NATURE-INSPIRED JEWELLER WINS BLENHEIM’S STARTUP BUSINESS AWARD

A jeweller whose work is inspired by the natural world has won this year’s FAB Startup Business Award, the final of which was held at Blenheim Palace.

FAB, the brainchild of Fabulous Bakin’ Boys’ founder Gary Frank, was Oxford’s first accelerator programme for entrepreneurs and startups.

Shipston-on-Stour-based Wild & Fine was among eight shortlisted businesses which pitched their businesses to Blenheim’s senior management and the FAB Accelerator team.

Winner Jessica Hickman-Woolcott, silversmith, jeweller and owner of Wild & Fine, was awarded a contract to supply her work to the Oxfordshire Estate’s retail outlets.

Jessica Hickman-Woolcott and colleague Hannah Rogan will also receive help and advice from the Blenheim management team.

Jessica said: “We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with Blenheim and are especially excited about the prospect of developing bespoke designs inspired by the Palace and grounds.”

Working in partnership with the FAB Accelerator team, the Oxfordshire estate’s programme supports locally-based firms and is now in its second year.

The awards are open to any business which is less than two years old, has fewer than five employees, is based within 20 miles of Blenheim, and can provide something which can be stocked in their shops.

Roger File, Property Director and Chief Operating Officer at Blenheim, said: “Our decision to select Wild & Fine was based not only on their range of delicate jewellery, but also on their passion and values, as well as the development potential of their collection to reflect the Palace’s beautiful gardens and parkland.”

The other seven finalists were BREATHE360, A Blackbird Sang, Lou Lou Creates, Rootyfruit, Hazell & Gray, The Conscious Company and Miana Ltd.

A Wallingford-based business which designs and manufactures deep cleaning machines for escalators and travellators has launched its latest product.

Rosemor’s Rotomatic ET15B deep cleans the vertical and horizontal part of an escalator step. The new model has 15 rotating brushes, an illuminated panel and a battery built in, alongside mains usage.

The company’s flagship product has been designed and manufactured by aircraft engineers using aircraft materials. Rosemor’s machines are used in locations such as airports, railway stations and shopping centres.

The company, formed in 1985, invests significantly in research and development. Managing Director Efraim Rosen, said: “Our escalator cleaning machines are being used in 59 countries across the world.”

The escalator cleaning market is set to soar, according to market research and with escalators in the majority of public buildings, it’s not hard to see why.

There are 426 escalators on the London Underground alone. The longest at Angel tube station is 60 metres long.