are increasing their use of automation and digital.

Business backs riverside improvement plans

Business leaders in Bedford have welcomed plans by the borough council to improve the riverside along the River Great Ouse between Priory Country Park and Kempston.

Consultation throughout the town centre have led to plans for infrastructure refurbishment, new signage, footpath repairs, planting projects and improvements to Longholme Lake.

Professor takes over as chair of management academy

Professor Emma Parry, of Cranfield School of Management, has officially become the chair of the British Academy of Management, the leading authority in the academic field of management in the UK.

She is professor of human resource management, head of the Changing World of Work Group and director of academic development at Cranfield University.

“The British Academy of Management has created a vibrant, inclusive and supportive community,” said Professor Parry, pictured below. “I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the organisation as it seeks to support a sustainable and exciting future for business and management academics and the institutions in which they work.”

She is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Human Resource Management, an Honorary Fellow for the Institute for Employment Studies, and an Academic Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

“Emma’s appointment as chair of the British Academy of Management is a testament to her expertise and leadership in the field of human resource management,” said School of Management dean and ProVice-Chancellor Professor David Oglethorpe. “This exciting news also reinforces Cranfield’s reputation as a leader in management education and pioneering research.”

New CCTV and lighting is also being installed.

Christina Rowe, inset, director of BedfordBID, said: “These improvements I am sure will be welcomed by local businesses.

“It is another welcome step towards improving the town and showing off Bedford’s jewel in the crown, especially in

the current economic environment.”

The council says the Riverside for All project, which began with renewal of the Embankment surface before last year’s Bedford River Festival, will also incorporate investment from other projects at the same time. Its aim is to boost the health and wellbeing of town residents and employees.

Strategy switch pays dividends for venue

Early bookings have increased expectations of a boom year for business at a conference and meetings venue in Bedfordshire.

Wyboston Lakes Resort already has contracted bookings for more than 50 per cent of its 2023 budgetgreater than it achieved in the whole of 2018. Bookings and prospects for 2024 and 2025 are also strong.

The Woodlands Event Centre and Willows Training Centre generated their best conference and training performances last year, with sales up by 49pc on 2019 and by 79pc on 2018. Profit was also well ahead of 2019.

“We have a clear strategy and this has clearly paid off,” said sales director Richard Smith.

“We simplified our targeting, focusing on core sales lines where the team can be best

in class at delivering and we have stopped selling services that negatively impact on the team’s welfare.”

Wyboston Lakes’ Landing Pad brand of flexible office space performed well, with serviced office occupancy at more than 95pc and Branded Space revenues on the rise. These are expected to grow strongly again in 2023, said Mr Smith. The resort has spent almost £10 million updating its facilities over the past five years.

The new Wyboston Venue Management consultancy arm, has been commissioned by several major brands in the industry for substantial projects. Further growth is expected in 2023. “I am very happy with 2022’s results. Looking at 2023 and beyond is an exciting prospect.” said managing director Steve Jones.

Cllr Henry Vann, portfolio holder town centres and planning on Bedford Borough Council, said: “Bedford’s greatest asset is its riverside.

“The Great Ouse draws people in from across the country and one of our major town centre plan objectives was to improve the links, signage and routes between the river and our town centre.

“These enhancements follow in a

The new team leader looking after The Prince’s Trust’s work with young people in Bedford is aiming to forge close links with businesses in the town.

Alix Waddington, pictured, met the intake for the new course last month. They are starting work on developing the skills they will need for the workplace or further education. The course includes a community project, fundraising and a residential to the Peak District in Derbyshire.

Established by the now King Charles III, The Prince’s Trust continues to thrive as a launch pad for the lives of young people.

long tradition of our ever improving riverside and we will continue to invest in Bedford town centre and ensure it is a great place for people to live, work and stay.”

Bedford Borough Mayor Dave Hodgson added: “Tthis project will deliver something for everyone and help continue to focus on health and wellbeing through the riverside open space. I am looking forward to the work being completed.”

Prince’s Trust head looks to link with employers

In Bedford The Prince’s Trust is run at The Bedford College Group, based in its High Street Learning Centre.

“We are starting again following the lockdowns and this means reestablishing links with local businesses who may be kind enough to offer sponsorship or to support us by offering a week of work experience to some of our team,” said Alix.

“We know that businesses have undergone major

changes but we hope that will create some opportunities for those looking to show young people the ropes when it comes to employment.”

Alix holds a degree in education and psychology after a career working with people with mental health issues.

n To find out more about how business can help The Prince’s Trust, email Alix at awaddington@bedford.ac.uk

Stoic students join online sales drive

‘Our businesspeople of the future’

Students at Stowe School near Buckingham are playing their part in the ongoing fundraising drive by Willen Hospice.

Driving school revs up for ex-service personnel

Two charities are the beneficiaries of a unique fundraising campaign by a specialist driving school in Bedfordshire.

CAT Driver Training, based at Millbrook Proving Ground near Ampthill, combined its social media and driving expertise to raise just over £1,860 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity and £1,258 for Mission Motorsport.

The latter supports exservice men and women by providing opportunities in motorsport and the automotive industry. CAT raised the money through the sale of a book they wrote for track day enthusiasts.

“It was always our plan to donate the profits of Your Track Day Guide to a worthy cause,” said CAT Driver Training co-owner Jo Hoad, inset. “Mission Motorsport felt like the natural choice.”

Mission Motorsport founder and chief executive James Cameron says: “As a charity we have never been busier and so we are incredibly grateful to the CAT Driver Training team and community for the

support for our work.

“What’s more, the book is a brilliant resource to help people get the most from their track days. We have used it ourselves to help guide those joining thriving communities on circuit.”

Jo and her husband Colin began their CAT Smiles initiative in 2019, in which every time a client agrees to have their photo taken for social media, the school donates £5 into a custom smashable Charity Pot.

“It was our pleasure to reveal the 2022 CAT Smiles total,” she said. “Facebook followers tuned in to our live broadcast as I smashed the pot, revealing the total sum raised.”

Each client participating in the initiative was put into a

draw to decide who would choose the receiving charity. Sam Klein’s, pictured above, was the name drawn out of the hat; his choice was Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

“I have chosen to donate the money to Alder Hey as when I was around three years old, I had PDA which is where the heart needs a new valve,” Sam said. “The care given to me and my parents was faultless. As this was a traumatic time for myself and my family, the staff and surgeons could not do more to put as ease but also the severity of other patients’ conditions really showed the love, care and support this hospital and their staff give to others.”

Alder Hey Children’s Charity raises funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, currently focusing on support to build a specialist neonatal unit. “The funds will go towards making Alder Hey Children’s Hospital a truly world-class, patient-friendly hospital for the 330,000 patients and families we care for every year,” said Alder Hey community fundraiser Sarah Bennett.

The Milton Keynes-based charity has partnered with the public school to help the sales of donated goods via the hospice’s online retail shops as well as sites such as ebay and Depop.

As part of weekly volunteering by fourth form students working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award, the students - Stoics, as they are known - check items for damage, measuring products, calculating suitable online prices, writing descriptions of and photographing each item.

“This project suits us perfectly as it can be accomplished on site and will help to round their education through development of their volunteering ethos and change-maker skills,” said teacher Jessica Nichols. The school encourages

its Stoics to take part in activities where they can develop their skills in active learning, emotional intelligence, creativity, innovation, communication, technology, leadership, social literacy and analytical thinking, she adds.

The partnership helps

Willen Hospice to increase its online sales and thus its fundraising. The hospice needs to raise £5.9 million every year to deliver its services. Less than 20 per cent of its funding comes from the government.

Stowe has donated clothing and accessories worth around £2,000 for resale. Last month more than 40 students and teachers volunteered at The Point in Central Milton Keynes - where the hospice has a store and coffee shopand at the hospice.

“Helping in this way will grow our online inventory and ultimately increase the amount raised for our hospice,” said Dulcie Stewart, the hospice’s

commercial manager, online retail. “The students also conduct online research to produce accurate and realistic pricing, so that items have a good chance of selling for the maximum price.”

It is a win-win, added director of commercial Mark Rawlins.

“While we benefit from the students’ IT skills and knowledge of fashion and brands, they will benefit from the exposure to working on a real-life, business project. These are our businesspeople of the future.”

Cards present a fundraising gift for hospice

Willen Hospice has launched a new gift card for customers in its charity shops.

The gift cards can be loaded with any amount and used as presents for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, teachers’ gifts, exam passes or graduations.

“It is a flexible gift option with greater choice, and can be used for clothing, homeware, toys, books, games or

furniture items,” said the hospice’s director of commercial Mark Rawlins. Customers can load an amount of their choice on to the card and the gift can be used all at once, or in stages. There is no expiry date and the cards can be redeemed in any of the 14 Willen Hospice high street shops, including Off The Record, coffee shops at The Point and Woburn Sands, Kiln Farm furniture store and the Bridal Boutique

Support service aims to ease the pain of bereavement

Healthcare and bereavement charity

Sue Ryder is seeking volunteers in Bedfordshire as it sets up a new initiative offering support to those living with bereavement. The charity is opening a series of Grief Kind Spaces across the country in 2023, with the first in Bedfordshire due to open later this year in Milton Ernest, north of Bedford. Now it has called for volunteers willing to listen and support those who are struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Grief Kind Spaces are free weekly drop-in sessions run by trained volunteers for people who have

experienced a bereavement to come together. Sue Ryder launched the initiative after a consultation to which 8,000 people responded.

“Many of them told us the support they really wanted was to meet and talk to others who had also been bereaved,” says the charity’s volunteer engagement lead Tina Parkinson. “Almost every home has experienced or will experience the loss of someone. Yet our research tells us two out of three people who are grieving are still not getting the support they need.”

Volunteers will receive appropriate training for the role, she adds.

“Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping a clock to save time”

– Henry Ford

Forest project bids to tackle carbon crisis

More than 3,000 trees have been planted in Bedford as part of a Miyawaki forest project. The project is being run by a partnership between Bedford Borough Council, Cranfield University, the Forest of Marston Vale and Bedford Rotary Club. It is part of the governmentfunded Trees for Climate initiative.

Around 20 species of trees were planted including field maple, oak, osier, guilder rose, birch, bird cherry and alder. Cranfield University will monitor and research the forest’s development through student projects and other research programmes.

Jim Harris, Professor of Environmental Technology at Cranfield University, is pictured at the planting at Longholme Way in Bedford. The Miyawaki method, devised by Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, plants trees much closer together than would normally be the case, resulting in more carbon being absorbed more quickly.

Stoics at Stowe School at work sorting through items before they go on sale

‘’ is season, the contemporary wardrobe combines technological innovation and sustainable design to create e ortless layers that re ect our enduring dedication to the planet.’’

Alessandro Sartori, Artistic director for Zegna, Come and discover the stunning new fabrics from across the globe available at Saint Crispin Bespoke menswear, put an appointment in the diary today to make sure you are ready for the important events this spring.

THE POWER of Three

The Power of 3 runs through the core of OCM as we have three professional disciplines brought together allowing us to deliver such a powerful client focused proposition.

As an Independent Chartered Financial Planning Firm, a Discretionary Asset Manager and Tax planning specialist, we utilise the power of 3, to ensure we deliver a seamless and first class, cost and time efficient service to clients. This is because at OCM we truly believe Our Clients Matter.

CHARTERED Financial Planners

TAXATION & Accounting

DISCRETIONARY Asset Managers