Business Times December 2022

ANALYSIS

Office solutions provider ACS Systems has been acquired by one of Europe’s major IT providers.

Multinational technology company Bechtle has worked on several projects with ACS over the years and now ACS co-founder Jon Thorpe has secured a future-oriented succession plan for the Northampton-based business.

The executive management team of ACS will remain in their current roles and oversee the process of integrating the company into the Bechtle Group together with James Napp, managing director of Bechtle direct UK.

The acquisition of ACS forms part of Bechtle’s continued acquisition strategy which in 2021 saw sites outside Germany, Austria and Switzerland added to the IT System House & Managed Services segment of the business for the first time. After expanding into the Netherlands, Bechtle is looking to strengthen its position in the UK market with an expanded portfolio.

The purchase price and conditions have not been disclosed.

Mr Thorpe said: “Having co-founded the company, it was very important to me to know the company will be in good hands down the road, both for our colleagues and our customers. Together with Bechtle, we are well poised to keep growing while ensuring consistent, long-term support for our customers during their digital transformation.”

Bechtle has been in the UK market for more than 20 years, providing companies and public sector customers with a portfolio of hardware, software, solutions and services. Bechtle currently employs around 120 staff in the UK, generating revenues well above €110 million. The current financial year has also seen Bechtle direct UK enjoy extraordinary growth

Mr Napp said: “I have known ACS for many years and have always enjoyed working with Jon Thorpe. ACS has a very experienced and highly capable team and will undoubtedly put us in a

Administrators have been appointed by fashion and homeware retailer Joules with the company facing collapse, putting 1,600 jobs at risk.

There is confidence that a buyer can be found for the company which has a distribution centre in Saxon Way West, on Corby’s Oakley Hay Industrial Estate to support the Market Harborough-based firm.

The Joules Group includes 132 Joules stores, an online business and runs the online-only Garden Trading Company. Talks with potential investors to provide a ‘cornerstone’ investment failed last

position to accelerate our growth and expand our offering for our customers.

“The cultural fit could not be better and we look forward to the opportunity to scale our mutual business together and become one of the top ten IT solutions providers in the UK.”

Konstantin Ebert, executive vice president for France, Benelux and UK, Bechtle AG, added:

“We see excellent prospects on the horizon in the UK market with ACS. We already have a successful track record together and are very positive that, by joining forces, both companies can offer huge added value in terms of end-to-end customer support. The two teams complement each other perfectly.”

Founded in 1983, Bechtle is now one of Europe’s leading IT providers with a presence in 14 countries. It has 13,500 employees working across Europe and the Bechtle portfolio focuses on modern workplace technologies, data centre and cyber security solutions and managed services, complimenting the core activities of ACS.

month and the company appointed Interpath Advisory as administrators.

The gruoup has continued to trade while the administrators seek a buyer.

Multinational tech business acquires office systems firm Administrators seek buyer for retailer

Will Wright, head of restructuring at Interpath Advisory, said there had been considerable interest. “Joules is one of the most recognisable names on the high street, with a unique brand identity and loyal customer base,” he added.

“We will be working hard over the days ahead to assess this interest but at this stage we are optimistic that we will be able to secure a future for this great British brand.”

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year from all of us at

Wishing all our readers and advertisers a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year

The senior leadership teams at ACS Systems and Bechtle

Energy firm is named Chamber’s Planet Saver

It has been steadfastly committed to the use of non-fossil fuels to generate energy for the past 40 years.

Now a Northamptonshire engineering company has been named the national green business of the year by the British Chambers of Commerce.

Marlec Engineering received the National Planet Saver award at the BCC Chamber Business Awards ceremony for its commitment to the fight against climate change.

The company, based in Corby, specialises in the development and manufacture of wind and solar solutions to energy generation. It was

founded in 1978 by engineer John Fawkes, who created the Rutland Windcharger as a wind-driven battery-charging generator to keep batteries topped up for electric fences on rural farms located away from the national grid.

More than 100,000 of the Rutland Windcharger turbines have been sold over the past four decades and Marlec has become a key player in the emerging solar photovoltaic market from 1987. It distributes solar panels on behalf of BP Solar and the company’s devices power infrastructure all over the UK.

Northamptonshire Chamber nominated Marlec Engineering for the Planet Saver award.

Former cafe site is sold

Potential occupiers have been queuing up to bid for a wellknown café and truck stop in Northamptonshire. Now a private investor has paid an undisclosed sum to acquire the Jacks Hill café on the outskirts of Towcester.

Commercial property consultants Kirkby Diamond has begun the process of marketing the 1.74-acre roadside site pictured above on the A5 after its longstanding client completed the

freehold purchase of the café, whose parking area has been used previously as a lorry park for up to 50 units and trailers.

Kirkby Diamond executive partner and head of agency Eamon Kennedy said: “Our client was very keen to acquire the Jacks Hill Café site as it presents a number of development opportunities, subject to planning. The site has already attracted a lot of occupier interest due to its excellent location.”

Are you ready for the big switch-off?

The UK’s analogue network will be switching to digital in 2025

If you are not ready, this is how it could affect your business: Your phone lines won’t work Your Internet will stop working You won’t be able to take card payments Your alarm monitoring will stop working You may lose your existing business phone numbers

Be prepared for the switch in advance and ensure your business doesn’t lose vital, potentially costly connectivity.

US military procurement delegation checks out tech cluster firms’ innovation

Procurement chiefs from the US Army have been to Northamptonshire to see for themselves the cutting edge technology available to the global defence sector that is being developed ‘across the pond’.

A delegation led by the US Army’s chief technology officer Charneta Samms has visited Silverstone Park and met with tech companies based there, including Delta Cosworth, KW Special Projects, Lunaz and the Digital Manufacturing Centre.

The eight military representatives

were greeted by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire James Saunders Watson and heard an outline of the

work of the Silverstone Technology Cluster, which supports the growth and profile of advanced engineering,

electronics and software businesses in the area around Silverstone.

STC chief executive Pim van Baarsen said: “We were delighted to host the group and introduce them to some of the innovative businesses in the cluster and enable them to discover new technologies that can help them improve their efficiency and effectiveness.”

Regional law firm HCR Hewitsons helped to arrange and host the visit by some of the most senior figures in US military tech procurement.

“This was a great opportunity to

showcase the region’s credentials for advanced engineering technologies to a significant new market,” said Dominic Hopkins, joint head of HCR Hewitsons’ Central England office in Northampton. “Silverstone has outstanding businesses developing cutting edge technologies that can be deployed in many sectors and defence is one of them.”

Feedback has been positive, he added. Mr van Baarsen said: “We look forward to working with them going forward to take this partnership to the next level.”

Report shows post-Covid revenues are on the rise

Northamptonshire’s top 100 businesses continue to bounce back from the challenges of the pandemic to achieve a 14.5 per cent yearon-year increase in turnover this year, says new data from business advice specialist Grant Thornton.

Its annual Northamptonshire Limited report found that the top 100 companies in the county achieved a combined turnover of £9.1 billion this year. The growth is in stark contrast to the 2021 report which saw a decrease of 2.5pc in turnover on the previous year, as the impact of Covid continued to present trading challenges.

Profits were also up across the county’s top businesses in 2022, with Grant Thornton’s analysis revealing a 43pc increase in combined EBITDA to £568 million year-on-year.

The Northamptonshire Limited report provides an annual review of the county’s most successful businesses as measured by annual turnover. The businesses included in the report have a turnover range between £17 million and £1.2 billion and collectively employee 43,921 people across the county.

The county’s food and

beverage sector achieved the highest overall turnover at £3.1 billion but was among the lowest growth at 4pc demonstrating the longerterm impact of the pandemic on this sector. The property and construction sector saw the highest growth (39.9pc) to hit a combined turnover of £1.7 billion. Freight and logistics businesses saw the most sluggish growth in turnover at 0.9pc.

A total 26 new businesses joined Northamptonshire Limited’s top 100 this year, driven by a number of notable acquisitions of the 2021 top 100 cohort. This emphasises the the quality of businesses across the county, Grant Thornton said. This has been supplemented by great performances by other new entrants, with international fresh food business Avara Food Holdings achieving the county’s highest turnover, taking the number one spot from construction contractor Winvic Group Limited.

Ryan Shields, Grant Thornton’s director for Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, said: “The Northamptonshire Limited report gives us an opportunity to assess how the county’s economy has fared over the past year by analysing the

wealth created, retained and reinvested by key business decision-makers. We can see that Northants’ leading companies have bounced back from a decline in turnover recorded in our 2021 report to achieve a significant increase in revenues and an impressive 43pc rise in profitability. Against a backdrop of continued political and economic instability, this is welcome progress.”

Working with the county’s leading employers has clarified how businesses are investing in their agility and resilience, he added.

“The panel of local business leaders who joined us at the report’s launch provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities they are facing, with a focus on businesses culture emerging as a key consideration in attracting and retaining talent in a competitive employment landscape.

“While there are many challenges on the horizon - not least an increasingly high bar for measuring and managing ESG initiatives - the findings of our Northants Limited report is cause for confidence that the county’s businesses are well prepared to meet the current cost of living and inflationary pressures.”

Print, design, and sourcing specialist

Print Data Solutions is set to expand into its new 50,000 sq ft warehouse close to its headquarters at Park Farm industrial estate in Wellingborough.

PDS acquired the site in response to increased demand for storage capacity and to enable the business to scale its client stock and fulfilment operations in line with customer.

The new warehouse provides four times more

space, housing 5,000 pallets and provides access to more than 1,500 pick faces.

PDS managing director Nick Shelton said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new warehouse facility and trust that this acquisition will make doing business with PDS even easier.”

The PDS warehouse helps clients to reduce their own capital investment and cut costs by sharing storage resources, he added

The new facility also has created an improved

working environment for the company’s fulfilment and storage teams, Mr Shelton said. Since the warehouse purchase, staff have been moving stock and new equipment into the premises.

“As well as delivering greater capacity and flexibility for our clients, we have successfully futureproofed our business for the long-term enabling PDS to work towards the achievement of its ambitious growth targets,” Mr Shelton said.

Pictured at the Northamptonshire Limited report’s launch are (from left) SEMLEP chief executive Hilary Chipping; Dan Harding, chief executive and founder of Sign In App; Juliet Thorburn, group HR director, Scott Bader; Grant Thornton Ryan Shields

The massive new manufacturing plant being built by can-making giant Ball Corporation at Burton Latimer near Kettering is set to begin production early next year and will welcome 100 new recruits on site.

The plant, which will produce more than one billion cans annually, has been

recruiting all year, holding job fairs across the county as well as running pre-employment training courses in partnership with Tresham College. On the job training has taken place at Ball’s factories at Milton Keynes and Wakefield in Yorkshire.

Ball’s HR manager Paulina Panus said: “We have had a hugely successful recruitment

drive and have been really impressed by the enthusiasm and diverse talent here in Northamptonshire. Some of our newly recruited engineers are already working in the Kettering site, setting up

equipment and preparing us for production.

Ball continues to recruit for the Northamptonshire plant, she added. The company is looking to fill vacancies in roles, including shift

electricians, shift engineers, manufacturing technical operators, warehouses operatives and warehouse supervisors.

Once the new plant is open Ball will be promoting

These new recruits are settling into life at Ball Corporation as the aluminium can manufacturer prepares to open its new factory at Burton Latimer

a further 50 vacancies, to work on a second and third production line.

Plant manager Jason Bridger said: “There is an accelerating demand for infinitely recyclable aluminium drinks cans around the world, which is why Ball is investing in this new cutting-edge facility. Our new plant will include a host of innovative technologies, making this Kettering site the most advanced facility of its type.”

Production will use 20 per cent less energy and 70 per cent less water than traditional can-making processes, he added.

Ball Corporation is backing a campaign to raise awareness of people with disabilities in the workplace.

The manufacturer is set to open its fourth canmaking plant at Kettering and recruitment has focused on attracting and creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Ball is marking the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities this month (December 3) by releasing a short film to demonstrate that people with disabilities can do anything they are skilled to do. Featured are three employees with different disabilities and job roles. Lauren Touré is diversity and inclusion manager for Ball’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia region and has played a key role in Kettering’s recruitment drive. She is registered blind. “I find the question ‘Disabled people? What can they do?’ so interesting,” said Lauren. “It is like asking ‘What can that stranger over there do?’. In both cases we know nothing about the individual, what their skills are, what kind of person they are, how they were educated and what they want to do career-wise.

“My disability has determined some jobs or things that are inaccessible to me. However, I do have the skills and ambition to succeed in my chosen career.”

Warehouse manager Neil Howitt manages a team of 20plus operatives responsible for handling, packaging and shipping the cans. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s, now known as Autistic Spectrum Disorder, aged 35.

“Being autistic may be classed as a disability but I do not view myself as disabled and I want to show people what you can do with autism,” Neil says. “It does not have to hold you back in the workplace. I rarely hesitate to explain my autism to colleagues. I believe it is important for people around me to understand that I am not being awkward, it

Pictured (from top): Lauren Touré; Neil Howitt; Grace Danes

is just who I am. When I was growing up I was the weirdo in the classroom. Today, I am successful, confident and almost never get a negative response.”

Plant administrator Grace Danes’ hearing impairment was first detected during the pandemic when she discovered she could not fully hear the words spoken by people wearing face masks. “It has taken time to get used to my hearing aids - they make everything so much louder and in some places it feels a little overwhelming.”

On a visit to Ball’s factory in Milton Keynes, Grace had to wear ear protectors. “They did not fit over my hearing aids. Within a few hours I was testing out different ear protectors and I am now piloting a few options for other plants.”

At work, she has a radio headset with in-built hearing protection, which fits neatly alongside her hearing aids.

Kettering plant manager Jason Bridger said: “We embrace ability not disability and we are delighted that people with a range of skills, abilities and disabilities and from a variety of backgrounds are taking up essential roles in all areas of our business.

“The more diverse a business is the healthier it will be. Disabilities and long-term health conditions take many different forms. Some are visible, others are not. Some people with disabilities may need adjustments made in the workplace. Most do not need any at all.”

Transport industry ‘must think greener and better’

Reducing the amount of raw materials being used in the development and manufacture of new transport solutions is key to the automotive sector’s contribution to tackling climate change, says the founder of the world’s leading upcycler of vehicles.

Lunaz is leading the way in the conversion to electric power and upgrading of a range of vehicles at its factory on Silverstone Park.

Founder and chief executive David Lorenz says the recent COP27 climate change conference in Egypt has highlighted the need for a more sustainable mindset. He is calling on the automotive industry to consider

converting fossil- fuel-powered vehicles to electric to prolong their life.

“The more raw materials, the more carbon we use, the less likely we are to recover from the environmental impact we have caused to date by scrapping previously manufactured cars, trucks and other fleet vehicles,” Mr Lorenz, pictured, said.

The COP27 summit marked the 30th anniversary of adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“It goes to show that the need for greener, and better, solutions have been a pressing issue for a long time and will become more crucial in the future,” Mr Lorenz said. “Planning

for the future is great, but there is an urgent need for implementation now that we simply cannot afford to postpone any longer. Why wait to manufacture brand new systems? Why not reuse what we have already

and swap out their fossil fuelled engines with cleaner, zero-emission electric powertrains, right now?”

Lunaz is already upcycling vehicles at its Applied Technologies division at Silverstone. Its 2000,000 sq ft factory is removing the diesel engine from refuse collection lorries, installing a more environmentally friendly electric powertrain and upgrading the cabin to be more ergonomic and safer for the driver and crew.

The plant, which officially opened in July, has capacity to create 1,100 Upcycled Electric Vehicles a year. The factory uses energy-saving equipment and tech to reduce its environmental impact and Lunaz

expects to create up to 300 new jobs.

“I believe that the most sustainable vehicle is the one that already exists, which is then upcycled to run on electric power,” Mr Lorenz said. “If we can upcycle bin lorries, imagine what other transportation methods could benefit from this ethos. The remanufactured and upgraded refuse trucks we have started with harness the power of upcycling as they are cleaner, cheaper, and better equipped than an all-new battery electric alternative could ever be.”

An independent audit revealed that a Lunaz upcycled refuse truck saved more than 80 per cent of the embedded carbon compared to manufacturing from scratch.

Diversity and inclusion conference secures prestigious keynote speaker

Diversity champion Gamiel Yafei is to be the keynote speaker at a major regional conference and awards ceremony focusing on workplace diversity and inclusion.

He will deliver an exclusive expert talk offering an insight into the question ‘Why do we still need to talk about D&I?’.

Mr Yafei will speak during the This Is Us conference and awards at Kettering Park Hotel next month.

Designed to raise awareness and

celebrate diversity and inclusion in the workplace, the This Is Us Awards recognise the D & I initiatives of businesses across the regions and highlight companies’ commitment to equality and their positive impact on the workplace experience.

The awards will be made in 12 categories, including Recruitment Policy and Implementation, Training and Development, Gender Empowerment and Overall Champion. The full list of categories is online at www.thisisusconference.

co.uk/conference-awards.

The This Is Us Awards form part of the wider This Is Us Conference, managed by events company Events Together. Now in its fourth year, the conference will bring together business leaders from across the East of England and Midlands fora full programme of resources, talks, panels and workshops, hosted by prominent organisations and thought leaders.

The event will showcase best practice, offer training materials,

and facilitate conversations around diversity and inclusion, enabling companies to support and improve corporate cohesion and productivity within their teams.

Meena Chander, founder of the This Is Us Awards, said: “Prioritising diversity and inclusion should be a genuine ‘business basic’ and, while the energy for more noteworthy diversity and inclusion consideration is making headway, genuine advancement is still moderate for many companies.

“There has never been a more crucial time to bring these issues to the forefront for business owners throughout the UK, regardless of their sector. Overlooking D&I can provoke reputational hurt for companies, while grasping it provides so many advantages.”

n The conference and awards take place on January 12 at the Kettering Conference and Exhibition Centre. Find out more and book your place at www.thisisusconference.co.uk/ conference-awards.

NEW HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

B r o o k l a n d s T e c h n o l o g y P a r k , c o m b i n i n g a h i g h r a t i o o f o f f i c e t o w o r k s h o p s p a c e i d e a l f o r t e c h n o l o g y , r e s e a r c h & m a n u f a c t u r i n g e n t e r p r i s e s

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Technology at the cutting edge

Newly appointed Secretary of State for International Trade, Kemi Badenoch recently accepted my invitation to visit world-renowned high-performance technology firms Cosworth and Mahle Powertrain, both located on St James Mills Road in my constituency.

In July, Mahle Powertrain celebrated the completion of two new facilities in Northampton, the result of a £15 million investment over the last five years, including £3.6 million of UK government funding, that is delivering much-needed testing capability as the automotive industry accelerates its transition towards decarbonised propulsion. The investment

component came from the UK Local Growth Fund via the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership.

Kemi saw at first hand, the capabilities of the new Vehicle Development Centre, which allows manufacturers to test both two and four-wheel-drive vehicles in a variety of conditions and circumstances, all without the need for a gruelling programme of international travel.

The centre also supports the testing and verification of next-generation electric and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. The facility’s test chambers can accommodate both vehicles tested at speeds up to 155mph. Climatic conditions can be simulated from -40°C to +60°C.

Across the road at Cosworth, managing director and engineering legend Bruce Wood gave Kemi an insight into the cutting-edge world of Cosworth research and development. Cosworth is leading the way in the electrification, performance and digitisation fields of high-performance vehicles. Research and development are at the heart of what Cosworth does.

Both companies operate across the globe and the message that Kemi took away from the visit was to let industries like high-performance technology drive the agenda and for the Department for International Trade and other departments to provide targeted support to this end.

Reception highlights home improvements to net zero

MPs and members of the House of Lords have seen how products by a construction supplies company can play a key part in improving British homes as part of the Levelling Up and Net Zero agendas.

Marsh Industries, which has facilities in Kettering and Raunds, joined companies from across the construction materials and home improvement supply chain at a Parliamentary Reception held by national trade body the Builders Merchants Federation.

In a speech at the reception, BMF chief executive John Newcomb called on government to support a National Retrofit Strategy that aims to make British homes warmer, greener and cheaper to run. “Net Zero cannot be achieved without addressing

the UK’s existing housing stock,” he said.

Northampton South MP Andrew Lewer, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for SME Housebuilders, hosted the reception at the House of Commons on behalf of the BMF. MPs and House of Lords peers viewed innovations already available within the construction materials and home improvement supply chain that support job creation and Net Zero targets.

Marsh Industries’ products include off-mains drainage and water treatment systems.

Managing director Steve Boyer said: “Our products aim for a ‘light touch’ environmental impact and have pollution prevention mechanisms in place. Protection of the environment is at the heart of all of our design calculation processes.”

Council

Northampton South MP Andrew Lewer reflects on a visit by International Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch to two leading engineering companies in the town

Crowdfunding: A valid option for financing

Early-stage businesses often struggle to secure cost-effective funding and it can be tempting to look to alternative solutions, such as crowdfunding.

“While crowdfunding may not follow the traditional financing route, it is still a regulated activity and requires sound knowledge of the rules and risks involved,” said Anna Horrell, a commercial solicitor with Borneo Martell Turner Coulston.

Crowdfunding is a route open to businesses to raise money from the public. It is usually for a specific project, product or purpose and the project is pitched to the public through specific crowdfunding websites.

There are four main types of crowdfunding:

n Donation-based crowdfunding, which allows supporters and members of the public to donate money to the business.

n Prepayment-based crowdfunding, which relies on consumers lending money in return for some tangible rewards.

n Loan-based crowdfunding, where consumers will lend money to the business in return for interest payments and repayment of capital over time.

n Investment-based crowdfunding, where members of the public will invest in the business through the issuance of shares or other instruments that are similar to bonds.

The rules and legalities you will need to follow will depend upon the type of crowdfunding you pursue.

The UK Crowdfunding Association, which was set up as a self-regulatory trade body with its own code of conduct, also recommends steps that need to be taken to protect the investors.

You are likely to need to seek legal advice on:

n Contracts, including any you enter with crowdfunding consultants;

n How (if at all) the Payment Service Regulations 2017 may apply;

n Intellectual property rights;

n Data processing protocols and compliance.

2022 nears its end, Wayne Jenkins, business development and marketing director at Wilson Browne Solicitors, reflects on an eventful 12 months.

We were all looking forward with anticipation for this year - a chance to embrace ‘the new normal’ which really meant getting back to the ‘old normal’ for many people. With Covid largely behind us we looked forward with hope for a more certain future …well, the phrase “The best laid plans of mice and men” springs to mind.

an even stronger business. We retained the Northamptonshire Large Law Firm of the year award building on the success of 2015, 2017/18, 2019 and 2021. The 2020 award ceremony, of course, was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Hayley Mauro, from our commercial litigation team, gave a keynote speech at a SEMLEP seminar.

Feefo, which gathers independent customer service reviews, honoured us with a Platinum award for outstanding customer service.

We joined The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, further cementing our credentials in the logistics sector - a sector that is crucial to the region given its location.

Early in the year we rolled out the second instalment of our TV ad which was a bold step but one that shows the strength of the firm and its willingness to invest and to always strive for better.

We sponsored more events than we can mention and delivered more presentations and speeches that one could reasonably count. Our success in the Legal 500 (the who’s who of the legal world) continues with multiple teams and individuals recognised.

The investment and peer-topeer lending campaigns are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and their rules and requirements need to be adhered to.

In February the conflict in Ukraine began and continues to affect the world economy and dominate the news. Supply chain issues affected just about every industry. The European Central Bank raised its key interest rate for the first time in more than 11 years. The UK is our third Prime Minister and our fourth Chancellor (as I write) and let’s not mention the various budgets.

The country remains in a state of uncertainty but throughout Wilson Browne Solicitors has continued to serve our clients and to build

We were shortlisted for The Modern Law Award. Our head of employment Jennie Jahina delivered a fantastic presentation on hybrid working at the equally fantastic Red Bull venue in Milton Keynes, organised by our good friends at 123 Internet Group.

Two of our future stars gained their own plaudits winning or being shortlisted for prestigious awards - well done, Kayleigh Brown and Jessica Leech.

We have continued to grow, continued to invest in the business, continued to invest in our people and continued to provide our clients with the high quality of service and expertise they need.

For an informal discussion, please contact Anna Horrell in the Borneo Martell Turner Coulston commercial team on 01604 622101 or email anna. horrell@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. Thank

We would say we continue to be all the help you need.

Happy Christmas from Brackmills BID

Safety and security continued to be a priority in 2022. Our PCSO Paul Hurst will continue to work closely with the BID in 2023.

www.brackmillsindustrialestate.co.uk

Our estate is bursting with business.

Find out more about working on or basing your business on Brackmills - contact Brackmills BID.

As

Our ‘new normal’: Serving clients and building an even stronger business

Igniting the enthusiasm for a career in logistics

Two major campaigns are seeking to create a shift in the perception of logistics.

The South East Midlands is home to a major cluster of logistics and supply chain businesses, with many globally renowned fulfilment companies, couriers and distribution parks: DHL, XPO Logistics, Mercedes, James and James, Amazon, Scania and Prologis are based in this area. Regionally, it is one of the fastest growing business sectors, with twice as many of the local workforce employed in logistics than the national average.

But “for too long, many people’s perception of jobs in warehouses is that they are low paid, unskilled and without the opportunity to progress,” said Robin Woodbridge, head of capital deployment and leasing at Prologis UK.

This is a sector packed with exciting global opportunities and needs to be championed as a great career choice. The Generation Logistics campaign, backed by the government, is highlighting the innovative careers that the sector offers and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is piloting their next generation of Think Logistics. The latter’s mantra is ‘We’ve got to educate the educators’, aiming to dispel myths and improve information given to young people

about the opportunities available in logistics.

To contribute, the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership and the Careers and Enterprise Company, with Prologis and CILT, have hosted careers information sessions, culminating with an event which brought together careers leaders from schools, business representatives, enterprise advisers who work with schools on careers programmes and two major employers, Clipper Logistics and online retailer boohoo, based at the DIRFT site in Daventry.

Analysis of over 50,000 job postings in the South East Midlands in the 12 months to August 2022 showed that a third were within logistics and supply chain. 45 per cent of the logistics roles advertised were for business operations, digital and engineering positions. There are

growing opportunities for people with skills and talents in robotics, data and the design and digitalisation of systems and processes, along with commercial skills, from marketing and sales through to global customer service.

John Henderson, CILT’s Northamptonshire group chair, said: “We have been talking about making careers in logistics far more attractive for a long time. The key is to build two-way relationships between schools and employers in the sector. This initiative is starting to make traction, which tackles skills shortages and raises the profile of this key part of the UK economy.”

Logistics businesses are creating opportunities for employees to develop their careers. They are keen to attract dynamic, creative and forward-thinking individuals who can develop their businesses and

help the sector to be more effective, efficient and sustainable.

Asked about the top three things learned at DIRFT, participants said: n The range of careers in the sector and the breadth of skills needed; n The routes into successful and rewarding jobs in the sector; n The scale of the local logistics sector and number of people it needs to meet growth demand.

“There is a groundswell of change and opportunity bubbling up from within the logistics sector,” said SEMLEP’s chief executive Hilary Chipping. “The pandemic put a spotlight on just how essential logistics is to the way we live our lives and the sector is transforming as a result.”

In partnership with businesses, trade associations and training providers, SEMLEP and the Careers and Enterprise Company Careers Hub are supporting better connections between schools, local employers and careers leads. SEMLEP is taking the lead nationally on behalf of the national network of LEPs to highlight the skills and sector development needs for logistics through official channels such as All Party Parliamentary Groups.

Prologis is creating training programmes to support the specific and growing needs of the sector.

“We must all continue in our efforts

to grow talent locally and encourage people to look at job opportunities in local logistics companies,” said Ms Chipping. “From operators to engineers, from drivers to project managers to software developers, there is great variety of career roles to choose from.”

Prologis’ real estate and customer services manager Liz Allister added: “It was fantastic to host a first event for career leads and enterprise advisers at DIRFT. It ignited engagement and enthusiasm for the evolving world of logistics and the many career paths open to all. We look forward to hosting more careerfocused events with our customers and stakeholders to support this fantastic, dynamic career option.”

n SEMLEP is seeking more people from business to work with schools’ careers leaders to improve local careers learning. It is also looking for more businesses to open their doors so more young people can experience what it is like to work in logistics. Help to grow talent and inspire the next generation of logistics leaders.

www.semlep.com

Bank of England, it’s down to you to tame inflation

The economic backdrop facing Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was one of uncertainty and unease, with the UK economy confronted by 11.1 per cent inflation, an inevitable recession and the urgent task of restoring financial credibility to the government.

Jeremy Hunt was facing a £33 billion current account deficit at a time when consumer disposable income continues to be eroded and millions of Britons already grappling with a cost of living crisis.

All eyes were on him and how the new Conservative leadership team would put forward a plan to support low-income households and balance the books while at the same time restore credibility to the government following the disaster of the September mini-budget.

The Chancellor did not disappoint and managed, through sleight of hand, to achieve his aims with a tweak here and there, coupled with freezing tax allowances and some new energy profit levies.

The result was a mini budget that announced £55 billion of fiscal tightening with the aim of reducing the deficit over the next five years - 51 per cent of the squeeze being driven by tax hikes, 49 per cent by spending cuts.

While the headlines will point to a plethora of tax rises and spending cuts, Jeremy Hunt has loosened fiscal policy over the next two years, cushioning the impact of the coming recession, with the tightening occurring in the four years from 2024/25. The onus is therefore back on the Bank of England to tame inflation and bring it back to the two per cent target.

Although the £55 billion package of tax hikes and spending cuts was as expected, it forms the largest

The Autumn Statement, in which Chancellor Jeremy Hunt outlined his plans to reduce the UK’s fiscal deficit, seems to have had a cautious welcome from the markets. Wealth management specialist Jason Stather-Lodge pictured, managing director of OCM Wealth Management, assesses the Chancellor’s statement.

tightening of fiscal policy since the Osborne ‘austerity’ Budget in 2010, highlighting to markets that the partnership of Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt will take their financial discipline more seriously than their predecessors.

The immediate aftermath of the autumn statement saw investors give a tentative seal of approval to the budget. The pound fell by more than one per cent but remained well above September’s all-time low and not far below the recent three-month high. This is a massive contrast to what was seen with Kwasi Kwarteng’s budget, with the rally in the run-up and a muted reaction suggesting that this government has restored a level of UK credibility.

With almost 30 per cent of UK government debt being held by foreign investors, the muted response within the gilt market indicates a seal of approval from investors in relation to the path laid out by the Chancellor.

The involvement of the Office for Budget Responsibility, which presented fiscal forecasts to accompany the plans laid out by Mr Hunt, also helped to reassure investors as the budget appears to have been designed to avoid any potential shock to sterling or gilt markets.

With inflation running at a 41year high alongside a need for fiscal restraint, a return to austerity is likely to add further pressure on the economy as consumer spending falls and consumer confidence levels remain near record lows. The OBR has laid out expectations for the UK economy to shrink by 1.4 per cent in 2023, with the Bank of England expected to take interest rates up to around four per cent to restore stability to consumer prices.

With energy prices contributing to higher than expected headline inflation levels, consumer focus was on the energy price guarantee which is helping to shield households and

We believe that what the Chancellor managed to achieve was positive in the short term, noting the market reaction has been positive. He has pushed most of the cuts out to after the next general election, managing to convince the wider market that the Conservatives were back in control. If that was the aim, it has therefore been a success.

There are many critics including us who believe that he should have gone further in simplifying the tax system. However, as we want economic stability first and foremost and that is how the market has reacted, we are happy and accept that paying more tax is required to balance the books.

Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng are now firmly destined to be remembered for all the wrong reasons in historical trivia and Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak have managed to restore credibility in the short term. The challenges facing the Chancellor will be vast in the coming years with fiscal

businesses from price shocks. An announcement to slightly reduce the level of protection on offer from April 2023 will be a concern to many, as annual household energy prices are set to increase up to £3,000, further squeezing disposable income levels amd dragging more consumers into energy poverty.

Without the current levels of government support, headline inflation levels are expected to have risen to around 13.8 per cent, highlighting the impact that a reduction in support could have

tightening and we have to hope that we do not see a heavy rise in unemployment above expectations and growth below expectationsthat will have deep consequences for the UK economy and the level of borrowing, resulting in a deeper, longer recession.

The ability to spend to stimulate economic growth rests heavily on the Bank of England’s ability to bring inflation back to target, although this requires the government to show a level of solidarity to ensure that the interest rate hikes are not offset by increased fiscal outlay.

We are definitely on target for UK interest rates to reach a peak of about 4-4.5 per cent (better than six weeks ago when forecasts briefly hit 6pc) in 2023 but the expectation is that inflation will fall in 2023 and employment will remain strong (compared to historical reference points) despite the headwinds.

If that comes true, we can realistically say the economy has normalised and the era of cheap money and no inflation has ended.

moving forward. With it we are now expecting inflation to fall considerably in the second half of 2023 which will, when it happens, make everyone feel better.

As a result of the rising cost of living, combined with fiscal restraint and slowing economic growth, many analysts now believe the UK is already in a recession which they anticipate lasting for four straight quarters, with unemployment set to increase to almost five per cent by the end of 2024, indicating further pain to come.

Helping businesses to prepare for the economic storm ahead

Global professional services firm KPMG is supporting companies across the region to navigate the increasingly complex economic challenges they are facing as they continue to target growth. Pete Rowe, Senior Partner for KPMG’s Milton Keynes practice, explains.

Following a challenging few years, it now looks as if the UK is heading for a recession which could see the economy shrink by more than two per cent by the end of 2023. So what can local businesses do to prepare for challenges ahead?

KPMG’s recent CEO survey found that more than two-thirds (69pc) of UK CEOs believe a recession will make it harder to rebound from the pandemic and 63pc believe it will disrupt anticipated growth over the next three years.

Many of our local businesses are having to make hard choices now to help their businesses to weather the challenging conditions they face.

For our army of start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, the slowdown in venture capital and private equity investment means looking for

new ways to attract funding and conserving cash to better position themselves for a new funding round as the economy recovers.

It is not all doom and gloom, however. Our local transactions teams have had a busy year with plenty of deals still happening as good businesses attract the investment they need and the local businesses we speak to are confident there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So what are the areas on which businesses are focused as they plan to weather the economic storm ahead?

n COSTS Getting a handle on a changed cost situation and taking costs out of a business to protect profitablity is a key focus.

There is not one solution. It will depend on the business - and potentially even the sector - but cost

improvements that a business should be thinking about will include revisiting finance arrangements and renegotiating debt interest with lenders, reviewing and renegotiating contracts and better data insights to fully understand the profitability of your product range, markets or customers.

n TAX The Chancellor put tax at the heart of his recent Autumn Statement in an effort to create stability, but for many businesses, the tax system can feel complex, and not the valuable lever it can be to grow or invest in a business.

Often tax is the area that is addressed at year end and not considered up front as part of the decision making process. Key initiatives to look at in attempting to unlock capital include making an R&D claim or looking at the super-deduction which allows companies investing in qualifying new plant and machinery assets to cut their tax bill by up to 25p for every £1 they invest.

n TALENT The ability to recruit, retain and upskill staff will be crucial to the future success of our local businesses.

Now is the time for businesses to identify the knowledge and capability gaps that they have now and are likely to have in future and to engage with their workforce to make sure they are equipped with the skills to overcome them to help to future proof their business.

Having a strong employer proposition to recruit the talent needed to take a business forward is vital. Across our offices in Milton Keynes and Watford, we are continually assessing our employee value proposition to ensure our firm represents the values of our people

and creates a sense of belonging.

n ESG Environmental, social and governance initiatives are not only growing in importance for investors, customers and regulators. They are also important to help improve financial performance and driving growth. Now is not the time to be pausing planned ESG initiatives. Delivering a sustainable recovery from the pandemic and recession and making decisions that address our societal challenges will benefit us all in the long run.

As we head into what will be a difficult winter, I am certain that our local business community is ready to weather the challenges ahead and be in a stronger position to benefit from the upturn when it comes.

Pete Rowe is Office Senior Partner for KPMG in Milton Keynes and its 125 staff based near Bletchley Park.

Pete Rowe

OUR VIEW: OCM WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Committed to investing in our people’s future

National architecture practice

GSSArchitecture, whose head office is in Northamptonshire, is celebrating their latest award successes following a great evening at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards.

GSS were delighted to win the Employer of the Year award, which recognises employers that have created an outstanding workplace based on a set of values that has led to a committed, effective and motivated workforce.

Hosted by TV presenter and actor Paddy McGuinness at the Northampton County Cricket Ground, the event saw a variety of businesses arrive to celebrate local successes from around the county.

The awards were judged by Nick Hewer, star of BBC’s The Apprentice; Shalom Lloyd, founder of Naturally Tribal Skincare Ltd; Rachel Mallows,

founder and managing director of The Mallows Company Limited, and Ian Nicholas, global managing director of Reed. Speaking about GSS’ submission for Employer of the Year, they said, “This submission was very considered and robust, providing an in-depth insight into what has been done to create a fantastic working environment with a true sense of belonging.”

As recognised Investors in People Gold Standard, GSS offer educational and training opportunities to all members of the GSS team and are committed to investing in the future of their people. The practice has a long history of providing opportunities, training, and support in the profession, with numerous members of staff currently undertaking studies in a range of disciplines.

The practice were also finalists in the Land and Development award for their work at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.

GSSArchitecture colleagues celebrate their success with TV presenter Paddy McGuinness, the awards host

GSS’ work at Northampton Museum consisted of a considerable expansion, involving a new courtyard extension which is strategically placed to allow the museum to extend into the adjoining vacant former council office buildings, including an old Gaol Block.

The work was part of the town’s Cultural Quarter masterplan and has more than doubled the publicly accessible area of the museum.

Tom Lyons, senior partner at GSSArchitecture, said:

“We are always striving to invest in our people and ensure that they are progressing in both their professional and personal lives so it is fantastic to have won Employer of the Year which is a great achievement for the practice.”

n If you are interested in how GSSArchitecture can help you with your career, or would like to get in touch in relation to any upcoming projects you may be considering, visit www. gssarchitecture.com

Your Business Expo: A different way of doing business

Businesses signing up for Your Business Expo are being given a wealth of exclusive benefits to ensure each makes the most of the opportunities generated from the event.

Headline sponsor qoob has created a portal with exclusive access for exhibitors at the event which will be held at Hangar One at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire on February 8.

The qoob group, which has been working with Your Business Expo organiser Business Times - sister publication to Business MK - since 2021, has put together a marketing pack which includes a range of free resources from graphics for use on social media to templates for press releases and flyers.

Matthew Rigby-White, managing director of the

full service marketing agency, said: “The aim of the exhibition is to reach, engage and connect so we want to help make sure this happens. It is important that exhibitors start looking at ways to promote the Expo so, as soon as they sign up, they will be given access to the portal.

“It costs money to exhibit but often exhibitors believe it is simply down to the organisers to promote the event. I totally disagree - it is down to everybody to share information about the event with their network.

“If each exhibitor even got just two or three people to attend, we would soon have more than 200 people in the room. It really makes good business sense. They want to see a return on their investment but if they do not tell their network they are going to

Matthew Rigby-White

Heat pumps: Proven solution for the energy crisis

As we head towards the end of 2022 and the start of a new year, we reflect on what the past 12 months has brought us and look towards the future. In the world of construction, and especially the building services sector, the emphasis has been on energy efficiency and the fight against climate change.

time. Heat pumps work in the same way as the fridge in your kitchen, collecting heat from one place - the air or ground - and moving it somewhere else - into your home heating and domestic water systems - using a refrigeration system.

be exhibiting then it is a missed opportunity.”

Your Business Expo aims to create opportunities for quality sales leads, to meet with key decision-makers from business across Northamptonshire and to increase awareness of each exhibitor’s individual brands.

Insightful workshops delivered by industry experts on key business topics will be run throughout the day. The workshops will include one run by specialists from

qoob who will be offering solutions to businesspeople looking to get better returns from their marketing.

“We believe our specialist knowledge has real value. We want to share this information with as many people as possible to help businesses to overcome challenges and find fresh solutions,” said Matthew.

“Many of us have either exhibited at or attended a business exhibition.

their network

HCR HEWITSONS

Your Business Expo is promising a different way to do business.”

The UK government has realised that we cannot go on burning fossil fuels so, from 2025, no new homes will be allowed to have mains gas connected to them.

There is much discussion about what will provide the heating and hot water in our houses but one technology that is already provenand Griffiths have been installing for more than a decade - is heat pumps.

It is not rocket science; the principle behind the operation of a heat pump has been around for a long

Griffiths were the first Northamptonshire installers to gain Microgeneration Certification Scheme status for heat pumps back in 2008. Since then hundreds have been installed, with most also being regularly maintained by Griffiths.

Another recent change affecting both heat pumps and air conditioning is the use of R32 refrigerant gas, which is much less harmful to the environment if it should leak than its predecessors.

It also has superior energy efficiency.

At this time of year, the engineers at Griffiths are very busy keeping people warm with a wide range of

heating products including air and ground source heat pumps, and air to air heat pumps (conventional air conditioning).

In addition, the Griffiths service team are making sure that regular maintenance is carried out to heating, cooling and ventilation

equipment throughout Northamptonshire, an essential part of keeping it at peak condition and spotting possible problems at an early stage.

Service plans or one-off servicing are also available for equipment that has not been installed by Griffiths.

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

Law firm HCR Hewitsons have opened a new office, bolstered their offerings to the region with new talent and received top rankings in the latest leading legal directories.

The new office, which comes after months of anticipation for the Central England team, arose from client demand for seamless service across a wider range of legal specialisms with an extended geographical reach.

Based in the Avon building on the same site as the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus, the investment demonstrates the firm’s commitment area, with joint head of office Charlotte ThorntonSmith calling it ‘the perfect springboard for continued growth’.

Indeed, the growth has continued, as new partner David Davies joins the corporate team. Although the firm’s highly respected international practice is already well-recognised, David, who has extensive in Europe, builds the firm’s capabilities even further.

“HCR’s work with clients reflects the approach it takes in businesspragmatic and sensible while being creative and ambitious,” he said. “I look forward to contributing

towards the development of what is already a leading practice in the Central England region and beyond.”

The team continue to grow following the firm’s latest round of promotions. HCR Hewitsons gains a new partner with Stephanie Dennis in the agriculture and rural affairs team as well as two new legal directors, with Lynne Adams in employment and immigration and Michael Campbell in real estate,

following the firm’s latest round of promotions.

Equally impressive is partner Tonina Ashby’s qualification as a Notary Public - one of only around 770 in England and Wales, bringing a new specialist service for the office that will aid in the execution of international transactions.

With this year’s independent legal directory rankings solidifying the team’s place in the world of law, there is yet more to celebrate as they

reach the end of the year.

Joint head of office Dominic Hopkins said: “This has been a year of continued excitement for us at HCR Hewitsons - as we approach the end of the year we are looking to the future as much as back on our achievements. The investment in the new office shows our commitment to not only our clients here but also our belief in the region. I am excited to see what the future holds and to build on this year’s successes.

“I would like to particularly thank our clients, who have been with us for all of these exciting changes, and for whom we strive to provide the best service every day.”

Charlotte Thornton-Smith added: “This year has been hard for all of us in a number of different ways, so I am delighted we have this good news to share. We are so pleased that this year has been a successful one and one in which we have been able to improve our offering to clients.”

It is down to everyone to share information with

‘The perfect springboard’: Law firm celebrates its investment in the region

I am excited to see what the future holds and to build on these successes.

Charlotte Thornton-Smith and Dominic Hopkins, joint heads of office at HCR Hewitsons’ new Central England headquarters in Northampton

Q&A

What was your first job?

Besides cleaning cars for pocket money when I was ten with a few mates, my first ‘proper’ job was when I was 16 working at the Co-op serving customers behind the delicatessen. I loved the job as I was dealing with all sorts of characters and every day was always different.

Why did you choose your particular career?

Most evenings I dropped my CV off with a covering letter to as many car dealerships I could. I was 18 and into cars.

I really wanted to get into car sales as a trainee to learn the craft but every dealership wanted someone with experience. Week after week I was posting CVs and following up with a call and in some cases walking into the showrooms to speak to the sales manageremails didn’t exist back then. If I was lucky, I would get a rejection letter with the usual ‘We will put you on file’ reply.

One Thursday in the local paper - I believe back then that Thursday was ‘jobs day’ - a position was advertised in the local Hyundai garage. I applied and got the job a week later.

What’s the best advice you’ve received in business?

“Look after your cashflow. No cash, no business.” Blunt but so very true.

MY FAVOURITE...

FOOD Turkish. Marmaris, in St Giles Street, Northampton, is my restaurant of choice

MUSIC/SONG Anything from Jay-Z to the Trolls

BOOK Behind the Mask: Tyson Fury FILM The Matrix

TV PROGRAMME Stranger Things

RESTAURANT Les Olives in Northampton, sadly now closed

DESTINATION Spain

A lot of hard work went into it, but it was the right decision - thanks to our accountantin 2017 to close. It was a low point but had to be done to stay in business.

The moral of the story: get a good accountant.

Who in business do you respect the most? Anyone who has had the balls to start a business.

What annoys you the most in business?

I have learned over the years not to get annoyed at the micro. There are bigger problems in the world right now

What’s your career ambition?

To continue the path we’re on, growing and developing the team and making Silverstone Leasing a business which the team love to work for and customers love to deal with.

…and your life ambition?

My Covid gamble: A tough decision worked in our favour

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Surviving Covid. It was extremely dark times back then. All my team apart from one were on furlough, dealerships closed, orders stopped, customers were calling 24/7 for status updates which we couldn’t give.

Many tough decisions were made to keep the business afloat, the hardest of which was to bring the whole team back when many of our competitors didn’t, as it was a risk.

This proved to work in our favour as the industry had a bounce back and in one month, we achieved three months’ worth of business, which was remarkable.

From such a bleak time to major success... I will never forget.

…and the low point?

Trying to sell used cars. In 2015 we opened a used car operation called Silverstone Approved Cars but due to the used car market we had stock we couldn’t sell and were making many losses.

To move to Spain. How do you relax?

Spending time with my gorgeous wife and two boys

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Collecting retro Jordans. When I was at school in the 1980s a friend of mine always went to America every summer holiday and had a new pair of Nike Jordans when he came back.

My parents, supporting both my sisters and I, couldn’t afford such a pair and I’ve always wanted them.

I have now been collecting retro Jordans for years and now 30 pairs on, all box fresh, the collection is growing nicely.

What’s your most treasured possession?

A spitfire mug which was given to me by my granddad when we opened the new office in 2017. Sadly, he passed a few years later and the mug is still on display in the office.

Tell us something you regret.

Not starting the business earlier.

Tell us a secret about yourself.

I am a freemason.

What are the first three things on your bucket list?

n To complete 3rd dan in tae kwon do.

n To compete in a triathlon.

n To have a holiday home in Spain.

Where business people discuss their motivation, ambition, experience - and themselves. Telling all this month is SCOTT NORVILLE, founder and managing director of vehicle fleet specialist Silverstone Leasing.

Silverstone Leasing rebranded from Silverstone Fleet Management as part of the company’s tenth anniversary celebrations this year

Scott Norville

I have learned over the years not to get annoyed at the micro. There are bigger problems in the world right now.

‘It’s not about surviving, it’s all about thriving’

Northamptonshire’s

Business Person of the Year has spoken of her pride at a double success at the county Business Awards, describing it as ‘a real buzz’.

PR specialist Jessica Pilkington took the individual award and was celebrating again when her company Pilkington Communications was named West Northamptonshire’s Business of the Year.

The awards, organised by Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, were among a total 13 including new accolades for Business of the Year in West and North Northamptonshire and the inaugural President’s Award, presented by Chamber president Robyn Allen to Beccy Hurrell and Lindsey Atkins of Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts.

Ms Pilkington, pictured below, said: “To be recognised for the fact we focus on supporting charities, social enterprises, community groups and third sector organisations was

a real buzz. This is the sector we are passionate about.

“Quite simply, we love what we do, which is helping these organisations embrace digital marketing to recruit, fundraise, promote themselves and stand out from the crowd. It is not about surviving, it is all about thriving.”

She was unable to accept the awards in person, having been in New York to celebrate her birthday. Richard Clinton, chief executive of Delapré Abbey - where Pilkington Communications is basedcollected the awards on her behalf.

Cllr Daniel Lister, West Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth, outlined why the council had opted to sponsor an award for businesses based in its area. “West Northants has a wonderfully strategic location and is home to thousands of successful businesses but as always it is the people that make it truly special,” he said.

than 300 of Northamptonshire’s

20/30 Labs. NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Health and wellbeing company Global Health Tests also took home two awards: it won the High Growth Business of the Year award for the second year running as well as taking the International Trade Business of the Year trophy back to its headquarters in Northampton. The ceremony took place in front of around 300 guests

headline

“After

Awards – which benefited so many businesses – it is thrilling to see this year’s event come to life once again. Business plays a key role in the shaping of our community. It gives hope and opportunity, as well as providing a place for forward thinkers to turn dreams into reality.

“When you spend most of your adult life working, it is important to make sure you enjoy it. You need to mark milestones, strive to be better and take some chances along the way.”

More

leading businesspeople were at the Park Inn Northampton to of Commerce. Business Times, the event’s media partner and sponsor of the Charity of the Year award,

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Learning & Skills Academy CIC

Winner: Jessica Pilkington – Pilkington Communications

Finalists: Kerry Leese – Food for Thought; Sean Maher – hireful

“Our local businesses pour their heart and soul into their enterprise and deliver innovation and growth to drive our economy forward. But most of all they are a demonstration of what success looks like and can be a driver for others to achieve the same.”

at the Park Inn Northampton, hosted by broadcaster and journalist John Griff and with Northamptonshire law firm Wilson Browne Solicitors as

sponsor. Chamber president Ms Allen said:

the successful return of last year’s Northamptonshire Business

Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Louise Wall opens the awards ceremony

PR specialist reflects on her company’s work supporting the voluntary sector

Winner: Businesses pour their heart and soul into their enterprise

Northamptonshire Health Charity

Northampton Leisure Trust / Trilogy Leisure; Northampton Town FC Community Trust.

qoob

Big Bear Trailers & Outdoor

Artemis Adjusting. HIGH GROWTH BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsor: AZETS

Northamptonshire Business Awards

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: Global Health Tests Winner: DB Shoes

Finalists: Competitive Edge Training & Consultancy; Paradigm Shift Consulting.

WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: West Northamptonshire Council Winner: Pilkington Communications Finalists: Competitive Edge Training & Consultancy; Northampton Leisure Trust / Trilogy Leisure.

WORKPLACE

WELLBEING Sponsor:

YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Sponsor: University of Northampton

Photos by Nick Freeman Photography. NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE OF THE YEAR

The Northamptonshire Business Awards winners begin their celebrations

President’s Award winners Beccy Hurrell and Lindsey Atkins of Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts, are pictured with Chamber president Robyn Allen (left) and Jenny Woodruff of headline sponsor Wilson Browne Solicitors

The business networking events this month across Northamptonshire

All monthly breakfast meetings, 7.30am-9.30am.

WELLINGBOROUGH

1st Thursday: Great Doddington Club, Lower Street, Great Doddington Price: £16.

A group for networkers looking for referrals, introductions, opportunities and sales. A tried and tested model offering dynamic weekly online meetings and an experienced management team: 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

If you are serious about growing your business, BNI works. Last year BNI members in the UK generated more than £482 million worth of business for each other. To find out how, visit a local chapter meeting and see for yourself. Each chapter has a personality of its own and finding where you fit best helps you get connected.

Elite BNI (Kettering)

Tuesday 6.45am-8.30am: Online Ignite BNI (Daventry)

Tuesday 6.45am-8.30am: The Turnpike, Harpole Northampton

Pioneer BNI (Northamptonshire)

Wednesday 9.30am-11am: Online Pavilion BNI (Northampton)

Thursday 6.45am-8.30am: The Old Northamptonians RFC, Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Billing Road, Northampton

Prosperity BNI (Kettering)

Thursday 6.45am-8.30am: The Kettering Golf Club, Headlands, Kettering, Sterling BNI (Northampton)

Thursday 11.45am-1.30pm: The Old Northamptonians RFC, Sir Humphrey Cripps Pavilion, Billing Road, Northampton Lighthouse BNI (Northampton)

Friday 6.45am-8.30am

Franklin’s Gardens, Weedon Road, Northampton

Contact: Duncan Webster. e: duncan@ bnibreakfast.co.uk or call 07977 422220

NORTHAMPTON

3rd Wednesday: The Turnpike, Harpole. Price: £16.

VIRTUAL MEETINGS

Price: £6

Brunch

2nd Tuesday 9.30am-11am: Online Breakfast

4th Wednesday 7.30am-9am: Online

3rd Thursday 7.30am-9am: Online 2nd Friday 7.30am-9am: Online

Afternoon

Fridays 3pm-4pm: Online

Money back guarantee if you do not find a meeting of value. Visitors welcome.

THE ACCOUNTABILITY CIRCLE

Monday 10am-11am: Online

A regular virtual meeting helping small businesses get tasks from ‘to do’ to ‘done’.

Advice and tips on time management and productivity.

Price: £6 per session or £12 per month. Find out more at buscomm.co.uk/ourevents

UK BUSINESS FORUM NORTHAMPTON

2nd Wednesday 5.30pm-9pm: Delapre Abbey, London Road

A friendly, informal and relaxed networking event for small business owners in the area to come together, make connections and build relationships. Each event features a short educational presentation on topics to support business owners followed by casual socialising. First drink of the evening is on us (or our drinks sponsor).

UK Business Forums has been the home of small business community support and advice for nearly 20 years. Membership is not necessary but join for free and maintain the business relationship you make at our networking evenings through our free online business support forums.

Free event. To book, visit www.ukbfevents.co.uk

Don’t let parties create a festive HR nightmare

Make sure that your company’s Christmas festivities do not result in an HR nightmare, business owners have been warned.

The onus is on employers to ensure that their staff understand exactly how they should conduct themselves at festive parties - and the repercussions if they do. not.

Excessive drinking, fighting, and nextday hangovers are among the most common complaints from business owners after Christmas parties, said a Northamptonshire HR expert. Rachel Collar is advising bosses to reissue their staff handbook to all employees ahead of the festivities to clarify exactly what is deemed acceptable behaviour and what the consequences can be if company rules are broken.

Practical support to help businesses grow their business. The Business Room is a one business area group for business owners, those in employed positions, MLMs and franchised businesses.

BUSINESS ROOM

The FSB has 2,000 members across Northamptonshire. These include a monthly FSB Northampton virtual networking at which everyone is welcome - you do not have to be an FSB member to join in.

Northamptonshire

December 9 10am-11am: Online

Hosted by Sally Wood, director of Sally Wood Consultancy Limited and FSB area leader for Northants, Leics & Rutland.

To book and for details of other networking, support and webinar events online, visit www. fsb.org.uk/events.

NNBN is a business membership for North Northamptonshire which aims to help businesses in the North Northants area recover, build and grow for a brighter future.

Attendees maximise their time out of the office and in the room by ensuring all the attendee information is shared in advance. This gives attendees time to plan their networking session so they can get more out of each meeting, therefore making it as profitable as possible.

Each meeting involves structured networking, a session where a member will share their knowledge, business story or insight and a Business Exchange, where members respond to the requests for help and contacts. These are lock-out groups so only one business area is represented.

KETTERING

December 5 12 noon-2pm: Kettering Park Hotel

NORTHAMPTON

December 8 12 noon-2pm: Old White Hart, Far Cotton

WELLINGBOROUGH

No fuss, no membership, pay as you go... The Business Buzz format is relaxed, informal, conversational B2B networking. Our town focused events meet face-to-face, allowing visitors to build better and more robust relationships. These are complemented by regional virtual events.

Business Buzz events run 10am-noon, price £8 Brackley Buzz

December 1: Paisley Pear, Northampton Road.

Northampton Buzz

December 21: Fox & Hounds, Harborough Road.

Wellingborough Buzz

December 13: Castello Lounge, Market Street

For more details, download the Buzz App or visit www.business-buzz.org/about/locations/.

Book and pay for your favourite Buzz at https:// app.business-buzz.org/app or at the event.

CHRISTMAS PARTY December 9 5.30pm-8pm: The Beeswing, Rockingham Road, Kettering Members only. Price: £22.15 per person excluding drinks.

EVENING BUSINESS NETWORKING December 12 7pm-8.30pm:

Kettering Park Hotel & Spa

Open networking, member presentations, testimonials, 60-second business intro and more. Free event for NNBN members; visitors £10.

To book, visit https://nnbn.co.uk/events/

CHRISTMAS CHARITY LUNCH

December 8 12 noon-2.30pm: Northampton Marriott Hotel Networking opportunities over lunch for Chamber members only. Price: £25 + VAT. Book at www.northants-chamber.co.uk/events

December 14 12 noon-2pm: The Stanwick Hotel, Stanwick SOUTH NORTHANTS

December 13 12 noon-2pm: The White Horse, Silverstone

THE CONNECTIONS CLUB - NORTHANTS

Only open to business owners, influencers and decision-makers, this is a structured and professional group, which gives people the opportunity to connect with other business owners who are serious about growth.

It allows you to take away a valuable skill, learning or insight from every meeting and meet valuable contacts. It is not lock-out but each session is limited to a maximum of three business areas.

NORTHAMPTON

December 6 11.45am-2pm: Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton.

Contact: Barbara Hodgson 07504 946 585 / 01933 652884, email barbara@ yourbusinessmatters.co or visit www.yourbusinessmatters.co

“Business owners want their employees to let their hair down but they are failing to put plans in place to stop the behaviour that leads to issues,” said Ms Collar, founder and managing director of Towcester-based Haus of HR. “It is always a busy time of year for me - I have to deal with the disciplinaries and formal warnings when people have overindulged and conducted themselves badly. And so much of it could easily have been avoided with the right preparation.”

Employers must communicate clearly what they expect from their staff and have plans in place to stop any incidents before they become problematic, she advises.

“A work Christmas party is an extension of the workplace. People should behave accordingly - that means no violence, no harassment or discrimination, and no risky or unsafe behaviour. Employers have a duty of care to make sure staff do not drink and drive, that everyone can get home safely and that no one turns up to work hungover or still drunk the next day.

“Making employees fully aware of this is the best preventative measure.”

Most Christmas parties go off without a hitch, but in some cases they can take a turn, she added.

“Not only does it ruin everyone’s night but it also causes a real HR disaster for the next day. Pre-empt the risks, make sure everyone knows what is expected of them and it is likely you will avoid any drama.”

With the right support at the right price it is possible for any small business to succeed. Members believe there is so much to gain with a positive attitude of mutual face-to-face.

Feature your networking group in future editions of Business Times. email details to news@business-times.co.uk

Rachel Collar

£450k Arts Council grant backs quest for new artistic talent

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has won National Portfolio Organisation status from the Arts Council England as part of the council’s 2023-26 investment programme.

The museum, pictured below, was awarded a grant of £450,000 spread over the three-year period, which will fund the museum’s Histories of Northamptonshire project.

It will comprise a series of exhibitions, events, books and

“We are incredibly grateful for the support shown by Arts Council England. This funding will enable us to grow Northampton’s Cultural Quarter and raise the profile of Northamptonshire’s rich history through a unique collection of exhibits,” said Cllr Adam Brown, West Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet member for housing, culture and leisure.

“We hope this three-year project will help to nurture the next

Challenging the abuse culture against women

Workshops to help men better understand sexual harassment and abuse against women are taking place across Northamptonshire under an initiative from the county’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold.

digital resources looking at different aspects of Northamptonshire’s history through objects, architecture, landscape and personal experiences.

Exhibition organisers will work with communities across West Northamptonshire to enjoy a range of arts and culture, culminating in a major exhibition A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects, which will include augmented reality trails, digital resources and a series of linked exhibitions at venues across Northamptonshire.

generation of cultural and artistic talent and increase opportunities for people from all walks of life. It will also provide an opportunity for people to visit Northampton and enjoy the high-quality art and heritage our county has to offer.”

To be eligible for the funds, the council had to demonstrate it could contribute to the Arts Council England Let’s Create strategy, aiming to allow residents to experience high-quality cultural experiences across England.

The Stand by Her training programme tackles harassment and cultural attitudes towards women and girls and forms part of the PFCC’s ongoing Safer Streets project. Reducing violence against women and girls is a priority for Mr Mold and among those taking part is Northampton College.

Training sessions for more than 600 students will take place in the coming months, encouraging them to challenge or intervene when they witness inappropriate behaviour. Ten teachers will also undergo ‘train the trainer’ workshops to futureproof the project and establish the training at the college.

Mr Mold said: “This is another

example of my commitment to making Northamptonshire a safer place, especially for women. Stand by Her training shifts the focus from women keeping themselves safe to target the root cause. This intervention will challenge the culture and attitudes that can lead to further abusive behaviour. It shows how men can be allies to women and play a fundamental role in stopping violence against women and girls.”

The training aims to start conversations with men about negative attitudes and behaviours towards women and will empower participants to actively challenge derogatory and inappropriate behaviour. Harassment is often the precursor to crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls and education is key to changing the culture and make more women feel safe, Mr Mold said.

The training explains that an unwanted touch, an unnecessary

sexual comment or a look that lasts long enough to make someone uncomfortable can be classed as harassment and challenges young men to reflect on their behaviours and the behaviours of others.

Northampton College principal Pat Brennan-Barrett said:

“Anything we can do to start a conversation around tackling violence against women has to be a good thing. We welcome this opportunity to get involved with a project that is already doing so much to change attitudes in young men towards women.”

Harassment and sexual assault impact the day-to-day lives of millions of women in the UK and happens everywhere, in outside spaces, at work, in the home and online.

Mr Mold is calling on organisations and schools across the county to take up the offer to host training workshops. To find out more, email commissioner@ northantspfcc.co.uk.

Logistics staff rally to community causes Jeweller backs mental health group

Charities and community causes in Northampton and across the UK are set to benefit from volunteering support provided by hundreds of Panther Logistics employees.

The lowdown, based in Kingswell Street, has been supporting young people in Northampton for more than 32 years. It offers free and confidential counselling, wellbeing drop-ins, LGBTQ+ support services, practical support and sexual health services for young people aged between 11 and 25.

Due to the increase in demand, the lowdown is preparing to host its Espresso Yourself Café every Monday and Friday, a drop-in for young people and their parents and carers and which provides new youth services. The Michael Jones Jeweller Community Fund is to donate £5,000 each year for the next three years.

“Support from local businesses is so important and not only raises funds and awareness for our services but also promotes the businesses and their support of charity work,” said Ellie White, the lowdown’s fundraising and marketing manager. “The funds donated will make a huge difference to young people’s lives giving them access to new youth activities.”

Michael Jones Jeweller director Matthew Tyrrell said: “This is a wonderful charity for our community fund to support.”

The company has announced its new volunteering initiative aimed at assisting good causes in the locations where Panther’s nine UK wide depots are based.

“Providing Panther employees with the opportunity to take time out of the workplace to support community projects they are passionate about is just one of the many ways the company is engaging with our local communities and helping countless charities and organisations,” said managing director Gary McKelvey.

A total of 600 staff across the company are entitled to participate, equating to a total of 5,000 volunteering hours. Each

employee at Panther will be allocated a Volunteer Leave Day pledged to a charity of their choice.

“This is not something all organisations offer so Panther is proud to be able to support our team members to provide crucial volunteering help to potentially many different charities,” said the company’s head of people and engagement Vicki Barber inset

A Hallowe’en-themed fundraiser by Panther Logistics has raised just over £5,000 for the company’s corporate charity Over The Wall which provides free activity camps for seriously ill or disabled children and their families at several sites in the UK.

Costume-clad colleagues on a sponsored walk/run between Panther’s two Northampton depots at Lodge Farm and Moulton Park raised £2,524, a sum matched by the company.

Jewellery specialist Michael Jones Jeweller has chosen mental health charity the lowdown as one of their charities to support for the next three years from the company’s Community Fund.

Students at Northampton College are taking part in the Stand By Her programme

‘Arriving there was scary... an earthquake was still happening’

Hairstylist Jade Lawri is pictured passing on her skills to a group of young adults in the Philippines, all hoping to start a career that will take them out of poverty.

Ms Lawry flew to the South East Asian country to volunteer a fortnight of her time to teach wannabe hairdressers how to colour, cut and style hair. She trained more than 20 local people, all of whom are preparing to leave their communities with skills to provide for themselves and their families.

“Their way of life was so different to ours,” said Ms Lawri. “Nearly everyone lived in cramped huts with metal roofs and they cooked on open fires. Arriving there was really scary.

Hairdresser braves dangers to pass on her skills

A landslide had just happened so many buildings were torn down and an earthquake was still happening so the devastation was awful.”

She taught skills such as full head colours, highlights and balayage techniques, as well as basic cutting skills and styling. “One lady, a single mum, joined my course and told me her house had recently burnt down. This course was all about giving her the hairdressing skills she will need to provide for her three children and

get her life back on track.”

The trip was made possible thanks to support from hair products supplier Schwarzkopf and Henkel and Jade’s

boss Daniel Granger, owner of the Daniel Granger Hairdressing in Northampton’s Abington Street. Jade funded the trip with the help of

donations from family, friends and salon customers.

It was organised by Shaping Futures, a charity set up by Schwarzkopf Professional, a worldwide social initiative dedicated to teaching disadvantaged youngsters the craft of hairdressing.

“We are really proud of Jade for all the work she has done and for giving up her precious time to share her skills outside of our salon to those most in need,” said her boss Daniel. “We love getting involved in the community and this time it was not just Northampton but across the other side of the world.”

n Find out more about Shaping Futures at www.justgiving.com/ shapingfutures.

TV doctor joins charity as official ambassador Saints stars sign up to clubhouse renovation project

Long Buckby Rugby Club is the winner of the Northampton Saints Clubhouse Renovation Competition.

The competition invited grassroots clubs to win the chance for their facilities to be renovated as part of the work carried out by Volunteer It Yourself, supported by Northampton Saints, Toolstation and building supplies firm Travis Perkins.

VIY, the social enterprise that helps young people learn trade skills whilst renovating vital community spaces, have been joined throughout the works by Northampton Saints Foundation students, who are taking part in the Foundation’s Hitz and Aspire programmes, as well as local college students on construction courses.

TV doctor Nighat Arif has become the first official ambassador of the Lewis Foundation charity, which provides free gift bags to adult cancer patients in 15 Midlands hospitals.

She will use her public profile and social media following to help raise awareness of the charity’s work.

Dr Nighat above is a specialist in women’s health and family planning and has worked in the NHS and private practice for 15 years. She is resident doctor on BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning and hosts the Sunday Breakfast radio show on BBC Three Counties Radio. She is also a regular speaker and medical educator at national and international conferences

“I have been following the work of The Lewis Foundation for the past

year and been blown away by the impact they make supporting adult cancer patients,” Dr Nighat said. “I had had my own time in hospital with my son and have patients who I refer to hospital for care who say it can be an incredibly lonely and isolating time. I am extremely proud to be an ambassador for such a worthwhile charity.”

The Lewis Foundation chief executive Lorraine Lewis said: “To have the ongoing support of a wellknown medical specialist and passionate advocate is amazing. She clearly cares deeply about our work and will make such a difference helping to raise awareness and funds.”

The foundation’s goal is to provide free gift bags in every hospital in the country by 2027. “This is a step forward to making that happen,” said Ms Lewis.

Helped by Saints player James Grayson, pictured, and legend Tom Wood - both are ambassadors of the Foundation -

Tom Wood said: “It is great to be able to do some practical activities with the young people out of the classroom, and particularly in the surroundings of a local rugby club. have been lucky in that rugby has given me a great deal so getting involved in projects like this one give me the opportunity to give something back not just to the students but also the wider community.”

Connor Fleming, head of Northampton Saints Community, added: “The clubhouse Renovation Competition is an excellent example of our partnership in action, helping to support our local clubs and communities as well as supporting activity across the grassroots level. Projects like this help make rugby more accessible for everyone, using the power of sport to positively impact a wide range of groups and individuals.”

Back to the land: Project aims to tackle food crisis

Fruit and vegetables are being grown from seed and distributed to food banks and people in need across the county as part of a new project by Groundwork Northamptonshire.

Produce is being sown in a trio of Victorian glass houses within the Walled Garden at Delapré Abbey in Northampton, nurturing ‘plug’ plants’, which can then be transplanted to containers or gardens.

Food is also being grown in the abbey’s vegetable beds, with volunteers from local businesses and community groups helping to sow, seed, water and distribute.

The young plants, fruit and vegetables are being put on sale and distributed to food banks, said Groundwork Northamptonshire’s green manager Nathan Wearn-Hutter. They will also go to schools and families in order that children in particular can learn to grow their own produce at home.

The project is being funded by real estate investor and developer Firethorn

Trust and will run until October next year. Currently growing is winter produce including onions, garlic, winter salads, rocket, beetroot and herbs. In spring, potatoes, carrots, salads, tomatoes, sweetcorn, and pumpkins will be sown.

Groundwork is aiming to have an electric cargo tricycle by spring next year to deliver produce.

Firethorn Trust’s support is part of a long-term partnership with Groundwork.

“As a real estate investor and developer, we are committed to supporting the local areas in which we invest and develop and the community hub garden at Delapré Abbey will provide training, food growing and food distribution to those most in need,” says partner Chris Webb.

“We hope it will become a valued resource for the local community and create a dedicated space for people to garden, grow and access nature together.”

Delapré Abbey chief executive Richard Clinton adds: “This is the perfect example of partnership working, utilising our grounds and growing produce that will not only support food banks but also help people learn new growing and planting skills. Some of the fruit and vegetables will also go to our own kitchens.”

the group has redecorated the changing rooms and built individual changing slots at the club on Station Road.

Jade Lawri teaches Philippino students the basics of hairdressing

Nathan Wearn-Hutter and his Groundwork Northamptonshire colleague Louise Williams