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Business MK | December 2023
Business group aims to grow post-war UK-Ukraine trade A new organisation promoting bilateral trade between Milton Keynes, the wider Oxford-Cambridge growth arc and Ukraine is to launch this month. OxCamMK-Kyiv Business Association will become a network of well-connected SME business partnerships, providing members with the opportunity to share ideas, innovation and technologies. Chaired by Valeriy Voschevsky, former Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, OxCamMK-Kyiv BA’s mission is to support SMEs in the Milton Keynes/ Ox-Cam region in their efforts to work with Ukrainian organisations. It will also support businesses in Ukraine keen to work with UK companies. The association’s remit is to help companies to open dialogue, compete more effectively, source finance and investment opportunities, trade with one another, lobby government, upskill their workforces and promote the transfer and exchange of expertise, technology and knowledge. OxCamMK-Kyiv BA will support both governments’ current trade agreements and endeavour to further unlock private sector investment to drive both regions’ innovation-led economies, underpinned by environmentally sustainable and inclusive development once the war with Russia is over. Mr Voschevskyy said: “Our ambitious long-term plan is to unlock the economic
OxCamMK-Kyiv Business Association chair Valeriy Voschevsky (right) is pictured with Milton Keynes City Council leader Cllr Pete Marland on a visit to Milton Keynes in September potential of both regions, delivering transformative collaboration and tangible growth, specifically between the Milton Keynes/Ox-Cam area and Ukraine. “OxCamMK-Kyiv BA’s vision provides a pathway to show how the regions can better connect their unique and worldleading assets to become truly united, sharing business investment and innovation while developing top talent.” The association has already the support of organisations including the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, Milton Keynes City Council, the Federation of Small Businesses, MK:U and Cranfield Universities, the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership and the social democratic
political party Ukraine-Forward. Government officials in Ukraine and the UK have heralded the association as an important step in developing vital business and philanthropic opportunities between both countries. OxCamMK-Kyiv BA vice chair Mark Baker said: “OxCamMK-Kyiv BA’s overarching aim is to build a community of businesses to nurture cooperation, investment, education and technology, fostering meaningful business relationships between the Milton Keynes / Ox-Cam region and Ukraine. We aspire to be a place where talent and enterprise can not only develop but thrive, laying the foundations for valuable, long-term international business relationships while delivering real development opportunities for the next generation.” Mr Voschevskyy added: “As a not-forprofit association, we will be reinvesting all our income back into the association, developing and investing in flagship collaborations and supporting our communities in the process. This will help us to realise our vision of establishing a foundation to offer scholarships, training and education for the least privileged children of our nations.” n The OxCamMK-Kyiv Business Association is to launch on December 4. To attend, register at ockba.org
Turf firm to the rescue of DIY SOS
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rogramme makers at the BBC series DIY SOS had a SOS of their own during the recent filming of an episode in Essex. The crew and cast were at Butterfly Effect Wellbeing, a community interest company in Harlow, to transform its mobile unit headquarters into a warm and welcoming community hub. But when it came to landscaping, they turned to Olney-based George Davies Turf which was more than willing to supply two pallets of the turf the show needed to complete its task. “We were delighted to be able to offer our support and provide the exact quantity of high-quality turf they were after,” said managing director George Davies. He and customer services administrator Dawn Hewitt, were invited to the big
George Davies (centre) and Dawn Hewitt with the DIY SOS team reveal event at the end of the project. They also got to meet several surprise guests which included cast members from the BBC series Eastenders. “It was just amazing to witness the support and commitment from absolutely
everyone involved” said Mr Davies. “You see these programmes on TV but it is impossible to appreciate just what goes into making the projects a reality.” The ‘Eastenders special’ programme is due to air this month.
Council extends sustainable growth project for businesses
E
xtra support for small businesses to take action against climate change is being delivered through its Net Zero project by Milton Keynes City Council. It launched the initiative last year for 50 local firms and is now opening up the programme to more businesses in response to increased demand. The council has teamed up with Ngage Solutions to provide fully funded practical support helping
companies to achieve their sustainability goals. The support includes steering participating organisations to grant funding and training to help them make the most of low carbon opportunities and reduce their energy costs. Deputy leader Cllr Robin Bradburn said: “It is really encouraging to see local businesses who share our vision of making our city carbon neutral and I look forward to working with
them to achieve sustainable economic growth.” The programme includes the steps businesses can take to mitigate climate change; access to low carbon initiatives; facilitating highquality services and training to capitalise on low carbon opportunities; a network of like-minded businesses who can work together. “We are committed to tackling the climate crisis and this needs businesses and communities to
come together to achieve meaningful action,” said Cllr Bradburn. Of the 50 businesses supported by Net Zero MK last year, 21 made Net Zero pledges, said Adam Champney, head of funding acquisition and business development at Ngage Solutions. n Find out more at NetZeroMK.org, email NetZeroMK@ngagesolutions. co.uk or call 01494 360569.
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