CULLIMORE GROUP BOSS TO LEAD NATIONAL ROAD HAULAGE ASSOCIATION

Moreton Cullimore has become chairperson of the national Road Haulage Association (RHA), the youngest national chairperson in the organisation’s history.

The 41-year-old managing director of family-run haulage firm The Cullimore Group has long championed the issues facing hauliers within the region. He is now looking ahead to helping the RHA support the haulage sector’s postCovid recovery.

Ecotricity sells its electric highway car charging network

Stroud-based Ecotricity has sold its electric highway, which was the world’s first national charging network for electric cars, to Buckinghamshire-based Gridserve.

The sale will enable Ecotricity to invest in its core green energy business, with innovations like Britain’s first Green Gasmill – a revolutionary process of making ‘natural gas’ for the grid simply from grass.

It will also bring forward a series of solar and battery storage projects which will be built without government support.

Moreton said: “It is a huge privilege to take up this role at a pivotal time for all areas of our industry.

“Cullimore’s has been in haulage for more than 90 years and we have been members of the RHA since it was established more than 75 years ago.

“My grandfather, father and I have always believed that the support provided by such a strong organisation is invaluable.”

Gloucester Rugby unveils plans for new training facility next to Kingsholm Stadium

Gloucester Rugby is to make a multimillion-pound investment in its training facilities, building right next door to its Kingsholm Stadium in the city.

The new training facility will sit on the site previously occupied by SLG Beauty. Gloucester Rugby will transform the property into an elite high-performance training centre.

The facility will include a 470 sq m gym, including six Olympic lifting platforms, a rehabilitation centre, dedicated recovery gym, and an indoor training pitch. The sports facilities will be ready to use this summer.

The investment includes an upgrade of the existing pitch at Kingsholm to a world-class artificial turf which will o er the Gloucester Rugby team a premium and durable playing surface.

George Skivington, Gloucester Rugby Head Coach, said: “On Gloucester soil and walking distance from the stadium, the acquisition and development of this facility will fortify Kingsholm as a centre of excellence and double down on our commitment to developing home grown talent.”

EDF Energy to relocate to Gloucester Business Park next year

More than 1,000 of the country’s nuclear scientists, engineers and support staff are to relocate from Barnwood to new facilities at Gloucester Business Park. The move is part of a long-term plan by EDF Energy to adapt to the changing power generation landscape across the UK industry.

However, the company hasn’t made any firm decisions about the future of its Barnwood site, from where it has operated since the 1970s.

By 2030, the UK will transition from operating eight nuclear power stations –providing 15-20 per cent of the country’s power – to just two: Sizewell B in Suffolk and Hinkley Point C in Somerset, providing nearer 10 per cent.

The planned move in mid-2022 consolidates a nuclear skills corridor between EDF’s technical Gloucestershire headquarters, an engineering design centre on the edge of Bristol and the hugely significant Hinkley Point C project near Bridgwater in Somerset.

The move will enable closer collaboration between teams supporting the existing nuclear fleet and those developing the future pressurised water reactors.