Business Times October 24 by PulseGroupMedia

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Take the first look at a new fully electric rapid-charging motorcycle designed specifically to meet the needs of fleets and first responders.

The WMC300E+, designed by White Motorcycle Concepts in Northampton, offers a 100-mile range yet can be recharged using a standard CCS charger in under 15 minutes thanks to a unique battery concept developed by MAHLE Powertrain, also based in the town.

“The whole industry is facing a huge technical and commercial challenge to produce an electric motorcycle with performance close to its petrol equivalent,” said WMC’s founder and chief executive Robert White.

“Current electric motorcycles are focused upon retail needs but fleet customers, and particularly emergency first responders, demand high levels of availability that, due to charge times, existing solutions just cannot deliver.”

Meeting that demand, while complying with forthcoming legislation and helping to achieve all fleet’s net-zero ambitions, has required clean-sheet engineering thinking and the combination of some innovative technologies, he added.

WMC engineers have developed the new machine by using a range of validated in-house modelling and computer fluid dynamics simulation techniques, prototyping and validation and finally engineering for, and delivering, full assembly.

“The result, the WMC300E+, presents a market-leading product for fleets and first responders with greater operational parity to its petrol equivalent but with zero emissions in use,” said Robert.

At the centre of the WMC300E+ is aerodynamic performance and an innovative battery design. The first makes use of WMC’s patented V-Duct, a

Bike pioneer answers industry’s power challenge

venturi duct that passes through the centre of the motorcycle and substantially reduces aerodynamic drag, improving performance, stability and reducing energy consumption.

Its charging takes place via a unique battery concept developed and built by specialist engineering provider MAHLE Powertrain. The battery cell features advanced lithium cobalt oxide with

nickel manganese aluminium chemistry, capable of sustaining high charge rates yet also resistant to ageing for a longer lifespan.

Its space-saving design, despite its generous 11.9 kWh capacity, means it can be stored under the driver’s seat.

“This project called upon the full suite of capabilities available at our Battery Engineering Centre in Northampton,” >>

Police pledge on town centre crime

Police are continuing their campaign to drive down crime in Northampton town centre as the newly revamped Market Square reopens.

Business owners are among those concerned about police visibility and key crime types in the area. The Operation Workforce campaign is focusing on antisocial behaviour, shoplifting, drugs and serious violence.

Northamptonshire Police is working alongside partners including Northampton Business Improvement District and West Northamptonshire Council. Joint patrols are under way to identify and address issues and problem locations such as empty buildings and street furniture.

Officers will also be seeking to arrest wanted offenders, engaging with retailers and will be using a knife arch and drugs dog to detect and prevent offences.

“Northampton town centre has so much to offer but we know there are certain issues around anti-social and criminal behaviour that are causing concern to businesses and shoppers,” said Chief Inspector Kim Jackson. “The targeted and joined-up work of this operation will see us put a real

dent in offence figures and take those responsible for repeat offending off the streets.”

Operation Workforce came about following a visit to the town centre by Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone. The Chief Constable said: “Having spoken with traders, shoppers and residents in the town centre about their concerns, we have looked at the

>> said Jonathan Hall, MAHLE Powertrain’s head of research and advanced engineering department. “Our team have worked closely with WMC to deliver the engineering solutions needed to meet their ambitious targets.”

The new WMC300E+ offers zero-emissionsin-use and improved acceleration compared to its petrol equivalent. It is capable of speeds of up to 100mph, even when equipped with heavily-laden panniers.

The bike’s design helps to make riders more visible - a key requirement in emergency response roles – and it can be ridden on a standard car licence, removing the need for specialist training. This makes it ideal for use in other services such as paramedic first responders and last-mile delivery duties, WMC says, and it can be deployed easily, even where space and power considerations are limited.

The project builds on the success of the WMC300FR hybrid three-wheeled motorcycle, developed in conjunction with Northamptonshire Police and on trial with emergency services across the UK.

The new WMC300E+ made its public debut at Cenex Expo 2024, staged at UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire, last month.

“Fleet customers, and particularly emergency first responders, demand high levels of availability that, due to charge times, existing solutions just cannot deliver.”

core crime types occurring here and put together some robust policing activity to address them. We want this revitalised public space to be safe and welcoming for everyone and recognise there is work for us to do in order to achieve this.

“By tackling these key issues and continuing our positive partnership work, we know we are doing our bit to make sure Northampton remains a town we can all be proud of.” >> To page 7.

Winners of the Northamptonshire Business Awards 2023

A celebration of the county’s best

Northamptonshire’s business community has moved one step closer to finding out who are the big winners at this year’s Northamptonshire Business Awards.

Awards organiser Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce has revealed the shortlist of finalists in each of the 15 categories.

The names were announced at the Chamber’s Business Exhibition, held at Northampton Saints’ cinch at Franklins Gardens stadium last month.

High Growth Business of the Year Sponsor: Mannol UK

Paradigm Shift Consulting Ltd, Acorn Analytical Services, O’Sullivan Financial Planning, Moulton College

Employer of the Year Sponsor: Azets

Silverstone Leasing, Miracle Design and Play Ltd, Artemis UK, VMS Limited

Workplace Wellbeing Sponsor: Retail Technology Services

hireful, Silverstone Leasing, Miracle Design and Play Ltd, Northamptonshire Health Charity

Customer Commitment Award Sponsor: Tresham College, part of the Bedford College Group, dbfb, SinglePoint Calls Ltd, Proaction Martial Arts, Artemis UK

Global Business of the Year Sponsor: RS Group

Teltronix UK Ltd, Synergy in Trade Ltd, Viridian Nutrition, C & T Matrix Ltd

Small Business of the Year, Sponsor: Paradigm Shift Consulting

EquiTech Group Ltd, Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts Ltd, Silverstone Leasing, The Chester House Estate

Best New Business of the Year Sponsor: Dunore

Milestone Projects, EquiTech Group Ltd, SimplyTechspace Ltd, SinglePoint Calls Ltd

Business Person of the Year Sponsor: O’Riordan Bond Estate Agents

Jack Pishhorn - The Chester House Estate, Jas Nicholson - Proaction Martial Arts, Lucienne Shakir - Lucienne Coaching, Scott Norville - Silverstone Leasing

“The awards aim to recognise the fantastic work being done by organisations across the county,” said the Chamber’s group commercial director Sunny Singh. “We cannot wait to celebrate the very best of Northamptonshire.”

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on November 22 at Sywell Aerodrome.

Now meet the finalists…

Young Business Person of the Year

Sponsor: University of Northampton

Oliver Stacey - Artemis UK

Jamie Jackson - S&A Hotels Ltd / Holiday Inn / Iron Pit Woods Adventure

Richard Parkes - High Voltage Systems & Services

Teegan Jones - Change More / Proaction Martial Arts

Charity of the Year Sponsor: Learning and Skills Academy CIC, Northamptonshire Sport, Northamptonshire Rape Crisis , Accommodation Concern, The Kids Aid Foundation

North Northamptonshire Business of the Year

Sponsor: North Northamptonshire Council

Accommodation Concern, High Voltage Systems & Services, hireful, Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts Ltd

West Northamptonshire Business of the Year

Sponsor: West Northamptonshire Council

Proaction Martial Arts, Wallace Hind Selection Ltd, HES Sales Limited, The NX Group

North Northamptonshire Sustainability Award

Reaping the rewards of delegation

UK Warehousing Association

chief executive Clare Bottle is pictured on her visit to the Unipart Logistics site at Wellingborough as she continues her Around the Warehouses in 80 Visits challenge, part of the 2024 The Year of Warehousing campaign.

Unipart operates the facility at Warth Park on behalf of a high street toy retailer. Claire learned about the site’s future development plans and

how Unipart delivers its services to its customers. “I was very impressed by this system, which inspires and motivates individuals by setting very rigorous standards - often backed up by images to show what is expected - and then delegating decisionmaking to the starting level of the management hierarchy,” she said.

“The idea is that when the boundaries are clear you do not need

top management to make all the decisions. In turn employees become more invested in their roles and this contributes to greater efficiency and ultimately, customer satisfaction.”

The visit was stop no.62 of the campaign, which aims to highlight the million-plus people who work in warehousing and calls for the sector to be more widely recognised for its contribution to the economy.

Police: Our work will continue in the long term

>> From page 5.

Ms Stone added: “Businesses told us very clearly that they wanted to see more visible, engaged policing and partners working together to make the area a safer place. These eight weeks of joint activity are a great start.

“The people who work and live in the area know it best and I want them to be confident that we have listened to what they had to say and taken their concerns seriously.”

Business group backs cybercrime fight

Membership organisation NNBN has joined the fight against cyber crime.

It has become a Friend of the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre, a collaboration between business, the police and academia to make doing business online safer.

NNBN is encouraging businesses, charities and other organisations around the county to become involved with the EMCRC’s initiatives.

“We fully support the work of the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre in working with businesses, charities and organisations to help reduce cyber crime and, to show our commitment, we are delighted to have become a Friend of the EMCRC,” said NNBN’s managing director Simon Cox.

The EMCRC is inviting Northamptonshire businesses and business leaders to join, either as a Friend or as community

ambassadors, community members or board members. Find out more at emcrc.co.uk.

Colin Ellis, managing director and police delivery lead at the EMCRC, said: “NNBN is a brilliant business membership organisation, constantly striving to serve and promote the interests of businesses in Northamptonshire.

“Simon recognises the value of what the EMCRC can offer business as he understands the importance of businesses being resilient to online crime. I am therefore delighted with the association and look forward to the CRC and NNBN working together in the future.”The CRC model is acclaimed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and is part of a network of police-led Cyber Resilience Centres each delivering essential cyber resilience services, guidance and education.

Police are also putting long-term measures in place in a bid to keep the town centre as safe and crimefree as possible. “Our work will continue way beyond this eight-week crackdown,” said Chief Inspector Jackson. “We are also putting in place long-term measures with partners to ensure our successes are carried forward.”

West Northamptonshire Council is backing the anti-crime initiative.

“Operation Workforce plays a crucial role in ensuring that our new Market Square is safe and welcoming for all,” said Cllr Daniel Lister, cabinet member for local economy, culture and leisure.

“The revitalisation of the Market Square is not just about enhancing the physical environment but also about bringing significant community benefits. This space will serve as a vibrant hub for local businesses, cultural events and social gatherings, strengthening our town’s sense of community and boosting the local economy.”

Claire Bottle (third from right) with staff at Unipart Logistics in Wellingborough

Hotel owners unveil £3.5m investment

Major investment is earmarked for the Best Western Rockingham Forest Hotel near Corby.

The property has been purchased by Avidity Hotels, a partnership set up by brothers Daniel and Antony Woodcock and developer Mulberry Commercial Property. Plans are under way to extend and modernise the 86-bedroom hotel in an investment programme that could top £3.5 million. It will also include new-look meeting areas and the banqueting hall for up to 500 guests.

Avidity Hotels already owns and operates the Holiday Inn Express in Kettering. Group general manager Marie Nickerson will oversee both hotels. “It is a real privilege to be taking over this hotel, having worked alongside it for many years,” she said. “We are focused on a new and successful future for the hotel. There is so much potential.”

The Best Western Rockingham Forest will remain open during the refurbishment and is recruiting for several key roles.

Leisure village seeks £6m offers

Kettering Leisure Village is up for sale, with offers invited in the region of £6 million.

Business property adviser Christie & Co has been appointed to market the site, describing it as “a unique opportunity for a new owner to secure this profitable multi-income generative asset”.

The purpose-built, multi-use health and leisure complex was built in the early 1990s and sits on a substantial site spanning over nine acres. It has been home to Volleyball England and includes a 576-seat theatre, health club abnd sports arena, conference facilties and planning consent (now lapsed) for a 194-bedroom hotel.

Christie & Co says there is an

opportunity for a new owner to regain planning permission to create a hotel alongside the regional conference and leisure centre, which is currently in high demand

Head of brokerage Jeremy Jones said: “Kettering Leisure Village is a unique property in the UK, producing growing profits from across a range of health, leisure and commercial activities as well as strong rental income. There are a whole range of asset management opportunities to capitalise on to grow the profits and income.”

Offers are invited in the region of £6 million for the long leasehold interest by way of a share sale.

and

www.moore.co.uk

Opportunity knocks as investors witness ‘incredible things’

More than 40 potential business investors have toured Silverstone Park to assess investment opportunities in some of the companies based on the business park.

They had been invited to tour the site by the government’s Department for Business & Trade. The park is home to more than 90 businesses in the fields of technology and advanced engineering, many leading the way in advanced

Customs specialist opens new office

engineering technologies.

Among the businesses visited were DMC - one of the world’s most advanced additive manufacturing facilities - and Lunaz, which specialises in upcycling and electrifying classic cars and other vehicles.

Silverstone Park’s commercial director Chris Kimber-Nickelson said: “This visit highlights the incredible things that are happening within the businesses

One of the few logistics companies in the UK that is able to print and issue customs documents for temporary export and import of goods has opened new premises at Silverstone.

Bespoke Handling is to expand its ATA carnet production and delivery service, which it targets towards the motorsport industry with an express service geared towards motorsport teams and suppliers.

Operations director Fabian Daffern said: “We have worked hard to fine-tune the process to mitigate against delays and ensure we can support the urgent nature of motorsport.

“The service we provide means all documents can be created and available within hours. The addition

based here at Silverstone Park. Having an international audience keen to see the innovation that is happening right here in Northamptonshire really puts us on the world stage as an area for future innovation and business growth.

“We hope that the visit inspired the visitors and that it attracts other leading innovators to our expanding site, which would be great news for the wider region.”

of this second site, which is located at the home of British motorsport and conveniently on the doorstep of many race teams and suppliers to the motorsport industry, means we are able to provide further added value and speed to a pivotal service which affects everyone on the grid.”

An ATA carnet is an international customs document which permits the temporary export and import of goods into a country for up to one year.

It provides a cost-effective way to make multiple trips abroad throughout the year to more than 80 participating countries. ATA carnets can be used for all professional equipment, as well as goods being exhibited and commercial samples.

Chris Kimber-Nickelson

Hotel and golf course are put up for sale

Staverton Park Hotel & Golf club near Daventry is up for sale.

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has been instructed to market the property, a 247-bedroom hotel with 61 conference suites accommodating up to 420 delegates, a swimming pool and gym. The PGA Championship golf course includes a clubhouse and driving range.

Christie & Co describes the site

as “a rare opportunity to acquire a highly profitable hotel and golf resort with an array of value enhancement opportunities.” It expects the opportunity to attract investors from the UK and overseas.

Head of brokerage Jeremy Jones added: “Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club provides an exceptional opportunity for a new owner to build upon on its growing success and increasing profitability.”

Nurturing the next generation of engineers

MP Lucy Rigby has praised the work of Siemens Mobility in providing apprenticeship, job creation and maintaining hundreds of the UK’s trains.

She was speaking on a visit to the company’s Kings Heath Depot in Northampton where she met apprentices and toured the home of the Class 350 trains to witness the servicing of the West Midlands Trains at first hand.

The MP for Northampton North was shown round by Siemens Mobility’s fleet delivery manager Craig Walker and met with employees and West Midlands Trains partners. The Northamptonshire depot is responsible for the maintenance of trains for West Midlands Trains and plays an important role in serving both West and East Midlands rolling stock.

“Siemens Mobility’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers is fantastic and it was an absolute delight to meet some of their apprentices during the visit,” said Lucy. “I was also thrilled to learn more about how Siemens Mobility is supporting local job creation and their significant investments in shaping the future of the rail industry as a whole.”

Joining her on the tour was Max Taylor, commercial director of West Midlands Trains. He said: “As a strategic partner

of Siemens and the operator of train services to and from Northampton, it was great to hear about the investment plans for the King’s Heath site and see the progress being made to help improve the reliability of train journeys for passengers.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Siemens and building a strong working relationship with Lucy to deliver for rail passengers in Northampton and across our wider network.”

Eight new apprentice and degree apprentices are learning their trade at the depot, with a total of more than 120 employees based at the site on Heathfield Way.

The MP also learned about the history of the site and Siemens Mobility’s plans for investment and growth locally. She learned about the company’s work in job creation and upskilling the local rail industry.

“It was a pleasure to host Ms Rigby at our Kings Heath site and talk her through our history and ambitions for growth,” said Craig. “We are proud of the work we do here in Northampton and it is always great to be able to show off our talented workforce and demonstrate skill and passion that goes into maintaining our fleet of trains.”

University advises on security training

The real-world experience of security professionals is to be formalised into an academic qualification as part of a strengthening partnership between the University of Northampton and the City Security Council.

The council was formed in response to terrorist attacks in London to bring private security resources within the City of London together to share intelligence. Now the CSC is extending its model to other major UK cities, including Manchester and Liverpool.

The University of Northampton has been providing training guidance to the CSC and has now joined its Intelligence Group as its academic advisor. It is to use its research and educational capabilities to offer those with real-life experience the chance to turn it into qualifications through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning process.

Simon Feist, UoN’s deputy head of criminal justice studies, said: “This partnership represents an important development in the security and criminal justice sectors.

“We are providing professionals with the tools they need to advance their careers and contribute to public safety.

Northampton North MP Lucy Rigby (third from left) and Max Taylor of West Midlands Trains are pictured with fleet delivery manager Craig Walker (left) and his colleagues at Siemens’ Kings Heath depot in Northampton

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Holiday park unveils £12m upgrade

The owner of Billing Aquadrome has unveiled the results of a £12 million upgrade of the holiday resort near Northampton.

Meadow Bay Villages, which acquired the holiday park out of administration in spring this year, has invested significantly in upgrading the leisure facilities and accommodation including camping and caravanning. The resort expects to have welcomed more than 50,000 guests by the end of this year.

Meadow Bay Villages also took over nearby Cogenhoe Mill holiday park as well as two parks on the Isle of Sheppey and Hayling Island Holiday Park in Hampshire. The deal was for an undisclosed sum.

The new owner has created a water park and updated swimming facilities. A new BMX pump track has been built from scratch, along with outdoor activities including football areas and adventure golf.

Billing Aquadrome is set around 11 natural lakes and first opened as a holiday park in 1945. Meadow Bay Villages has built a boardwalk around the lakes, as well as a new amphitheatre and open-air cinema.

“To have invested £12 million in the resort in such a short space of time has led to a transformation that we are very proud of and has been hugely welcomed by holidaymakers, colleagues and the local community,” said Meadow Bay

“The new facilities, combined with the landscape we enjoy at Billing, are unlike anything else in the UK. We can offer a natural escape with lakes, rivers, locks, and a marina, far from city life and we are trying to appeal to those who want an active holiday, whether that is gentle walks or high-octane sport, but also want value and quality in their stay.”

Meadow Bay Villages is backed by experienced institutional investors.

“We believe there is a real sweet spot in the holiday market for guests who enjoy lodge and caravan stays but do not see other well-known operators

as catering for them,” Geoffrey said. Bookings this summer have been ahead of expectations, he added.

“We are delighted with the response we have had so far. This is only the first stage in our masterplan for Billing.”

Villages chief executive Geoffrey Smith.

Billing Aquadrome

We shape the team that we deserve

Is how you are working, working? asks Freddie Guilmard, chief executive of business culture and leadership consultancy RTP. The answer: Probably not…

Or perhaps I should say not as well as you would like. This is not surprising to me because, over the last 20 years of working with hundreds of leaders and managers in culture, leadership and change, I have seen very few leaders doing it well.

Despite our ever-increasing knowledge of the importance of creating great cultures to achieve higher levels of performance, most businesses today remain too inhuman in the way that they treat their colleagues and teams.

Businesses continue to promote people without any investment in their management development skills and are surprised when these “great people” suddenly underperform following their promotion to become team leader or in managerial positions.

The truth is, many of these people should not have been promoted to management roles in the first place (I know… I was one of these people), certainly not before proving they have the skills, mindset, temperament, and ability.

But what do you do when most business structures are hierarchical, designed not to recognise people’s potential, but to focus on promotion and power? Let’s be honest, in order to climb the career ladder, the traditional

way to be recognised and earn more is to become a manager.

How many businesses truly recognise the importance of building relationships, prioritising and encouraging their employees to “just chat”? Get rid of the tired meeting rooms where nothing ever gets done anyway and replace these spaces with convivial and welcoming areas where colleagues can chat, build deeper, trusted relationships and work together to solve both simple and complex problems.

In one company I worked with a few years ago, we transformed the performance and the culture of the business by changing the way in which we engaged with our teams. We carried out monthly wellbeing chats without an agenda and we built trust simply by talking with our colleagues about anything we considered relevant.

Every quarter, we arranged a more formal get-together at which we encouraged our colleagues to think about their own development and to consider what support they needed to do their job better.

Finally, we set an annual celebration review focused solely on the year ahead and on jointly defining success.

This business not only grew from less than £1 million of revenue per annum to more than £5 million in less than five years but also went on to win many great business accolades.

Now imagine if you eliminated annual appraisals and replaced them with monthly one-to-ones and team get-togethers where you simply ask:

“Is how we are working, working?”

“Are you getting what you need from

me to enable you to succeed in your role?”

“Are we clear about what is expected of each other and if not, what do we need to change?”

“How can we create an environment of trust, where we can both have the best conversations to resolve issues?”

So here are some thoughts for you to reflect upon:

n Are appraisal systems a hindrance rather than a helpful way to motivate colleagues?

n When have you experienced the most effective working environment, where you felt trusted and given the opportunity to develop and grow your managerial skills?

n Is organisational leadership failure based on poor recruitment practices?

n Should anyone aspiring to be a leader have to go through extensive managerial training and assessment before being considered for promotion?

n Should we completely rethink the way we reward and recognise colleagues in business?

At the end of the day, you shape the team you deserve. Perhaps it’s time for a proper rethink.

Freddie Guilmard is the chief executive and a high-performance coach at RTP, a boutique consultancy that supports leaders in addressing their big issues by building human organisations.

freddie@the-redthread.co.uk the-redthread.co.uk

Freddie Guilmard

Photo: Becky Kerr

Green light for Corn Exchange plan

Plans to purchase Northampton’s Corn Exchange are gathering pace at west Northamptonshire Council.

The vacant building sits at the heart of the Greyfriars masterplan, providing a direct link between the new activities at Greyfriars and the core town centre.

If the acquisition is successful, the Corn Exchange will be a cultural anchor for the Greyfriars project, creating a new performance and creativity hub and leisure destination, attracting significant footfall and investment into the town.

The council has been talking to businesses and residents during a twostage public consultation to deliver the ambitious vision for Greyfriars.

The 14-acre area is set to amplify a forgotten piece of the town into a new neighbourhood which will encompass multi-generational living, dedicated green space and entertaining space,

APPOINTMENTS

“A pivotal step in the ambitious regeneration of the Greyfriars site.”

while improving connectivity to the town centre with improved transport routes.

Cllr Dan Lister, cabinet member for local economy, culture, and leisure, said: “We are passionate about transforming Northampton Town Centre into a vibrant hub where everyone across West Northamptonshire and beyond can shop, dine, and enjoy all that the area has to offer. The acquisition of the Corn Exchange is a pivotal step in the ambitious regeneration of the 14-acre Greyfriars site.”

The property, vacant for over a decade, occupies a key spot overlooking Market Square and backing directly on to

the Greyfriars site. Cllr Lister said: “We are excited to move forward with this purchase, bringing it into our bold vision for Greyfriars and breathing new life into the building as a dynamic community venue that will once again serve and inspire the local community.”

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the purchase at the full council meeting last month.

Property investor adds management experience

Real estate investment and development platform Barwood Capital has welcomed Alex Jervis (inset), who has joined the Barwood Residential Investment Platform as senior residential development manager.

He has joined after a spell at Savills at its UK head office, where he advised clients on delivery of residential development projects. At Barwood Capital’s office in Pury Hill Business Park near Paulerspury, he will head the day-to-day management of BRIP’s delivery partners. “We are confident that Alex will play a significant role in advancing our developments, processes and initiatives and helping us achieve our ambitious goals,” said Barwood Capital’s residential chief operating officer Hugo Trower.

Alex’s appointment comes after a successful year for the investment firm. Barwood’s BRIP 10 closed with commitments exceeding £5 million, while its Growth Fund V closed in January at £48.1 million. He said: “I am relishing the opportunity to work closely with all existing and new partners and investors.”

n Partner Piet van Gelder has become the first head of construction at regional law firm Howes Percival Solicitors His appointment follows a period of sustained growth for the firm’s real estate and development team.

Piet is a specialist construction and engineering lawyer who has been involved with engineering projects outside the renewables sector in substantial disputes in the Technology & Construction Court and in international and domestic arbitration.

“He is a great recruit for us and brings the calibre and credibility we need to align with the strength of our development team and take our proposition to the next level,” said Howes Percival’s head of property Lucy Lord. “The local and national market in development terms remains very strong and we are

seeing our development instructions increase quarter on quarter. As a result, we need to expand our construction offering which is a critical specialism for our development clients.”

n Meet money specialist Louise Mitchell, who has joined waste management consultancy Encore Environment in Northampton as its head of finance. She has worked in the sector for more than 20 years, including five years as head of finance at Nimlok, working in the conference and exhibition sector.

In her new role, Louise (pictured below with managing director Rachel Rowley) will lead on setting up monthly management accounts and rolling out a detailed budgeting process.

“We are delighted to welcome Louise to our team,” said Rachel. “Her expertise in financial analysis and process improvement aligns perfectly with our performance goal to strengthen financial management practices.

“With our growth plans firmly established, having a strategic leader for our financial management is the final piece of the puzzle.”

Piet van Gelder with Lucy Lord, head of property at Howes Percival

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Often imitated, never replicated

Following its merger with SP Law earlier in the year, EMW is back in Northampton. We caught up with its Head of Corporate, Simon Arkell, on what this means for him and his team.

What does being in Northampton mean to you?

It means a lot. Our Corporate team was established in 1993 when EMW first opened for business in an office just off the Queen Eleanor roundabout in Northampton. Although we later relocated to be closer to the accountants and banks we conducted much of our business with, our emotional ties to Northampton remain strong.

Several of our partners and staff began their legal careers in Northampton and still live in and around the town.

How has the team changed since you were last in Northampton?

When we started out in Northampton, our Corporate team consisted of a partner, a junior solicitor, and a legal secretary. We marketed ourselves as “boutique” – a small team working in a very narrow area of transactional work: private equitybacked management buy-outs.

Today, we are a team of over 20, advising on nearly every type of corporate transaction, including acquisitions, disposals, employee ownership trusts, joint ventures, equity and debt funding, group restructures, corporate governance, and, of course, private equity-backed management buy-outs.

So that’s how it’s changed. How has it stayed the same?

Who we are and what we do may have evolved over the years but our brand, culture and approach to what we do hasn’t. Often imitated, but never replicated, this mindset is part of our DNA. We are genuinely different to other lawyers and what set us apart 30 years ago still sets us apart today:

n Clients see a little bit of themselves in us. We attract dynamic, owner-managed businesses because we are one.

n Our service comes with a healthy dose of personality. Down to earth and easy to talk to, we take what we do really seriously but we do not come with a sense of self-importance.

n We take the time to properly

understand the goals and ambitions of our clients. Only then can we really add value by framing our advice accordingly. There is a world of difference between putting it in your marketing and properly understanding and delivering it.

n We focus negotiations on what is important to our clients and never waste their or our time and money on what is not. Showboating is not our style.

n We never present our clients with a bewildering array of options and invite them to choose. We are not afraid to start sentences with “If I were you, this is what I would do...”.

n It is common for specialist lawyers to be parachuted into stand-alone parts of a deal and then stymie the transaction by negotiating in a vacuum. Everyone at EMW fully understands each transaction in the context of their responsibilities.

n We offer clear and transparent pricing options with no nasty surprises. Unless what we are required to do changes, the fee we quote will be the fee we charge. We are confident our clients will feel they have received exceptional service, and we back this up with a service level guarantee. Any client who feels otherwise may reduce our fees unilaterally by up to 10%, with no strings attached.

What does a physical presence in Northampton actually mean? The way we work has changed. Hasn’t globalisation rendered the office just a place from where we log in?

I think the world has moved on from what you have just described. Our commitment to the regions in which we are based is perhaps best demonstrated by one stand-out achievement of which we are

very proud. This is the first full reporting period during which EMW has been a certified B Corporation.

Certification aligns with our values and beliefs about how business should be conducted in the 21st century.

Protection and promotion of our local community is a key pillar of B Corp status, a designation that indicates a business meets the highest standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency in areas such as employee benefits, charitable giving, environmental impact, and supply chain practices.

All companies operate for the benefit of their stakeholders but, as a B Corp, we include our employees, clients, suppliers, local community and environment. We are currently:

n The only B Corp certified law firm with its head office based in the region.

n One of only 10 law firms in the UK to achieve this certification.

One example of our local community impact is the work we do on employee ownership trusts (EOTs). In Tracy Evans we have a Corporate Partner who is one of the country’s leading legal advisors in this field. Following something akin to “the John Lewis model”, EOTs are trusts set up for the benefit of a company’s employees. By specialising in EOTs, we play a preeminent role in the growth of employee ownership. In the last 4 years we have advised on 39 EOT sales with a total value of more than £245 million.

We were already doing significant work in the region before the merger with SP Law. In the last 18 months we have acted on 17 transactions (combined value more than £150 million) involving Northantsbased businesses.

Lionel

Naidoo, MD of Dragon Information Systems, talks

through five key technologies that should be on the radar of ambitious SMEs.

The game-changing tech for every SME business

In today’s fast-paced digital world, technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity for small businesses. From streamlining operations to boosting productivity and enhancing the customer experience, having the right technology and tools in place - along with the support of a trusted IT provider like ourselves - can significantly impact efficiency and growth.

The good news is that technology is also increasingly accessible for businesses of all sizes and budgets. More than 60% of British SMEs say the use of technology and digital platforms has helped their business to expand. More than half agree that digital platforms have allowed their businesses to compete more effectively against larger brands.

Here are five game-changing technologies to take a look at.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has revolutionised the way businesses operate. It allows small businesses to access data and applications from anywhere at any time. This flexibility is crucial for remote work and collaboration and offers a scalable solution that can grow and flex with business needs.

Example: Microsoft 365 is an advanced suite of cloudbased productivity applications. It includes tools for email, word processing, group collaboration, data analysis, presentation development, storage and more. By leveraging

Prepare your organisation’s IT environment for AI

cloud computing, Microsoft 365 allows users to access these applications and their data from anywhere with an internet connection, providing complete flexibility and scalability.

Customer Relationship Management

Using a CRM system can help small and growing businesses to manage interactions with current and potential customers and nurture those relationships. It is a place to centralise customer information, track sales and automate marketing campaigns. Using a CRM can ensure you always have consistent and up-todate interactions, with the ability to set reminders, automate tasks (so no balls are ever dropped) and to track trends and insights.

Example: There are many options out there, some of the most popular ones being Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM.

Cybersecurity

With the increasing threat of cyberattacks, investing in robust cybersecurity is essential. Small businesses are often targeted and implementing regular staff training, firewalls, antivirus software and conducting security audits can all help protect your business from potential threats.

Example: There are many standalone options available, providing varying levels of protection. Here at Dragon IS, we work closely with our customers to ensure every step of their IT systems and working habits are assessed, taking a security by design approach that provides complete peace of mind.

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.

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Scan the code to ﬁnd out more.

Artificial Intelligence and Automation

AI and automation can help small businesses save time and reduce costs. Chatbots, for example, can help in handling customer inquiries 24/7, while automation tools can streamline repetitive tasks like invoicing and email marketing. Embracing AI can lead to more efficient operations.

Example: Microsoft Copilot has taken things to another level. The pro version of the AI assistant (available on subscription) can help businesses with a wide range of daily business tasks, from creating PowerPoint presentations in seconds to summarising Teams calls and drafting marketing materials.

Social Media Management Tools

Social media is a powerful marketing channel for small businesses and using social media management tools that can help with managing multiple accounts, scheduling posts and analysing performance can be really useful. Effective social media management can help increase brand visibility and drive the right kind of web visitors.

Example: Platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social and Later can all help to manage multiple social media accounts, with pricing based on criteria such as how many accounts you wish to manage and the volume of content you plan to share. Alternatively, make use of the analytics and scheduling tools found within most of the social media platforms themselves. An added bonus: These tools are generally free.

Here at Dragon IS, we work with small and medium-sized businesses, helping them with a broad range of issues relating to their IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. For an informal chat about your IT needs, please email info@dragon-is.com or call us on 0330 363 005.

Eye-watering penalty must be a wake-up call

An employment tribunal has fined a property management company in London £90,000 after finding the business guilty of sex discrimination. The case followed a job interview with a candidate at which she was asked about the age of her children. Six days later, her job offer was withdrawn.

The decision was likely linked to the conversation at the interview, the tribunal concluded. She had been asked the question because she was a woman.

Rachel Collar, founder and managing director of Towcester-based independent HR specialist Haus of HR, looks at the case and its messages to employers.

As business owners, you are aware that the Equality Act 2010 protects your employees from discrimination at work. This protection starts before they even step through the door.

Discrimination can happen from the very first interaction with a candidate. Business owners must be aware that discrimination claims can be brought by individuals even before their first day on the job.

Recruitment can be a creative

“Personal questions about protected characteristics are an absolute no-go area.”

process - think open house events, video introductions or other fun and innovative ways to attract great candidates. There are no set processes required by law. But whatever route you take, it is essential to follow a fair process and stick to objective criteria when assessing a candidate’s suitability for the job.

The case in London and the eyewatering penalty should be a wakeup call. From the very first moment of contact, an employer should focus solely on the candidate’s ability to do the job.

Personal questions about protected characteristics, such as marital status or family plans, for example, are an absolute no-go area. Instead, business owners must create objective, clear and specific job descriptions that can be referred back to throughout the recruitment process.

Document your decisions and ensure your recruitment process is fair and free from discrimination.

Retail mogul backs coaching business

Retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has given a significant business boost to Northamptonshire-based business Haus of Coaching.

Its founder Rachel Collar was among the winners last month in the businessman’s Small Business Sunday initiative, in which he selects six businesses each week and supports them on Twitter and Instagram.

Haus of Coaching is also featured on the #SBS website, a hub exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners. The initiative now boasts a community of over 4,000 small businesses.

“It is fantastic to receive this recognition from Theo, especially as we are just three years into the business,” Rachel said. “His support will help raise our profile and showcase the work we do to a wider audience.”

Haus of Coaching’s sister business Haus of HR received SBS recognition last year.

Theo, who chairs Ryman Stationery, homeware retailer Robert Dyas and lingerie chain Boux Avenue, said: “My hope is that all #SBS winners become part of a collaborative community where they can share their experiences and successes. I wish Rachel continued success with her business ventures.”

Rachel Collar

Deal creates global uniform supplier

The leading UK retailer of school uniforms to independent schools is under new ownership.

Schoolblazer Ltd has been acquired by Australian company Hancock & Gore in a deal that will kickstart the creation of a worldwide school uniform group.

Founded in Oundle in 2004, Schoolblazer has grown to currently be the UK’s leading uniform supplier. Its shareholders, including co-founders Tim James and Robin Horsell, were advised by regional law firm Howes Percival after agreeing a deal to sell the entire issued share capital to Hancock & Gore Limited, owner of the Mountcastle and LW Reid brands in Australia and Argyle in New Zealand.

Tim will remain as chairperson and director of Schoolblazer under the new structure and will join the Hancock & Gore board. Robin is to step down as a Schoolblazer director but will remain as a consultant to work on Schoolblazer’s launch in Australia, the company said in a statement.

Howes Percival’s corporate partner James Stephen, who led the legal team working on the acquisition, said: “They have built a fantastic company and we look forward to seeing the Schoolblazer brand go from strength to strength as part of the wider Hancock & Gore group.

“This is another significant deal for the firm and further indication of the calibre of transaction we are routinely seeing.”

Businesses and stakeholders have been celebrating their part in developing the skills and employability of students at Moulton College in Northampton.

The Skills Heroes event celebrated individuals and organisations who have contributed to student life and learning over the last 12 months in ways including career talks, work placements and participation in Moulton College’s Industry Skills Boards, which enable local employers to help shape the curriculum.

“Working with local employers and stakeholders improves our students’ skills and knowledge and helps to ensure they leave us ready to succeed in the world of work,” said Moulton College’s principal and chief executive Oliver Symon.

“It is important that we engage with the local community and businesses to help fill local skills gaps and we are always happy to hear from those interested in partnering with us in the future.

“The Skills Heroes event was the perfect way for Moulton College to recognise the invaluable contribution the businesses involved have made to the skills development and career prospects of our students.”

Guests at the Skills Heroes event included representatives from companies in sport, food and drink, construction,

Holding out for college’s skills heroes

animal welfare and renewable energy, including Astonlee Veterinary Surgery, Beech Tree Bunnies, Construction Industry Training Board, Gearys Bakeries, GenCarbon, Landex, Learning & Skills

Academy, Moulton Parish Church, Nicholsons, Northampton Hockey Club, Northamptonshire ACRE, Pamper my Poochie, Restaurant Ember, the Titans Foundation and Wicksteed Park.

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ESG: The best business decision you will make

Large companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and organisations meeting certain turnover, balance sheet, and/or employee criteria are required by law to take significant climate change mitigation measures and report them publicly.

But what if your business isn’t a large company or LLP? What if you’re a small business, perhaps even a sole trader?

You are almost certainly not (yet) mandated to address your carbon dioxide emissions, reduce your climate impact, improve your use of natural resources, or address many of the elements of an ESG strategy. However, here are ten good reasons why not being mandated to do so should not prevent your business - no matter how smallfrom taking sustainability action.

SMEs, according to the Federation of Small Businesses, account for 99.9% of the UK business population, threefifths of the employment, and around half the turnover in the UK private sector. So not taking action makes a huge difference to the UK being able to meet or exceed its climate change and sustainability obligations which will affect every business.

All companies should be following an ESG plan. Although creating and implementing a plan may seem like a lot of work for little return, it really is not. In fact, it could be the best business decision you will ever make. Here’s why. Being part of a supply chain: If you supply goods or services to a large company or LLP, they will almost certainly be mandated to report their carbon emissions and take steps to improve them.

They will be reporting their direct and indirect emissions as well as those from their supply chain. So, if you are not reporting your greenhouse gas emissions and taking steps to better them, you are helping your customer to fail in its reporting. I wonder how that might look in a contract renegotiation or competitive tender.

Government departmental work: All government departmental tenders now require evidence of ESG compliance in order for a business to be eligible to tender. The weighting of this evidence

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, partner at business advisory firm MHA, argues that SMEs should lead, not follow, when it comes to setting and implementing an Environmental. Social and Governance strategy.

within the tender is high—typically, a minimum weighting of 10% is applied.

In essence, no ESG actions, no tender. Efficiency: Put simply, less ‘take, make and throw away’; more sharing, repurposing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, leasing, recycling, composting and more.

A strong ESG programme can help identify areas for improvement as well as engaging with staff and stakeholders as a critical part of the solutions. Your business can only benefit from the improvements that result.

Better loan repayment terms: Not only will some lending institutions now refuse loans to ESG non-compliant companies but some offer better terms to businesses actively engaged with ESG programmes, especially where loans are designated for ESG-related improvements.

Competitive advantage: With an increasing focus on ESG among businesses, governments, customers, consumers and staff, your ESG programme could give you a competitive advantage in everything from tendering for work through to recruiting staff. Impact investment: Today’s investors seek financial returns, but many will also be looking for strong ESG credentials and a business plan that accounts for its impact on its people, the local community, the economy, the environment, and climate change.

With the number of investors looking for this ‘return’ increasing, your investment could be lost to a lack of ESG action. Attracting and retaining staff: Increasingly, employees and candidates – particularly younger workers - are expecting more than a fair salary and good working conditions from their employers. Your current and future staff

will be examining your environmental record, your commitments to communities and to the planet’s health. Fail in these areas, and you limit your company’s ability to attract and retain the right people.

Marketing and PR: A strong ESG commitment provides great content for marketing and PR, both of which enable you to tell your future customers and staff about the very things that might attract them to buy from you or work with you.

Leading the way: Businesses with a strong ESG programme can often use that to raise their voice above the rest by leading, not following.

The best you can be: Your commitment to ESG is a strong indication of the way you do business and the things that are important to you. That commitment is a clear sign that you care about your clients, customers, consumers, staff, suppliers and stakeholders.

When your company is seen in its best light, it will be able to perform at its best. A lack of a strong ESG programme can have the opposite effect.

Engaging with ESG and sustainability can not only benefit the planet and its people in numerous ways, but it can also help your business become more efficient, improve its profitability, and secure its long term sustainability. Surely no business needs to be mandated for that.

n Mark Lumsdon-Taylor specialises in the rural business, agriculture, horticulture, food manufacture, education and healthcare industries as well as supporting organisations from a wide range of sectors to develop and deliver impactful sustainability and ESG strategies.

mark.lumsdon-taylor@mha.co.uk

Thinking smarter to change the world

Two entrepreneurs have joined forces to launch a web design agency that specialises in low carbon websites for its clients.

Poppy Eco Hub, founded by Marie Cox and Daniel Lister, partners with organisations seeking to reduce carbon emissions.

“So many people are unaware that websites have a carbon footprint and create carbon dioxide emissions,” said Marie, who runs her own website and graphic design business Poppy Design Studio and has been building Wordpress websites for nearly 20 years.

“A poorly designed and built webpage can churn out tens of grammes of carbon dioxide equivalent with every click. If your web page produces just 2g of CO2e per view and receives 10,000 monthly page views, you are looking at 240kg CO2e per year – that is the same as driving from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back in the average car.

“By cutting that down to 0.8g per view, you would see a 60% reduction in emissions.”

Daniel is a councillor and cabinet

member for local economy, culture and leisure at West Northamptonshire Council. He also has extensive experience in tech, including working for marketing and data giant Kantar.

He and Marie met at a networking event and realised they had a shared interest in sustainability and innovation.

“Poppy Eco Hub is about more than just ‘going green’ – it is about building high-performance, technically sound websites,” Daniel said. “We utilise ultraefficient, green energy-powered data centres, clean coded design and carefully selected themes to create fast, lean sites.

“Even the small details matter, like using the latest video codecs to reduce file size without sacrificing quality. This results in faster load times, smoother user experience and increased accessibility. Plus these sites come with SEO benefits, helping them rank higher and, ultimately, driving more sales.”

The venture has already piqued the interest of several companies.

“We should not be getting poorer to get greener,” said Daniel. “We can change the world by thinking smarter.”

The £0.5m answer to the green skills crisis

Construction is facing a skills and manpower crisis of sustainability expertise. Now Northampton College aims to tackle the issue head on.

The college has opened a new £0.5 million renewable energies education and training facility at its Booth Lane campus. It will provide up to 250 students with access to the latest green technologies, reskill adults looking to move into the sector and upskill current construction professionals.

The Green Skills Centre will also support green initiatives run by the college, such as the Big Rig Low Carbon Challenge, which promotes sustainable construction careers to secondary school students.

and renewable training provider Quantum, the centre features rigs and bays for air source and ground source heat pumps, solar PV, solar thermal, wind generation, electrification of vehicles and EV charging and promotes sustainable construction methods and materials.

Deputy principal Patrick Leavey said: “This incredible facility will support the UK’s targets around carbon reduction and help to address the acute skills shortages within construction personnel to meet the rising demand for green technologies.”

Green skills was identified as a priority skills development area within the Local Skills Improvement Plan, with the centre partially funded with support from the Local Skills Improvement Fund.

Sustainability

“So many people are unaware that websites have a carbon footprint and create CO2 emissions.”

‘A defining moment’ in net zero journey’

Businesses across Northamptonshire have had their say in the development of a new carbon calculator that enables them to measure their emissions and highlight improvements as they move towards net zero.

The calculator has been created at the University of Northampton and has been tailored for businesses and charities in the county as part of its ongoing Towards A Net Zero Northants project.

Keeping track of its carbon footprint can cost a business with up to 50 employees £10,000 a year, the university said.

Unlike many carbon calculators, the university’s allows users to forecast their net zero trajectory considering their current emissions and net zero targets. It was developed with feedback from Northamptonshire businesses in order to better reflect the county’s specific needs.

“This is a defining moment in our collective journey towards reaching net zero,” said Dr Ebenezer Laryea, UON’s associate professor of sustainable development law and project lead for TANZ West Northants.

The Carbon Calculator has been developed by UON with West Northamptonshire Council and the Sustainable Business Alliance. It is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Marie Cox and Daniel Lister launched Poppy Eco Hub at the Northamptonshire Business Exhibition last month

AI: Set to revolutionise waste management

Technical consultant Ashi Shah calls on the industry to take the leap and reap the benefits Artificial Intelligence can bring.

Artificial Intelligence has revolutionised modern-day technology with its ability to simulate human intelligence from its complex machines.

There are various applications of AI that are utilised across the globe - examples include digital assistants, recommendation systems, banking, and facial recognition. AI has the potential to transform sustainable waste management practices and address fundamental challenges that will result in more efficient, cost-effective and innovation-driven results.

There are various applications of AI in the waste industry, with the fundamental goal of reducing environmental pollution. A reduction in the amount of waste that is sent to landfill as a result of accurate sorting will increase material recovery

A regulatory requirement... and a moral obligation

Refurbishment projects offer a prime opportunity to address the legacy of asbestos in aging buildings. Adam Fox, director of Consulo Compliance, explains.

As the UK continues to grapple with the legacy of asbestos in its ageing buildings, refurbishment projects offer a prime opportunity to address this hazardous material.

Although current guidelines typically recommend managing asbestos in situ to minimise disturbance, there is an increasing debate over the effectiveness of this approach. Given the potential for regulation shifts and the dire consequences of mismanagement, integrating sustainable asbestos management into refurbishment projects becomes not just prudent but essential. Identifying asbestos accurately is the first critical step before initiating any refurbishment work. Many older buildings contain hidden asbestos-containing materials, which can pose significant health risks if disturbed. The current practice of leaving asbestos undisturbed may prevent immediate exposure but does not eliminate the potential threat it poses over time, especially if the material degrades or becomes accidentally damaged during future building works. Moreover, the enforcement of the

for recycling, which in turn will help in retaining natural resources.

Management solutions for various types of plastics can be identified through the use of AI. AI can accelerate the transition towards a circular economy, where products and materials are circulated through various processes such as reuse, refurbishment and recycling. This ameliorates the effects of global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss that are exacerbated by the consumption of our finite resources.

It is essential for the waste industry to make the shift towards incorporating AI into its daily operations. AI technologies

current asbestos regulations has been inconsistent, with many duty holders and employers willing to turn a blind eye, often due to decades of lax enforcement.

However, more companies, sole traders and responsible individuals are facing hefty fines or even custodial sentences for non-compliance. This punitive trend underscores the need for a shift in how asbestos is managed during building refurbishment projects.

There is a growing push within the asbestos industry for policies that

“Embracing new technologies can play a pivotal role in enhancing asbestos management.”

Ashi Shah

Adam Fox

such as optical sorters and automated monitoring can accelerate operational efficiency and inform accurate pricing once AI data is analysed.

AI algorithms can save operational costs by enhancing waste collection routes, reducing fuel consumption and associated costs. Contamination can be significantly reduced through regular updates on bin capacity, therefore reducing waste overflow. Future waste generation rates can be calculated using previous data that will aid in sustainable waste management.

These AI technology systems have the capability to adapt and improve over time, resulting in accurate data findings

advocate more aggressive removal rather than mere management. This shift is partly due to numerous instances where in situ management has failed, leading to avoidable exposure and subsequent health issues for those involved. Anticipating changes in regulations, influenced by these industry pressures and public health concerns, is crucial for anyone involved in building management or refurbishment.

Refurbishment projects provide a perfect juncture to reevaluate and implement comprehensive asbestos management strategies. This can involve selectively removing asbestos from areas where it poses the greatest risk while safely containing and monitoring areas where it can and will remain undisturbed. This selective approach helps to

“AI is already being used in other industries to maximise efficiency and is considered to be a powerful tool...”

and efficiency enhancement.

Energy from Waste plants can also benefit from using AI-controlled systems that have already been implemented in selected areas of the UK. Utilising AI has enabled the non-conforming waste that cause blockages to be easily identified by the use of cameras that are able to rapidly scan the waste and notify operators if there is an issue, reducing downtime and operational costs.

AI-driven technologies can drive global recycling rates and mitigate environmental pollution through implementation and maintenance which will contribute to sustainable waste management. As a result of implementing circular economy principles, the future of the waste industry has the potential to be driven by AI and promote sustainability.

Policymakers have widely accepted the integration of AI in the waste industry, with a framework being developed to reflect this. Recent guidance states that AI technology can be utilised for sampling

balance safety with practicality and cost-effectiveness.

Embracing new technologies can also play a pivotal role in enhancing asbestos management. Advanced containment procedures for the removal of some of the most dangerous asbestos-containing materials have already undergone rigorous testing in Europe and on Guernsey - where the HSE currently has no jurisdiction - and it is hoped that this will become the approved method for removal in the UK.

Robotic demolition and sophisticated air filtering systems reduce the risk of fibre dispersal during removal. The asbestos industry has led the way for years in terms of best practice for dust containment and limiting worker exposure, with the rapid rise in workers suffering the ill effects of exposure to dusts such as Silica dust.

These technologies not only improve safety but also increase the efficiency of asbestos removal processes, aligning with sustainable building practices.

The decision to remove or manage asbestos on site should weigh the longterm health benefits against immediate cost implications. Properly executed asbestos removal can mitigate future health risks and legal liabilities, potentially saving costs related to healthcare and compliance penalties in the long run.

Environmentally responsible asbestos removal also involves considering the

Sustainability

at Material Recovery Facilities, introduced by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

From October 2024, MRFs that process more than 1,000 tonnes of waste on an annual basis will be required to enforce sampling procedures, as stated in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2023. In order to ensure compliance, current guidance on standards and regulations when utilising AI requires more clarity, which will maintain confidence among operators.

AI has the potential to revolutionise the waste industry by utilising its various applications that improve overall waste management, treatment efficiency and mitigate environmental damage globally. AI is already being used in other industries to maximise efficiency and is considered to be a powerful tool that has the ability to help to build a sustainable future., achievable through the use of AI that generates waste management systems that are intelligent, economic and efficient. Entire product lifecycles can be transformed and the transition to a circular economy is attainable.

Ashi Shah is a technical consultant at WSP Compliance Consulting in Kettering. wpsccltd.co.uk

impact of disposal methods. Asbestos waste must be handled with care to avoid environmental contamination, using approved hazardous waste facilities. Where possible, emerging recycling technologies that convert asbestos into harmless silicates could offer a more sustainable disposal option.

Adopting best practices in asbestos management not only enhances safety and compliance but also positions properties favourably for future market demands and regulatory changes.

The integration of sustainable asbestos management in refurbishment projects is an essential step towards ensuring the health and safety of building occupants and workers.

With the potential tightening of regulations and the advancement in removal technologies, now is the time for duty holders to proactively address asbestos issues. As the UK moves towards safer, greener building practices, the role of effective asbestos management cannot be underestimated.

Ensuring that asbestos is handled with the utmost care during refurbishments will protect not only current users but also future generations. This proactive approach is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral obligation to foster safer, healthier environments.

consulocompliance.co.uk

Stepping up the heat for charity

Daredevil greengrocer Sean Connolly, who has trekked to Mount Everest Base Camp, completed Wolf Runs and run marathons, raising almost £25,000 for charity in seven years, has hosted a curry night as part of his latest fundraising mission.

Sean organised a charity dinner in aid of the Milton Keynes-based charity Brain Tumour Research at the Saffron restaurant in Castilian Street, Northampton. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal while a fundraising raffle was also held with dozens of prizes up for grabs.

“I have been working with Saffron for 13 years, supplying their fresh fruit and veg, and they have been very supportive of my fundraising events dating back to when they sponsored my London Marathon vest seven years ago,” said Sean.

“We share the same vision of helping good causes when we can so Saffron is the perfect place for me to celebrate how far we have come and how much we have raised on this journey.”

Sean, who took part in The Amazing Northampton Run last month, is due to line up in the Chicago Marathon this month to continue his fundraising.

Saffron owner Naz Islam said: “Sean is a true inspiration and is living proof that if you put your mind to something and believe in yourself, you can do it. We love working with him.”

Celebrating 60 years of Northamptonshire MIND

A lifeline for mental health support

This year marks a significant milestone for Northamptonshire MIND as the charity celebrates 60 years of mental health support in the region and people from local businesses with a passion for music are coming together to help.

Northamptonshire MIND operates independently from the national MIND organisation and receives no guaranteed central funding. Through partnerships with Local Minds, Northamptonshire Health Foundation Trust and other mental health organisations, Northamptonshire MIND been a beacon of support for individuals facing mental health challenges and is committed to expanding services and offering a range of educational programmes for those pursuing careers in social care, counselling, and psychotherapy.

As proud partners in the Mental Health Northants Collaboration, Northamptonshire MIND is dedicated to transforming mental health services across the region. Vicki Pearce, a partner at Wilson Browne Solicitors, has served as a trustee for Northamptonshire MIND for over three years.

“As a trustee, my role focuses on governance, ensuring that the board and executive team stay aligned with

the charity’s mission and vision. At Wilson Browne, we have been a part of this community for nearly 200 years so we deeply understand the importance of local services. Mental health impacts everyone at some point and this cause is especially close to my heart as a Court of Protection specialist and a Northamptonshire resident.”

Kevin Rogers, another partner at Wilson Browne, is known for his musical alter ego the #singingsolicitor. This year, Kevin, alongside Ian Taylor from business advisory group Tinderbox, has released a charity single - a cover of Use Somebody by Kings of Leon - to benefit Northamptonshire MIND. Enjoy it on your usual streaming service.

This year, however, is about more than a single. It is a collaboration of local business figures. Joining Kevin and Ian live are Dean Jones and San-D Godoy-Messenger, from Northamptonshire Community Foundation, Kevin’s colleague at Wilson Browne Wayne Jenkins, broadcaster John Griff and Sean Rose, former head of policy at Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce.

To mark World Mental Health Day 2024 on October 10, they will be at a special event at Silverstone Museum. For a minimum donation of £5, guests will enjoy a warm welcome, food, drinks and an exclusive private look at the museum. Tickets are available and donations are welcome at JustGiving by searching #singingsolicitor and friends.

The event is sponsored by Mannol UK, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Silverstone Museum and Wilson Browne Solicitors.

“We are so grateful to Business Times for helping us to raise awareness,” said Kevin. “This is just a few weeks of work for us but MIND is here all year round and they need your support. It will be amazing to see our local business community

Stay tuned for exclusive coverage of the event in the November edition of Business Times and online at business-times.co.uk

Photo: David Wilson South Midlands

Northamptonshire MIND chief executive officer Sarah Hillier (left) with trustees Philip Webster, Vicki Pearce and Raj Rajani

Sean Connolly is pictured with Saffron restaurant owner Naz Islam

SingingSolicitor # and friends

In aid of Northamptonshire MIND

Silverstone Museum

World Mental Health Day Thursday 10th October 2024

Doors Open from 5:30pm

Dean Jones & San-D • John Griff • Sean Rose Ian Taylor • Wayne Jenkins Featuring Special Guests

Includes live performance of the Northamptonshire MIND official 2024 single “Use Somebody”

Private Access to the museum and F1 Sims* after the event *subject to availability

with thanks to Wilson Bear presents...

Tickets £5 via QR code – includes welcome drink and nibbles

Marina Arthur: ‘I never thought that volunteering would lead me to a whole new career path.’

It’s a different kind of pressure... and I love it

After a five-decade career in business continuity management, it was time for Marina Arthur to retire. At age 63, she decided it was time to put away her laptop. At first, the escape from work pressure was welcome, but the novelty soon wore off. “Cupboards cleaned, washing done… I was bored.”

A chance visit to the FestiVol community volunteering event in Northampton changed all that.

FestiVol is an annual festival held at Workbridge, the commercial and educational arm of the mental health charity St Andrew’s Healthcare. The event showcases the benefits of volunteering by bringing together many of Northamptonshire’s charities in one place.

“One of my friends had been working at St Andrew’s for a number of years and I explained how bored I was at home,” said Marina. “She suggested I do some volunteering. I came along to FestiVol and the rest is history.”

FestiVol, held in Northampton last month, combines a carnival atmosphere with opportunities for visitors to learn more about volunteering, particularly with local charities.

Marina started volunteering in the

Workbridge café before moving to the Workbridge charity shop and St Andrew’s Healthcare events. She remained on the Workbridge site and transitioned to working at the garden centre, adjacent to a woodwork and ceramic workshop, as well as a hub of thriving small business huts.

“Making cappuccinos and lattes was very different from managing spreadsheets, KPIs, and steering committees, which I did in my primary career. However, it was the perfect role for me, even though perfecting the coffeemaking took a while.”

Organisations highlighting their voluntary opportunities this year included St Andrew’s Healthcare, Action for Happiness, the Motor Neurone Disease

“Making cappuccinos and lattes was very different to managing spreadsheets, KPIs and steering committees.”

Association, Northamptonshire MIND, United African Association, Northampton Rotary Club, Northamptonshire Carers and The Lowdown.

St Andrew’s Healthcare currently has around 400 volunteers. “People volunteer for all different reasons – to give something back, gain a new sense of purpose, to learn new skills or to boost their confidence,” said the charity’s voluntary services manager Dawn Wright.

“Volunteering is a proven way to increase your own mental health, confidence and well-being. Marina is a prime example of how volunteering can hugely benefit you.”

For Marina, volunteering opened a new chapter. “It changed my life, and I met so many new people. I never imagined that volunteering would lead to a new career path, including a paid position. I feel very fortunate to have a meaningful role that benefits both myself and others.”

It has brought new friendships, teamwork, and the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of her and her colleagues’ efforts with patients and service users.

“Working at Workbridge does not feel like work to me; it’s a pleasure,” Marina said. “Catching the commuter train at 05:40 five days a week was work—this is something completely different. I can’t even explain how it feels.”

“Now, I’m based in the garden centre, and while there’s pressure to keep the plants looking good—especially in hot weather and wind—it’s a different kind of pressure, and I love it.”

A BIG Buzz across the East Midlands

This networking event takes place on October 31 in the Charles Suite at Barton Hall Hotel & Spa, Barton Road, Barton Seagrave, Kettering - Barton Hall is an elegant grade II country house with views overlooking manicured gardens.

BIG Buzz brings together the Business Buzz local monthly networking groups for a morning of BIG networking between 10 am and noon. The BIG Buzz East Midlands is a joint effort from the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Business Buzz regions. Whether you are a regular Buzzer in Brackley, Daventry, Kettering, Leicester, Market Harborough, Northampton, Towcester or Wellingborough , come and mingle with like-minded businesses from across the counties and beyond.

Perhaps you are new to networking and to Business Buzz? You will be assured of a warm welcome at The BIG Buzz.

Expect the usual, no-fuss, relaxed, mix and mingle format that is the Buzz trademark.

At BIG Buzz we want you to have the best time. Our 11am keynote speaker will be Shaun Cremins from customer experience specialist Insight6. He will talk about how to build trust with your customers so they come back time and time again.

The BIG Buzz offers two hours of genuine conversations with like-minded people from across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and the wider East Midlands.

Our no-fuss format means no elevator pitch requirement, no membership pressure because at Buzz all our events work on a pay-as-you-go basis and there no professional lock-out because everyone in business is welcome at the Business Buzz and the BIG Buzz.

When the heat is on, experience counts

This month marks the 25th anniversary for Griffiths Air Conditioning & Electrical Contractors, the Burton Latimer-based business that now involves itself in a lot more activities than the name suggests.

Over the years, Griffiths has expanded to become a provider of a full range of building and engineering services to domestic, commercial and industrial clients in Northamptonshire and surrounding counties.

With modern town centre offices housed in a grade II listed building that dates back to the 18th century, Griffiths works with homeowners, architects, builders, plumbers and commercial clients who appreciate the benefits of working with just one provider to install all the services that today’s buildings require.

Griffiths is a D1+ approved installer of Daikin air conditioning and heat pump systems, a NICEIC-approved electrical contractor, MCS certified installer of heat pumps, solar thermal and solar PV and is Gas Safe registered for domestic work. They are also approved installers of Polypipe underfloor heating and hold several other

certifications and accreditations relating to plumbing and ventilation.

In 2008, Griffiths became Northamptonshire’s first approved installer of heat pumps under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and has since completed hundreds of installations. With the government’s plans to phase out fossil fuel-burning systems in new homes over the coming years, Griffiths is well positioned to leverage its experience and assist developers in the design and installation of heat pump systems.

Rooftop solar PV continues to be highly popular, particularly for commercial premises, with a typical payback period of just a few years. Griffiths is pleased to offer free advice to anyone considering this technology.

One of the key factors in ensuring the low running costs of air conditioning, heat pumps, and ventilation systems is regular maintenance. The Griffiths service team conducts scheduled visits to a wide range of clients to ensure that installed equipment operates at maximum efficiency and to address any potential issues.

Griffiths Air Conditioning’s founder Brian Griffiths and his son Ian, who has taken over the running of the business

A new name, even greater support

Last month, the South Midlands Growth Hub welcomed the news that the South Midlands Authority has been established to champion economic growth in the region by supporting businesses, improving skills, and enhancing career opportunities. So, what does this mean for businesses across the region?

Besides the new name (now the South Midlands, rather than the South East Midlands), the launch of the South Midlands Authority enables us to continue building on the strong relationships we already have with each local authority. It is a natural continuation of the collaboration that we and the South Midlands Careers Hub have demonstrated over the past 12 months to unite skills and business support to achieve economic success.

At the Growth Hub, we have always prided ourselves on acting independently for the

benefit of the entire region. To date, we have supported nearly 10,000 businesses, with advice, guidance, and grant funding. This announcement enables us to expand on the successes of the business programmes we run on behalf of the local authorities—such as Step into Net Zero—and work strategically with each organisation to develop new and innovative programmes that best serve our businesses.

The new partnership will also ensure a more coordinated approach. The whole region benefits from economic growth, with stronger opportunities available to unlock funding and attract investment. The transition to the South Midlands Authority (SMA) increases collaboration between all parties, maximising

opportunities, minimising disruption, and enabling the Growth Hub to deliver for every business across Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, and Luton. We are excited to continue serving as an intelligence resource and representing the diverse range of businesses and industries across the South Midlands. For those unfamiliar with the South Midlands Growth Hub, we provide free support to every business located in Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, and Northamptonshire. Learn more about how we can support you at: www.southmidlands.org.uk or call us on 0300 01234 35.

RUTH ROAN

South Midlands Growth Hub Manager southmidlands.org.uk

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Unlock creativity. Start with a duck

Delegates get serious with Lego at the University of Northampton in the latest Network & Learn session organised by the South Midlands Growth Hub UON’s business regional engagement manager Adam Lawton looks back on the day.

This month we had the pleasure of welcoming the South East Midlands Growth Hub at the university for the September edition of their popular Network and Learn series.

Sam Hunter from the Growth Hub provides an overview: ‘The South Midlands Growth Hub launched Network and Learn in September 2023. It was an opportunity not just to have another networking event but to provide some valuable guest workshops alongside.

“The fully funded series runs monthly across the whole South Midlands region (West & North Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough & Luton Borough) and we visit each area twice over the year.”

The events are always delivered in partnership with the relevant local authority and a guest partner.

We have hosted previous workshops such as Creating a memorable brand, Net Zero 101, Access to finance and funding and AI, and how it can benefit your business Organised and facilitated by the Knowledge Exchange team, this was the first time the University of Northampton had played host to Network & Learn. Our session started with a short presentation from Lisa Devayya of West Northamptonshire Council’s Economic Growth team, who set out the support available to new and established businesses in the county.

The planned session based around Lego Serious Play had been suggested and was brought to life by colleagues from the Faculty of Business and Law.

UON’s Al-Amin Dabo, senior lecturer in logistics and supply chain management, and Gosia Plotka, lecturer in project management, business systems and operations, delivered the Lego Serious Play workshop.

Speaking before the event, Al-Amin said: “LSP encourages people to think with their hands, to unlock subconscious levels of creativity and problem-solving ability. I hope people will walk away from it with knowledge and sustainable solutions they can implement to tackle real-world business challenges.”

Creative thinking was tested straight

It started with a duck... Delegates unleash their creativity at the workshop

The LEGO SERIOUS PLAY methodology is built upon a process which stems from the heart of LEGO elements and the LEGO building system. Looking for a tool to unlock imagination and innovation within the company, the LEGO Group realised that a solution might be found in the LEGO System in Play itself.

Just as the LEGO Group had been inspiring children to “build their dreams” for decades, perhaps adults could be inspired to build their visions for future strategy.

The idea of the methodology originated in 1996 when two professors at IMD in Switzerland, along with The LEGO Group owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, were exploring alternative strategic planning tools and systems. They developed an understanding of the value of employees and the concept of an evolving, adaptive strategy that included using LEGO elements as three-dimensional models of business issues and challenges.

The strategy was named LEGO SERIOUS PLAY.

away with an ice breaker where the audience were asked to create a duck that represented their business.

The session moved into more serious creativity and discussion, as participants were asked to use Lego to consider the position of their business on sustainability and where they would like to see the business in the future. Large bags of Lego provided the building tools.

Guests included new and established businesses such as architects, a PR company, training companies and entrepreneurs split into small groups.

Each exercise provoked conversation and discussion around business sustainability and broader issues on the journey to a more sustainable business future.

Feedback on the day was overwhelmingly positive. Guests said they had experienced something new and relished the opportunity to revisit the creativity of Lego.

n Find out more at business. support@northampton.ac.uk. Visit semlepgrowthhub.com for details of future Network and learn sessions.

Innovation: In the lab and on the high street

The FSB’s Jennifer Thomas highlights a new campaign calling on small businesses to meet the challenge of new technology.

Start-ups and small businesses are often quick to embrace new ideas, driving economic change while competing with larger, established companies. Businesses in Northamptonshire are no different, and now is the time to focus on innovation to strengthen our local small businesses and supply chains.

‘Innovation’ is often misunderstood as being synonymous with ‘invention’, confined mainly to the tech sector, but it should be seen more as ‘improvement,’ especially given the challenges businesses are facing at the moment.

While creating new products is an important part of innovation, equal value must be placed on businesses that enhance existing products, successfully integrate technology or modernise production processes.

Only six years ago, I was running FSB workshops across the county with Clare Elsby, FSB volunteer and co-founder of Northamptonshire accountancy firm Elsby & Co, encouraging small businesses to consider using the cloud and apps to run their business—quite a novel suggestion to many at the time.

Now, digital and tech adoption is essential for almost all businesses that need to stay competitive and overcome

Clare Elsby

other issues such as cost increases and staff and skills challenges. And Clare has become the FSB’s national innovation policy champion.

Innovation does not just happen in labs—it’s happening on local high streets too. Think of the local hair salon that boosts customer engagement through virtual consultations, the small manufacturer that increases production with an automatic bottling machine, or the small firm using AI for marketing, customer communications, or chasing overdue payments.

Despite their agility, resilience, and innovation, small businesses face significant barriers to adopting new technology, ranging from a lack of capital and late payments to difficulties in understanding how to implement tech solutions.

It is no secret that small businesses have fewer resources and thinner margins compared to large corporations. Many of our county’s biggest businesses not only started as small businesses, but they also rely on SMEs throughout their supply chain, which holds the real power to make a difference. Therefore, sharing knowledge and uplifting their smaller supply chain businesses should be encouraged and viewed as an investment.

Despite making up 99% of Northamptonshire’s and the UK’s business population, small businesses receive a relatively small share of government innovation funding compared to larger corporates. The FSB continues to urge the government to empower small businesses by ensuring access to the funding they need to become more digital-savvy, sustainable and efficient.

However, funding alone is not enough to create the infrastructure necessary for fostering tech adoption and innovation in small businesses. Policymakers need a broader understanding—one that goes beyond attempting to make the UK the next Silicon Valley, and instead focuses on creating a supportive environment for all businesses.

That is also why the FSB’s business support and lobbying efforts in Northamptonshire focus on levelling the playing field for small businesses, enabling them to support one another and ‘work smarter, not harder.’

I am involved in the annual Leicestershire Innovation Festival, where the vision is to raise the county’s GVA to 5% above the national average. It has struck me that, with a similar number of businesses in Northamptonshire and roughly the same number of FSB members (around 2,000 in each county), there is huge opportunity to encourage business innovation in a similar way over the border.

I am therefore pleased to be involved in the University of Northampton’s work to kick off this drive and map the ‘Innovation ecosystem’ in Northamptonshire, which aims to set the benchmark and pinpoint our county’s strengths, resources and opportunities around innovation for businesses. We need to know what successful networks, resources and physical spaces exist, what is missing and, crucially, what more can be done.

The research is ongoing. Watch this space for the results and we would love business owners to get involved to drive this agenda in our county.

FSB members, please contact me if you are interested in getting involved around this topic.

Jennifer Thomas is development manager- Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland for the Federation of Small Businesses fsb.org.uk

Jennifer Thomas

Tom

“Navigate and tighten up those often supplier-friendly contracts with more confidence and prepare for unexpected bumps in the road.”

Packaging: Ensure your contract is watertight

If you rely on the supply of packaging from a third party, you may be at risk in a number of ways. Does the quality meet your brand standards? Do the materials fulfil the environmental specification? How much wastage is acceptable?

“First impressions count and packaging is often a substantial part of the costs in taking a product to market,” said Tom Bodkin, a partner at Borneo Martell Turner Coulston Solicitors. “Most problems can be pre-empted and addressed in your contract with the supplier so do not be tempted to skim over or accept standard supply terms and conditions without taking legal advice first.”

A detailed review of the contract or terms of business will provide an opportunity to plug any gaps or address any concerns before issues actually arise.

The importance of timeliness will depend on your product range but suppliers typically do not like to include “time being of the essence” in the contract. This means you may be exposed to delays in delivery of your packaging materials which will have repercussions on manufacturing timelines and ultimately sales capability.

Another likely issue with packaging that you could encounter may be related to the actual type and quality of materials used and whether the packaging is in fact fit for purpose. For example, if certain

environmentally friendly materials were specified but different ones are used, if printing on the packaging is incorrect or if product somehow leaks out of the packaging.

Supply contracts usually have the standard “must be fit for use... in accordance with industry standards” language. For more robust protection, it is advisable to include provisions that deal with strict parameters and what recourse you would have if there was to be a breach of the quality expected.

Some supply contracts may include a wastage buffer to allow the supplier to provide a certain percentage that may fall into this buffer. For example, a 2% to 5% buffer may be considered to be industry standard or acceptable. Therefore, including suitable rights of remedy would be important to negotiate.

Packaging is a vital element of many products, particularly luxury goods, perishable goods and items which are ordered online. Borneo Martell Turner Coulston’s solicitors will help you to navigate and tighten up those often supplier-friendly contracts with more confidence and prepare for unexpected bumps in the road.

n For further information, 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.

Security specialist nets cyber intelligence leader

Lawyers at regional firm Howes Percival have acted for cyber threat intelligence specialist Security Alliance in its acquisition by CSIS Security Group. Founded in London in 2007, SecAlliance, is Europe’s leading threat intelligence provider. It delivers managed threat intelligence services, intelligence consultancy and advisory services to banks, financial market infrastructures, government and EU agencies, international organisations and critical national infrastructure operators. It is now part of the CSIS organisation,

founded in Denmark in 2003 and a major player in managed detection and response, emergency incident response and offensive security consulting.

Howes Percival’s corporate team acted for SecAlliance founder John Beale, the firm’s operations director, and Robert Dartnall, chief executive and director of intelligence.

Corporate specialist Shital Odedra, a senior associate, worked on the deal. She said: “This was another high-profile complex transaction involving multiple stakeholders in various jurisdictions and rounds off a particularly busy

Odedra

period over the last few months for the corporate team.”

Published in association with Borneo Martell Turner Coulston Solicitors

Bodkin

Shital

AI + EU = a UK compliance challenge

Chris Buck, associate partner at Franklins Solicitors, explains how, despite Brexit, European Union legislation on Artifical Intelligence will affect UK

The EU Artificial Intelligence Act is legislation which has recently been passed by the EU Parliament to govern the supply and use of all AI systems in the EU.

The Act was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on July 12 and came into effect on August 1 this year. However, most of its provisions apply only from August 2, 2026, although some will take effect in early February 2025.

Nevertheless, the European Commission encourages organisations to adopt the AI Pact voluntarily before the AI Act starts to apply. The AI Pact is expected to be launched during the transitional period between the Act coming into force and the start of its application.

The Act takes a horizontal approach in its application and applies to all AI systems generally, instead of setting out specific rules for each sector. It establishes a legal framework for the development, supply and use of AI in the EU and contains the following:

n Rules for the supply and use of AI systems in all member states.

n Extraterritorial provisions for operators based outside the EU.

n Prohibitions on certain AI practices considered dangerous.

n Technical requirements for AI systems presenting high risk of harm.

n Operator requirements for organisations at different levels in the high-risk AI supply chain.

n Specific rules for providers of general-purpose AI models. This includes provisions to protect copyright works.

n Requirements for certain AI systems to be completely transparent when those systems interact directly with humans or generate certain content.

n Market surveillance rules. Monitoring the AI’s abilities to learn is important.

n Measures to support innovation, help SMEs and start-ups.

The Act sets out sectors which would be excluded from its application. These include:

n Systems used exclusively for military, defence or national security.

n Systems used by third country public authorities or international organisations for compliance with international agreements or judicial cooperation with the EU or a member state.

n Systems used for the sole purpose of scientific research and development.

n Systems for purely personal activity.

n Systems released under free and open-source licences unless placed on the market or used as a high-risk AI system.

Article 5 of Chapter 2 of the Act sets out the AI activities that are prohibited:

n Systems which contain subliminal techniques and would ultimately manipulate or distort the behaviour of a person by impairing that person’s ability to make an informed decision and therefore causing or likely to cause harm.

n Systems which would exploit a person’s vulnerabilities due to their age, disability or social or economic situation with a view to distort that person’s behaviour and cause harm.

n Systems used for social scoring based on known or predicted personality and which causes detrimental treatment

unjustified or unrelated to the context or their social behaviour.

n Systems which assess the risk of a person to commit a crime or reoffend.

n Systems that create or expand facial recognition databases through untargeted scraping or facial images from the internet or CCTV.

n Systems used for emotion recognition in the workplace or educational instructions. There is however an exception for medical or safety reasons.

n Systems with biometric categorisation used to infer characteristics, such as race, political opinions or religion.

n Systems using real-time, remote biometric identification in publicly accessible spaces for law enforcement purposes, except when searching for victims of abduction, preservation of life and finding suspects.

The Act applies to all businesses within the EU, albeit its scope is extraterritorial. This means that all businesses in the UK which develop AI systems for the EU market will fall under the Act’s regulations. UK companies therefore must act now in order to comply with the Act’s requirements. Businesses would need to:

n Assess its impact on compliance.

n Create an inventory of AI systems.

n Identify prohibited AI systems and take action as necessary.

n Review and update the AI governance model to align with the Act.

n Develop comprehensive risk management procedures.

n Ensure robust data management practices.

n Ensure proper control protocols are in place.

n Understand internal and external dependencies related to AI systems.

Notwithstanding this, the UK government acknowledges that legislative action will need to be taken in the future in response to the everexpanding AI technologies. The Act will undeniably bring new compliance challenges for businesses and businesses need to address these challenges.

n To discuss how your business can remain compliant, contact Chris Buck, associate partner in the Franklins Solicitors Business Services team on christopher.buck@franklins-sols.co.uk or 01908 660966.

Chris Buck

Cash is king for organisations of all sizes. Financial consultant Adrian Goodman looks at how SMEs in particular can manage their money and keep the wolf from the door.

In large ‘blue chip’ organisations, where cash and borrowings are more readily available, the focus is more on profit than cash. For SMEs, effective cash flow management is vital for both survival and growth.

Of course profitability is also important but even a profitable business can face difficulties if it runs out of cash. Cash flow - the movement of money in and out of the business - keeps operations running, employees paid and growth opportunities within reach.

You may have heard it said that “cash flow is the lifeblood of a business”. Without enough cash available, you cannot pay bills or other obligations as they fall due and you cannot take advantages of growth opportunities. Many SMEs face the issue of ‘profit without cash,’ where they appear profitable on paper but struggle to meet financial obligations due to delayed customer payments.

Managing cash flow effectively allows SMEs to anticipate shortfalls, plan for challenging periods, and build reserves. By carefully monitoring cash inflows and outflows, business owners reduce the need for costly, last-minute borrowing, which can be unsustainable.

Despite this, sometimes borrowing becomes necessary - or even advantageous in certain circumstances - so an understanding of the options available can be helpful.

Overdrafts

An overdraft allows businesses to withdraw more than is available in their bank account up to an agreed limit. It is a convenient way to cover short-term cash flow gaps and interest is only charged on the amount borrowed.

However, overdraft limits are often modest and exceeding them can incur significant fees.

Business loans

Business loans provide a lump sum that is repaid over a fixed period. They are generally used for larger, planned investments rather than day-to-day cash flow needs.

However, securing a business loan, especially in recent times, often requires a personal guarantee, which means your personal assets could be at risk if the loan cannot be repaid.

Cashflow: Keeping the SME lifeblood pumping

The fixed repayments can also put pressure on cash flow during quieter months.

Revenue-based funding

Revenue-based funding from companies like Outfund and Clearco offers a more flexible borrowing option. Instead of fixed monthly repayments, these lenders take a percentage of your future revenue.

This means repayments are higher during busy periods and lower when revenue slows down, which is particularly useful for businesses with fluctuating income. However, this flexibility can come at a higher long-term cost.

Invoice discounting

Invoice discounting allows businesses to borrow against unpaid invoices, giving immediate access to cash without waiting for customers to pay. The lender advances a percentage of the invoice’s value - usually around 80-90% - and the balance (minus fees) is released once the invoice is paid.

“By understanding and planning effectively, you can maintain a healthy cashflow and secure the future success of your business.”

This option unlocks cash tied up in receivables and is ideal for businesses with long payment cycles. However, the associated fees can add up, especially if used frequently.

For SMEs, cash flow management is about balancing the timing of money coming in and going out.

By using a combination of financial planning and appropriate borrowing options, SMEs can ease the pressure of day-to-day operations. Whether it is an overdraft for short-term needs, a business loan for larger investments, revenue-based funding for variable income, or invoice discounting to free up cash from receivables, there is a solution for every situation.

By understanding and planning effectively, you can maintain a healthy cash flow and secure the future success of your business.

n Adrian Goodman is managing director of PPX Consulting and author of the book Achieving Profitable Growth, available on Amazon.

ppxconsulting.co.uk

adrian.goodman@ppxconsulting.co.uk

01536 856740

Adrian Goodman

Photo: Jo Blackwell Photography

Ann Phillips

A key player in our daily operations

The expertise of experienced business coach Ann Phillips is delivering extra value to clients of accountancy firm Elsby & Co

An innovative Northamptonshire accountancy firm which has created a suite of complementary services to help its clients grow has launched a new coaching service.

Rushden-based Elsby & Co is not content with offering traditional accountancy services alone. It wants to help its clients to grow and achieve their business ambitions.

To this end it offers a host of extra services to its clients, including support with recruitment, corporate finance, estate planning and wealth management.

Elsby’s own business has grown with help from its head of operations Ann Phillips, who is a highly experienced executive coach and management development specialist.

Not wanting to keep its success to itself, Elsby is now offering Ann’s extensive coaching expertise to clients who want to expand their businesses.

Ann said: “We truly care about our clients and really take the time to get to know them and learn about their ambitions so that we understand their unique needs.

“Having this knowledge is enabling us to provide our clients with coaching which can help their businesses to grow

and creates a strong, positive working environment and culture that benefits both their staff and customers.”

Ann provides one-to-one coaching, builds bespoke training workshops and can help troubleshoot problems to enable managers to focus on fixing the long-term causes of issues.

Elsby partner Claire Emery (inset) said: “Having built her knowledge in the corporate world and run her own successful coaching business, Ann excels in supporting growing businesses, particularly those who have experienced rapid growth and whose managers could benefit from guidance to help them get the very best out of their teams.

“Ann is a key player in our daily operations and has helped us to grow. We are proud to be able to share her skills with clients who can benefit from her help and support.

We are really pleased to be able this extra layer of service which is something we would not be able to do if we chose to operate in the way you would expect from a traditional accountant. Offering additional services to our clients is all part of our mission to be the only accountant they will ever need.”

n Visit www.elsbyandco.co.uk or contact 01933 312950.

Rule-tightening targets limited firms

Companies House has introduced new rules for limited companies as part of wider efforts to improve transparency, compliance and processes for businesses operating in the UK.

The most significant changes are:

Registered office and email addresses

Companies must provide a “clear and verified” registered office address. This must be an actual location where documents can be delivered and must be accessible for the inspection of statutory records. Companies will not be able to use a PO Box as their registered office address.

This will combat the use of false or misleading addresses. Additionally, companies must keep the registered office address up to date and accurate at all times or face penalties.

Companies must also provide a

Compliance and transparency are being tightened under new rules now being enforced for limited companies by the government. Danni Rees, of chartered accountants Moore, delves into the detail.

registered email address either when they first incorporate or, for existing companies, when they file their next confirmation statement. Companies House will use this to communicate with the company but will not make it public. Companies House has the power to reject filings if the company does not meet these criteria.

“Companies that fail to meet the new requirements face fines and other legal consequences.”

Stricter identity verification for directors and persons with significant control

New rules requiring the verification of directors and persons with significant control (PSC) are being introduced. All new and existing directors and PSCs will need to undergo identity verification to ensure that Companies House holds accurate and verified information on individuals who control or influence companies.

Stronger checks for company names

Companies House is now running stronger checks on company names

How will the Budget affect your business?

Tony Byrne, of Wealth & Tax Management, looks into his crystal ball ahead of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement later this month.

Trying to predict future tax changes from a Budget is notoriously difficult, although you often get clues from the various preBudget ‘leaks’.

It is not unusual though for Chancellors to spring surprises on us that were not flagged up in advance. So the truth is, anything could be announced in the Budget.

One thing is for sure… on October 30, Rachel Reeves will make history as the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer to introduce a Budget in the UK.

The Chancellor is reportedly considering several changes, including:

n Increasing revenue from Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

n Maintaining plans for a 1% increase in public spending, which could result in budget cuts for some Whitehall departments.

n Resisting calls to abolish the two-child benefit cap.

Tony Byrne

n Revising the method for measuring debt to exclude the Bank of England. n Allowing less tax relief on pension contributions.

Because Labour has stated in its election manifesto that they will not increase Income Tax, National Insurance and VAT for working people and nor will they increase Corporation Tax, that means they are likely to concentrate on IHT, CGT and pensions. Certainly, an alignment of CGT with Income Tax looks on the cards.

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. They do not represent the company’s views.

For advice on preparing for the Budget, 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 October 31.

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 OCTOBER 2024 OFFER to book your free discovery meeting.

Tax relief on pension contributions could be set at, say, 30%, meaning higher rate and additional rate taxpayers would receive less tax relief and basic rate taxpayers would get more.

The Annual Allowance of £60,000 could also be reduced. It is unlikely that the taxfree cash lump sum will be taxed though it wouldn’t surprise me if the cap were reduced further from the current level of £268,275.

Of course, I may be completely wrong in my predictions of what may happen in the Budget but that would surprise me.

which might give a false or misleading impression to the public. It has the power to refuse to register a company name if they believe it is intended to facilitate fraud, is offensive or gives the false impression that the company is connected to certain organisations such as the police or the NHS.

Companies House can insist that a company changes its name or, in certain circumstances, can pick a new name for the company.

Updated reporting requirements

The reporting requirements for limited companies have been updated to ensure greater accuracy of the information held on the public register. Companies must confirm they are forming a company for a lawful purpose when they incorporate and confirm that their intended future activities will be lawful on the confirmation statement.

Companies must also report changes to their shareholder and shareholdings promptly to make it easier for the public and regulatory authorities to track the ownership and control of companies.

Penalties for non-compliance

Companies that fail to meet the new requirements face fines and other legal consequences, including being struck off the register.

Companies operating in the UK must be aware of these changes and take proactive steps to ensure they meet the new requirements.

n For further information visit moore. co.uk or contact your local Moore office.

Danni Rees is company secretarial manager at Moore East Midlands, covering Northampton, Corby and Peterborough.

Chambers call for a Budget for growth

The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to use her first Budget to seize the moment to boost business and grow the UK economy.

The BCC’s budget submission focuses on policy recommendations to encourage investment, strengthen the workforce and develop our local economies.

The top five recommendations are:

n Create a competitive investment environment by expanding full expensing to leased assets and promoting North Sea investment.

n Support a healthier workforce by reducing the employer and employee tax on workplace health services.

n Engage employers in skills planning by extending investment in Local Skills Improvement Plans and addressing gaps in local training provision.

n Reform business rates, with the aim of lowering the multiplier to 45p by the end of this Parliament.

n Invest in infrastructure by delivering previously planned transport projects, improving rail capacity and updating planning rules to increase employment land supply.

With inflation now close to target, and interest rates beginning to fall, the first half of 2024 has seen business confidence rise. The BCC has upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2024 three times this year, from a low of 0.4% to an expectation of 1.1%.

However economic growth is forecast to remain flat in 2025 and 2026. Fears over increases in taxation on firms, and warnings of tough choices in the budget, have left business leaders wary.

BCC director general Shevaun Haviland said: “The first budget of a new government is always a huge moment to shape the expectations of business

and the public for the years ahead.

“So the Chancellor is right to champion the critical importance of economic growth and investment. Businesses are keen to get more detail on how the government plans to do this so we can all work to make it happen.

“On trade and investment, the level of funding directed towards growth and expansion by UK firms needs to be unleashed. They need help to realise their growth potential and attract inflows of overseas cash for big ticket projects.”

The BCC is also calling for action on full expensing, North Sea capital allowances and business rates to free up money to invest in innovation, supported by spending on transport, digital infrastructure and the power grid. “This sends a clear signal to investors on the government’s intent.”

The people problem in the UK economy must be fixed, Shevaun added. “Firms are still struggling to find the staff with the skills they need to grow. They either do not have the training or are not looking for jobs at all. Steps are needed to help people with health issues to stay in the workplace and to provide everyone with the skills they need to either get jobs or progress up the ladder..”

Simon Cox, head of policy at Milton Keynes and Northamptoshire Chambers of Commerce, added “The new government’s budget is a key moment for shaping business expectations.

“Economic growth and investment must be at the forefront, with businesses eager to see concrete plans. The skills shortage must also be addressed by training and supporting people to stay in the workforce, ensuring businesses have the talent they need to thrive and grow.”

The Autumn Statement is due to take place on October 30.

Danni Rees

Shevaun Haviland Simon Cox

Once they were an essential purchase on matchdays ahead of the big kick-off. Now Northampton Saints is the latest club to abandon the printed matchday programme in favour of a digital pre-match read for its supporters.

It has long been a mainstay of matchdays at Northampton Saints.

Part of the supporter experience has been the matchday programme, full of features, news, pictures, and details of future games and off-field events.

Not anymore. While the matchday programme remains, it is now available to supporters for free via a new digitalonly format starting this season.

The Saints say the new online programme platform – Zeeon – means that more supporters will be able to view each edition for free via their mobile phones, tablets, or on their desktop.

The digital editions will be published the day before every home fixture and shared with supporters directly via Saints’ social media channels, website, and pre-match email communications. Scannable QR codes will also be situated around the cinch at Franklins Gardens stadium for supporters to read the programme on their mobile devices on matchday.

“Many sports teams, both inside and outside of rugby, have made the switch over to digital matchday programmes in recent years, while at Saints we had bucked the trend somewhat by continuing with a printed edition,” said Saints communications director Jack Miller.

Dwindling programme sales—only around 300 are purchased on an average matchday—prompted the change.

“This is a decision that has taken a lot of consideration, as we know that some of our supporters like to collect a physical keepsake from the matches they attend

A tradition transformed into a ‘dynamic and interactive’ experience

in the form of a programme. However, the reality is that sales of our matchday programmes have dwindled in recent years—I think many supporters would be surprised to learn that only around 300 on average are purchased on matchdays and, as a result, at that volume we are not able to generate any revenue for the club.”

A digital-only programme was trialled at last season’s ‘Green Game’ in January against Newcastle Falcons and was viewed by more than 2,500 users. “We are very confident that our supporters will find this new service easy to use and enjoy keeping up to date with the latest from Northampton Saints on matchdays,” said Jack.

“The move is also positive for our ambitions in sustainability. We want to

operate the most sustainable rugby stadium in the country and be a pioneer for climate action in rugby and beyond. A digital programme prevents thousands of pages being printed for every home matchday and then transported to the stadium, substantially reducing our impact on the environment.”

Programme platform Zeeon already works with other rugby and football clubs. Managing director Will Biggs said: “While we already collaborate with multiple clubs across the Gallagher Premiership and URC, having the Premiership champions host exclusive elements of their match programme via our platform is an incredible milestone for us. Our goal is to transform a traditional aspect of matchday into a dynamic and interactive experience for supporters.”

Feeling the buzz as a new era dawns for the Dons

Club partner East Engineering Components has renewed its support of the League Two club MK Dons for the new 2024-25 season.

“Being able to lock down East Engineering Components for a further season is absolutely fantastic for the club,” said the Dons’ group finance director Ryan Gawley.

“We only partner with companies that we share an affinity with, and we are delighted to continue our journey. The support we have received from them and our club

partners over the last few years has been vital.”

East Engineering Components is based in Aspley Guise and stocks and supplies engineering components.

Managing director Mark East (inset) said: “We take great pride in our Milton Keynes roots and are proud of the benefits this partnership will bring to the local community, where all of our team live.”

He paid tribute to the work of former chairman Pete Winkelman, who stepped down after the club’s sale to a Kuwaiti consortium. “We are looking forward to working closely with the new owners and the MK Dons team,” said Mark.

“We would like to thank Pete for all his hard work over the last 20 years, and we can feel a real buzz building in MK with the news of a new investor.”

“This is a valuable relationship that shares an enthusiastic audience and one we can both utilise to increase engagement.”

Curtain up on a partnership to boost the crowds

Cross-promotion is key, according to the heads of a new partnership between Royal & Derngate and Northampton Town Football Club.

The football club is already a member of the theatre’s Business Club and both have committed to promote activities at the theatre and Sixfields stadium to encourage more people to try something new.

“Many of our supporters are truly passionate about theatre or football,” said Royal & Derngate’s development manager Chris Smith. “If we can build on that passion to expand people’s interests into another area, that is a benefit all round.”

Royal & Derngate and the Cobblers worked together to bring the multimedia production The Twelfth Man to life at Sixfields Stadium.

The theatre will have an increased presence on Cobblers’ match days, including ‘lucky seat’ draws to win tickets for certain shows. It will also promote the football to its audiences to encourage more townsfolk to experience the Cobblers match days. The football club will share special promotions from Royal & Derngate with its season ticket holders.

The Cobblers’ marketing manager Charlotte Hyams said: “This is a valuable relationship that shares an enthusiastic audience and one we can both utilise to increase engagement. As a town, Northampton is not only lucky to have a successful football, rugby and cricket team but also a thriving theatre.”

F1race team Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS is on track to make major inroads into its aviation emissions by the end of next year. It aims to quadruple its emission reduction levels by investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel certificates. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS doubled its reduction rate last year, cutting air travel emissions by 6,695 tonnes of carbon dioxide. A year earlier, the Brackley-based operation had become the first sports team in the world to invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel through book and claim and direct refinery capacity. The increased

‘A fantastic opportunity to elevate our brand across the county’

Chris Smith and Charlotte Hyams at the Royal & Derngate’s Business Club wall...

... and in the tunnel at Northampton Town’s Sixfields Stadium

Pulse Group Media director

Kerry Lewis-Stevenson (centre) at the business club launch in the summer

implementation of book and claim means the business is set to quadruple annual aviation carbon emission reductions through SAFc use in 2025. It expects to reduce aviation emissions

More than a strategy... creating a greener future

through SAFc purchase by a total of 18,500 tCO2e across 2024 and 2025, with 8,000 tCO2e saved in 2024 and 10,500 tCO2e saved in 2025.

Mercedes-AMGF PETRONAS forecasts emissions reductions of more than 27,500 tonnes of carbon through its investment in SAFc. “Our investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel is more than a strategy; we believe it can create a greener future,” said the team’s head of sustainability Alice Ashpitel.

“We see SAFc as a game-changer, a way for sports and businesses to make a lasting impact. We hope that our support for this sector can help trigger others to

The book and claim system allows corporate consumers to buy SAF certificates that represent the certified lifecycle emissions reductions from cleanly-fueled trips and use them in corporate emissions reporting.

Companies can purchase certificates from SAF producers or air transport providers, compensating them or paying them up front for their investment in SAF and allowing them to continue to produce or buy the more costly alternative fuels. This incentivizes airlines to make the switch to climate-friendlier fuels.

Construction plant and equipment supplier Shellplant is the new goal and teamsheet sponsor at Northampton Town FC for the 2024-25 season.

“As a new brand with the club, it shows the growing commitment Northampton Town has to working with local businesses around the county,” said Cobblers commercial executive Ollie Lloyd. “It is great to work with new businesses to create innovative ideas to support them during the journey.”

n Shellplant, based at Earls Barton, has been in business since 1972, selling construction plant and equipment and supplying parts and aftersales services.

“The opportunity to support local sport and invest in our area is really important to us,” said Shellplant partner Julian Payne.

n Business Times publisher Pulse Group Media is the latest business to link up with the Cobblers as part of the club’s Commercial Development Programme.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to elevate our brand across the county, and connect with new business prospects,” said Pulse Group Media director Kerry Lewis-Stevenson. “The programme’s innovative approach and focus on empowering businesses make it the perfect platform for us.”

The publisher also prints and distributes Business MK, NN Pulse, and MK Pulse, as well as running the Your Business Expo exhibitions in Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, and Bedfordshire.

“We look forward to sharing our packages and assets with other businesses across Northamptonshire and connecting with new and engaging industries,” said Cobblers commercial director James Corrigan.

n Fox & Co has also joined the commercial development programme at Sixfields.

“Coming from Northampton and

do the same and drive further investment in SAF production.”

Sustainable Fuels will change the face of Formula One in 2026 but they are already one of the cornerstones of the team’s sustainability strategy, she added.

Mercedes-AMGF PETRONAS saved 339 tCO2e through a switch to HVO biofuels for land freight and on-site at the European race venues. It targeted 100% biofueled logistics for all nine races in the 2024 European season, with the results due to be reported this month.

Its targets for 2030 include a 75% reduction in Race Team Control emissions and 100% reduction of Scope 1 & 2 emissions.

Team principal and chief executive Toto Wolff said: “A net reduction in our emissions sits at the heart of our operations and the ambitious sustainability targets we have set ourselves. We continue to invest in innovative solutions and technology that will enhance our performance, helping us go further faster.”

watching the Cobblers growing up, I feel like I am in a privileged position, where I can now support my local team in more ways than one,” said Fox & Co owner Brent Fox, who founded the business ten years ago. “With all three of my sons playing football and it being a big part of our lives, it feels nice to support the mighty Town.”

n Silverstone Shooting Centre, the largest privately owned shooting range in the UK, is working with Northampton Town FC to promote awareness and support for the sport.

Silverstone Shooting Centre is looking to make the sport more accessible and sees collaboration with the Cobblers as an effective way to reach a wider audience. The shooting centre is home to indoor and outdoor ranges and, as a Home Office-approved club, runs a training programme for new shooters to obtain their firearms licence as well as training and competitions.

“Our partnership is designed to show Northampton Town fans and players that the sport of target shooting is both great fun and safe to try,” said Silverstone Shooting Centre’s owner John Thorne. “Many people will have seen shooting on TV recently in the Olympics, and hopefully we can introduce new people to the sport in a safe way.”

Creating a vision for my clients to see their future

Viewings, negotiations, reflections... and an essential cup of tea. Join Martine Crawford, branch manager at Belvoir estate agency in Corby, on a typical day at work.

Morning hustle...

My day as an estate agency branch manager begins early. As I sip my morning tea, I review my schedule for the day and week ahead.

I am very hands-on in the office, and my schedule is packed, as usual, with morning meetings, property viewings, valuations, and a few urgent follow-ups. The first challenge of the day, however, often comes from balancing these demands, managing and supporting my team, while remaining flexible enough to handle the unexpected, because as an estate agent, surprises are the norm.

Martine Crawford

“At the viewing, my role shifts to that of a storyteller... I love planting the seeds of what could be done...”

Connecting with clients...

My first task of the day is to check my emails and messages. Being an estate agent is a 24/7 job, and clients often expect immediate responses. I pride myself on my ability to communicate effectively and understand that a quick reply can make the difference between closing a deal or losing a client.

The morning is usually filled with client calls and responding to enquiries. My phone is my lifeline in managing relationships, negotiating deals, and coordinating with other agents, as well as speaking with solicitors and conveyancers. Each call requires a different approach: some clients need reassurance, while others are all business.

I reflect on how important it is to be adaptable and empathetic, and understand that buying or selling a home is one of the most significant decisions in a person’s life.

Property viewings and negotiations...

By mid-morning, I am in my car, heading to a property viewing. Today, I am showing a house to a young couple looking for their first home. As I drive, I mentally prepare and review the property’s features, its selling points, and potential concerns they might raise.

At the viewing, my role shifts to that of a storyteller. I am no longer just showing a property... I am creating a vision for my clients to see their future in this property.

I love planting the seeds of what could be done to the property to make it their dream home. Not everyone has a vision, so this part of my job is both challenging and exhilarating.

Every client is different, and understanding their needs and desires is key to making the right pitch. This couple seems interested, so I feel a rush of satisfaction as there is a potential sale here.

Back at the office, I engage in negotiations for another property, this time representing a seller. Negotiation is where my experience and intuition truly shine. Advocating for a client while also working to keep the deal alive is a delicate balance, and I thrive on this challenge. I find it intellectually stimulating and rewarding when I can bring both parties to a happy conclusion.

Lunchtime reflection...

Lunchtime is often a quick affair and usually just a brief moment of solitude where I can gather my thoughts. Today, I have a moment to reflect on the entrepreneurial side of the business. As a businesswoman, I am always looking for ways to grow and explore new market trends.

I sometimes reflect on the challenges I face as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. While it is not always easy, I am proud of how far I have come, and this keeps me motivated to break more barriers.

I know that my success is not just about selling houses, but about brand awareness, reputation, and legacy. I secretly have a passion for marketing and have a BA Hons in business marketing, where I wrote a journal on estate agency and the challenges the industry faces. I have so many plans for further development within the business.

Afternoon grind...

The afternoon brings more property valuations and viewings, each with its own set of dynamics. I move from one appointment to the next—the variety of

my work keeps me engaged, and no two days are ever the same.

By late afternoon, I am back in the office, sifting through paperwork, chasing sales, and assisting the lettings department. I occasionally have to play the part of a rent chaser if payments are late. This is the part of the job I find the least glamorous but equally essential.

Contracts, legal documents, and endless forms are the backbone of our business, and my attention to detail ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Wrapping

up and reflecting...

As the day winds down, I take a moment to review my achievements and plan for tomorrow. There are deals to finalise, clients to follow up with, strategies to refine...

Some days are tough, especially when a sale falls through or a client is unhappy. But most of the time, the satisfaction of helping someone find their dream home or sell a beloved property outweighs these challenges.

That is what keeps me motivated to do it all over again the next day. It is a neverending cycle, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Martine (seated) with colleagues at the Belvoir office

Business Soundbites

A snapshot of what business people have been telling us.

“With a legacy of a record high tax burden and government debt close to 100% of GDP, there is no room for a fiscal stimulus to slingshot the economy on to a stronger and more sustainable growth path.”

Professor Joe Nellis of Cranfield University and economic adviser to accountants MHA, ahead of the Budget Statement later this month.

“Real growth will require private sector investment and quickly.”

The Chancellor needs to tread a careful line, Professor Nellis warns.

“It is unlikely that we will see real investment pick up until after the Budget when companies will be able to understand the tax landscape from the new government.”

MHA’s head of manufacturing Chris Barlow

“We wanted to close the loop and be a through-the-line sponsor.”

Suzuki GB’s managing director Dale Wyatt explains the company’s extension of its sponsorship of MK Dons FC to include the women’s teams and Sports & Education Trust.

“This sponsorship is about more than just supporting an eventit’s about standing by the people, businesses and traditions that make our communities thrive,”

Steven Smillie, relationship manager in Scotland, on why Milton Keynesbased Allica Bank was among the sponsors of this year’s World Stone Skimming Championships.

“When it comes to wellbeing at work, employees would choose general improvements in workplace culture over wellness interventions.”

Investors in People chief executive Paul Devy in the wake of an IIPcommissioned YouGov survey.

“A collaborative methodology is required to establish harmony between the built and natural environments.”

Treat trees causing subsidence in buildings, don’t just cut them down. Freya Chapman, residential lead at ground engineering expert Mainmark in Milton Keynes.

‘Love and effort’ serves up success

“Extremely chic surroundings for thoughtful modern dishes,” is the verdict of an AA inspector after the organisation awarded a second rosette to fine dining restaurant Hibiscus.

The restaurant is located within Delapré Abbey’s historic Billiard Room. Under the leadership of executive head chef Bart Polinski, Hibiscus offers a sevencourse tasting menu using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, many grown in Delapré Abbey’s Walled Garden. The focus, Bart said, is on sustainability and flavour.

“We are pleased to have received our second AA Rosette,” said Bart, who was named Chef of the Year at the 2022-23 Weetabix Food & Drink Awards. “It shows how much love and effort our team puts into what we do, and it is amazing to see that recognised.”

The second AA Rosette is the latest in a series of awards, including the Booker

Dining Venue of the Year at the 202223 Weetabix Food & Drink Awards, and the Food & Drink Award at the 202021 Northampton Business Excellence Awards.

Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards director Rachel Mallows said: “This fine dining experience is

Business pays tribute to ex-deputy leader

Business leaders have added their own voices to the tributes paid to the late former deputy leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Robin Bradburn (pictured) Cllr Bradburn passed away last month. The National Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton held a minute’s silence in his memory. He was a steadfast backer of the Milton Keynes business community, leading the council’s sponsorship of the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards.

Nicholas Mann, chair of awards organiser Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership, said: “In the years that I knew him, Robin proved himself to be a staunch supporter of our business community and, by extension, MKBLP, MKBAA, and me personally. When I think of him, I think of kindness and humanity; a man for whom nothing was ever too much trouble to help you. I will miss him greatly.”

Robin stepped down as deputy leader earlier this year. Council leader Cllr Pete Marland described him as “a role model of public service.” His widow Marie is the current Mayor of Milton Keynes.

truly worth visiting, as it celebrates local provenance and seasonality of ingredients in such a beautiful setting. I am absolutely delighted to hear of this second rosette success for Hibiscus and congratulate the team at Delapré for helping to put Northamptonshire on the culinary excellence map.”

Hibiscus’ executive head chef Bart Polinski. Below: Rachel Mallows, director of the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards

Hibiscus’s restaurant manager, Valeria Sula—herself an expert in wine pairing— added: “This achievement is a testament to our team’s dedication and hard work. We strive to create a welcoming and exquisite dining atmosphere for our guests, and this award acknowledges our commitment. Our charitable objectives include supporting our community and promoting the benefits of heritage and green spaces, on wellbeing, and every visit to Hibiscus helps us to continue this work.”

Putting the pollinators in pole position

The Bee and the Butterfly… a colourful mosaic inspired by wildlife in Howe Park Wood in Milton Keynes and on display outside the Education Centre at the ancient woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The Parks Trust, which manages the site, received Section 106 funding for the project (inset), created by artist Melanie Mosaics. Sarah Griffiths, outdoor learning and interpretation manager at The Parks Trust, said: “Melanie’s creation perfectly captured the purpose for this new public art piece; to raise awareness of the importance of bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

“Without them, many of the crops we rely on for food and clothing, as well as many wild plants, would disappear”.

The Bee and the Butterfly joins a collection of public art found in Milton Keynes’ parkland.

Happiness receives a helping hand

Its mission is to create a happier, more compassionate society focusing on personal and community wellbeing.

Now the Year of Happier Living campaign is coming to Northamptonshire.

The campaign is run by the Action for Happiness initiative and is being led, in Northamptonshire, by a group of volunteers backed by the county’s two local authorities and charitable organisations.

The volunteers have received funding to promote Action for Happiness resources and the campaign’s 10 Keys to Happier Living.

Action for Happiness chief executive Mark Williamson said: “The Action for Happiness hub in Northamptonshire is a brilliant example of how a group of local volunteers can have a real impact on people’s lives.

“The funding they have secured for the ‘Year of Happier Living’ will help many more people in Northamptonshire access evidence-based tools and resources that will support their happiness and mental health and help them make a difference in the happiness and mental health of the people around them.

“We know happiness has a social ripple

effect; if we experience people building a happier, kinder world, we are more likely to feel happier and pass it on by taking positive action ourselves. So this initiative has the potential to spread and make a real difference in Northamptonshire.”

The resources and courses provide a framework and tools to help develop daily habits. They are particularly relevant for people struggling with mental health issues, helping to support their recovery journey.

Cllr Gill Mercer, North Northamptonshire Council’s executive member for adults, health and wellbeing, said: “It is really important that we all give as much importance to mental health as we do to physical health.

“Both mental and physical health are interwoven with each other, as mental ill health is associated with increased chances of physical illness. Also, those with poor physical health or long-term health conditions are unfortunately more

“This initiative has the potential to ripple out and make a real difference in Northamptonshire.”

likely to suffer from poor mental health.”

West Northamptonshire Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Matt Golby, added: “The Year of Happier Living will help increase access to evidence-based tools to support people with their mental wellbeing, enabling them to access the support they need. Together, we are committed to working with partners across the county to provide our communities with the tools they need to thrive.”

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

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS

October 15 10am-11am: Online

Joint event with Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce. Join a series of virtual rooms to connect your business with up to six others. Free event, Chamber members only. CONNECT OVER COFFEE

October 17 9.30am-11.15am: Courtyard Luton Airport, Airport Way Informal networking, Free event for Chamber members; non-members £25 + VAT. Book on to Chamber of Commerce events via events.chamber-business.com

IGNITE

Tuesday 6.45am:

The Turnpike, Harpole, Northampton ACHIEVERS

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

October 1, 15, 29 6.45am-8.45am: The Beefeater, 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.

October 11, 25 7am:

Windmill Hill Golf Centre, Bletchley

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

BEDFORD

October 10 9.30am-11.30am

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

Brunchtime networking. Price: £26. MILTON KEYNES

October 2 9.30am-11.30am

The Woburn, George Street, Woburn Host: Heide Swift.

Brunchtime networking. Price: £26. NORTHAMPTON

October 8 9.30am-11.30am

The Chester House Estate, Irchester Host: Kirsty Parris. Brunchtime networking. Price: £26. TOWCESTER

October 16 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.

AMPTHILL

October 10 11.45am-2pm

The Knife & Cleaver, Houghton Conquest Host: Chandra Gardner.

BEDFORD

October 31 11.45am-2pm

The Woodland Manor Hotel, Green Lane, Clapham

Host: Aruno Rao.

BUCKINGHAM

October 21 11.45am-2pm

The Grand Junction, High Street, Buckingham

Host: Heide Swift.

KETTERING

October 22 11.45am-2pm

The Kettering Golf Club, Headlands

Host: Aruno Rao.

MILTON KEYNES

October 3 11.45am-2pm

The George Inn, Watling Street, Little Brickhill

Host: Aruno Rao.

MILTON KEYNES NORTH

October 14 11.45am-2pm

The Cherry Tree, Olney

Host: Aruno Rao.

NORTHAMPTON

October 15 11.45am-2pm

The White Hart, Main Road, Hackleton

Host: Aruno Rao.

TOWCESTER

October 30 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

October 2, 7.30am-9am:

YMCA, North Sixth Street, Central Milton Keynes

The longest-established breakfast networking club in Milton Keynes. Speakers: Nicholas Mann, chair of Milton Keynes Business Leaders Partnership; Amanda Wright, director of Yellowyoyo; Jerry Taylor, of TRT Communications. Book at citybreakfastclub.co.uk

VIRTUAL

October 1, 8 10.30am-12 noon

October 9 12.15pm-1.45pm Online BREAKFAST, NETWALK & BRUNCH

October 3 7.15am-8.45am; 9.05am-9.50am; 10am-11.30am

Willen Hospice Café , Willen Lake IN PARTNERSHIP EVENT with Buckingham businesses

October 3 5pm-6.30pm

The Grand Junction, Buckingham IN PARTNERSHIP EVENT with Leighton Buzzard businesses

October 10 5pm-6.30pm Leighton Town Football Club

GOLD MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS WORKSHOP

October 15 9am-12 noon

x+why Unity Place, , Central Milton Keynes

MK MEET-UP EVENT

October 24 4.45pm-7pm

MK:U Innovation Hub, Central Milton Keynes IN PARTNERSHIP EVENT with Olney businesses October 30 5pm-6.30pm

Olney Rugby Club

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.

October 17 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 October 18 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

October 10 10am-12 noon: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands Informal networking. Price: £12.50. Book at askgoto.com/event/coffee-connect-mk-20/

LBBC

LEIGHTON BUZZARD BUSINESS CLUB Wednesdays 7am-8.30am: The Dukes, Leighton Road, Heath and Reach Breakfast networking with speaker and member presentations. Visitors: £10.

Contact: leightonbuzzardbiz.co.uk. Email LBBC chairman Steve Baker at steve@sbfinancial.co.uk or call 01296 641868.

LET’S MEET MK

October 2 5pm-7.30pm: Marco’s Holiday In Central Milton Keynes Informal networking with speakers. Hosted by The Point Radio and Connection Communications. Book at 1055thepoint.com/local/lets-meet-mk/

#LOVEBIZ NETWORKING DERNGATE COMMUNITY

October 2 9.30am-11am: Online

Networking community for women in business in Northamptonshire and beyond. Price: £19.95. Contact: Julie Cameron at juliecameron@ lovebiznetworking.co.uk or lovebiznetworking. co.uk.

LUTON COFFEE CLUB

1st Tuesday 8am-10am Mano Coffee, George Street Informal networking. Free event.

To find out more, email organiser Stephen Wood at s.w@srwood.co.uk or call 01582 401221.

WOMEN WITH VISION

October 11 11.30am-1.30pm:

Silverstone Museum

Networking + 2-course lunch. Price: £30 + VAT Chamber members; non-members £50 VAT. MEET THE NEIGHBOURS

October 15 10am-11am: Online

Joint event with Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire Chambers of Commerce. Join a series of virtual rooms to connect your business with up to six others. Free event, Chamber members only.

NEXT GENERATION PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT –THE POWER OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

October 17 5.30pm-7pm: Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Waterside Way, Northampton

Hosted by Next Generation Chamber. Presenter: Beccy Hurrell, of Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts. Free event fr Chamber members and nonmembers.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE FORUM

October 22 8.30am-11am: Northampton Active, Bedford Road, Northampton

Panel discussion + Q&A with representatives from the Department of Business & Trade, Export Academy, export Finance and Innovate UK Business Growth.

Free event for Chamber members and non-members.

Networking

MAXIMISE YOUR MEMBERSHIP

October 24 8.30am-10.30am: Tresham College, Church Street, Wellingborough

Find out more about the benefits of Chamber membership. Free event for Chamber members and non-members.

CHAMBER PORTAL WORKSHOP

October 25 11am-11.30am: Online

Learn how to upload news, blogs, events, tips and job vacancies to the Chamber website. Free event. Chamber non-members welcome. To book on to Chamber events, visit chambermk.co.uk/events.

MEET OF MK

October 31 5pm-7pm:

The Italian Sur Lago, Furzton Lake Contact: mkfm.com/events/mkfms-meet-of-mk/

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.

BRAND AND BUSINESS BOOST DAY

October 2 9am-3.30pm: The Barnsdale, Rutland Workshop led by ActionCoach Oakham & Kettering on how to sell effectively and ethically. Price tbc.

FRIDAY @4

October 11 4pm-5pm: Online

Free event to NNBN members and nonmembers.

NNBN NETWORKING

October 14 7pm-8.30pm:

The Chester House Estate, Irchester Informal networking. Free event for NNBN members; visitors £10.

THE FREEDOM WORKSHOP

October 15 11.30am-1.30pm: Holiday Inn Northampton, Bedford Road

Building the value of your business and preparing it for sale. Presented by Business Doctors, Kilby Fox Chartered Accountants and Wilson Browne Solicitors. See below under Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce. Free event.

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

TAKING THE FEAR OUT OF INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT

October 8 9.30am-12.30pm:

The Granary Hotel, Fawsley

October 22 noon-3pm: Northampton Active, Bedford Road

Advice on developing an inclusive recruitment strategy, including the law, funded support available and hear some success stories from local businesses.

Part of the people and skills element of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity fund. Led by Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce with West Northamptonshire Council, Learning & Skills Academy, Diversiti, Track NN, Haus of HR and ACE Working. Free event for Chamber members and non-members.

WOMEN WITH VISION

October 11 11.30am-1.30pm: Silverstone Museum

Networking + 2-course lunch. Price: £30 + VAT Chamber members; non-members £50 VAT.

MEET THE NEIGHBOURS

October 15 10am-11am: Online

Joint event with Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire Chambers of Commerce. Join a series of virtual rooms to connect your business with up to six others. Free event, Chamber members only. NEXT GENERATION PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT –THE POWER OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

October 17 5.30pm-7pm: Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, Waterside Way, Northampton

Hosted by Next Generation Chamber. Presenter: Beccy Hurrell, of Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts. Free event fr Chamber members and nonmembers.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE FORUM

October 22 8.30am-11am:

Northampton Active, Bedford Road

Panel discussion + Q&A with representatives from the Department of Business & Trade, Export Academy, export Finance and Innovate UK Business Growth.

Free event for Chamber members and non-members.

MAXIMISE YOUR MEMBERSHIP

October 24 8.30am-10.30am: Tresham College, Church Street, Wellingborough

Find out more about the benefits of Chamber membership. Free event for Chamber members and non-members.

CHAMBER PORTAL WORKSHOP

October 25 11am-11.30am: Online

Learn how to upload news, blogs, events, tips and job vacancies to the Chamber website. Free event. Chamber non-members welcome.. To book on to Chamber events, visit northants-chamber.co.uk

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

QUIZ NIGHT

October 18 7pm: Wavendon Community Centre

Raising money for the Women’s Fund at Milton Keynes Community Foundation. Price: £10 per person. For more details and to book, visit womeninenterprise.co.uk.