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Sleepout set to support homeless
Full-time workers are among those sleeping rough in Milton Keynes, with the cost of living crisis fuelling a major surge in demand for homeless services across the city.
Charities say they have noticed a significant surge recently in people turning to them in “desperation” for basics such as food and clean clothing.
UnityMK, previously known as the Winter Night Shelter Milton Keynes, welcomed an average of two newly homeless people every day over last winter.
“This summer we have noticed more people struggling for basics like food, showers and clean clothes than in previous summers,” said the charity’s community fundraising manager Ria House. “We have also had a number of guests visit us who are employed full-time, but through unplanned events in their lives, have found themselves sleeping rough or living in their car.
“It is so frightening to think that, without a support network of friends and family behind you, just a simple thing like your landlord wanting their property back and you not being able to afford to move due to property prices increasing could mean that you lose everything.”
She was speaking ahead of one of the biggest annual fundraisers in the area. The Milton Keynes CEO Sleepout, which takes place on November 14, aims to raise £60,000 to help local homelessness organisations help the most vulnerable through the winter.
The initiative, which last year saw around 50 businesspeople spend the night outdoors at Milton Keynes College’s Bletchley campus, also aims to highlight the problems that leave many families on the brink.
Since launching just over a decade ago, the charity has raised more than £4.5 million nationally to support in excess of 200 good causes.
This year, it launched a campaign called ‘Nobody’s Safe’, highlighting the plight that many people in traditionally secure jobs - such as NHS staff and teachers - have found themselves in due to the cost of living crisis.
“The heartbreaking reality is that, sadly, the situation in Milton Keynes is far from unique,” said CEO Sleepout chief executive Bianca Robinson. “Rising rents and interest rates have made life unaffordable for too many people. We have nurses, teachers and firefighters using foodbanks to feed their families, which is an utter disgrace.
“Sadly, the homelessness problem is only getting worse and that is why our sleepout this year is perhaps the most urgent yet.”
Those executives taking part are encouraged to raise a minimum of £1,000 at the sleepout, which again takes place at Milton Keynes College’s Bletchley Campus.
Director signs up
Martin Lewis-Stevenson, director of Business MK’s publisher Pulse Group Media, has already signed up to take part in this year’s CEO Sleepout.
“Our collective aim is to raise a massive £60,000. This will boost local charities in their bid to prevent homelessness in our area, just when it is needed most as winter draws nearer,” said Martin (inset). The charities set to benefit are UnityMK, Bus Shelter and YMCA MK. To support Martin on the CEO Sleepout, visit ceosleepout.enthuse.com/pf/ martin-lewis-stevenson or scan the QR code.
Four college staff members, including the college group’s chief executive and group principal Sally Alexander, are taking part, raising money for YMCA Milton Keynes.
“The challenges of homelessness are affecting increasing numbers of people,” Sally said. “Tackling this can seem like an impossible task, which is why the CEO Sleepout is such a fantastic event. It brings together people from across the Milton Keynes business community to raise money for important causes as well as to raise awareness and encourage action.”
She called on businesspeople from across the city to join the CEO Sleepout. Funds raised are distributed to causes linked to homelessness throughout the area.
Bianca said: “We are looking for as many people as possible to sign up for what will be a cold but unforgettable evening that has the power to change lives for the better.”
n Find out more and join the CEO Sleepout on November 14 at ceosleepout.co.uk/milton-keynes/
Participants in last year’s CEO Sleepout at Milton Keynes College
Bianca Robinson
Organiser Meena Chander (second from left) and the winners of the inaugural 2024
Awards aim to inspire STEM ‘heroes’
Entries are already coming in as the search for the winners in the MK STEM Awards 2025 is under way.
Organiser Events Together has unveiled next year’s competition after the success of the inaugural awards, presented earlier this year.
“Last year’s event exceeded our expectations, proving that the passion for STEM is alive and thriving in Milton Keynes,” said Meena Chander, founder of the MK STEM Awards. “We are excited to build on this momentum and continue to inspire the unsung heroes of innovators and leaders in STEM.”
A total of 14 awards will be presented at the ceremony in March, to be held at Hotel La Tour in Central Milton Keynes. The 2025 awards will introduce new categories to recognise emerging talent and groundbreaking projects, including: n STEM Ambassador n AI Impact
The MK STEM Awards aim to celebrate the remarkable achievements of students, educators, individuals and organisations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across the Milton Keynes community and surrounding counties.
Nominations are now open inviting businesses, schools, community groups, and individuals to submit their
THE CATEGORIES
n Advancing Women in STEM
n Education
n Student Superstar (School)
n Student Superstar (Further / Higher Education)
n Tomorrow’s Leader
n Seed
n Icon / Lifetime Achievement
n Changemaker / Lightbulb
n Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
n Overall STEM Award Champion
n STEM Ambassador
n AI Impact
applications. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges from academia, industry and local government, including some of the 2024 award winners.
“We believe that by celebrating achievements in STEM, we not only recognise individual excellence but also inspire a culture of innovation that will benefit our community for years to come,” said Meena.
n To find out more, to enter and to book your tickets for the awards ceremony, visit events-together.co.uk/stem-event/
Revving up the desire for careers in motorsport coupled with attracting students to study the science, technology, engineering and maths subjects is the driving force behind a new partnership between motorsport giant Oracle Red Bull Racing and the Milton Keynes College Group.
STEMx is a new addition in Milton Keynes-based Red Bull Technology’s Drive for Change strategy, which is working to develop and increase diversity and inclusion within engineering and motorsport in particular.
Its goal is to open up the motorsport sector to a wider demographic by encouraging school students into the STEM subjects. To mark STEMx’s launch, Red Bull invited more than 40 students from Milton Keynes schools to the Red Bull Technology campus at Tilbrook to take part in a series of STEM-focused F1 activities including coding, reaction games, media activities, simulator driving, F1 quizzes and Lego building.
The STEMx initiative is to be piloted in Milton Keynes, where Red Bull has its UK base, over the next 12 months. If successful, it will be rolled out to surrounding areas.
Oracle Red Bull Racing team principal and chief executive Christian Horner said:
“As a team, we feel strongly that the talent pool we are recruiting from should better reflect the diversity of wider society but, to achieve this, we must disrupt the STEM talent pipeline from grassroots level.
“That is what STEMx is all aboutreaching as many potential engineers as possible through a programme that is flexible, multi-faceted and which most importantly is mobile.”
STEMx will provide a mobile, interactive, and experiential learning experience in schools and online via a six-week programme aligned to the national
MK STEM Awards
Guests at the 2024 MK STEM Awards
To mark the official launch of STEMx, more than 40 local students were invited to the Red Bull Technology campus at Tilbrook to participate in STEM-focused F l activities
In partnership and driving innovation
Red Bull Technology launches a new STEM-focused alliance with Milton Keynes College
curriculum. It has been designed to maximise the reach and to be customised for each age group to tie in essential aspects and core skills of the specific key stage curriculum.
Milton Keynes College Group’s chief executive and group principal Sally Alexander said: “Milton Keynes College Group is excited and proud to support the programme’s mission to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators while widening local talent pools in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. Diversity of thought and experience is essential for driving innovation and we are proud to support the creation of a more inclusive and diverse STEM ecosystem.
“By encouraging people from underrepresented communities to
consider STEM as a career path, we are fostering a more equitable and innovative future.”
Oracle Red Bull Racing and the college’s specialist partnership has created a comprehensive curriculum that delivers mobile learning via both an online hub and pop-up learning at school. The curriculum, tailored for children aged between nine and 14, blends theoretical knowledge with practical application, making STEM learning both fun and impactful.
Oracle Red Bull Racing believes that its people are its most important asset, said Christian. Getting students hands-on and up close with F1 activities will hopefully inspire future STEM talent.
He added: “STEMx can go to them, no matter where they may be. Our aim is to inspire young people to pursue STEM subjects at school and to eventually translate that passion into successful careers, hopefully within Fl and at Red Bull Technology.”
Apprentices show their creativity
It is the brainchild of creative-thinking apprentices: an automated kitchen scale that helps users to measure ingredients quickly, reducing time spent and the mess created.
And the device has earned the apprentices, learning their craft at high access platform manufacturer Niftylift in Milton Keynes, the first prize in this year’s Institution of Mechanical Engineers Apprentice Automation Challenge.
The Self-Measuring Ingredient Device is aimed at those who want to reduce the time they spend in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy cooks or those who value efficiency.
The apprentices, under the team name Elevate Elite, produced a functioning prototype alongside detailed manufacturing plans including process flows, costings and market projections.
They then presented their invention to a panel of experts, competing against rivals from across the UK.
Elevate Elite’s success highlights Niftylift’s commitment to developing the next generation of engineering talent, said the company’s learning and development manager Karl Digby at the firm’s head office on Shenley Wood.
“The team gave an excellent presentation and every single member contributed significantly to their success,” he added.
Sally Alexander
Team Elevator Elite with IMechE president Clive Hickman
Christian Horner
Umbrellas symbolising neurodiversity have already been on display in 25 UK towns and cities. Milton Keynes aims to become the 26th next year
When art becomes a champion of neurodiversity
Andrew Gibbs meets a group of businesspeople aiming to raise awareness of neurodiversity in the most colourful of ways
For too long, the stigma of neurodiversity has led to people hiding it as they attempt to go about their daily lives. More recently, neurodiversity is being embraced as a positive as awareness and understanding grows of the benefits a different-thinking element can bring to a workforce.
Neurodiversity is to be celebrated, say a group of businesspeople in Milton Keynes. And they are preparing to highlight its positivity through an initiative that aims to highlight the intelligence, talent and ability of every human being in a highly colourful way… through hundreds of umbrellas hanging from several locations including the roof of Midsummer Place shopping centre, emblazoned in neurodiversity-safe colours.
“It is designed to raise awareness and encourage people to make a change,” said Jane Lambert, project lead of the Milton Keynes Umbrella Project.
When it is unveiled, the Milton Keynes Umbrella Project will be the 26th such
installation in the UK. It is planned to be on show for four months as the campaign to have neurodiversity as a theme of a pillar at Milton Keynes Rose in Campbell Park accelerates.
The project is the brainchild of a group of businesspeople led by Jane, founder of ECG Healthcare based in the city and mother to three adopted daughters, all of whom are neurodiverse.
“I struggled to find the right support for them,” she said. That led to her business setting up an assessment service for autism and ADHD. “That is where my passion and deep dive into neurodiversity originated. I am very passionate about the benefits neurodiversity in the workplace can bring and about ending the stigma that still exists.”
Her thoughts turned to ways in which Milton Keynes could become a leader in positively highlighting neurodiversity. A conversation with the ADHD Foundation included time on its Umbrella Project – since 2019 the foundation has
suspended brightly coloured umbrella installations above public spaces in 25 towns and cities across the UK to highlight neurodiversity.
Jane has brought together a group of business colleagues to drive the Umbrella Project forward.
They are looking for sponsors to come on board and for the business community to rally behind the campaign. The group has produced a Neurodiversity Business Charter which it is urging organisations of all sizes to sign, committing to adopt
Jane Lambert
“Our goal has always been to educate, advocate for and celebrate neurodiversity in our community.”
and integrate neurodiversity-affirming practices across every aspect of their operations.
Work promoting the initiative to the Milton Keynes business community is already under way. Steering group members Jerry Taylor, founder of TRT Communications, and Amanda Wright, director at management consultancy Yellowyoyo, presented the initiative for the first time to more than 50 businesspeople at the City Breakfast Club networking group last month.
Amanda said, “From the very start of the project, our goal has always been to educate, advocate for and celebrate neurodiversity in our community. It is vital that both the public and the business community recognise the benefit of a society where everyone is respected and is given an equitable chance to thrive.”
Sponsorship will pay for the installation, marketing and advertising of the initiative, said Jerry. “The plan is to put the installation across an entire canopy. That is a significant number of umbrellas and they do not come cheap.”
There are already plenty of examples of neurodiversity-affirming practices being implemented by organisations all over Milton Keynes. Midsummer Place shopping centre already operates a ‘quiet’ shopping period for its neurodiverse visitors, between 4pm and 6pm on Mondays.
The Umbrella Project organisers hope that the installation and surrounding publicity will broaden its reach.
“Nobody is bringing this all together at the moment,” said Jerry. “Hopefully this will provide the focus that it needs.”
As well as creating a spectacular, eye-catching and awareness-raising display the Milton Keynes Umbrella Project is keen to leave a legacy long
after the umbrellas are put away. The Neurodiversity Business Charter will continue to encourage employers to see the benefits of a neurodiverse workforce and forms a powerful statement for inclusive practices across areas such as operations, recruitment and the physical environment within the organisations that sign up.
n To find out more, contact Jane on jane@ecgtraining.co.uk, Jerry at jerry@trtcommunications.co.uk or Amanda at amanda@yellowyoyo.co.uk
Amanda Wright and Jerry Taylor unveiled the Milton Keynes Umbrella Project at the City Breakfast Club networking event in Milton Keynes last month
Liverpool Univerity has hosted an Umbrella Project installation highlighting ADHD
Lionel Naidoo,
MD of Dragon Information Systems,
explores the way in which AI is infiltrating our daily lives.
The rise of the therapy chatbots
Idesperately needed. But it raises some important questions about AI and its abilities.
A quick search reveals that chatbots are rising in popularity in this space. Last year, Limbic Access, which can help to triage patients, also became the first mental health chatbot to secure UK medical device certification.
But in many healthcare circles, serious concerns remain and the benefit of these types of chatbots is hotly debated.
How does it work?
t was not that long ago that Artificial Intelligence was simply being talked about as a promising new technology on the horizon. Now we are seeing it gradually find its way into every corner of daily life. From clever tools like Microsoft Copilot, which can help boost efficiency and save time and money for businesses, to virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, wearable devices, smartphones and all the other technology being designed to help make our lives easier.
I am taking a closer look at a perhaps surprising area where AI is also having an impact: mental health support.
Therapy chatbots. As a team, here at Dragon IS, we are passionate about technology and AI is naturally something about which we are hugely excited. In particular, what influence it is having in the real world.
The concept of therapy chatbots is one we decided to explore after being made aware of a young person who felt they had no one to talk to and so turned to ChatGPT. Happily, they were pointed in the direction of the in-person help they so
Prepare your organisation’s IT environment for AI
Unlike traditional therapy, where a human therapist guides the process, therapy chatbots are AI-powered programmes designed to simulate human conversation. They operate within messaging platforms, mobile apps or web interfaces. Such tools are designed to interact in a human way, engaging users in text-based conversations that mimic speech. They achieve this through a combination of pre-programmed responses and machine learning.
The chatbots adapt their interactions based on input and learnings from previous conversations to provide personalisation and drive greater engagement.
What is driving their popularity?
While factors such as difficulty accessing medical services quickly and a perceived stigma around mental health could be playing a part, other key trends may explain why therapy chatbots are gaining in traction, especially with young people.
A recent Uswitch survey revealed that nearly 70% of 18-34s prefer a text to a phone call. A quarter add that they will never answer the phone, with more than half admitting that they think unexpected calls mean bad news.
So it is perhaps unsurprising that a text-based language service is finding favour.
It has also been widely reported that in the UK we have a loneliness problem and the most impacted age group, according to the UK government’s Tackling Loneliness strategy review, is those aged 16-24. Around one in ten workers also say they feel lonely at work, often or always.
Are the chatbots safe?
While in theory chatbots may provide an answer to certain issues, many concerns are being raised over their use, including that AI bots may give poor advice or have ingrained biases.
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Another is “therapeutic misconception”, whereby users may mistakenly believe that chatbots designed for support and signposting can provide real therapeutic care. In reality, they lack the skill, training and experience of human therapists. While they can follow predefined scripts and offer responses based on patterns, they also lack the emotional understanding and empathy that a human therapist provides, which is crucial for effective therapy.
Relying solely on chatbots for mental health support can be risky. While they might offer coping strategies and encouragement, they cannot replace the depth of understanding and personalised guidance that a human therapist provides.
Overreliance on chatbots could also delay someone seeking professional help when it is needed and risk further isolation. What this example highlights is just how integrated AI is becoming - and that is not without its challenges. Dragon IS will continue to watch closely how AI and its applications progress.
Here at Dragon IS, we work with small and medium sized businesses, helping them with a broad range of issues relating to their IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. For an informal chat about your IT needs, please email info@dragon-is.com or call us on 0330 363 005.
Photo:
David Wilson South Midlands
The bank going back to nature
More than 52 hectares of farmland at Emberton near Olney is among eight sites across England that will become Biodiversity Net Gain Habitat Banks.
The land, close to ancient woodland and important local wildlife sites, is to be secured under a conservation covenant by BNG provider Environment Bank and the ecological consultancy RSK Biocensus.
Established in 2022, Environment Bank will convert degraded arable land into fields of neutral grassland supporting a diverse array of species over the course of the next three decades. Across the southwestern corner of the site, Environment Bank is establishing an area of lowland meadow, full of wildflowers to support pollinating insects.
Its position, along with the new habitats being created on site, has the potential to attract native species not currently present to the area, such as nightingales, garden warblers and turtle doves.
Marketing agency wins B-Corp status
Digital marketing agency Red Giraffe has become the first in its sector in Milton Keynes to achieve B Corp certification. The Central Milton Keynes-based agency earned the prestigious status following a comprehensive assessment of its social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. The evaluation covered key areas such as governance, workforce, community, environment, and customer relationships, highlighting Red Giraffe’s efforts in energy efficiency, carbon reduction, waste minimisation, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and ethical business practices.
Emberton Habitat Bank landowner Joseph Soul is to lease the land to Environment Bank for a minimum 30 years in return for managing the Habitat Bank. “A greater range of plants and animals will increase the quality of the land, create a better landscape to visit and, very simply, offer a more aesthetically pleasing environment,” he said.
“I am very pleased to see that Environment Bank cares just as much as I do about making a positive change to my land.”
Environment Bank will plant hedgerows and a belt of dense scrub adjoining the mature hedgerow and existing scrub, along part of the site.
“Over time we are expecting to see a dramatic increase in soil quality helping to rebuild the ecosystem services on the site, locking up water and carbon and helping to provide improved air and water quality locally,” Joseph said.
Following a thorough assessment of the site, Environment Bank is generating high-integrity Biodiversity Units to provide an effective local off-site BNG delivery solution for developers in Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire.
Biodiversity Units are a unit of measurement used to measure biodiversity value for the purposes of Biodiversity Net Gain. They can be purchased from third parties to meet developers’ BNG planning obligations.
“This is a really positive step in helping this fledgling market to thrive.”
The land at Emberton is one of eight BNG sites, created and managed by Environment Bank in partnership with rural landowners, that cover almost 500 acres in total. These sites transform low-yielding farmland into nature recovery sites and maximise biodiversity uplifts, unlocking more than 800 off-site Biodiversity Units for developers to purchase. These sites will shortly be added to the Biodiversity Net Gain site register.
Environment Bank already manages 25 Habitat Banks. “Securing legal agreements for these sites is the final step in unlocking the supply of Biodiversity Units,” said chief executive Catherine Spitzer. “With developers required to ensure their projects benefit nature overall, this marks a significant milestone in the implementation phase.
“Now with supply unlocked, we can meet growing demand. This is a really positive step in helping this fledgling market to thrive.”
“This is a significant milestone for us,” said managing director Joe Gilbert. “Environmental and social responsibility have always been core to our values. As a ‘people and planet before profit’ agency, Red Giraffe remains committed to prioritising our customers, staff, and the wider community.”
Founded in 2015, Red Giraffe now joins over 7,000 B Corp-certified businesses globally. “This certification underscores our dedication to transparency and accountability, and demonstrates how marketing can be a force for positive change,” added Joe.
Joe Gilbert (right, centre) and the team at Red Giraffe
Similar land to the Emberton site before... ...and after the Environment Bank’s work
The sweet, sweet taste of success
Winners raise a glass after triumphing in a public vote
Being the cream of the crop is meat and drink to the best of the best in Buckinghamshire’s food and drink sector.
The county’s pubs, restaurants, retailers, brewers, suppliers and distillers were at Milton Keynes Theatre to raise a glass of prosecco, enjoy a bite of pizza and celebrate the winners in the 2024 Buckinghamshire Food & Drink Awards.
The winners were chosen by the public via an online voting system, which makes the awards that much more meaningful, said Kathryn Shipton, events manager at awards organiser Events & PR, based near Towcester.
Businesses felt seen by their community and excited at the opportunity to shout about all that comes with running and working within the hospitality sector, she added.
“To be seen in your industry is everything and having been witness to the support and unity of all the finalists and winners involved in these awards proves how imperative independent businesses are to the community.”
THE WINNERS
Café/ Tearoom of the Year
Gold: Red Lion - Bradenham
Silver: Great Gelato
Best Independent Butchers
Gold: P J Pollard and Son
Silver: Padbury Meats
Best Artisan Bakery
Gold: Ria’s Homemade Cakes
Silver: Plot Cakes
Best Farm Shop/ Deli
Gold: Grooms Farm Shop
Silver: Cranley Barn Farm
Micro Brewery of the Year
Gold: Bucks Star Brewery
Silver: Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery
Craft Distillery of the Year
Gold: NU Era Spirits
Top Local Pub
Gold: The Cross Keys
Silver: The Crooked Billet
Best Street Eats and Bevs
Gold: Papi’s Cocktails
Silver: The House of Dough Restaurant of the Year
Gold: Mowgli’s @ The Bell Inn
Silver: The Plough, Milton Keynes
Best Newcomer
Gold: Have I Got Brews For You
Silver: Allium Dining
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The winners of the 2024 Buckinghamshire Food & Drink Awards
Queensway in Bletchley. Businesses based in the town can apply for grants of up to £5,000 under a new council scheme
Engagement specialist seals acquistion deal
Employee engagement specialist
WorkBuzz has completed the acquisition of research consultancy Agenda Consulting.
The Oxford-based company focuses on increasing engagement in not-forprofit operations including WaterAid and Plan International. It is now part of Milton Keynes-based WorkBuzz’s expansion into the not-for-profit and charity sector.
“In Agenda, we have found a partner that intimately understands the NFP space,” said WorkBuzz’s founder and chief executive Steven Frost.
“Our collective knowledge and advanced survey technologies put us in a market-leading position within the not-for-profit and charity space, and we look forward to helping organisations worldwide to elevate their employee and volunteer experiences, including those of their deskless workers.”
The acquisition is a significant milestone for WorkBuzz and creates a merged organisation that provides
significant expertise and technologies to boost employee and volunteer engagement. Agenda Consulting is known for its extensive global benchmarking data, which will boost WorkBuzz’s employee listening services for HR leaders with deskless, hybrid and remote workers.
Agenda will continue to operate as a distinct brand. Its clients will have access to WorkBuzz’s mobile-optimised and multilingual survey platform, the support of a specialised team of people scientists, and pre-, during- and post-survey expertise.
Agenda Consulting director Roger Parry said: “Joining forces with WorkBuzz takes our engagement services for NFP organisations to the next level.
“Using WorkBuzz’s listening platform, our clients have access to unlimited engagement surveys and a range of tools that deliver data-driven insights, bolstering cultures and transforming engagement levels.”
Grants invest in town’s future
Business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs based in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford have been applying for grant support under a new scheme launched by Milton Keynes City Council.
Start-ups can apply for up to £2,500 and existing business owners for up to £5,000. The initiative is co-funded by the city council and the Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Towns Deal and it supports the city council’s vision to drive business growth and create jobs for local people.
Start-ups must prove that they have a business ready to be launched in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford or have been operating for three years or less and need support to develop. The grant can be used for marketing, branding, training, business planning, financial management, sustainability measures or IT equipment.
Existing businesses must demonstrate an ambition to grow by introducing new products or services or by scaling up their current offer. The grant could be used to buy new equipment, cover consultancy costs, staff training, rebranding, software development or repairs and maintenance of premises.
Firms need to have been operating for a minimum of three years in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. The grant scheme runs until March 2025 or while funds are available. Find out more at groundbreakingbletchleyandfenny. co.uk.
“This is a good opportunity for new and existing businesses to get a helping hand at a point when we are investing more widely in Bletchley and Fenny Stratford’s future,” said council leader Cllr Pete Marland. “We want them to be ready to make the most of what is changing and be part of our vision for the area.”
Steven Frost (right) with Roger Parry
Pete Marland
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Twin city link aims to lift sustainability vision
ilton Keynes is to twin with the French city of Lyon to pool knowledge, strategies and best practice on the road to hitting their respective environmental and net zero emissions targets.
The City Council has joined the European NetZeroCities programme, a city-to-city learning initiative designed to accelerate efforts to address climate change. Milton Keynes will take advantage of resources from the NetZeroCities programme to learn from ways in which others around Europe have approached the climate challenge. The council will also share its own work, such as delivering energy efficiency upgrades in its homes and its EV charging infrastructure.
Cllr Shanika Mahendran, cabinet member for economy, sustainability and innovation, said: “We are proud to be part of the NetZeroCities programme to tackle climate change and deliver a healthier future for our citizens. This
partnership represents a bold step forward in our commitment to delivering a sustainable future.”
Lyon is renowned for its green initiatives. The partnership will enable Milton Keynes to step up its work on solutions to tackle key challenges, including sustainable transport, energy efficiency and other green infrastructure. The city council is keen to learn from Lyon’s commitment to engagement with businesses, community organisations and residents on sustainability measures. Lyon is known for ensuring sustainability projects benefit its most deprived areas, something the city council wants to replicate.
By the end of the 18-month programme, Twin Cities will develop an action plan outlining the steps they will take to advance their climate transition efforts. This will be supported by NetZeroCities, which will oversee the programme and facilitate discussions, provide guidance and help to monitor the programme’s impact.
Back in town...
National recruitment agency Gi Group is to reopen its office in Milton Keynes. Area manager Martin Knowles will head a team of three at the office in Exchange House, in the city centre, working with clients across the city and in Bedfordshire. “I am really delighted we can resume our local service,” he said. “The local area is known for its manufacturing, warehouing and logistics, which really makes it the perfect location for us to reopen.”
Lyon is to pass on its sustainability successes to Milton Keynes under the European
NetZeroCities programme
‘Important
to invest in young talent’
Graduate building surveyor Lucas Charter and apprentice surveyor
Charlotte Beard are settling into their new careers at commercial property consultancy Kirkby Diamond. Lucas graduated from Leeds Beckett University, where he won the HAYS Construction and Property Prize for best dissertation and has begun working towards his Assessment of Professional Competence.
Charlotte, from Bedford, is an apprentice surveyor in Kirkby Diamond’s land, planning and development team. She is in the final year of a BSc in Real Estate at the University of Westminster and will also begin her APC.
Managing partner Luke Tillison said: “It is hugely important that the property sector continues to invest in young talent and offers opportunities, such as apprenticeships, to allow them that vital first foot on the career ladder.”
Dispute specialist bolsters offer
Law firm EMW has bolstered its real estate and litigation expertise with the hire of Mike Lewis as partner and head of property dispute resolution.
Mike has spent a significant part of his career at international law firm Clyde & Co and has joined EMW at its Milton Keynes office from Sherrards where he led the property litigation team while also establishing the firm’s Training Academy as training partner. He has been chairman of St Albans BID and director of the St Albans City of Expertise.
EMW’s head of real estate Terence Ritchie said: “His property experience and expertise will significantly bolster our current offering on the contentious
side. He also brings with him invaluable knowledge and insight of the market in the space between London and Milton Keynes.”
Mike said: “I am delighted to be joining EMW at this very exciting time for the firm. It has ambitious growth plans.”
n Experienced corporate lawyer Gary Smith has joined regional law firm Howes Percival in Milton Keynes as partner.
After training in the City of London, Gary brought his practice to Milton Keynes in 2003 and previously worked with Howes Percival partners Andy Harris and Tom Redman during their time at law firm Dentons.
Victoria Brown is promoted to partner at MHA
National accountancy and business advisory firm MHA has promoted Victoria Brown to the role of partner within its Central England region.
Victoria, who is based at the firm’s Milton Keynes office, specialises in large and complex audits, such as those for international groups and companies reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards.
She advises clients in a range of sectors, including professional services, manufacturing, transport, retail, energy and construction. In addition to audit services, she provides expert guidance on all aspects of financial reporting.
Joining MHA in 2008 as part of the Association of Accounting Technicians school leaver programme, Victoria qualified as a chartered accountant in 2012 and worked her way up through various supervisor, manager and director roles before becoming a partner.
Rachel Nutt, partner and chief operating officer for MHA’s central region, said: “Victoria is an experienced audit professional who supports our clients through their most critical accounting and regulatory challenges.
“It is great to see the way her career has developed at MHA, going from a graduate
to partner and working with some incredible businesses and organisations along the way. It is a journey that reflects our ‘people first’ culture and our desire to help our colleagues unleash their full potential.
Victoria said: “My work is all about helping clients to navigate intricate financial reporting requirements and ensuring compliance with industry
standards. It is a role I thoroughly enjoy, particularly as I work with so many clients in challenging and rapidly evolving industries, often with a cross-border element attached to them. I am so proud to have been promoted to partner at MHA and I am looking forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success while supporting our clients with the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Victoria Brown
Mike Lewis (left) with EMW’s managing partner James Geary
BID appoints trio to join its board
Three new directors have joined the board of MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District.
Milton Keynes Theatre director Emma Sullivan, Santander’s head of property Nick Roberts and Jane Riley, operations director at Hotel La Tour, are ready to add their experience of the city centre to the BID board.
The board, made up of volunteer directors, plays a pivotal role in setting the strategic direction and ensuring the overall governance of the BID, working closely with its chief executive Jill Farnsworth.
She said: “Our board directors play an instrumental role as we continue to deliver new initiatives. Following the successful launch of our consumer website and business magazine last week, we are in an excellent position to drive even greater benefits for businesses across the BID area.”
BID chair Paul Davis added: “It is great to have Emma, Jane, and Nick on the board. Their diverse skills and experiences will greatly contribute to our mission of making Milton Keynes city centre a vibrant, exciting and successful place to have a business, now and in the future.”
Partner promotion
Tax specialist Mark Baxter (inset) has been promoted to partner in the corporate and business tax department at chartered accountants Mercer & Hole’s Milton Keynes office.
His 27-year career has seen him in roles at professional service and business advice firms Grant Thornton, Deloitte and Cooper Perry, working with clients in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
His promotion is one of two to corporate and business tax partner: Mercer & Hole has also promoted Martin Coulson at its Rickmansworth office in Hertfordshire.
Deputy head arrives
Swanbourne House School near Winslow has welcomed Sarah EifionJones as its deputy head academic. She has moved from Winchester Under School in Hampshire, where she was assistant master. Swanbourne House, an independent day and boarding prep schoo is part of The Stowe Group.
New directors (from left) Emma Sullivan, Jane Riley and Nick Roberts
Finding the right balance between performance and culture is the key to defining what makes a great business. Freddie
Guilmard
, of leadership consultancy RTP, elaborates.
Over the last 30 years I have worked with many businesses… some great and some I was glad to leave.
While wrestling with a complex project recently, I wondered ultimately what makes a great business today? Is it brilliant products? Is it a fabulous culture? Is it visionary leadership? Is it a business that makes huge profits or has an impact on our planet? Or is it something else?
When commissioned to help leaders to improve their performance by changing their culture, I often talk about the need to balance both. A great culture which everyone loves to be a part of but in which you often miss your commercial goals will never be taken seriously.
By the same token, a business that drives the relentless pursuit of profit for a small group of directors/shareholders, will mean potentially high employee turnover and a brand reputation that might prevent you from attracting the very best people in your sector, which ultimately will limit your opportunity for growth.
Now, of course, and as you would expect, having worked with many organisations in various sectors and many different cultures and seen all types of leadership, I have a view of what running a great business looks like.
Before sharing this with you, I got in touch with several clients from the private and public sector, ranging from less than £5 million turnover to more than £250 million, to ask them what they thought. My question was: “If you ran the best company in the world, what are the three things you would never compromise on?”
“Hire those with the right attitude and invest in them... Then drive loyalty and retention by listening to them.”
Imagine my absolute delight when every response I got mentioned people.
The essence of the comments was always to hire those with the right attitude and invest in them with training, development and competitive remuneration. Then drive loyalty and retention by listening to them.
The second most common answer was customers. Love your customers by building meaningful relationships and be easy to do business with.
Far too often, businesses lose their customers by focusing on the wrong priorities or by having Key Performance Indicators that make no or little difference. They then end up blaming
The beauty of a business is in the eye of the beholder
poor or cumbersome processes rather than listening to what their customer needs are and acting on it. Little of the feedback included both the external and internal customers.
The third most common answer was the importance of a world-class product or service. Is your product or service something people want? Is it good enough and relevant? How do people talk about what you make or offer?
I then had several other comments, some relating to the sector or the business the leaders were operating within. I was pleased to see that many mentioned the importance of impacting their community and planet for good, having a clear vision and purpose, strong values and to never ever compromise on having great coffee...
“Create the future together... It will be more sustainable and fun.”
I have to admit that I am completely aligned with what these leaders have to say. I would also add to never compromise on who joins your business, never walk past poor behaviour and never be afraid to change your mind if someone has a better idea.
The reality is that no business is perfect. Everyone is on a journey and winning will mean different things to each of us.
My advice is to make sure your team understand what this means and create the future together as it will be more sustainable… and fun.
n Freddie Guilmard is the chief executive and a high-performance coach at RTP, a boutique consultancy that supports leaders in addressing their big issues by building human organisations.
freddie@the-redthread.co.uk the-redthread.co.uk
Freddie Guilmard
Ready to sell? Expect the unexpected
In an ideal scenario, planning should begin many months in advance to prepare your business for sale. Life is not that simple, however, and it may be necessary to move much more quickly, in particular as a result of impending tax changes, health issues or legal disputes.
Appoint your professional team
It is important that you and the buyer each appoint a team of experienced and trusted professional advisers immediately.
Your independent financial adviser, accountant, tax adviser and solicitor will need to be consulted on all major decisions and will need to work with the buyer’s team to meet an urgent timetable.
Depending on the timeline, advice from a business strategist experienced in company sales or purchases may also be helpful.
An expedited sale process will likely take up all your time so you will need others to run the business in the interim.
Conduct a financial health check
You will need to conduct an urgent financial review of the business to identify any major issues that may need to be addressed to avoid causing concern to a buyer and potentially derailing the sale.
Also check the business ownership arrangements to ensure a smooth ownership transition.
Find the right buyer
It may be that your particular situation means that you have no choice of buyer. However, if you have a choice, examples of buyers include:
n A trade/strategic buyer - someone who has a similar business and, by buying your business, will be able to move their business to the next stage.
n A financial buyer - a professional investor who is buying with a view to making a profit and may require you to continue to run the business for a period after sale.
n An operational buyer - a person running an established and successful business – perhaps senior employees in your own business – who want to be their own boss and earn a decent income.
Your professional team may be able to help you to find or vet a suitable buyer.
Structure the right deal
Your professional team will advise you at the outset how to structure the best deal which will need to be agreed with the buyer.
One question is whether to proceed by way of an asset sale or a share sale. In an asset sale, you sell only those assets you want to sell - or the buyer wants to buyand you are left to deal with the liabilities that are left behind.
Going down the share sale route allows you to sell your business as a whole, including all assets and liabilities.
There are also many different types of sale consideration, such as cash, deferred consideration, shares in the buying company, and loan notes. There are distinct tax advantages and disadvantages to these structures so it is critical that advice is taken from your team before making a final decision.
Understand the process
Selling your business, particularly in a short space of time, will be a very timeconsuming and stressful experience. It is largely a buyer-driven process and this can be managed with the support of your professional team. Having a lead negotiator by your side from the start will help to manage relationships with the buyer and its advisers.
The commercial team at Neves has many years of experience in helping clients sell their businesses.
They also work with a number of independent and trusted advisors that can provide financial, tax and strategic support if needed. Contact the team on 0330 0945 500 or email info@nevesllp.co.uk.
Meet the commercial team at Neves Solicitors: (from left) Jessica Williams, paralegal; Stewart Matthews, managing partner and head of commercial; Kim Sayer, associate; Eleanor Parkinson, solicitor
The Stables
The power of culture in boosting your brand
Culture plays a key role in the infrastructure that powers the growth of a city, region and nation. It is a powerful draw for people looking for places to live, work and play with the UK arts sector contributing £49 billion gross value added in 2022 – on a par with the food and beverage sector and higher than telecommunications.
Its role alongside that of employment, housing and transport is central to the appeal of Milton Keynes and the wellbeing of its citizens.
However, historic underinvestment in culture and heritage was recognised in 2009 by Arts Council England which partnered with The Stables to turn the spotlight on the value of investing in the City’s arts sector.
The Stables, one of the UK’s leading music venues and part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio, was founded as a charity in 1970 by renowned jazz musicians Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine. Its vision: to engage the widest range of people with music in all its diversity.
Today it presents around 350 concerts and 250 education sessions each year, investing in the development of young people and new generations of artists and audiences. In 2010 in response to the Arts Council’s challenge, The Stables launched IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, using the city as a stage and creating a
partnership between the public, private, education and charity sectors which has generated significant inward investment, economic returns and positive PR.
“The Stables has always had a good relationship with businesses” says its chief executive and artistic director Monica Ferguson (inset) “but it is a constant challenge in a fast-growing city to ensure businesses are aware of the opportunities we can offer through a partnership and the benefits that can deliver for the business and the wider community.”
conferences. Smaller areas such as Stage 2—where aspiring artists cut their teeth—are also used for meetings and networking events.
Sponsorship opportunities also abound from naming rights of spaces within the venue to programme strands and events. Milton Keynes law firm Neves Solicitors, for whom family law is a leading area of expertise, has seen an opportunity to sponsor this year’s Christmas show A Christmas Tail.
“A family law firm connecting with a family audience, makes perfect sense for them,” says Monica.
“There is a whole range of things we can do to package sponsorship opportunities that align around a particular target group. Due to our diverse programme of music, comedy and family shows, our audiences are aged five to 95 with a broad demographic and geographic reach.”
Excitement is starting to build for the 2025 edition of the biennial
Large corporates based locally, including Audi and Domino’s, have used The Jim Marshall Auditorium at The Stables for product launches and staff
“There is a whole range of things we can do to package sponsorship opportunities that align around a particular target group.”
Photo credit: Karen Kodish
IF: Milton Keynes International Festival, organised by The Stables and backed by Milton Keynes City Council and Arts Council England. Next year’s will be the eighth since the inaugural festival in 2010, attracting upwards of 90,000 people over ten amazing days.
“IF is a very different beast,” says Monica. “It has a unique brand with a high profile regionally, nationally and internationally.” Much of the programme presented is free to attend and IF has attracted attendances of around 10,000 for its large-scale spectacles, particularly the opening and closing events.
Again, sponsorship opportunities abound. Chartered accountants MHA sponsored the opening show of the 2023 Festival. Xscape and Midsummer Place sponsored roving events around the city centre. MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District sponsored the hundreds of volunteers who supported visitors to the Festival.
centre:mk has been a huge supporter since its inception and headline sponsor since 2016. In 2023 it co-commissioned and staged the visually stunning and thought-provoking installation The Place Between by Rebecca Louise Law and sound artist Jason Singh in Middleton Hall. The project was featured on Radio 4’s Today programme and received global media coverage, helping to increase footfall for the centre. Such was its impact, The Place Between earned a Gold Award at the 2024 International CSR Excellence Awards as well as accolades in national and regional placemaking awards.
Kevin Duffy, Centre Director at centre:mk, says: “We have been working with the Festival since its inception and our recent collaboration on The Place Between commission perfectly illustrates how a highly successful retail destination like centre:mk can have a role to play in delivering unique experiences which challenge what we expect of our immediate environment.”
Business buy-in to the Festival is essential. In 2010, public sector investment in the Festival was 81% with a turnover of £1 million. By 2023, public sector investment had dropped to 70%, though turnover increased to £1.8 million.
“The Festival makes an important contribution to the economy, delivering £6.7 million gross economic impact in 2023.”
“With Arts Council funding at standstill since 2014, the pressure over the last decade to raise investment from Milton Keynes has grown and next year looks set to be the toughest yet,” says Monica.
“A key question for me is how much businesses truly value the impact of the Festival - not just over the ten days but its legacy year on year. It brings new visitors into the city, delivers significant positive national and international PR, delivers community engagement with challenging issues such as climate change and conflict and it promotes health and wellbeing with a healthy dose of fun and extraordinary events.
“We know that businesses have expressed challenges in recruiting staff. We have the evidence to show that
Planet Tools UK have been providing in-kind support to enable The Stables to maintain its grounds.
“The Stables is an iconic local venue that brings people together and serves the community. Supporting their work allows us to give back for their efforts, as well as gain more customer reach.”
Viktoria Hrytsayenko, Planet Tools UK
STC held their Annual Conference at The Stables.
“Thank you and your team for all the help and support for our event yesterday. A really excellent venue with a fantastic team, we’ve really enjoyed working with you once again.”
Pim van Baarsen, CEO, Silverstone Technology Cluster
the Festival is helping to drive positive perceptions about Milton Keynes in the media and has actually encouraged people to move here permanently.”
The Festival makes an important contribution to the economy, delivering £6.7 million gross economic impact in 2023. It has been recognised internationally with the award of an EFFE Label 2024/2025 from the European Festivals Association, confirming IF as one of Europe’s most remarkable festivals. As the 2025 Festival’s planning momentum increases, the search for sponsors and supporters from the business and wider community intensifies.
Talks for the 2025 Festival are ongoing to secure artists from across the UK and abroad. Festival Central will again be in Campbell Park with the Spiegeltent hosting music, comedy and circus throughout the ten days. Monica is hoping to unveil several UK premieres of new work by artists from across the globe.
“We work with every potential sponsor to explore how we can help each other through a partnership. Understanding each other’s needs is important. For the business, that can mean additional footfall, PR, fulfilling a CSR or ESG policy or direct engagement with audiences and communities through product placement or research.
“For the Festival it can be a cash sponsorship to ‘in-kind’ support with things like accommodation for artists, logistics and equipment. From buying hospitality packages for staff and clients to hiring The Spiegeltent for a unique conference setting during the day or encouraging staff to join our volunteers, everything helps.”
Find out more stables.org ifmiltonkeynes.org
Contact development@stables.org for more information on conferencing, sponsorship and advertising opportunities.
The Place Between at IF Milton Keynes International Festival 2023
Photo credit: Shaun Armstrong
Law firm celebrates new office opening
Guests from across the business community raised a glass to the future at the opening of Woodfines Solicitors’ new office in Milton Keynes. Colleagues, clients, contacts and suppliers joined the party as many took their first look at the law firm’s new home at the new One Grafton Mews building in the city centre. Managing partner Neil Gibbs (pictured above) told guests of the firm’s delight at having created a contemporary workspace that encouraged collaboration, conversation and met the requirements of its clients and staff. It was a reflection of Woodfines’ approach to putting people first, he said.
Clare Bottle with Phil Courtney, John Lewis’s general manger and partner NDC operations
Top: Clare inspects the right-tonne fabric swatch cutting machine
It’s the most wonderful(ly busy) time of the year...
Christmas is coming… and warehousing is gearing up for its busiest time of the year.
Sector chief Clare Bottle is pictured on a visit to retailer John Lewis’ vast 640,000 sq ft Magna Park 3 warehouse on the outskirts of Milton Keynes.
Her visit was part of the national 2024 The Year of Warehousing campaign and she saw at first hand the company’s installation training facilities. She also heard how the hub is preparing for a sixfold increase in activity during the festive season, handling up to 8,000 units ranging from hampers to mattresses every day.
The visit was her 69th out of 80 planned across the UK to mark the 80th anniversary of the UK Warehousing Association.
Clare, UKWA’s chief executive, said: “Every Year of Warehousing visit has provided unique insights into the amazing range of activities ‘behind the scenes’, supporting just about every imaginable sector. My visit to John Lewis & Partners was no different.
“As we approach peak season for retail, this operation is gearing up to cope with a sixfold increase in throughput. There are thousands of different rugs in stock and even an eight-tonne Italian machine on site for cutting fabric swatches for furniture options.”
Magna Park 3 supplies home delivery and click and collect customers as well as stocking the shelves in John Lewis stores around the country.
Clare was shown round the warehouse by general manager Phil Courtney, operations manager Rhiannon McCallayPearce and John Lewis partners Holly Armes and Gary Armiger. She also chaired a roundtable webinar, hosted by John Lewis & Partners at MP3, on sector trends.
Experiential leadership development
We offer an award-winning year-long experiential leadership development programme The Red Thread Fellowship - The Red Thread Partnership (the-redthread.co.uk).
The programme is led by experienced tutor/coaches over 7 action learning workshops. Participants support local voluntary organisations/charities and help to build more caring and inclusive communities. It is not about painting walls or clearing garden areas... it is about making a difference for future sustainability.
At The Red Thread Fellowship we:
n Put a structure around the experiential learning gained from volunteering.
n Ensure Fellows reflect on what they have noticed, or done differently and learned at each workshop.
n Challenge Fellows on how they will apply their learning back in their workplace.
The Red Thread Fellowship programme is both cost- and time-efficient with experiential learning that leaders take back into their organisations to enhance practices. It consists of 8 days of workshops over a year:
Launch Workshop Building trust and MBTI / 360 feedback
Module One: Role modelling Setting an example and planning small wins.
Module Two: Inspiring a shared vision Building your vision and enlisting the support of others.
Module Three: Challenging the process Finding opportunities and taking risks.
Module Four: Enabling others to act Fostering collaboration and building strengths.
Module Five: Encouraging the heart Recognising contributions and celebrating accomplishments.
n Develops highly successful teams.
n Grows great leaders.
n Enhances employee engagement.
n Employees feel valued.
n Attracts, retains and grows talent.
n Develops next generation leaders.
n Raises organisation brand and profile in the community.
n Enhances leadership skills.
n Grows professional network.
n Builds confidence as a leade.r
n Deepens insight into self and role.
n Enhances creativity, communication, collaboration, management, resilience and coaching skills.
n Peer: peer coaching helps to solve real workplace challenges.
n Time to reflect builds sense of fulfilment and wellbeing.
Partnership bids to boost resilience
Its experts are world-renowned in their field for training and development programmes in business resilience.
Now Cranfield School of Management is forming a new strategic partnership with Resilience First, a global network of more than 500 organisations helping others to increase their resilience capacity.
Cranfield and Resilience First will support public and private sector organisations and have begun collaboration on a new Model for Organisational Resilience.
The collaboration will allow Resilience First members to access expertise through professional development courses and participation in events at Cranfield. Network members will also work with Cranfield’s experts to assess their own organisational resilience, identifying areas for improvement and resources to build in-house resilience.
The new partnership extends years of close collaboration between Resilience First and Cranfield School of Management, including the ongoing development of a new Model for Organisational Resilience which launched last month.
“In an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment, businesses
must be prepared and ensure they have the resilience to withstand shocks and volatile situations,” said David Denyer, Professor of Leadership and Organisational Change at Cranfield School of Management. “This new partnership will help accelerate our understanding of this crucial area with additional research opportunities.”
Resilience First’s chief executive Rick Cudworth is a Visiting Fellow of Cranfield School of Management.
“Our collaboration on a new Model for Organisational Resilience is a major
“
step forward for our core mission to advance resilience knowledge and practice,” he said. “So too the opportunity for Resilience First members to take part in Cranfield educational courses and services at a membersonly rate.”
Cranfield’s Resilience and Security Institute brings together academic experts across different specialisms and disciplines at Cranfield University, working with policy makers, businesses and practitioners to understand and address resilience challenges.
Steve Freeman Chairman
Professor David Denyer (right) and Rick Cudworth
Justin Richardson, chief executive of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, assesses the mood of Bedfordshire businesses as revealed in the Chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey.
Tax weighs heavy on struggling businesses
“The call for a businessfriendly regime is stronger than ever because reforms could alleviate this burden and enable businesses to thrive.”
As the chief executive of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, I have the privilege of being in regular contact with businesses across our region, hearing first-hand about the opportunities and challenges they face.
Our recent Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 2024 reveals insights into the current business landscape, underscoring both areas of concern and resilience within our local economy.
A challenging period for domestic sales
One of the survey’s key findings is the widespread concern about competitive pressures. Both UK and overseas markets are experiencing heightened competition, with businesses reporting this as a primary challenge impacting their sales.
Domestic sales, in particular, have faced a challenging period, with businesses noting a significant slowdown in advanced orders. Respondents highlighted that August and September were particularly quiet, reflecting the strain businesses are under to secure future orders.
Taxation is now the primary external concern
Taxation continues to weigh heavily on our members, limiting their ability to invest in growth and new opportunities. The call for a business-friendly tax regime is stronger than ever because reforms
could alleviate this burden and enable businesses to thrive.
With speculation rife about the tax impact of the crucial Budget at the end of last month, businesses are clearly anxious. They understand the fiscal backdrop the Chancellor is facing and the need for the government to address public finances. However, that must not be at the expense of investment and growth.
Export
market outlook shows promise
While the export market was relatively flat in Q3, there is cautious optimism for the future, with businesses reporting a more positive outlook for their forward-looking order books.
If you are a Bedfordshire-based business and seeking to export for the first time or looking at new international markets, we have a fully funded programme that could help you achieve your global ambitions. Get in touch at ukspf@chamber-business.com.
Decline
in workforce and weakened recruitment prospects
The survey also highlighted a decline in workforce numbers during the period, with only 26% of respondents seeing an increase. 57% reported stable employment levels and 17% noted a decline.
Furthermore, recruitment expectations for the next quarter look weak, indicating potential challenges in attracting and retaining talent in the near term.
Small
but positive shift in investment intentions
Despite these hurdles, the survey noted an improvement in investment intentions, with businesses planning to increase spending on both plant and machinery and on training. Bucking the national
trend of flatlining investment figures may reflect a commitment to long-term growth and a measure of resilience within the county.
Interest rates and economic uncertainty
Interest rates are another factor causing apprehension. As businesses navigate fluctuating rates, the cost of financing operations and expansions becomes increasingly unpredictable. This challenge underscores the need for sound financial planning and a robust approach to cash flow management, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises that often operate on tight margins.
Despite these challenges, the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey also highlights a resilient business community that remains committed to growth and innovation.
Many businesses report stable or even increasing sales, demonstrating their adaptability and strategic focus. In particular, it is encouraging to see companies exploring new markets, investing in digital transformation and building partnerships that will strengthen their competitive edge.
Justin Richardson
Your Business Expo Bedford
We focus on delivering reliable, efficient
service
At Aegis Support Services, we are committed to providing top-quality security and facilities management solutions.
Aegis Support Services provides security services to organisations across the UK. We are experts in delivering a wide range of security services in all types of scenarios and for a wide range of properties, sites and facilities.
Our security guards are SIA-licensed, screened and vetted to British Standard 7858 and receive the highest level of specialist security training from our in-house training, Aegis Training, across all office locations.
Our dedicated team offers services such as manned guarding, mobile patrols, CCTV monitoring and concierge services for sectors including education and corporate spaces. We also manage cleaning, waste disposal, and property inspections.
Community engagement is key for us and we proudly support local charities and initiatives.
With more than 600 clients, we focus on delivering reliable and efficient services. Organisations want suppliers they can trust to help them to keep their operations running efficiently and effectively.
When working with a facilities management or security supplier, clients want peace of mind, allowing them to focus on their business and their customers.
“Organisations want suppliers they can trust.”
Become our next Employment Partner
At The Bedford College Group we are on a quest to find local companies and organisations which see the value in supporting our students to become ‘work-ready’ and are willing to make a long term commitment to us to help make this happen.
Partners can participate in as much or as little as they want – from high level engagement like hiring an apprentice or hosting a work placement through to setting real-world projects, attending careers events or giving a talk to a class of students.
We will also be running a series of sector-specific advisory boards, where like-minded businesses can brainstorm course content for our curriculum and tell us about their skills and recruitment challenges.
Across The Bedford College Group we are training more than 18,000 students at any one time, the majority of whom are looking to start their careers when they leave. By working with us you will get the chance to see that pipeline of talent at first hand, maybe even spot potential employees of the future.
When we talk about partnerships, we mean partnershipswe both have so much to gain from working with each other.
n For more information contact Gina Bubbins, Group Director of Strategic Partnerships, at Gbubbins@bedford.ac.uk
“By working with us, you will get the chance to see that pipeline of talent at first hand.”
Work with us and join our Employer Partnership Scheme... a mutually beneficial initiative designed to join the dots between education and industry.
Let’s join the dots between industry and education
We are asking employers to make a commitment to engage with our colleges regularly throughout the academic year, creating a foundation for collaboration, innovation and growth that benefits:
our students our employer partners our college group the local economy the communities we serve
To get the conversation started please email:
partnerships@bedford.ac.uk
Claim your free cyber security health check
As cyber attacks rise and cyber criminals grow more sophisticated, protecting your business data, systems and people has never been more critical. CyberLab, a specialist cyber security company, is here to help you to identify your risks and strengthen your defences.
For readers of Business MK, CyberLab is offering a complimentary cyber health check. This simple and accessible assessment will help you to pinpoint the areas that need attention, ensuring you are secure against today’s cyber threats and well-prepared for those of tomorrow.
Using the National Cyber Security Centre’s 10 Steps to Cyber Security as a framework, CyberLab’s experts will analyse your results and provide a comprehensive score, highlighting the highest priority areas for review.
With years of experience and world-class technology, CyberLab has helped to secure thousands of organisations across the UK, including major public sector bodies. Their unique ‘Detect, Protect, Support’ approach ensures that every business, regardless of size, receives expert guidance to bolster their cyber defences.
Now is the perfect time to take control of your cyber security. Claim your complimentary health check and let CyberLab safeguard your business against evolving threats.
cyberlab.co.uk/health-check
“Now is the perfect time to take control of your cyber security.”
The champion of small firms across the UK
Federation of Small Businesses is the UK’s leading organisation supporting small businesses and the self-employed.
Established in 1974, FSB champions the interests of its members by providing vital business services, engaging with the government on key issues and fostering local and national networks.
With over 160,000 members across the UK, FSB’s mission is clear: to support small businesses in achieving their ambitions and ensure they are heard by those in power.
As part of this mission, FSB offers a wealth of benefits, including legal and HR support, financial products, health and wellbeing services and invaluable networking opportunities.
In each part of the UK, FSB actively engages with the local business community, advocating on issues such as business rates, skills, and infrastructure.
We are committed to supporting growth and ensuring that the needs of local small businesses are represented at all levels.
n If you run a small business in Bedfordshire or beyond, FSB is here to help. Contact your local team for more information on how to join, access support or get involved with FSB activities.
Visit fsb.org.uk or reach out to your local FSB team directly at eastofengland@fsb.org.uk.
“Our mission is clear: to support small businesses in achieving their ambitions.”
Need HR help? We’ve got you...
Running a business is exciting, but let’s be honest – managing people can be tricky.
That is where we come in.
At Rebox HR, we do HR differently, we work to proactively protect your business and are here to take the headache out of people management. Whether you are about to hire your first team member or juggling a growing workforce, we support you every step of the way.
Think of us as your HR department - minus the eye-watering salary bill. We are here when you need us, with practical advice and solutions that actually works for your business.
From keeping you on the right side of employment law to helping you build a fantastic team, we have all your HR needs covered. Our services include everything from day-to-day HR support to bigger projects like restructuring, terminations, or TUPE transfers. We also get your HR software set up and sorted to streamline your admin tasks.
What makes us different? We are real people who speak your language - no corporate jargon or one-size-fits-all approaches here... We work with businesses of all shapes and sizes across the UK, delivering expert HR support that protects your business and helps it thrive.
n If we sound like your cup of tea, contact Natalie, Faye or Mark on 01327 640070 or email us at hello@reboxhr.co.uk.
Reshaping insurance: The impact on your premiums
The UK commercial insurance market has been undergoing significant changes in recent years, driven by various economic, technological, and regulatory factors. Here are some key trends shaping the industry in 2024:
Rising insurance premiums
Premiums have been increasing, driven by inflation, supply chain disruptions and rising claims costs. In sectors like construction and professional services, businesses are seeing higher costs for coverage.
The impact of Brexit and Covid-19 has also led to increased operational costs, which are being passed on to businesses.
Cyber insurance growth
With the increase in cyberattacks and stricter data protection regulations, businesses are seeking more comprehensive cyber insurance policies. Premiums for cyber insurance have risen due to the higher frequency and severity of claims.
As ransomware attacks and data breaches become more sophisticated, underwriters are revising risk models to accommodate the evolving threat landscape.
In the last 24 months, a long-standing business in Northamptonshire closed its doors as a result of a cyberattack.
ESG and sustainability
Insurers are increasingly factoring in Environmental, Social and Governance criteria into underwriting practices. Climate change concerns are leading insurers to reconsider coverage options for high-risk industries such as energy, agriculture, and real estate.
Technology and insurtech innovation
The rise of insurtech companies has introduced advanced digital tools such as AI, big data and machine learning into the insurance process, leading to more efficient claims processing, better risk assessments and personalised policies.
FNOL (First Notification of Loss) technology is not particularly a new thing to the insurance market. The intelligence
Danny Flowers, managing director of Motum Insurance Services, looks at the
changing nature of commercial insurance.
and how the data is utilised continues to improve. Usage-based and on-demand insurance solutions are gaining traction.
Hard market conditions
The UK market is experiencing a hard insurance market where there is limited underwriting capacity, tighter policy conditions and increased premiums. This is particularly evident in sectors like professional indemnity, D&O (Directors and Officers) insurance and property insurance.
Some insurers are pulling back from offering coverage in highly volatile sectors, leading to reduced options for businesses.
Regulatory developments
The UK is navigating post-Brexit regulatory shifts, which have affected cross-border insurance policies and reinsurance agreements with the EU. Insurers are adapting to these new requirements while trying to maintain access to European markets.
FCA regulation continues to focus on protecting small businesses and ensuring transparency in pricing and policy terms.
Focus on climate risk and catastrophe insurance
Climate-related risks, including floods, storms and wildfires, are driving demand for catastrophe insurance. Businesses in vulnerable areas are seeking more comprehensive coverage against extreme weather events. Insurers are also adjusting their underwriting to reflect the increased frequency of climate-related claims, especially in sectors such as agriculture and real estate.
Parametric insurance
A growing trend is the use of parametric insurance, which provides pay-outs based on predefined triggers, such as specific weather events, rather than actual losses.
This type of insurance is gaining popularity in sectors like agriculture, travel and events, where quick pay-outs are essential. Arguably this is a simpler option than your traditional commercial property insurance product. I envisage more insurers starting to offer this by utilising big data to underwrite their risks.
Impact of AI and automation
The use of AI and automation in risk assessment and claims management is becoming more prevalent. AI helps in predicting risks more accurately, pricing policies more dynamically and improving customer service through chatbots and virtual assistants.
These trends reflect the evolving nature of the commercial insurance landscape in the UK, where businesses are facing new risks and challenges. The demand for innovative insurance products, combined with the pressure of rising costs, is reshaping the market for both insurers and policyholders.
However, I do not personally believe that AI, chatbots etc. will replace the value a traditional approach to broking and underwriting can provide.
n If you have a question that you would like us to answer, email me at d.flowers@ motum-services.com quoting #askthebroker in the subject line.
Danny Flowers
Eve of destruction for our grid roads
As I wrote last month, Milton Keynes City Council makes all the right noises about looking after our grid roads and even building new ones. But its real agendum is somewhat different.
I think I have adequately established in many columns here that there will never be any proper new grid roads, any new redways nor any new over- or underpasses. In recent years we have seen the council waste millions on schemes such as the now-long-unused bus-gate traffic lights near Junction 14 of the M1.
What I would like to know is just how much money was wasted, who is making money from these ludicrous projects and how can such utterly misguided spending ever be justified while the citizens of MK beg for new, safe, under- or overpasses.
All of that is bad enough but guess what? Our council now wishes to destroy several of the proper grid roads we still have left.
Many will be familiar with 40mph speed limits and, in some cases unnecessary traffic-lit crossings already imposed on roads such as parts of the V10 Brickhill Street; the Countess Way extension of H7 Chaffron Way, V7 Saxon Street near Stadium MK and V4 Watling Street where the Western Expansion Area has no grid roads despite the council’s many promises.
These limits have mostly been imposed using the excuse of road safety but the council has often then seized the opportunity to install traffic-lit pedestrian crossings too, perhaps to avoid building proper under- or overpasses as laid out in the original master plan for MK and as oft falsely promised by said council.
How is it that councils in Germany can totally rebuild beautiful medieval town centres destroyed by British bombers in the Second World War in exquisite detail and meanwhile the burghers of Milton Keynes are happy to destroy that which the people of this city have repeatedly told them we love.
One might reasonably argue that if there have been accidents on these roads while the speed limits were 60mph
Theo Chalmers is chair of Urban Eden and managing director of Verve PR. urbaneden.org / vervepr.co.uk
t.chalmers@vervepr.co.uk, 01908 275271
or 70mph (depending on whether single or dual carriageways) then perhaps other safety measures might have allowed them to keep traffic moving expeditiously, such as speed cameras, or other methods be used to make crossing by pedestrians safe. However, traffic moving at speed would not allow building right up to the road as we have already seen in Countess Way or installing traffic-lit crossings instead of under- or overpasses on the V10 or V4.
But now Milton Keynes City Council has launched another irrelevant consultation targeting several more grid roads and other road sections. They have the bit between their teeth now and wish to impose yet more speed restrictions and traffic lights, turning the wonderful, much copied internationally MK grid road system into a mere shadow of its brilliant self.
MKCC has now unveiled its proposed traffic order for the H5 Portway between V2 Tattenhoe Street and V3 Fulmer Street. The new disablements include yet another unnecessary 40mph speed
“MKCC is destroying every last inch of MK’s free-moving national speed limit grid road system.”
restriction. It also proposes to slow H7 Chaffron Way at the Phoenix Drive junction at Leadenhall by installing more traffic lights as well as at H9 Groveway at the junction of Simpson Drive.
Oh… but the vandals have not finished yet... The council also proposes to slow the heartbeat of MK’s traffic by imposing speed limits on Haversham High Street - where a 20mph limit is planned - and on part of Old Wolverton Road where the council wants to reduce the speed limit to 40mph.
Forgive me if I once more mention Germany - this time one of its most famous philosophers and a major figure in German Idealism: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (born 1770 in Stuttgart, died 1831 in Berlin). It occurs to me that this all rather smacks of his Hegelian Dialectic which explains how, through an apparent search for truth and consensus, the unscrupulous in power can get what they want by frightening the public into demanding change and then offer the solution that they set out to achieve at the very start.
Reduced to its simplest form the Hegelian Dialectic could be summed up as Problem; Reaction; Solution. The “agent of change” employing the strategy - in this case MKCC - creates the problem or crisis, foments the reaction then attempts to control the outcome by providing the solution.
This might help to explain how MKCC is destroying every last inch of MK’s freemoving, national speed limit, grid road system but not why. For the answer, we must consider its plan to dump around 63,000 homes here between 2022-2050. This will require building on our grid roads’ wide, green, borders but only if the traffic is slowed from 70mph or 60mph to 40mph, even 20mph, and pedestrians are forced to cross ‘at grade’ risking their and their children’s lives.
Sadly, by the time you read this any chance to make comments on these schemes will have passed but we know your objections would be ignored anyway, don’t we?
Cheerio.
Last year our Willen at Home team supported patients in their own homes.
of our patients are cared for where they live by our Willen at Home team
The population of Milton Keynes and wider areas continues to grow, meaning more demand for our specialist services.
CARE AT HOME? WHO CARES?
Willen at Home
is the
only service of its kind in Milton Keynes, yet receives NO ongoing NHS funding.
is needed each year to run our home service. Currently, every penny comes from charitable donations.
It’s your community. It’s your community. They’re your neighbours. They’re your neighbours. It’s our collective problem. It’s our collective problem.
We should
all care.
Search engine visibility: Change is looming on the horizon
For years, organisations have geared their online content around Google algorithms as the ‘go to’ search engine. Now, as Artificial Intelligence evolves, a powerful alternative is emerging.
Artificial intelligence has moved beyond hype, becoming a driving force in sectors from manufacturing to marketing. Since the public debut of ChatGPT, the role of AI in daily operations has expanded rapidly, with more than 82% of businesses actively exploring or implementing AI, according to recent data from ExplodingTopics.
Now, as AI’s influence grows, a new question is emerging in the digital marketing space: could AI search tools like SearchGPT shake up Google’s stronghold on Search Engine Optimisation?
For decades, businesses have optimised their online content for Google’s algorithms, seeking to capitalise on the platform’s vast user base and its position as the world’s dominant search engine. However, with SearchGPT’s anticipated launch by the end of 2024, a fundamental shift in how companies approach search engine visibility could be on the horizon.
Developed by OpenAI, SearchGPT offers a powerful AI-driven alternative to traditional search engines, raising the stakes for businesses that rely on Google for customer acquisition and brand visibility.
What sets SearchGPT apart?
While Google remains synonymous with search, SearchGPT promises to bring a more interactive and intuitive experience to users. Built by the creators of ChatGPT, SearchGPT employs sophisticated natural language processing to enable conversational search, presenting users with detailed, context-rich answers that reflect a more nuanced understanding of queries.
As a potential competitor to Google, SearchGPT represents a departure from keyword-based search models, prioritising the meaning and context of a query over a simple string of words. If this technology becomes mainstream, businesses may need to adapt their content strategies, focusing on providing
in-depth, authoritative responses that align with AI-driven search processes.
What are the key differences between SearchGPT and Google?
There are three primary aspects of SearchGPT that distinguish it from traditional search engines:
Conversational query handling
Unlike Google, which relies on keywordbased searches, SearchGPT allows users to ask questions in a conversational style. This approach mirrors how people naturally speak, which may lead to a more personalised and detailed search experience.
For businesses, this change suggests a shift in how content is optimised, moving away from isolated keywords towards more complete, question-driven formats that align with users’ conversational input.
Enhanced presentation of results
SearchGPT provides comprehensive answers rather than merely listing links. By delivering contextually relevant information directly, it reduces the need for users to click through multiple search results.
This style of response prioritises accuracy and depth, requiring businesses to create well-rounded content that AI can use effectively.
While Google has begun exploring similar features, SearchGPT may take this approach further, emphasising complete answers and citing sources to give users a direct, reliable response.
Revised ranking and relevance metrics
The traditional “top ranking” system may be less relevant in an AI-driven search environment. Rather than simply aiming to occupy the top spot on a search
results page, businesses should focus on creating content that an AI recognises as authoritative and contextually relevant.
Factors such as content depth, quality and alignment with user intent will be key.
SearchGPT could therefore reshape ranking factors, emphasising highquality information over competing for a specific rank.
For businesses reliant on Google search traffic, the potential impact of SearchGPT warrants serious consideration.
AI-driven search may encourage a broader focus on brand authority and user engagement. As AI becomes capable of synthesising information from across the internet, companies should prepare to bolster their online presence through user-generated content, testimonials and broader visibility initiatives.
Rather than requiring a SEO overhaul, these AI-driven shifts suggest an adjustment in priorities. The core components of successful SEO - quality content, authority and relevance - will remain but businesses should look to strengthen these elements to appeal to the AI’s method of interpreting and prioritising information.
While it is too soon to determine whether SearchGPT can seriously challenge Google’s dominance, it represents a powerful new player in the search market. The rise of AI search tools signals an evolving landscape, with fresh opportunities for businesses prepared to adapt their strategies.
As companies refine their approach to SEO and digital marketing in response to these developments, those who embrace AI-driven search technology stand to gain an early advantage in the rapidly changing digital economy.
Community
On loan and already at work… The charity Medical Detection Dogs is already putting its new ID. Buzz Cargo van to good use as it transports its animals to and from training, home visits and vet appointments.
The specially converted van has been loaned by Milton Keynes-based Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It contains two fitted crates for the dogs and room for their training equipment.
The charity, based at Great Horwood just outside Milton Keynes, is at the forefront of research into dogs’ ability to detect the odour of human diseases. It trains bio-detection dogs capable of detecting tiny traces of the odour created by different diseases such as cancers, Parkinson’s and bacterial infections.
The charity also trains medical alert assistance dogs to identify minute changes in the smell of their client which signal that a medical crisis is imminent and alert them so they can take the necessary action.
“Finding suitable support vehicles for our trainers to safely and comfortably transport our life-saving dogs can be a challenge and the space and safety features provided by the ID. Buzz Cargo will make the operational side of our training much easier.” Said Medical Detection Dogs’ corporate partnerships manager Charlotte Richardson.
“This will also be our first all-electric vehicle supporting our trainers to carry out their important work so the excellent range makes the transition to electric easy.”
“Finding suitable support vehicles for our trainers to safely and comfortably transport our life-saving dogs can be a challenge.”
The detection dogs now travelling in style
The charity’s pioneering research aims to develop faster, more effective ways to detect diseases and enable early, fast and accurate diagnosis. Medical alert assistance dogs have already supported more than 200 individuals.
“We are thrilled to be supporting Medical Detection Dogs, and the delivery of an ID. Buzz Cargo as a support vehicle will help continue the charity’s life-saving training work and the Volkswagen Group’s long-running support of local charities,” said Eve Tyers, head of marketing, PR and communications at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
Website improves a journey into the heritage of a city
The Parks Trust has launched a new-look website, offering enhanced features such as improved filters, high-quality video and photography, interactive maps, and What3Words locations to help users explore Milton Keynes’ public art and heritage sites.
The charity, responsible for managing over 6,000 acres of green space across Milton Keynes, has introduced several updates to the site. These include better functionality, improved accessibility information and a new ‘Support Us’ section, outlining ways for businesses and residents to support The Parks Trust’s work.
Christina Turner, digital marketing manager at The Parks Trust, said: “The new features, including enhanced filters, easier navigation and What3Words integration, enable visitors to discover parks and activities tailored to their interests. We have also placed a strong emphasis on accessibility and showcased the city’s stunning landscapes through videography and photography, creating a more engaging experience for all users.”
The website was designed and developed by digital agency Mentor Digital, which also collaborated with The Parks Trust earlier this year on websites for Willen Lake and Campbell Wharf Marina. The new-look theparkstrust.com
In a regular exclusive column, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce outline
Continuous training... the secret to
The Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes Chambers of Commerce are committed to supporting local businesses by offering a comprehensive range of training services designed to foster growth, develop skills, and improve business performance. In today’s rapidly changing industries and with evolving workforce demands, continuous training is vital for companies to remain competitive. Both Chambers recognise this need and provide professional training courses tailored to meet the varied requirements of businesses across all sectors.
As key supporters of the local business community, the Chambers understand the challenges businesses face in developing
“It
not only improves employee performance but also boosts morale and engagement.”
skills. They offer a broad selection of training programmes covering a wide range of subjects, ensuring businesses of all sizes and industries can find relevant courses. Key areas of focus include:
n Business Toolkit
n Sales & Marketing
n Management and Personal Development
n International Trade
To learn more about these training services, visit the Chambers’ stand at the Milton Keynes Business Exhibition on 7 November, sponsored by KCI Complete Office Solutions. Here, businesses can discover how the Chambers’ expert-led courses can help them stay ahead in a competitive market.
Julie MacLennan, Group Operations Director at the Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers, emphasised the importance of staff development for business success: “Training is an essential part of any business strategy. It not only enhances employee performance but also boosts morale and engagement.
Our programmes address the specific needs of businesses, helping them stay agile and competitive in today’s fast-changing market. We look forward to showcasing our services at the exhibition and encourage businesses to explore how our training can benefit them.”
With training programmes tailored to the demands of modern business, the Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes Chambers play a pivotal role in supporting the local business community. The exhibition, hosted by Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce at the Delta
the importance of keeping your workforce’s skills levels up to speed to compete in changing times.
growth, performance and success
“Our programmes are designed to meet the specific needs of businesses.”
by Marriott Hotel, Kents Hill, offers free admission and features over 70 exhibitors, alongside workshops and networking opportunities.
n For more details, visit chambermk.co.uk or contact the Chamber training team directly on 01908 733 082 to discuss how they can support your business.
The must-attend event for firms across the region
The highly anticipated Milton Keynes Business Exhibition, proudly headlined by KCI Complete Office Solutions, will take place on Thursday November 7 at the Delta Hotel by Marriott, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes.
It is a must-attend event for businesses across the region that promises a day full of networking, innovation, and opportunity.
Running from 10am until 3pm, the exhibition is free for all visitors, offering a unique platform for companies to showcase their products and services, build new relationships and discover local business solutions.
With only a few exhibitors stands remaining, businesses are encouraged to secure their spot as soon as possible. View the different stand packages at chambermk.co.uk/ connect/#chamber_events
Free events on the day include:
Coffee and Connect (8.30am-10am): A pre-exhibition networking session for early birds – chambermk.co.uk/event/ coffee-connect/
Women with Vision (11am-12 noon): A special session focused on menopause
support in the workplace – chambermk. co.uk/event/women-with-visionmenopause-support-in-the-workplace/
Speed Networking (1.30pm-2.30pm): A fast-paced, engaging opportunity to make new connections - chambermk. co.uk/event/speed-networking/ Free visitor registration is open now: lnkd.in/gTNFEjEd
n For further details or to book the remaining exhibitor stands, contact Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce on 01908 733082 or email events@chambermk.co.uk.
Visit the Milton Keynes Business Exhibition and find out more about the Chambers’ training services
Personalised approach benefits our clients
Adynamic accountancy firm has been supporting clients through staff changes and providing business coaching as part of its highly personalised service.
Elsby & Co, based in Rushden, aims to be the only accountant its clients will ever need – or wish to consult –throughout the lifetime of their business and beyond.
To achieve this, the firm has developed a suite of services that go far beyond those typically offered by traditional accountants, providing clients with a truly bespoke experience.
Partner Carl Elsby said: “Many businesses only engage with their accountants for year-end accounts, but we are committed to offering much more. We want to help our clients grow and support them through every stage of their business, and beyond.
“We train our staff to always seek opportunities to go the extra mile, ensuring we provide clients with more value than cost.
“We achieve this by complementing our traditional accounting and advisory services with support from our Business Hub, and specialists in corporate finance, estate planning, and wealth management.”
In one instance, the Elsby team visited the workplace of an audit client undergoing staff changes to provide handson support with their systems. The client also utilised Elsby’s Business Hub to temporarily fulfil roles during the transition.
In another case, Elsby’s Head of Operations, Ann Phillips inset a highly experienced executive coach and management development specialist, provided coaching to a client’s management team. Elsby also stepped in to cover the role of financial director while the client navigated its staffing changes.
Carl added: “The first case shows how a client, who typically only used us for audit services, was able to benefit from our wider expertise as their business evolved.
“In the second example, we provided industry-specific advice and guidance that made a real difference. We can do this because our expert team takes the time to understand our clients and their sectors, ensuring we offer the best possible support.”
In another case, while completing what seemed to be a routine tax return, the Elsby team went further by examining the rules regarding state pension top-up via the client’s partner’s National Insurance contributions.
“The result was that the client reclaimed over £3,000 in state pension arrears and increased her ongoing pension by £800 per year,” said Carl.
“We cannot always deliver such results, but we promise to always remain alert to opportunities to help our clients. This proactive approach sets us apart, and it is remarkable how often we find ways to add value because of it.”
For further information, visit www.elsbyandco.co.uk or contact 01933 312950.
£700k investment boosts drive for sustainability
Built environment firm See Limited is investing £700,000 to transform operations at its distribution facility and significantly reduce its environmental impact.
The Corby-based company, which operates Performance Panels, Inspired Surfaces, and Bousfields, is automating its storage system and panel dividing saw at its Halifax distribution site. This will reduce carbon emissions and allow the facility to store up to 5,000 panels on-site.
The new automated system will manage the organisation, stocking, and selection of various sheet sizes and materials, greatly boosting operational capacity. Additionally, Performance Panels is expected to save 280 bottles of liquid petroleum gas previously used for forklifts, equating to an estimated 17,495 kgCO2e avoided annually, based on UK Government calculations.
See Limited, whose name reflects its focus on sustainability – Supporting Ethical Enterprise – continues to lead with eco-conscious investments.
Group Chief Executive Robert Thompson said: “The introduction of the automated storage system and panel dividing saw is part of our ongoing investment in See Limited’s businesses as we grow and evolve.
In a fast-moving industry, staying ahead of technological advancements is essential.
“While the implementation of this significant investment has transformed the working operations on site, it has also enhanced the health and safety measures. Automation has replaced much of the manual handling and has drastically reduced the time spent locating and retrieving stock.”
Carl Elsby
Robert Thompson
Leasing firm restructures for growth
Contract hire and fleet management specialist Grosvenor Leasing has restructured its team to support its growth plans.
Following three years of record sales, which saw Grosvenor’s fleet size increase by 20%, the funding and fleet management specialist has created a new client services division. The expanded business development team, now covering the whole of the UK, will drive sales and growth by identifying and developing relationships with new customers.
Managing Director Lee Brown said: “We have experienced record growth over the past three years, and we have ambitious plans for further expansion. The restructure is a crucial element in achieving our goals.
“Importantly, while we are investing heavily in technology, this will not come at the expense of our person-centred
Lee Brown
approach. We aim for more face-to-face time and improved communication with customers. Our success comes from being a people-centric business, and our customers will benefit from this.”
Changes within the fleet sector – including the drive towards electrification, the arrival of new entrants, and continued pressure to reduce business costs – have presented fleets and SMEs with unprecedented
How to increase your business’s efficiency, productivity and profitability very easily
One of the major costs in a business is salaries. Equally, your most important asset is your staff. Your staff are literally your business. Offer superlative levels of customer service and your business will really thrive.
So in order to increase your business’s efficiency, productivity and profitability you need to invest in your staff heavily by paying them well, giving them lots of benefits and plenty of training both initially and ongoing.
You will need to provide them with the most effective tools for the job which means investing in excellent technology including artificial intelligence (AI). By training your staff in the use of AI you should increase their productivity hugely. This will in turn free up their time to focus on looking after your customers even more. It almost certainly could reduce your payroll costs significantly as well.
Another popular productivity tool is the hiring of virtual assistants. This can be an excellent way to increase your productivity, reduce your staff
Tony Byrne
costs and improve customer service especially if your VAs engage directly with your customers over the phone or by video call.
If you hire a VA from a country such as the Philippines you can engage a young tech-savvy graduate on a self-employed basis for a relatively low hourly rate of say £5-£6 an hour and outsource timeconsuming tasks thus freeing up your staff’s time to focus on customer service.
WARNING The information contained within this article is for guidance only and does not constitute advice which should be sought before taking any action or inaction. All information is based on our current understanding of taxation, legislation, regulations and case law in the current tax year. Any levels and bases of relief from taxation are subject to change. Tax treatment is based on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. This article is based on my own observations and opinions. They do not represent the company’s views.
challenges, heavily influencing business decisions, he added.
“Fleet operators have come through tough times and still face substantial challenges as they navigate what is expected to be the most dynamic period the industry has experienced in decades.”
Grosvenor Leasing is also celebrating a series of awards for its vehicle funding products and its support for businesses transitioning to electric vehicles. The company recently brought home the Leasing Innovation of the Year award at the Fleet World Great British Fleet Awards 2024 and Leasing Company of the Year (up to 20,000 vehicles) at this year’s Fleet News Awards. These achievements follow success at last year’s Green Fleet Awards, and the Best Customer Service Award at the Business Car Awards.
For advice on ways to increase profits, take advantage of a onehour Discovery Meeting either at our offices or via 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 and quote NOVEMBER 2024 OFFER to book your free discovery meeting.
Just think about it, no sick pay, no holiday pay, no maternity/paternity leave, no employer’s NIC, no workplace pensions etc, etc. This is because such VAs are usually recruited from lower income countries. Once you add in all of these costs, if you were to employ someone in the UK, even on the minimum wage, your cost would be equivalent to at least £25£30 an hour. That works out at five times more expensive.
It’s a great deal for the VA too because the pay rate is more than they could typically earn in their home country, they can work from home and they have flexible hours. A true win: win.
www.wealthandtax.co.uk
Councils lodge bid for devolution
Millions of pounds in future investment into the South Midlands would be the result of devolved powers from government to the area’s six local authorities.
The councils have united to submit a proposal to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government following the government’s announcement after the General Election that it sees devolution as a central part of boosting economic growth across the UK.
Councils in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes and North and West Northamptonshire have been working together for years as part of the Central Area Growth Board, more recently becoming the South Midlands Authorities.
The government has invited local authorities to identify regional partnerships which could benefit from enhanced powers in areas such as transport, housing, skills and employment. A devolution deal could also leverage millions of pounds of future investment into the area.
Following expressions of interest, government will produce a framework
which will provide more detail on how and when devolution could become a reality and what the specific benefits could be for the SMA.
Cllr Jason Smithers, leader of North Northamptonshire Council, said: “This is an exciting step forward on working collaboratively with neighbouring unitary councils on how we can create the conditions to bring increased prosperity to our region.
“This is a very exciting time and the move towards devolution fits perfectly with our Big 50 aspirations to create a proactive, proud and prosperous area for all of our residents.”
His counterpart at West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Adam Brown, added: “Working with our neighbours demonstrates to government that we have the will and the means to manage greater resources more locally.
“During the first three years of our two new councils, we have demonstrated time and again that we can work together for the benefit of our residents. This latest step offers us the opportunity to extend that direct partnership link with our neighbours to the south.”
“The move fits perfectly with our Big 50 aspirations.”
Jason Smithers
Both North and West Northamptonshire Councils, along with the other four SMA authorities, have already approved the establishment of a Joint Committee governance model for the area as part of their South Midlands Authorities management of the former Local Enterprise Partnership functions.
The new governance model replaces the current Central Area Growth Board and in particular its decision-making powers.
Stay in the loop with everything Northants
Lawyers oversee deal for dealership
Specialist Specialist automotive lawyers at regional firm Howes Percival have acted for Fortune 250 US-based international automotive retailer Group 1 Automotive UK Limited on its acquisition of Soper of Lincoln BMW/Mini.
The team also recently acted for the Glyn Hopkin Group on the sale to an Employee Ownership Trust and dealership groups Steven Eagell, Listers and FRF on their purchase of Motorline Limited’s network of 19 Toyota and Lexus dealerships.
Corporate partner and head of automotive Tom Redman (inset) said: “Hot on the heels of Group 1’s summer acquisition of multiple MercedesBenz dealerships which the Howes Percival automotive team also advised on, our team’s depth of resource and specialist automotive-retail knowledge was once again key to support Group 1 as it continues to grow.”
‘Expansion relies on talent pipeline’
Accounting and advisory firm MHA has welcomed a record 214 new trainees this year with 186 new starters joining the firm earlier this month.
The class of 2024, including 20 who begin their careers at the firm’s offices in Milton Keynes and Northampton, was officially introduced to the firm by MHA charman Rakesh Shaunak at a major induction event at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
The intake number is almost double the 130 welcomed last year and follows MHA’s recent financials announcement of a near-30% increase in revenue. The firm is forecasting double-digit organic growth for 2025 and beyond.
“We are a people-first business and our future expansion relies on a talent pipeline of engaged and enthusiastic teams who can seize the opportunities our firm offers from day one,” said Rakesh.
The new trainees are a mix of apprentices and graduates and will work across MHA’s audit, tax and advisory services. Rebecca Hughes, partner at MHA’s office in Northampton, said: “We place a genuine investment into the future generations of accountancy professionals to unleash their full potential. Year on year we are seeing more school, college and university leavers select MHA as their firm of choice, with many directors and partners at the firm today having originally joined as trainees.”
Business of Sport
Partnership aims to bring out the best
Health, fitness and leisure provider
David Lloyd Clubs Milton Keynes is to continue as official wellbeing partner with ice hockey club MK Lightning.
The leisure club at Newlands near Willen Lake will provide exclusive access to its facilities for Lightning players and staff, thereby playing a key role in supporting their physical and mental wellbeing.
MK Lightning director Tom Roberts said: “We are delighted to partner with David Lloyd Clubs Milton Keynes, a brand that aligns perfectly with our values of promoting physical fitness and mental wellbeing both on and off the ice. This partnership will help our players to perform at their best.”
David Lloyd Milton Keynes’ general manager David Barker added: “We are excited to support MK Lightning and be part of this journey with the players, staff, and fans. Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at David Lloyd, and we look forward to helping the MK Lightning team stay fit, healthy, and ready to succeed throughout the season.”
n Vehicle transportation company Nick Pelosi Ltd has finalised a deal to sponsor MK Lightning for a third season. The striking orange logo of the company, based at Kingston, will once again be prominent on the sleeves of the 2024-25 season Lightning jerseys.
Tom Roberts said: “We deeply appreciate Nick and his family for their steadfast support. Their true passion for the sport and commitment to our team make this partnership ideal.”
Scan here to subscribe for your print and/or digital copy of Business MK each month. For the latest news from Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire, visit businessmk.co.uk
Looking smart: Cobblers
Barrister joins Saints board
Barrister Mark Braid has joined the board of Northampton Saints as a nonexecutive director.
He has been a practising general common law barrister for 25 years, specialising in family law, immigration and civil litigation. He also is a successful property developer, with a particular interest in the use of alternative energy sources, and manages a portfolio of investments across property, pharmaceuticals, food development and biomedical research.
“Our board is already filled with extremely capable directors and has proved time and time again over the last few years that it makes strong decisions at the right time to keep the club moving forwards,” said Saints chairman John White. “But we are always looking to strengthen where we can and so we are absolutely delighted to welcome Mark Braid.
“He lives locally, has a huge passion for the club and understands our unique place within our community here in Northampton and beyond.
“Mark brings with him a huge amount of legal and commercial expertise, so I have no doubt that his extensive experience will
be extremely valuable to Saints over the coming years, and that he can make a massive contribution towards our future successes on and off the pitch.”
Mark has practised at 2DRJ Barristers in London since 2000. He also has built a successful property investment business.
“The club has a long history and is run extremely well already with a structure that has delivered stability and success allowing it to do the right things at the right time,” he said. “It is a real privilege for me to join now as a non-executive director and try to help in any way I can.
“The board is very strong, particularly on the financial side which is essential, but coming from a legal and non-rugby background I think I can bring something different to that group.”
Mark Braid
team are cutting a dash
Dressed for success – or so the management team at Northampton Town FC hope. Manager Jon Brady, his assistants Marc Richards and Ian Sampson, and goalkeeping coach James Alger cut a dash in suits tailored by the club’s new clothing partner, Collective 13 Clothing.
“It is an honour to be working with a club I grew up supporting,” said Collective 13 Clothing owner Elliott Don. The initial deal is to supply suits to the coaching staff and commercial team, as well as, in the future, the first team and staff.
“I selected a suit design with a distinctive Claret Check design, in line with the home shirt colour,” said Elliott. “Hopefully, it will be a signature feature at the club.”
The deal was launched officially at the Cobblers’ League One home match against Bolton Wanderers last month, at which Collective 13 Clothing, based in Daventry, was the match ball sponsor.
Elliott has also joined the NTFC Business Club. “The club has a growing fan base and there are lots of new builds in the north-west of the town, so it seemed like a natural partnership,” he said.
Back of the net: Women’s
team
success scores with new kit deal
It is a hat trick for credit union Commsave, as the financial cooperative extends its sponsorship of Northampton Town FC Women’s training kit for a third season and continues its sponsorship of the men’s training kit for a second year.
“We are thrilled to continue our support for the Cobblers’ women’s team into the new season,” said Commsave’s chief executive, Dominic Masterson. “The progress the team has made on the pitch in recent seasons has been really impressive, and we are excited to see what the 2024/25 season holds.
“All of us at Commsave are keen to support our local community, and we’re delighted to be helping women
and girls in the area participate fully in the game.”
Commsave, based in Northampton, is one of the UK’s largest credit unions, with more than 34,000 members. It has also sponsored Northampton Town Women’s striker Jade Bell for the past two seasons.
The club’s women and girls development manager, Scott Loughran, said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Commsave for their contributions and continued support. By sponsoring both our women’s and men’s team training kits, they demonstrate a true commitment to the importance of women’s football.”
‘A key part of our business strategy’
Commercial law firm EMW has extended its partnership with MK Dons FC for the 2024-25 season.
The agreement, with EMW as the club’s official legal partner, makes the Knowlhill-based firm one of the longest-standing partnerships for the club. It began while the Dons were playing home games at the National Hockey Stadium.
EMW partner Mark Davies said: “As a local business in Milton Keynes, supporting the club continues to form a key part of our business strategy. We are excited to be the official legal partner again and enjoy supporting MK Dons from our Club Black hospitality box.”
Mark Davies
MK Dons group finance director Ryan Gawley said: “Being able to lock down EMW Law for a further season is absolutely fantastic for the club.
“The support we have received from them and our other club partners over the last few years has been vital in ensuring we continue to try and deliver the best service off the pitch and the best football on the pitch. We only partner with companies that we share an affinity with and we are delighted to continue our journey with EMW.”
Scan here to subscribe for your print and/or digital copy of Business Times each month. For the latest news from Northamptonshire, visit business-times.co.uk
Elliott Don (centre) is pictured with (from left) Cobblers’ assistant managers Ian Sampson and Marc Richards, manager Jon Brady and coach James Alger in their new matchday attire
Commsave’s business development manager James Richards shows off the new kit
Bench steps up search for new JPs
Magistrates come from all walks of life, seeking to give back to their community and develop new skills for use in their personal and professional lives.
The Judiciary of England and Wales, together with the Ministry of Justice, has issued a fresh call for magistrates in Buckinghamshire as part of a new campaign aimed at boosting Bench numbers.
This appeal is part of a wider drive to encourage more people to volunteer for the magistracy across England and Wales. Magistrates are needed for both criminal and family courts, and the I Can Be a Magistrate campaign is being promoted across social media, search engine optimisation, and digital audio platforms.
Magistrates receive the ongoing support and training they need to sit in either the criminal or family court. Each is assigned a mentor and supported by a legal adviser, who works with them in court to ensure correct procedures are followed.
“Developing new skills is just one of the benefits.”
A spokesman for the Judiciary of England and Wales said: “Developing new skills that can be applied in both personal and professional life is just one of the benefits of becoming a magistrate. These skills include, but are not limited to, negotiation, presentation, and decisionmaking, alongside the positive impact on their community.”
The magistracy is a flexible, parttime voluntary role that can fit around other commitments, including full-time employment. No qualifications, legal knowledge, or experience are required, according to the Judiciary. Instead, the qualities valued in a magistrate include an open mind, rational thinking, and the ability to work as part of a team.
The campaign is targeting anyone aged between 18 and 74 who can commit to a minimum of 13 days a year for at least five years. Employers are legally obliged to allow time off for those in full-time or part-time employment who wish to serve as magistrates.
n To find out more, check for current vacancies in the South East or to register your interest, visit icanbeamagistrate.co.uk
A role that enables me to make a real difference
Richard, who retired five years ago from a role in the housing association sector, has been a magistrate for 30 years.
“I am very proud to be a magistrate and make a meaningful contribution to the justice system. It is a role that allows me to make a real difference in my community and give something back,” he said.
The role has taught him new, relevant, and valuable skills that have helped him develop his career: effective listening, critical thinking, decisionmaking, judgement, and teamwork.
“These transferable skills have helped me progress to more senior roles in my professional life.”
FACT FILE
n Only criminal court magistrates deliver sentences. They can sentence people for up to six months for a single offence.
While family magistrates do not pass sentences, they make decisions that affect vulnerable children, support separated parents in making arrangements for their children, enforce child maintenance orders and help to prevent domestic abuse.
Richard (pictured) actively encourages others considering the magistracy to find out more. “Anyone can apply to become a magistrate, and it is absolutely essential that the Bench is fully representative of the diverse community it serves. A more diverse judiciary will significantly help to strengthen public confidence in a system that broadly reflects the society we live in today.
“The rule of law applies equally to everyone, and we must treat all court users with fairness and respect. It is vital that diversity and inclusion always remain at the forefront of what judicial office holders do.”
n In court, magistrates work as a bench of three, made up of two wingers and a presiding justice who receives special training to act as chair. All three magistrates contribute to the decisionmaking, supported by a legal adviser. Only the presiding justice speaks in court.
n The mandatory retirement age for magistrates is 75 and magistrates are expected to sit for a minimum of five years. Applications can take up to 12-18 months to reach appointment.
Business Soundbites
A snapshot of what business people have been telling us.
“Despite being the most qualified candidate, I wasn’t offered the job because the premises had no female WC.”
Cassandra Campbell, marketing manager of Paradise Computing and organiser of Northamptonshire Manufacturing Week, on her first job interview in engineering.
“The Bill is set to be the biggest reform of employment rights in decades.”
Victoria Templeton, knowledge manager at Northamptonshire HR company HR Solutions, on the government’s Employment Rights Bill, introduced last month.
“The homelessness problem is only getting worse and that is why our sleepout this year is perhaps the most urgent yet.”
CEO Sleepout’s chief executive Bianca Robinson ahead of this month’s annual event in Milton Keynes raising awareness of and money for the city’s homeless.
“Our aim is to inspire young people to pursue STEM subjects at school and to eventually translate that passion into successful careers.”
Oracle Red Bull Racing’s chief executive Christian Horner on StemX, the motorsport giant’s joint initiative with Milton Keynes College.
“Now is the time to enact a series of rate reductions without the threat of stoking inflationary pressures.
ProfessorJoe Nellis, of Cranfield School of Management and economic adviser to MHA, on the European Central Bank’s decision to cut interest rates to 3.25%
“My wife, four daughters and I absolutely love the club. Attending Saints matches together in recent years has become a very important family experience for all of us.”
Barrister Mark Braid, who has joined the board of Northampton Saints as a non-executive director.
A ‘berry’ tasty start to the week...
What better way to spend a Monday morning than sampling a range of delicious cakes, baked by generous colleagues at Lockheed Martin UK’s manufacturing site in Ampthill.
Business MK editor Andrew Gibbs joined Lockheed Martin staff and other guests to judge a selection of ten cakes, marking the start of the company’s Macmillan Coffee Morning. With the theme Change of the Seasons, competition was fierce, but it
The bank going nuts to keep traditions alive
was Berry Fusion – a sponge cake layered with cream and fresh berries – that captured the judges’ tastebuds. The icing on the cake came for its creator, Shagufta Mustafa, the firm’s communications, media, and PR specialist.
After the judging, the cakes were sold to Lockheed Martin colleagues at the Ampthill site, raising £500, which was matched by Lockheed Martin to bring the total to £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
First, it was the World Stone Skimming Championships in Scotland. Now, challenger bank Allica Bank has taken on conkers.
The bank, headquartered in Milton Keynes, sponsored the World Conker Championships, held last month in Southwick, near Oundle in Northamptonshire.
Dating back to 1965, the competition draws hundreds of competitors and
Shagufta Mustafa shows off her winning berry fusion cake
Outdated, uncomfortable, unpleasant
Rail passengers have had to put up with a station that, in the words of a government minister, “simply hasn’t been good enough” as they make their journeys between London Euston and stations including Leighton Buzzard, Bletchley, Milton Keynes Central, Wolverton and Northampton.
Now Network Rail, which operates the station, and the Department for Transport have unveiled a five-point plan to improve the functioning of Euston station and deliver a better passenger experience while it undergoes longerterm design changes. The outdated station is in major need of overhaul and has led to some very uncomfortable and unpleasant conditions for passengers, Network Rail admitted.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has tasked the station’s teams at Network Rail and train operators Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains to look again at how the station works on a dayto-day basis and to make immediate improvements wherever possible.
The station needs major reconstruction to meet current demands but the fivepoint initial plan comprises:
n Reviewing passenger information provision and circulation, including a shutdown and review of the use of overhead advertising boards.
n A review on how passengers board services, especially during disruption.
n Creating more concourse space and alleviating pinch-points.
n Unifying station operation during disruption to ensure a holistic approach is taken for the benefit of all passengers.
n Improving reliability of both infrastructure and train services to reduce disruption at the station.
It is a positive first step to getting a grip on overcrowding at the station, the Transport Secretary said, but more must be done. Senior management at Network Rail met with the Secretary of State last month to answer questions on plans for the station and set out a route towards longer-term improvements to the passenger experience.
“For too long, Euston station simply has not been good enough for passengers,” said the Transport Secretary. “That is why I have tasked Network Rail with coming up with a clear plan to immediately improve conditions for passengers. We know Euston needs a permanent solution and are working hard to agree this but these immediate steps will help to alleviate some of the issues the station has been facing.”
Passengers have not had the travelling experience they deserve, admitted Gary Walsh, Network Rail’s route director for West Coast South.
“We need to do better. Our fivepoint plan will help improve things for passengers in the short term by creating more space, providing better passenger information and working as an industry to improve the reliability of train services on the West Coast Main Line.”
Network Rail is working with the rail industry and passenger groups to explore plans and funding options for a major upgrade of London Euston, he added.
visitors from around the world. This year marked the first time Allica Bank sponsored the event, aligning with the bank’s mission to support the traditions and activities that make local communities and businesses unique.
“Events like this need sponsors to keep going, and the World Conker Championships play a vital role in our local community,” said organiser St John Burkett.
“It’s fantastic that Allica Bank recognises the importance these events, along with local businesses and people, bring to the community.”
Allica Bank’s local relationship manager, Wahid Nawaz, added: “The World Conker Championships hold significant cultural value in Northamptonshire, bringing together competitors, families, and businesses in a way that strengthens the local economy.”
London Euston: Action is needed urgently to improve the passenger experience, according to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh
Networking
A group for networkers looking for referrals, introductions, opportunities and sales. Northants and surrounding areas
Every Tuesday at noon. National networking
Every Wednesday at noon. Contact Gary Thorpe for all events. Email: gary.thorpe@debt-doctors.co.uk Tel: 07963 766052 or 01536 333425.
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-11.30am: Online.
Contact: Anna Atkins-Carter, regional director North Bucks / West Chilterns. 07540 097776, email anna.atkinscarter@theathenanetwork.com or visit theathenanetwork.com
BEDFORD
2nd Wednesday 12 noon-2pm: Online.
SOUTH 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 theathenanetwork.com
SKYROCKET YOUR CYBER DEFENCES TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH AI
November 5, 9am-noon: Wrest Park Enterprise Centre, Silsoe Industry experts discuss the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the role AI plays in defending against cyber attacks. Delegates will also hear first-hand about the real implications a cyber attack can have on a business. Free event.
CONNECT OVER COFFEE
November 12, 9.30am-11.15am: Sharnbrook Mill Theatre, Sharnbrook Informal networking, Free event for Chamber members; non-members £25 + VAT. Book on to Chamber of Commerce events via events.chamber-business.com
IGNITE
Tuesday 6.45am: The Turnpike, Harpole, Northampton ACHIEVERS
All meetings payable in advance on the Business Buzz Booking App app.business-buzz.org/app or at the event.
Business networking and referral group. Price: £6.
MILTON KEYNES
4th Thursday, 7.30am-9.30am:
Windmill Hill Golf Centre, Bletchley. Meeting fee: £16 (first meeting free).
NORTHAMPTON BREAKFAST
3rd Wednesday, 7.30-9.30am: The Turnpike, Harpole.
NORTHAMPTON EVENING
4th Tuesday, 6.30-8.30pm: Cheyne Walk Club, Northampton.
WELLINGBOROUGH
2nd Thursday, 7.30-9.30am: The Hind Hotel.
VIRTUAL MEETINGS
Meeting fee: £6 (first meeting free).
WEDNESDAY BREAKFAST
4th Wednesday, 7.30am-9am.
THURSDAY BREAKFAST
3rd Thursday, 7.30am-9am.
FRIDAY BREAKFAST
2nd Friday, 7.30am-9am. THE ACCOUNTABILITY CIRCLE
Monday 10am-11am: Online Time management and productivity. Price: £6 per session or £12 per month. More information: buscomm.co.uk
November 8, 22 7am: Windmill Hill Golf Centre, Bletchley Networking breakfast with speaker. Price: £15 nonmembers. Contact: businessgrowthclub.co.uk or Mark Orr 07903 655169.
The Woburn, George Street, Woburn Host: Heide Swift.
NORTHAMPTON
November 12 9.30am-11.30am
The Chester House Estate, Irchester Host: Kirsty Parris.
TOWCESTER
November 20 9.30am-11.30am
The Navigation Inn, Thrupp Wharf Marina, Cosgrove Host: Kirsty Parris.
Contact: busynetworking.net/meetings
Networking with lunch. Price: £28.
AMPTHILL
November 14, 11.45am-2pm
The Knife & Cleaver, Houghton Conquest Host: Chandra Gardner.
BEDFORD
November 28, 11.45am-2pm
The Woodland Manor Hotel, Green Lane, Clapham Host: Aruno Rao.
BUCKINGHAM
November 18, 11.45am-2pm
The Grand Junction, High Street, Buckingham Host: Heide Swift.
KETTERING
November 26, 11.45am-2pm
The Kettering Golf Club, Headlands Host: Aruno Rao.
MILTON KEYNES
November 7, 11.45am-2pm
The George, Watling Street, Little Brickhill Host: Aruno Rao.
MILTON KEYNES NORTH
November 11, 11.45am-2pm
The Cherry Tree, Olney Host: Aruno Rao.
NORTHAMPTON
November 19, 11.45am-2pm
The White Hart, Main Road, Hackleton Host: Aruno Rao.
TOWCESTER
November 27, 11.45am-2pm
The Navigation Inn, Thrupp Wharf Marina, Cosgrove Host: Aruno Rao.
Contact: busywomen.net or call 07957 284851.
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
3rd Friday, 7am-9am Astral Park, Leighton Buzzard
Breakfast networking with speaker. Price: £13. Contact: info@buzzardnetworking.co.uk or visit buzzardnetworking.co.uk
November 6, 7.30am-9am:
YMCA, North Sixth Street, Central Milton Keynes
The longest-established breakfast networking club in Milton Keynes. Speakers: MHA tax partner Nathan Sutcliffe and tax director David Jones assess the Budget; Kate Broadhurst, chief executive of Willen Hospice, shares her vision for the hospice.
Book at citybreakfastclub.co.uk
VIRTUAL
November 5, 10.30am-12 noon
November 26, 10.25am-11.30am
Online
BREAKFAST, NETWALK & BRUNCH
November 7, 7.15am-8.45am; 9.05am-9.50am; 10am-11.30am
Willen Hospice Café , Willen Lake.
IN PARTNERSHIP EVENT with BUCKINGHAM businesses
November 7, 5pm-7pm
The Grand Junction, Buckingham. MK MEET-UP EVENT
November 12, 4.45pm-7pm
Delta by Marriott Hotel, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes. LUNCHTIME NETWORKING
November 13, 12.15pm-1.45pm
Slug & Lettuce, Central Milton Keynes. IN PARTNERSHIP EVENT with LEIGHTON BUZZARD businesses
November 14, 5pm-6.30pm
Leighton Town Football Club.
GOLD MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS WORKSHOP
November 19, 9am-12 noon
The Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton Mill. IN PARTNERSHIP EVENT with OLNEY businesses
November 27, 5pm-7pm Olney Rugby Club.
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL NETWORKING
November 29, 5.30pm-8pm
MK:U, Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes. Book at the event booking diary web page at collaboratemk.co.uk
Contact: Tim Lee tim@collaboratemk.co.uk or 07786 527845.
Alternate Wednesdays 7.30am-9.30am: The Hind Hotel, Wellingborough Networking group run by its members for its members. Contact: cornerstone-northants.org or email network@cornerstone-northants.org
November 21, 12.30pm-2.30pm Maaya Restaurant, The Hub, Central Milton Keynes Sponsor: Pinders. Networking lunch. Book at thecurryclubs.co.uk/event/ milton-keynes-curry-club-24
Wednesdays 6.45am-8.30am: The Hopping Hare, Hopping Hill Gardens, Northampton Breakfast networking + members’ presentation opportunities. Price: £10 visitors. Contact: enigmanetworking.co.uk. email: chair@enigmanetworking.co.uk or call 07889 967779.
MILTON KEYNES VIRTUAL NETWORKING
November 15, 10am-11am: Online
Networking and an update on the benefits of FSB membership.
Free event for FSB members and non-members. LUTON IN PERSON NETWORKING
November 14, 10am-12 noon
The Metro Bar, Luton Campus, University Square
Coffee, cake and free face-to-face networking event, hosted with the University of Bedfordshire. Open to FSB members and non-members.
EAST MIDLANDS NETWORKING with FSB and HSBC
November 20 8am-10am
HSBC UK, Pegasus Business Park, Castle Donington
Hosted in partnership with HSBC as part of the FSB’s 50th anniversary celebrations. An informal networking event designed to help you connect with new contacts, reconnect with old friends and grow your business in the East Midlands. To book on to FSB events, visit fsb.org.uk
COFFEE & CONNECT
November 14, 10am-12 noon: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands Informal networking. Price: £12.50. Book at askgoto. com/event/coffee-connect-mk-20
LBBC
LEIGHTON BUZZARD BUSINESS CLUB
Wednesdays 7am-8.30am:
The Dukes, Leighton Road, Heath and Reach Breakfast networking with speaker and member presentations. Visitors: £10.
Contact: leightonbuzzardbiz.co.uk. email LBBC chairman Steve Baker at steve@sbfinancial.co.uk or call 01296 641868.
#LOVEBIZ NETWORKING DERNGATE COMMUNITY
November 6 9.30am-11am: The Hopping Hare, Hopping Hill Gardens, Northampton
Networking community for women in business in Northamptonshire and beyond. Price: £19.95. Contact: Julie Cameron at juliecameron@lovebiznetworking.co.uk or lovebiznetworking.co.uk
LUTON COFFEE CLUB
1st Tuesday 8am-10am Mano Coffee, George Street Informal networking. Free event. To find out more, email organiser Stephen Wood at s.w@srwood.co.uk or call 01582 401221.
Networking
CHAMBER BUSINESS EXHIBITION
November 7
Delta by Marriott Hotel, Timbold Drive, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes
Including: COFFEE AND CONNECT
8.30am-10am
Informal pre-exhibition networking. Free event, Chamber members and non-members welcome.
BUSINESS EXHIBITION
10am-3pm
Free to visitors. Exhibition stands from £250 + VAT. MENOPAUSE SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE
11am-12 noon
Seminar presented by the Chamber’s Women With Vision group and Wellbeing of Women, Menopause Xplored and Menopause Reality.
Speaker: Diane Danzebrink, of Menopause Support. Subject: How dialogue and supportive measures create an inclusive environment where individuals going through the menopause feel valued and supported.
SPEED NETWORKING
1.30pm-2.30pm Free event for Chamber members and non-members.
NEXTGEN CHAMBER
November 12, 5.30pm-7pm
Aspers Casino, Commercial Street, Northampton
Networking with buffet and a gaming demonstration. Price: £20 + VAT Chamber members; non-members £40 + VAT. To book on to Chamber events, visit chambermk.co.uk/events
NNBN is a business membership organisation for all of Northamptonshire which aims to help businesses in the county to recover, build and grow for a brighter future.
FRIDAY @4
November 1, 4pm-5pm: Online
Free event to NNBN members and non-members.
BUSINESS NETWORKING
November 14, 7pm-8.30pm: Kettering Park Hotel
Informal networking. Free event for NNBN members; visitors £10.
LEARN TO PODCAST
November 15, 4pm-5pm: Online
Workshop presented by NNBN director Simon Cox on how to set up and create a podcast and content. Free event.
For more information and to book, visit nnbn.co.uk/events
MILTON KEYNES CHAMBER BUSINESS EXHIBITION
November 7, 8.30am-4pm:
Delta by Marriott Hotel, Timbold Drive, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes
Details: See under Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce.
NEXTGEN CHAMBER
November 12 5.30pm-7pm
Aspers Casino, Commercial Street, Northampton
Networking with buffet and a gaming demonstration. Price: £20 + VAT Chamber members; non-members £40 + VAT.
To book on to Chamber events, visit northants-chamber.co.uk/events
Fridays 6.45am-8.45am:
The Cock Hotel, Stony Stratford
Networking breakfast, with more than 40 members from a wide range of businesses. Businesses referrals, business support and training. Contact: tfinetworking.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/ Online.
SANDY & BIGGLESWADE
1st Wednesday: Stratton House Hotel, Biggleswade. Contact: Louise Yexley on 07989 020647, email louise.yexley@wibn.co.uk or visit www.wibn.co.uk.
MILTON KEYNES
1st Tuesday: The Brasserie at Milton Keynes College, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley. Contact: Edith Samambwa on 07802 581838, email edith.samambwa@wibn.co.uk or visit www.wibn.co.uk
COFFEE & NETWORKING
November 20, 10am-12 noon:
The Café, MK SNAP, Bourton Low, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes Informal networking. Price: £3 WiE members; non-members £5. For more details and to book, visit womeninenterprise.co.uk
BUSINESS ROOM
The Business Room is a one business per area group for business owners, those in employed positions, MLMs and franchised businesses. BEDFORD
3rd Thursday 9.30am-11.30am: The Kingfisher. KETTERING
2nd Tuesday 12 noon-2pm: Kettering Park Hotel & Spa. NORTHAMPTON
2nd Thursday 12 noon-2pm: Sun Inn, High Street, Hardingstone. OLNEY
2nd Wednesday 9.30am-11.30am: The Cherry Tree Restaurant & Bar.
SOUTH NORTHANTS
3rd Tuesday 12 noon-2pm: The Fox & Hounds, Whittlebury.
WELLINGBOROUGH
3rd Wednesday 12 noon-2pm: The Stanwick Hotel, Stanwick. THE CONNECTIONS CLUB - NORTHANTS For business owners, influencers and decision-makers.
NORTHAMPTON
1st Tuesday 11.45am-2pm: Delapre Abbey, Northampton. Contact: Barbara Hodgson 07504 946 585 / 01933 652884, email: barbara@yourbusinessmatters.co or visit yourbusinessmatters.co
CHRISTMAS NETWORKING
November 14, 4pm-6pm:
Sky Lounge, Unity Place, Central Milton Keynes Mark your calendar and celebrate the year’s end with us! Join us from 4pm to 6pm at the Sky Lounge in Unity Place, for our Christmas Bash. This will be a relaxed networking evening—no formal topics, just a chance to connect with fellow business professionals and celebrate the season. Book at: yourbusinessexpo.co.uk/networking
