Business MK November 2022

Visitor economy prepares to flex collective muscle

Tourism body outlines plans to work with neighbours in bid for government funding

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Ministers are set to create a select number of accredited destination

organisations - an elite 20 Destination Development Partnerships and 40 Local Visitor Economy Partnerships.

The DDPs will receive government funding to boost their visitor economy activity, with the LVEPs receiving a percentage towards working in collaboration to deliver enhanced visitor activity.

Speaking at a meeting to unveil a new Milton Keynes brand - the result of work by Milton Keynes Council and branding specialist Whistlejacket - Destination Milton Keynes chief executive Ian Stuart outlined his plans to create a joint tourism body involving Visit Buckinghamshire, Experience Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire

Surprise in order to create a body large enough to bid for LVEP and ultimately DDP status.

The government has said that Destination Development Partnership status may be awarded either to an individual accredited LVEP covering a large enough geography or to a coalition of willing accredited LVEPs within an area that come together under a lead board.

Mr Stuart said: “We have to make sure we are in the game. Visit England have told us that we would be stronger if we were to join up with the other areas.”

Bids for LVEP status have to be submitted by January, he added. “It has to be fast work to put together a structure but Visit England feel that it would be received very positively,” Mr Stuart said. “But I genuinely

believe that if we are to be part of the new structure, it is the right thing to do.”

A decision on the 20 DDPs will be made by 2025.

DMK chair John Cove said that the organisation’s ambition was to make Milton Keynes the best city in the UK. “I make no apology for that,” he said. “Things are changing in destination management as a result of the government’s review and that means that we have to press forward together. Opportunities are emerging as the nation recovers.”

Mr Stuart called on the business community to play its part in supporting the visitor economy by engaging more with the city as a whole rather than merely the sector in which they operate. “It is what we are doing already with the visitor economy but we want to get the whole of the city behind us and recognise what we are trying to do,” he said. “We have done a lot of work to get Milton Keynes to where we are now but it is now time to flex our collective muscle.”

Destination Milton Keynes chair John Cove and chief executive Ian Stuart present their plans to the meeting at Casino MK

Guests at the meeting, held at DMK member Casino MK, also gave their views on the new Milton Keynes branding, designed to tell the world why the city is a genuine destination for visitors. The branding launches officially later this month.

Better connectivity will inspire investment, say business leaders

Employers back East West Rail to boost national recovery

Completion of the East West Rail project is crucial to the economic growth of the region, says a new report.

Businesses ranging from AstraZeneca to KPMG and the technology and science clusters at Silverstone and Colworth Park in Bedfordshire say that East West Rail linking Oxford and Cambridge with Milton Keynes, Bedford and Northamptonshire at its heart cannot come soon enough.

The scheme, delivered in full to Cambridge and Aylesbury, will provide a major boost to the UK economy. The business view is highlighted in Building Better Connections: the Business Imperative for East West Rail, a new publication produced by the East West Main Line Partnership, a group of local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and other bodies which has campaigned for East West Rail for nearly three decades.

Pim Van Baarsen, chief executive of the Silverstone Technology Cluster, said in the report: “East West Rail would enable better connectivity, which would in turn enable businesses to attract the people, the innovation and the investment to grow and scale.”

Steve Salvin, chief executive of AI and data software specialist Aiimi in Central Milton Keynes, added: “We want to grow and scale but being able to tell the story of how we sustainably acquire new talent and grow our customer base is important to investors. Better connectivity would go a long way towards helping us to deliver on our growth plans.”

Construction work on the line between

Oxford and Milton Keynes is under way and due to complete by 2025.

The East West Rail project has been included on the list of key infrastructure projects within the government’s Growth Plan announced last month.

East West Railway Company chief executive Beth West said: “We are really pleased to see an independent report capturing the tidal wave of support from businesses, local authorities and local enterprise partnerships for East West Rail. This puts beyond doubt that local businesses see EWR as essential to get the local economy growing.

“EWR will help businesses expand and create jobs all the way along the line. It will also bring those jobs opportunities within reach of more local people when

they take the train.”

East West Main Line Partnership chair Cllr Steven Broadbent added: “As a hotbed for world-class science and technology innovation, our region plays a pivotal role for the UK economy. However, our existing transport system is holding us back, hitting productivity, restricting collaboration and limiting access to labour. East West Rail will boost economic growth and innovation, connect skills and talent, and increase the UK’s global competitiveness.

“With economic growth a key priority, it is crucial that the government now commits to delivering the scheme to Aylesbury, Bedford and Cambridge.”

John Ellis, commercial manager at ARC Aerosystems at Cranfield, told the report that the project would improve the region’s prospects for inward investment, “feeding innovation and the economic benefits that come with it.”

Ms West said: “This area has a worldleading ecosystem of businesses and universities and, with EWR on track to support their growth, it will not only attract more inward investment to the region but will power the wider national recovery too.”

Council brings in controls over office conversions to homes

Developers now longer have an automatic right to convert offices into residential units in Central Milton Keynes following new measures introduced by Milton Keynes City Council. The council brought in

an Article 4 Direction last month which removes permitted development rights. It means that applicants must now apply for planning permission to convert an office to residential use within the Central Business District.

This approach, which has government approval, gives the council more control to ensure that new homes are of a high quality and that they comply with relevant council

planning policies.

“For too long, offices have been converted into homes that we as a local authority just would not approve,” said council leader Pete Marland inset

Support hub helps businesses tackle cost of living

Support for businesses as they navigate their way through the price rise and cost of living crisis is growing with the launch of a new hub by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Hub.

Its Cost of Living Businesses Support Hub is providing a range of resources aimed at boosting business resilience and growth and reducing cost by enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

The hub is also offering advice and ideas on maintaining the mental and physical wellbeing of employers and staff.

The government has announced a cap on wholesale business energy bills

but SEMLEP says there is much that businesses can do to offset the effect of the price rises, with a wealth of tools, resources, programmes and information already available.

Growth Hub manager Vicky Hlomuka said: “We know that a lot of business

owners are concerned about rising costs and how these might affect their businesses. Fortunately, there are already lots of great tools and resources out there to help them cut their costs, build resilience and look after their staff.”

Each local authority in the SEMLEP area has different provision of help available, and the Cost of Living Businesses Support Hub is searchable by geographical area to give organisations the most accurate local information.

Vicky Hlomuka

Ms Hlomuka said: “It is really important that businesses are aware of the help available to them and the Cost of Living Business Support Hub is an excellent way of achieving this.”

The new high-level platforms on the East West Rail line at Bletchley station

Beth West

‘The right move at the right time’

Truck manufacturer relishes its opening of new distribution hub

Fit-out work is under way at Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK’s new parts logistics centre in Milton Keynes ahead of its scheduled opening in January. The facility, overlooking Willen Lake, will be operated by third party logistics partner XPO Logistics, which has been responsible for transporting parts to Mercedes-Benz dealers since 2020.

The new hub will exclusively hold parts for Mercedes-Benz trucks and the three-diamonds badge of FUSO, another Daimler Truck brand. The current warehouse at Tongwell is shared with Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and MercedesBenz Vans.

With 140,000 sq ft, the new facility creates around 20 per cent more storage capacity for truck parts. MercedesBenz Trucks UK managing director Heiko Selzam said: “This fantastic new centre, coupled with the ground-

breaking agreement we have reached with XPO Logistics, provides the perfect platform from which we will be able to provide our customers with the fast, efficient parts support they deserve.”

Fit-out of the new centre began last month. Dan Myers, XPO Logistics’ managing director - UK and Ireland, said: “The three-pointed star is an iconic brand which stands for reliability and quality.

Working in partnership on this new state-of-theart distribution centre, we will embed these essential characteristics in every aspect of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks operation.”

It is the first time that Mercedes-Benz Trucks has entered into an outsourcing agreement of this kind. “Rather than just moving to a new warehouse, we are effectively adopting an entirely new supply chain,” said head of parts logistics Philip Cross.

D-day looms for firms in distress, expert warns

The number of ailing businesses in Milton Keynes passed 2,800 in the third quarter of this year, according to the latest figures from recovery specialist Begbies Traynor’s Red Flag Alert, which monitors the financial health of British companies.

The total of 2,858 is a quarterly increase of two per cent and an annual rise of 4pc. Support services businesses in the city are the most affected, with 438 companies in significant financial distress. The national figures show a 4pc quarterly rise and an annual increase of 8pc.

The data paints a worrying picture, says Begbies Traynor, as more businesses are now falling victim to the economic pressures that continue to build in the economy. Companies face the very real prospect of interest rates above 5pc, which could force distressed businesses to enter insolvency as debt built up over the last

decade and added to during the pandemic becomes unserviceable.

“Businesses are being battered on multiple fronts by increasing costs in energy, raw materials and labour,” said Julie Palmer, Begbies Traynor partner in Milton Keynes.

“Coupled with the increased cost of borrowing and the prospect of rising corporation tax now around the corner, this is a very challenging time to be in business. The economy now faces the very real possibility of a recession at a time when businesses were in desperate need of a sustained period of stability so they could get back on their feet.”

Company CCJ data, considered an early indicator of financial distress, totals 63,831 to the end of September - more than the entirety of 2021 and 2020. Winding up petitions are 237pc higher than last yearCompanies are utilising aggressive legal enforcement measures to recoup debts, said Ms Palmer.

“As with so many industries, the automotive logistics aftermarket is becoming increasingly specialised and, given our focus on providing the best possible service to customers, we felt this was the right move at the right time.”

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has confirmed the partnership after seeing how XPO operates similar set-ups with other clients. “Through its work on the transportation of parts from our current logistics centre, XPO is already familiar with

our dealer network,” Mr Cross said. “This means that any disruption can be kept to an absolute minimum when we commence operations.”

The centre will be open 6am-10pm Monday-Friday, with each dealer receiving five

deliveries per week. A 24-hour vehicle emergency call-out service will also be available.

The site chosen by XPO Logistics will contribute to the manufacturer’s carbon reduction targets. The building has secured the highest possible BREEAM rating thanks to features such as high ceiling clearance with natural light panels that reduce energy consumption.

A rain water collection system feeds the washrooms in the office area and solar charging infrastructure is also in place ahead of the anticipated arrival of batteryelectric eActros trucks for dealer deliveries.

Professional services specialist welcomes apprentices

Business and financial advice firm Grant

Thornton has welcomed a total 23 graduates and school leavers to its office in Milton Keynes.

The new arrivals are settling into roles in departments including audit and tax.

Nationally, Grant Thornton has more than doubled the number of trainees joining its school leaver apprenticeship programme, with a record 193 new recruits this year.

Tim Taylor, Grant Thornton partner and practice leader, said: “We know that supporting the next generation is immeasurably value and

that it is vital for the future of our region and its businesses.

For this reason, we work hard to create a culture that engages our graduates and school leavers to ensure that they are given every opportunity to fulfil their potential.

“It is increasingly evident that apprenticeships provide a valuable and highly effective route for young people to become trusted business and financial advisors.

“They are a great way to promote social mobility in our communities while ensuring that there is a pipeline of highly skilled and diverse talent.”

Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK’s new logistics centre.

Above: Managing director Heiko Selzam (left) and Dan Myers, UK & Ireland managing director of XPO Logistics

Pictured above: The new recruits at business advisers Grant Thornton’s flagship office in Central Milton Keynes

F1 governing body launches scholarship at Cranfield

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has announced the FIA’s first motorsport engineering scholarship at Cranfield University.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile is the international governing body for motor racing events including Formula One. The scholarship is the first global talent search initiative from the FIA that making it possible for one talented young engineer to obtain a Masters in Advanced Motorsport Engineering from Cranfield.

Mr Ben Sulayem, said: “I passionately believe that the sport should be open to anyone who has a desire to learn and participate. This scholarship will allow a young person who facing financial challenges the opportunity to study motorsport engineering at the world’s leading university in the field and to bring that knowledge back to their country and community.”

FIA member clubs in 146 countries and their academic partners have an opportunity for students to participate in the selection process for the scholarship, which will cover both the cost of tuition and living expenses in the UK. The candidates will undergo the standard Cranfield selection process and FIA will award the scholarship to the one which best fits its EDI commitments.

Applications are open until February 15.

James Brighton, Professor of Automotive Engineering at cRanfield, said: “At the highest levels of motorsport there are still barriers to entry for the brightest engineers, with fierce competition for roles. Engineers need to have a passion for the sport, exceptional technical knowledge, and the ability to work in a fast paced, highpressure environment.

“This scholarship will allow a student that typically would not be able to join us the chance to study in the UK, on our leading postgraduate programme. Through our relationships with the industry combined with their desire, we will build the attributes, skills and network needed to start their motorsport career.”

Cranfield has undertaken research, consultancy and testing for the motorsport sector since the 1970s. The university is also home to the FIA approved Cranfield Impact Centre and AXSIM which work with F1 and leading motorsport companies. It is regarded as one of the top alma maters for the best motorsport engineers.

Tech ecosystem will boost growth: report

Abetter connected technology

ecosystem will accelerate the economic growth of Milton Keynes and deliver greater economic and social value to the city, says a new report.

The study, by specialist strategy consultancy Whitecap Consulting, says that Milton Keynes is punching above its weight and is currently producing a Gross Value Added rating higher than cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

The report is particularly timely given that Milton Keynes was awarded city status as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year, providing a boost to the local economy and community. It will open new opportunities and put Milton Keynes on the international map, it says.

The research identifies the key capabilities and strengths of the city and highlights future opportunities to support the growth and development of its tech ecosystem. Its key findings are:

n Milton Keynes has a productive and resilient economy with a GVA of around £14.7 billion for 2022.

n Milton Keynes has a strong and thriving tech sector.

One in three people in Milton Keynes work in tech and around a fifth of all businesses in the city are tech-related.

n The city has a reputation

as a testbed location for new technologies and innovations.

n Milton Keynes has an extremely high level of start-ups, for which there is opportunity for more tailored and coordinated support.

n The tech ecosystem can become more connected and cohesive, for example through the creation of an innovation or technology hub.

n Milton Keynes has highquality education providers, offering a potential strong supply of talent. However, there is an opportunity to improve the perception of the city’s tech ecosystem in order to increase talent attraction and retention.

The report recommends a tech steering group to lead the formation of a tech ecosystem strategy. That will include a technology hub, a tech accelerator and a strategic marketing plan. An education providers’ group will focus on creating a tech talent strategy.

Milton Keynes has an estimated tech workforce of 45,000, around 2,400 techrelated businesses and a tech GVA estimated at £3.4 billion for 2022. This is higher than cities such as Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester which have estimated tech GVA of £2.8 billion, £2.3 billion and £3.3 billion respectively.

“Our report confirms what many suspected in that Milton Keynes has a productive and resilient economy along with a strong and thriving tech sector that demonstrates pockets of exciting innovation,” said Whitecap Consulting director Lal Tawney. “The city has huge potential, as one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, to continue to develop its tech ecosystem for the benefit of the city and surrounding regions.”

The research has been supported by Milton Keynesbased organisations Aiimi, Mazars, Milton Keynes

Digital giant opens new data analytics lab in city

Digital specialist Tech Mahindra, which provides consulting and business reengineereing solutions, has opened a dedicated Google Cloud Telco Smart Analytics Lab in Milton Keynes.

The lab is already working to improve data-driven digital transformation. It will focus on developing data analytics solutions on Google Cloud to help communications service providers worldwide to modernise their data systems and develop analytics-driven operations. It will also use 5G and Edge Computing technologies to create new products, services, business models fuelling revenue growth.

College and the South Central Institute of Technology, Milton Keynes Council, Protospace, Santander, The Open University and the University of Buckingham. It interviewed more than 40 key stakeholders across the city.

Oliver Waters, co-founder at Protospace - a community-led initiative to support, connect and grow the tech and creative community in Milton Keynes - said the report was important in plotting the development of

Rajesh Chandiramani, Tech Mahindra’s business head of communication-mediaentertainment for EMEA & APJI, said: “Our deep technology, domain expertise and business analytics capabilities coupled with Google Cloud will bring advanced analytics solutions to the forefront. The synergy will further act as a catalyst for enterprises in their dataled digital transformation journeys and help modernise existing applications.”

As part of its NXT.NOW framework, Tech Mahindra is focused on investing in emerging technologies and solutions that enable digital transformation to better meet the evolving needs of its customers, the company says.

the city’s tech ecosystem.

Mr Tawney said the report’s launch had generated a “desire for action” among the business community. “This report is part showcase, and part catalyser for all parts of the tech ecosystem to reflect, discuss, and act upon to aid the growth of Milton Keynes. I have had the pleasure of living in a growing city that is different by design. Milton Keynes has innovation embedded within its DNA.”

Developer plans 400 homes

More than 400 new homes are in the pipeline for Buckingham after the sale of land at the town’s Osier Way.

National housebuilder Vistry has acquired the site for an undisclosed sum. It has been promoted for allocation for residential development in the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan under a land promotion agreement completed in 2016 and has been sold subject to outline planning consent for up to 420 dwellings.

Property consultancy Kirkby Diamond and land promoter Wates Developments represented the two owners of the 57.5-acre site.

Property investors lured by prospect of more bang for their buck

More property investors are seeing Milton Keynes as a profitable place to spend their money, says a new report.

The city has moved from ninth in the UK to sixth on the new list of Top UK Residential Investment Cities, a report published by commercial real estate firm Colliers.

The report examines 20 cities across 25 indicators, which can be tailored towards investor’s interests. The latest edition includes five new indicators within an environmental pillar which

involves EPC ratings, CO2 emissions, woodland coverage, recycling rate, EV uptake and charging points.

It says that Milton Keynes can look forward to average annual economic growth of 2.1 per cent over the next five years.

The city performs well across liveability, environmental and property factors, scoring highly for broadband connectivity, life satisfaction and a high offering of schools and leisure facilities. House prices in the city has seen a 22pc growth between March 2017 and March 2022.

Kevin Coughter, associate director in the international residential team at Colliers, said: “Milton Keynes is a modern city proving to be a popular choice for young professionals and families looking to get more bang for their buck. As house price growth remains slow in London, investors are turning to Milton Keynes due to its affordable housing, its variety of new builds and access to the countryside.”

Its transport links with London, Birmingham and Northampton are also a powerful draw.

Milton Keynes ranks first in the

report’s new environmental pillar, with the second-lowest CO2 emissions, second-highest recycling rate and significant share of plug-in electric vehicles. The city also comes third in the EPC ratings, with the share of properties with a rating of C or better standing at 55pc.

Ahead of Milton Keynes in the Colliers’ rankings are Edinburgh, Cambridge, London, Belfast and Manchester. Milton Keynes could boost its future ranking by improving its R&D-related indicators, the report says.

Lal Tawney

New HQ reflects image firm’s pledge to UK

Japanese tradition came to Bedford at the opening of imaging, information technology and healthcare giant Fujifilm UK’s new headquarters.

Bedford Borough Mayor Dave Hodgson joined Japanese embassy minister Kyoichiro Kawakami and Fujifilm UK executives in a Kagami Biraki ceremony, in which the lid of a sake barrel is smashed open to represent good fortune, harmony and new beginnings.

The new Fujifilm House in Whitbread Way off Cardington Road, is home to more than 300 staff.

Fujifilm UK has been in Bedford for almost 40 of its 46 years in the UK.

Fujifilm UK managing director Tom Watanabe said: “Today we bring all our skilled colleagues working across various business fields under one roof where, together, we hold the opportunities of innovation.

“It is from Fujifilm House that we will continue to contribute to our communities in Bedford, the United Kingdom and Ireland and around the world. I truly believe that the innovators of today and leaders of tomorrow are here in Bedford and I am so excited when I think what this next chapter at Fujifilm holds for us.”

Mr Hodgson told guests at the

opening ceremony that the new headquarters would bring investment in technology and the sciences to Bedford and the wider borough.

“We are excited to continue the great working relationship we have with them moving forward.”

Since the company began operating in the UK in 1976, Fujifilm has diversified its products and services by developing its imaging and information technology from business areas such as photography, print and inks to also build its global presence in healthcare.

A tour for guests of the new building included the Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan Demo Suite which showcases Fujifilm’s healthcare portfolio across medical imaging and community diagnostics.

Office for Life Sciences director Roz Campion was a guest of honour at the ceremony. She praised Fujifilm UK’s innovation and its contribution to the UK economy.

“I see the strong and positive relationship between the UK and Fujifilm as a microcosm of the lasting partnership between the UK and Japan,” she added. “As director of the Office for Life Sciences, I know for a fact that the contributions of Fujifilm to make the life sciences

vision a reality is invaluable.”

The building also houses an exhibition titled A Force For Good It highlights steps the company has taken on behalf of its UK workforce, national and local charity partners and creative industries towards achieving Fujifilm Group’s Sustainable Value Plan 2030 to resolve social issues through global business activities.

The fusion of Fujifilm’s history in Bedford and its Japanese heritage is

Mayor praises food manufacturer’s employment partnership commitment

It began when two learners from the charity MK SNAP created wall art for its factory in Milton Keynes. Now food supplier Cranswick Convenience Foods has begun an ongoing partnership with the charity.

MK SNAP, which provides life skills, education and work training for adults with learning disabilities, is the Official Charity of the Year for Milton Keynes Mayor Cllr Amanda Marlow who visited Cranswick’s cooked meats factory at Snelshall to officially launch the partnership.

She toured the factory with site director Sam Pearl and praised the firm’s commitment to help local and disadvantaged people back into employment.

“My connection with Cranswick began with a chance conversation with Sam Pearl at a Family Fun Day, about their product and employment opportunities in Milton Keynes,” said Cllr Marlow.

“I was impressed right from the start by Cranswick’s ‘work within the community’ ethos and by their long-term ambitions. I felt that it was important to introduce them to other partners in Milton Keynes who would enjoy working collaboratively with Cranswick.”

The company is Britain’s largest supplier of cooked

meats and the city’s biggest employer. Cranswick also sponsored the Mayor’s Ball last month which raised £52,000 for the charity.

“We feel very honoured to have hosted Amanda Marlow’s first visit to our Milton Keynes factory,” said Mr Pearl. “We care passionately about the local community in Milton Keynes and we are proud to be working with MK SNAP.”

Cranswick has committed to creating employment opportunities to the local

community. The business works with the Supported Employment team at Milton Keynes Council and The Winter Night Shelter charity in Milton Keynes and has helped individuals either with learning difficulties or with homeless backgrounds back into meaningful employment.

“I am delighted to see that these connections have proven to be so successful for all involved and I look forward to further collaboration in the future,” said the Mayor.

represented throughout the building’s design, most prominently through the shoji screens adorning the exterior, inspired by Bedford’s lacemaking history. Fujifilm House includes several sustainability initiatives incorporated into the construction by developer Graftongate, the Southill Estate on whose land the building stands, and contractors MCS Group and Lewis Berkeley.

A total 80 solar panels on the roof

will save 29 tons of CO2 emissions each year, the rainwater recycling and storage system flushes toilets across all three floors and the site has extensive electric vehicle charging points to accommodate the company’s evolving fleet.

The campus also includes bee hotels and bat boxes as part of Fujifilm’s partnership with The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

Bank opens community hub for businesses

Events space for local businesses, entrepreneurs and community groups is a feature of the new community hub at centre:mk opened by NatWest.

The new store in the shopping centre replaces the bank’s old branch in the city. It is NatWest’s fourth community hub in the country, following successful openings in Islington, Cambridge and Bristol.

The hub opening was marked by a visit from Bruce Fletcher, NatWest’s group chief risk officer. “As a bank, we champion potential and and our new hubs provide a brilliant environment to do just that,” he said.

The space is available for community organisations, businesses and charities, alongside the traditional banking services. “It is a really vibrant, welcoming

space that local organisations and entrepreneurs can use, even if they have no existing connection to NatWest,” said branch manager Natalie Litchfield. “It is much more than a bank and brings a real sense of purpose, with so much potential to become a collaborative hub for both the centre and the city.”

The hub utilises solar panels, sustainable materials and includes an innovative

‘environmental dynamics’ room - a first nationally for the bank - in which the light and scent in the room can be changed to create different environments to suit the needs of the customer or event.

“We are proud to be supporting a dynamic space for businesses to grow further within the centre,” said centre:mk’s centre director Kevin Duffy.

Mayor Dave Hodgson joins Minister Kyoichiro Kawakami from Japan’s UK embassy, Roz Campion, director of the Office for Life Sciences joined Fujifilm UK executives Tom Watanabe and Duncan Edgar n a Kagami Biraki ceremony

Bruce Fletcher (front centre) with NatWest colleagues at the new store in centre:mk

Mayor Cllr Amanda Marlow is pictured with Cranswick Foods site director Sam Pearl, sustainability, health an dsafety manager Zan Janjua (left) and HR manager Rachel Tudhope

Deliver on diversity or put growth at risk, warns expert

Diversity can be a powerful tool in business growth. But employers are not yet taking full advantage of the talent pool, says a leading diversity and inclusion champion.

“We still have so many managers that stop progress,” says Gamiel Yafai, founder and chief executive of specialist consultancy Diversity Marketplace, which works with organisations worldwide to develop their diversity and inclusion strategies.

“While they are consciously mindful of diversity and equality, they need to ensure that they are fully inclusive and deliver on the promises made. Not doing so could comprise sustainable growth.”

Mr Yafai was speaking to an audience of business leaders at a breakfast briefing hosted by Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership. Diversity is moving up the business agenda and companies are implementing diversity plans to help them to retain their best talent and to drive both innovation and growth.

However, on the evidence of almost 40 pieces of Diversity Marketplace research involving organisations across the UK, there remains a hidden culture among some.

“Initially, business were taking the initiative but moving from project to

project in a bid to become more diverse,”

Mr Yafai said. “While we still have a long way to go, these companies are now recognising the benefits a diverse workforce can have on their organisation’s culture, innovation and growth and are consequently becoming more systematic in their approach.

“This will, ultimately, have a longlasting positive impact.”

While the diversity focus has centred around gender, race and sexuality, the value of neurodiversity is sometimes the lost strand, including those with ADHD and autism. Around ten per cent of the UK population is neurodivergent in some way, which represents a significant proportion of workers today.

In some cases, 50pc of employees, particularly within technology firms, have

employees who are neurodiverse but only between 2pc and 5pc of these employees actually declare it.

“It begs the question - how well do we really know our employees?” said Mr Yafai. “These hidden diversities are a stark reminder of the journey businesses still find themselves on as they also represent a huge amount of untapped opportunity. For every disability that someone has, there is an enhanced ability, and these people need the chance to showcase their talents.”

Diversity Marketplace’s resesarch has shown that 20pc of employees admit that they only bring 50pc of themselves to work. “Imagine what that additional 50pc could do to productivity.” Mr Yafai said.

“We need to bring these voices to the fore and not leave them behind.”

Significant steps have been made in the past few years but employers are yet to move from evolution to revolution. “Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication,” Mr Yafai said. “Business leaders will become inclusive not by yielding their own power but by their ability to empower others. We should all do this.”

Mr Yafai was speaking at the MKBLP breakfast briefing held at Thornton College near Buckingham.

Foot injury lights a fire for business growth plans

Dropping a PA speaker on his foot required a rather urgent an appointment with a foot specialist. It led management consultant Ian Taylor to work with Milton Keynes-based The Foot Health Clinic to plan its development to meet growing demand for its services.

“There are so many people who have foot, hip or knee pains, and foot conditions that can be easily treated at one of our clinics,” says owner Nicola Spuffard, who opened the business 11 years ago. “I find relieving people of their foot pain, such as the pain from corns and ingrown toe nails, and

seeing the look of relief on their faces is enormously satisfying.”

Demand has seen the business expand to provide chiropody and podiatry services to patients at premises in Stony Stratford and Bletchley.

“I have really enjoyed working with Nicola,” says Ian, regional director at managment consultancy Tinderbox. “We first met when I sought treatment having dropped a large PA speaker on my big toe. That led to us undertaking a thorough analysis of her business and identifying the areas that needed to be addressed to enable the business to grow.”

Committed to creating a superior customer experience

Bedford-based Window Ware has been successfully serving the window and door industry with leading brand hardware, tools, and consumables since 1987.

The company has built its success upon its ability to precisely meet customer needs year after year, with a customer-centric focus that helps deliver first-class service and hone a constantly evolving product range to match demand.

Today, Window Ware holds around £3 million worth of stock at any one time and more than 5,000 different products from some of the industry’s best-known and most trusted brands. That includes, not least, a massive range of fenestration hardware such as locks, hinges, vents, and accessories to suit most window styles and operation types, plus multi-point locking solutions, furniture, handles and panic exit devices for every conceivable type and composition of door.

But also a vast range of fabricating equipment, hand tools and machinery spare.

After almost 35 years in the industry, 20 of which have been based at its Bedford headquarters on Telford Way, Window Ware knows that great products alone will not keep

customers coming back to them time and time again. Consistently great service is key to keeping customers happy, building trust and retaining business.

So these highly specified, quality products come backed by fast and friendly sales support, expert advice and proven dependability of supply, helping to ensure fabricator production lines keep moving, installation schedules stay on track and trade counter shelves stay stocked.

In fact, it is Window Ware’s constant passion and commitment to creating a superior customer experience that has not only earned them the Service Excellence Award and Overall Winner at this year’s SME Luton & Bedfordshire Business Awards but also a place in the 2022 SME National Business Awards.

Window Ware’s MD Sam Nuckey, says: “We continually benchmark ourselves against the service factors that matter most to our customers.

“For the fabricators, installers and trade counters we support across the UK, that means making sure we are giving them the fast response, high accuracy and dependability of hardware supply their businesses need to be successful, week in, week out.”

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Gamel Yafai

Ian Taylor at work with clinic founder Nicola Spuffard

Party firm completes deal for online retailer

Party products manufacturer and distributor Amscan International has completed its acquisition of online retailer Party King.

The Milton Keynes-based company, which also designs and retails its products, acquired the Swedish business for an undisclosed sum and now has a turnover topping £300 million.

The deal also sees Amscan International, whose head office is at Brinklow, increase its overall ecommerce revenues. Online sales now account for more than a third of the company’s turnover.

“Party King is a very strong and well invested brand in the Nordics,” said Amscan International’s chief executive Joe Hennigan. “It is a market where we have minimal presence but within which have long had hopes of expanding further.”

The Party King brand can be

leveraged across the company’s other commercial markets, he added. “Continuing to accelerate our direct-to-consumer revenues and building our brand portfolio are two key pillars of our strategic plan so Party King is an ideal acquisition in supporting those goals.”

Party King’s founders and owners Joel Svensson and Jeff Jansson, will continue to run the business from its warehouse and office facility in Gävle. Its revenues are forecast to grow by around 20 per cent this year after an increase of more than 50pc over the last three years. The business operates four websites across Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland and is the clear market leader in the Nordics.

Founded in 2009, Party King employs 80 people, all of whom have transferred to Amscan International.

Mr Svensson originally founded the business as a gift to his mother Eva,

as she was unemployed and needed a job. “This is a great deal for both businesses which gives Party King the opportunity to supercharge its growth,” he said. “All of us are very excited and energised by the thought of what the future holds. We cannot wait to start making it a reality.”

Amscan also has offices in Ireland, Germany, Australasia and Asia. Iits retail brands include Party Delights, the UK’s largest online party store, Ginger Ray and other brands across 15 countries.

n Amscan has appointed a new chief operations officer. Neil Weaver has joined the company from fashion and homewares retailer Cath Kidston where he was sourcing, supply chain and IT director.

Accountancy practice spreads reach to ‘innovation hotspot’

Fast-growing business advice specialist Ad Valorem Group has completed the acquisition of Cambridge-based LIRIC Accountants.

The two companies have been working together for the past five months. LIRIC founder Lisa Compton and her five colleagues have joined the Ad Valorem Group as part of the deal.

Joint managing director Nikki Adams said: “The acquisition of Liric Accountants is an exciting addition

to the Ad Valorem Group. Extending our reach for both talent and clients into the innovation hotspot of the Cambridge area, Liric’s digital presence fits extremely well with our existing Milton Keynes operation.”

Ms Compton said: “LIRIC is delighted to now be part of the Ad Valorem family. My team and I are excited about joining an awardwinning practice that shares the same values. We look forward to helping Ad Valorem grow into the Cambridge area.”

He will oversee the development of Amscan’s global operations and be responsible for its supply chain at board level. “Amscan International’s vertically integrated structure and supply chain strength is one of its key differentiating factors, which is testament to the capability of the company’s team and infrastructure,” Mr Weaver said.

He began his career as an engineer in manufacturing, before developing his supply chain experience. Mr Weaver has also worked for personal healthcare products and consumer goods manufacturer PZ Cussons, and Pentland Brands, the owner of brands including Speedo, Ellesse and Mitre. Amscan International chief executive Joe Hennigan said: ““He has a strong track record of delivering commercial value to businesses and achieving strong returns on investment.”

Advalorem Group directors Nigel and Nikki Adams toast the deal with Lisa Compton (centre)

Amscan International chief executive Joe Hennigan (left) and Claire Grasby, managing director for European retail with Party King founders and owners Jeff Jansson and Joel Svensson

Offenders receive an apprenticeship lifeline

Prisoners are now able to take up apprenticeships so they have the prospect of employment on their release under a new scheme announced by the government.

The move has been hailed as a breakthrough by staff at Milton Keynes College, one of the leading providers of prison education in the UK. Its staff work in 19 prisons across the country.

The college is working with RMF Construction to provide apprenticeship opportunities and both say the government’s announcement could have a real impact on cutting reoffending.

The announcement comes at the end of a campaign of several years over which Milton Keynes College Group’s chief executive Sally Alexander has been lobbying the Ministry of Justice to allow prisoners to take the apprenticeship route.

“All the evidence shows that people coming out of prison are significantly less likely to reoffend if they have work to go to,” she said. “Access to apprenticeships will mean they can start working, learning and earning, virtually from the day they are

released, paying taxes and becoming contributing members of society. That is good news for everyone.”

RMF has worked with former prisoners for years and operations manager Dara McCarthy, who is responsible for the West Midlands company’s social inclusion policy, recognises the benefits to the business and the importance of paid employment in reducing reoffending.

“We know how much they have to offer. Our partnership with MK College Group means that students come to us with many of the skills we need to be able to employ them right away. Naturally the opportunity for apprenticeships was something we were excited to trailblaze and it is a statement of intent from both us and MK College to have a vacancy live from day one.”

Over the past three years the college’s Employment Academy programme has helped more than 700 ex-offenders into jobs. It has been involved in prisoner education for 27 years. The government’s decision was made in response to a Commons Education Select Committee report that was highly critical of the government’s “chaotic” approach to prison education. Committee chair Robert Halfon MP said: “One of our key recommendations was that prisoners should be given the chance to take up apprenticeships. Ex-prisoners who find employment are statistically less likely to offend. Giving offenders a route back into work is the best way to reintegrate and reinvest them in society.”

‘A wild ride’: Engineering firm wins innovation award

Three local businesses are celebrating their success at this year’s Buckinghamshire Business Awards.

The Digital Manufacturing Centre, a world-leading engineering facility based in Silverstone, took home gold in the Innovative Business category, as did Hill Farm & Orchard at Slapton near Leighton Buzzard for

Excellence in Customer Service.

The third winner was Town Farm, based near Ivinghoe, which was named the Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year.

The winners were announced at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. DMC chief executive Kieron Salter said: “From establishing the DMC in the middle of a global pandemic, to seeing out our first year with commercial

success and industry recognition, it has been a wild ride. Winning the Innovative Business Award as part of the Buckinghamshire Business Awards is a fantastic recognition of our efforts.

“The DMC is now widely seen as one of the world’s leading multitechnology commercial additive manufacturing facilities and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved so far.”

Help us to help others: Salvation Army’s call to businesses

Sally Alexander

Ms Alexander says the announcement is a vote of confidence in the teachers who provide education to prisoners. Initially, only prisoners who are eligible for release on temporary licence will be able to start apprenticeships. It is hoped that if the scheme proves a success, it may be made more widely available.

Business is once again being urged to support the annual Christmas present appeal run by The Salvation Army.

Last year in Milton Keynes The Salvation Army ensured that more than 500 families were provided for. Referrals came from children and family centres, schools and social services.

Quit the rat race and make a break for financial freedom

Make your money work for you, rather than you work for your money. Tony Byrne, managing director of Wealth & Tax Management, explains how.

Are you fed up working for someone else? Fed up making money for your employer and not for yourself?

Fed up running your own business? Tired of the constant pressure just to maintain your current standard of living?

Don’t like your boss?

Become your own boss instead. Make money work for you rather than giving your time to earn money. That makes sense, right? Then read on.

Most people of working age have one sole source of income. It is from their job. What happens when you lose that job? Your income disappears overnight. Does that make any sense? Working for someone else is meant to be more secure but relying on one source of income cannot be certain, can it?

What’s more, most people give up the majority of their time to work for an employer so they do not have much time to create income for

themselves. So create your own multiple sources of passive income instead.

Passive income is where money works for you rather

Corps officer Jo Baker said: “Each year we are overwhelmed by the support and help given by local businesses, community groups and the public in donations to our appeal. This is either donations of new toys/ gifts or financial donations that enable us to purchase the gifts we require. We expect the number of families in need will increase this

year and we are asking businesses to consider whether they would like to help our appeal.”

The Salvation Army will begin making up the parcels for the agencies on December 5. Donations or assistance will be required before that date.

n To find out more, email Milton. keynes@salvationarmy.org.uk.

Tony Byrne

he Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate passive income from unregulated sources. The value of your investment can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed so you may not get back the full amount you invested. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and do not constitute individual advice.

For advice on creating multiple sources of passive income, take advantage of a one-hour Discovery Meeting either at our offices or by a video conference call at our expense worth £270 to each of the first three readers who contact us before November 30 you know it makes sense. We offer a great cup of coffee too. Ring us on 01908 523740 or for free on 0800 980 4516 or email wealth@wealthandtax.co.uk.

than you working for money. Passive income streams can come from investing in investment funds or shares, selling products online,

publishing online courses or other side hustles in which the earner does not have to actively participate.

Does this mean you do not

You should always seek professional advice from a specialist. All information is based on our current understanding of taxation, legislation and regulations in the current tax year. Any levels and bases of relief from taxation are subject to change. This article is based on my own observations and opinions.

have to give up much of your time to earn passive income? Too right it does.

Just think about it. Time, not money, is your most precious resource. It is the one thing we will all run out of one day.

As Benjamin Franklin once said: “Waste neither time nor money but make the best use of both.”

‘Waste neither time nor money but make the best of both’

Benjamin Franklin

Digital Manufacturing Centre chief executive Kieron Salter with the Innovative Business award

College welcomes ‘breakthrough’ scheme to enhance prisoners’ job prospects

Expo aims to bring businesses together

The date: February 8 2023.

The venue: Hangar One at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. The countdown has begun to a superb event for businesses across the county to reach, engage and connect. The occasion is the first Your Business Expo of 2023, brought to Northamptonshire’s business community by Business Times - the county’s leading business newspaper - and sponsored by full service marketing agency qoob.

Your Business Expo aims to create opportunities for quality sales leads, to meet with the county’s key decision-makers and to increase awareness of your business brand.

Major exhibitors have already signed up to take part and visitors can also benefit from insightful workshops delivered by industry experts on key business topics.

These will include the latest expert advice on marketing, delivered by qoob, and on HR matters in a discussion led by Your Business Expo fellow sponsor HR Solutions.

SJP Contracts in Milton Keynes have also signed up as a Your Business Expo sponsor, leaving only five further sponsorship slots available

Your Business Expo will begin with a networking breakfast ahead

of the main exhibition itself, giving participating businesses and others the opportunity to enjoy some extra networking.

Your Business Expo 2023 is the first since the Your Business Expo brand became part of Pulse Group Media, publisher of Business Times and its sister title Business MK, covering Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire.

Plans are under way to stage a Your Business Expo in Milton Keynes later in 2023.

“Already the buzz is starting,” said Pulse Group Media director Kerry Lewis-Stevenson. “The reaction to our announcing the date has been

overwhelming, frankly, and we are delighted with the response in terms of enquiries, the enthusiasm of the sponsors we have already secured and the quality of exhibitors who have already signed up to be there.

“Sywell will be a wonderful venue befitting an event of the quality we are aiming to stage and we know that businesses around the county will benefit by coming along to join us.”

n Find out more, book your exhibition stand and register for your free tickets at www. yourbusinessexpo.co.uk or email hello@yourbusinessexpo.co.uk

Awealth of resources is on offer to businesses signing up to exhibit at Your Business Expo 2023.

Headline sponsor qoob is sharing its marketing expertise to help exhibitors to make the most of opportunities ahead of the exhibition. The full service marketing agency, which has been working with Business MK and its Northamptonshire sister title Business Times since 2021, has put together a range of free resources from graphics for use on social media to press release templates for the exclusive use of exhibitors.

Managing director Matthew Rigby-White said: “The aim of the exhibition is to reach, engage and connect. It makes sense for us to support exhibitors, which will increase awareness and numbers to the exhibition. It costs money to exhibit so the more businesses can get out of the event the better. They want to see a return on their investment but if they do not tell their network they are exhibiting, it is a missed opportunity. If

exhibitors work together then it can make a real difference to what each business can get out of the event.”

Your Business Expo aims to create opportunities for quality sales leads, to meet with key decisionmakers and to increase awareness of each exhibitor’s brand. Insightful workshops by industry experts on key business topics will be run throughout the day, including one by qoob specialists who will offer solutions to businesses looking for better returns from their marketing.

“We reviewed our workshop plans and, while we believe our specialist knowledge has real value, we realised it was important to share this information with as many people as possible which is why we are now running the workshop for free,” said Matthew.

The qoob team will be contacting exhibitors to explore ways they can help support businesses in the countdown to Your Business Expo.

“This fresh approach will bring real benefits to all businesses who have signed up to Your Business Expo.,” said Matthew.

‘If exhibitors work together, it can make a real difference’

Diversity can be an asset... but we’re not there yet

As the population of Milton Keynes has grown, it has become increasingly diverse. In fact, in comparison to some cities across the country where diverse communities only account for around 20 per cent of the population, Milton Keynes is reported to be closer to 40pc. In essence, we are considered to be one of the most ethnically diverse communities in the UK.

This diversity has shaped and continues to shape the very fabric of our city. As we grow and evolve, it is also mirrored within the make-up of our businesses and organisations.

But are we fully inclusive? Are we equipping these diverse communities with the space to flourish and demonstrate their full talents and capabilities? According to expertsand this relates to all UK businesses - we are not there yet.

This is not to say that businesses are not implementing strategies to become more diverse and inclusive. Far from it. But, fuelled by outside influences, employers have moved from project to project in a bid to become more diverse. While they are now becoming more systematic

in their approach, implementing strategies which will ultimately enable them to fully nurture and unleash the full potential of our diverse pool of talent, we still have a long way to go.

According to awardwinning global diversity and inclusion strategist Gamiel Yafai, who spoke to members of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership at a recent members’ breakfast

event (read the full report on page 6), 20pc of UK employees admit that they only bring 50pc of themselves to work. Imagine what that additional 50pc could do to productivity and innovation?

In its capacity to foster innovation, creativity and empathy, diversity in the workplace is an asset for both businesses and employees. And we are not just talking about gender, race and ethnicity here. Diversity represents so much more, including those who are neurodiverse, defined as people who have conditions such as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s or dyslexia.

Given that around 10pc of the UK population is neurodivergent in some way, this represents a significant proportion of tioday’s workers. In some cases 50pc of employees, particularly within technology firms, are neurodiverse but only between 2pc and 5pc of these employees actually declare it.

It begs the question: how well do we really know our employees?

These hidden diversities are a stark reminder of the journey businesses still find themselves on, as they also represent a huge amount of

untapped opportunity. We need to bring these voices to the fore and create a platform where people can bring 100pc of themselves to the workplace.

However, while acknowledging the road ahead is still a long one, it is important that we celebrate successes along the way.

Every year, the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards covers important topics and themes which resonate. In 2020, ironically just days before the first Covid-19 lockdown was brought in, we celebrated Health & Wellbeing. Earlier this year, following on from the COP26 conference on climate change, our overarching theme was Environmental & Sustainability. This year the theme is Diversity.

This decision was not taken lightly. We appreciate that, in their effort to be more diverse and inclusive, businesses are on a complex path and there is no one size fits all solution.

But we are a young and dynamic city, used to spearheading change and setting new benchmarks so it is vital that we shine a light on the businesses and people who are already making a real difference while inspiring others.

The deadline is looming for submission of first-stage entries to the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards 2023.

The winners in 16 categories will be announced on March 23 at Stadium MK, with the awards theme being Celebrating Diversity.

The awards, which have taken place since 2014, are run by Milton Keynes Business leaders Partnership with full service marketing agency Interdirect and event management specialist Evolution.

MKBLP chair Nicholas Mann said: “We are thrilled to finally get the 2023 awards under way. Last year saw a huge number of entries but we want to encourage even more businesses to get involved. With 14 categories available, every organisation will be able to find at least one to enter.”

First stage entry asks businesses to provide basic information only. Organisations can enter a maximum of two categories:

n Celebrating Diversity Sponsor: Mazars

n Charity of the Year

n Design & Creativity

n Culture & Arts

n Technology Business Sponsor: Helix

n New Business

n Customer Service

n Leisure & Entertainment

n Professional Services Sponsor: dbfb

n Business Impact in the Community

Sponsor: My Milton Keynes Business Improvement District

n Small & Medium Business Sponsor: Ad Valorem

n Micro Business Sponsor: Jardine BMW

n Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsor: MHA MacIntyre Hudson

n Innovation Award Sponsor: Niftylift

An overall winner chosen by the judging panel will be named Business of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented.

The deadline for first stage entries is November 18. Find out more at the awards website www. mkbaa.co.uk. Headline sponsors for the 2023 awards are Milton Keynes Council, Brioche Pasquier and The Open University.

Mr Mann said: “This will be the first awards to run since Milton Keynes was granted city status and we want to help businesses shout their success stories from the rooftops.”

Steve Freeman Chairman

MKBLP chair Nicholas Mann applauds the efforts employers are making to become more inclusive but asks: How well do we really know our employees?

Hidden diversities represent untapped opportunity

My commercial tenant has stopped paying rent. What are my options?

Even with the after-effects of the pandemic seemingly at an end, landlords are still faced with the problem of commercial tenants not paying their rent and going into arrears. This is, clearly, very frustrating for landlords, especially in incidents when the tenant provides no explanation. Here are some suggestions landlords may wish to consider and the action that can be taken, if necessary.

Open the lines of communication

Has

contacted the

explain the reason for not paying

rent or has payment simply stopped? Before acting, it would be worth attempting to contact the

to find a reason for the nonpayment of rent. They could have a legitimate reason for stopping their payments.

Where there is a landlord and tenant relationship, it will always be beneficial for issues to be dealt with amicably. It will also stop the landlord from incurring costs unnecessarily.

Can the landlord relet the commercial property easily?

There are also commercial decisions to take into consideration. Is the property going to be easy to relet should the landlord decide to evict the tenant? Either way, this will impact the landlord’s decision to possibly evict the tenant.

Is there a forfeiture clause within the commercial lease?

If the tenant has not been contactable, the reason provided for non-payment

of rent is not satisfactory and/or the landlord decides to evict the tenant on the basis that the property will be easy to relet, the landlord must make sure that they are able to forfeit the lease on the basis of non-payment of rent.

This is a standard clause within commercial leases but the landlord would not be able to proceed with an eviction if this clause does not exist.

Landlords must be extremely careful to not waive their right to forfeit the lease. If a landlord makes a demand for the unpaid rent, this could show that the landlord accepts that the lease is continuing even though the rent is unpaid.

Instruction of High Court Enforcement Agents

If there is a forfeiture clause within the lease and the landlord has not

waived their right to forfeit the lease, landlords would need to instruct High Court Enforcement Agents to ‘peaceably’ reenter the property. This would involve the instruction of a locksmith to change the locks at the premises so that the tenant is no longer able to gain entry.

At this time, the lease will be at an end. It is worth noting that this will not be possible if there is a residential element to the property. If this is the case, a Court Order must be obtained.

Collection of goods

After eviction, landlords do not own the goods left at the property by the tenant. Tenants must be provided with a reasonable time to clear the goods (usually 14 days) and a notice should be left on the door of the property to make them aware of this.

Application for relief from forfeiture

If a tenant wants to continue with the lease, they must make an application to court. For this application to be successful, tenants must pay the rental arrears and the landlord’s costs.

HOW NEVES SOLICITORS CAN HELP

Neves Solicitors takes a practical approach to problem solving, focusing on the overall objectives of our clients.

Our dispute resolution team has many years of experience in a wide range of commercial dispute matters including debt recovery, breach of contract claims, injunctions, shareholder and partnership disputes, PR/media and reputation management, commercial landlord and tenant issues, and land related disputes.

Whatever your commercial dispute, Neves Solicitors has specialists able to assist. Get in touch by calling 0330 0945 500 or emailing info@nevesllp.co.uk.

Peter Kelly: Consultant and head of disputes

Charlotte Clements: Dispute resolution executive

Fiona Hewitt: Senior associate and head of employment and commercial disputes

Landlords must be extremely careful not to waive their right to forfeit the lease

Advisory firms announce new heads of city offices

‘A real opportunity to make a difference’

She is a well-known face in the Milton Keynes and wider business community. Now Rebecca Dacre is settling into her new post as office managing partner in the city for global audit, tax and advisory firm Mazars.

She succeeds Ian Pickford, who steps down after three years in charge at The Pinnacle. During his time at the helm the firm has increased its work with privately owned businesses, creating a specialist audit team and board dedicated to its privately owned business clients .

Ms Dacre has worked in Milton Keynes for more than 15 years and became a partner at Mazars last year. A restructuring and insolvency expert, she heads a team of 195 staff at the firm’s Milton Keynes office and is focusing on developing Mazars’ corporate restructuring offer and building on the success of the POB practice.

“It is a great honour to lead such a fantastic team and to take responsibility for an important part of Mazars’ business in the UK,” she says. “We have a real opportunity to make a difference to our clients and to our local community and I am proud to lead this team in doing so.”

She believes strongly in diversity and inclusion and is a committed supporter of local initiatives including Mazars’ sponsorship for the Milton Keynes Pride Festival in September.

Ms Dacre currently chairs the ICAEW’s Restructuring and Insolvency Advisory Group.

“My three years as Milton Keynes office managing partner have formed a great chapter of my career and I am delighted that Rebecca will take over this rewarding and exciting role,” Mr Pickford says. “She has a great reputation in the local market and the ambition, drive and leadership qualities to make a huge success of her role.”

n Two new partners at the Milton Keynes office are among 13 promotions announced by Mazars.

Sarah Cooke will continue to lead the asset management team as part of the firm’s financial services audit department. She joined Mazars in 2008. Lucy Hampson joined Mazars as a graduate in 2007 and was audit director in Milton

Keynes before her promotion. She specialises in large and listed client engagements and has been instrumental in growing the firm’s real estate and asset management audit offering.

They are among eight new partners who have been promoted from within the business. Three of the partners have relocated from Mazars offices around the world.

Mazars chief executive Phil Verity says: “Nurturing talent and developing our people is a vital part of the firm’s culture and strategy. These appointments further strengthen the Mazars partner team and our commitment to deliver the highest quality of work to our clients.”

MD relishes transport industry challenge

Scania UK has named Jaguar Land Rover’s former global performance director Chris Newitt as its new managing director.

He took up his post at the company’s UK headquarters at Tongwell in September to guide the business through the biggest transition in the history of the heavy transport industry. Scania is a leading light in the automotive industry’s move towards more sustainable transport

Mr Newitt has held several senior positions at Jaguar Land Rover for more than a decade, as well as significant senior experience working for Volkswagen Group UK.

“Scania is known around the world for its brand heritage, innovation, and deep engineering

integrity,” he says. “It will be my privilege to lead this fantastic company in the UK through what continues to be the most testing time of our generation.”

The company is a global manufacturer of trucks, buses, coaches and industrial and marine engines.

Mr Newitt succeeds and will report into James Armstrong, who will take

up his new role as executive regional director for Scania Europe North region, where he will manage six European markets: the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and the Baltics.

“I am delighted to welcome Chris to Scania UK,” says Mr Armstrong. “He has a proven track record and will bring a wealth of experience to one of the most revered positions in the industry.”

From graduate to senior partner and looking to build on regional success

New office senior partner Pete Rowe describes his promotion to head the Milton Keynes office of professional services firm KPMG as “a great honour”.

He is taking over from Catriona Hunt who is retiring after 29 years with the firm. Mr Rowe joined KPMG 20 years ago as part of tits graduate training plan and will now lead a team of around 100 staff based at Challenge House near Bletchley Park.

The office specialises in audit, tax and advisory services to local businesses.

Mr Rowe is a tax specialist, working with businesses, from large listed and international organisations to new emerging start-ups. He has particular expertise in the retail, leisure, automotive and construction sectors.

“Having been in the team locally for many years, it has been a fantastic journey to

this point and a privilege to be asked to take on this role,” Mr Rowe says. “I am very proud of what we have achieved so far and very excited to be working with our fantastic leadership team to take us forward on our next steps as we face into a challenging economic environment.

“We have built a great team here who are really embedded into the local business community. I believe that we

are in an ideal position to help local businesses as our clients look to navigate the uncertain road ahead.”

KPMG has played a key role in the business community for a long time, he adds

“I am very excited to be working with the team here to continue to bring value to our diverse client base and am very much looking forward to building on our long-held success in the region.”

Pete Rowe: ‘A fantastic journey to this point and a privilege to be asked to take on this role’

Rebecca Dacre

Sarah Cooke

Lucy Hampson

Chris Newitt

Investors can prepare for a brighter future

Choppy market conditions until the end of the year are likely to calm , creating a brighter economic outlook and atttractive long-term opportunity. Peter Cooper, account manager at OCM Wealth Management, explains.

Following the market euphoria of the post-pandemic recovery in the economy in 2021, 2022 has been anything but plain sailing for investors who have had to grapple with multi-decade high inflation, rising interest rates and European energy insecurity, with speculation over all of the above weighing on the global economy.

It is clear that market conditions remain exceptionally challenging in the short term, with more volatility seemingly inevitable. However, as interest rates move closer to peak expectations and economic data trickles through into labour markets and inflation figures, data is beginning to suggest that things may be starting to look up for investors.

As inflationary concerns, monetary tightening and geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on market sentiment, multi-asset investors have been faced with an unprecedented challenge this year as rising interest rates tarnish the safe haven status of government bonds, decoupling their historical negative correlation to equities. Both equity and bond markets have experienced their worst three quarters in 40 years. However the data is beginning to suggest that a brighter future lies ahead.

Rising inflation has not only weighed on market valuations in recent months but also on the consumer’s pocket. Driven by a rapid reopening from the pandemic and fuelled further by

is

surging commodity prices as a result of Putin’s war in Ukraine, inflation remains one of the biggest headwinds investors face in 2022. Domestically, labour markets have applied upward pressure on inflation through persistent wage growth, unemployment rates remaining resilient and a strong demand for workers. The robustness of labour markets alongside solid consumer balance sheets in comparison to previous economic slowdowns has paved the way for central banks to begin the most aggressive tightening cycles seen in recent times.

The USA remains a relatively bright spot in the global economy, given the haste at which the Federal Reserve System began to tackle inflation but the key task will be bringing inflation back to target without causing a sharp downturn in the economy.

Consumer demand represents around 70 per cent of the economy and demand destruction through a rise in unemployment is crucial to the slowing of the economy. The difficulty for the Fed is that unemployment acts as a lagging indicator, therefore raising the risk of the central bank overtightening and ‘engineering’ a recession. Should the Fed overtighten significantly, a substantial rise in unemployment and a sizeable drop in consumer spending could tip the economy into recession, feeding through to the UK and European nations and worsening the global economic growth outlook further.

are driving rise in M&A

The Covid pandemic has seen many over-50s voluntarily leave the labour market and take early retirement. The same is happening with business owners with business sales increasing, says corporate finance specialist Tom Pollard.

The past three years have seen some of the toughest trading conditions in recent memory. Business owners hoping for a period of stability against a global backdrop and upheaval and uncertainty and the pandemic have been sorely disappointed, struggling with soaring energy prices and a cost of living crisis. Uncertainty continues to dominate the economic landscape.

Just as many over-50s in fulltime employment have taken early retirement, we are beginning to see the same with business owners of a similar age. They have seen high interest rates in the 1990s, the financial crash in 2008 and the uncertainty that continues to surround Brexit. The global pandemic and now

conflict in eastern Europe have made for an exhausting trading landscape.

Many business owners have had enough and are choosing to sell, taking early retirement or in order to explore new interests. It is matched by renewed interest from overseas investors, with the current lowest level of the pound against the US dollar since 1985 making the UK an attractive market for investment.

Selling a business, however, takes time - often six months or more, with a process to follow to achieve the greatest value. It is, for most, a oneshot chance.

Unless they are a serial entrepremeur, it is unlikely that a business owner will have sold a business before. It is also likely that a business looking

However recent data has pointed to a slight easing of labour market pressures. When combined with cooling commodity prices, headline US inflation levels have begun to cool in the United States, potentially offering the Fed room to manoeuvre.

Headwinds remain in place in the UK and Eurozone economies, with natural gas supplies via the Nord Stream pipeline ceased for the foreseeable future. Russia has continued to escalate its war in Ukraine with the illegal annexation of territory, to which Europe has responded with an eighth sanctions package including an oil price cap, posing further risk to energy supply.

Questions remain over how Europe will refill its natural gas reserves in early 2023, with limited supply alternatives pushing wholesale prices up further, weighing on inflationary pressures.

In the UK, political uncertainty and a tug-of-war between monetary tightening and fiscal loosening continues to fuel volatility in

government bond markets and the pound. While recent inventions from the Bank of England have provided some stability to markets in the near term, the Central Bank is likely to have to raise rates more aggressively as they look to tame inflation.

Q2 corporate earnings in the US largely surprised albeit very low analysts’ estimates and the upcoming US earnings season is likely to provide an insight into how businesses are coping with rising input costs alongside consistent wage growth. Early signs have emerged of better than expected performance from companies which have passed on rising costs to the consumer, a trend which if it continues through this quarter will likely raise risk appetite. The risks facing multi-national businesses remains the overwhelming strength of the US dollar which has outperformed significantly throughout 2022, with investors rushing to safety following the conflict in Ukraine alongside interest rate differentials as the Fed fights to bring inflation back

by a team of specialists who can offer, for example, tax advice, and, importantly, give you the time to continue to run your business. Equally important is an adviser who recognises the emotional pull of selling a business that you may have built over many years, understanding that it is not as simple as ‘retiring’ from a job.

towards its 2pc target.

Recent data shows three straight months of declines in US inflation, as energy and food prices cool amid recessionary concerns. As such, traders continue to bet on a Fed pivot in 2023 as interest rates move closer to the 4.75pc expected peak and, despite officials confirming their intent to leave rates elevated, it is our view that a Fed pivot is likely and will provide a significant boost for risk assets.

While the timing of this pivot is uncertain, investors will be looking for clues within data releases throughout Q4 to signal that rate hikes are taking effect in slowing down the economy, giving central banks room to breathe.

Overall, it is our view that as we see asset valuations more accurately reflect economic headwinds moving forward, investors are presented with an opportunity to deploy cash more efficiently with a long-term investment horizon.

While markets remain sensitive to economic data in the near term, providing volatility and risks for investors with a short-term outlook, we believe that key drivers of inflation will cool into next year, giving central banks room to apply the brakes on their tightening cycles.

Our view, therefore, is that a brightening economic outlook and current market valuations provide an attractive long-term opportunity. While our flagship OBI portfolios remain somewhat cautious in nature to manage near term risk, we expect investors to enjoy a brighter future as economic headwinds ease moving into 2023, with renewed sense of optimism and risk appetite likely to provide a welcome boost to investors’ portfolios.

potential buyers before moving to the next stages which, after signing the appropriate non-disclosure agreements, will include sharing the information memorandum and faceto-face meetings.

to make acquisitions will have made previous acquisitions or will be of sufficient size to bring in a team of experienced merger and acquisition advisers, lawyers and corporate financiers. With a sophisticated buyer, the seller needs an equally sophisticated adviser, someone who understands both the sale and acquisition process.

A good adviser will do more than guide a business owner through the sales process. They will help business owners and the business to be appropriately prepared for the sale, helping to generate the highest possible sale value. They will foresee where challenges may lie and how they can be addressed to ensure a smooth sale. They will be supported

There are several stages to a sale process that your adviser will guide you through but before that starts they will help you to prepare your business for sale. They will work with you to see if there is anything that may impact the company’s valuation, ensure accounts are in order and everything is ready for the due diligence stage. This can take time, particularly if any pre-sale restructuring is needed, such as the sale of property.

When ready, an Information Memorandum will be prepared, providng interested buyers with key information about the business for sale. A shorter anonymised teaser document will also be prepared for the initial marketing of that business. Your adviser should have access to potential targets they can approach anonymously on your behalf. They will also work with you to identify potential targets - many acquisitions are made by organisations known to the business owner.

The aim is to create a list of

At this point serious buyers may come back with an offer. Offers take many forms, including an outright cash sale, deferred sale if specific targets are met or requiring the business owner to remain in place to facilitate a smooth transition of ownership.

Once an offer is made, the heads of terms - which formally sets out the terms of the offer - will be agreed by both parties. The buyer will commence due diligence and, assuming the outcomes are satisfactory, both parties will agree the particulars of the deal.

This is, of course, a much-simplified overview of the sale process. Every business sale will be different and will face different challenges and hurdles. Having advisers who recognise those challenges, with the experience and technical knowledge to get a deal over the line, will help ensure the best possible outcome for you.

n Tom Pollard is a director in the corporate finance team at accountants Mercer & Hole. email tom.pollard@mercerhole.co.uk or visit www.mercerhole.co.uk.

Tom Pollard

Peter Cooper

Security: A growth area the region should exploit

Security and resilience is a growth sector in the UK with a current turnover of £18.5 billion which includes £7 billion in exports, 124,000 employees and more than 3,000 apprentices. These figures do not include the more traditional areas of security such as man-guarding and policing, focusing more on cybersecurity and other technical solutions that address pre- and post-event solutions and resilience resolutions.

Currently there are 7,000 vacancies for cybersecurity jobs in the UK. We do not have enough qualified and experienced workers to fill these jobs and this shortfall is going to grow as the demand for cybersecurity expands across the globe.

This is just one example of the demand for skilled people in the security sector. Every business, from shopkeepers to major industry, has a requirement to be secure both physically and virtually. Many businesses from 50 employees upward would most likely employ a security manager or director to keep that business safe, others may use a out-sourced company to provide these skills.

Whichever route is chosen, appropriately skilled and experienced staff are required. There is also a demand for more women and diversity including people who are neurodiverse in the security sector.

There are two areas to discuss here: n Attracting new businesses to our region to fill the requirement this

growing sector attracts; n Developing the skilled workforce needed to populate these businesses.

Taking the second point first, our region is uniquely placed close to London in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and has access to more than a handful of other prestigious universities as well as the prominent new South Central Institute of Technology in Bletchley, Oxford and Reading.

Clearly the SEMLEP region can deliver the education and skills to our future security workforce. However, there is a lack of awareness of these sectors as potential career paths in school students, consequently when choosing the subjects for GCSE and A- level this lack of knowledge means that unfitting choices are made should that student wish to pursue a career in the security sector.

There is much to be done in raising awareness of these fulfilling and lucrative careers to students from the age of eight and upwards. The earlier the better as they can then grow the interest, develop the soft skills needed as well as chose the most appropriate subjects to pursue.

School career advisors cannot be expected to keep up with the fastpaced security industry - suggesting more than just the police as a career in security would be a good start. Engagement with industry is the way forward. Inviting appealing speakers from exciting businesses will go a long way to enthusing students

towards a career in these sectors.

Children are inspired by great role models. This also works for encouraging females and other diversities into these areas. The more exposure the better. SEMLEP can encourage businesses to work with education providers to supply these role models. It is in their best interests to ensure they have a future workforce to utilise.

The Home Office have a working group - which I sit on - looking at this issue right now. Once the results are published, a link will be sent for dissemination to the appropriate bodies.

Returning to the matter of encouraging new security sector businesses to our region, the newly released 2022 Milton Keynes Tech Report made some very interesting suggestions that are relevant to the wider SEMLEP region and would work for the security and resilience sector.

n A tech steering group that brings together key stakeholders from across the tech ecosystem to develop and deliver a tech strategy, including for the security sector.

n Design and create a technology hub or at the very least enable all the current hubs to collaborate.

Create a tech accelerator as part of the hub and the accelerator should provide specific support for scaleups including targeted business advice on how to commercialise new products and innovations.

n Establish an education providers’ group to create tech talent strategy for the benefit of the SEMLEP region covering further education and higher education providers to develop a strategy that services the current and future tech needs of the region.

n Develop a strategic marketing plan for showcase and promotion of the region and its success stories nationally and internationally.

In summary, the security and resilience sector is a growth area that the SEMLEP region should exploit. Situated close to London and between Oxford and Cambridge this region is well placed to benefit from new businesses, relocations and start-ups.

The students in this region need to know about career opportunities in the security sector and how they can prepare themselves to be most suited to fill the job vacancies.

HM Revenue & Customs is taking a keen interest in a tax on plastic packaging introduced earlier this year.

Beverley Wood, pictured, a tax director at chartered accountants Hillier Hopkins in Milton Keynes, warns that businesses may be liable for tax unpaid by another business elsewhere in the supply chain.

New tax sends ripples across the supply chain

Atax on plastic packaging came into force on April 1 2022. It is a complex tax that hits product manufacturers, retailers and all aspects of the supply chain.

Failure to carry out the necessary checks and hold sufficient records could result in your business being liable for tax due on plastic packaging that has not been paid by another business in the supply chain.

Plastic Packaging Tax is charged on plastic packaging components manufactured in, or imported into the UK, which contain less than 30 per cent recycled plastic.

A PPT liability arises when a chargeable plastic packaging component is produced in the UK while carrying out activities of a business or where it is imported into the UK on behalf of a business.

PPT only applies to ‘finished’ products. A component is ‘finished’ if it has undergone its last substantial modification. The business that undertakes the last substantial modification before the packing or filling process will be liable for the tax.

Manufacturers or importers of ten or more tonnes of plastic packaging over a 12-month period must register for PPT. Those below this threshold will not be subject to the tax. The rate of tax is £200 per metric tonne of plastic packaging.

several liability assessment notices. These notices can be issued to any person acting in the course of a related business where another entity in the supply chain has failed to pay PPT and the business knew or ought to have known that it had not paid.

If a notice is issued, it can be reversed or revoked if the business can demonstrate that they took all reasonable steps to verify the supply chain, including conducting proper due diligence on others in the supply chain.

By carrying out due diligence checks, you are identifying which entity in the supply chain is responsible for accounting for and paying the PPT but also protecting yourself from a possible liability.

Elizabeth Sheldon is vice president of security for the aerospace trade organisation ADS , represnting more than 600 businesses in the security sector.

She also sits on on the SRGP Security Resilience Growth Partnership, a ministerial lead group which is the Ministerial Board with responsibility for supporting the security sector to both grow and work more effectively with the government.

She is also a retired executive director of digital forensics specialist CCL Group - Evidence Talks, chairs the Security Advisory Board at Cranfield University and is a SEMLEP Ambassador.

The future for the SEMLEP region in terms of the security sector, business creation and workforce skill development is exciting.

This article has also appeared on the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership website semlep.com

Although it is the importer or manufacturer of packaging components that is primarily liable for PPT, others in the supply chain can be made secondarily liable or jointly and severally liable for the tax where they know or ought to have known that PPT has not been paid.

This applies to not just those involved in the manufacturing or importation of plastic components but also to businesses involved in transporting, storing and fulfilment services.

HMRC is taking a keen interest in the new tax and has started issuing secondary liability and joint and

HMRC guidance does not make it easy for businesses to know what checks they need to carry out as they do not provide a list, only examples of appropriate checks. Each business needs to decide what checks are relevant, reasonable and proportionate to their circumstances.

Just obtaining the information is not sufficient - you will need to assess its reliability and accuracy.

As a minimum, these checks need to be carried out every 12 months.

Businesses in complex supply chains are advised to include the payment of PPT as a contractual term in commercial agreements with their suppliers.

Businesses dealing with goods where a PPT liability could arise should review existing contracts, take PPT into account when preparing new contracts and carry out due diligence on existing suppliers at least every 12 months.

Security sector specialist Elizabeth Sheldon says that the Oxford-Cambridge Arc region is uniquely placed to develop the industry’s pipeline of future talent.

Elizabeth Sheldon

Each business needs to decide what checks are relevant, reasonable and proportionate

Covering the entire marketing mix

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In early 2022, alongside their acquisition of SilverDisc, the Management Team behind Square Media officially formed the qoob group. Square Media had already enjoyed years of skyrocketing growth, and having recently established a sister company, geexe, it was time to bring all the companies together under a single common entity.

The formation of the qoob group serves to add an additional dimension to the businesses, allowing us to pool expertise, attract top talent and continue to deliver exceptional marketing campaigns for our clients.

No individual agency can be good at everything... But as a group we offer a true full-service marketing agency, dealing with consultancy, strategy, and advice, through to implementation across print, media, and digital.

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has been a great way to broaden my mind’

Mature student Daniel McAllister combines full-time employment at Network Rail with studying for new qualifications in electrical and electronic engineering at Bedford College. Such has been his dedication that he is among the finalists in the Association of Colleges Adult Student (19+) of the Year.

His tutors and fellow students hail him as extraordinary, a student who consistently exceeded expectations and went above and beyond during the five years that he studied on the HND course, achieving top grades including six A+ and five As. Daniel, 47, is the diversity and inclusion champion for Network Rail and mental wellbeing champion at the Quadrant:MK, Network Rail’s national centre next to Milton Keynes Central station. Not only does he work full-time and is a busy father but he is also deaf and communicates in class via a British Sign Language interpreter who translates spoken English into BSL.

“There is no doubt that the diversity and inclusion role has given me a greater understanding and appreciation of other people, their backgrounds, culture, and personal experience,” says Daniel.

“It has been a great way to broaden my mind. As my role has developed,

I have also been able to teach basic BSL and Deaf Awareness to those who are interested.”

Through his additional diversity and inclusion responsibilities, Daniel has visited schools and attended national exhibitions such as The Big Bang Fair in Birmingham - the UK’s biggest STEM fair for young people aged 11-14. His main objective was to inspire other deaf children by talking to them about his experiences and career journey to become a successful engineer.

“There is no doubt that Daniel has been a huge inspiration to the team here at Network Rail,” says senior engineer Oliver Nenadovic, Daniel’s line manager. “Returning to learning as a mature student and working full-time with a family is a huge commitment and is challenging for anyone but Daniel also had to overcome communication barriers within a highly specialist and technical sector that was new to him.”

Using a BSL interpreter live in lessons meant Daniel had to work twice as hard as other students. What is more, the highly technical and specialised nature of the engineering discipline, created additional challenges in terms of certain signs simply not existing in BSL.

Steven Croft is head of engineering at Bedford College. “Daniel really

is an inspirational character who is always setting a great example for his classmates. He was an active participant in class, sharing his experiences, both his life experience and his engineering work.

“Whenever we had discussions, he was able to relate how the topic applied to the real world of work and ask technical questions. He also participated in recruitment efforts for the college, sharing his personal experiences of the course with prospective students.”

Senior trainer John Paintin adds: “I have worked at the college for many years and I have to say that the quality of Daniel’s work was incredible. He produced some excellent presentations and posters that I am definitely going to use in future classes to inspire students and give them examples of the sort of level of work they could be achieving.”

The AoC award winners will be announced later this month.

Rising to historic building’s 21st-century challenge

Restoring a Grade II listed Victorian building into a modern, sustainable, decarbonated property suitable for delivering a 21stcentury education is likely to prove a challenge.

The Bedford Sixth Form, located on the former Bedford Girls’ High School site, opened a decade ago, faced the immediate challenge of installing telecommunications to support site-wide internet connections, repairing the fabric of the building, making improvements such the modern resource centre and upgrading the leisure facilities.

Its operator Bedford College Group has made the school’s swimming pool, sports hall and theatre suitable for public use. The old chapel is now a restaurant and eating area with classrooms on the upper floors. The restored Grand Hall is now rented out of hours for weddings and events.

And, with the help of £6 million in grants awarded to the group, the old building has been undergoing improvements by Ashe Construction since the start of this year

The archaic heating system, old gas boilers and cast iron pipework have been stripped out. In their place are two giant air source source pumps which will heat the whole building, supported by modern insulation including secondary glazing enabling the leaded windows to be kept. Also remaining are the decorative radiators in The Grand Hall which were taken off site, power-cleaned, restored and put back.

“Working on old buildings brings special trials,” says site manager

Peter Gibson. “Trying to maintain the historic integrity of a building while reaching net zero carbon targets is a 21st-century challenge.

“In addition we were working with two weddings booked into The Grand Hall going ahead, one with a horse and carriage which had to come on to site while we completed critical work. In one case we literally finished off the flooring the night before the wedding.

“The trick is for the building to look as though we have not been here. That applies to all 60 rooms which required new wiring and in some cases insulation and secondary windows.”

One of the highlights was pulling up old carpet to find immaculate herring bone wooden floors which have been sanded and restored.

“We put electric underfloor heating in the original wood-lined library and opened up a whole new corridor to do away with some of the labyrinth of walkways which had developed as the original school was added to since it opened in 1882,” says Mr Gibson.

Ashe Construction used the latest electric machines to carry out some building work, including a Brokk Demolition Robot to smash through old concrete.

“This has been a wonderful investment in a Victorian building,” says Bedford College Group’s project manager Mark Eustace. “We have retained the beauty and heritage of the site while installing the very latest ecotechnologies which supports our target of being Net Zero Carbon.”

The work is part of £6.9 million investment in upgrades and improvements made to The Bedford Sixth Form.

Site manager Peter Gibson with the college group’s deputy chief executive

Pat Jones

Daniel McAllister

Investor plans refurb after completing £4.95m purchase

a

European investor.

The 41,000 sq ft headquarters

in Hammond Road has been acquired in a deal worth £4.95 million. It will bring much-needed industrial

stock to the Bedford market, says commercial property consultant Kirkby Diamond. It acted for the owner occupier. “The property was put on the open market where we had strong interest from a range of owner occupiers and investors alike,” said Kirkby Diamond associate and head of agency Andrew Dudley. The successful bid came from an unnamed European

investor with local holdings, the leading last-mile real estate company in Europe, he added. “This is an excellent result for our client and for Bedford business. We went to best and final bids and one of the main local investor stakeholders was chosen. Their plan is to refurbish the unit and increase its green credentials, giving Bedford much-needed industrial stock.”

Aircraft catering firm seals move to estate

Private jet catering specialist Air Culinaire Worldwide has landed at a Luton industrial estate after completing a warehouse unit letting.

The company has signed a 20-year lease on an 8,554 sq ft unit at Bilton Way industrial estate. Air Culinaire is the world’s largest private jet catering company with 23 kitchens in the USA, UK and France.

In a second deal at Bilton Way, commercial roller blind, curtains and canopies company Waverley Contracts has remained on the estate and moved to a larger 14,421 sq ft detached industrial unit on a 15-year lease.

Eamon Kennedy, executive partner and head of agency

at commercial property consultancy Kirkby Diamond - which handled both dealssaid: “We had to work hard to complete the deal bringing Air Culinaire Worldwide to Bilton Way and I am delighted we were able to reach a successful conclusion. It is in an ideal location for the company’s production facility, being within easy reach of London Luton Airport.

“Waverley Contracts was keen to stay on the estate and we were able to accommodate its requirements with a move to a larger unit nearby. Bilton Way is an extremely popular industrial estate which continues to thrive. Units here are always in demand and we are delighted to have secured deals with these two excellent tenants.”

Partnership boosts career hopes of Hatters future stars

Train operator

Thameslink is to continue its partnership support of Luton Town FC’s Academy players for a 15th season.

Thameslink has provided 300 season-long passes to the club’s 16- to 18-yearold apprentices since the partnership began, allowing free travel to their places of study and training.

“Our Academy players are from a wide range of backgrounds and many travel considerable distances

to train, play and learn with us,” says academy operations manager Dale Brunton. “If it was not for Thameslink’s generosity, some would struggle to attend their sessions on a daily basis.”

“This long-standing partnership with the Hatters allows young sports people to develop their talents and pursue dreams they would otherwise not be able to follow,” adds Thameslink and Great Northern managing director Tom Moran.

Sold: The industrial headquarters building in Hammond Road

Luton Town FC academy players at Luton Airport Parkway station

Innovation grant backs bid to boost manufacturing

Aconsortium led by GKN Aerospace in Luton is among the winners of a share in almost £14 million of government funding to develop sustainability and digital innovation in factories.

Project Butterfly brings together a consortium of UK manufacturers, solution providers and research organisations to share best practice and demonstrate the power of Industry 4.0 for improving efficiency in the use of materials and energy.

Industry 4.0 is revolutionising the way companies manufacture, improve and distribute products. Manufacturers are integrating new

Service with a robotic smile

Meet Mittens, the robot waiter in The Gravel Pit Brasserie at the Waterfront Hotel on the Wyboston Lakes Resort.

The hotel is the first in the UK to invest in a state-ofthe-art robot waiter, which has been programmed to deliver food from the kitchen to the serving team in the dining area.

The robot has been taken on full time after a onemonth trial.

“Automation has been a major focus at Wyboston Lakes Resort in the last few years and has solely served to support our teams and enhance the guest experience,” says managing director Steve Jones.

Customers are still served by the brasserie staff. However, they no longer need to collect diners’ orders from the kitchen.

Pudu Robotics is the company the Bellabot robot, which has the face of a cat and has been affectionately named ‘Mittens’ by the Wyboston team.

It travels steadily at an average walking pace taking up to four large trays of food at a time. It uses a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning to manoeuvre safely through the brasserie and around tables, chairs, and coworkers. A display screen can be programmed with key messages.

Pudu engineers visited Wyboston Lakes to map out the brasserie area using laser scanning technology. The company used the brasserie table plan to programme the robot to move directly to a

Consortium wins share of £13.7m grant to develop sustainabilty in factories

technologies, including the Internet of Things, cloud computing and analytics, and AI and machine learning into production facilities and throughout their operations.

Smart factories are equipped with advanced sensors, embedded software and robotics that collect and analyse data and allow for better decision-making.

These digital technologies lead to increased automation, predictive maintenance, process improvements

and new levels of efficiencies and responsiveness to customers.

Project Butterfly is among the winners of the £13.7 million total fund from UK Research & Innovation via its latest funding call under the Made Smarter Innovation challenge, the Sustainable Smart Factory competition. It is supporting digital innovations to improve the sustainability of manufacturing processes, resulting in either reduced material or energy consumption.

Projects applying for funding had to show innovative development and application of data or digital technology that could help optimise material usage, and reduce, reuse or separate waste materials or lower energy consumption to increase sustainability throughout an area of production.

Justin Dalton, vice president of technology at GKN Aerospace, said: “Project Butterfly focuses on improving efficiency in significant UK manufacturing sites. For GKN Aerospace it provides an exciting cross-sector opportunity to develop and embed sustainable manufacturing technology into our new NetZero-

focused products through the next decade.”

The government believes that digital technology solutions will be key to the continued success of UK manufacturing. It is now critical that companies are maximising their potential using technology such as AI and virtual reality, said industry minister Jackie Doyle-Price.

“Project Butterfly’s focus on instilling best practice and knowledge of digital technologies through small gains will have a positive impact on businesses right across the economy, driving efficiency and growth,” she added.

Retailer fined for liability insurance lapse

Afurniture retailer In Bedford has been fined for not having the right insurance.

Exclusive Oriental Classics and its director Mr Kian Hoo Tay appeared at Luton Magistrates Court for failing to have Employers’ Liability (Compulsory) Insurance.

The court heard an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive discovered the failure when one of the company’s employees was

injured at work in March this year. Exclusive Oriental Classics and Mr Hoo Tay had failed to renew the insurance policy that had expired in May 2021.

Both the company, based in Harrow, and Mr Hoo Tay pleaded guilty to breaching Section 1(1) of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory) Insurance Act 1969. Each was fined £1,650, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £165 and costs of £1,750.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Emma Page said: “Every employer needs to ensure that they have Employers’ Liability (Compulsory) Insurance in place to ensure against liability for injury or disease to their employees arising out of their employment.Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

designated zone where the service team take the food and serve the customer.

“The response from our team members has been overwhelmingly positive because the robot is highly functional, improves efficiencies and has made their jobs easier,” says Mr Jones. “Customers have found the robot very entertaining too.”

Mittens

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

All Business Buzz events run 10am-noon

BRACKLEY

1st Thursday: Paisley Pear, Northampton Road.

MILTON KEYNES

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

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.

November 2 7.30am-9am: Delta by Marriott Hotel, Kents Hill

Networking breakfast event hosted by the longest-established breakfast networking club in Milton Keynes.

Speakers: Matthew Green, Adam Sciberras from Milton Keynes Development Partnership. Book at www.citybreakfastclub.co.uk

members £125 + VAT; non-members £175 + VAT.

Free to attend for visitors. Event includes seminars and networking opportunities. It is preceded by a NETWORKING BREAKFAST

8.30am-10am

Price: £10 + VAT CHamber members; nonmembers £15 + VAT.

Chamber members and non-members welcome.

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

November 16 7.45am-9.15am: The Bedfordshire Golf Club, Stagsden

Sponsors: Mazars; Metro Bank; Woodfines Solicitors

Speakers tbc. Contact: Kerry Ransby email kransby@woodfines.co.uk or visit www. bedfordbreakfastclub.co.uk

Business networking and referral group. Price: £6.

MILTON KEYNES

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

Tuesday Brunch 2nd Tuesday, 9.30am-11am

Wednesday Breakfast 4th Wednesday, 7.30am

Thursday Breakfast 3rd Thursday, 7.30am

Friday Breakfast 2nd Friday, 7.30am

THE ACCOUNTABILITY CIRCLE

Monday 10am-11am: Online A regular virtual meeting helping small businesses get tasks from ‘to do’ to ‘done’. Advice and tips on time management and productivity.

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

November 16 12 noon-2.30pm: Maaya, The Hub, Central Milton Keynes

Sponsors: Document Logistix; EMW; Pinders Networking in a relaxed environment with exceptional Indian cuisine. Price: £25. Find out more at www.thelondoncurryclub.com

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

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

November 10 5.30pm-7.30pm: Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Northampton Free event for Next Generation Chamber members.Speaker: Business coach and author Della Judd below. To book, visit www. nextgenerationchamber.co.uk

MILTON KEYNES VIRTUAL NETWORKING

November 11 10am-11am: Online. Hosted by Daxa Patel. Free event.. To book on to FSB events, visit www.fsb.org.uk

CONNECT OVER COFFEE

November 17 9.30am-11.30am: The Forest Centre, Forest of Marston Vale, Marston Moretaine

Networking event + the opportunity to showcase your business with a one-minute pitch. Free event for Chamber members.

CHILE: OPEN FOR BUSINESS

October 4 4pm-5pm: Online

An introduction to the South American country as a potental export market.

Presented with the British Chilean Chamber of Commerce. Hosted by Bedfordshire Chamber in conjunction with Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. Free event for Chamber members. To book on to Chamber events, visit www.chamber-business.com/events

More information: www.buscomm.co.uk

Alt. Fridays 7am: Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash

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

OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

November 2 2pm-4.30pm: Forest Centre, Forest of Marston Vale, Marston Moretaine Businesses that stop at recycling are missing out on a vast and valuable opportunity. Speaker: Gerrard Fisher, of QSA Partners. Subject: Why many businesses should shift to circular business models, the benefits of making the change, and how to go about it. Free event for GBN members; non-members £35.

MAKING ENERGY SAVINGS

November 23 2pm-4pm: Forest Centre, Forest of Marston Vale, Marston Moretaine Steps for businesses to combat the rise in energy bils this winter. Free event for GBN members; non-members £35. To book, visit www.greenbusinessnetwork. co.uk

12 noon-2pm, networking lunch. Bedford & Ampthill

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

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

2nd Monday: South Beds Golf Club, Warden Hills Road / Online Sandy & Biggleswade

1st Wednesday: Stratton House Hotel, Biggleswade

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

Milton Keynes

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

November 8, 22 7.45am: Online meetings. More information: www.bucks-fizz.biz

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

DIAMOND

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

Wednesday 10am: MK Gallery PHOENIX

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.

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

POLICY HOUR: ECONOMIC ROUND TABLE

Sponsored by SkillsHub:MK. November 18 10am-11.30am: Milton Keynes College

Informal networking with breakfast. Free eventChamber members and non-members welcome.

MILTON KEYNES BUSINESS SHOWCASE

November 19 10am-2pm: Kents Hill Park Training & Conference Centre

The perfect opportunity to showcase your business, to network and make new connections.

Exhibition stand space still available - Chamber

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

NETWORKING COFFEE MORNING

November 30 10am-12 noon: Planet Ice, Central Milton Keynes

Informal networking over coffee. Price: £3 WE members; non-members £5.

To book, visit www.womeninenterprise.co.uk

If you say you’re going to do something, do it

What was your first job?

My first job was as a kitchen porter at the Kettering Park Hotel when I was in sixth form. After a series of part-time jobs at university I moved to London and worked for Camden Council in their education personnel department looking after schools within the borough.

Why did you choose your particular career?

My mother was a HR director at a local F1 team and then set up her own HR consultancy, which I naturally then followed.

After studying a Business and Human Resources degree at the University of Derby, it felt right to follow what I was best at, which is HR.

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

I worked for BAE Systems in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia for just over three years. At the time I was 26 and it really opened my eyes to the world. I was teaching Saudi nationals in relation to HR as well as supporting the expat managers.

…and the worst?

One of my first jobs in London was a temporary role for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust and I was tasked with walking around the hospital trying to find locums to issue contracts to.

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

Focus on what you are good at and the rest will follow.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Where to start… I’m super proud of the company we’ve built. We’ve also recently been acquired by WorkNest, a leading provider of outsourced employment law, HR and health and safty support, who were interested in us because of our fast growth and having a reputation for service excellence.

This was a highlight for me as it was recognition of the great work that we do.

…and the low point?

When I first joined HR Solutions in 2008, we went straight into a recession. This delayed the

ambitious plans that my mother and I had at the time and we focused on survival as opposed to growth. Who in business do you respect the most?

I think it would have to be Richard Branson. He had many failures before succeeding, which just highlights that you don’t have to get it right in business all the time.

He also places a high value on his people and that having great people makes the company, which is definitely something that’s close to my heart.

What annoys you the most in business?

Broken promises. I pride myself on my integrity so if you say you’re going to do something, it should be delivered.

What’s the best thing about where you work?

My team - they are all amazing. This resonates from their knowledge but also from their focus to help support our clients.

What’s your career ambition? Right now, my focus is supporting

the continued growth of HR Solutions under WorkNest.

…and your life ambition?

I am a keen traveller and have already visited several countries around the world but this is something I want to continue now that we are able to travel a bit more freely again now.

One place I haven’t visited is Cuba, which is definitely on my wish list.

What’s the best moment of your life?

When I married my wife Toni. …and the worst?

In 2008, it was a tough year having just left a corporate role to work with the family business. It did make me question if I had made the right decision.

How do you relax?

I have three children so relaxing is not something that comes easy...

A nice holiday, with a mix of sightseeing, sea and sun is where I get to relax the most.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I am a bit partial to cake… What’s your worst fault?

Eating too much cake… What’s your most treasured possession?

My family. They are what I treasure the most.

What are you afraid of?

Failure. The success of HR Solutions is important to me because it was a family business that

we have grown but also the team rely on me to make the company a success for their own security.

What annoys you most in life?

To be honest, the state of UK politics at the moment.

Tell us something you regret?

Life is all about making choices and I don’t have any regrets. I’m a firm believer that things always happen for a reason.

Tell us a secret about yourself?

I can be partial to playing computer games.

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

Genghis Khan. He united a nation though overcoming adversity, building relationships and fosetering loyalty.

Julius Caesar. He built the Roman Empire and achieved so much. It would be really interesting to find out where the scope of his ambition would have ended.

What are the first three things on your bucket list?

n To visit South Africa. My wife is from South Africa but I haven’t been

n To go to the Carnival Celebration in Rio de Janeiro. It just looks so colourful

n To set foot on each of the seven continents. Only two to go…

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

Always look on the bright side of life - Monty Python.

Where business people discuss their motivation, ambition, experience - and themselves. In the spotlight this month is Greg Guilford, chief executive of HR specialist HR Solutions

FOOD A Thai Red Curry MUSIC / SONG Play God by Sam Fender

BOOK Gai-Jin, James Clavell

FILM Edge of Tomorrow

TV PROGRAMME Mandalorian RESTAURANT Wagamama’s DESTINATION Somewhere in Asia

‘Life is all about making choices and I have no regrets. I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason’

out from the crowd

With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, there are plenty of occasions to dress up for this party season. Corporate functions, awards ceremonies, formal family gatherings and weddings to name but a few. The question is: What will you be wearing? The same old tired boring DJ that comes out every year? We hope not! Many people have discovered that their shape has changed considerably over the past couple of years so do not leave it till the night or the week before to find that your DJ does not meet across the chest or the waist band is beyond snug! Conversely, your suit might be hanging off you.

Maybe it is time to consider investing in something bespoke that fits you like a glove, rather than a sack of potatoes. More James Bond-style, perhaps, attire that looks and feels more stylish and altogether more individual. At Saint Crispin, we have an extensive range of ceremonial fabrics and colourful velvets. Sumptuous linings for those looking to make a statement when they take off their jacket or reach for their wallet.

Whether you choose silk, velvet or wool remember to consider the shape of the collar, a shawl or peaked lapel, contrasting button holes and or lining sleeve vent, let your personality shine through.

Complete the look with a crisp white, double-cuffed, bespoke evening shirt with your personal initials. With a variety of collar shapes to choose from, the end result will be far more memorable than that limp lacklustre shirt lurking in the depths of your wardrobe.

Our advice: Do not to leave it to long before booking a date in the diary. Bespoke garments take some weeks to craft so give us a call to discuss how we can help you and the occasions you have in mind. Book you appointment today - phone us on 01604 589907

Colleagues rise to school challenge

Staff at professional services firm KPMG in Milton Keynes have swapped laptops for paintbrushes to help local schools as part of a corporate responsibility day.

A total 22 colleagues from KPMG’s Challenge House offices in Bletchley headed to New Bradwell School and Old Stratford Primary School to help with maintenance. The staff treated the outside of a mobile classroom with preservative, repainted a play area, relined a sandpit and painted the fence at the front of New Bradwell School.

KPMG has also made a £1,250 donation to the school to help with

purchasing school equipment.

“It was a great day to get our staff away from their desks and out into the fresh air, helping in our local community,” says team challenge organiser Tim Aldridge, tax manager at KPMG. “The staff were tired but delighted by what they achieved and we really hope the children are enjoying their new spaces.”

Phil Webster, chief executive of the Grand Union Partnership Trust which runs the schools, adds: “It is great to see a big local brand like KPMG give up time to help out with local causes. The children were very happy with their refreshed playgrounds.”

Rotarians plant their tribute to Her late Majesty and the NHS

Service above self… the motto of the Rotary Club and a recurring theme at a ceremony to mark a fundraising campaign by Rotarians in Milton Keynes to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Milton Keynes Mayor Amanda Marlow was joined by Debbie Brock, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, and HM Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Countess Howe for the official planting ceremony of three Golden Rain trees at Milton Keynes University Hospital. The ceremony, watched by Rotary

Club of Milton Keynes members, was the culmination of the club’s contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. Rotary Club of Milton Keynes president Nick LygoBaker is pictured front with Professor Joe Harrison, chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Says a Rotary Club of Milton Keynes spokesman: “The NHS gives unstinting service every day of the year so it was fitting that we should plant our three trees around the hospital’s staff car park to thank them.”

The planting is now recorded on the official map on the Queen’s Green Canopy website.

n Rotary Club of Milton Keynes’ next major fundraiser is its annual Swimathon, which will take place in February at Wolverton swimming pool.

The event, which has taken place for the past 28 years, raises more than £25,000 each year for local charities.

Swimmers of all ages and all abilities take part throughout the day, swimming for 55 minutes in teams of six. More than 50 teams take part.

Find out at www.rotarymk.org

City MPs Iain Stewart and Ben Everitt have voiced their delight at the success of an Over-55s Fair organised by the two politicians.

The advice fair was hosted by the local MPs to highlight support for over 55s in the city. They were keen to promote what was available locally in the key areas of health, safety, wellbeing and leisure.

A total 28 charities, leisure groups and organisations took up the opportunity to showcase their offers at the fair, which took place at St Paul’s Catholic School at Leadenhall. These included Newport Pagnell Bowls Club, Milton Keynes Walking Football,

South Central Ambulance Service and Thames Valley Police.

“I am delighted so many people decided to come and join us at this fantastic event which has brought so many different groups from across Milton Keynes together,” says Mr Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North.

Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South, adds: “The Over55s Fair was a brilliant success with many residents utilising the opportunity to speak to local organisations about how to improve their health, safety and wellbeing.

Both MPs pictured below at the fair are now keen to make the fair an annual event.

Historic park is restored to its former 18th-century glory

Painstaking restoration of one of the most historic parks in Milton Keynes has been completed.

Great Linford Manor Park is home to some of the oldest buildings and trees in Milton Keynes, first settled by the Saxons and even mentioned in the Domesday Book. From medieval times, the park served as a private pleasure garden and is today part of the publicly accessible linear parkland that connects the city.

After surveying the park and realising how much of its heritage was being eroded or hidden from sight, The Parks Trust commissioned

a restoration scheme. With required work estimated to cost more than £2 million, the charity made a successful bid for National Lottery funding which enabled work to begin in October 2020.

At the heart of the restoration was a promise to bring Great Linford Manor Park back to life. “Great Linford Manor Park’s heritage features had become lost or hidden over the years and were in desperate need of repair,” says The Parks Trust’s chief executive Victoria Miles. “Areas of the park were overgrown, and it was not an easy place for visitors to navigate. We are thrilled that Great

Linford Manor Park’s history, beauty and biodiversity are now revealed for more people to enjoy and protected for generations to come.”

Among the highlights are the water gardens, now a flowing focal point. Extensive work has created new ornamental flowerbeds and planted more than 50 new trees. There is now 1.2km of pathway, improved car parking facilities and ample seating, including a specially commissioned feature bench in the shape of a giant lime tree.

Local volunteers committed more than 1,000 hours of their time to supporting the scheme.

Universities develop culture and community projects to highlight the heritage of historic towns

Two universities are pooling their expertise to keep alive the heritage of Luton and Corby for ambitious culture and community projects.

The Heritage Impact Accelerator, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will enable the

University of Bedfordshire to extend its established Heritage Futures

Elevator project in Luton. Colleagues at the University of Northampton are to focus on the heritage of Corby.

Both institutions will work together to develop heritage across the region.

The Heritage Impact Accelerator

will allow practitioners in both towns to deliver heritage-related educational projects.Since 2021, practitioners in Luton have focused on areas including the cultural influence of immigration and the town’s hat-making industry. It has helped to shape the plans for Corby.

The two universities have worked together previously on outreach and industry support projects and plan to open a Heritage Skills and Learning Hub.

Emma Gill, arts and culture projects manager at the University of Bedfordshire, says: “We are excited

by the potential of the Heritage Skills and Learning Hub in providing a broader range of support in both towns.”

Luton and Corby are two of the Heritage Fund’s key priority areas where the NLHF is looking to increase engagement and funding.