GLOUCESTER BASED SOFTWARE COMPANY SECURES MAJOR CONTRACT WITH VOLKSWAGEN

Volkswagen Group UK has awarded Gloucester-based River Software a threeyear contract to implement a business performance management platform which will support its 600-strong retailer network.

The platform, called Loop, will share data across the entire Volkswagen Group, from

HQ to dealer management, giving all users a single, transparent view of performance – a crucial requirement at a time of rapid change for the industry.

The contract covers all Volkswagen Group UK brands along with Volkswagen Financial Services, spanning cars, commercial

Oxford laundry partners with company behind Vanish brand

Space-age laundry and dry-cleaning start-up Oxwash, which we featured in the last issue of Business & Innovation Magazine, has teamed up with Reckitt, the company behind some of the world’s biggest hygiene, health and nutrition brands.

The ‘Oxwash, powered by Vanish’ partnership will see Oxwash use Vanish’s new sustainable formula in its washing facilities, which it calls lagoons, to help give old clothes a new life and helping prevent tonnes of clothes from ending up in landfill. vehicles, after-sales and finance.

Nine out of 10 pieces of clothing end up in landfill long before they should, and up to 70 per cent of clothing waste could have been prevented with better care habits. Both Vanish and Oxwash want to help clothes live longer by ending irresponsible washing and encouraging a circular economy.

Matt Bishop, Network Insight Manager at Volkswagen Group UK, said: “We have been impressed by the Loop platform from the start and are delighted that River Software has successfully navigated the tender process.”

Shakespeare Distillery boosts spirits with aptlynamed new rum

Hogarths Hotels and Restaurants, the Midlands-based hotel group, is championing brighter days ahead.

Last December, Hogarths Stone Manor near Kidderminster installed a big neon sign at the entrance to the hotel on the A448. The sign reads “Everything is going to be alright”. Since then, Hogarths team have been overwhelmed with the daily messages they receive from passers-by who say the lights have given them reason to smile.

Chris Flory, a local businessman, said: “I’ve never known any sign to have such an impact as you drive past.”

Ellie Beattie, General Manager at Hogarths

Stone Manor said: “We have been overwhelmed to read the daily messages from members of the public during lockdown. The past year has been so difficult for many and we are honoured that our sign has given the public a little glimmer of hope when they’ve needed it. Our sign is a very small gesture of solidarity from all the team at Hogarths to each person in the local community and of course the hospitality industry.”

Hogarths Solihull has been owned by Helena and Andy Hogarth for more than 15 years. In 2015 the family added Stone Manor to the hotel portfolio. It has since undergone two major refurbishments redeveloping the 56-bedroom property to become a luxury hotel.

Stratford-upon-Avon based Shakespeare Distillery is hoping to boost our spirits with this launch of its new White Rum named Jester. The independent artisan spirit producer has successfully been distilling gin for the last five years.

The rum’s name is taken from the famous sculpture of a Jester which sits on the town’s Henley Street, yards from Shakespeare’s birthplace. Most of the bard’s jesters were fond drinkers and known to be bold, memorable and popular characters – the ideal traits for a new British-made spirit.

Shakespeare Distillery is one of only a handful of UK distilleries to create the rum in its entirety onsite. Shakespeare Distillery has its own seven-day fermentation process in which the unique combination of yeast, water and sugar creates flavour and alcohol, bubbling away slowly in “Titania” its fermenter.

01 Good Energy Group appoints former moneysupermarket man as CEO

Chippenham-based Good Energy Plc, has appointed Nigel Pocklington as CEO following founder Julia Davenport’s announcement in February that she wished to step down. Nigel was the Chief Commercial Officer at moneysupermarket.com.

03

Warwickshire Law Society expands

Andrew Nyamayaro from Tann Law Solicitors has been appointed President of Warwickshire Law Society. Andrew will also remain in his role as the society’s press representative. Robert Lee, Corporate Partner at Wright Hassall, becomes Vice-President. His colleague, Chelcie Evans, becomes Chairperson of The Warwickshire Junior Lawyers Division.

04

Worcestershire law firm grows commercial litigation team

Worcestershire’s mfg Solicitors has strengthened its commercial litigation team after appointing a consultant solicitor. Dispute resolution specialist James Ng will play a key role in leading the firm’s growth in Worcestershire and the wider region. James (right) is pictured with partner Tom Esler.

05

Reading outsourcing and advisory firm appoints Risk Director

Helen Maslin has been appointed as Risk Director at resourcing, outsourcing and advisory firm, Huntswood. She joins from Quilter, where she was Head of Risk, and will bring extensive experience from senior positions at Metro Bank and Lloyds Banking Group.

02

Welcome on board to new Senior First O cer in Gloucestershire

Former Flybe pilot Mark Podbery has been appointed Senior First Officer with The Little Jet Company based at Gloucestershire Airport.

Mark was an IT consultant when he learned to fly in 2010. He gained a private pilot licence and qualified as a commercial pilot in 2016.

06 Tewkesbury manufacturer Trackwise appoints new Chief Operating O cer

Tewkesbury-based printed circuit designer and manufacturer Trackwise has appointed Steve Hudson as Chief Operating Officer. He will support CEO Philip Johnston as Trackwise expands to serve customers in its key verticals: automotive, aerospace and medical.

07 Bristol law firm sees further growth with partner appointments

Burges Salmon has appointed five new partners across key growth areas including banking and finance, dispute resolution and projects. The appointment of Victoria Allsopp, Emily Scaife, Emily Roberts, Richard Binns and Chris Chesterman brings the firm’s total number of partners to 99. (Photos show Victoria Allsopp who specialises in project finance with a focus on energy and Chris Chesterman who specialises in commercial transactions with a focus on the defence and nuclear sectors).

08

Oxford Cambridge railway picks up pace as new chair appointed

Nilesh (Neil) Sachdev has been appointed Chair of the Oxford to Cambridge railway corridor project for a term of three years. He will oversee the delivery of the East West Rail project, which will deliver a new direct rail link between Oxford and Cambridge.

09

Former Jaguar Land Rover boss swaps four wheels for two

The Solihull-based Norton Motorcycle Company has welcomed Sir Ralf Speth to the Board of its parent company, TVS Motor Company. The experienced automotive global business leader will join the company as Chairman, effective from January 2023. Sir Ralph stepped down from his role as CEO at Jaguar Land Rover last year, after 11 years.

11 Blackfinch boosts business development team with double hire

Gloucester investment specialist Blackfinch has boosted its business development team with the hire of Senior Business Development Managers Chris Whittingham (below left) and Paul Rose Both join from Heartwood Investment Management.

10 Paul Holland steps up as Grant Thornton invests in South of England

Business advisory firm Grant Thornton has promoted Paul Holland to partner in its audit practice covering the Thames Valley. Paul will lead its audit and assurance services, working with large businesses and mid-market clients with fast growth potential.