Business Times July 24

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A travel lifeline for employers and staff

Anew shuttle bus service for employees and visitors at Silverstone Park is proving a boost to the recruitment plans of companies based there.

The service began in March and stops at four points between Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Dadford and Silverstone Park. It follows feedback from travel surveys which showed that more companies are recruiting from

London. A collection and drop-off point at Milton Keynes helps Silverstone Park occupiers by simplifying journeys for their employees who travel by train. Silverstone Park is also planning a second shuttle bus service from Northampton via Towcester and Brackley.

Employers and staff working at the park have praised the service. Nick Locke, managing director of cables and harnesses manufacturer Nicab, said: “For

us as a local employer, it is vital we have good transport links especially for our younger employees such as apprentices because many of them do not drive and either rely on parents or public bus services which can be inconvenient.

“Having a dedicated shuttle service is a real boon to our business. It means we can employ more apprentices.”

Blaisey Soj works as a R&D engineer at traffic solutions developer Traffic Technology. “I have used the service from day one and it has helped me a lot because I cannot drive.”

The scheme is one of a range of travel options at Silverstone Park. These include a Kinto car share scheme and scooter hire. Free bicycle hire is also available.

Silverstone Park’s commercial director Chris Kimber-Nicholson said: “As the park continues to grow, we want to ensure access for everyone so our occupiers attract the best talent available.”

Travel surveys showed that Milton Keynes and Northampton were the two key points from which to link to the park. Its travel advisor Veronica Reynolds is in talks with West Northamptonshire Council and bus operators over a route from Northampton to the park via Towcester and Brackley.

“Northampton was the second largest cluster of people requesting travel options in our surveys,” she said.

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Weetabix announces plan for MD’s retirement

Food manufacturer Weetabix has announced changes to its executive team.

Managing director Sally Abbott is moving to a strategic adviser role from October 1 ahead of her planned retirement at the end of March next year. She will be replaced by Weetabix’s current commercial director Colm O’Dwyer.

“It has been an incredible journey

leading this remarkable company and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together,” said Sally. “Colm has been an integral part of our executive team, demonstrating exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to our company’s values and vision. I have full confidence in Colm’s ability to guide Weetabix into its next phase of growth.”

Her successor has been part of the

Weetabix management team at its Burton Latimer headquarters since 2015. “I have seen first-hand the dedication and talent that drives our success,” Colm said. “Sally is an exceptional leader who is part of the fabric of Weetabix and leaves the business in excellent shape.

“Together with the brilliant team that Sally has built, I look forward to leading us into the next chapter of our journey.”

£12m sale boosts logistics hub plan

Tata Steel’s tube-making works in Corby is to receive a £12 million investment after the sale of 99 unused acres on the west side of the works.

A fully-serviced campus-style logistics hub is planned for the site. Tata Steel is already well under way with a £30 million investment programme in the Corby site.

Works manager Gary Blackman said: “The sale of the old West Works land will now fund the regeneration and development of one of our warehouses on the East Works into a world-class complex of offices, stores and engineering workshops and upgrade one of our tubes finishing lines.”

The sale has been facilitated by

Warmflame Developments, which has worked with Tata Steel UK for the last seven years to progress the sale. “It is great to see so much hard work finally come to fruition, and it’s especially rewarding to contribute to the steelworks - which is synonymous with Corby - moving into the next phase of its lifecycle,” said Warmflame Developments managing director Paul Hodge.

The redevelopment of the site will boost the local and regional economy, enhance skills levels among the employees of the future and create high-quality jobs.

“This investment in Corby is yet another great vote of confidence in both the Corby and Northamptonshire logistics markets,” said Warmflame’s development director Stuart Mair.

The new building will be clad with more than 18,000 sq metres of Tata Steel’s own Trisomet insulated wall and roof panels. Gary added: “It is a hugely exciting time to be involved in steel at Corby - we aim to be the country’s first net-zero steel factory. Partnerships with companies such as Warmflame Developments and good relationships with the local council really do contribute to the sustainability and growth of a key industry in the town, which will support exciting employment opportunities for generations to come.”

Sally Abbott

Tata Steel’s Corby plant

Colm O’Dwyer

Town firms strike gold with builder

House builder Spitfire Homes has launched a Gold Card scheme to support businesses in Daventry.

The developer has worked with local and independent businesses in retail, hospitality and fitness to create the scheme which it hopes will help strengthen ties with the town for residents of Spitfire’s development at Malabar.

The card scheme highlights small businesses and introduces them to a new customer-base. In turn, Spitfire customers will gain exclusive access to a range of discounts and savings.

Businesses signed up to the scheme already include Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, The Simple Interior Company, The Lounge, The Ale Pole, Collective 13 Clothing, Hotpod Yoga and Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club.

Its director of sales Stacey Macefield said: “Being located just minutes from Malabar, it felt like an ideal partnership with a business whose values align closely with our own. This provides a fantastic opportunity for Staverton Park Hotel and Golf Club to engage with the new residents at Malabar and we look forward to welcoming some new members to our gym and health club.”

Spitfire Homes has planning permission for 1,100 homes at its Malabar

development between Daventry and Staverton. There is also more than 50 acres of public open space and plans to deliver a new primary school, nursery and community centre, food and retail units. Residents will be able to take advantage of the Gold Card scheme for the first 12 months after they move in, said Mark Swaddle, Spitfire Homes’ head of marketing.

“We are a homebuilder that has strong social values so we are proud to be supporting the Daventry community with this exciting new initiative. We hope the Gold Card will help homeowners

become more familiar with the town while supporting the local economy at the same time.

“We are hopeful that this scheme will drive footfall to these local businesses whilst helping our customers to feel welcome not only within their new home but also within the town itself”.

The scheme also has the support of the town’s tourism body Discover Daventry.

Spokesperson Grace Magee said:

“Daventry is a charming, historic town with a strong sense of community which has the perfect environment for a thriving local economy.”

Mark Swaddle of Spitfire Homes is pictured with Stacey Macefield, director of sales at Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club

Cosworth prepares for new leadership team

All change at the famous Northampton engineering firm as a new chairman takes his seat and a new CEO arrives.

Wholesale change at leadership level is taking place at automotive powertrain leader Cosworth.

Long-time shareholder Gerald Forsythe, through one of his company’s IndeckCosworth, LLC - one of two Cosworth shareholders - has become chairman and has secured the services of luxury automotive and motorsport consultancy R-Universe to join the leadership team.

Dr Florian Kamelger has been appointed as Cosworth’s new chief executive and Dr Andreas Baenziger becomes deputy chairman. Both will join the company’s board of directors.

A full evaluation of the Northamptonbased business is now under way, focusing on its core expertise of developing and manufacturing worldleading powertrains in Cosworth’s different business units – Cosworth Propulsion, Delta Cosworth and Cosworth Electronics - and investing in new technologies.

“Cosworth is a world-class company, with world-class talent and expertise and a customer base that is the envy of the industry,” said Gerald. “The shareholders’ commitment to the future of business has never been better but now is the time to take it to the next level. We remain convinced that internal combustion engines have a long future,

powering cars in the luxury sector - and it is this core sector where we see the most opportunity for sustainable growth. This is one of the many reasons why we have sought the unparalleled expertise of R-Universe.”

He paid particular tribute to departing chief executive Hal Reisiger, who has retired after 11 years at the helm. “We wish him all the best for the future.”

Cosworth was founded in 1958 and its headquarters remain in Northampton with a facility in Indianapolis, USA. It works with partners worldwide to deliver cutting-edge propulsion and technology systems to automotive, motorsport, aerospace and marine sectors.

Cosworth is currently developing bespoke V12 engines for Gordon Murray Automotive and Aston Martin and has recently announced a partnership with the revitalised Bizzarrini brand.

Incoming chief executive Dr lorian Kamelger (inset) said: “Cosworth is an illustrious brand that I have always admired. There will be changes that we have to make, as Cosworth has seen many in its 66-year history. Every time it has emerged stronger, fitter and at the forefront of automotive technology. It deserves to be seen as a true global luxury automotive brand and the entire team will be working tirelessly to achieve that.”

Components firm unveils expansion plan

A company producing niche precision components for F1 race teams is preparing to expand its operation at Silverstone Park.

Formtech Machining UK has invested more than £2 million in new equipment so far this year. It also serves clients in the wider automotive and marine sector and is considering a move into the aerospace sector.

The business currently employs ten staff, mainly CNC machinists and programmers, who operate equipment more advanced than that owned by some of the F1 teams. The company is looking to double in size in the next 12-18 months, said director Mark White.

“There is a growing demand for our services from F1. We are building ourselves a name as a reliable partner for teams with healthy repeat custom.

“Some of our robotic equipment is better even than some of the F1 teams we work with which means we can do the work more efficiently to meet our customers’ demands.”

Formtech is committed to remaining at Silverstone. The firm has developed working relationships with a number of its neighbours and is relishing the area’s depth of manufacturing skills.

“It helps us with recruitment and the park’s central location puts us within half an hour’s drive time of at least five of the F1 teams,” said Mark.

“It is ideal for logistics.”

Formtech Machining UK is owned by former GP2 Series race team boss Franz Hilmer’s Formtech GmbH Werkzeug in Germany, which specialises in tooling and moulding. The UK operation opened in 2019 in a partnership with Aston Martin (then Racing Point) but is now wholly independent.

Coffee chain is on the move

A popular chain of independent coffee shops has underlined its commitment to its home town by opening a new café in Northampton’s main shopping centre.

Bewiched Coffee, owned by former Northampton College student Matt Fountain, is in new ground-floor premises at in Grosvenor Shopping, having relocated from the upper floor. Bewiched has grown significantly since launching in Wellingborough in 2010 and now has 17 sites across the region, welcoming 35,000 customers a week.

Managing director Matt said: “We are passionate about supporting our people, our communities and not forgetting our roots so we are absolutely over the moon to get our new store open in Northampton. As the geography of our business has expanded, I can see that Northampton town centre is as vibrant as any that we currently operate in.

Mark Mullen, operations manager at Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District, added: “It is heartening to see a local company clearly doing well and showing their support for Northampton by investing in expanded premises.”

Fire safety business completes merger

Compliance specialist joins expanding new owner

Sprinkler system and pump specialist

CT Fire Protection has completed its merger with a major UK provider of electrical, fire and water safety and regulatory compliance support.

The company, based in Burton Latimer, is now part Compliance Group under its fire division delivering fire safety compliance with a full range of fire prevention, detection and suppression services.

CT Fire Protection, founded in 1995, has grown to work with a range of blue chip clients. “CT exemplifies exceptional customer service backed by technical excellence,” said Compliance Group’s chief executive Julian Williams (inset)

“Adding sprinkler systems will greatly enhance our offering to our customers.”

NEW HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

N O W A V A I L A B L E

O n l y 4 , 2 0

The deal is Compliance Group’s third this year as it continues its strategic expansion plans after the additions of Fire Safe Services and Intersafe.

CT Fire Protection’s founders Curtis and Toni Waters said: “We are thrilled to join Compliance Group. Our customers, some of whom have been with us for over 25 years, will benefit from the investment in our business infrastructure and access to a wider array of compliance services.”

App boosts town centre crime fight

The work to make Northampton town centre a ‘no-go zone’ for criminals has been boosted by new funding to extend an app that allows retailers to share intelligence around crime and antisocial behaviour.

The Northampton Town Anti-Social Behaviour Reporting Scheme (NTARS) enables town centre businesses to collate and share intelligence on anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.

It was launched by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District in partnership with Northampton Business Crime Partnership and has now received funding from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner that will see its work extended for a further 12 months.

The BID’s operations manager Mark Mullen said the funding will cover around 85% of the cost of the programme for the next year. “The system is designed to support a robust and collaborative approach to dealing with low level crime and we are working with multiple partners to ensure criminals are given a clear message that they are not welcome in

our town centre,” he said.

“The NTARS system has been extremely well-received by our levy-paying businesses who use the platform to record any issues or actions concerning anti-social behaviour.

“It significantly increases our resilience to anti-social behaviour and is a prime example of the independent spirit our businesses show in ensuring Northampton is a safe and welcoming place to visit.”

The NTARS feeds directly into West Northamptonshire Council’s ASB Case management team and into NBCP, based within Campbell Square Police Station. The information is used by the ASB case officer and police and has a cross-flow of information and intelligence with Northamptonshire Police.

Danielle Stone (inset), Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire, said: “I have made a clear commitment to taking a stronger approach to retail crime so that our retailers and

other businesses are protected from harm and this initiative is looking more broadly at starting to create a safer, more comfortable environment for everyone who visits or lives in Northampton town centre.

NTARS runs both on a computer and via a mobile phone app, meaning that if a business is a member of the scheme, all appropriate staff can have access to the platform.

Businesses can directly report instances of anti-social behaviour, including begging and street drinking, as well as ‘low level’ offences such as environmental criminal damage, graffiti and fly-tipping.

The system also allows businesses to report areas of rough sleeping with a view to encouraging earlier interventions from appropriate agencies.

NTARS includes viewable ‘galleries’ of ASB offenders and members can report actionable intelligence into the system. This includes static images or CCTV stills.

Safety first as council extends taxi marshall scheme

Taxi marshalls will be on duty more in Northampton town centre after a decision to extend the service to special events and holidays.

The service, which launched in December to help people travel more safely during peak night time economy periods, sees marshalls positioned at the taxi rank on Mercer’s Row between 11pm and 5am on Friday and Saturday during pay weekends, Bank Holiday weekends and other busy periods.

Now West Northamptonshire Council, which operates other Safer Nights Out initiatives, has extended over a trial period to cover dates of events such as the A

Perfect Day Festival, Northampton Pride and Ibiza Fest.

The marshalls are responsible for making sure females on their own, vulnerable people and those accompanying children are safely supervised when using taxis as well as addressing any conflicts arising on the taxi rank and reporting any incidents to the Licensing Authority and Northamptonshire Police.

The pilot scheme will run initially until September 2025 and has been funded using Safer Streets 5 funding led by the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and delivered by West Northamptonshire Council.

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for planning and communities, said: “So far, this innovative pilot has proved fantastic in helping us to improve the night time economy in West Northamptonshire and make Northampton town centre a safer and more welcoming place to enjoy a night out.”

Other projects and improvements in the night time economy include taxi rank lighting upgrades, more CCTV cameras and Safer Night’s Out routes and help points. Northamptonshire Police also staff permanent operations around predatory behaviour in the town centre.

The launch of the Northampton Town Anti-Social Behaviour Reporting Scheme app

West Northamptonshire has been part of a region-wide promotion of investment opportunities at a national conference.

The council joined forces with the Oxford to Cambridge pan-Regional Partnership at the UK’s Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum in Leeds to highlight regeneration projects including the Greyfriars master plan in Northampton.

The council also hosted a panel discussion on research and development and the skills revolution. Speakers included from real estate developer and investor Prologis, Silverstone Circuit and the Arc Universities Group.

“We are thrilled to have been a part of UKREiiF this year, showcasing what West Northants has to offer, including why our area is so attractive for investment and how the public and private sector are collaborating to develop a thriving place that will achieve an inclusive and sustainable economy,” said Cllr Daniel Lister, cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure at West Northamptonshire Council.

The UKREiiF event had been an opportunity to showcase the area and its opportunities to a national and international audience, he added.

“West Northants is home to

Opportunity knocks on the international stage

high-tech innovation, multi-millionpound regeneration and advanced infrastructure as well as being the logistics powerhouse of the UK.

“All of these things make it the perfect place for investors and businesses to prosper.”

Dr Richard Hutchins, managing director of the Oxford-Cambridge pan-Regional Partnership, said: “It is abundantly clear that West Northamptonshire has a bright future. There was a great deal of interest from investors who want to be involved in West Northamptonshire’s growth story.”

Matt

Bridge, managing director of Colonial Construction

‘Our craftsmen train

with Northampton College...

and they stay with us’

Plenty of industries struggle to hang on to trained staff and the building sector in particular has an issue with staff retention. But Colonial Construction in Northampton finds that the apprentices they jointly train with Northampton College stay loyal to the business.

“It’s about getting the right people from the start,” said Colonial’s managing director Matt Bridge. “Before we take someone on for an apprenticeship, we get them in for a week on work experience to see if they’ve got the right attitude to the job and if they’re a good fit as a person.

“A lot of our apprentices start with us as labourers and then decide there’s a trade they want to learn. In both cases, the college is the ideal partner for us.”

Colonial has trained several apprentices in crafts such as carpentry and bricklaying with Northampton College. Tom was already working for the company as a labourer when he said he wanted to do an apprenticeship.

“He flew through it with the College’s help,” said Matt. “He was working under another guy, Michael, who’d also done an adult apprenticeship with us a year before. Tom was learning from someone

“The reputation around our brand is all about quality work. The college understands that and helps to instil it in the people we train.”

who was hot off the press and he finished it in double-quick time so was earning his full carpenter’s wage very quickly.

“Within six or eight months he was looking after parts of jobs and now, just two years later, he’s running his own.

Pretty good for someone in their early 20s.

“I suspect, when I retire, he might take on my job too,” he laughed, “and I know the business would be in good hands.”

Matt said one of the most attractive things about working with Northampton College is the input the business has into the training and education the apprentices receive. He said communication with the college is always smooth and quick, which helps to build the trust they have in them.

“We can always get hold of people if we need to. We’ve built strong relationships with the people who run the carpentry and bricklaying side of things. They’re very approachable and they listen to what we want in terms of what apprentices are taught,” he said.

“Some of the big house builders want the work done fast rather than well but that’s the opposite of our approach. The reputation around our brand is all about quality work and the college understands that and helps to instil it in the people we train.”

Matt said building the right workforce a business needs in order to be a success is all about making sure you’ve got the right kind of people in the first place and then supporting them to become really good at what they do.

“Construction isn’t about going into an office at nine and leaving at five,” he added. “We have to know that people who work for us have the attitude and the commitment to be on site at 7.30am or 8am, with all their kit, ready to put in a hard day’s work.

“You need to find out if they’re enthusiastic and engaged. If you think they are that kind of person then it’s really worth investing the time and effort in them to get them properly trained to do things your way. Our people who’ve done their apprenticeships with Northampton College learn how we like to do things at Colonial so we can feel confident when they’re out on site they’re representing the business.

Atotal 40 teams from businesses across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes had good reason to celebrate after raising a record sum in this year’s Franklins £50 Challenge.

And the leading fundraisers took centre stage at a special awards ceremony to celebrate the collective efforts of the teams and raise a glass to the grand total.

This year’s challenge raised a total of £35,733, eclipsing last year’s £20,000 total. The money is being shared between eight charities: four from each area.

Among the guests at the ceremony was Nick Hewer, TV presenter and Lord Sugar’s former right hand man on the BBC show The Apprentice. He is a staunch supporter of the fundraiser, in which organiser Franklins Solicitors gives each team £50 and challenges them with using it to make as much money as possible for the charities.

“I was intrigued by the challenge and excited by it because it is clever and it works,” he told guests at the ceremony “From 40 teams, £50 each, that is a £2,000 investment and the return was extraordinary. I think it is tremendous community-spirited work and I have nothing but admiration for the people who turned that £50 into thousands - and for Franklins for actually driving it forward and turning it into such a success.”

The teams had used their entrepreneurial skills in creative ways of fundraising, including retro movie nights, stone-baked pizza lunches, 12-hour bike rides, football tournaments, lawn-mowing, bake sales and raffles. Nick presented awards to the top five fundraising teams, with a team from the John Lewis Partnership in first place, raising £2,922 before Gift Aid.

The top five fundraising teams also included MIXXOS Group, Travis Perkins, Amazon BHX3 Daventry and Commsave Credit Union.

Awards were also given for all teams raising more that £1,000 and the following categories:

Small Business Superstar

Sophisticake Creations

Best Community Initiative

Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company

Most Creative Fundraising Idea

Aiimi

Best Example of Teamwork

Soiltechnics

£50 Challenge:

‘It is clever and it works’

Best Use of Social Media

Commsave Credit Union

Franklins partner Andrea Smith said:

“We are so delighted that this year’s challenge has been a record-breaking year and are incredibly proud that, since it began in 2018, the Franklins £50 Challenge has now raised more than £135,000 for local charities - and that is including a break during lockdown.

“At the very heart of this year’s

challenge was our desire to fight hunger, fuel wellness and change local lives and we hope that the money raised for the eight local charities will bring a positive impact to people throughout Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.”

The eight charities benefitting from this year’s challenge are, in Northamptonshire, Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Northampton Hope Centre, The Lewis Foundation and Northamptonshire Community Foundation. In Milton Keynes, the beneficiaries are Willen Hospice, MK Act, Harry’s Rainbow and YMCA - MK.

An abseil down Northampton Lift Tower by community development officer Mandy Colby contributed to CommSave Credit Union raising the fifth highest total this year. The winning team is pictured with Nick Hewer and Franklins partner Andrea Smith

Franklins managing partner Simon Long

The curtain rises on new Made in Northampton sponsor deal

Michael Jones Jeweller has renewed its sponsorship agreement with Northampton’s Royal & Derngate.

The retailer has a longstanding relationship with the theatre, having been the primary sponsor of its Made in Northampton productions for the last seven years, as well as being an established Business Club partner.

The Made in Northampton shows have brought the theatre national recognition, with recent productions such as The Pope premiering at Royal & Derngate in 2019, subsequently inspiring a major film. It returned once again in 2022 as part of a national tour under the new title The Two Popes.

community, promoting creativity and culture in Northamptonshire. Michael Jones Jeweller are delighted to support Made in Northampton and are looking forward to the productions in the coming year.”

The new enhanced agreement demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to supporting locally produced work, he added.

As part of the increased benefits, the Michael Jones Jeweller logo will feature on all the new recyclable coffee cups used at the theatre and Northampton Filmhouse bars. A dedicated poster site at the theatre will direct customers to the Michael Jones stores.

Other recent successes include The Worst Witch which transferred to the West End, winning Best Family Show in the 2020 Olivier Awards, and a production of Michael Rosen’s Unexpected Twist which toured extensively last year. The theatre’s most recent production, Moby Dick, has been touring the UK after opening in Northampton in April.

Director Mark Conway said: “Royal & Derngate Theatre is such an important part of Northampton, bringing quality productions and engaging performances to our local

Royal & Derngate’s chief executive Jo Gordon said: “We are hugely grateful to Michael Jones Jeweller for their continued support of our seasons of Made in Northampton productions. They are such brilliant champions of the town and its activities and we are thrilled to be able to continue our association. Support from businesses, like this celebrated partnership with Michael Jones, is absolutely essential in being able to proudly create brand new groundbreaking theatre here in the county for our audiences to enjoy.”

Meet the participating teams, benefiting charities and organisers of this year’s Franklins £50 Challenge

Royal & Derngate development manager Chris Smith (left) and Mark Conway, director of Michael Jones Jeweller

The team from Travis Perkins raised the third highest amount of money...

...ahead of Amazon at Daventry in fourth. Their prize was collected by Lorraine Lewis, chief executive of The Lewis Foundationone of the benefiting charities

Northamptonshire is making strong progress in placing itself firmly on the UK map for digital innovation, a conference has heard.

The Merged Futures 6 conference, held at the University of Northampton, welcomed a record 350 delegates to a total 18 presentations and 20 exhibition stands, all showing off progress being made locally in virtual and mixed reality, Artificial Intelligence and technology.

In his opening speech, the university’s John Sinclair, dean of the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology, said the theme for Merged Futures 6 was “technology for good”. Exhibits included virtual reality for wellbeing, Artificial Intelligence in service delivery, gamification of learning, smart glasses for the partially sighted and robo pets for the elderly.

“Virtually everything you hear about today will involve local collaboration between individuals, businesses, West Northants Council and the University of Northampton,” he told delegates. “But there are also national and international companies here as we strive to put our

county ever more firmly on the map for digital innovation.”

The forum, staged by the university in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council under the Digital Northants banner, attracted global tech giants including Microsoft, Amazon and Jadu. “We want to welcome even more major players in the tech industry to Merged Futures going forward,” John said.

The council’s chief information

officer Chris Wales added: “Emerging technology, including virtual reality and artificial intelligence and the way they can improve people’s lives, educate and transport them to new worlds, is incredible. I think there are some fantastic people working in the sector and many of them are local, which is even better. There are great prospects for us as a council to seize upon some of that technology and roll it out further.”

Putting the county on the digital innovation map

Doing their bit to support veterans

It has helped scores of military veterans to find permanent employment after leaving the services. Now recruitment specialist Wills Consultants has publicly pledged its support to the armed forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

The company, based in Kettering, joins thousands of employers around the UK that have voluntarily added their names to the roster since the Covenant was set up in 2013.

“It can be a difficult transition period for veterans and it is vital to provide the right support to make the transition as easy as possible,” said Wills Consultants co-founder Nikki Wills. “We work hard to match companies to veterans and believe it is imperative to invest plenty of time to ensure that the two are a compatible match.”

She called on other businesses to follow suit. “I would encourage all businesses to consider backing this fantastic scheme, which honours all those people who so selflessly serve our country to keep us safe.”

n A global engineering firm has awarded a new contract to recruitment company Wills Consultancy to source its latest pool of new talent.

SSI Schaefer Ltd, which operates across six continents and has more than 10,000 employees, has extended the Recruitment Process Outsource agreement, under which the company manages the sourcing and recruitment strategy for permanent and contract roles across its UK sites, for a further three years.

Wills Consultants director Simon Wills said: “We have built

When coaching takes on the creative arts...

Take a bow, specialist coaching company Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts. The company based in Kettering is celebrating after being named Most Empowering Creative Arts Coaching and Mentoring Company at the SME UK 2024 Enterprise Awards.

BHVA delivers programmes catering for a range of needs and age groups including personalised coaching and mentoring in voice, music, dance, drama and art. Each is designed to develop creativity, confidence and resilience.

Director Beccy Hurrell said: “Our goal at BHVA has always been to transform lives through the arts. Winning this award is not only a recognition of our commitment to excellence but also a celebration of the impact we have on our clients’ lives.”

Her fellow director Lindsey Atkins added: “It reaffirms the importance of creative arts in education and personal development, something we have passionately advocated for since our inception.”

strong relationships with the hiring managers and we are proud to have exceeded their expectations for the partnership in such a short time.”

Andy Wightman, SSI Schaefer’s managing director UK & Ireland, said: “This extension marks the relationship with a company we can trust.”

Wills Consultants co-founders Simon Wills and Nikki Wills, sign the Armed Forces Covenant with The Hon Col LNR, Mandy Davanna

Becky Hurrell (right) and Lindsey Atkins

Northampton’s market town heritage features strongly in a major refurbishment and upgrade of a town centre hotel.

The Mercure Hotel in Silver Street becomes the town centre’s first four-star hotel as a result of the upgrade, which has seen all 146 bedrooms given a new look as well as a wide-ranging overhaul of the lobby, reception and bar areas.

And the new look was unveiled to guests including senior businesspeople at a gala celebration evening featuring food, drink and entertainment.

The hotel will be operated under a franchise agreement and the extensive renovation celebrates both the history and future of the town centre, particularly Market Square.

The hotel is themed around the concept of a Market Square, with concessions for local independents. Yellow Bourbon coffee roasters in nearby Angel Street is supplying the hotel’s coffee area, Warner’s gin is stocked in the bar and Phipps beer is on tap.

“We hope to develop partnerships with many other local businesses to emphasise our commitment to the local area,” said hotel manager James Simpson. “It is really pleasing to see all the hard work of the past 12 months come together. This has been an incredibly exciting journey to be a part.”

During its refit, the hotel partnered with several local charities to rehome old fixtures and fittings. Now the hotel is working with its two charity partners, Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Northamptonshire Mind, to lay on a special afternoon tea with a percentage of sales going direct to the charities.

Group commercial manager Simon Smith said: “Our work with local charities and good causes has been one of my personal highlights of this project. We want to make a real difference to the community we serve.”

Glasses raised as hotel unveils its new look

Jo

“This investment is a real show of confidence in what lies ahead for the town centre.”

The hotel is also benefiting from the makeover of nearby St Katherine’s Gardens and the redevelopment of the

Market Square is expected to further regenerate the area.

Mark Mullen, operations manager of Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District, said: “It is always pleasing to see a business commit its long-term future to Northampton and this investment is a real show of confidence in what lies ahead for the town centre.”

Cllr

Gilford (centre), chair of West Northamptonshire Council, officially opens the Northampton Mercure Hotel after its seven-figure rebrand, cheered on by (from left) Mercure group’s commercial manager Simon Smith, Nina Gandy, from Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Sarah Hillier of Northamptonshire Mind and Kristian Dijkstra of C1 Capital

Haulier expands services with significant investment in new facility

Local haulier EFM Distribution secures opportunity for growth with its relocation to larger premises on the outskirts of Daventry.

The premises comprises 50,000 sq ft of warehousing space and a three-acre yard, allowing continued growth of the EFM portfolio of businesses.

With an ideal location close to the M1, it is a fantastic opportunity to meet growing demands for warehousing, storage services, and overnight vehicle parking, alongside its core transport operations.

A familiar name in the county, EFM has over 19 years’ experience in the transport sector as a haulier and distributor.

Founded in 2005 by managing director Phil Minney, EFM is a family-owned and operated business. Starting with a single tractor unit, the operation has seen

amazing growth and now operates a fleet of over 25 vehicles ranging from a 3.5T curtain sider, up to 44T articulated vehicles. EFM also runs Moffett M5 forklifts.

“This move marks an exciting new chapter for EFM,” says Phil. “Not only does the investment in the new facility allow us to continue to support our existing customer base from a convenient location but it has also given us room to expand our services further.”

Phil Minney

EFM is a proud member of Palletline, the UK and Europe’s leading pallet network and the only network able to offer a dedicated Amazon booking team. Presently covering the majority of the Northamptonshire postcodes on either a next day or 48-hour delivery schedule, EFM works on prestigious multi-million pound contracts such as delivering time-critical NHS PPE as well as smaller solutions for local businesses.

The latest services now available from EFM Distribution include internal and external storage and parking for both vehicles and plant equipment.

EFM’s new distribution centre

The one-stop shop for building engineering support

Burton Latimer-based Griffiths offers a one-stop-shop for all aspects of building engineering services.

The established business, now in its 24th year, carries out a variety of work including air conditioning, domestic gas, electrics, plumbing, underfloor heating and ventilation.

Renewables also form a significant part of the company’s workload with products such as air and ground source heat pumps, solar PV and solar thermal.

Many county-based businesses use Griffiths for one or more of these technologies and many small building companies appreciate the ease of having just one engineering contractor, especially as so much of what is being installed these days, bridges many different technical areas.

While a significant number of projects are in the commercial or industrial sectors, Griffiths also has many domestic customers, especially with regard to the installation and servicing of renewables (heat pumps and solar).

n Contact Griffiths on 01536 420666, via griffithsaircon.co.uk or call into the Energy Efficiency Centre showroom at 111 High Street in Burton Latimer, open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.

ELSBY & CO

3RS IT

‘Now is the right time to accelerate our growth’

IT consultancy 3RS IT Solutions has opened a third office in Leicester as part of the company’s expansion plans.

Wellingborough-based 3RS, founded by husband and wife Steve and Leila Souch in February last year, employs six fully trained engineers and has already opened an office in Nottingham.

“North Northamptonshire will always be home to 3RS IT Solutions but the opening of our branches in Nottingham and Leicester really positions us as one of the most ambitious and dynamic IT consultancies in the region,” said Steve. “We have seen considerable growth over the past year and we believe that now is the right time to accelerate our growth and extend our reach and influence into other parts of the East Midlands.

“The opening of the new office is central to that plan, allowing us to create new jobs in Leicester, which is perfectly located in the heart of England and where demand for our services is high.”

Growing accountancy firm boosts its staff benefits offer

A thriving firm of chartered accountants has enhanced its comprehensive staff benefits package to attract even more of its industry’s brightest talents.

Rushden-based Elsby & Co celebrated its 30th anniversary last year and is systematically growing its award-winning team.

The firm is already accredited as a Living Wage Employer and by the Good Business Charter which celebrates organisations committed to the highest standards in, for example, wages, fairer hours, employee wellbeing and diversity and inclusion. Elsby & Co has also extended its staff benefits package and introduced initiatives focusing on mindfulness and staff wellbeing.

Partner Leona Bateman said: “Growth is only possible if you have the right people to drive it which is why we have created a culture and reward structure that enables our staff to thrive. We have enhanced our staff benefits package so we offer significantly more than many of our peers.”

a team member with extra holiday and the flight cost for long service so they could visit family abroad.”

Highlights of Elsby & Co’s benefits package include an ACCA gold accredited study support package for trainees and apprentices, including ringfenced learning time, structured learning, flexible access to courses, support from a mentor and a recognised qualification.

Elsby & Co colleagues on their recent Employee Team Building Day at The Falcon at Castle Ashby, which included a wellness session, team building activities and the chance to take part in an open water swim, a yoga session or a hike

The extensive package includes flexible working and support with studying, health, wellbeing and environmental benefits, retail discounts and rewards and recognition for hard work.

“We are also keen to help our staff with things that are important to them,” said Leona. “In the past we have rewarded

It also offers a community support scheme, an electric company car scheme for managers, a bonus scheme, a longservice holiday award. Elsby & Co is part of a benefits scheme which provides staff with discounts via an app at selected supermarkets, department stores, cinemas, restaurants and bars.

The health and wellbeing package includes access to a free GP 24/7 service and a confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Earlier this year, Elsby & Co launched its Mindful May initiative, giving every employee either the choice of an hour off to do something for themselves –such as an exercise class or a walk with a friend – or up to £100 to spend on a wellness activity.

n Find out more about working at Elsby & Co. Watch at youtube.com/@elsbyco4874/videos. Visit elsbyandco.co.uk or email recruitment@elsbyandco.co.uk

Steve and Leila Souch at the new office

Leaders in the national banking and fintech engineering sector have been in Milton Keynes for a major conference.

The XT24 Fintech Conference brought together senior industry figures to debate the state of the sector, including its current challenges and future trends in data compliance, regulation, Artificial Intelligence, forensic audits and cloud computing.

Also under discussion was platform engineering, automated testing and embedded banking.

It was hosted by JUXT, a boutique UK software development firm based in Central Milton Keynes and specialising in banking and fintech products. It has been part of the Milton Keynes tech community for more than ten years.

Speakers included Vlad Yatsenko, co-founder and chief technology officer at Revolut; Allen Rohner, co-founder of the newly UK-licensed Griffin Bank and Francine Bennett, interim director at the Ada Lovelace Institute.

“We wanted to celebrate our city by bringing together fintech leaders to discuss the future of banking engineering in the ‘city of the future’,” said JUXT chief executive Jon Pither.

He co-founded JUXT with Malcolm Sparks, now the company’s chief technology officer. “Fintech represents a perfect storm of complexity, privacy and security,” said Malcolm. “With XT24, we aimed to delve deep into these challenges, exploring not just solutions but also strategies for scaling and thriving in a highly regulated industry that demands speed, accuracy and serviceability.”

The future of banking in the ‘city of the future’

Senior engineers in fintech and banking have been in Milton Keynes at a conference to debate the latest technological advances and insights driving the industry’s evolution.

Malcolm Sparks (left) chats with fintech experts Fran Bennett, Mark Burgess, Vlad Yatsenko and Jason Bloomberg Gommon

Jon Pither (left) in conversation with buy-side expert Kim Johannessen, now chief technology officer at a leading hedge fund and formerly of Deutsche Bank, Bank of America and JP Morgan

Photos: Brad Gommon Photography

I knew I was in the right room with the right people

Lawyer Ben Darby is in his office overlooking the picturesque South Devon coast. In his mind, he has a plan to transform the legal sector’s customer service levels by making it more consumer-focused through technology.

The plan, developed with computer science specialists at the University of Exeter, is to develop software that would automate the more mundane and repetitive tasks that consumed so much of a lawyer’s time. In turn, that time would be freed up to enable the legal experts to work on more complex and bespoke files.

The idea has legs, the government said. It has awarded Ben, managing partner at Darby & Darby Solicitors, and the university a six-figure grant to develop it based on the academic findings of the university’s experts.

“Now we needed to find someone to help us build the product,” Ben said. He turned to the online marketplace ranking website Clutch to source a list of ten software development agencies best suited to produce the idea.

Conversations narrowed the decision down to JUXT, a boutique software development business based in Milton

Keynes that specialises in designing bespoke software systems for global banks and cutting-edge startups.

“Most of those we spoke to flattered me with sales talk,” said Ben. “JUXT was different. They asked me about data protection, cybersecurity and the need for critical infrastructure. They understood we wanted to build a fintech solution to be adapted in the legal space.

“I knew I was in the right room with the right people.”

JUXT was founded in London in 2013 by its current chief executive Jon Pither and chief technology officer Malcolm Sparks. Their background was in banking and working for premium consultancies like ThoughtWorks but they grew frustrated with the growing complexity of IT systems and yearned for simplicity. They moved to JUXT HQ in Milton Keynes in 2015.

“Our aim is to simplify IT,” said Malcolm. “We had been working in large institutions where IT is complex and firms come to over-rely on it. There are systems that you can build for 1% of the cost and do as much as you need them to.”

Today JUXT employs around 130 staff – 90% of them are software developers

“We are committed to finding the best approach and using the most modern tools that will provide the best solution business-wise.”

– in offices around the UK and works with mainly fintech clients including tier one investment banks, corporate banks, hedge funds and asset managers. But the firm also supports smaller firms and startups with new, different ideas – it worked on the launch of onthemarket.com, the alternative online property site competing against the likes of Rightmove and Zoopla.

“We are very high-tech,” said Jon. “Companies want the most modern way of doing things but the cost of technology is always rising and the way we build software is always changing. Companies turn to us because we are a boutique software company committed to finding the best approach and using the most modern tools that will provide the best solution business-wise, not just from the engineering point of view.

“JUXT is a bit different. Historically, exceptional engineers have been put in the corner – we have seen a lot of the “you can’t talk to the nerd” mentality. But today the best projects we see are either engineer-led, or at the very least engineers have a seat at the table. Companies realise that engineers have a unique understanding of the product and the business and their input is valuable.

“At JUXT we know this, this is our DNA and we put the engineers front and centre, encouraging them to take leadership and work with the client to understand what needs to be done not only from the coding perspective but first

and foremost the business challenges the software is expected to solve.”

With Ben Darby (inset) and the University of Exeter, that involved developing the software from being a lawyer support solution to becoming a consumer-driven solution providing better access to legal services and in which they could self-serve. “There are many self-serve solutions in banking and accounting, for example,” said Ben. “The legal sector is lagging behind.”

The need for the Darby & Darby/ University of Exeter project reflects the way in which the law and modern life is changing. “Our lives take place within a legal framework every day,” said Ben. “Legal services are becoming more invasive in people’s lives, and they need legal assistance and support daily.”

JUXT has built huge risk management and trading systems for global investment banks but they also partner with disruptive start-ups, such as Ben Darby’s and Artis.Works, to bring that wealth of experience to emerging technologies.

“When we apply our strategy to SMBs and start-ups, we are looking for a business doing something that has never been done before,” said Malcolm. “Startups have a vision, a unique business idea and using someone small who has more agility and can do more around the project will deliver the right results faster”.

Ben’s knowledge identified areas of the practice bogged down in repetitive tasks. JUXT’s engineers worked on the automation of those tasks. “We are not looking to replace lawyers,” said Ben. “We are looking at a technology-driven, data-

JUXT founders Jon Pither (left) and Malcolm Sparks (right), pictured at this year’s XT24 Fintech Conference hosted by JUXT at Unity Place in Milton Keynes. Also pictured is the conference’s keynote speaker Vlad Yatsenko, co-founder and chief technology officer of global neobank and financial technology company Revolut

driven solution that keeps the lawyer in the loop.”

JUXT sees its future in the international market, bringing work from around the world to its office in Milton Keynes. “We are contributing to the local economy and we are keen to strengthen this relationship,” said Jon. “JUXT has gone from strength to strength but we would love to work with more clients in Milton Keynes.”

That will involve recruiting more people and JUXT is on the hunt for top graduates and others starting their careers.

“That is important from a local business community point of view to nurture the next generation,” said Malcolm. “We need to have a thriving community of developers back in our offices. Software developers are the most likely to want to work remotely but there is a real advantage to young people working in the office with our developers from a learning point of view.

“People’s mental health is not helped by working from your bedroom. There is a need for work-life balance and Milton Keynes is a great place to recruit from that perspective.”

The name JUXT derives from a function in the developer language Clojure. Many projects, functions, even staff, are recognised by a four-letter code.

“It helps us to refer to them very quickly by typing in rather than cutting and pasting,” said Malcolm. “It is almost an unwritten rule that all of our projects are four-letter words. Every person has a three-letter code as a username. It is unique.”

JUXT’s work on developing and building the new system is playing a big part in that, he added.

“JUXT has become a trusted technology partner for someone like me who has no technological background. I have come to them with my sector knowledge and dream and they have made that into a reality. It has been a collaboration. They have project managed with me and for me and have helped me prioritise a very large project into staged deliverables.”

For JUXT, the key is delivering the best system that will give the most value to the customer while providing all the “other behind-the-scenes/under the hood” stuff that is super-important but no one looks at: “cost of maintenance, robustness, security, ability to scale and cost of storage, load management etc,” said Jon.

“All these are just as much a part of the system requirement as getting the app site to work properly,” he added.

“Precision is very important in software development and we apply that to life. We are there to support the engineers and give them what they need to be most effective.

“We see engineers like surgeons. I would only want the most experienced and steady surgeon in the room for an operation and the staff to give the surgeon the tools they need.”

Credit:

Loving the tennis?

Now meet the real ‘Hawk Eye’

While the world’s greatest players bid for glory on the hallowed tennis courts at Wimbledon, Rufus, the Harris hawk, has already nailed top seed status. The bird of prey, who calls home an aviary at Brigstock, near Kettering, has an international following and once again will be ruling the roost at this year’s All England Championships.

Rufus has undoubtedly earned his place in the hall of fame at Wimbledon.

While champions come and go, this will be the 17th year that Rufus will be patrolling the skies above The Championships, keeping a steely lookout for pigeons and other birds.

Donna Davis, from the familyrun business Avian Environmental

Annie Roberts catches up with Harris hawk Rufus and his handler Donna Davis, keeping the pigeons and other pests at bay during the All England Championships tennis at Wimbledon this month.

Consultants, is one of the handlers who works with Rufus during The Championships. She said: “While everyone else is watching the top tennis players, I think that with Rufus we have our own elite athlete.”

During the championships the day kicks off at 6am to give Rufus a work-out on Centre Court and No 1 Court where he

Rufus the Harris hawk on Centre Court at The Championships 2022

AELTC/Jonathan Nackstrand

puts his game plan in to action. Often it is his simple presence that scares off the opposition as he flies into action across the courts.

Donna who is also joined by Imogen Davis, said: “It is a real honour to be working on Wimbledon’s hallowed grounds. It is a really special place to be and we really love being there with Rufus.”

Rufus, who is also known as ‘The Real Hawk-Eye’, was born in captivity in Northamptonshire. He used to have his own security photocard pass (job title: bird scarer) and has become one of the fan’s firm favourites with his own X (formerly known as Twitter) and

Instagram accounts @RufusTheHawk and a growing fan club. When the then-Duchess of Cornwall visited the All England Club in 2015, Rufus was in the official receiving line.

A sporting venue is not his natural habitat but, at the top of the food chain, he is well placed to deliver the service to flush out ‘vermin’. His long legs and loose-feathered, highly manoeuvrable wings mean he can make the most of his ability to deliver quick bursts of energy and jinking flights from a standing start to make a hit, which is when he prevents the birds from roosting or ground dwelling without causing harm to the environment

and so they cannot disrupt play.

The retractable roofs which from a pigeon’s perspective are five-star luxury lofts are good hunting grounds for Rufus. A radio transmitter means the bird can be tracked via GPS.

“Rufus will come back because we give him food but if he does not come back we just need to be patient and, once he has slept off a meal, he will come back to us,” said Donna.

The family firm has earned an enviable reputation in the world of pest control with a range of high-profile consultants.

Wimbledon puts Rufus on a global stage and the team work at other prestigious locations including Westminster and Canary Wharf and other more traditional locations… such as landfill sites.

Rufus is just one of the birds that are part of the pest control company’s aviary. His team mates includes peregrine falcons, sparrow hawks and other birds of prey.

“This is a real family-run business,” said Donna. “Our aim is to supply bird control services using the most environmentally friendly methods available. Our birds will deter other birds from roosting or grounddwelling in areas which might harm the environment or disrupt.

“We do not shoot or use poison. Rather, our methods are based on our love of ornithology and natural history.”

Donna Davis and Rufus

Your Business Expo Milton Keynes

Almost 100 exhibitors, hundreds of visitors, conversations in abundance and valuable connections made...

Take a look back in pictures to Your Business Expo Milton Keynes, which took place at The Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton Mill, last month.

Organised by Pulse Group Media, publisher of Business MK and Business Times, visitors and exhibitors alike were delighted with the event. One exhibitor said: “I genuinely felt like it was the best one yet. The venue was fab, we all had plenty of space at our stands and there was great footfall all day.”

Planning is under way for Your Business Expo 2025 in Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire. But first join us at Your Business Expo Bedford in October for our final expo of 2024.

Find out more below.

YOUR LOCAL COMMERCIAL INSURANCE BROKER

Towergate are in the ideal position to advise on the insurance solutions you require, supporting all sizes of SME businesses including those with operations overseas. Our in-depth industry knowledge, coupled with market presence and strongly forged relationships enables us to negotiate compelling propositions, helping clients to be confident they have the correct cover in place. We have access to a number of specialist products enabling us to create bespoke insurance programmes, ensuring all areas of your business are adequately covered.

Feature: Education & Training

It has the power to transform business growth, safety and compliance. Business coach Adam Fox, a specialist in using compliance to drive expansion, says that ongoing learning through Continuous Professional Development remains...

The best investment for your business

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern business, the importance of Continual Professional Development cannot be overstated. As both a business coach and the co-owner of Consulo Compliance, I have witnessed at first hand the transformative impact of CPD on business growth, safety and compliance.

CPD is not merely an educational tool. It is one of the best investments a business can make, pivotal for nurturing adaptability, ensuring safety and meeting regulatory demands.

CPD enables business owners and their employees to enhance their skills continually and stay abreast of industry innovations and shifts. In an age where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt swiftly and effectively sets successful businesses apart from the rest. CPD fosters this adaptability by keeping your skills and knowledge up to date, allowing your business to navigate new challenges and seize opportunities.

For instance, a tech company that regularly invests in CPD for its staff in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence is often better positioned to incorporate these innovations into its operations, gaining a competitive edge in the market.

In terms of safety, the benefits of CPD are clear and compelling. Regular training and development in health, safety and compliance significantly reduce the risk of workplace accidents and health hazards. By staying current with the latest safety protocols and procedures, businesses can protect their employees and avoid costly legal issues.

I recall a particularly telling instance at Consulo Compliance when a routine CPD session on workplace safety protocols helped identify a potential risk area in our own operations that had previously gone unnoticed. By addressing this proactively, we not only averted possible incidents but also strengthened our team’s trust in our commitment to their well-being. Compliance with industry regulations is not just about avoiding fines. It is about building a sustainable and reputable business.

CPD ensures that your organisation remains in line with the latest laws and

regulations, which can change frequently. Regular training sessions help demystify these regulations, making it easier for everyone to understand their individual role in improving safety and implement new procedures and protocols.

For example, in the construction industry, where safety and compliance regulations are particularly stringent, CPD programmes that keep staff informed about the latest Health and Safety Executive guidelines can be the difference between a project delivered safely on time and one that is riddled with dangerous occurrences and incurs significant financial penalties and delays.

“As businesses continue to navigate a world where change is the norm, the role of continual learning in driving success and competitiveness cannot be ignored.”

Investing in your employees’ growth not only equips them with the necessary skills but also signals that you value their contribution and career progression. This can significantly enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. Indeed, studies have shown that organisations that invest in CPD have higher employee retention rates.

Employees often report feeling more competent and confident in their roles following CPD training. This not only enhances their productivity but also fosters a positive workplace culture where continuous improvement is valued and encouraged.

Starting a CPD programme involves several key steps:

Setting clear goals Determine what you want to achieve with your CPD programme. This could be improving specific skills, staying updated with industry trends, or ensuring compliance with new regulations.

Choosing relevant courses Select courses that meet the needs of your business and your employees. These

Adam is a seasoned business coach and a co-founder of Consulo Compliance. With extensive experience in building safetyconscious corporate cultures, Adam specialises in integrating safety and compliance into strategic planning, fostering environments that value and prioritise employee growth and well-being.

could range from online seminars to in-person workshops or even ongoing university courses.

Evaluating outcomes Regularly assess the effectiveness of your CPD activities. Are they meeting your goals? Are employees applying what they learn?

It is also crucial to anticipate challenges such as time constraints or budget limitations and plan accordingly. Offering flexible learning options, such as e-learning, can help overcome some of these hurdles.

CPD is an essential element of modern business strategy, not only for maintaining compliance and safety but also for fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. As businesses continue to navigate a world where change is the norm, the role of continual learning in driving success and competitiveness cannot be ignored.

I encourage all business leaders to invest in CPD as a priority. You are not just investing in individual employees but in the future of your business. If you are unsure where to start or how to improve your existing CPD efforts, seeking expert guidance is a great first step towards getting you on the right path.

Adam Fox

Technology

Your cybersecurity health check

It feels like you cannot go a day without hearing about another business or organisation that has been successfully targeted by cyber attackers. Indeed, half of UK businesses and around a third of charities have experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months, according to government statistics.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Lionel Naidoo, MD of Dragon Information Systems, on the cyber threat

and what businesses can do about it.

Have you conducted a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities? Do you regularly review and update this assessment?

ACCESS CONTROLS

Are user accounts properly managed? Do you restrict access to sensitive data?

DATA PROTECTION

How do you handle customer data? Is it encrypted? Do you have a data back-up and recovery plan?

Do you know where your data is stored and what type of data it is? Do you store all your back-ups off site and only permit authorised people access to them?

SOFTWARE UPDATES

Are operating systems, applications and antivirus software up to date? Do you promptly apply security patches?

EMPLOYEE AWARENESS & TRAINING

Do you provide cybersecurity awareness training to staff? Do employees know how to recognise and report phishing emails?

INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN

Do you have an incident response plan? Do employees know whom to contact in case of a security breach?

ENHANCE YOUR CYBER SECURITY

Invest in cybersecurity solutions SMEs should invest in comprehensive solutions that provide enterprise-level security. This includes computer, email and password security, back-up and recovery systems.

Employee training Essential for all employees. Aim to educate staff on how to recognise and avoid phishing scams, the importance of strong passwords and best practices for maintaining cybersecurity.

Regular security assessments Vital in order to identify vulnerabilities and address them promptly. This includes evaluating IT infrastructure, software and security protocols. Back-up and recovery Crucial for protecting data in the event of a ransomware attack or other cyber incidents. Ensure data is regularly backed up and can be quickly restored. Partner with cybersecurity experts Partner with a team of experts such as Dragon IS to stay ahead of the threats and ensure your cybersecurity measures are up to date.

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. Call us on 01908 613 080 or email info@dragon-is.co.uk

NETWORK SECURITY

While ‘cyber hygiene’ - the use of practices designed to help keep data safe and secure and to guard against cyber threats - has been improving among SMEs, there is still a lot more that could be done.

So, how well informed and protected is your business?

Here are 10 key areas to think about.

Is your Wi-Fi network secured with WPA3 encryption? Have you segmented your network to isolate critical systems?

COMPUTER SECURITY

Do you ban employees from using USB sticks and charging personal mobiles on your devices? Are screens set to lock automatically after a short period of inactivity? Do you prevent staff from using public WiFi connections?

EMAIL SECURITY

Have you set up all 3 email security records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for your email domain? Do you have a clear process to check payment change requests are legitimate?

SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY

Do you assess every company in your supply chain to ensure they have good security practices in place?

Prepare your organisation’s IT environment for AI

Work with Dragon Information Systems to bring generative AI to your Microsoft 365 productivity suite.

Accelerate productivity across the company while keeping data safe and sound.

Enable your AI transformation by embedding Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 into the productivity apps your employees use daily. By combining the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) with your data stored in Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 apps, employees can use natural language to turn their words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet.

Dragon Information Systems works with organisations to ready their environments for AI adoption. Assess your company’s AI readiness and configure data privacy and governance policies in your Microsoft 365 tenant to optimise your security posture as you undergo this journey.

Get your organisation AI-ready today with Copilot for Microsoft 365 services from Dragon Information Systems.

Scan the code to find out more.

Be flexible and unlock the power of productivity

Employees have a greater say in where, when and how they work under new regulations introduced earlier this year – including the right to request flexible working from their first day in employment.

The new Flexible Working (Amendment) Regulations came into effect in April. And employers can use them to their advantage in developing more productive, happier and healthier staff, said an HR expert.

Managed correctly, an attractive flexible working offer as part of an employment package can also appeal to a wider range of job candidates and improve performance among those already on the payroll.

Research has shown that individuals who work flexibly are often highly committed, experience increased job satisfaction and are happier, healthier and less stressed, said Rachel Collar, owner of Towcester-based HR specialist Haus of HR. She is urging employers to embrace the post-pandemic shift in workplace dynamics that continues to

The office: From a mandate to a magnet

Marketing expert Louisa Watson argues that collaboration, creativity and community is drawing employees back to the workplace.

change attitudes towards flexible working.

“By finding a balance that works for everyone, employers can unlock greater performance, enjoy increased productivity and see a drop in absence levels,” she said. “However, we understand the importance of finding a harmonious balance so flexible working also works well on your terms.

“It is crucial that any agreed flexible working arrangements do not disrupt client services or your end-users and that strategies are well planned to help maintain excellent levels of client satisfaction.”

“Flexible working is a ‘must have’ for organisations aiming to attract and retain top talent.”

Businesses should focus on building a culture of trust, autonomy and support with the emphasis on employees’ output and results rather than solely on hours worked or their physical location.

“Adopting this approach can foster a healthy balance between productivity and wellbeing,” Rachel said. “Flexible working is nothing new but it is also no longer a ‘nice to have’. Instead, it is a ‘must have’ for organisations aiming to attract and retain top talent.

“Implementing a well-structured, flexible working policy can lead to increased employee engagement, higher retention rates and a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Ultimately, this could be a winwin situation for you as a business and your employees.”

In a world where the very concept of the office is in flux, it is time for us to rethink what draws us together in the world of work.

Gone are the days when the office was simply a place where work happened because it had to - a mandate, a necessity, often dreaded. Today, we are seeing the emergence of the office as a magnet: a hub of collaboration, creativity, and community that pulls us in not because we must go, but because we want to.

At Wyboston Lakes Resort, we have witnessed at first hand the evolution of the workplace. For over four decades, our ethos has centred around adapting and

‘They lack a voice, not feeling empowered to influence

Don’t worry, be Hapi... A new app created by two employee benefits experts aims to give a voice to the thousands

of deskless workers in sectors such as retail, hospitality, healthcare and construction.

responding to the needs of businesses and professionals. The modern office is undergoing a metamorphosis, influenced by shifting work patterns, the rise of

Louisa Watson

Rachel Collar

not empowered influence change’

Specialists in employee engagement have joined forces to give a voice to the deskless workforce.

Retail associates, restaurant workers, healthcare professionals and those working in construction say they are dissatisfied with the technology they are given to do their job, leaving them feeling isolated and voiceless.

Now Workbuzz and Personal Group Holdings, both based in Milton Keynes, have collaborated to use the latest HR technology to create new and accessible

remote work, and an increased focus on work-life balance.

In this changing environment, the challenge for many is where to begin. The task of transforming workspaces to meet new demands can seem daunting. However, the secret lies in taking that first, sometimes tentative, step towards change.

Begin with the low-hanging fruit: small, impactful changes signal to the team the beginning of a new direction. Whether it is enhancing natural light, introducing flexible workspaces or embedding sustainable practices, each step counts.

A highly effective approach to meeting the changing needs of the workforce is

“Organisations must ensure they feel considered and appreciated.”

simple and anonymous means to provide feedback to their employer.

Personal Group’s chief product and partnerships officer Karen Thornley said that deskless workers are facing particular challenges that can impact their wellbeing and engagement. “They all too often feel disconnected and sidelined, with depression rates 61% higher than those of desk-based workers.

“One of the reasons is that they lack a voice, not feeling empowered to influence change. With WorkBuzz’s employee listening technology now easily accessible from Hapi, deskless workers have an effective means by which to give their opinions and ideas, ensuring they feel listened to and valued.”

WorkBuzz’s engagement surveys range from pulse surveys to better understand employee sentiment at a certain point in time, to onboarding, exit and annual surveys.

ways for workers to have their say.

Under the partnership, WorkBuzz’s employee engagement surveys will now be accessible from Personal Group’s Hapi app – a mobile-first employee benefits platform available on both desktop and smartphone. As well as deskless workers being able to access Hapi’s communications, benefits, wellbeing, and recognition functionality from their smartphones, they will now be able to launch WorkBuzz’s engagement surveys directly from the platform, providing a

to transform the workspace into a hub for both business and leisure activities, to offer a holistic work-life experience.

Here, with diverse facilities, including serviced offices, co-working spaces and leisure amenities, the line between professional and personal life is seamlessly integrated, providing a flexible environment that supports productivity and relaxation alike.

I believe in the power of place to inspire, connect and empower. While navigating the changing landscape of work, the focus must remain on creating spaces that attract talent, foster innovation, and promote well-being. By offering a blend of work and leisure, championing

Employers can then dissect and interpret the survey findings and , with Workbuzz, create meaningful action plans to improve business outcomes, from retention rates and engagement levels to performance and profitability.

Its chief executive Steven Frost (inset) said: “Organisations cannot afford to ignore their deskless workers but must ensure they feel considered and appreciated as this improves retention, reduces absence rates and increases productivity. Our partnership with Personal Group is the perfect alliance, bringing together HR tech and engagement specialists in order to extend the reach of our surveys while providing deskless workers with a richer employee experience.”

sustainability and embracing flexibility, we are helping to shape the future of work.

In an era where the traditional office is being reimagined, we have recognised that we should approach our workspaces with creativity, care and a commitment to the broader community.

The office as a mandate may be a concept of the past but the office as a magnet? That is the future - and it is a future full of promise.

Louise Watson is marketing director and sustainability lead at Wyboston Lakes Resort in Bedfordshire.

wybostonlakes.co.uk

Law Partnerships: Planning for profit and loss

When setting up a business as a partnership or revisiting your partnership agreement for any reason, it is important to consider the core topic of how profits and losses will be shared.

“There are various options for sharing profits and losses so it is paramount that you sit down with your co-partners to discuss these options and seek advice from a solicitor to determine the best approach for your business,” said Tom Bodkin, a partner with Borneo Martell Turner Coulston.

“The topic of profits and losses is at the heart of your partnership agreement so it is very important to get it right.”

Tom discusses some of the options for calculating the distribution of partnership profits and losses and highlights some of the pros and cons of each option.

Equal sharing

The most simplistic of all the modelsand one that mirrors the basic provisions of the Partnership Act 1890 - is equal sharing. This simply means that all profits and losses are shared equally

among the partners, irrespective of any other circumstances.

Proportionate sharing

This model is where each partner’s share of profits and losses mirrors their capital contributions to the partnership. It is in many respects a fair and equitable model, as the distribution reflects the degree of financial risk assumed by each partner.

Pot A and Pot B sharing

In this distribution structure, you have two different pots at the end of each financial year: Pot A and Pot B.

You can state the proportionate sizes of each pot in your partnership agreement – the two pots could be equal or different sizes. The idea is that all the partnership profits are paid into those pots in the proportions agreed.

Pot A is then shared, usually equally, among all the partners. Pot B is sharedagain usually equally - only among those partners who have hit their target for that financial year.

n This article is published on behalf of Borneo Martell Turner Coulston Solicitors. If you are looking for advice regarding profits and losses distribution among your partners or require legal support with regards to your partnership business more generally, then our lawyers will be pleased to help.

For an informal conversation, please contact Tom Bodkin in the corporate and commercial team on 01604 622101. or email tom.bodkin@bmtclaw.co.uk

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.

Protection for the whistleblower... and for the employer

Whistleblowing - formally known as making a protected disclosure - occurs when a worker reports what they believe to be a type of wrongdoing. Workers and employers should know that whistleblowers are protected from victimisation or dismissal related to or because of their whistleblowing.

A recent court case has highlighted the issue of at what height does a drone flying over a property become possible trespass.

Drones have become increasingly popular over the last decade with many people using them for exploration and entertainment. However, with their increasing popularity comes a host of rules on where they can be flown, when and who by.

The latest consideration to make following the case of AIUL v Wainwright

When is a disclosure of information classed as whistleblowing? To qualify for protection as a whistleblower under UK law, the individual must:

n Be classed as a worker;

n Have a reasonable belief that the information they are providing is true, the misconduct they are reporting has already happened or is likely to happen in the future and make their disclosure in the public interest;

n Use the appropriate channels when reporting the wrongdoing.

The disclosure must also relate to a specific kind of wrongdoing, such as a breach of a legal obligation or potential or actual danger to health and safety.

Tom Bodkin

Heavens above...

So who owns the airspace above your head?

and Persons Unknown [2023] 5 WLUK 613 is whether flying a drone over private property is or can be considered a trespass. In AIUL v Wainwright and Persons Unknown, a number or explorers were using a drone to explore the grounds of an old, supposedly haunted Catholic seminary building to establish routes of entry to explore the grounds further.

In doing so, the defendants were taking pictures and videos of their findings and publishing them to social media. This resulted in the site gaining popularity with other curious explorers wishing to participate.

Following the publication of the glamourised images, more people were

being encouraged to visit the site to explore – therefore encouraging trespass on the private grounds.

Section 76 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 states that there is no trespass “by reason only of the flight of an aircraft over any property at a height above the ground which, having regard to wind, weather and all the circumstances of the case is reasonable”.

The intention of this legislation, to allow the airspace above property to be used for planes and aircrafts typically flying at a much greater height, is now being applied to privately owned drones.

In the case of AIUL v Wainwright, it was assumed that Section 76 would apply

Workers might be afraid of whistleblowing. However, they should be reassured that legal protection is in place to help them report malpractice without fearing adverse consequences.

How should employers respond?

After receiving a potential whistleblowing report, it is vital for employers to act with integrity and transparency. Failing to appropriately respond to whistleblowing can have serious consequences.

If a worker suffers any unfair treatment after making a protected disclosure, they could bring an employment tribunal claim and seek compensation.

“It was being used to take images and videos to assist in committing further wrongdoing.”

to drones. On the face of it, it would therefore seem as though flying the drone over the building would not be deemed as a trespass.

However, the judge granted an injunction against the defendants stating that any future flying of drones over the site would amount to trespass.

The reasoning for this was because this complaint was not due to the simple act of flying but rather what is happening during the flight.

The images and videos being taken by the drone were not only actively facilitating and encouraging further trespass on the land on foot but were also being used to work out new ways of entering the land.

In turn, this was increasing the risk of injury and endangering life on a site which was dilapidated.

In this case, no consideration was made to the actual height of the drone, rather the purpose of the drone’s flight. It was being used to take images and videos to assist in committing further wrongdoing, the height of the drones was considered unreasonable and therefore deemed a trespass.

This case has outlined one of many considerations when flying drones. It also highlights the importance of preventing trespass on private land, whether that be entering personally on foot or with technology or machinery.

n If you have an issue with a party trespassing on your land or you have trespassed on another’s land and need assistance, contact the commercial litigation team at Wilson Browne Solicitors. www.wilsonbrowne.co.uk

Published on behalf of Wilson Browne Solicitors

There is no limit to compensation in whistleblowing claims. Employers can take several proactive steps regarding whistleblowing, including:

n Implementing and regularly reviewing a whistleblowing policy.

n Providing all workers with comprehensive training. Whistleblowing is an issue which often relates to sensitive aspects of a business’s operations, and it can have devastating reputational consequences.

Workers seeking to report malpractice and employers dealing with such reports should always seek professional guidance on the best course of action. Find out more at wilsonbrowne.co.uk

Celebrity couple Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have announced they are divorcing after 14 years of marriage. The pair own a business together - Holmes & Away - so there is potential for complications when separating matrimonial assets. Tina Shah, senior associate in divorce and family law at Neves Solicitors, examines what the law says.

One of the key questions to arise when business owners divorce will be the value of the business or share of the business held by each spouse.

Consideration will need to be given to its assets, earnings, and structure. Often an expert valuation from an accountant will be relied on. This can also minimise any dispute over valuations. Arranging a valuation can sometimes be complicated and costly so it is important to get legal advice before doing so.

Protecting your business before a divorce requires careful advice. If you are seen to be moving assets or shareholdings simply to avoid future claims on divorce, this can damage your case considerably. Where transactions have taken place specifically to do this, the court has the power to set them aside.

It is worth bearing in mind several broad principles:

Prevention is better than cure A pre-nuptial agreement or post-nuptial agreement can assist in limiting claims against a business. It may be too late by the time you get to the divorce, for obvious reasons. But if you have planned well ahead, at the time you get married or subsequently - perhaps when inheriting a business - getting the agreement of your spouse not to make damaging claims against the business can be helpful. If you are currently married and own a business, it is certainly worth considering a nuptial agreement at any stage.

Do not mix your business assets with your private assets unless necessary Keeping the business entirely independent of your private wealth can help on divorce. It will help if, for example, the family home has not been used to secure borrowing within the business. While this is not always possible, it is an important consideration.

“This is where a nuptial agreement would help to determine that spouse’s interest if your relationship were to break down.”

Divorce and protecting your business assets

It is sometimes tempting to involve a spouse in the business, not least for tax purposes

There is a balance to be struck. Involving your spouse helps them to make a claim by having been involved in the business and so having contributed to its success. Against that, it is a pity not to use income tax reliefs by appointing them a role within the business.

Again, this is where a nuptial agreement would help to determine that spouse’s interest if your relationship were to break down.

Sharing ownership of a business with outsiders can help on divorce

If a business is 100% owned by one spouse who is getting divorced, the courts may treat it just like any other asset - to be divided or shared unless there are good reasons not to.

If the business is jointly owned with other shareholders or partners, the court

is less likely to take steps that would damage the livelihoods of the other shareholders or partners.

n By taking professional advice and taking time to plan, you can put measures in place to protect your business if your personal relationship were to break down in the future.

Tina Shah, senior associate in divorce and family law at Neves Solicitors, is experienced in all areas of family law including acting for clients with family farms and businesses.

Tina Shah

THE POWER of Three

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

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

CHARTERED Financial Planners

ocmwealthmanagement.co.uk

& Accounting

How will the general election result affect your business?

Tony Byrne, of Wealth & Tax Management, warns that whatever the result business should brace itself for bad news

If you read this article hot off the press, the general election will have already happened or it will be imminent.

Whichever of the two main parties is elected, Labour or Conservatives, it will be bad news for most businesses. Why?

Under the Conservatives, the government has built massive debt£400 billion from the Covid-19 global pandemic alone - and this debt has to be repaid whichever government is in power. That means higher taxes.

We already have the highest taxes in Britain since the 1950s under a Conservative government. Historically, Labour has always taxed us even more heavily so if Labour is elected then taxes

If you are interested in advice on how to reduce the negative impact of the general election result on your business, 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 31 July 2024.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 JULY 2024 OFFER to book your free discovery meeting.

are likely to rise even more than under the Conservatives.

The types of businesses likely to thrive under a Labour government are ones dependent on government contracts and ones that adhere to the net zero agenda. Labour is an even bigger supporter of net zero than the Conservatives, with Ed Milliband the Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero since 2021.

On the other hand, businesses involved in the fossil fuel industry are likely to struggle under a Labour administration.

What about the rest of us? Well, I expect taxation to rise very steeply. It would not surprise me in the slightest if the top rate of Income Tax were to rise to 98% again like in the 1970s under a Labour government.

What’s the solution? Emigrate to a tax haven where taxes are low, the government is friendly towards businesses and entrepreneurs and the weather is better. Join the brain drain from the UK and become a digital nomad instead.

That is certainly what I intend to do.

www.wealthandtax.co.uk

RISK 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.

and

staff wellness day

Grants package boosts women’s business vision

Apprentice Niamh Standen (second from left), Sue Halsall (third from left)

Ann Phillips (second from right) with other team members at a

organised by Elsby & Co

Incubation Nation’s founder Sam Poole (right) with Debbie Lewis, NatWest’s regional ecosystem manager and manager of the NatWest Accelerator in Milton Keynes

Plans to deliver support to 100 female entrepreneurs in the South East Midlands have received a £10,000 boost from NatWest.

The bank has awarded the grant to community interest company Incubation Nation, which provides business planning and development support for budding businesswomen looking to turn their ideas into successful ventures.

Incubation Nation will use the money to provide one-to-one business planning sessions for each participant as well as follow-up monthly accountability, training, networking and 30-day review sessions.

Incubation Nation founder Sam Poole said: “Our goal is to provide women whose drive, inspiration and creativity led them to start a business with the foundational support necessary for success. This grant from NatWest is

“This grant underscores our commitment to harnessing entrepreneurial spirit.”

a significant step towards achieving that goal and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our participants.”

Debbie Lewis, accelerator manager at NatWest, added: “The mission of supporting women-led businesses to start and scale is important to us and we share Incubation Nation’s mission to empower women entrepreneurs to build on their great ideas.

“This grant underscores our commitment to harnessing entrepreneurial spirit and ensuring that women have access to the tools and mentorship that they need to thrive in the world of business.”

n NatWest is preparing to welcome up to 2,500 businesses when its new Accelerator programme begins in September.

NatWest operates 13 physical and one digital Accelerator hub spread across the UK, including in Milton Keynes. Applications are now open for the next Accelerator cohort, with the deadline set for August 2.

“We really do see the programme live up to its name,” said Darren Pirie, head of the NatWest Accelerator. “As the UK’s biggest bank for start-ups, we understand that helping businesses succeed not just through traditional lending but with full wraparound support is crucial if we want a strong economy.

“In our accelerator hubs, we have seen a whole host of businesses secure investment, grow their teams and move into other markets.”

Apprenticeship programme targets new talent

The next generation of aspiring accountants has received a huge boost from an established accountancy firm in Northamptonshire.

Elsby & Co has launched a comprehensive apprenticeship programme to recruit and develop the brightest new talent in its industry.

It guarantees apprentices a structured learning programme, ringfenced learning time, flexible access to courses, support from a dedicated mentor and a recognised qualification at the end of the scheme.

Ann Phillips, Elsby & Co’s head of operations, said: “Everyone’s lives have got busier which means it’s harder to study in our own time than it used to be.

“Our trainees attend learning and revision courses during work time to help them prepare for their exams because we want to protect our teams’ work-life balance.

“Our approach to study dovetails with our approach to wellbeing and one of our key values - caring for your experience - and for us that starts in the office.”

Elsby & Co, based in Rushden, works with First Intuition, Northampton College and Bedford College to provide AAT apprenticeships for 16and 18-year-olds, as well as graduate ACCA apprenticeships.

Audit senior manager Sue Halsall worked as an audit manager for 22 years and as a training manager before joining Elsby & Co last year where she is a mentor to other staff members. “We have a fantastic team and I relish sharing my years of experience with them,” she said.

“It truly is a collaborative team – everyone trains one another and shares their knowledge generously.”

Staff also receive regular one-toones with their line managers and soft skills training delivered through lunchtime learning sessions, podcasts and recorded presentations.

Elsby & Co apprentice Niamh Standen said: “I did not think an apprenticeship was the route I wanted to go down and had my sights set on university. I now urge anyone thinking about an apprenticeship to apply for work experience because the week I had here changed my mind completely.”

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

CONNECT OVER COFFEE

July 10, 10am-11.30am: Brooklands Residential Association, Garden Leys, Leighton Buzzard Informal networking hosted with Buzzard Networking. Free event.

Book on to Chamber of Commerce events via events.chamber-business.com.

IGNITE

Tuesday 6.45am: The Turnpike, Harpole, Northampton ACHIEVERS

Wednesday 9.30am: Brewpoint, Cut Throat Lane, Bedford. PIONEER

Wednesday 9.30am-11am: Online. APOLLO

Wednesday 10am: Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash, Milton Keynes. FUSION

Thursday 6.45am: Abbey Hill Golf Centre, Two Mile Ash, Milton Keynes. BLAZE

Thursday 6.45am: Mount Pleasant Golf Club, Lower Stondon nr Henlow. PAVILION

Thursday 6.45am-8.30am:

The Old Northamptonians RFC, Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Billing Road, Northampton.

PROSPERITY

Thursday 6.45am-8.30am:

The Kettering Golf Club, Headlands, Kettering. STERLING

Thursday 11.45am-1.30pm: The Old Northamptonians RFC, Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Billing Road, Northampton. ENCORE

Friday 6.45am: Holiday Inn London Luton. LIGHTHOUSE

Friday 6.45am-8.30am: Old Northamptonians Association, Billing Road, Northampton. Contact: Duncan Webster, email: duncan@bnibreakfast.co.uk or call 07977 422220. More information: bni.co.uk

July 9, 23, 6.45am-8.45am: Villiers Hotel, Buckingham Breakfast meeting + speaker. Visitors: £10.

More details: bucks-fizz.biz or contact David Babister 07796 136688.

Regional sponsor: Business MK and Business Times

Relaxed, informal, conversational B2B networking. All Business Buzz events run 10am-noon. Price: £10 + VAT.

BEDFORD

1st Wednesday: George & Dragon, Mill Street. BIGGLESWADE

4th Tuesday: Miss Vietnam, Market Square. BRACKLEY

1st Thursday: Paisley Pear, Northampton Road. DAVENTRY

3rd Friday: Arc Cinema, Mulberry Place. DUNSTABLE

4th Friday: Sugar Lounge at The Old Sugar Loaf, High Street North.

LUTON

2nd Tuesday: The Garden Cafe, Stockwood Discovery Centre, London Road.

MILTON KEYNES

3rd Friday: Pop World MK, Lower 12th Street, Central Milton Keynes.

NORTHAMPTON

3rd Wednesday: Barratts Snooker Club & Bar, Kingsthorpe Road.

TOWCESTER

4th Thursday: Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane.

WELLINGBOROUGH

2nd Tuesday: Castello Lounge, Market Street

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.

July 5, 19, 7am:

Windmill Hill Golf Centre, Bletchley

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

SUMMER EVENT – ALL GROUPS

July 1, 9.30am-11.30am: Venue tbc

BEDFORD

July 11, 9.30am-11.30am

Brewpoint, Cut Throat Lane, Bedford Host: Aruno Rao.

Brunchtime networking. Price: £26.

MILTON KEYNES

July 3, 9.30am-11.30am

The Anchor, The Square, Aspley Guise

Host: Heide Swift.

Brunchtime networking. Price: £26.

NORTHAMPTON

July 9, 9.30am-11.30am

The Chester House Estate, Irchester Host: Kirsty Parris.

Brunchtime networking. Price: £26.

TOWCESTER

July 17, 9.30am-11.30am

The Navigation Inn, Thrupp Wharf Marina, Cosgrove Host: Kirsty Parris. Brunchtime networking. Price: £26. Contact: busynetworking.net/meetings.

Networking with lunch. Price: £28.

SUMMER EVENT – ALL GROUPS

July 1 9.30am-11.30am: Venue tbc

AMPTHILL

July 11 11.45am-2pm

The Knife & Cleaver, Houghton Conquest

Host: Chandra Gardner.

BEDFORD

July 25 11.45am-2pm

The Woodland Manor Hotel, Green Lane, Clapham Host: Aruno Rao.

BUCKINGHAM

July 15, 11.45am-2pm

The Grand Junction, High Street, Buckingham Host: Heide Swift.

KETTERING

July 23, 11.45am-2pm

The Kettering Golf Club, Headlands Host: Aruno Rao.

MILTON KEYNES

July 4, 11.45am-2pm

The George Inn, Watling Street, Little Brickhill

Host: Aruno Rao.

MILTON KEYNES NORTH

July 8, 11.45am-2pm

The Cherry Tree, Olney Host: Aruno Rao.

NORTHAMPTON

July 16, 11.45am-2pm

The White Hart, Main Road, Hackleton Host: Aruno Rao.

TOWCESTER

July 24, 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

July 3, 7.30am-9am:

YMCA, North Sixth Street, Central Milton Keynes

The longest-established breakfast networking club in Milton Keynes. Speaker: Jill Farnsworth, chief executive of MyMiltonKeynes Business Improvement District; Charlotte Richardson, corporate partnerships manager at Medical Detection Dogs. Book at citybreakfastclub.co.uk

VIRTUAL

July 2, 9, 30 10.30am-12 noon Online BREAKFAST, NETWALK & BRUNCH

July 4, 7.15am-8.45am; 9.05am-9.50am; 10am-11.30am, Willen Hospice Café , Willen Lake IN PARTNERSHIP EVENT with Leighton Buzzard businesses

July 11, 5pm-6.30pm, Leighton Town Football Club GOLD MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS WORKSHOP

July 16, 9am-2pm MK:U Innovation Hub MK MEET-UP EVENT

July 18, 4.30pm-7pm, Delta by Marriott Hotel, Kents Hill

All events free to attend as a non-member on one occasion. 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.

July 18, 12.30pm-2.30pm

Maaya Restaurant, The Hub, Central Milton Keynes Sponsor: Pinders. Networking lunch. Price: £35.11. 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

July 12, 10am-11am: Online Networking + an update on the benefits of FSB membership. Free event for FSB members and non-members. To book on to FSB events, visit fsb.org.uk

COFFEE & CONNECT

July 11, 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 + 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

July 3, 12, 9.30am-11am: Online Networking community for women in business in Northamptonshire and beyond. Price: £10. 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.

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS: COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE CHAMBER

July 4, 11am-1pm:

Stockton House, Rugby Road, Stockton, Southam Networking over lunch. Price: £20 + VAT Chamber members only.

CHAMBER SUMMER BARBECUE

July 16, 5.30pm-7.30pm: Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, Northampton

Informal networking. Price: £35 + VAT Chamber members only. Banner stand sponsorship: £55 + VAT.

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

MEET OF MK

July 25, 5pm-7pm:

The Italian Sul Lago, Furzton Lake Sponsored by Facilities Management Solutions. Networking with speakers. Contact: mkfm.com/events/mkfms-meet-of-mk/

NETWALK

July 24, 9.15am-10.45am

Grounds Café, Salcey Forest

An informal walk, followed by coffee and a catchup. Dogs are welcome. Organised by Franklins Solicitors. Free event.

To book, visit events.bookitbee.com/franklins-solicitors-llp/

Alternate Thursdays 7.15am-9am: Beefeater, Priory Marina, Barkers Lane, Bedford Breakfast networking with speaker. Contact: nibeds.co.uk

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.

THE BUSINESS GROWTH AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP

July 3, 11.30am-1.30pm: Holiday Inn Northampton, Bedford Road Workshop led by Business Doctors. Free event. ONLINE NETWORKING

July 5, 4pm-5pm Free event to NNBN members and non-members. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP

July 8, 6pm-7.30pm: Poppy Design Studios, Desborough Networking + workshop. Free event, NNBN members only.

EVENING BUSINESS NETWORKING

July 11, 7pm-8.30pm: Kettering Park Hotel, Kettering Parkway

Informal networking. Free event for NNBN members; visitors £10.

CARBON REDUCTION AND SUSTAINABILITY

July 24, 3pm-5pm: Lutyens House Meeting Room, Northampton Led by ActNow Consulting. Free event for NNBN members.

Networking

HOTDESKING

July 26, 9am-5pm: Vulcan Works, Northampton

A day of co-working. Free event for NNBN members.

For more information and to book, visit nnbn.co.uk/events/.

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS:

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE CHAMBER

July 4, 11am-1pm:

Stockton House, Rugby Road, Stockton, Southam

Networking over lunch.

Price: £20 + VAT Chamber members only.

CHAMBER SUMMER BARBECUE

July 16, 5.30pm-7.30pm: Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, Northampton Informal networking.

Price: £35 + VAT Chamber members only. Banner stand sponsorship: £55 + VAT.

MEET THE JOBCENTRE

July 17, 8am-10am: Kettering jobcentre Plus, Derbyshire House, Lower Street Find out more about the Jobcentre services for employers, including employment advice and work coaching. Free event for Chamber members and non-members.

To book on to Chamber events, visit northants-chamber.co.uk.

Connecting corporate & community with great conversations, meaningful networking, and inspiring updates.

City Breakfast Club Milton Keynes is the longest-running, premier networking event connecting you with the city’s top business leaders. The event takes place on the first Wednesday of each month*.

To book your place, visit citybreakfastclub.co.uk

Steve Freeman

Chairman “I am looking forward to ensuring we continue to deliver an informal, informative and interactive networking experience for our guests ” *No events in January and August

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.

SUMMER NETWORKING PICNIC

July 12, 12 noon: Venue tbc For menu choices and to book, visit womeninenterprise.co.uk.

BUSINESS ROOM

YMCA, 1 North Sixth Street, Milton Keynes MK9 2NR

7:30 - 9:00

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 Barns Hotel. 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: Delapré Abbey, Northampton. Contact: Barbara Hodgson 07504 946 585 / 01933 652884, email barbara@yourbusinessmatters.co or visit yourbusinessmatters.co.

It takes you to another place... that is the joy of music

By day, she looks after the people working at a busy Northamptonshire law firm. Away from the office, she is part of a national TV phenomenon.

Sally Mitchell talks to Andrew Gibbs about her love of singing and life as part of the Northants Sings Out choir after reaching the final of the TV show Britain’s Got Talent.

Ever since she was a child, Sally Mitchell has loved to sing. She grew up with song – her father was a vicar – and her love of music has followed her throughout her adult life.

By day, Sally is human resources manager at Northamptonshire law firm Wilson Browne Solicitors, looking after the personnel side of the business . Out of office, her life is just as busy; one of the cub pack leaders in Brixworth and a member of the Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir.

She is also one of 65 singers chosen from the five choirs that make up Northants Sings Out who made it to the final of TV talent show Britain’s Got Talent. The choir finished in the final’s top ten but nonetheless the aftermath has been “surreal.”

Northants Sings Out has been booked to perform at a string of festivals including A Perfect Day in the grounds of Delapre Abbey, Northampton, last month. They were also invited to join the vocal quartet G4 when the group’s 20th anniversary tour performed in Kettering.

The choir performs versions of classic songs from every genre of music, adapted by musical director Gareth Fuller. Her fondness of song stems from her father, a vicar, who led his church choir at services and other occasions. “I have always sung in church choirs,” Sally said. “It has always been such a huge part of my life. There is something so joyful about going out into the community, performing and watching people just enjoy the music.”

Musical genes seem to ruin in the family. Sally’s parents both sung in the choir. “My brother is a very talented

“I was always in the orchestra at school because I really liked being part of something’.”

pianist, playing the organ in church,” Sally added. As well as her soprano voice, Sally played the cello in her junior and secondary schools. “I have always just loved singing. I was always in the orchestra at school because I really liked being part of something.”

She joined Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir when she and her family >

Sally, her father and brother sang together in the church choir

Sally Mitchell at work (left) and (above centre) in full voice in a performance on Britain’s Got Talent

> moved from St Albans to Northamptonshire in 2020. It is one of the five choirs across the county that make up Northants Sings Out.

The choir had been signed up for the TV show by musical director Gareth. They travelled to Manchester for the auditions,

“Gareth keeps telling us: ‘Don’t fight the funk’.”

making it through to the semi-finals and final, broadcast on ITV. Among their performances were versions of religious songs, pop and R&B. The choir’s version of Madonna’s 2000 hit song Music drew the attention of the artist herself, who shared a clip of the choir’s performance with her 19.8 million followers on social media.

Sally’s family background favours the more traditional music but, as part of Northants Sings Out, she has learned another side to understanding and performing music.

“Gareth keeps telling us all: ‘Don’t fight the funk’.”

Practice began only after Christmas ahead of the first recordings earlier this year. “They were songs that we know and we all know how Gareth works. We go to concerts and he gives us the first note of the song and we just know exactly what we are doing. Then there is the choreography which we have to learn too.

‘Gareth is an absolute legend, such a creative and wonderful man but so humble with it.”

The Britain’s Got Talent journey required support from Sally’s family and colleagues at Wilson Browne. “They have all been amazing,” she said.

“A lot of the practice take place in the evenings and at weekends but it has been full on and I have needed a couple of days off, which Wilson Browne have been great about.

“My husband has been amazing too – I can’t thank them all enough.”

Reflecting on Northants Sings Out’s success on Britain’s Got Talent, she added: “It still gives me goosebumps and that is the joy of music. It takes you to another place.”

‘Everyone drew energy from each other’

Singing from the wings in each performance was Ernieford Barrett, customer service assistant in the University of Northampton’s Library and Learning Services team.

He grew up in Jamaica, singing his way through school before moving to Northamptonshire and continuing his choral journey with The Royal and Derngate.

“Since I was a child, music has always been an important and enriching part of my life,” Ernie said. “From singing as a young boy in my Anglican church choir, to joining my high school choir, to signing up for The Royal and Derngate Community Choir and Northants Sings Out – singing gives me a feeling like no other.

“When we stood on the Britain’s Got Talent stage for the first time, in front of all those people and judges, everyone in the choir drew energy from each other. It just felt electric. We were living in the moment, taking it all in and enjoying the memory of a lifetime as it was happening.

“I’ve never told our choirmaster Gareth this but his choice to include gospel song It Is Well With My Soul in our audition was really special to me. When I was young, I sang alongside my dad - he as bass, and me as an altar boy - and I always remember this was one of his favourite songs.

“To be part of Northants Sings Out, as a man and as a father myself, singing this in front of hundreds of people in the auditorium and hundreds of thousands of people through the TV is an experience I will never forget.”

Ernie moved from his home town of May Pen in Jamaica nearly 15 years ago with his wife and our children, hoping to build a brighter future away from the turbulent political state of Jamaica at the time. He began work at the university in 2012.

“I have not looked back since. I have never been afraid of meeting new people and starting a conversation, which is perfect for my role.

“I pride myself on filling my time with things that give me joy. I am currently in my final year of studying engineering part-time at UoN, I enjoy supporting my wife with her local business Caribbean Dutch Pot and I am a member of several choirs, including Northants Sings Out and the UoN Staff Choir.

“One thing is for sure. This will not be the last time you see me on a stage.”

Business of Sport

‘Important decisions to be made’

New county cricket chair pledges to build on progress

Gary Hoffman, who joined the board of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club earlier this year, is to take over as chair from October when Gavin Warren steps down.

He has been confirmed as chair-elect until the end of September.

Gavin is the longest-serving county club chair in England & Wales cricket but is stepping down under designated governance term lengths under the club’s constitution. He has been involved with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for more than two decades and chair since 2014.

His successor has experience aplenty in in financial services, sport, media as well as the charitable and community sector. “It is a county with a proud tradition and recent successes,” he said.

“There are lots of moving parts in cricket - on and off the field - and there are important decisions to be made on behalf of Northants and its supporters.

“Gavin will be a difficult act to follow but I will do my best to build on what he and the board have achieved.”

Gavin and his fellow directors have transformed Northamptonshire CCC over the past decade. In that time, the board has changed the club’s ownership, removed its entire debt, improved facilities at the County Ground and have had their say on ECB policies.

Broker backs bowler

Ben in sponsorship deal

Insurance broker Wentworth Alexander is to continue as sponsor of Northamptonshire bowler Ben Sanderson as part of a new two-year sponsorship deal.

The Northampton-based broker will also have its branding around the County Ground and welcome guests for some corporate hospitality as the t20 season gets into full swing.

“WAIB could not be more pleased to continue our relationship with the Club that has endured over many years,” said director Alex Hammon. “We are very much looking forward to supporting the team over the coming seasons and watching some exciting cricket.”

Broadcaster joins Cobblers board

Broadcaster Jim Rosenthal has joined the board of Northampton Town FC.

The former TV and radio presenter, who has worked for the BBC, ITV, Amazon Prime and Channel 5, has been a regular at the Cobblers’ Sixfields stadium for the past few seasons.

“He is one of the most respected men in sport and is very, very well connected across both the sports and media industries,” said Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience that we can lean on and input that we can benefit from.”

The new board member is joining at a

Gary Hoffman

time when attendances are high and the team is looking to build on its 14th-place finish in League One last season.

“I am looking forward to help in the development of the club in any way I can,” he said. “I have enjoyed watching the team and the club progress under the stewardship of Kelvin Thomas and David Bower, both of whom I have known for many years

“The development of the new East Stand is a positive and a concrete sign that this club is moving forward and I am delighted to play my part in helping with that.”

He also served on the EBC’s 100 Board for four years, helping to build the 100ball game that has drawn a whole new audience, and on ECB committees. He is the current chair of the representative board on behalf of the 19 first class cricket county chairs.

“I have been privileged to serve Northamptonshire CCC for over 20 years and to be chair for 11 seasons,” Gavin said. “I am eternally grateful to the members, shareholders, directors, staff, players, coaches and especially my family for their unconditional support.

“The early days were very tough but I am proud of the progress we have made together and I am confident that Gary and the new board of directors will build on the solid platform that we have

Skoda backs Silverstone sustainability drive Club celebrates kit partnership

Kit provider Canterbury, which sponsors the British & Irish Lions, is the new official provider to Ampthill Rugby Club for the next four years.

Canterbury becomes a senior partner to the club and sponsor the 1st XV squad. “They are synonymous with rugby and share our values of “Rugby for All”,” said the club’s director of rugby Mark Lavery.

Ampthill is the highest-ranking English club sponsored by Canterbury, he added.

“I am looking forward to seeing the partnership develop over the next four seasons.”

Škoda has become the official car partner to Silverstone in a deal that will see the Czech brand work closely with the circuit over the next 12 months.

The marque has supplied a fleet of Škoda Enyaqs to help Silverstone to become a more sustainable operation. The circuit has recently installed 24 electric car chargers as part of its mission to cut carbon emissions and encourage more sustainable transport.

Nick Read, chief commercial officer at Silverstone, said: “This partnership with Škoda is a significant step as we transition to a greener fleet of vehicles and continue to put sustainability at the heart of all we do at Silverstone.”

Software upgrade ‘transformative’ for manufacturer

A manufacturer of performance car upgrades for motorsport racing is forecasting greater competitiveness and improved profitability after introducing a new Enterprise Resource Planning system.

Xtreme Motorsports, based on the Pages industrial park in Leighton Buzzard, has used an entry-level ERP system developed by software specialist Forterro to overhaul its production processes.

The company, which specialises in Nissan GTR-R35 clutch upgrades, had relied on traditional tools such as spreadsheets and extensive paperwork to manage its production.

The implementation of the Fortee system enables Xtreme Motorsports to manage increased batch sizes and streamline complex manufacturing stages, such as in CNC machining.

It says the change has been “transformative” for staying competitive.

“It is so satisfying to be in control of everything - overseeing costings, routings, the bill of materials and the structures,” said business development manager Antony Allsop. “It gives a sense of being on top of everything and knowing exactly where we are headed. The business is now positioned for significant expansion and diversification over the next few years.”

The company is now more proactive and in control of its inventory and stick levels, he added.

“There has been less panic and knee-jerk reactions across the business. We have a number of new and ambitious projects in the pipeline.”

Forterro launched Fortee in the UK earlier this year. Based on Forterro’s successful cloud ERP solution Sylob, it is an out-of-thebox SaaS ERP solution, designed for SME discrete manufacturers and industrial startups.

Blues in the pink after firms renew support

Longstanding sponsor SDG has renewed its backing for Bedford Blues for the 2024-25 rugby union season. The mechanical and electrical contractors will have its logo on all club kit for the new season as well as sponsoring Blues playercoach Michael le Bourgeois.

This is the 19th year that SDG, a mechanical and electrical contracting company, has sponsored the Blues. The business, based on Bedford’s Elm Farm industrial estate, will also feature on sponsorship boards around the club’s Goldington Road ground.

Managing director Gavin Spendlove said: “It is important for us to maintain our relationship with the Bedford Blues family and, in particular, we are looking forward to many entertaining days and nights of rugby at Goldington Road.”

Bedford Blues chief operating officer Gareth Alred said: “Gavin and his family have supported the club for generations and this sponsorship, as with many here at Bedford Blues, is about much more than just advertising and brand awareness. We are grateful for their continued support.” n “It is about backing a club that is a vital part of the Bedford community.” The words of Simon Ayres, managing director of Bedford Battery, on why his company has increased its backing of Bedford Blues ahead of the new season.

The company, based in Bedford’s Wellington Street, has upgraded to become a Club level sponsor, with its logo on every club kit. Last season Bedford Battery supported the club in installing its new PA system and becomes ticketing sponsor for the new season, alongside

player and match sponsorships. The company also sponsors the club’s kit van.

Managing director Simon Ayres said:

“Supporting Bedford Blues is about more than just sponsorship for us at Bedford Battery. It is about backing a club that is a vital part of the Bedford community. It is hugely important to us that a club with such a fantastic heritage continues in Bedford.”

n IT and telecommunications company CMC Technology Group has also extended its support of the club for the new Championship season. The Milton Keynesbased firm has installed new gigabit fibre internet and guest wi-fi at Goldington Road, updated the club’s IT equipment and committed to sponsorship of players, matches and hospitality signage.

CMC managing director Simon Wright said: “Being Bedfordshire born and raised, I was well aware of the club’s status within the town. Subsequently, I have found myself immersed in the wider Blues family and it is a great place to be.”

The company acquired the principal naming rights of The CMC Marquee in 2022.

“Simon and his team have brought a lot to the club in the past two years, not just through sponsorship assets but as one of our main partners,” said Blues chief operating officer Gareth Alred.

n American IT conglomerate Service Express, which acquired Bedford technology company Blue Chip four years ago, has renewed its sponsorship deal for another season. It continues Blue Chip’s partnership at Goldington Road which began in 2007.

the group’s HQ in the USA and its facility in Banbury. Andretti Global is headed by former US CART racing champion Michael Andretti, son of 1978 FIA F1 world champion Mario Andretti.

Opening a new facility at Silverstone Park is part of motor racing team Andretti Global’s bid to enter the FIA Formula One World Championship. The facility houses manufacturing, electronics, R&D and office staff and works with

Business Soundbites

A snapshot of what business people have been telling us.

“I carry with me the stories of our residents, the challenges we have overcome and the triumphs we’ve celebrated together.”

CllrJo Gilford, chairman of West Northamptonshire Council for 2024.

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen first-hand how sports can unite and uplift communities and I believe the same principles apply to business.”

Ex-England striker Andrew Johnson, who has joined Milton Keynes-based Approved Finance Group’s property finance division as director of real estate finance.

“Maths was not my strongest subject in school but it clicked later in life when my university lecturer took the time to explain it.”

Rene Scholtz aims to ignite a passion for the subject among learners from reception to GCSE level by launching the maths-only learning centre Mathnasium of Milton Keynes.

“If we want AI to work for everyone, we need to make sure not to let just a handful of people make the decisions for everyone.”

University of Bedfordshire graduate Hannah Claus as she begins her PhD at Cambridge University on a scholarship funded via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“The strongest woman I know and has always pushed me to go as far as I can.”

Nashe Mataya, Milton Keynes College Group’s overall student of the year, reserves special praise for his mother.

“Social interactions, team bonding and incentives like food and drink clearly can have an impact on the inclination of people to return to the office.”

Tracy Evans, group HR and quality director at recruitment firm Pertemps, whose recent online poll found that free food could persuade 12% of respondents to return to the office.

“Don’t fight the funk.”

Musical director Gareth Fuller’s advice to the Northants Sings Out choir ahead of their appearance in the final of Britain’s Got Talent.

Freedom award for community champion

Businessman Naz Islam has been handed the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his charity work and commitment to the community in his home nation of Bangladesh.

During a 27-year career, he has raised almost £100,000 for local charities and established a school and orphanage in one of the poorest areas of Bangladesh with the help of his family.

“Receiving this honour means the world to me and I am grateful beyond words for this recognition,” Naz said. “It was a very special moment and one I will treasure forever.”

Naz (pictured), who owns the Saffron restaurant in Northampton, has worked tirelessly to support Northampton’s growing Bangladeshi community and helped to establish strong links between his homeland and the University of Northampton, where he arranges flag-raising ceremonies to mark the

country’s Independence Day and Victory Day to remember the fallen heroes of the liberation war of 1971 with the Northampton community.

“I care passionately about my community, both here in Northampton and in Bangladesh,” he said.

Principal’s praise for ‘brave but really sensible decision’

Hard work, talent and a determination to overcome personal struggles have earned graphic design student Nashe Mataya the title Milton Keynes College Group’s Student of the Year for 2024.

Having already won the Creative & Digital Arts category at the group’s annual awards, Nashe heard his name as the overall winner at the ceremony held this year at Silverstone Circuit.

“Nashe took the brave but really sensible decision to take some time away from his course, only coming back when he felt stronger and more able to cope with the rigours of his studies,” said Sally Alexander, the college group’s chief executive and principal. “He came back stronger and has produced some wonderful work, as well as helping other students as a surrogate tutor, which shows what a level-headed and kind young man he is.”

friends at the awards ceremony, he said: “I am shocked but also blessed to win this award. Everyone who came tonight showed me such love and support.

“The people on my table are the people who got me here and I am so grateful to them all.”

Now Nashe (pictured) is set to continue his graphic design studies as he begins a degree in the subject at the University of Northampton. Sitting with his family and

The Students of the Year Awards cheered winners in 20 categories covering the group’s Further Education provision, adult learning, inclusive learning, ESOL, the South Central Institute of Technology in Bletchley and its prison education services. Catering and hospitality learners prepared, cooked and served the food, performing arts students entertained before and during the awards and games and animation student Sienna Rogers was a co-host for the evening.

“I am gutted to be leaving,” said Nashe. “I have met so many cool people here and I will always remember my time at the college with great fondness. I want to thank my teachers for everything they have done for me.”

Afamily has launched a new bursary scheme in memory of their son who died six years ago.

Harry Chadwick’s parents Jessica Pilkington and David Chadwick have linked up with Northamptonshire Community Foundation - the county’s largest independent grant-giving charity - to launch Harry’s Fund, a new bursary scheme for young people across the county with neurodiverse conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD to support their education.

“Harry lit up a room,” said mum Jessica. “He was hilarious, loyal, loving, loved his friends and family and we miss him every single day.

“Harry was autistic so, before he got ill, we had been focused on helping him prepare for his future, his life after secondary school. Disabled youngsters can, if they are lucky, get good support at school but life can be daunting when they leave and that is what we want Harry’s Fund to address.”

Harry’s Fund has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Harry’s family and friends, who raised funds in his memory after Harry died of cancer at the age of 19. It will help teenagers with neurodiverse conditions to make the move into further education, an

‘I think Harry will be smiling right now’

apprenticeship or employment after secondary school.

“A huge thank you to the Northamptonshire Community Foundation team for helping us make this happen,” said Jessica.

“David, myself and Harry’s sister Polly are really proud to be launching Harry’s Fund. I think Harry will be smiling right now.”

Northamptonshire Community Foundation manages a range of funds and bursaries set up to improve the lives of people across the county.

Northamptonshire-

‘Thank you’ has the power to lift spirits

Patients and visitors at Milton Keynes University Hospital can now send personal messages of gratitude to a member of staff who has made their day, thanks to a new initiative launched

by Milton Keynes Hospital Charity.

The My Thank You app enables patients, their families and friends to express their appreciation, with the opportunity to make a donation to the

based students aged between 15 and 21 who have a confirmed diagnosis of a neurodiverse condition can apply to Harry’s Fund for an award of between £150 and £250 to support their transition into sixth form, college, an apprenticeship or volunteering opportunity.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation manages a range of funds and bursaries and continues to accept applications. To find out more, email the grants team via enquiries@ncf.uk.com.

NCF’s grants manager Alex Rex said: “We are very proud to be launching Harry’s Fund in partnership with Jess and David from Pilkington Communications. This bursary scheme will provide vital support to students with neurodiverse conditions.”

charity. Its associate director Vanessa Holmes said: “A few words of thanks really do have the power to lift spirits and boost morale for both frontline workers and those behind the scenes.

“We recognise the profound effect of receiving appreciation. ”

n Pictured: (from left) Professor Joe Harrison, chief executive at Milton Keynes University Hospital; medical student Sarah Fabyan, the face of My Thank You and Vanessa Holmes, associate director at Milton Keynes Hospital Charity. Also pictuted, the charity’s chief corporate affairs officer Kate Jarman, chief corporate affairs officer, Butterfly Volunteers co-ordinator Lauren Handley and Jodie Fardoe, individual giving and marketing lead

Harry with his mother Jessica and (below left) father David

‘Contributions have touched lives’

Eight former councillors have been honoured for their contributions to the council and the local community.

The title of Honorary Alderman, presented at West Northamptonshire Council’s Extraordinary Full Council meeting, is the highest honour offered to a former councillor.

The recipients of the Honorary Alderman title are: Sandra Barnes; Caryl Billingham; Liz Griffin; David Harries; Chris Millar; Judy

Shephard; Suresh Patekl; Mary-Anne Sergison-Brooke.

West Northamptonshire Council chairman Cllr John Shephard said: “These extraordinary individuals have dedicated their lives to serving our community with unwavering passion and dedication.

“Their contributions have touched the lives of countless residents, leaving an enduring legacy of service and compassion.”

Pride festival shows solidarity for all

Northampton Town Council is headline sponsor for this year’s Northampton Pride festival, which takes place on July 13.

Local firm GXO Logistics is to sponsor the stall village where local products, food and drink will be on sale, including Beastly Boutique and Dam Good Dough.

St John’s Ambulance will also be on hand to provide first aid support, funded by Northampton BID.

The event, organised by the Northampton Pride Committee and West Northamptonshire Council’s LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum, will feature live performances, walkabout entertainers, stalls, food and more.

Northampton Pride takes place at the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus from noon to 6pm. Organisers anticipate this year’s event to be the biggest yet.

Cllr David Smith, cabinet member for planning and communities on West Northamptonshire Council, said: “This event is about people coming together in celebration and to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community, who are an important part of West Northamptonshire.”

Cllr Jane Birch, chair of the Northampton Town Council’s community services committee, added: “We are really excited to see the event grow year on year.”

Documentary highlights plight of homeless

Anew campaign to raise awareness of homelessness is using a documentary film sharing real-life stories of homelessness and recovery in Northampton alongside a virtual reality experience portrayed through the eyes of people with experience of rough sleeping.

Streets of Change follows people’s journey from sleeping on the streets to recovery and signposting to the support available for those in a housing crisis.

Film makers One to One Development Trust have been working with West Northamptonshire Council’s outreach team. Each day the Outreach Team, alongside colleagues from social care charity Change, Grow, Live, check on rough sleepers in Northampton and support their specific needs.

“There are a lot of preconceptions

about people who are homeless,” said the film’s director Judi Alston. “This project aims to address some of those stereotypes and bring more awareness to the stories of those affected by showing the importance of agencies working together to support this growing societal problem.”

Homelessness is an escalating problem across the UK. In January, 92 people were known to be homeless in West Northamptonshire and the numbers are rising with up to five new referrals every day. The council works with partner agencies including Northampton Hope Centre and Midland Heart as well as dedicated voluntary groups to support people in need.

Council leader Cllr Adam Brown said: “Eradicating homelessness is a top priority

for the council and we are committed to working with partners to take a preventative approach when it comes to homelessness and rough sleeping.

“This documentary film is testament to this work which has resulted in people moving off the streets and into secure accommodation where they have an opportunity to start fresh and live safely and well.”

One to One Development Trust has also produced an immersive Virtual Reality experience showing what it is like to be alone and homeless on the street at night. It uses poetry and artwork created by homeless people.

The film and virtual reality experience launched last month and will continue a regional, and national tour of screenings at Film Festivals and events this year.

Volunteering: ‘Doing this work has been a real eye-opener’

Business is booming for property entrepreneur Tom Green. Yet his volunteering commitments continue to come first.

“I have learnt it is important to have a good mix of business and pleasure, which is why I make sure I prioritise my volunteering,” he said. “I honestly think my role there gives me an enormous sense of wellbeing and pride.”

The role is as a Pets as Therapy Dog Service volunteer at the mental health charity St Andrew’s Healthcare in Northampton.

Tom has volunteered there for the past five years, taking his dog Dexter to see the patients every fortnight.

“Doing this work has been a real eye opener,” he said. “I knew dogs and humans had a special connection but I never would have thought that our family dog could bring so much joy and happiness to the people we visit.”

owns a set of period properties in Northampton town centre that have been renovated to provide office and meeting space. “We have taken over one of the town’s oldest buildings and we are now operating very premium office space.

But we are so much more than that - we provide a real sense of community.”

Volunteers complement the work of charity staff, making a huge contribution to the wellbeing and recovery of patients, said St Andrew’s Healthcare chief executive Dr Vivienne McVey.

Tom Green and Dexter at St Andrew’s

At work, Tom runs Square Feet which

“I have seen Tom around the charity with Dexter and it is a joy to see how our patients respond.”

Tom has researched the benefits of PAT dog therapy. The results are “quite staggering,” he said. “Faces light up when we enter the room and the patients cannot get enough of Dexter. It has made me realise how important the role of volunteering within our local community really is.”

Lawyers backing free will campaign

Four law firms have signed up to a scheme to encourage more people to make a will and support Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

Most charities focus on the free Make a Will Month which happens in March and October, however, Cynthia Spencer offers the service all year round.

Law firms Borneo Martell Turner Coulston, DFA Law, Franklins Solicitors and Tollers have agreed to not charge for their services when they write simple or mirror wills. If a more extensive will is required, the solicitor will discuss the circumstances and confirm any additional fee.

Testators can choose to make a donation to the charity in lieu of the solicitor’s fees for the simple or mirror will or bequeath a specific sum to Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

Cynthia Spencer Hospice’s director of income generation and communications Anita Frith said: “These gifts in wills are crucial to the support we provide to local people – in fact, these thoughtful gifts pay for the care of one out of every five patients we look after.”

n To find out more about the Make A Will scheme, visit cynthiaspencer.org.uk

Making a profound difference: Partners win national award

Personalised baby brand My 1st Years has won a national award for its partnership with humanitarian charity Goods for Good.

The company, based in Northampton, has been supporting Goods for Good since 2017, providing warehousing and logistics support and donating thousands of pounds of clothing and toys to children living in natural disasters, war and poverty. The two organisations received the award for Best Emergency Response Project at this year’s Business Charity Awards.

“We are making a profound difference to the lives of people who most need help, providing life-changing goods that help restore hope and dignity to vulnerable communities,” said My 1st Years cofounder Jonny Sitton.

The company does this by donating and also accepting donations from other businesses. “We then sort by age and category and ship these much-needed goods to children in need here in the UK and across the globe. We are well on our way to supporting an incredible one million children this and every year.”

In 2022, in response to the war in Ukraine, My 1st Years opened its warehouse in Northampton as an Aid Hub to help Goods for Good respond to the

rapidly unfolding humanitarian aid crisis.

“We were inundated with large volumes of donated goods and urgently needed somewhere to store the donations before they could be delivered to the millions of people fleeing the country,” said the charity’s founder and chief executive Rosalind Bluestone. “The team at My 1st Years offered a lifeline.”

My 1st Years also launched its Child In Need initiative in July last year, making a donation to Goods For Good for every customer order placed. More than £14,5000 has been raised in just ten months, contributing to nearly 5% of the charity’s income.

Jonny Sitton and Rosalind Bluestone receive the award from ceremony host comedian Zoe Lyons

Regal boys rule the roost

Gaming company MERKUR has raised more than £12,000 for its community arm which supports charities and other good causes across the UK.

The company, based in Central Milton Keynes, hosted a five-a-side football tournament at Tattenhoe Sports Pavilion in aid of the MERKUR Initiative.

Regal (pictured above), a team represented by staff from a sister company Regal Gaming Technologies, lifted the men’s trophy. Winner of the women’s competition was Foleshill Women’s team.

MERKUR Casino UK’s chief operating officer Mark Schertle said: “It might not quite have been on the scale of the Euros but it was great to see so many of our business partners and employees come together for a fantastic afternoon.”

A dash and added splash of colour

It has been hailed as an “explosion of rainbows and joy”… More than £11,500 has been raised at this year’s Northampton Colour Run.

Some 400 participants ran, jogged or walked the 5km course at Overstone Park while being splashed with paint powder. The event was co-organised by local charities Cynthia Spencer Hospice and The Lewis Foundation, which will share the proceeds from this year’s event.

“We are already planning next year’s event to make it bigger and better,” said The Lewis Foundation’s chief executive Lorraine Lewis. “The money raised will make such a difference.”

Heroes live up to their name

More than 600 spectators, 100 players and £13,000-plus raised for two Northamptonshire charities… “We knew it would be a good day,” said Martin Goodes, chairman of Whitworth FC.

The club hosted its annual end-ofseason fundraiser at its Wellingborough ground, raising money for Kelly’s Heroes and the Maxwell Mallows Brighter Future Fund. And it was the Kelly’s Heroes team who took home the winner’s trophy, player-manager John Hewitt (pictured) accepting the cup from Martin George, director of main sponsor Whitworths Ltd, and Martin Goodes.

John said: “The success of this event is a testament to the community’s spirit and generosity from those organising, playing and attending. All who attended have a real passion for the charity - we are completely reliant on fundraiser support as there are no local authority grants available at this time.”

Live music from Louisa Nixon, food and a raffle with more than 100 prizes donated took the entertainment into the evening. “We are already thinking about how to improve the day for an even bigger and better event next year,” said Martin Goodes.

SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES

Hospice opens info hub

A new digital information hub for people with a life-limiting illness their families, carers, and professionals has opened at Cransley Hospice Trust in Kettering. The hub is part of the new Palliative and End of Life Care strategy for Northamptonshire developed by the trust with the Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board and Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Visit the new hub at cransleyhospicetrust.org. uk/care-support/

Golfers hole out for charity

Recruitment agency and online training provider Simon Acres Group has raised £1,000 for Cancer Research UK by hosting a golf day for the KBB and construction industries.

More than 60 players took part in the event, held at Overstone Park Golf Club, Northampton. The best team score was carded by the quartet from Dunavox Wine Coolers while Kris Tolbod, of Premiere Klasse Kitchens, led the way with the best individual total. Fundraising was boosted by an auction and raffle.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Simon Acres Group’s managing director Simon Acres.

Donations pack a punch

Logistics company Xtra Express Logistics has been supporting The Frank Bruno Foundation in its plans to create a new sensory room.

The Frank Bruno Foundation Centre in Northampton was officially launched by boxer Frank Bruno in 2021 and works with young people and adults to improve their mental health and wellbeing through specialist programmes and non-contact boxing. Now the charity wants to turn one of its rooms into a sensory room to create a safe and quiet space.

Xtra Express Logistics, which has supported the charity since its inception, has donated items for the new sensory room, including a large bean bag, stress toys and a music system. “It is important for us as a company to support the community that we live and work in,” said sales director Zealia Gharu. “The Frank Bruno Foundation does an amazing job so we are more than happy to do anything we can to help them to deliver these vital services.”

The foundation’s business manager Lisa Calvert said: “We rely on the generosity of our supporters to continue our mission. Donations like this will really help to bring our dreams of a sensory room to life.”

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Zealia Gharu with Frank Bruno

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