21 minute read
Deliver on diversity
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 Gamel Yafai
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. Ian Taylor at work with clinic founder Nicola Spuffard
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.”
Aluminium Hardware PVCu Hardware Composite Door Hardware Tools & Consumables Advertising Feature
Putting customers first since 1987
Industry-leading provider of door & window hardware
Call 01234 242724 Winner of the SME Luton & Bedfordshire Service Excellence Award 2022 E: sales@windowware.co.uk W: windowware.co.uk
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.” For local business news visit www.BusinessMK.co.uk
Party firm completes deal for online retailer
Advalorem Group directors Nigel and Nikki Adams toast the deal with Lisa Compton (centre)
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.” 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.
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.”
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
College welcomes ‘breakthrough’ scheme to enhance prisoners’ job prospects
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.”
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.Sally Alexander Digital Manufacturing Centre chief executive Kieron Salter with the Innovative Business award
‘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
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.
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.
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 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 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.”
Benjamin Franklin
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.
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. 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.
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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.
